The Destiny that led me to you || Record of Ragnarok: An Unpleasant Encounter

Chapter Five: The Truth Unraveled

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"From their eyelids as they glanced dripped love."
― Hesiod

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In the evening Atropos got ready. She decided not to let the evening be ruined, despite her lousy situation. She put on a long white dress that her mother had laid out for her for today's occasion. She was surprised and didn't know what her mother was thinking, because the dress revealed parts of her back. She pinned her hair into a side, loose bun and put a gold barrette with a daffodil flower in her hair that Hades had once given her.

As she finished, there was a knock at her door. She opened the door and saw Hermes, who had come to collect her. "Are you ready?" he asked, holding out his hand to her. She nodded and took his hand to go with him to the party.

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Meanwhile, Hades and Persephone had arrived at the party. Persephone had dressed especially elegantly for the evening and attracted the attention of all the male gods. Hades was not bothered by this. He knew she was trying to make him jealous, but he cared very little about that. Instead, he kept an eye out for Atropos.

He let his gaze wander through the banquet hall, when suddenly Poseidon stood behind him. "Hades... I want to talk to you," said Poseidon and went into a corner of the hall. Hades followed him.

"Can you explain to me why you are here with Persephone? Why did you call off your wedding with Atropos?" asked Poseidon, staring at his older brother with a piercing gaze. Hades sighed and whispered, "I'm in a mess, Poseidon...and I think I need your help."

Hades told Poseidon what had happened. Poseidon looked visibly irritated. "Why are you trying to do everything on your own again? Why didn't you come to me sooner?" Hades shook his head. "It wasn't possible for me.... She can't know about me talking to you about this. She will have Atropos killed if she does." Poseidon was considering what he could do when suddenly Persephone stood behind Hades.

"Poseidon,... what an honor to see you again," she said, bowing. Poseidon wrinkled his nose and replied, "As mendacious as ever, Persephone." He turned and left, having no desire to communicate with this "poisonous snake," as he liked to call her.

Persephone stared at Hades from the side and asked, "What were you talking about?" Hades didn't dignify her with a glance and replied disinterestedly, "Nothing that should concern you." He left Persphone standing there, who put on a scowl, and sat down at his table.

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He continued looking for Atropos, when he suddenly saw the door to the hall open. He widened his eyes in surprise. Atropos entered together with Hermes and went to their table. She looked stunning and he thought to himself how beautiful she was. He noticed how the gods, who had just turned their gazes on Persephone, now all went to Atropos and surrounded her. This worried Hades, for he was afraid that he might lose her to another man. He stood up and approached her.

"Please, give me a dance!, Please accept my wedding proposal!" said several gods, all trying to take Atropos' hand. She sighed and asked Hermes to help her out of the crowd. Hermes helped her escape while he himself tried to calm the gods.

Atropos was about to go to her table when she was stopped by Hades. She looked at him ashamedly and tried to walk past him when he took her hand and pulled her to him with his other hand on her hip to dance with her. Atropos was confused.

"Why...?" she asked as he put his index finger on her lips to interrupt her. He moved closer to her ear and whispered, "You look beautiful. I want the first dance of this evening to be ours together." Her heart raced as he placed his hand on her back and caressed her.