King of Underworld

Chapter 185: Side Story – The Goddess of Beauty and Love, Aphrodite (2)

Unlike the bright and lively Olympus, the Underworld fascinated Aphrodite as she curiously looked around while descending with me.

Her presence drew countless gazes.

The souls crossing the five rivers of the Underworld, as well as gods like Charon, turned their attention toward us.

“Hades… who is the beautiful goddess accompanying you?”

“This is Aphrodite, the Goddess of Beauty, who will be assisting with tasks in the Underworld for a while.”

“Is that so? Well then, ahem, I am Hypnos. Perhaps we could have a little chat…”

“Oh, I’m sorry, but I’m rather fond of Lord Hades.”

“W-what? Hades, who is this goddess now?”

“Lady Styx, this is the Goddess of Beauty. I brought her to the Underworld to prevent further conflicts on Olympus…”

*Grinding teeth* “…You’re not involved with her in any way, right?”

“…Of course not.”

Aphrodite’s extraordinary beauty, radiating like a halo in the Underworld, occasionally caused misunderstandings.

Enduring the envy, jealousy, and other emotions in their stares, we finally arrived at the audience chamber.

“My, there are such interesting people in the Underworld,” Aphrodite said with a smile, brushing her golden hair aside.

Watching her, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of conflict.

She was indeed beautiful. Keeping her on Olympus would certainly have led to further disputes.

Though the Underworld had fewer gods, and many, like Thanatos, had little interest in women, could she handle her duties here?

Well, after a few hundred years, she’d likely adapt.

“The work you’ll do in the Underworld involves managing documents. It might seem unfamiliar now, but you’ll get used to it. Oh, and like someone mentioned earlier on Olympus, you mustn’t eat the food here.”

“I can’t eat the food here?”

“Anyone who partakes in the food of the Underworld becomes bound to it. That’s the rule. Having the Goddess of Beauty belong to the Underworld might lead to strange misconceptions.”

“Strange misconceptions? Why can’t I stay here?”

“It might create the belief that death is beautiful.”

Gods of the Underworld each have domains that suit the realm.

Death, sleep, dreams, oblivion, wrath, famine—things that, from a mortal’s perspective, aren’t exactly appealing.

But I understood the importance of this.

Death should not be made too familiar. While mortals inevitably move toward death, if they disregard their current lives and only long for the afterlife, chaos will ensue in the living world.

That’s why I was hesitant to let the Goddess of Beauty and Love remain here.

“Hmph. Still, can’t you tell me what kind of goddess you find appealing?”

“Someone diligent in their work who only has eyes for one god. Now that I’ve answered, take these documents and get to work…”

I couldn’t let my personal feelings dictate my actions toward her.

—

But how did things end up like this?

“Hades, there’s trouble! Another war has broken out in the mortal world!”

“What? Aphrodite, head to the Acheron River and restore order among the souls. Charon, prepare the ferry…”

Surprisingly, Aphrodite adapted well to the Underworld.

Though she occasionally complained and visited Olympus, and male gods frequently came to the Underworld to court her, she managed to fit in.

Did her beauty also charm the goddesses of the Underworld?

Seeing her laughing with Eris, the Goddess of Jealousy, who had initially scowled at her beauty, felt oddly out of place.

—

“The Goddess of Beauty and Love, Aphrodite, is now a deity of the Underworld?”

“Could it mean death itself is beauty and love…”

“Hold it! Have you not heard Pluto’s decree? The reason she resides in the Underworld symbolizes the love mortals send to their deceased loved ones.”

“Some say it represents Pluto’s mercy toward departed souls. There are even rumors that those who gaze upon the goddess’s beauty before boarding Charon’s ferry…”

“Hm? I heard it symbolizes a parent’s love sent to mortals from the deity of mercy.”

Of course, Aphrodite’s extended stay in the Underworld led to peculiar rumors spreading in the mortal world.

Fortunately, issuing decrees helped mitigate misunderstandings.

Thanks to Pluto’s relatively favorable reputation among mortals, the rumors were manageable.

By associating her presence with mercy, it seemed to soothe some of the fear surrounding death.

—

After finishing some paperwork, I relaxed on my throne when Aphrodite approached, her dress subtly undone at the chest.

Had I been captivated by her as well? My gaze instinctively followed her graceful movements, so alluring that it was hard to look away.

