‘But is that… necessarily bad for me?’

It could be bad for the dukedom. Iscariel was the governor of the empire, and his growing strength meant the empire was growing stronger.

But he was around the age of Angelica’s ancestors and had certainly shown kindness to me in many ways.

As I thought earlier, if he could coax or teach me, it would be a huge benefit to me.

But…

I licked my lips.

‘In doing so, I would endanger Hades.’

At the very least, I should inform him about Iscariel’s intentions.

“Uh, Hades.”

I hesitated and spoke up.

“If the Governor can make my divine power stronger, can’t he do the same for his?”

Hades did not look particularly surprised.

“I also think that might be his aim. However…”

He looked back at the mountain we had left.

“I have a feeling he won’t stop at that.”

“Then it can’t be allowed!”

“Shh.”

Hades briefly gripped my hair and then let go.

“It’s okay, Angel. Donovan is safe as long as I’m here.”

“How can anyone know that?”

I blurted out the words without thinking.

I knew why Hades thought so.

And I understood that Donovan had been sustained by relying on Hades up until now.

But I might know a world that could be Hades’ future.

So naturally, words of opposition sprang out.

“Hades… Hades can’t solve everything. He can’t protect Donovan from all enemies! Wouldn’t it be more reliable if we had a lot of money to sway the Governor?”

“If the Governor were someone who would simply fall for money, he would have already given up his name as Governor and would be playing a guru somewhere.”

“……”

Hades whispered.

“And yes, I can’t solve everything. But Angel, do you know this?”

“What?”

“The problems I couldn’t solve, you have been solving them for me.”

It was the onset of winter.

A cold wind blew, and traces of the snowstorm that Hades had summoned remained on the ground.

Although the world was freezing and thawing now, it was an even colder time as we knew everything would soon freeze solid.

But my face, neck, and chest felt as if they were blooming with hot flowers.

Hades looked at me with a tender gaze.

“As long as you are here, I have nothing to worry about, Angel.”
I resisted the urge to close my eyes. The heat steadily grew, eventually reaching from my head to my toes. I was worried I would be completely engulfed.

“So to save you, I can even shake hands with a person like that.”

The budding heat froze in an instant.

I stuttered, disconcerted.

“Bu, but… Hades could get hurt because of that person. Donovan could be seriously shaken. You’ve done whatever it took to protect Donovan from the Empire so far.”

In that process, the wellbeing and wishes of a girl like me, who he hardly knew, were easily dismissed.

“Angelica.”

Hades looked at me intently. I inwardly felt relieved that no one was around. Blaming my flushed face on the cold wouldn’t be convincing.

“If you’re with me, I fear nothing.”

He slowly bent his knees and met my eyes. He knelt on the hard floor without a moment’s hesitation.

“But if you’re not there…”

Hades’ low voice resonated in the tight space between us.

“I feel like I would fall apart.”

(This is a time marker.)

I had no recollection of how I returned afterward.

Hades nonchalantly ordered Amy to prepare a warm bath for me, suspecting I would be cold. After the bath, I snuggled into a thick wool blanket and started dozing off, overwhelmed by exhaustion.

But even when I finally came to my senses, Hades was still reading documents, sitting next to my bed.

Considering I had changed into comfortable clothes, it seemed some time had passed.

“Wh… what time is it now?”

My throat felt scratchy, as if I had unfortunately caught a cold.

Hades looked at the clock.

“It’s 8 p.m.”

It was usually the time Hades would be in a meeting. I cleared my throat with a fake cough and asked again.

“……Aren’t you going?”

Hades set the documents on the small table.

“I can’t go.”

A subtle smile appeared on his lips, but his voice remained stern.

“I’m raising a rat that might run off the moment I turn my eyes away.”

“You must really like rats.”

I shook my head back and forth.

“Most people wouldn’t even care where a rat is, but seeing you so overprotective.”

Silence lingered. I turned my head to look at Hades with a puzzled expression.

If it were the usual Hades, he would have promptly scolded me.

‘……?’

I blinked. Hades looked deeply engrossed in thought.

‘Is it that much of a concern?’

“Exactly.”

Finally, Hades responded calmly.

“I really don’t know why it’s so appealing.”