CHAPTER 229: DATE WITH MARILYN

Averis was brought inside by Hades, her steps unsteady, her breath trembling. Luna immediately placed a hand over her wounds, the warm glow of her healing magic blooming across Averis’s battered body.

The injuries weren’t life-threatening, but they were severe—deep gashes, fractured muscles, bruises turning her skin dark beneath the fading spell marks.

Kaya, now that the silver brilliance around her had dimmed, looked almost as exhausted. Her breaths came uneven, her posture rigid, and faint blood stains clung stubbornly to her clothes. Her silver eyes, once sharp with the heat of battle, now reflected a calm she didn’t quite feel.

Hades narrowed his eyes as he studied the two. "What were you two doing so early in the morning?"

Averis was still dazed, sitting stiffly as Luna worked. Kaya stepped forward, bowing slightly. "I was challenged."

Hades lifted a brow. "Challenged... or invited for a spar?"

Kaya lowered her gaze, her voice flat. "I don’t find any difference between them."

His gaze hardened instantly.

He stepped forward, the pressure around him shifting—an instinctive dominance that made even the air tense. Stopping before Kaya, he asked in a low voice, "So you were willing to kill Averis because you were ’challenged’? Is that your ego speaking?"

Kaya froze. A flicker of rebellion sharpened her eyes, but she pressed her lips together, refusing to answer. Her fingers curled tightly against her sides.

Averis sensed the heavy tension and forced herself to speak. "It... it was my fault, my lord. The battle grew intense. I couldn’t stop myself from going all out. Kaya reacted instinctively."

Hades held Kaya’s gaze for a few seconds longer—long enough to make sweat bead on her temple—before turning away.

Peri noticed how the dragoness’s shoulders subtly fell, as though released from a binding grip. Even so, her reaction toward Hades was far different from the respect she should have shown.

Avalin, who had witnessed everything from the side, let out a quiet sigh.

*’It seems I should tell the young master a little about her...’*

Given Kaya’s role as one of his future attendants—and Avalin’s own disapproval of that decision—this much was necessary.

Hades moved toward Averis and glanced at Luna. "How is she?"

Luna’s hands glowed as she inspected the final remnants of the wound. "A single major injury could have caused severe blood loss. But thanks to her blood manipulation, she managed to seal the worst of it herself. She needs a week to recover."

Hades sighed, looking down at the violet-haired warrior. Thick bandages wrapped her torso, hiding her deep wound.

*Averis... a warrior strong enough to challenge me, someone who dared face Cravanvor and lived... and yet she lost this badly to Kaya?*

Perhaps he had underestimated the silver dragoness far too much.

"For now," Hades said, gently resting his hand on Averis’s shoulder, "take a week off. Rest properly. I’ll assign someone to take care of you."

Averis lowered her head, her shame hanging heavily around her. Not because of the pain—but because she wouldn’t be able to serve the young master during this period.

Meanwhile, a certain pink-haired girl in the corner lit up—already imagining herself stepping in as the temporary personal guard.

Before long, maids arrived to escort Averis back to her room, supporting her carefully. Kaya, on the other hand, was taken toward the central compound by Avalin. Judging by Avalin’s expression, the older one had every intention of having a very serious talk with her.

That left Hades and his three wives alone in the dining space.

The redhead looked toward Luna and said, "Let’s go to the room. You need to rest."

Luna grumbled, cheeks puffed slightly. "But it’ll be boring..."

Peri stepped in gently. "Hades will be around for a few days. If you recover well, you can go on a date with him."

Luna perked up instantly, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Then, carry me to my room."

Hades sighed with a helpless smile as the girl leaped into his arms the moment he extended them. He held her securely in a bridal carry and turned to Peri and Marilyn. "Wait here for me. We’ll go out soon."

Marilyn blinked, startled. "Where?"

Hades shrugged lightly. "Just a casual outing."

Luna leaned over his shoulder, her grin wicked. "It’s a date, Marilyn."

Marilyn’s cheeks flared red, her heart jumping. She had never been on a date before.

