Goddess's Yuri harem: Chosing the Empress is hard

The sound of hurried footsteps and the creak of the door pulled Auriel from her slumber. Blinking groggily, she squinted at the figure standing in her room, silhouetted by the faint glow of pre-dawn light.

"Divine One," came Lilith's soft but firm voice. "It is time to wake. Today is a special day."

Auriel groaned, pulling the blanket over her head. "It's not even light out. What's so special about today?"

Lilith stepped closer, her tone reverent. "Today is your first public appearance. The people are eager to witness your divine presence and hear your words."

Auriel peeked out from under the blanket, her silver eyes narrowing. "Is it too late to back out?"

Lilith smiled, as if Auriel's question was a joke. "I shall prepare your ceremonial attire. Please rise quickly, O Divine One."

Auriel sighed, dragging herself out of bed. This is going to be a disaster, she thought, but she kept the complaint to herself.

______

Dressed in a flowing gown of silver and white, with intricate embroidery that shimmered like starlight, Auriel followed Lilith down the temple's grand corridor. The priestess's praise didn't stop as they walked.

"Your divine aura is radiant today," Lilith said, her voice filled with awe. "Truly, the heavens must be blessing us through you."

Auriel forced a tight-lipped smile. "Thanks," she muttered, not sharing the sentiment.

As they approached the temple's front entrance, the muffled roar of a massive crowd reached Auriel's ears. Her steps faltered.

The doors opened, and blinding light greeted her. The temple's grand courtyard was packed with people, their eyes fixed on the platform where Auriel would stand. Cameras and recording devices were set up, their lenses gleaming ominously.

Auriel hesitated at the top of the stairs, her heart pounding. She'd never been the type to crave attention, and now she was at the center of it.

Steeling herself, she stepped forward, her movements slow and deliberate. Her gaze swept over the crowd, her mind spinning. But then her eyes locked on familiar faces in the front row.

Evelyn Greengrass stood tall, her arms crossed and her green eyes sharp with anticipation. Beside her was Amara, composed as always, her expression neutral but her gaze intense. On the other side, Sophia leaned slightly against her staff, her lips pressed into a thin line, her sharp eyes glinting with curiosity.

The weight of their hopeful stares made Auriel's stomach twist. She hadn't asked for this responsibility, but now their futures rested in her hands—or so they thought.

Auriel took a deep breath and raised her voice, projecting an air of confidence she didn't feel. "I am honored by your warm welcome and the devotion you have shown," she began. "As you know, the task before me is of great importance. Choosing the next ruler is not a decision to be taken lightly."

The crowd fell silent, hanging on her every word. Auriel felt her palms begin to sweat.

"I will be observing the candidates closely," she continued, her voice steady despite her inner panic. "This decision requires time and care. Only through understanding their true character can the most worthy ruler be chosen."

Her announcement was met with murmurs of approval from the crowd, but when she glanced back at the candidates, their expressions told a different story. Evelyn looked annoyed, her jaw tightening. Amara's polite façade slipped for a moment, a flicker of irritation crossing her face. Even Sophia's stoic demeanor seemed to crack as she sighed and shook her head.

Auriel swallowed nervously. Before anyone could comment or press her for more, Lilith stepped forward, bowing slightly to the crowd. "That concludes the Divine One's message for today. Please continue your devotions and pray for her guidance."

With that, Lilith gestured for Auriel to follow, and the two quickly retreated back into the temple.

______

Inside the safety of the temple, Auriel let out a long breath, leaning against the nearest wall.

"Do all public appearances feel like you're being roasted alive?" she asked Lilith, half-joking.

The priestess smiled faintly. "You handled yourself admirably, O Divine One. The people are filled with hope, and your words have inspired them."

Auriel wasn't so sure. She could still see the annoyance in the candidates' faces and feel the pressure of the crowd's expectations weighing heavily on her.

"Let's hope I can live up to it," she muttered.

Lilith's serene smile didn't falter. "You already have, O Divine One. Rest assured, your path is guided by destiny."

Auriel wasn't convinced, but she nodded anyway. For now, all she could do was survive this charade and figure out a way to make it through without exposing her lack of "divine wisdom."

Auriel sank into the plush chair in her resting room, her head pounding and her body heavy with fatigue. The ordeal of facing the crowd and their overwhelming expectations had drained her, but she wasn't about to let it show. She had to maintain the facade of divine composure, even if she felt like collapsing.

