Chereads / Summoning the Underworld / Chapter 8 - Ready or Not!

Chapter 8 - Ready or Not!

Aurelia blinked, still feeling a little out of place. "I—" she started, but before she could protest, the second maid—slighter in frame but just as poised—stepped forward, holding a crystal vial of perfume that glistened in the dim light.

"We've added your choice of flowers to the water, and several expensive milks," she explained, her voice sweet, almost too sweet. "Lavender, roses, and jasmine. The milk will soften your skin, my lady, and the petals will leave a soft fragrance in the water."

Aurelia couldn't help but stare, her mind reeling at the words. She'd never been treated with such extravagance. She was a guest, yet she was being lavished with comforts she could hardly comprehend. The lavish bath sat in the center of the room, rising like a pedestal of pure marble, its smooth, curved edges gleaming. Around it, golden accents adorned the room in an almost understated way—delicate vases filled with the most fragrant blooms, their colors so rich they almost looked unreal.

The bathwater itself was a soothing shade of pale lavender, with floating rose petals dotting the surface. The aroma was intoxicating, a sweet, almost heady blend of flowers that made Aurelia feel like she'd been transported into a dream. The maids stepped to the side, allowing her to approach, and Aurelia hesitated for only a moment before slipping out of her clothing, feeling the soft silk of her dress glide off her skin.

The warm water caressed her as she stepped in, the scent of the bath surrounding her as the milk and floral oils coated her skin. Her body instantly relaxed as the luxurious warmth enveloped her, easing the tension in her muscles. The maids worked in quiet unison, gently massaging the soft, milky water over her skin, the delicate rose petals swirling around her like they were alive. One of the maids delicately took her hair, slowly brushing out the tangles, and Aurelia closed her eyes, trying to drown out the surrealness of it all.

The scent of lavender lingered in the air, and she could feel the soft, luxurious touch of the water soothing her, as if she were being transformed into something entirely different, someone more than herself. Is this really the Underworld? she wondered. The softness, the elegance—it was as though she had stepped into a different world entirely.

When she finally emerged from the bath, her skin felt like silk. The maids wrapped her in a plush robe of soft, creamy fabric, their hands skilled and professional as they guided her back to the vanity, where a large silver mirror reflected her image in the most flattering light. As Aurelia stood before the mirror, still in a state of disbelief, the maids moved silently behind her, their hands working quickly but gracefully to prepare her for the evening ahead. They presented her with three elegant red dresses, each one draped over the plush chairs near the vanity.

The first dress was daring—a deep crimson fabric that clung to every curve. The bodice was a corset-like structure, accentuating the fullness of her chest, with delicate lace trimming the neckline that plunged low, showing off a teasing amount of her cleavage. The skirt was short, barely grazing her thighs, and the fabric shimmered with a hint of gold, making it look even more extravagant and eye-catching.

The second dress was even more risqué. Its deep red hue was almost blood-like, and the straps were thin, leaving the shoulders exposed. The dress hugged her figure tightly, revealing the contours of her hips and waist in a seductive way. The thigh-high slit on one side exposed her leg with each movement, and the open back was daringly low, exposing her smooth, pale skin. It was the kind of dress that whispered danger, promising an evening of intrigue and temptation.

The third dress, however, was more modest at first glance, yet just as striking. It was a floor-length gown, its deep red fabric designed to cling to her body like a second skin, emphasizing her curves in all the right places. The neckline was incredibly low, exposing just enough of her ample chest to be tantalizing, while the thick fabric cascaded down to her feet, giving it an air of elegance. Despite the low neckline, the dress covered her legs entirely, though the way it molded to her body made every curve—her big round breasts, her flat stomach, her wide hips and rounded ass—stand out. It was as though the dress was designed specifically for her, accentuating her voluptuous figure in a way that made her feel almost out of place in its perfection.

