Goddess's Yuri harem: Chosing the Empress is hard

Auriel frowned. "What do you mean?"

"My hair and eyes," Lilith explained, her voice taking on a reverent tone. "They were not always like this. I prayed to you, O Divine One, for years. My devotion was unwavering, and eventually, I was blessed with this appearance."

Auriel took an involuntary step back. She wasn't sure if it was the intensity of Lilith's words or the way her eyes seemed to glow faintly in the dim light, but it unsettled her deeply.

"That's… nice," Auriel said awkwardly, forcing a smile. "But I'm not sure I'm the one you should thank for that. It doesn't really sound like something I would do."

Lilith's smile widened, a flicker of amusement in her eyes. "Humility suits you, O Divine One."

The burdensome weight of Lilith's presence was too much. Auriel coughed lightly, sidestepping toward the nearest corridor. "Well, thank you for your… devotion. If you'll excuse me, I think I'll head back to my room now."

Lilith inclined her head, stepping aside with a graceful motion. "Of course. Should you require anything, you have only to call for me."

Auriel nodded stiffly, retreating down the hallway as quickly as she could without outright running. When she was sure she was out of sight, she let out a long sigh of relief.

"Why does everyone here have to be so intense?" she muttered to herself, her steps echoing in the empty halls.

As she made her way back to her room, one thing became clear: Lilith was someone to keep at arm's length. Whatever her intentions, her devotion bordered on obsession, and Auriel couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her than met the eye.

For now, though, all Auriel wanted was to crawl back into bed and hope that the night wouldn't bring any more surprises.

______

When Auriel woke, sunlight streamed through the arched windows of her room. For a moment, she lay still, her mind blissfully blank. But as she shifted and stretched, a groggy heaviness settled over her, pulling her back into the lingering exhaustion that clung to her like a fog.

A soft knock at the door jolted her out of her haze.

"Divine One?" came the familiar voice of the priestess. "May I enter?"

Auriel groaned inwardly, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. "Come in," she called, trying to sound more composed than she felt.

The door opened, and Lilith stepped in, her expression serene. "You've been asleep for approximately fifteen hours. I trust you are well-rested?"

Auriel blinked. "Fifteen hours?!" She clutched the blanket, feeling both embarrassed and alarmed. "I didn't mean to sleep that long!"

"It is only natural, considering the journey you've endured," Lilith said, bowing slightly. "However, the time has come to begin your divine task. The candidates for the empress selection await your inspection."

Auriel stifled a groan. She still felt drained, her body heavy with the weight of her newfound responsibilities. But there was no escaping it now. She forced herself out of bed, quickly tidying her appearance with a flick of her fingers, even if her magic still felt frustratingly limited.

In the temple's grand meeting hall, three women stood in a line, each radiating an aura of beauty and strength that left Auriel momentarily speechless.

Lilith gestured toward them with a graceful motion. "These are the three current candidates for the role of empress. Of course, more may present themselves in the future, but these women are among the most esteemed and qualified."

Auriel stepped forward, trying not to look as intimidated as she felt.

The first candidate was Evelyn Greengrass, the warrior princess she had met the night before. Dressed in a more formal but equally striking outfit—dark trousers paired with a tailored tunic adorned with silver embroidery—Evelyn's green eyes sparkled with confidence. She inclined her head slightly, her lips curling into a smirk.

"Divine One," Evelyn said smoothly. "It's a pleasure to meet you again, under more… formal circumstances."

Auriel felt her cheeks heat. "Likewise," she managed, before quickly moving her gaze to the next candidate.

The second woman, Amara, had a regal air about her. Her posture was impeccable, her dark brown hair styled elegantly to complement the flowing gown she wore. Her expression was calm, her gaze steady and assessing, as though she were already weighing Auriel's worth.

Auriel swallowed. "You're the future duchess, correct?"

Amara gave a small, polite nod. "Indeed, Divine One. It is my honor to serve."

Auriel smiled nervously and shifted her attention to the final candidate.

