Goddess's Yuri harem: Chosing the Empress is hard
Chapter 41: Are you sure about it? - Part 2

Chapter 41: 41: Are you sure about it? - Part 2

"Well, well. What do we have here?"

Duchess Amara purred, releasing the maid just enough to turn and face Auriel. The maid’s face turned crimson, and she stammered incoherently as she tried to excuse herself.

"G-Goddess Auriel, I-I’m sorry! I wasn’t—this isn’t—"

she faltered, inching away as if trying to disappear.

Duchess Amara raised a brow, her smirk widening as she placed a hand on the maid’s shoulder.

"Now, now, there’s no need to run off so hastily. Why don’t we all calm down and enjoy the night?"

Her voice was smooth, almost predatory, as her eyes flicked back to Auriel.

"Goddess Auriel, is there something you need? Or perhaps you were just out for a walk?"

Auriel felt her stomach twist. The tension in the air was palpable, and she couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that settled over her.

"I was just... checking on something."

She replied, keeping her tone neutral.

Duchess Amara’s smile didn’t waver.

"I see. Well, since you’re here, why not join me for a late-night tea session? It’s been such a long day, and I find tea to be the perfect remedy for clearing the mind."

The maid looked visibly relieved at the suggestion, though a hint of disappointment flashed across her face. She quickly bowed and murmured.

"I’ll prepare the tea right away, Duchess."

Before retreating down the hallway, her footsteps hurried but steady.

Auriel, on the other hand, hesitated. She didn’t want to accept the invitation, not after what she had just witnessed. But something about the Duchess’s unrelenting smile and the way her sharp eyes seemed to peer into her soul left her with no room to decline.

"Of course. I’d be happy to join you."

Auriel finally said, forcing a polite smile.

"Splendid! Come, let’s head to my tea room. It’s the perfect setting for a quiet, intimate conversation."

Duchess Amara exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

Auriel followed the Duchess, her discomfort growing with each step. The hallways of the mansion were eerily silent, the only sound being their footsteps against the polished floors.

Once they reached the tea room, Auriel was surprised by its elegance. It was smaller than she had expected but exquisitely decorated, with soft lighting and plush chairs arranged around a low table. The air was fragrant with the faint scent of dried flowers and herbs.

"Please, take a seat."

the Duchess said, gesturing to one of the chairs. Auriel obeyed, and soon, the maid entered with a tray of tea and snacks. She set it down carefully, her hands trembling slightly, before excusing herself.

Duchess Amara poured the tea herself, handing a cup to Auriel with a flourish.

"Here you go, Goddess. A blend of my personal favorite herbs. I hope it’s to your liking."

Auriel took a tentative sip, finding the tea unexpectedly pleasant.

"It’s good."

She admitted, setting the cup down.

The Duchess leaned back in her chair, studying Auriel with a thoughtful expression.

"So, tell me, Goddess Auriel, what do you think of humans? I imagine our ways must seem so trivial and fleeting to someone of your stature."

Auriel hesitated, choosing her words carefully.

"I think humans are... unique. You face challenges that gods can’t truly understand, and you persevere despite knowing how short your time is."

The Duchess chuckled, her eyes glinting with amusement.

"What a diplomatic answer. But if I may, let me share my philosophy. Humans live only once, Goddess. Our lives are brief, and our time is fleeting. That’s why I believe we should live freely, embracing our desires and doing what makes us happy. There’s no point in holding back when every moment counts"

She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand halfway, her eyes looking serious.

Auriel raised a brow.

"Some might call that reckless."

"Perhaps. But isn’t recklessness part of the charm of being human? We make mistakes, we learn, and we grow. That’s the beauty of it."

The Duchess said with a shrug.

Auriel didn’t respond immediately. Her thoughts wandered to the temple they had visited earlier, the zombies they had encountered, and the dark magic that seemed to permeate the air.

Was this reckless spirit of humanity part of the reason such disasters occurred? Or was it simply a consequence of their nature?

The Duchess’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.

"You seem distracted, Goddess. Is something on your mind?"

