CHAPTER 202: DINNER

"Haah~" Averis let out a soft sigh as she sat on the bed after a long, warm bath.

Her long hair was clinging to her shoulder and her bare shoulders and cheeks were flushed by the warm bath.

After returning to the castle, she hadn’t done much—just ate, slept, and then took a long soak to relax.

During the few days she spent with her lord, she had begun to understand a lot about him.

He was... different from what she had read, yet somehow still the same.

All her life, she had heard stories about the Chaos King’s evil deeds. But unlike others who felt anger or disgust, she had always felt something closer to awe.

A fearless man who dared to challenge the heavens themselves—how could she not be fascinated?

And now, seeing her lord in person, she saw the same spirit.

Even though he was young and his core had only recently awakened, he didn’t hesitate to face a Dragon King—twice.

Yet, unlike the cruel figure history painted him as, the Chaos Heir was kind... and that, to her, made him even more complete.

What could be more perfect than someone who could be gentle and caring to those he loved, yet merciless toward those he despised?

’I really did choose the right person to follow,’ she thought with a small smile.

Just then, a knock echoed at the door.

Knock

Averis stood up, quickly checked her clothes, and walked to open it.

She thought it might be Gloria, coming to ask when she would return to her duties.

But when she opened the door, she froze.

"Huh?" Her lips parted in surprise as she saw her lord standing there.

"Hey, did I disturb you?" he asked with a hesitant, apologetic smile.

Averis blinked, snapping out of her daze, and quickly shook her head. "Not at all, my l–"

She gasped, covering her mouth as she bit her tongue in her rush.

’Ah, how embarrassing!’ she thought, face turning red.

Hades chuckled at the sight, which only made Averis feel even more embarrassed.

Then she realized she was still standing in the doorway and quickly stepped aside. "Please, come in."

Hades nodded and entered—but stopped almost at once.

A soft fragrance filled the room. It was faint yet warm, carrying the natural scent of a woman—a scent that stirred something instinctive within him. He nearly faltered, catching himself just in time.

His mother’s warning echoed in his mind: Be careful, Hades. Women sometimes release a scent they don’t realize—especially around strong men.

He gave a small, wry smile and said, "On second thought, I should head back and rest. It’s already quite late."

Averis noticed the shift in his expression and understood immediately. She didn’t insist, though her shoulders fell slightly in disappointment.

"Here," Hades said, handing her the small pot he’d brought. "It’s mutton soup. It’ll help you recover faster. Drink some and rest early, okay?"

Averis nodded softly. "Thank you, my lord." She accepted the pot carefully, her voice gentle and filled with warmth.

Hades gave a brief nod before turning away and heading toward his room.

When he arrived, dinner was already served on the small table, with Marilyn and Luna waiting for him.

He had wanted to invite his mother as well, but she had already left the castle to meet the General stationed at the tip of the Death Well.

Before leaving Aethernox, she had entrusted command to her General, as Xelrath had dispatched his forces to encircle the city in case Kaelith decided to move her troops toward Torseque.

The plan seemed flawless in Hades’s eyes. Every route, every response, had been accounted for. He believed he had left no corner for Kaelith to exploit.

But he had underestimated her—both her ability and her rage.

Kaelith had advanced to the front lines alone, her wrath blazing hotter than dragonfire, and in a single stroke, she nearly slew a Dragon King.

And just like that, Xelrath’s perfect plan lay in ruins.

"You’re back. Come, I’ve served the food," Luna said, her voice bright as she poured soup into another bowl and placed it before Marilyn.

Hades took his seat, rolling up his sleeves. "You didn’t have to wait for me," he said with a smile. "Well then, let’s eat."

Spread across the table were steaming dishes—soup, butter honey bread, sourdough bread, stew, and a few neatly prepared side plates. The aroma alone made the air feel warm and homely.

"I’m astonished at how many things you can make in so little time," Marilyn said, eyes wide with admiration. She hadn’t even taken a bite yet, but the rich smell and the inviting color of each dish told her everything she needed to know.

Hades chuckled. "Save your compliments for after you’ve tasted it."

Marilyn nodded eagerly, broke off a piece of bread, dipped it into the thick stew, and took a bite.

