We both returned to the temple.
I sat upon my obsidian throne while Hecate leaned against the crystal railing beside me, her lamp floating and glowing faintly with arcane fire behind her.
"Druvak has pledged his loyalty; he is now our sword and shield."
"And Amazel has agreed to follow the Underworld's Crown," Hecate added, her voice light, almost playful.
I looked at her curiously.
"I am really curious—how did you manage to pull her to our side so easily?"
She smiled, her eyes softening with memory.
"A very long time ago, when I first entered the Underworld, I met a small demon girl. She was weak and soft-spoken. Different from the other usual bloodthirsty, ambitious demonic beings. She was polite, reserved… all she ever wanted was a safe and quiet home."
Her voice slowed, warmth lacing her words.
"Then, one day, she was caught in an arcane energy rift. Her body… changed. Twisted by arcane mutation. I helped her and gave her some of my power when no one else would. And over time… she grew into a Duke. But her personality never changed; she is still a sweet and kind girl."
I watched her silently.
"It sounds like you care for her."
She glanced at me, unbothered.
"Of course, she is like my little sister. After you… she's the only one of them with whom I can talk without putting up a wall."
A grin crept across my lips.
"Oh? So you trust me that much?"
"Yes."
I leaned forward slightly.
"If I asked you to tell me everything… would you?"
Her eyes narrowed, knowingly.
She saw my trap instantly but chose not to dodge.
Instead, she leaned closer, her voice suddenly seductive.
"Everything? Even… my private secrets?"
She was definitely bluffing. I knew I shouldn't push her too hard; she would definitely become embarrassed.
"Is it, then? Why don't you show me your birthmark?"
"Okay, then… should I start with the mole on my left chest, or…?"
And as she spoke, she deliberately pulled her dress just slightly downward, revealing a hint of cleavage and the curve of skin that left very little to the imagination.
I unknowingly leaned forward a little, trying to catch a small glimpse of that mysterious place.
Hecate giggled and quickly straightened her dress.
"You are quite a naughty boy."
My face flushed. I had been caught in my own trap.
"Wha– I wasn't trying to see anything, I just…"
"Just stole a glimpse of it."
"No, I got a little injury during the duel, so I just leaned a little to relieve the pain."
I quickly made some nonsense excuses and left, as if remaining any longer would only sink me deeper into the swamp.
---
I walked into the garden and dropped down under the shade of a tree. I uncorked a bottle of tequila, poured the dark-blue liquid into a glass, and took a sip.
This tequila was made from a rare purple agave fruit and was strong enough to drop a cyclops in one shot. I set it down and pulled out a small vial filled with dark-green liquid.
Out of nowhere, Hecate popped out from behind the tree.
"What are you doing?"
I flexed the tequila bottle. "Nothing. Just celebrating a small win."
"With alcohol?"
"Obviously, alcohol is one of the best ways to celebrate."
I raised the bottle and glass, "Wanna join my celebration?"
She shrugged. "Sure."
I poured her a glass. She noticed the green potion.
"What's that? It just looks like my sleeping potion."
I fanned my hand. "Nah, it's an enhancement potion. This potion will make the drink more potent and strong."
Hecate hovered her glass. "Then put some in my drink."
"But—"
Hecate interrupted him, "No buts. I can handle even 100 times stronger."
I sighed and poured a drop into her glass, stirring it. I didn't add any to my own.
"Why not put it in yours?"
"I'll add it to my second drink. First, I want to taste the tequila as it is."
She nodded.
They clinked their glasses. "Cheers!"
They downed their drinks in one go.
"Hmm… Not bad." She blinked, swaying slightly. "Why… does this taste… familiar…?" Her eyes widened in realization. "YOU IDIOT."
I furrowed my brows. "What?"
Hecate pointed at the vial. "That is my sleeping potion!"
I said, "Impossible. I made this."
She slumped forward, out cold.
I used my secret divinity to check what had happened. An image flashed in my mind: two identical green vials sitting side by side. I'd grabbed the wrong one.
"...Great."
I thought about waking her, but when I saw her peaceful face, I just sighed. Carefully, I brushed a few strands of hair from her eyes.
"She is quite stubborn." I lightly pinched her nose; Hecate turned her head unconsciously. "But I like that side of her as well."
Then, carrying her in a princess-carry position, I brought her to my room and laid her on the bed. She shifted in her sleep, as if her dress was uncomfortable.
I noticed that, but I hesitated.
Suddenly, two imaginary figures popped out: one a small miniature Hades in devil form and another a small miniature Hades in angel form.
Both were in conversation with each other, but their words were an actual clash of my thoughts.
"She's your wife. Just change it."
"Not without her permission."
"She's asleep. You can't ask."
"Still wrong."
"So, you let your sweet wife sleep uncomfortably?"
With this devilish statement, no one was able to oppose him.
I came near her slowly, slowly unzipping the back of her dress, soft and beautiful white skin becoming visible.
I gulped, wanting to touch her and feel it, but still I hesitated.
Again the devil's voice came. "Why are you holding back? She is your wife; just a little skinship is nothing wrong."
I agreed with him and touched her white skin, which felt soft and warm.
Hecate made a little sound. "Hmmmm…"
Because of it, I came to my senses and felt guilty.
In the end, I changed her into a gown using magic while her eyes were shut the whole time.
The devil smacked his head. "And that's why you're still a virgin in both lives."
---
The Next Morning
Hecate yawned and stretched. When she realized she was in a different room and wearing a gown instead of her dress, she froze. Then she noticed me asleep next to her, shirtless.
Her face went bright red.
"AAAAAAAAAA!"
I bolted upright. "What? What's wrong?"
"Did you change my clothes?"
"Yes. Eyes closed."
"…Did anything happen between us?"
"I was drunk. I don't know…" Noticing her glare, I added, "Actually, no! Nothing happened! I swear!"
She summoned her wand.
"No, no, no, my sweet wife, let's not—"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Fireballs flew.
"I KNOW you didn't do anything, you idiot, but you still undressed me! That's punishable by fire!"
"Pervert! Horny dog! Swine!"
I dodged, diving behind trees while apologizing. The chase continued until she finally cooled down, though her glare stayed sharp the rest of the morning.
---
In the afternoon
We sat together in the war chamber, a map of the realm glowing with arcane indicators. With six Dukes remaining and four already in alliance, each move now carried weight.
"We need to divide again," she said with a cold voice, as she was still holding a grudge from the previous incident.
"Agreed. I'll handle Miramor, the Wandering Ghost."
"And I'll deal with Rontor, the Tortoise Titan."
I raised a brow.
"Isn't that thing rumored to be indestructible?"
"Which is why I'm the one going."
"Alright, dear wife. Just don't flirt with any giant turtle."
"No promises. If he has better compliments than you, I might consider."
I sighed.