Auriel shook her head.

"I’m just tired. It’s been a long day."

"Of course. I won’t keep you much longer. But I do hope you’ve enjoyed this little reprieve. Sometimes, even gods need to take a moment to breathe."

The Duchess said smoothly.

Auriel managed a small smile.

"Thank you for the tea, Duchess Amara. It was... enlightening."

The Duchess’s smile widened.

"The pleasure was mine. You’re always welcome here, Goddess. My doors are open to you anytime."

Auriel excused herself shortly after, retreating to her room with a heavy heart. The Duchess’s words lingered in her mind, mingling with the memories of the day’s events.

As she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, Auriel couldn’t shake the feeling that the Duchess’s philosophy, while enticing, was dangerous. Living freely was one thing, but at what cost? And how much of the darkness they had encountered was a result of humans pushing boundaries they weren’t meant to cross?

Auriel closed her eyes, her thoughts a jumble of questions and uncertainties. For now, all she could do was rest and prepare for whatever challenges lay ahead.

But deep down, she knew this was only the beginning.

In the end, Auriel developed a small headache because she was thinking too much. And that headache followed her all the way into the next day when she went down to have breakfast.

______

Auriel clutched her head, which was pulsing and causing her pain. As a goddess, this was not something that should happen. But Auriel had suffered from a few migraines in her life, so she knew this was rather normal for her.

Her irregular condition did not escape Carol’s notice, and the younger woman looked worried for Auriel.

"Goddess Auriel, do you need my help? Should I do something for you?"

The younger woman asked in a breathy voice. It looked as if she wanted to lean in and touch Auriel to check on her.

"Hisss...Goddess Auriel, you have such a high fever. You should rest in your room, not be out here. Please, head back to your room now."

Carol’s words were almost a command when she spoke. She sounded serious, and the look in her eyes told Auriel she was not going to take ’no’ for an answer.

And as much as the goddess wanted to take that advice, she knew it would be of no use to her.

Goddesses ran a higher temperature than normal humans at most times, but Auriel’s condition had worsened because of her worries. There was no way for her to recover until she emptied her mind.

’But telling all this to a human is not my idea of a fun time.’

Auriel sighed as she gestured for Carol to sit. The younger woman looked confused but followed the command.

"It’s fine, Carol. Goddesses do not get sick, and we do not need much rest either. There is no need for you to feel worried."

Auriel assured Carol, but the younger woman looked like she wanted to argue with her about it. Before anyone could say anything more, Duchess Amara entered the room, her smile filling the space with an air of lightness.

Duchess Amara stepped gracefully into the room, her smile as warm as ever but with a glint of mischief dancing in her eyes. Her gaze immediately settled on Auriel, and she raised a perfectly arched brow.

"My dear Goddess, you look a little... pale. Are you sure you’re feeling well?"

She asked, her voice dripping with honey.

Auriel shifted uncomfortably, sensing the undercurrent in Amara’s tone. It wasn’t the concern of a dutiful subject for her deity. No, it was something far more layered and intimate, laced with an edge that made the goddess’s skin prickle.

"I am fine. There is no need to concern yourself, Duchess. I assure you—"

Auriel replied firmly, clasping her hands together in her lap.

Before she could finish, Amara closed the distance between them in a few elegant steps.

The Duchess placed a hand lightly on Auriel’s shoulder, her touch lingering just enough to send goosebumps trailing down the goddess’s arm.

"Are you certain?"

Amara asked, her voice soft and suggestive, her fingers tracing delicate circles on Auriel’s shoulder.

"I wouldn’t want my dear guest—my goddess—to be in any discomfort. I could... help you, if you’d only let me."

Auriel stiffened, pulling her shoulder back ever so slightly to escape the touch.

"Thank you, Duchess, but truly, I am fine. You needn’t trouble yourself."

But Amara wasn’t easily deterred. She leaned in just enough to make the goddess feel cornered, her smile playful yet insistent.

"Are you sure, Auriel? I won’t stop asking until you give me an answer."