Barely

based on the, I'm not glaring at you because of who you are not because I don't want to glare that you received from Mary when you arrived. She was wearing a black skintight something, it was so form fitting you were honetly surprised you couldn't see the outline of her nipples. It went down her arms ending at her wrist and down her legs, seemingly one piece of clothing. She put a hand on your shoulder and directed you into one of the dressing room. Inside were four women each holding a piece of attire in hand. What happened next is going to living in, possibly your nightmares, be definitely in your head for a while.

Mary lit you on fire.

Well your clothes.

But fire was involved and it was very close to all of you, even if it couldn't hurt you. As the remains of your clothes floated to the ground around you the women jumped you. Your limbs were pulled and shifted like you were a mannequin as you were sowed into your outfit. You never felt any of the needles even graze you so the women clearly knew what they were doing in less than twenty seconds they all stepped back and stared at you.

You looked down at the black, sleek, formed around your body, armoured chest plate. You tapped a finger on your chest and felt the material flex until you applied too much pressure and it hardened. Your arms were left exposed but your legs had the same material serving as armour for your thighs and shins however, your crotch wasn't armoured and there was a very obvious bulge present. It was a mirror, if slightly less covering version, or Mary's attire.

"It'll do." Mary said grabbing your hand and walking out of the room with you trailing after.

"Wait that's it?" You asked looking at your exposed arms and very obvious crotch.

"Mum expected us a few minutes ago." Mary said continuing to hold your hand as you sped up to walk next to her. You weren't sure if she noticed how she was no long dragging you along and was currently walking hand in hand with you. If she was you are sure she'd offer some snide remark so you keep your mouth shut.

Mary pushed open a door and you paused for a moment. It occured to you, looking into this room, you'd not actually seen the throne room.

It was very colourful. You'd entered from a rear door so you could see the walls were lines with statues pained to resemble clothing. It was honestly eerie the statues looked, incredible life like, so incredibly you checked to see if any of them had auras. None did so you were left admiring the craftsmanship that went into the painting.

Aside from the statues there were tapestries, drapes of red and blue cloth, and a polished marble floor. Everything in this room was more impressive than, rather appropriately any other room you'd seen. At the head of it, and where Mary had resumed leading you towards sat a throne. It wasn't pure gold, which was a bit of a let down, but instead seemed have a base of marble connecting it to the floor, golden filigree creating flowers spreading up it back and around the armrest which were topped with a plush looking red fabric.

In the throne sat Aurora. She was wearing a dress that was slim but not provocative. A red and blue that seemed to melt into the throne itself, a subtle reminded that she and that throne were one. Mary pointed at the floor just before the throne and bowed to her mother.

"Your Highness." Mary said. "Sorry for our lateness." She not glared at you from the corner of her eye and you bowed as well.

"At least you aren't late." She nodded at her daughter and waved for her to stand at her side. "Thank you for joining us Christopher." She straighten in her throne and you fixed your posture to stand at attention, it seemed fitting for the location. She nodded to some unseen attendant and the door at the end of throne room opened.

"Ambassador of Conglomeration Hestia, Felicaite." As the words were announced you were completely taken aback by what was walking towards the throne.

A bipedal rock. It had a female shape, infact it looked remarkable like the statues around the hall with two exceptions. Unlike them it's surface was not covered by paint, instead it was gleaming pitch black with, much like Aurora's throne golden patterns inscribed into it. It's body moved so naturally you wouldn't think it was stone if not the for the sound of its feet.

The other thing that differentiated it from the statues was that rather than carved clothing it had moss growing on it. Not on it's chest, also it had a chest and a rather generous one, with nipple that the golden inscriptions made clear. What it was was the moss was growing from it's head like a green mop of hair. In the moss you spied the odd bud of some sort of flower.

You relaxed your vision to check its aura and it was truely unique. Those golden patterns glowed brightly while the rest of it's stone surface was absence of any cast off magic. It's moss hair seemed more alive like this than before, the buds producing a dull pulse of magic that radiated through it until it touched it's 'skin' where the cast off magic disappeared. As it neared you you were so enraptured by the beauty of it it noticed your staring.

Looking at you with what, upon closer inspection, was an almost too flawless feminine face you gave a smile. It smiled back, it's face moving without any creaking or cracking as you'd expect. "Your Highness." It said in a gravely tone that was also somehow soft. "Thank you for accepting my request."

"Of course, Felicaite." Aurora said with a nod. "It has been some time since we've had the privilege of hosting a dwarf, much less one of such beauty."

Felicaite smiled at her. "You're kindness will not be forgotten." The gold etched into her formed glowed softly at the praise.

"Allow me to introduce my daughter Mary, and her finance, Christopher."

You didn't react to that but weren't happy at having her present you like that in a situation you felt too awkward in to respond. Felicaite looked from Mary to you in turn bowing to her and nodding at you. You returned the action but felt a lot more examined that you expected.

"I have been sent to discuss the possibility of opening a trade route." Felicaite said looking back at Aurora. "Our Conglomeration has been in need of certain stones that are more abundant in certain regions of your domain."

"It would be an honour to provide you with anything you need, and we would proud to count your Conglomeration amoung our trading partners."

"Very good. I will remain for a few days to establish the agreement." Felicaite bowed.

"Of course, a room has been provided and anything you need will be provided post haste." Aurora said nodding at Felicaite who smiled, looked at Mary then you and turned on her heel marring the floor and walked off. As the doors closed behind her you felt, yeah you had no idea what the fuck that was about. Seemed like a lot of effort what could have been a letter.

"Well that was a waste of time." Mary said sloughing her shoulders.

Aurora sighed and shook her head. "You're free to leave Mary." Mary looked a bit hurt at her mother's disappointed dismissal but left without a word. You took a step to go an comfort her when Aurora stopped you. "What did you think of it?"

"Me?" You asked looking around. Aurora raised an eyebrow. "It didn't come here for a trade agreement, that could be sent in a letter."

Aurora nodded. "You were right. They're nervous about the forces building up."

"If they think war is coming and are looking for support." Lady Demise emerged from behind a statue she looked at you and didn't finish her sentence.

"Christopher. We need to talk alone." Aurora said. "Please come with me." She stood from her throne and walked out of the throne room with Lady Demise behind.

You could go after Mary. You'd never seen her hurt before and it pluck at your heart a little. It would be quick, just to make sure she's ok, you could catch up to Aurora afterwards?