𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐕𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄 ➤ 𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆

xiv. aim for my heart

That evening, the pair returned to their routine of speaking and giving the cold shoulder to each other during dinner.

The silent banquet hall seemed to hum with the shock and humiliation of their encounter in Elysium that afternoon. The servants exchanged worried looks; they assumed that the two had gotten into an argument or that something worse had happened.

Persephone remained focused on Hades (who was trying to mind his own business) throughout the ordeal. She was staring at him while thinking about something else.

She couldn't bear to look at him after their near-passionate encounter. Her stomach was lurching and she felt like she was feeling sick.

"Electra, they aren't talking again," Charon whispered to Electra as they peeped through
the doorway. "This is becoming a habit,"

"Quiet, they might hear you," Electra said to
him by sending him a reprimanding stare.

"I'm quite tired, I'd best be off to bed." Persephone abruptly broke the hourlong silence between them by standing up.

Hades said nothing as he watched her leave. His lips could only form a silent but desperate 'goodnight'. He wanted to tell her that out loud, but the embarrassment he felt was too suffocating.

"Your Highness,"

Electra entered the room with a curtsy and asked, "Your Majesty, is Lady Persephone alright?"

"Of course, she is," he replied bluntly, sipping
into his goblet.

"The others are growing confused and concerned. You two seemed happy earlier, but now you aren't speaking to each other again."

"It's nothing. She enjoyed the tour earlier, she's just exhausted, that's all."

Electra was aware that he was lying. After all, they would been together so long that she would learned all of Hades' mannerisms. Whether he was happy or sad, he was terrible at lying and hiding his emotions from her. But she spoke no more.

"Speaking of exhaustion, maybe you are too, Electra. Get some rest, and inform the others as well. It's been a long day after all." Hades lightened this tone of his voice.

"Thank you, my lord," Electra said gratefully, curtsying again, and leaving.

A smile crept into his mouth for a few seconds before frowning again.

Hades still felt the same suffocating sensation that night. He tossed and turned on his bed, desperately trying to tire himself and fall asleep - a technique he had always used, which was both successful and unsuccessful.

One of his hands was resting beneath the back of his head, providing additional support, while the other gripped the covers tightly.

He heaved a heavy sigh and licked his lips, the shining moonlight outside casting a glow across his already pale complexion.

One thought kept running through his mind.

No, not a thing. How awfully rude.

Persephone.

She had been haunting his dreams ever since he first saw her. Since then, he has had difficulty thinking coherently and sleeping well.

He loved her so much. He loved her so much that it caused him great torture.

He dreamed about her every night, her perfect facial structure – enchanting blue eyes, lush lips, wavy chestnut hair, and her beautiful smile.

He fantasized about wrapping his arms around hers while she slept peacefully and brushing a strand of her hair away from her angelic face.