Sophia, the master of the mage tower, exuded a different kind of presence altogether. She stood slightly apart from the others, her arms crossed as though she were not entirely comfortable with the formality of the occasion. 

Her robes, though finely crafted, bore marks of use—ink stains on the cuffs, faint scorch marks at the edges. Her auburn hair was tied back loosely, and her sharp, inquisitive eyes seemed to study Auriel with an intensity that made her want to squirm.

"Master Sophia," Lilith introduced her. "Renowned for her unparalleled magical prowess and scholarly contributions."

Sophia inclined her head but said nothing, her gaze still fixed on Auriel as though trying to dissect her with sheer willpower.

Auriel cleared her throat, glancing at Lilith. "They're… impressive." She hesitated, searching for the right words. "But deciding something like this isn't as simple as just looking at them. I need time to observe, to understand who they are and what they represent."

Lilith's brow furrowed slightly. "But your divine powers should—"

"My divine powers," Auriel interrupted, her heart pounding, "are telling me that this is not a decision to be rushed. If I were to make a choice now, it would risk being… premature. The fate of an entire kingdom is at stake. Surely you understand the importance of caution."

Her words hung in the air, and for a terrifying moment, Auriel thought she had given herself away. She held her breath, praying that her bluff would hold.

To her relief, Lilith's expression softened, and she nodded. "You are wise, O Divine One. A decision of this magnitude does indeed require thorough consideration. I will inform the candidates that they are to await your judgment."

Auriel exhaled silently, a wave of relief washing over her. "Thank you. I appreciate your understanding."

Lilith bowed her head. "It is my duty to support your divine will."

Auriel turned back to the three candidates, all of whom were watching her with varying degrees of interest.

"I look forward to getting to know each of you better," she said, trying to sound confident despite her inner turmoil. "This decision isn't just about who will rule—it's about what kind of leader the kingdom needs."

Evelyn smirked, clearly amused. "Then I suppose we'll have to make a strong impression, won't we?"

Amara simply nodded, her expression unreadable.

Sophia raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into the faintest hint of a smile. "It will be interesting to see how you go about this."

Auriel gave a polite nod to all three before turning to Lilith. "I think I need some time to plan my next steps. Is there somewhere quiet I can work?"

"Of course," Lilith said. "I will have a study prepared for you immediately."

As Lilith led her away, Auriel couldn't help but feel a sense of dread creeping in. Each of the candidates was formidable in her own way, and the weight of her fabricated role pressed heavily on her shoulders.

"How am I supposed to figure this out?" she muttered to herself.

One thing was certain: her "divine wisdom" would have to be very convincing if she was going to survive this charade.

Auriel slumped into the chair in the quiet study Lilith had prepared for her, the door shut firmly behind her. She rested her chin in her hand, her silver eyes distant as her thoughts swirled.

"There's no denying it," she muttered to herself. "Those three could give any goddess back home a run for their money."

She thought of Evelyn Greengrass with her smirk and commanding presence, the kind of confidence that could lead armies. Then there was Amara, composed and regal, her every move exuding a sense of duty and grace. And finally, Sophia, whose intense gaze and understated demeanor spoke of wisdom and power far beyond her years.

Auriel groaned, letting her head fall against the desk. "How am I supposed to choose between them? They're all terrifyingly impressive."

But as tempting as it was to let herself get caught up in their beauty and charm, Auriel knew better. A decision like this wasn't just about appearances or charisma. This wasn't just about them—it was about her. If she rushed into a choice, the consequences could be disastrous, both for the kingdom and for her.

"This isn't just a game," she reminded herself. "If I mess this up, it could ruin my chances of going home. I can't let their looks or their confidence distract me."

She sat up straighter, her resolve firming. "I'll take my time, get to know them, and figure out what they're really about. No hasty decisions."

Auriel sighed, staring out the window. She didn't want to be here, playing the role of some divine judge. But if this was the key to earning her way back to the heavens, she'd just have to see it through.