CHAPTER 1

~HADES ALDIONE~

It could have been a better day, But not for Hades.

Partying, drinking, and pampering yourself for the sake of worldly thirst. Enjoying each night as though there's no tomorrow. Maybe drown himself in a room full of women fawning over him, as he often saw from his brothers' Zeus or Poseidon.

Hades wished.

But he appears to be constrained to his quarters. He's restless, but he's still working extra hours because he has a lot of pending documents to secure. Among his brothers, Hades has the most properties and shareholdings.

Although some of his businesses are being administered by his most trusted friend, Thanatos.

Hades has dedicated his life to maintaining the flow of their resources for many years, ever since they were stripped of their divine attributes to become mere mortals. Unlike his brothers, Zeus and Poseidon, he avoided going all out in every man's common frenzy. He remained undisturbed inside his lair, doing mostly petty tasks that occupied all of his time and attention.

Yet, somewhere in his hectic schedule, Hades considered venturing out into the world of mortals for a bit of relief. But, no matter what he does, he'll always get so bored with all the mortal's doings and activities that he'll eventually surrender back to his quarters to repeat the same routine.

"How long do you intend to stay here tonight?" Hades' mother, Rheis, barged into the room, interrupting whatever Hades was doing.

Hades erected to kiss his mother on the cheek. "I'll be out in an hour. You could go home first," he replied.

Rheis gave Hades a suspicious look. She was aware that her son would not be finished in the next few hours. She knew Hades would still spend another five hours doing paperwork that could be done the next day.

There wasn't a single day in their daily lives that she has seen her eldest ever get to rest from his work. Rheis would often notice how Hades would come home late with the scent of alcohol exposing how he just wish to get drunk so that he may eventually fall asleep soon as he reaches his bed.

Rheis, being Hades' compassionate mother, doesn't want his sons to be left out entirely from the things someone at his age should normally have—his own family. But knowing the traits of his eldest for a long time, she may have to pull out her trump cards before she could make Hades start dating women.

Rheis can't help but keep talking as she looks around and turns her back on Hades, hoping to persuade his son to retire for the day. "Your brothers must be out somewhere right now."

"That's just like them, mother," Hades replied quickly. His tone was never tinged with enviousness. Hades knew that if he even showed his mother this side of him, she would never stop convincing him to get out and chill.

Rheis returns her gaze to her son, saying, "Darling, it's about time your skin got some sunshine. Just because you're the oldest doesn't mean you have to do everything. You need to get a life." She finished with a chuckle to provoke his son.

But his stubbornness when it comes to his social life makes him grin. "I already have my life here with you?" he says as he hugs her. "What else could I still want?" He made a sly remark to his mother.

"I want you to have a wife and give me a grandchild," Rheis rolled her eyes and pushed Hades away. "It's been a long time since I held a young child in my arms—" She continued, re-enacting an imaginary infant to cradle in her embrace before switching back to face Hades to add, "—before they've grown into this fine man before me. Get out there, Hades, and flirt!"

Hades wasn't able to hold off his horses. Because of what Rheis wishes, he laughs quite loudly.

"Mother, do you really want me to be like Zeus or Poseidon?"

Although all her rattling may sound irritating in the ears for anyone, Hades on the other hand, find every word his mother says really funny. That the laughter he just had made even made him yield a small tear at the edge of his eyes.

"Not exactly," Rheis said, knowing how stubborn her two younger sons were compared to her eldest. Rheis' favorite of the three is Hades. She just doesn't show him much in front of Zeus and Poseidon to avoid any conflicts with the three. Rheis was just worried about Hades being such a workaholic, which is why she concluded, "—but I seriously want you to get out there and date women. Stop burying your face in these papers once in a while."

"Don't be worried about me, mother. You should be hoping for a grandchild from either Zeus or Poseidon."

"I knew it would happen, but I still want to see a mini version of you, Hades, before I die."

"You're such a comic, mother, and you're still too young to leave this world."

"You always have something to say about whatever I suggest."

"Mother, you know what? You're really tired from the day. What you really need is some rest," Hades replied, trying to assist his mother slowly towards the exit.

This time, Rheis finally acknowledged that she couldn't persuade her son to leave work early—not today.

Soon after Rheis' departure, Hades returned to his seat to pick up where he left off. It was a usual scene for Hades to see his mother pressuring him to live the same life as his two younger brothers. But that wasn't what he had in mind, particularly when it came to dating women.

When it comes to women, Hades is quite overly fussy. He doesn't want an aggressive woman, nor does he want one who talks a lot. Hades dislikes it when a woman becomes too entitled and demanding. He would want a docile one, someone who understands that his world does not revolve solely around her. She doesn't have to be very attractive, just decent enough to be presented before Hades' mother. However, it appears that these qualities are too difficult for Hades to find.