Aurelia stared at the dresses, her gaze flicking back and forth between the three of them, still struggling to process everything happening around her.

"What are these for?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of confusion and disbelief.

The maids exchanged glances before one of them answered, her tone soft and matter-of-fact. "For dinner, my lady," she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "You must look your best for the evening."

Aurelia's eyes widened. Dinner? She had expected a quiet, solemn meal, perhaps something that would fit the somber atmosphere of the Underworld. But these dresses—especially the first two—seemed completely at odds with the environment. Still, she couldn't deny the allure of the dresses, particularly the third one. It was beautiful and made for her body—yet the thought of wearing something so revealing in front of Hades made her shiver a bit.

Aurelia stood before the mirror, taking in the way the dress hugged her body in all the right places. The rich red fabric clung to her like a lover's embrace, accentuating every curve and contour of her form. The deep neckline dipped low, revealing the fullness of her breasts, their soft roundness pushing against the fabric as if begging to be released. The dress fit like a glove, molding to her body with every movement, highlighting her smooth, flat stomach that tapered down to her wide hips, giving her a sensuous hourglass shape.

Her full, rounded ass was tantalizingly framed by the way the dress curved over her backside, the fabric stretching just enough to outline her figure in the most provocative way. The red of the dress seemed to glow against her pale skin, giving her an almost ethereal look, yet every inch of her body screamed sensuality, demanding attention.

As she turned slightly, the dress shimmered with every shift of her body, the smooth fabric skimming the curves of her legs, which seemed even longer and more enticing in the form-fitting gown.

It was a dress that was made for a woman with a body like hers—voluptuous, curvy, and undeniably feminine. Any man who laid eyes on her would be left breathless, their gaze unable to tear away from the way the dress clung to her body, showcasing her beauty in a way that could make anyone drool. She looked like a temptation wrapped in red silk, an allure that was impossible to resist, a vision of pure, captivating seduction.

Aurelia took in her reflection once more, feeling the weight of the dress on her body.

The way it clung to her every curve was both alarming and thrilling. The low neckline left her breasts exposed, the fabric grazing just the tops of her full, rounded mounds, emphasizing her figure in a way she had never experienced before.

The soft red silk traced her body like a lover's touch-tight at the waist, where her flat stomach met the curves of her wide hips, and flowing gently around her legs. The hem of the dress swept the floor, but the dress hugged her thick, rounded ass with every step, the shape of her body impossible to ignore.

Every inch of her felt heightened, as though she were under a spotlight, though she couldn't even begin to understand why it stirred something deep within her. Was this the effect Hades wanted? A perfect display of her body, meant to captivate anyone who looked at her?

The maids' approving glances made it all the more real.

"You look stunning," one said, her voice soft and sincere.

Aurelia could only nod. She hadn't anticipated feeling this way, exposed but strangely powerful. The dress, so seductive in its design, made her feel both beautiful and vulnerable, like she was meant to be admired, perhaps even coveted.

The maids gently began to smooth her hair and add a touch of makeup, enough to enhance her natural beauty without overpowering it. Aurelia, feeling more like a stranger to herself than ever before, allowed them to finish. The result was subtle but striking-her dark eyes were emphasized, her lips a soft shade of pink that matched the warmth of the gown.

When they finished, Aurelia took a step back from the mirror, her hand brushing the smooth fabric of the dress. For the first time, she couldn't help but appreciate how it made her feel.

"Are you ready, my lady?" one of the maids asked.

Aurelia took another deep breath, her heart still racing from the sensation of being transformed. "Yes," she said quietly, more to herself than anyone else. This was all so overwhelming, so new. She wasn't used to this attention, this lavishness, but in the moment, she couldn't help but wonder if this strange world might not be so bad atter all.

The maids nodded and stood back, allowing her to take one last look at the lavish gown.

With a slight nod, she made her way to the door, her steps more confident now, her body swathed in luxurious red silk.

Ready or not, the night awaited her.