The next morning, Hades stood outside Aurelia's chambers, hesitating. He'd spent the night pacing in his own quarters, replaying the look on her face, the heartbreak in her voice. He couldn't let her believe she meant nothing to him.
After a deep breath, he pushed the door open quietly. Aurelia lay curled up in her bed, the morning sunlight spilling through the window and casting a golden glow over her. Her tear-streaked face was turned away, her breathing soft and steady in sleep.
Hades stepped inside and for a moment, he simply stood there, watching her. She looked so fragile, so human, and yet there so beautiful .
He approached the side of her bed, his voice low as he said, "Aurelia."
She stirred but didn't wake.
"Aurelia," he repeated, this time a little louder.
Her eyes fluttered open, and for a brief moment, confusion clouded her expression. Then, as recognition set in, her face hardened. She sat up slowly, pulling the blanket around her. "What are you doing here?"
Hades hesitated, his usual confidence faltering under her guarded gaze. "I needed to talk to you."
"I think you said enough last night," she replied coldly.
"I didn't," he said quickly, stepping closer. "I didn't say enough, and I didn't say it right. That's why I'm here."
She looked at him skeptically but didn't interrupt.
He took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto hers. "I'm sorry for the way I handled things. For making you feel like your feelings didn't matter. That's not what I meant to do."
"Then what did you mean to do?" she asked, her voice soft but filled with an edge.
"I'm trying to protect us both," he said earnestly. "The mark is a powerful bond, Aurelia. It's hard to separate what's real from what it's making us feel. But…" He paused, his gaze softening. "I realized something last night. Whether the mark is influencing us or not, I can't ignore what's there. I can't ignore you."
Her eyes widened slightly, a flicker of hope breaking through her guarded expression. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying I want to give this a chance," he said firmly, stepping closer to her. "We have one week before we go to Cronus. One week to spend together, without worrying about the mark or the gods or anything else. Just us."
Aurelia blinked, her heart racing as his words sank in. "And… if the feelings don't change? If they're still there after the mark is gone?"
"Then I'll know they're real," Hades said. "And I'll have no reason to hold back."
She swallowed hard. "And what happens now?"
"Now," he said, a small smile tugging at his lips, "you prepare for our return to the mortal realm. I have things planned for us. Places I want to show you."
Aurelia's brows furrowed. "The mortal realm? Why?"
"To remind you of where you came from," he said. "And to show you that even in a world without marks or gods, I'll still choose to be by your side if that's what you want."
Hades reached out, his fingers brushing against hers. "Do you think you can give me a chance to make this right?"
She hesitated for a heartbeat before nodding. "Okay," she whispered. "One week."
His smile widened, relief washing over his face. "One week," he echoed. "And I promise, Aurelia, I won't waste it."
Just as things were lightening up, a light knock echoed from the door before it opened without waiting for an answer. Thalia and Lira, Aurelia's ever-loyal maids, stepped inside, their expressions respectful but very curious.
Aurelia's face flushed instantly, knowing exactly what they might be thinking. They had a knack for reading between the lines, and with them, her heart skipped a beat at the thought of how they might interpret the situation in the room.
"I hope we're not interrupting," Thalia said with a teasing smile, though she kept her tone polite.
Lira, always the more serious one, glanced between them with a raised eyebrow but said nothing, her gaze lingering on Hades for a moment before moving to Aurelia.
Aurelia quickly straightened, feeling self-conscious. She gave them a small, embarrassed smile. "No, no interruption," she stammered. "We were just—well, just talking."
Thalia's smile widened, clearly picking up on the unspoken emotions in the air. She shot a knowing look at Lira, but the two of them remained silent, waiting for more.
Hades, however, seemed completely unbothered by their entrance. His posture didn't change, and his dark eyes stayed steady, the flicker of amusement in them giving no sign that he was phased by the intrusion.
"Not at all," Hades replied smoothly, "Just discussing some plans."
Lira's gaze moved back and forth between them, but she nodded in acknowledgment, "Plans for what?" she asked softly.
"For the week," Aurelia answered, trying to regain some composure. She stole a quick glance at Hades before continuing, "We've come to an understanding."
Thalia's eyebrow quirked as she shifted her weight. "An understanding? Oh, I'm sure you two are coming to all kinds of 'understandings.'" She gave a sly wink, clearly aware of the growing connection between Aurelia and Hades.
Aurelia's blush deepened, and she found herself at a loss for words, unsure of how to explain what had just transpired. The teasing from Thalia didn't help. She glanced at Hades, feeling his steady presence beside her.
"No strangling, I promise," Aurelia said, trying to deflect the situation with humor.
"Ah, good," Thalia said with a playful grin, "It seems things are progressing after all."
Lira gave a quiet sigh, crossing her arms as she watched the two of them with a subtle curiosity. "Well, as long as everything is in order. We have a lot to prepare for, Aurelia. You're not going to go all sentimental on us, are you?"
Aurelia was about to protest when Hades spoke, cutting her off with a smooth response. "I expect her to be ready for our journey to the mortal realm. "
With a nod to both of the maids, he stood, signaling the end of the conversation. "Make sure she gets plenty of rest. We leave soon."
Thalia grinned as she exchanged a glance with Lira. "We'll make sure she's ready, don't worry."
With a final, teasing look at the pair, Thalia and Lira left, closing the door behind them. Aurelia exhaled, her cheeks still flushed but a small smile tugging at her lips.
Hades, clearly unperturbed by their arrival, moved back to her side, "I'm sorry if they embarrassed you," he said softly.
Aurelia shook her head, still feeling the warmth in her cheeks. "No, it's not that," she admitted, glancing at him. "I just… don't want them to think this is… more than it is."
He gave her a reassuring smile. "They already know, Aurelia. You don't have to hide anything from them."