“Fufu. Am I still not to your liking, Lord Hades?”

“Ahem…”

She trailed her fingers along my face, the same fingers that had brushed her lips, as she leaned closer.

I couldn’t respond. Perhaps it was because of the soft and ample curves pressing against me.

Or maybe it was the familiarity we’d built while working together in the Underworld.

In truth, I might have been swayed by her refusal to entertain any of the other gods and showing this side of herself only to me.

The most beautiful goddess in existence, focusing solely on me—who could refuse her?

“Hmm~ Hades? You’ve gone quiet. Have you finally started to appreciate my charms?”

“…Let’s get back to work.”

“Hmph…”

I gently placed my hands on her shoulders and pushed her away, eliciting a pout and a soft whimper.

Looking at her complicatedly, I finally spoke.

“Why did you reject Ares’ proposal before? He seems like a decent candidate for a husband.”

“Well… The God of War is handsome and has a great physique, but he’s not quite… you.”

“There were many gods who only asked to spend a single night with you. Honestly, I found it surprising.”

After word spread that I didn’t marry Aphrodite and only had her help with the Underworld’s duties, countless gods visited the Underworld.

They offered treasures, divine beasts, and even relics imbued with divine power in exchange for a single night with her…

“Why is that?”

“I never imagined the Goddess of Love would reject being loved.”

Aphrodite never once allowed any of the gods to approach her.

She steadfastly claimed that her heart belonged solely to me, rejecting all those suitors.

She even refrained from eating the food of the Underworld, as I had instructed, requiring me to regularly bring nectar and ambrosia from Olympus.

As time passed, some began to call her a foolish goddess obsessed with an unattainable love, but she remained unmoved.

“…Why would you go to such lengths for someone like me? You could have any god you wanted.”

“And yet, the god I want doesn’t reciprocate.”

She folded her arms with a frustrated expression.

Certain… attributes were emphasized, making it difficult to decide where to direct my gaze.

“Besides, there’s one more reason. And it’s the most important one.”

“What is it?”

“You said you preferred a goddess who works diligently and has eyes only for one god, didn’t you?”

“What…? You still remember that?”

“Of course! I am Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty. I always pursue the love I set my sights on!”

Seeing her puff out her chest and smile triumphantly left me speechless.

Ever since we first met, all her efforts over the centuries…

The way she diligently worked in the Underworld and refrained from eating its food—was it all to win me over?

“The Goddess of Love giving up on love? That doesn’t exist. Not ever.”

She gave me a playful smile and reached out to a cluster of grapes nearby.

*Pluck.*

She picked one grape, held it in her mouth, and slowly walked toward me.

…Wait.

Those grapes weren’t from Olympus. They were food of the Underworld.

Step by step, she approached me, the mischievous glint in her eyes growing stronger.

By the time she stood close enough for me to hear her breathing, Aphrodite leaned in and kissed me.

Her soft lips met mine, and the grape rolled between us, moving back and forth in our mouths, asserting its presence.

“Mm…”

Was she asking me to decide whether I would swallow the grape or let her eat it?

Her feelings, built up over the centuries of gazing only at me, became vividly clear.

Yes. She truly was the Goddess of Love.

Was this sweetness I tasted because of the grape?

Or was it the atmosphere, thick with her affection, transforming even the air around us?

Or perhaps it was the heartfelt love conveyed through her kiss?

Whatever it was, I didn’t dislike it.

The kiss, brief yet seemingly eternal, ended as Aphrodite withdrew the grape back into her mouth and swallowed it with a *gulp.*

Her flushed face was filled with expectation, her eyes brimming with hope.

*Gulp.*

“Oh my, what should I do? I’ve accidentally eaten the food of the Underworld.”

Seeing the eager glint in her eyes, I couldn’t help but let out a wry smile.

So, this is how it ends.

Ares once asked me for advice on winning Aphrodite’s heart. Sorry, Ares.

“Now it seems I’ll have to stay here forever… Is there no god who will take responsibility for this poor goddess?”

“…Well. It just so happens there’s a lonely god of the Underworld right here. If someone like me is acceptable, then I’ll gladly take on the task.”

Before I even finished speaking, Aphrodite leaped into my arms.

Poof!

“I love you, Hades!”

“And I love you, Aphrodite.”

I guess it’s time to set a date for the wedding.