"Not now, but after I die!"
Lorne quickly explained, seemingly startled by the gaze of the Lord of the Underworld.
"We will make a pact that after I die, my soul will belong to you.
This way, if Princess Melinoe encounters any danger while under my care, you will know immediately and arrive as quickly as possible to save her from peril!"
Hearing Lorne's reply, Hades was beyond shocked.
To protect his daughter, this young man was willing to go to such lengths!
"Why?" The King of the Underworld in the darkness was both touched and puzzled.
Lorne had completely shed his previous confrontational demeanor, smiling genuinely.
"You are testing me, and I am also testing you.
You are willing to tolerate my offense for your daughter, and you are willing to trust the Queen of the Underworld's judgment and entrust Princess Melinoe to me, an outsider.
This magnanimity is enough to prove that your love for Princess Melinoe is absolutely no less than that of the queen of the underworld.
It's just that as a father, as a husband, and as the king of the underworld, who is constrained everywhere, some emotions cannot be easily expressed."
Hearing the heartfelt praise, Hades, who had always been gloomy and poor at expressing himself, turned his head unnaturally.
"You also want to change; you also want to protect them, mother and daughter. Otherwise, you wouldn't have risked entering Elysium."
Lorne spoke with emotion, his gentle gaze fixed on the King of the Underworld in the darkness, and he sighed softly.
"You must have had a hard time these past years…"
Hearing the sigh from behind him, Hades's shoulders trembled slightly, his clenched fists at his sides, as he looked at the opposite side with extremely complex emotions.
Never before had any words resonated so strongly with him as they did today.
Yes, it hasn't been easy.
He just wanted his family of three to live a peaceful life, but some people simply wouldn't allow it.
And because he hadn't brought about any substantial changes, his daughter and wife couldn't understand his difficulties.
"For this family, you have done your best and fulfilled your duties."
Lorne gazed at Hades before him and spoke solemnly.
"Likewise, I don't want to betray your trust and the Queen of the Underworld's trust, nor do I want Princess Melinoe to suffer any harm."
"So, you made a pact with me, offering your soul to me after death, just for this?"
Hades asked with a stern face, and then, without waiting for Lorne to reply, he snorted coldly and rebuked him. "Nonsense! Is a soul something that can be given to others so easily?"
Lorne shook his head, pondering seriously.
"In my heart, the queen of the underworld, who has bestowed upon me the grace of rebirth, is no different from a second mother.
Princess Melinoe is my sister, and you…"
He paused, seemingly a bit embarrassed to speak, then changed the subject, his face full of sincerity.
"But talk is talk; without concrete proof, it's inevitable that it feels a bit superficial.
Moreover, you yourself cannot completely solve those troubles, and I don't know if I can truly live up to your trust and Queen of the Underworld's trust.
Therefore, I hope you can share this responsibility with me, and after I die, continue to protect their safety."
Seeing the person opposite him so considerate, so thoughtful of this family, even willing to pay the price of life and soul for it, Hades finally could no longer suppress the emotion in his heart and murmured.
"You are a good child…"
"And I have selfish motives. Even if I die and my soul falls into your hands, I don't think you would treat me poorly."
Lorne smiled sheepishly, proactively revealing his little thoughts.
"Naturally!"
Hades waved his hand, promising frankly.
"Then please grant my request!"
Subsequently, at Lorne's repeated insistence, the King of the Underworld could only nod in agreement, officially making a pact with him and imprinting his divine mark on him.
Seeing the black death mark, shaped like a skull, gradually fading on the back of his hand, Lorne's hanging heart finally settled.
It's done!
This way, the unique characteristic of Hecate's wheel on him would be negated.
Even if he accidentally lost his life, it wouldn't be so easy for Hecate to claim his soul through it.
Lorne pondered secretly, his eyes flickering faintly.
That's right, he didn't go through all this trouble just to simply sell his soul and pave the way for the King of the Underworld to rescue Melinoe.
More importantly, he could use Hades's death mark to exploit a bug in Hecate's wheel, making it easier to ambush that woman when she made her move against him.
Presumably, when that creditor comes to collect, seeing Hades there too, her expression will surely be priceless.
Moreover, all signs indicate that His Majesty the King of the Underworld was not truly content to be subservient to Hecate.
If he dies protecting Melinoe, and Hecate just happens to arrive at the scene, what would Hades think?
—Is that Moon Goddess going to harm his daughter again?
At that time, even if they don't immediately come to blows, Hades, feeling guilty, will certainly protect his soul at all costs, even if it means falling out with Hecate.
It's hard to say; after everything is settled, he might even gain more gratitude from the King of the Underworld, the Queen of the Underworld, and that annoying sister.
After all, he came to join this family, not to break it apart.
Just as Lorne was inwardly chuckling, Hades's deep voice provided a new surprise.
"With this death mark, the guardians of the Underworld will treat you as one of their own, and because it bears my aura, some unconscious patrolling spirits will even heed your command.
From now on, you will be able to freely enter and exit the Underworld."
Lorne was overjoyed to hear this.
"Thank you, Your Majesty King of the Underworld!"
However, Hades frowned unhappily upon hearing this.
"What did you call me?"
"King of the Underworld…"
"Hmm? I've given you the privilege to command the patrolling spirits of the Underworld, and what do you call me?"
Hearing the soft snort and seeing a hint of anticipation on Hades's face, Lorne immediately understood and bowed deeply.
"Godfather!"
"That's more like it."
Having received the answer he wanted, Hades nodded in satisfaction, a genuine smile appearing on his gloomy face.
"From now on, Melinoe is entrusted to you."
"I promise to take good care of my sister!"
Lorne immediately pressed on, then added in a low voice.
"Once I've settled her, I'll tell Mother about her and you…"
"No need!"
Hades waved his hand, appearing unconcerned.
However, Lorne smiled and shook his head, reminding him meaningfully.
"You'd best not refuse.
From what I know, when two people share a common secret, their relationship often becomes even more inseparable…"
Hearing this, Hades's eyes immediately lit up, his heart surging.
"Really?"
"Not just that…"
Lorne smiled slightly and offered further guidance.
"Melinoe's situation can not only become a bond for you and Mother to repair your relationship, but it can also allow you to collectively consider how to change the current state of the Underworld, further enhancing your affections."
Seeing Hades's somewhat bewildered expression, a certain newly appointed filial son's eyes sparkled as he slowly spoke.
"Melinoe is only temporarily being fostered in the human world.
How can a daughter eternally bid farewell to her parents?
As long as you and the Queen of the Underworld cooperate fully and await the opportunity to regain control of the Underworld, you can then bring Melinoe back to the Underworld to enjoy family happiness."
Upon hearing this, Hades's mind was enlightened, and a never-before-seen spark of fire ignited deep within his silent, black eyes.
That's right, for his daughter and for his wife, there were some things he truly needed to fight for!
Seeing his "Godfather" ignite with fighting spirit, a certain "filial son" also felt a surge of pleasure in his eyes.
Dear ancestor and that deceased father on Olympus, it seems you're about to have another competitor.