𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐕𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄 ➤ 𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆

xxi. you really are your father's son

The palace's grand halls resounded with unusual energy, and the servants exchanged excited whispers. Their faces were filled with barely containable joy as the couple returned hand in hand.

"Good Gaia," Thanatos' jaw dropped "Are you seeing what I'm seeing, Charon?"

Charon, who was normally dull-looking, immediately lit up with vigor, and Electra, teary-eyed, gasped in delight. But neither Hades nor Persephone seemed to mind or care about the people around them. It was as if their proximity and presence were all that mattered in the world.

He accompanied her back to her chambers, and she eventually let go of his hand. He smiled lovingly as he looked at the goddess who had bewitched his body and soul.

"So," Persephone said, blushing. "You're my official suitor now?" The recent events in the gardens have only just begun to sink in, sending shivers down her spine and causing her heart to flutter.

Persephone had a plethora of suitors throughout her life in the upper realm, having piqued the interest of many deities, including Zeus' sons. The prospect of romance, marriage, and family greatly intrigued her.

But, with an overbearing mother like Demeter, an aunt (Hestia), and friends encouraging her to become an eternal maiden, she had no choice but to reject each of them.

Hephaestus. Gods, where could Persephone begin? The so-called "ugliest" of the Olympians due to his... misshapen face and lame leg.

He wasn't as hideous as both gods and mortals exaggerated him to be. He was a kind and industrious person but young Persephone was quick enough to turn him down.

It wasn't because of his physical appearance. He was aloof and gruff, and he had no shame in speaking bluntly to those with whom he interacted. He also held grudges against his family, so he preferred to spend long periods in his forges working on his machines and inventions.

That was probably because why his marriage with Aphrodite failed. The lack of communication and Hephaeatus' frequent absence surely put a strain on the couple's relationship.

And then there was Ares. Following Hephaestus and Aphrodite's disastrous marriage (due to the God of War's critical role in the doomed union), the Goddess of Love was banished from Olympus for a year. During that time, Ares had his eye on Persephone, but she quickly turned him down.

Not only because she feared Aphrodite's rage, but she simply didn't envision a future with Ares. He was snarky, quick-tempered, and somewhat inherited Zeus' knack for philandering, none of which Demeter would consider ideal qualities for a son-in-law.

Hermes came next. Their ages' proximity, his protectiveness over her, and his mischievous nature were enough for Persephone to call him her "brother", and therefore, refused his hand.

But the god who came close to putting a ring around Persephone's finger was none other than Phoebus Apollo.

Yes, her best friend's twin brother.

He may have had a deviant streak, but he was charming, cheerful, wise, honest, and kind. He upheld the rule of law and prioritized his family.

Despite being groomed to be an eternal maiden, young Persephone fell head over heels for Apollo.

However, the Goddess of the Harvest was unimpressed by him as she held a grudge against Zeus for his affair with Leto, the twins' mother.

Apollo quickly took notice of Persephone's feelings and began courting her secretly. Until one day, Persephone received the news that he had fallen in love with a nymph named Daphne — or Daphne the Laurel Tree — as Artemis called to tease her little brother later on.