Goddess's Yuri harem: Chosing the Empress is hard

The ceremonial hall buzzed with chatter as the gathered crowd reluctantly began to disperse. Many of them cast longing glances back at Auriel, their voices rising in protest.

"Please, let us stay! We wish to bask in the presence of the Divine One!"

"She has come to save us—we must show our devotion!"

"Just one more moment, Priestess!"

Auriel shifted uncomfortably under the weight of so many adoring eyes. She wasn't used to this level of attention, and the crowd's fervor only made her more nervous.

The hooded priestess raised her hands, her calm yet authoritative voice silencing the throng. "People of the sacred hall, the Divine One has traveled far and requires rest. Show your respect by giving her the privacy she deserves."

A collective murmur of disappointment rippled through the crowd, but the priestess' words were final. With bowed heads and lingering gazes, the worshippers filed out, leaving Auriel alone with the priestess.

Auriel exhaled in relief, though she couldn't shake the tension that clung to her. She turned to the priestess, who was watching her with an unreadable expression.

"Did the Chief God inform you of your mission, O Divine One?" the priestess asked, her tone soft yet purposeful.

Auriel frowned, irritation bubbling beneath her calm façade. "If you mean the part where I'm supposed to pick Earth's next ruler, then yes, she mentioned it. Though she left out a lot of important details… as usual."

The priestess bowed her head slightly. "We are deeply grateful for your divine assistance. Your presence here brings hope to countless lives."

Auriel forced a small smile, though inside she was fuming. Hope? Sure, but only because that self-righteous hag dumped me here without a second thought.

Still, she didn't blame the humans for this mess. They were caught in the middle, just like her. "I'll do my best to help," she said, her tone more genuine now.

The priestess smiled, her expression softening. "Thank you, O Divine One. If there is anything you need—anything at all—you have but to ask."

Auriel nodded, but something about the priestess's eagerness put her on edge. The woman's polished demeanor, her overly reverent tone… it all felt a little too perfect. Auriel's instincts, honed from centuries of divine misadventures, told her to tread carefully.

"I appreciate it," Auriel replied cautiously. "But for now, I think I just need some rest."

The priestess inclined her head. "Of course. Please, allow me to show you to your quarters."

The room the priestess led her to was simple yet elegant, with warm golden light spilling in from a high arched window. A plush bed stood in the corner, draped in soft linens, and a small table held a pitcher of water and a bowl of fresh fruit.

"May this humble space bring you comfort, O Divine One," the priestess said, lingering in the doorway.

Auriel offered a polite nod. "Thank you. I'll be fine on my own now."

The priestess hesitated, her dark eyes glinting with something Auriel couldn't quite place. "If you have need of anything—"

"I'll let you know," Auriel cut in quickly, already moving to close the door.

The priestess bowed and stepped back, allowing Auriel to shut the heavy door with a firm thud. She locked it for good measure, pressing her back against the wood as she exhaled deeply.

"Finally," she muttered, closing her eyes. "Some peace and quiet."

But as she pushed off the door and tried to summon a spark of light to examine the room more closely, she felt a strange tug in her chest. She frowned and tried again, this time attempting a simple levitation spell.

Nothing.

Panic set in as she reached deeper into her divine reserves, only to find them nearly depleted. Her powers weren't gone entirely—she could feel a faint trickle of magic—but they were a mere fraction of what they should be.

"No, no, no," Auriel muttered, pacing the room. "This can't be happening. How am I supposed to do anything without my powers?!"

She waved her hands frantically, managing only to summon a dim, flickering orb of light. It floated in front of her for a moment before sputtering out like a dying ember.

Auriel groaned, dropping onto the edge of the bed. "Great. Just great. First, I get banished, then dropped into a fountain, and now this. What's next?!"

She buried her face in her hands, her mind racing. The Chief God must have sealed most of her powers when she sent her here. It was just another part of the "lesson," no doubt.

"Well, I guess I'll have to figure this out the hard way," Auriel muttered, flopping back onto the bed. The soft mattress cradled her, and despite her frustration, she felt her eyelids grow heavy.

For now, rest would have to do. Tomorrow, she'd start piecing together this ridiculous mission. And hopefully, she'd find a way to survive without tripping over herself—or anyone else.

Auriel had barely begun to process her predicament when a sharp knock resounded on the door, making her jolt upright. 

Her heart raced as the heavy wooden door swung open with a creak. Hastily, she adjusted her posture, trying to look composed and regal—not like a disheveled goddess floundering in a strange world.

The woman who stepped inside radiated power and confidence. She was tall and imposing, her black hair cascading down her back like a midnight river, contrasting sharply with her gleaming silver armor. 

Her striking green eyes locked onto Auriel's with a curious intensity.

"Greetings, Divine One," the woman said, her voice smooth yet commanding. "I am Evelyn Greengrass, princess of this kingdom and heir to the throne."

Auriel blinked, taken aback. Heir to the throne? But… wasn't I supposed to choose the next ruler?

"Princess Evelyn," Auriel said carefully, rising to her feet and pulling the cloak tighter around herself. "It's an honor to meet you, but I was under the impression that the choice of ruler had not yet been decided. I was sent here to oversee the selection."