Prepare Yourself

Aurelia tossed and turned throughout the night, unable to find any peace. Her mind kept replaying the moment in the hallway, the heat of Hades's hands on her skin, the intensity of his gaze, the way he'd walked away as if battling some unseen force. Sleep eluded her, and she spent the dark hours staring at the intricate carvings on the ceiling, her thoughts a tangled mess.

When morning finally came, she groaned, pulling the plush covers over her head. A knock at the door startled her, followed by the familiar voices of Lira and Thalia.

"My lady, may we come in?" Lira called softly.

"Of course," Aurelia muttered, sitting up and running her hands through her tangled hair.

The door opened, and the two maids entered, their expressions a mix of mischief and guilt. The moment Aurelia met their eyes, the events of the previous evening came rushing back. She narrowed her eyes at them playfully.

"I should've known you two were behind those dress choices," she said, crossing her arms.

Thalia giggled, her bright eyes sparkling with amusement. "We might have gotten a little carried away."

Lira, the more composed of the two, offered a sheepish smile. "We apologize, my lady. Our master gave us a very stern lecture this morning. He was… less than pleased with us."

Aurelia raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Oh? What did he say?"

"He said we were to show more restraint," Lira admitted, her tone serious despite the smile tugging at her lips. "He also warned us that if we overstepped again, we'd be cleaning the stables for a week."

Thalia snickered. "But we meant no harm, my lady. You looked stunning, if I may say so."

Aurelia laughed despite herself, shaking her head. "Well, you certainly made an impression. Just don't let it happen again, or he might give me a lecture too."

The three of them shared a laugh, the tension of the night before easing. Aurelia couldn't help but notice the warmth and camaraderie between them. Despite the formalities of their roles, Lira and Thalia seemed genuinely happy and comfortable. It said a lot about Hades's relationship with his subjects.

After a moment, the maids guided her toward the bathroom, where another luxurious bath awaited her. This time, the water was scented with vanilla and sandalwood, and they added golden flakes that shimmered on the surface. Aurelia sank into the warm water, letting it soothe her restless thoughts.

Once she was clean and relaxed, the maids helped her dress. Lira and Thalia ushered Aurelia to sit before the mirror after dressing her in the trench coat, insisting on giving her the final touches. Beneath the coat, they had chosen a fitted black bodysuit that clung to her body like a second skin, its smooth fabric accentuating every curve without revealing too much. The neckline was modest, but the way it hugged her full, rounded breasts, narrow waist, and wide hips made the outfit feel anything but plain.

Her hair was sleeked back into a low bun, every strand perfectly in place, her edges meticulously laid. The smoky eye makeup they applied gave her gaze an intensity that seemed to burn through the mirror, while the bold red lipstick added an air of confidence she didn't entirely feel but was determined to embody. As she examined herself, she barely recognized the shy girl she used to be.

The trench coat was the final piece, draped over her shoulders like a shield. The leather was supple, the kind that moved fluidly but retained its shape, and when she cinched it at the waist, it molded to her hourglass figure. Though the coat covered her entirely, it was impossible to miss the way her hips flared or how the subtle curve of her chest teased beneath the lapels. It was seductive in its simplicity—a look that whispered rather than shouted.

"Perfect," Thalia said, her voice brimming with approval. She stepped back to admire Aurelia, her grin mischievous.

Lira nodded, more subdued but equally pleased. "You carry confidence well, my lady. No one will dare look away when you enter a room."

Aurelia smirked, feeling a strange mix of pride and apprehension. "I'll take that as a compliment."

As the maids stepped aside, Aurelia grabbed her courage and made her way out of the room, her heeled boots clicking softly against the polished floor. The coat flared slightly with each step, emphasizing her confident stride. Though she hadn't entirely figured out the layout of the castle yet, she relied on instinct, following the faint aroma of food that wafted through the air.

The hallways were just as grand in the morning light, the faint glow of chandeliers casting a warm, golden hue. She passed a few servants who bowed their heads respectfully, their eyes lingering for just a moment before returning to their tasks. It wasn't lost on her how much she stood out, even among the elegance of the Underworld.

As Aurelia pushed open the heavy double doors to the dining room, she immediately regretted not knocking. The conversation inside came to an abrupt halt, and her eyes landed on two figures seated at the long table: Hades, looking as commanding as ever in a dark, tailored suit, and a man she didn't recognize, his sharp features framed by neatly cropped silver hair. Both of them turned to stare at her as she entered, their intense gazes unsettling.

Aurelia froze for a split second under the weight of their attention, feeling awkward and out of place despite the confidence she had felt moments earlier. Clearing her throat, she offered a polite but hesitant, "Good morning."

Hades' eyes swept over her briefly, his expression unreadable, though she didn't miss the subtle flicker of something she couldn't quite place. He gestured toward the other man, his voice calm but firm. "Achi, we'll continue this later. You're dismissed."

The man, Achi, inclined his head without protest and rose smoothly from his seat. "Of course, my lord," he said, casting Aurelia a brief, curious glance before exiting the room.

Now alone with Hades, Aurelia suddenly felt the room grow much larger, the silence pressing in on her. She moved to sit at the opposite end of the table, the clink of her heels against the marble floor sounding louder than it should.

Hades cleared his throat, his fingers lightly drumming against the edge of the table. His dark eyes met hers, and for the first time, he seemed… unsure. "I must apologize for last night," he began, his voice low but steady. "That was out of line and entirely inappropriate of me."

His words hit her like a punch to the gut, but not for the reasons she expected. He sounded so formal, so distant, as though he regretted even entertaining the idea of touching her. Embarrassment washed over her, and she instinctively looked down at her hands, suddenly hyper-aware of every perceived flaw. Maybe she wasn't his type. Maybe she'd misread the tension between them.

"It's… fine," she mumbled, forcing a tight smile as she tried to shake off the sting. Desperate to steer the conversation somewhere safer, she added, "Actually, I heard from Lira and Thalia this morning. They mentioned you gave them quite the lecture about their little stunt yesterday."

Hades tilted his head slightly, and for a moment, she thought she caught the faintest glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "They're incorrigible," he said, his tone lighter now. "Though I will admit, their mischief is often paired with good intentions. They seem to have taken a particular liking to you."

Aurelia laughed softly, the tension in the air beginning to ease. "They're… unique, I'll give them that. I think they're trying to win me over with all the flowers and perfume."

Hades' lips curved into a small, genuine smile. "You'd be surprised how effective their charms can be. They've been with me for a very long time. Loyal, but dangerously clever."

The conversation began to flow more naturally after that, the awkwardness from earlier dissipating. Aurelia found herself smiling more, even laughing at Hades' subtle humor. By the time they'd finished their breakfast, the weight of his earlier apology felt less heavy.

The breakfast concluded in an unhurried fashion, though the tension between them lingered faintly in the air. As Hades stood, his shadow stretched long behind him, giving him an even more imposing presence.

"We'll begin our journey to the Temple of Percy shortly," he said, his tone steady and businesslike. "Prepare yourself."