Goddess's Yuri harem: Chosing the Empress is hard
Chapter 43: The first attempt - Part 2

Chapter 43: 43: The first attempt - Part 2

Amara leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand as she regarded Auriel with an expression that was equal parts curiosity and amusement.

"Ah, the burdens of a goddess. How heavy they must be. If only I could lighten them for you."

Auriel felt a chill run down her spine, the duchess’s words hovering somewhere between genuine concern and teasing provocation.

She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Amara added.

"You know, Goddess Auriel, you really should let yourself relax. Life is far too short to spend it worrying all the time."

Auriel frowned slightly.

"Perhaps for humans, that’s true. But as a goddess, I have responsibilities that I cannot ignore."

"And as a human, I’d argue that it’s precisely because of those responsibilities that you should take moments for yourself. Even the divine deserve to be happy, don’t you think?"

Amara countered smoothly.

Auriel didn’t know how to respond to that. She felt trapped, the duchess’s words wrapping around her like a net.

Amara’s gaze was unrelenting, her confidence disarming in a way that left Auriel unsure of how to proceed. The tension in the room grew heavier with each passing moment.

Finally, Auriel stood, placing her teacup carefully back on the saucer.

"Thank you for the tea, Duchess Amara. But I think I’ve taken up enough of your time. I should return to my duties"

She said, her voice steady despite the unease curling in her chest.

Amara’s smile didn’t falter, though there was a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

"Leaving so soon? What a pity. I was hoping we could chat a little longer."

"Perhaps another time."

Auriel replied quickly, bowing her head slightly before making her way to the door.

She could feel Amara’s gaze on her back, like a weight pressing against her, and it wasn’t until she was out of the room and the door had closed behind her that she let out a quiet breath of relief.

As she walked down the hallway, she found herself wishing that Carol had been there.

Her loyal companion would have undoubtedly defused the situation with her characteristic bluntness, sparing Auriel the discomfort of navigating Amara’s advances on her own.

She resolved to stay close to Carol for the remainder of their time here—whatever Amara’s intentions were, Auriel wasn’t sure she wanted to find out.

Reaching her chambers, Auriel leaned against the door, her thoughts swirling.

The duchess’s words lingered in her mind, a strange mix of flattery and provocation that she couldn’t quite shake.

She knew she needed to refocus, to prepare herself for whatever was coming. Her senses still told her that something significant was about to happen, and she needed to be ready.

"Goddess Auriel! Are you alright? I just finished preparing and noticed you weren’t in your chambers"

Carol’s voice called from down the hallway, drawing Auriel’s attention. The young priestess hurried toward her, her expression a mix of concern and determination.

Auriel smiled faintly, grateful for Carol’s presence.

"I’m fine, Carol. Just a little... tired. Let’s regroup and discuss our next steps."

Carol nodded, falling into step beside her as they made their way back to the main hall.

Despite the lingering unease from her encounter with Amara, Auriel felt a renewed sense of purpose. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she knew she could face them—with Carol by her side.

______

As soon as Auriel left the room, the maid who had brought the tea hesitated before lowering her head.

Her hands trembled as she clutched the edge of her apron, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. She seemed to be on the verge of speaking but couldn’t muster the courage to let the words out.

The Duchess, still seated at the table, observed the maid with a calm yet knowing expression.

Her gaze softened as she recognized the maid’s distress, and she exhaled slowly, as if already understanding the root of the issue.

"It’s alright. Speak, my dear. There’s no need to keep it bottled up."

Amara said, her voice smooth and composed, though there was a certain sharpness beneath the surface.

The maid’s lower lip quivered, and she finally managed to choke out.

"I-I’m so sorry, Duchess Amara. I—I saw her. I saw Priestess Carol... She was... She was mixing something into the goddess’s tea before she sent me in with the tray. I didn’t know what to do. She’s—she’s so commanding, and I—I couldn’t stop her."

Her voice broke as tears spilled down her cheeks and she added.

