CHAPTER 211: I AM VERY COMFORTABLE

The moon hung high above the castle, its silver light pouring over the stone walls and the quiet courtyard below.

In the center stood Averis, her long violet hair catching the moonlight like flowing silk. Her eyes were calm, but her spear — a weapon forged from her own blood — pulsed faintly with a crimson glow.

She took a slow breath. Then she moved.

The blood spear sliced through the air with a whistle, leaving faint red trails in its wake. Averis twisted her wrist and spun, her bare feet gliding across the cold marble floor. Each motion was sharp, precise — a dance between grace and danger.

She thrust forward.

The spear extended, stretching like liquid metal before snapping back into shape. The shockwave from her strike blew away fallen leaves around her feet.

Averis flipped the weapon behind her back and swung upward. The motion created a thin arc of blood energy that shot through the air and struck a training dummy. The dummy shattered into splinters before the red mist even cleared.

Without pausing, she leapt into the air, her body light and fluid. The blood spear curved midair, following her motion as if alive.

She twisted once — twice — then landed softly, driving the weapon into the ground. Cracks spread beneath her, and the faint hum of magic filled the courtyard.

"Too slow," she whispered to herself. Her voice was soft, yet it carried weight in the empty night.

Averis closed her eyes, drawing the spear back into liquid form until it coiled around her arm like a crimson serpent. The blood shimmered, reshaping once more into a weapon as she turned and slashed — faster this time.

Each movement was a blend of discipline and instinct — no wasted motion, no hesitation. Her final strike pierced the air with such force that the wind rippled outward, scattering dust and petals across the moonlit courtyard.

When silence returned, Averis stood still, her breathing soft and steady. The blood spear in her hand slowly melted away, dripping down her arm before vanishing into her skin.

"That was impressive."

Her body tensed instantly at the sound of that voice—a voice she could recognize even in a crowd.

Her eyes widened slightly, panic flashing for a brief second as she realized her disheveled state. She glanced toward the towel, but it was too late. He was already close—too close.

"Young Master..." she greeted, lowering her gaze. "Do you have any orders for me?"

Hades took a slow breath, his tone calm but unreadable. "How is your life here, Averis? I heard you sent away the maid who came with you?"

The violet-haired woman gave a small nod. "Yes, my lord. Her sister is pregnant, and there’s no one else in her family to take care of her. That’s why I sent her back."

It had been more troublesome than it sounded—the maid had refused to leave, not wanting to abandon Averis in an unfamiliar place. In the end, Averis had to use her authority to send her home.

"Without her... do you feel uncomfortable here?" Hades asked, his voice carrying a trace of hesitation. He knew well that Averis wasn’t close to anyone in the castle. The only person who made her feel even a little at home was now gone.

Averis took a quiet breath before replying, "To be honest... at first, I did. Everyone in the castle knew about my mistake—the one that caused your displeasure, my lord. Their hostility was clear, especially from Marilyn."

She paused, a faint smile touching her lips as she continued softly, "But with time, things changed. They started to accept me. And now... Ava and I are actually quite good friends."

Making friends had never been part of her plan.

Averis was a free bird—one that had started flying even before her wings had fully formed.

She was never fond of building connections. Being unwanted by her own family had taught her to rely on no one but herself. The only people she had ever truly trusted were her grandfather and her maid.

But things here... were different.

Maybe it was because no one condemned her for worshipping Zerathos. Maybe it was because, for once, she wasn’t treated like an outcast. Whatever the reason, the cold walls around her heart had started to soften, even if just a little.

Hades smiled faintly. "I’m glad to hear that, Averis. I’ve always felt a bit guilty, knowing you chose to stay here—so far away from home."

Averis returned a small, gentle smile. "Please don’t, my lord. I’m quite comfortable here." She lowered her gaze, her voice softening as she added, "In fact... I feel more welcomed here than I ever did at home."

Hades studied her quietly. He already knew a little about her past—Argon had told him enough to understand her situation. Averis wasn’t someone her family had cherished. She had grown up in an environment where warmth was scarce, and affection even rarer.

That was why Hades could tell she wasn’t pretending.

The emotions in her eyes—the calm honesty in her words—they were real.

After a brief silence, Averis spoke, her tone careful yet curious. "Do you mind if I ask, my lord... how is your training going?"

Hades gave a small, sheepish smile. "Just trying not to die."

Averis’s expression instantly darkened. "Is that man being too hard on you?"

For a fleeting moment, Hades could have sworn he felt a faint killing intent radiate from her. It was gone as quickly as it came, but it was enough to make him chuckle under his breath.

"No," he replied, shaking his head lightly. "He’s just teaching me how to *be* a dragon. His methods are... different. It’s taking me some time to get used to them."

Averis let out an irritated huff. "You’re already a strong warrior, my lord, yet he keeps pushing you beyond your limits. I believe you should speak with the Queen about this again."

She had seen the state Hades returned in after training—his body bruised, his breath heavy, his eyes barely open from exhaustion. Every time, it stirred something fierce and burning inside her.

But Avalin’s warning still echoed in her mind. *Do not interfere with his training. Not even once.*

Avalin’s tone had been sharp enough to cut through stone, and Averis knew better than to test her patience. That woman was far more terrifying than Averis’s mother ever was.

So, though it went against every fiber of her being, she held her tongue—until now.

Hades exhaled a long, heavy sigh, his tone softening. "I know you’re worried about me, Averis... but trust my judgment. Even though it’s only been six days, I can already feel the changes within me. Sir Vulcan’s methods may be harsh—but they’re working."

Averis slightly lowered her head, "I trust your judgment, my Lord. And I apologize if I had crossed my boundary."

Hades chuckled. Raising his hand he gave a brief pat to her shoulder before voicing, "You are being way too stiff around me."

He turned and started walking back into the castle. Just then, he paused and said, "Oh, yes...would you like to come with me to Torseque as my guard? I have to take someone with me so I thought-"

"Yes!" In excitement, she cut him off. But she soon realized her mistake and bowed immediately, "I-I am sorry, my lord! And yes, I would love to come with you."

Hades chuckled as he continued walking and informed her, "Then wait for me here early morning."

....

"How is she now?" Luna asked softly as Hades entered the room.

"Better," he replied, walking toward the bed. "Gloria’s staying with her. I told her to inform me immediately if anything changes."

Marilyn had been dizzy earlier, so he’d stayed by her side until she finally drifted off to sleep. Only after Gloria insisted that she would look after her did he leave, heading to the next room.

Luna exhaled quietly, shifting a little as Hades lay down beside her.

He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer, letting out a quiet sigh. "You think I should stay back and take care of her?" he asked, his voice low and uncertain.

His mother had explained that even though it had been more than two weeks since he and Marilyn formed their bond, her body was still adapting to it. The transformation wasn’t complete yet—and it was taking a toll on her strength.

Sometimes, the guilt weighed heavily on him. Watching her struggle through those changes while he kept leaving for training or meetings—it didn’t feel right.

"Every time she looks that pale," he murmured, staring at the ceiling, "I feel like I’m abandoning her."

Luna giggled, "Oh my silly husband..." She turned to look at him as she said, "Is it only Marilyn that needs you right now?"

Hades slowly shook his head.

"That’s right. Peri has been missing you dearly. And not like Marilyn is alone here. I will take care of her, okay?"

Hades faintly smiled as he kissed her tenderly and muttered, "Without you...I would be so hopeless."