HADES

Spider

Have you heard? One of the maids said as she bumped into the other, while hiding her mouth with the shawl she had around her neck. The sign of shyness showed her embarrassment when it came to discussing something scandalous.

"Who hasn't. When the mother goes around talking about other peoples children, she is bound to be embarrassed like that once herself" the other said, to which many other agreed.

"Not only did she just find herself a street rat, but she fell into his trap too" another commented about the new gossip around town. And this time, it was not only something that the posh ladies from the west knew, but we do too. Because it was about someone, we all know in passing; Alessandra.

"Trap?" a young maid asked as she refilled the coffee machine that had not been used since Celina left the castle to wander off to her own adventures.

"She is pregnant with his bastard child. Lady Bridgeton had seen them around town buying baby clothes and even a carrier. It is said that her mother still doesn't know"

"Well, she will when the girl is forced to open her legs to deliver a whole baby and-"

"Poor thing. You should have seen the boy, I tell you-" The maid who was cleaning the kitchen spoke up, to which the others gasped. It was at that moment that Greta also walked in.

"You saw him?! Why didn't you tell us?!" the women nearly screamed.

"He was scary. Covered in what do you call that thing the young boys do nowadays. The drawing that are permanent-"

"Tattoos" Greta said, walking into the conversation blindly.

"Yes, that! A lot of tattoos over everything" Upon seeing the other maids side eyeing her, she quickly defended herself. "I didn't look, shameful women. They were poking out from everywhere. He even had a spider on the back of his head. How can I miss that?!"

It was at the mention of the spider that Greta knew, something was wrong. Something was very very wrong. At the faint memory of a young Hades crying in the tattoo shop from the unbearable pain, her legs carried her away from the kitchen in the instant. She bumped into a maid on the way, making her tray of colorful spices fall down on the ground like confetti. The colorful imprints that were glued to her feet left a trail of her running out of the castle that was starting to feel like a betrayal to her previous home.

§

"You look sick" Celina stated as she tried dragging Hades back by the bag across his chest. Some days had passed since he had spat out blood and as time passed by, he was starting to look as his body was actually feeling. It was safe to say that the cheekbones were more chiseled than before, but this time it wasn't for all the right reasons. The eyebags clearly told stories of nightmares and sleepless nights, but only in a whisper. They did not dare to expose of the pain their master was bearing on his shoulders, too scared of his control. However, the girl who had become fond of him had understood. She didn't even need the whisper. Her eyes that had inspected him from the first day could easily pick apart the difference in his dull appearance and pained smiles. She noticed everything from how his eyes squinted from sleep and the small winces he let out when he laughed out too loudly. It was safe to say that she was worried.

"I can still drive, babe. Come on, don't let my wife wait" He answered as he gently patted the new car he had bought.

"We have been on the road for weeks now Hades. Please let me drive for a change" the girl had begged and pleaded with the excuse of being bored from flicking through the playlist of slow songs. "Or please let me listen to my own music"

With that threat in mind, Hades sulked as he walked away from the driver seat. He sat down and was about to close the door when Celina stopped him suddenly. "Lift up your arms" she said-

"Lift up your arms" Lee said as Hades stood in front of the men. His body was blue from the cold and he was on the verge to fall down. The cage often left his limbs numb and he felt his body crack as he fully stretched to his 6 foot tall form.

Hades lifted upon his arms as another man chained them to the device. Just like that, he was left for others to laugh at and hurt him. His body that was used to being hurt still cried out as whips clashed against it, creating marks that would hug him forever. So much so, that Hades would be embarrassed and never want to show it to someone in the light.

Hades flinched away from Celina, making her eyes bulge out. A small whimper left his mouth before he could control it and the two of them froze for a minute. Celina, acting in an impulse, understood the situation quickly and tried to recover from the shock. "Can I please lift up your arms?" she asked in a soft voice, her eyes holding care and sincerity. Hades nodded and let the girl put the fluffy pink blanket on his to his shoulders. Just when he thought she was done, she pulled out a teddy bear from her little purse.

It was then that Hades let out a snicker. "Now I finally know what the purse holds" he whispered and accepted the bear, holding it close.

"It is very dear to me" she said, her heart fluttering. "It is the last gift my mother gifted me before she passed away. I used to give it to my father when I heard him cry secretly after her death. I left it outside his room and went back to check if he had taken in and he did. Although I know it probably didn't help, it was a sign that I was there if he needed me. So, the same message goes for you too"

Hades didn't let her finish before engulfed her in a big hug. Celina laid her head on his chest, hearing his slow heartbeat, and closed her eyes. The memory was painful to think about and she tried her best to block it away. Hades needed to be cared for now. She couldn't cry and worry him in a sick state.

"The same goes for you, princess. I am always here to listen and then cuddle afterwards" he joked, kissing the top of her head. "Wanna join?" he whispered in her ear, lifting the blanket.

Celina shook her head and pushed him away. "Did you buy this car to cuddle with me?" she asked, running her hands through his longs that grew surprisingly fast.

"No, I bought it in case you have to drive back without me" he answered truthfully, smiling sadly. Hades took her hand away from his hair and kissed the back of it before leading it to his chin.

"Why would I have to leave without you?"

"Well, I might die" the words slipped out of his mouth as if they were so familiar to his tongue.

Celina whipped away her hand from his chin and furrowed her brows at him angrily. "Never talk about death so lightly" she scolded him, as she tried to stand up from his lap where she was awkwardly laying.

"I meant that your fiancé may or may not find us and kill me for you"

"Loser"