A bit contradictory

The tension in the air began to ease as Hades led Aurelia through the winding paths of the Underworld, but the unease in her chest remained. She wasn't sure what to expect, but what she saw ahead was far more unexpected than anything she had imagined.

The cavern walls began to give way to a vast open space, a grand city rising from the darkness like a vision from a forgotten dream. Towering structures of obsidian and onyx were bathed in the pale glow of distant fires, their jagged spires reaching toward the ceiling like the spines of ancient beasts. Yet amidst the chaos of shadows and stone, there stood a mansion—its exterior gleaming, dark but rich, like a jewel in the blackened night.

"This is my estate, let's rest for today." Hades said, his voice almost dismissive.

Aurelia couldn't help but look up at it, her gaze following the elaborate carvings that twisted along the marble facade. The mansion's windows were lit from within by a soft golden glow, making it seem less like a place of death and more like a surreal, haunted palace.

As they stepped closer to the entrance, Aurelia found herself glancing at the dark streets that stretched beyond. "I guess this place isn't as bad as I thought," she muttered, mostly to herself. She could feel the weight of her words sinking in—maybe death wasn't going to be as dreadful as she'd imagined. This place… it was different. Luxurious. It almost felt like a life after death, and one she might come to enjoy, if only for the decadence of it all.

Still, she couldn't shake the nagging thought that maybe Hades had something else in mind. The playful part of her mind whispered, Maybe he's just trying to lure me in here to kill me. She let out a small, bitter laugh at her own dark humor. It wasn't the worst fate. At least here, she wouldn't die alone.

Hades paused at the entrance, glancing at her. "Come inside," he said simply, his voice less an invitation than a command.

She followed him, her mind still racing with thoughts of what was to come.

As they entered the mansion, the cold marble floors underfoot felt like ice beneath her boots, but the decor of the place was a stark contrast to the chill. The large grand foyer ahead had high ceilings that made it feel as though the space stretched on for eternity, the walls adorned with intricate tapestries of scenes from the Underworld. Dark but opulent. It was almost surreal.

"I'll show you to a room," Hades said, leading her down a long hallway. Aurelia glanced around, noting the sweeping staircase that led up to a second level, but it was the walls that caught her attention—lined with elaborate mirrors and glass chandeliers hanging from above.

It was then that she began to notice the colors. The black walls, the dark red velvet upholstery, the gold accents. A mansion in the Underworld, she mused, This really is something else.

Finally, Hades stopped in front of a door, his hand resting on the handle. He didn't look at her as he opened it, gesturing for her to step inside.

As Aurelia stepped into the room, the sight before her made her stop dead in her tracks. Her mouth dropped open, her mind scrambling to process what her eyes were seeing. Without thinking, she blurted out, "Shut up!" Her voice echoed loudly in the stillness of the room, the words a sharp contrast to the serene atmosphere.

The room was nothing short of a contradiction—fit for royalty, but everything about it was out of place in the Underworld. The walls were painted in a soft, buttery beige, stretching high to the ceiling, which was adorned with gold-leaf molding. The air was filled with a faint scent of lavender, completely at odds with the cold, eerie air of the Underworld. There were massive windows covered in thick cream curtains, their fabric so luxurious it looked as if they could have been spun from the finest silk.

The centerpiece of the room was the bed—a vast four-poster monstrosity. The frame was made of dark mahogany, but it was draped with white linens so soft they looked like clouds. A golden canopy hung from the posts, the fabric shimmering faintly as it caught the light. The sheets were white, of course, smooth and untouched, as though no one had ever slept in it. The blankets were thick, plush, and trimmed with fine gold thread, each stitch perfect and gleaming in the dim light.

In the center of the room, a grand vanity mirror with an intricately carved gold frame stood beside a velvet-upholstered chaise lounge, where plush beige cushions rested in perfect symmetry. The soft glow of the golden sconces on the walls cast a warm, inviting light across the room, making everything look almost ethereal.

There were tall bookshelves lined with leather-bound volumes, their spines gilded with gold, and next to them, a marble fireplace with an ornate golden mantle. Above it hung a large mirror framed in gold, reflecting the soft glow of the room, giving the space an almost dreamlike quality.

On the far wall, an elegant, low marble table held a vase of fresh white lilies, their petals spilling out in delicate curls, their fragrance wafting faintly through the room. It was a place that radiated quiet luxury—too beautiful, too pristine for a place like the Underworld.

Aurelia stood frozen in the doorway, her mouth still slightly agape as she took in the lavishness of it all. Her mind raced, wondering who would have decorated such a space in a place like this. Wait… white in the Underworld? Her thoughts swirled, disbelief tugging at her.

She couldn't help but think, What a contradiction.

In all her life, she had never seen anything like it—the sheer beauty of the room, the opulence of it, mixed with the oppressive weight of the Underworld outside. The soft cream tones, the delicate gold accents, the sheer elegance of it all felt like something straight out of a dream—a dream where the darkness and light collided in a way that didn't make sense.

"Well, this certainly isn't what I expected," she murmured under her breath, stepping into the room. She ran her hand over the smooth surface of the vanity, still in awe of the sheer luxury, even though the surrealness of it made her feel a little unnerved.

It was beautiful, yes. But it was also unnerving. How could something so pure, so calm, exist in a place like this? How was she supposed to feel at ease in a room that belonged to a place of death?

She let out a short, incredulous laugh. Maybe he's trying to lure me in… to kill me, she thought with a dark chuckle, though she wasn't sure if it was just her nerves or something more.

Hades leaned against the doorframe, an amused smirk playing on his lips as he watched Aurelia take in the room. She was clearly overwhelmed, her eyes wide with disbelief as she took in the lavish surroundings. It was almost entertaining to see her so disarmed by the opulence, and he couldn't help but feel a strange satisfaction from it.

"Do you like it?" he asked, his voice smooth, though there was a hint of teasing in his tone. "I had it prepared for you." He paused, watching her closely. "And, just so you know, I've assigned people to tend to you while you're here. They'll make sure you're comfortable."

Aurelia tore her eyes away from the perfection of the room and glanced at him, still processing the strange mix of luxury and darkness. "Tend to me? What exactly does that mean?" she muttered, though a flicker of unease crossed her features. She didn't trust anyone here, especially not in a place like this, but she had little choice. She couldn't leave, after all.

"Relax," Hades said with a small, cryptic smile. "You'll see." He turned on his heel and walked toward the door, glancing back at her over his shoulder. "Freshen up, and come downstairs for dinner when you're ready."

Before Aurelia could respond, the door behind her swung open with a soft creak. Two maids entered, both dressed in the dark, elegant livery of the Underworld's service. They moved with grace, their footsteps light and silent. Aurelia's gaze flicked to them, unsure what to make of their presence.

One of the maids, a pale woman with long, dark hair, walked toward the enormous marble bathtub that was set into the floor of the room. She gestured toward it, her voice soft and melodic, though her eyes never met Aurelia's. "We have prepared your bath, my lady," she said, her words formal, as though they were part of an age-old ritual. "Please, allow us to assist you."