Goddess's Yuri harem: Chosing the Empress is hard-Chapter 111: I came to apologize- Part 1

The next morning, Auriel woke up to an empty room. The warmth of the blankets still lingered, but the presence of Priestess Lilith was absent.

She blinked, adjusting to the morning light that streamed in through the sheer curtains.

Her body still felt heavy from last night’s events, but the worst of the exhaustion had passed.

Stretching slightly, she sat up, brushing her fingers against her lips as a faint memory surfaced—

The kiss and the sex. It was all very vivid in her mind.

Auriel’s expression remained unreadable as she let out a quiet sigh.

’I suppose she left early on purpose. Is she the shy type?’

Choosing not to dwell on it too much, Auriel freshened herself up, washing away the remnants of fatigue before dressing in her usual divine robes.

When she stepped out of her chambers, she immediately sensed the presence of others nearby.

Walking toward the main hall of the temple, she spotted Lilith among the gathered members of the clergy.

The priestess was speaking with another temple official, her expression composed, her posture graceful as always.

Yet, when Auriel approached, she noticed something different.

Lilith avoided her gaze.

Not once did she look in Auriel’s direction, nor did she acknowledge her arrival beyond a slight nod. It wasn’t coldness—no, it was something else. Something guarded.

’So, she’s choosing to act as if nothing happened.’

Auriel wasn’t surprised. She had known Lilith long enough to understand that the priestess was not the type to speak openly about emotions, especially when they were unfamiliar or difficult to process.

’I’ll give her time. We don’t have to further this relationship...not that this was a relationship to being with.’

Rather than pressing the issue, Auriel let it be, silently allowing Lilith to gather her thoughts on her own.

A sharp voice interrupted her musings.

"Well, you look better than last night. I take it you’re not about to collapse again?"

Carol remarked as she approached, arms crossed.

Auriel smiled faintly.

"I appreciate the concern."

Carol snorted.

"Don’t flatter yourself. I’m more worried about the mess you left behind at the ballroom."

Before Auriel could respond, Carol continued, her expression turning slightly more serious.

"We’re going to have a guest soon. Princess Evelyn promised to visit."

Auriel raised a brow.

"That was fast."

Carol smirked.

"She’s not one to wait when something catches her interest."

Auriel hummed in thought, glancing once more toward Lilith, who was still pretending not to notice her.

One thing at a time.

"Very well. Let’s see what the princess wants." freewёbnoνel.com

Auriel said, turning her attention back to Carol.

______

Princess Evelyn stepped into the temple, immediately sensing the tension in the air.

The grand halls, usually filled with the soft whispers of prayers and the scent of burning incense, felt oddly stiff and unwelcoming today.

The stares of the temple’s clergy were not exactly hostile, but they were far from warm, and the weight of unspoken judgment made her shoulders tighten.

’Great. Just what I needed.’

She thought dryly, keeping her face composed.

Auriel, ever perceptive, noticed the princess’s discomfort. Despite everything that had happened, Evelyn had still come here, which meant she was at least trying.

Deciding to help, Auriel stepped forward, her divine presence easing some of the tension in the room.

"Princess Evelyn, thank you for taking the time to visit."

Auriel greeted with a gentle smile.

The princess, relieved to have an ally in this, returned the smile. "

It’s only natural. After everything that’s happened, I couldn’t just stay away."

"Then, let us talk."

Auriel gestured toward the inner chamber, and the two of them walked in together, leaving the watchful eyes of the temple behind.

Inside, the chamber was much more private, with golden candlelight flickering against the walls and soft cushions arranged around a low table. It was meant to be a space of comfort, but the tension followed them inside.

As Princess Evelyn moved to sit close to Auriel, a subtle but undeniable force redirected her. She barely had time to react before she found herself sitting just far enough away that it would seem natural—but also clearly intentional.

Princess Evelyn blinked.

Lilith, standing nearby with an unreadable expression, had managed to orchestrate the whole thing without a word.

Auriel noticed but chose not to say anything. Princess Evelyn, on the other hand, understood exactly what had just happened.

She did not appreciate it.

Still, she held her tongue.

’For now.’

Taking a deep breath, she turned her attention back to Auriel.

"I wanted to apologize."

Auriel tilted her head.

"For what?"

"For what happened in the palace. For the dark magic that nearly took over. That... that was my home, my responsibility. I should have known something was wrong. I should have been able to stop it before it came to this."

Auriel opened her mouth to reassure her, but before she could, Lilith spoke up instead.

"And yet, you didn’t stop it."

The words, spoken in a calm but sharp tone, made the air in the room even heavier.

Princess Evelyn turned toward the priestess, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"I am aware of my failings, Priestess."

Lilith’s gaze did not waver.

"Are you? The goddess nearly suffered because of your negligence. Saying sorry does not erase the damage done."

Auriel frowned, sensing the rising hostility.

"Lilith—"

But the priestess did not back down.

Princess Evelyn met Lilith’s eyes with a sharp gaze of her own, the tension between them crackling like fire.

Neither woman was willing to back down, and it was clear that this conversation was far from over.

Auriel sighed, realizing that this was quickly spiraling into something worse. She had expected some tension, but Lilith’s open hostility was unexpected.

"Lilith. this is not the time for blame. What’s done is done, and we must move forward."

Auriel said, her voice firm but gentle.

Lilith exhaled sharply but did not argue further.

Princess Evelyn, though irritated, chose to let it go—for now.

"I didn’t come here to fight. I came to ensure that our relationship with the temple remains intact."

She said, crossing her arms.

Auriel nodded.

"Then let’s focus on that. We all have the same goal, don’t we?"

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