• A/N: The Rave siblings worked really hard on Arc 4, so I wanted to write about it from the beginning.

The cracking of a whip reverberated endlessly in the background. Every time it happened, everyone in the venue either cowered or grimaced.

However, that wasn’t the end of it.

The ceremonial garments prepared for the exchanging of premarital vows were unnecessarily heavy.

After Hades made his escape from the mountains, he had to wield the Heavenly Sword and commanded the dragons.  Then he took on the head of the Saber family, a group known for their martial prowess, followed by the guardian of the Goddess who was wielding the Sword of Protection, and finally even the prince who was wielding the holy spear.

To be honest, even his standing there was a miracle.

Finally, even had none of that had happened, the overwhelming presence of magical power in the kingdom was repulsive. It consisted of a land where no dragon could live and a sky where no dragon could fly. And above all, it was the kingdom that had killed his foster parents.

Regardless, he had one duty. It was for that one, single, purpose that he had traveled so far.

An unprecedented contract with the national seals of both countries stamped on it.

He wrote the letters with flourish.

—Hades Theos Rave.

Once the signature was fully written, Hades reached his limit.

***

“—Brother Hades?”

After he had blinked, a blurry figure came into focus.

It was his younger sister, who was supposed to have been kidnapped by the king of the enemy country. Had she been rescued already?

“…Natalie?”

Natalie nodded at his question.

“That’s right. What a relief. Oh, don’t move.”

“I… How…”

“You collapsed. This is the main residence of the Saber family. Sister Elynsia, Brother Hades has awoken!”

He became aware of his fever due to the difference in temperature between his sister’s hand and his forehead. As usual, he ended up exhausting his magic. Inwardly, he called for Rave, and he received a short reply, but there was no sign of him coming out.

Even though we’re in enemy territory, why is he so reckless?

Then, Natalie’s older sister appeared from the opposite site.

“You seem befuddled. Don’t be reckless.”

“Brother Hades, would you like something to drink? Your voice is hoarse.”

Suddenly, his sister handed him a jug of water and supported him as he sat up. After he had drank some water, his thoughts finally returned.

Hadn’t he been wearing some extremely heavy clothes and signing a contract on a majestic podium? In that venue, where a whip had been being cracked the entire time…

…Hades suddenly looked up.

“—Where’s Jill!? Weren’t we in the middle of exchanging our vows!?”

“She’s fine, don’t worry.”

Elynsia told him and he fell silent. Natalie smiled bitterly.

“I guess you don’t remember. You signed the engagement vow, Brother Hades.”

“Listeard took care of the rest after you signed it. It’s okay, you are engaged to Jill.”

“—Is Hades awake?”

Listeard entered through the door that Elynsia failed to close. While Hades was in a daze, he placed a hand against his forehead and grimaced.

“Get some rest.”

“But there’s still a lot to do.”

“I’ve made arrangements for Prince Geraldo’s escort. If there are any issues that require you, I’ll wake you up, so please rest. Lady Jill has arranged for you to receive treatment at the Saber house.”

“…But Natalie was kidnapped.”

“It’s okay, Brother Hades. I was saved. Sister Elynsia and Brother Listeard are here now.”

Natalie wiped the sweat from his forehead with a damp towel.

For a second time, someone told him, ‘it’s okay.’

“—More importantly, get some rest. If your condition persists, there’ll be no end to Brother Vissel’s complaints.”

“…But the Saber family is formidable.”

“With the contract in place, the Saber family isn’t stupid enough to mess with us. They even prepared splendid rooms for us. Besides, Lady Jill is keeping an eye on them. Trust me!”

Listeard, who stood next to the bed, placed his hands on his hips and smiled dauntlessly.

“It’ll be okay.”

That’s a third.

“You did what you had to do. Now, all you have to do is trust in us and rest—”

He didn’t realize what was rolling down his cheeks until he saw his brother’s startled face. Natalie was the one who reacted faster than anyone else. But as if it were nothing, he wiped the tears from his cheeks along with the sweat.

From across him, Elynsia wrapped her arms around his head.

“You must be so relieved. It’s okay, you did great back then. You’ll be alright now. Jill chose you.”

He blinked several times, sputtering. Elynsia laughed.

“Rest assured. Even if something happens, I’ll protect you. Don’t you know how strong I am? Even the Saber family is no match for me.” (Elynsia)

“…I know, the mountains were demolished…” (Hades)

“I’m glad I passed out…” (Natalie)

“…Natalie, were you injured?”

“Nope. If I had, the prince would’ve been obliterated.”

Natalie’s smile was blurred by the tears.

Natalie was safe, and so was his elder sister. He narrowly avoided the start of a war and got engaged to Jill.

—Everything went well.

“Don’t cry anymore, Brother Hades. What if Jill sees you?” (Elynsia)

“I’m always so uncool anyway…” (Hades)

“It’s okay, until Jill comes, only us siblings are here.” (Elynsia)

“Sister Elynsia won’t spoil you. Right, Brother Listeard?”

After hearing Natalie’s words, Listeard, who stood there petrified, seemed to have regained his senses. He deliberately coughed. Hades took a sip of his water and softly remarked.

“Brother Listeard, you’re annoying.”

“—I haven’t said anything yet! Is that how you’re going to act towards me? I took care of you more than anyone else!”

“Annoying.”

“Don’t say it twice! I’ll just pretend that you have recovered enough to rebel. Get back to good health. I’ll return to Rave first—”

When Hades looked up, their eyes met. It wasn’t until Listeard gave him a surprised look that Hades realized what kind of look he had on his face.

“…It’s okay, I’ll do what I have to do. I have to prove to Brother Vissel that I can take care of you too.”

A finger flicked his forehead. Hades was furious and grasped his finger. Listeard jerked back, but he didn’t let go.

“Stop, ow, ow, ow, Hades—! Are you trying to break my finger—!?”

“If it’s broken, then you won’t be able to go home. Wouldn’t that be a good thing!”

“Why are you being so violent lately!?”

“I’m in my rebellious phase!”

“That has long since passed!”

“Your Majesty, have you woken up!?”

She must’ve heard the commotion. His future wife opened the door and leaped for the bed. Hades kicked the groaning Listeard to the side and caught Jill.

“How’s your fever? You’re still hot!”

“Right.”

“You have to sleep. Your eyes are red and moist… Why are you laughing, Your Highness Elynsia?”

“No, it’s nothing. Oh, Hades, would you like to eat an apple?” (Elynsia)

“Don’t just abruptly shift the topic, Sister Elynsia. I’ll peel it.” (Listeard)

“Brother, use this knife. I’ll fetch you a fruit and plate.” (Natalie)

“Y-Your Highness Listeard, you can peel apples? By any chance… Can you peel then into the shape of a rabbits…?” (Jill)

“Of course, I used to make them often when Frida asked.” (Listeard)

“Y-Your Majesty, His Highness Listeard will cut them into rabbits for you…” (Jill)

“Right.”

Jill, who was in shock in Hades’ arms, looked up a little.

“Why have you been saying that from earlier, Your Majesty?”

“Right.”

“…Must be the fever.”

She pressed her small hand against his forehead.

When he nodded back, and after grimacing, Jill seemed to become alert.

“I’ll take care of Your Majesty!”

‘After all, I’m going to be his wife!’ She proudly declared that.

The Dragon God was laughing deep within him, thinking that was a good thing.

‘Right.’ Hades nodded once more.

---

***T/N: Rave siblings!!

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