Hades was taken aback for a moment by Persephone's sudden remark about his intention. Was he trying to cheer her up? Of course he was! He didn't want his beautiful wife to view him as some sort of monster, as no doubt the rest of the Olympians did without cause or remorse. Certainly that impression had washed off on her and it hurt him deeply to think of it, much like the love arrow had hurt when it pierced his heart. Why had Aphrodite and Eros played such a cruel joke on the both of them. He could understand why Aphrodite would have cause to fear Persephone, for she was beautiful and lovely in a way that the ravishingly Goddess of Love could never be. She smelled like the morning breeze coming off the sea, yet radiated like Apollo when he drove the chariot of the sun. Wherever she walked upon the earth, flowers sprung out and bloomed in glorious life. Perhaps it was that deep contrast to his own existence that Hades fell in love with, for his own life was dark and full of death. The prison of a kingdom that he had inherited needed some beauty, but it could not be stolen and brought hither. It had to be given freely.
"Thank you, dearest." Hades replied casually, as if Persephone's lack of interest didn't bother him. But it did of course. He wanted her to participate willing and full heartedly, but knew she never would while she still despised him from taking her away from her mother. Hades would have thought that was a good thing, for who could stand the overprotective sight of Demeter for every waking moment. Here at least, Persephone could be free and without constraint, save by those for her safety. Here she was a Queen, fit to rival Hera herself. Letting his hand slip away from hers, Hades eyed Persephone intently before putting on another smile. His hands came up to his head, tucking his thumbs under his helm as he removed it and held it out to Persephone. "I won't force you to come if you don't wish," he began, shaking his long silky strands of dark hair free from their bindings. "Therefore, I give to you my Cap of Invisibility. I will not force you to act or do anything against your will, so you may use this gift to hide yourself if that is what you desire. But you are a Queen here and the dead are your subjects now. If you still do not want me to be near you, at least help them find peace and solace here."
With that, Hades took several steps backwards and gave a grand bow before straightening up and departing. Persephone was left alone to her own designs for now, as a messenger would be sent with the summons to call her to the celebrations if she wished to come. If not, then Hades would merely put it off until she did come to terms with her new arrangement. For the present, he had work to do and much of it. Like the other Gods, Hades could work and craft much with his mind though it may seem to others that he was doing nothing physically. Already, he was arranging the preparations for the feast ahead. Food had to be prepared, and since Persephone had tasted the food of the dead there would be no harm done to her if she ate more. Spirits were summoned from their slumber to perform for their Queen, bands and ballets and orators. He paid a quick visit to the Judges, listening to their work and reviewing the cases of the newly arrived to see what was going on within his realm. Finally at the appointed hour, a shade was dispatched to find Persephone and bring her to the throne room where Hades waited, seated on a great onyx throne next to a similar one for her. Before them was a great table and banquet, with many shades of dead humans dressed in beautiful and exquisite dresses. They waited eagerly for their new Queen to arrive, so that they may celebrate the coming of a new era upon the Underworld and the changes it would bring.