"Please, forgive me! I didn’t mean to... to endanger you."

Duchess Amara remained still for a moment, her expression unreadable.

Then, with deliberate grace, she reached for her untouched teacup and tipped it over, letting the liquid spill onto the ornate carpet beneath the table.

The action was as casual as if she were discarding an old parchment, yet it carried an air of finality. The duchess took out a small pink vial and drank it all. The medicinal herb made it smell disgusting but the maid recognised that vial as poison antidote.

The maid’s eyes widened, and she gasped.

"Duchess—! You didn’t drink it, did you?"

Amara’s lips curled into a faint smile, one that carried both amusement and reassurance.

"No, I didn’t. But I’m not one to take chances. Fetch it anyway. Now."

The maid nodded frantically, nearly tripping over her own feet as she hurried to obey. Within moments, she returned with a small vial, which the Duchess took with a steady hand.

She uncorked it and drank its contents in a single, practiced motion. Once finished, she set the empty vial down on the table and turned her attention back to the maid.

"There. No harm done. And as for you, my dear... You’ve done nothing wrong. What could you have done against a force like Priestess Carol? You were outmatched before you even began."

Amara said, her tone light. The maid’s tears flowed more freely now, though her expression had shifted from guilt to gratitude.

"Thank you, Duchess. You’re too kind. I don’t deserve your forgiveness"

She whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

"Nonsense! You’ve done your best, and I value loyalty above all else. Remember that"

Amara replied, rising from her seat and crossing the room to stand before the maid. She reached out and gently tilted the girl’s chin up, forcing her to meet the Duchess’s gaze.

The maid’s face turned crimson under the Duchess’s touch, her heart clearly betraying her emotions. She nodded, unable to form a coherent response, and Amara’s understanding smile only deepened.

"Now, dry your tears and carry on with your duties. And if you ever find yourself in a situation like this again, come to me immediately. Do you understand?"

The Duchess said, releasing the maid’s chin and stepping back.

"Yes, Duchess Amara."

The maid stammered, bowing deeply before retreating from the room. Her steps were quick and purposeful, though her lingering blush suggested her feelings for the Duchess had only grown stronger after their exchange.

Once the maid was gone, Amara let out a soft sigh and glanced down at the spilt tea on the floor. Her expression darkened for a brief moment, the playful mask slipping to reveal a sharp intelligence and a calculating edge.

"So, Carol. You’ve made your move, have you? How bold of you, little priestess."

She murmured to herself, her lips curling into a wry smile.

Amara moved back to her seat and leaned against the backrest, tapping her fingers against the arm of the chair. Her mind raced as she considered her next steps.

Whatever Carol’s intentions had been, it was clear that the priestess wasn’t just an innocent companion to the goddess.

he had her own agenda, and Amara couldn’t help but feel a spark of curiosity—and excitement—at the prospect of unraveling it.

"Let the games begin,"

She whispered, her voice laced with anticipation.

The duchess has a feeling that the night was going to be fun and she was ready to have it. Carol won’t be able to keep her tendencies under warp for long.

That night, Duchess Amara decided to retire earlier than usual. However, as she prepared to head to her chambers, she made a surprising declaration.

"All of you are dismissed for the night."

She said, her voice firm yet calm as she addressed her guards and attendants.

The head guard stepped forward, his brow furrowed.

"Duchess, with all due respect, it isn’t safe to leave you unprotected. The events today—"

"My will is final. I do not need protection tonight. Leave me"

Amara interrupted, her gaze sharp as it swept across the room.

The staff exchanged worried glances, but none dared to oppose her.

"As you wish, Duchess."

The guard said reluctantly, bowing deeply before ushering the others out of the room.

Once the door clicked shut, Amara let out a soft sigh, her lips curving into a faint smile. Alone at last, she whispered.

"Let’s see what the night brings."

It was getting more and more exciting by the second and Amara had a feeling she was in for a surprise soon.