Peri chuckled softly. "You should take her alone, Hades. It’s her first time, after all."

Hades blinked, genuinely surprised. "Are you sure? I was thinking of buying some clothes."

Peri nodded. "I’m sure. And besides—Luna would be lonely if we all left her behind."

Luna dramatically covered her face. "It’s only my Peri who understands me... I need your company, my friend."

Peri smiled warmly, and Marilyn nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear—her heart already racing at the thought of the upcoming "casual outing" that was, undeniably, her first date.

Hades carried Luna down the corridor, Peri walking behind them with soft, unhurried steps. The warm glow of the lanterns brushed across the stone walls, casting long shadows that swayed with every movement.

But after a dozen steps, Hades noticed something missing.

Marilyn wasn’t following them for some reason.

.

He slowed, then stopped completely.

"...Was she that shocked?" he murmured, brows knitting together. "I don’t want to force her if she doesn’t want to come."

His voice had that rare hint of uncertainty—a softness only his wives ever witnessed.

Peri and Luna exchanged a look.

And then, at the same time, they giggled.

Hades glanced between them, puzzled. Luna tapped his chest lightly with a teasing smile.

"Oh, my silly Hades. She isn’t feeling forced. She’s just shy."

Hades hummed, tilting his head. "She doesn’t need to be. We aren’t strangers. She has no reason to be... stiff."

Peri stepped closer, her tone gentler. "Hades... Marilyn has admired you for a long time. Even if she doesn’t say it outright, she treasures every moment you include her."

Luna nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly. Even though we’ve been together countless times, I still get a racy heart when it comes to a date."

"And," Peri added with a soft smile, "Marilyn has never been on one. Not even once. This is new for her."

Hades blinked, the realization settling slowly.

"...Ah."

Luna giggled again. "See? It’s not fear. It’s butterflies."

Peri folded her arms, still smiling. "You have to treat this carefully. She is still new to all of this."

Hades let out a slow breath—half amusement, half fondness—before adjusting his hold on Luna and turning back toward the hallway.

A short walk later, he entered the room and gently set Luna down on the bed, lowering her with the kind of care that made her grin up at him smugly. Peri moved around quietly, lifting the blanket and draping it neatly over Luna’s legs before crossing the room to close the window, shutting out the cool morning breeze.

Hades watched the two for a moment—the way they have started to take care of each other...it was really calming.

"Do you want me to bring something for you?"

Luna hummed, tapping her chin dramatically. "Anything sweet." Then she added with a casualness that didn’t match the request at all, "Oh, and please bring me a new dagger. The last one got broken last night."

Hades blinked. "Last night? When did—"

He paused halfway through the question. He suddenly remembered.

He nodded instead. "I’ll visit the blacksmith and have one prepared for you. A better one this time."

"You can ask them to add a core to it," Peri chimed in, folding the curtains shut as she spoke. "The bow I use has one as well. It doesn’t do much, but it elevates durability and sharpness."

"That’s good," Hades agreed. "I’ll have them forge it with a core."

He turned to Peri next, ready to ask what she wanted, but before he could finish the thought, she answered as if reading his mind.

"Just bring me a fruit cake."

Hades blinked.

Peri smiled at his expression, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "A large one," she added softly.

Luna laughed under the blanket, "That’s my Peri—calm, cute, and secretly a glutton."

Peri’s ears reddened instantly. "Luna!"

Hades chuckled faintly.

It seemed he had two missions now:

A dagger with a core... and a fruit cake worthy of Peri’s shy request.

He soon got changed into a fresh pair of clothes and headed downstairs.

And when he reached, he was taken aback by Marilyn’s appearance.

Wearing a black one piece she stood there, a little fidgety.

She has tied her hair in a ponytail and wore a little make up too.

Hades couldn’t help but say, "You look quite beautiful."

She lowered her head and accepted the compliment with a smile.

Hades extended his hand toward her before asking, "So? Shall we go?"

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. If you have been enjoying the story so far leave a comment.