"Waah..." she covered her mouth, eyes widening in surprise. "It’s... so good!"

The flavor was deep and layered—the perfect mix of spices and salt, neither overpowering nor dull. The stew carried warmth with every spoonful, while the bread, golden on the edges, had the perfect crunch.

Luna was already halfway through her soup, letting out a contented hum. "This soup is just perfect. I feel enlightened."

Hades smiled, his expression soft. "Don’t hold back. Eat to your heart’s content. There’s plenty more in the kitchen."

The three of them soon grew quiet, focused entirely on their meal. The only sounds in the room were spoons clinking against bowls and the occasional satisfied sigh.

After a while, Luna leaned back a little and sent a mental message to Peri, her excitement bubbling through her telepathic tone.

[Oh, god... what a thing you’ve missed today, Peri! I swear, I’ve never eaten anything more delicious than this.]

Hades couldn’t help but chuckle softly at her exaggerated praise, shaking his head.

But then Peri’s reply came, teasing as ever:

[Considering the time... are you perhaps talking about Hades?]

"..."

The trio froze mid-bite, the atmosphere shifting instantly as all three of them realized what she must have misunderstood.

Hades cleared his throat, a faint blush creeping up his neck. "It’s the food, Peri," he said quickly. "I made dinner tonight."

There was a short pause before her reply popped up again, this time more casual.

[Oh-ah, okay. So... what’s on the menu? I’m having pea soup and bread.]

Luna exhaled a laugh of disbelief before she began speaking again, this time going into every possible detail—how soft the bread was, how rich the stew tasted, how even the soup had a depth she didn’t expect.

[You have no idea what you’re missing! The stew melts on your tongue, and the bread—oh, the bread!—is pure magic. You could smell it and feel full already.]

Hades laughed quietly, shaking his head. "You’re making it sound like I cast a spell on the meal."

Marilyn smiled, warmth touching her expression as she glanced at him. "If you did, I wouldn’t complain. I think even the gods would come down for this."

The room filled once more with soft laughter, the kind that came naturally when people felt at ease. Outside, the night deepened, and the faint rustle of wind against the window made the cozy scene all the more serene.

....

Soon, they finished dinner, and Luna, along with Marilyn, began clearing the table while Hades leaned back in his chair, clearly satisfied but too full to move. The sound of clinking plates and soft laughter filled the air as the two women worked together, chatting quietly as they cleaned up.

When they returned, Luna stretched her arms above her head and yawned. "I feel sleepy... but if I sleep right after dinner, I’ll get fat," she pouted, puffing her cheeks playfully before turning toward Hades. "What should I do?"

Hades smiled at her, his voice calm and affectionate. "Don’t worry about that. Your body needs rest. And no matter how your physique changes, I’ll always love you."

Luna’s face instantly turned pink, a bashful smile curling her lips. She giggled softly, stepping closer to wrap her arms around him. "You always know just the right thing to say," she murmured. Then, pressing a gentle kiss on his cheek, she pulled back with a grin. "Okay then, I’m going to bed."

As she walked toward the bed, she looked back at Marilyn and said warmly, "Don’t stay up too late, Marilyn."

The raven-haired woman nodded. "I won’t. I’ll head to my room now."

But just as she turned to leave, Hades spoke up, "Wait."

Marilyn froze for a brief second, her heartbeat quickening. For a fleeting moment, she thought he might ask her to stay—or worse, to share a room with him. The thought made her tense, unsure if it was nervousness or something else stirring inside her.

But instead, Hades stepped forward, his tone gentle. "Let me walk you to your room."

Marilyn let out a small breath, not sure whether it was relief or disappointment that settled in her chest. "Sure," she replied softly.

The two stepped out together, the hallway bathed in the soft golden glow of lanterns. Their footsteps echoed quietly on the wooden floor as they walked side by side toward the ground floor.

A cool breeze drifted in through the open windows, carrying the faint scent of the garden outside. The night was calm, with the distant hum of insects filling the silence.

After a few moments, Hades spoke, his voice low and easy. "If you’re not too tired," he said, glancing at her with a faint smile, "mind walking a bit?"

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A/N:- I hope you like these slow SOL Chapters.