Lilith stood nearby, her watchful eyes filled with concern. "Divine One, you should rest. Today's events have been taxing, and—"

"Lilith," Auriel interrupted gently, managing a faint smile. "Could you get me a drink? Something light. I think it might help me relax."

Lilith hesitated, her brows furrowing. "I would be happy to, but it's not safe for you to be left alone. There are many who would seek an audience with you, even uninvited."

Auriel waved her hand dismissively, though the motion lacked its usual grace. "I'll be fine. I am a goddess, after all. What could possibly happen to me in my own resting room?"

For a moment, Lilith seemed unconvinced, her lips pressing into a thin line. But finally, she relented with a bow. "Very well. I will return shortly. Please call if you require anything."

As the door closed behind her, Auriel exhaled in relief. The silence was a balm to her frayed nerves, and she allowed herself to slump back in her chair. For the first time all day, she felt like she could breathe.

But the moment of calm was fleeting.

The door slammed open with a force that made the walls shudder, and Auriel jumped to her feet, her silver eyes wide in alarm. Before she could react, Evelyn Greengrass strode into the room, her emerald eyes blazing with fury.

"What are you playing at?" Evelyn demanded, her voice sharp.

Auriel barely had time to process the question before Evelyn was in front of her, gripping the front of her gown with a strength that left Auriel gasping.

"Why are you wasting time with this farce?" Evelyn hissed, her face inches from Auriel's. "You know I'm the best choice for the throne. So why are you dragging this out? Just name me the empress and stop this nonsense!"

Auriel's chest tightened, and she struggled to draw in a full breath. The heat of Evelyn's anger was palpable, and the proximity of the warrior princess was overwhelming.

"Evelyn," Auriel managed, her voice strained. "Let go of me."

But Evelyn's grip only tightened. "You're toying with people's lives, Auriel. Do you think this is a game?"

Auriel's panic began to shift into frustration. She wasn't going to be intimidated, not even by someone as commanding as Evelyn Greengrass. Summoning what little divine power she could access, she focused it into a surge of force and flung Evelyn's hand away from her gown.

Evelyn staggered back, her expression shifting from anger to surprise as Auriel straightened, her silver eyes blazing with defiance.

"This is not a game," Auriel said, her voice low but firm. "And I will not be bullied into making a decision. Do you think you can storm in here and demand the throne? That's not how this works."

Evelyn recovered quickly, her hands balling into fists at her sides. "Then how does it work? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're stalling. You're supposed to be a goddess—shouldn't you already know who's best suited to rule?"

Auriel took a steadying breath, willing herself to stay calm. "It's not as simple as you think," she said. "Being a ruler isn't just about strength or confidence. It's about understanding the people, their needs, their hopes. It's about more than you or me."

Evelyn's jaw tightened, and for a moment, she looked as though she might argue. But then she exhaled sharply, her shoulders slumping slightly.

"You really believe that, don't you?" Evelyn muttered, almost to herself. She ran a hand through her dark hair, her anger seeming to cool. "Fine. Take your time. But know this, Auriel—" She leaned in closer, her emerald eyes locking onto Auriel's. "I don't intend to lose."

Before Auriel could respond, Evelyn turned and strode out of the room, the door slamming shut behind her.

Auriel sank back into her chair, her body trembling from the confrontation. She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady her breathing.

"Great," she muttered. "Another crisis averted. Barely."

But as much as Evelyn's outburst had shaken her, it had also given Auriel a glimpse of something deeper. Beneath the warrior's anger and arrogance, there was passion—a fierce determination that couldn't be ignored.

Auriel sighed, rubbing her temples. "This is going to be harder than I thought."

Moments later, Lilith returned, a tray in her hands and a faint look of concern on her face.

"Divine One, is everything all right?" the priestess asked, setting the tray down.

Auriel forced a smile, reaching for the drink. "Everything's fine, Lilith. Just… more excitement than I was expecting."

Lilith tilted her head, her gaze searching, but she didn't press further. Instead, she gave a small bow. "If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to call."

As Lilith left the room, Auriel took a sip of the drink, its coolness soothing her parched throat. She stared at the door, her thoughts swirling.

If Evelyn was this intense already, what would the others be like? And more importantly, how long could she keep up the act before everything spiraled out of control?

Auriel leaned back, closing her eyes. She was in over her head, but there was no turning back now. All she could do was brace herself for whatever came next.