Goddess's Yuri harem: Chosing the Empress is hard-Chapter 140: Being Watched- Part 2

As an important figure at work, it was common for Seraphina to have eyes on her at all times. But this gaze felt different from the usual ones that looked at her.

She turned in bed, pulling Lina closer as if the human’s presence could shield her from whatever was lurking. But the feeling did not fade.

With a groggy sigh, she finally relented and forced her eyes open.

And there, standing at the foot of her bed, was Auriel.

The goddess stood still, her golden eyes fixed on Seraphina with an unreadable expression. The dim light of the room cast soft shadows across her face, but there was no malice in her gaze—only quiet observation.

Seraphina felt a flicker of annoyance rise within her.

"What do you want?"

She asked, her voice hoarse from sleep.

Auriel blinked once, then shook her head.

"It’s nothing."

She said simply.

Seraphina frowned.

"Nothing? You’re standing in my room, watching me sleep, and it’s nothing?"

Auriel offered no further explanation. Instead, she turned away, her white robes flowing as she moved toward the door.

"Get some rest. It will be morning soon."

She said before stepping out of the room and disappearing down the hallway.

Seraphina stared after her, her annoyance deepening. That goddess was infuriating.

Still, she couldn’t bring herself to go back to sleep. The feeling of being watched lingered, leaving her unsettled.

She eventually got up, careful not to disturb Lina, and decided to wait for morning.

By the time breakfast arrived, Seraphina was still irritated.

She sat at the wooden table, arms crossed, as Auriel calmly ate across from her. The goddess seemed unbothered, as if nothing had happened the night before.

Lina quietly moved around the room, setting down fresh tea and bread before standing at Seraphina’s side like a proper servant.

The silence stretched until Seraphina finally sighed. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

"I need to make a call to the temple," she muttered. "If I don’t, Priestess Lilith will send people to come looking for me."

Auriel looked up from her plate. "Then call her."

Seraphina hesitated. It wasn’t that simple.

If Lilith discovered that Seraphina had taken Auriel to a remote location under false pretenses, things would spiral out of control. But Seraphina had planned ahead. She had already come up with an excuse—a second ’temple location’ where she had supposedly taken Auriel for divine reasons.

Lina bowed slightly. "Shall I prepare the communication crystal, Mistress?"

Seraphina nodded. "Yes, do it."

Lina immediately left to retrieve the necessary tools while Seraphina turned her gaze to Auriel.

"You know I’m lying to her, right?" Seraphina asked, watching the goddess carefully. "You’re not supposed to be here. If I tell Lilith that we’re at a different temple, it’s just to buy time—to keep you here longer."

Auriel nodded. "I know."

Seraphina’s brow furrowed. "Then why are you letting me do it? Why are you helping me lie?"

Auriel set her cup down gently and looked Seraphina directly in the eyes. "Because I also need time."

Seraphina’s breath caught for a moment.

"Time for what?" she asked.

Auriel didn’t answer right away. Instead, she glanced toward the window, where the village could be seen bathed in the soft morning light.

"There are things here that don’t add up," Auriel finally said. "I was brought here under false pretenses. My powers are being suppressed. And there is something in that dungeon that should not exist."

Seraphina stiffened. She had suspected Auriel had sensed something. But to hear it confirmed made her uneasy.

Auriel continued, her voice calm but firm. "I am allowing this deception because I, too, need to uncover the truth. And for now, staying in this village is the best way to do that."

Seraphina wasn’t sure how to respond. She had expected Auriel to be angry, to demand answers, or to try to leave. But instead, the goddess was choosing to stay.

"Fine," Seraphina said after a long pause. "But don’t get in my way."

Auriel smirked slightly. "I could say the same to you."

Lina returned with the communication crystal, placing it carefully on the table before stepping back.

Seraphina took a deep breath before activating it. The crystal glowed softly, and soon, the face of Priestess Lilith appeared.

Lilith’s expression was serious as always, her piercing gaze scanning the screen before settling on Seraphina.

"Seraphina," she greeted coolly. "You’ve been silent for too long. I was beginning to think something had gone wrong."

Seraphina forced a smile. "Nothing is wrong, Priestess. We arrived safely at the secondary temple. I wanted to check in before you sent people looking for me."

Lilith’s expression didn’t change. "And the goddess?"

Seraphina glanced at Auriel, who remained still and unreadable.

"She is resting," Seraphina lied smoothly. "The temple is well hidden. No one will disturb her here."

Lilith studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Very well. Keep me updated. If I don’t hear from you within a few days, I will come myself."

Seraphina suppressed a grimace. "Understood."

With that, the connection cut off, and the crystal dimmed.

Seraphina exhaled slowly, leaning back in her chair.

"Well," she muttered, "that buys us some time."

Auriel simply nodded. "For now."

There was an unspoken agreement between them now—one that Seraphina wasn’t sure she liked.

She had wanted to deceive Auriel. She had wanted to keep the goddess trapped in this village long enough to fulfill her plans.

But somehow, the tables had turned.

Auriel was staying by choice.

Seraphina scowled as she watched Auriel from a distance, irritation bubbling in her chest like a slow-burning fire.

The goddess was still here.

Seraphina had expected Auriel to leave after seeing the so-called "dungeon" was not what she had anticipated.

She thought the goddess would take one look at the village, its peculiar customs, and its well-mannered yet collared humans, then decide she wanted nothing to do with it.

Instead, Auriel had stayed. And that made the demon flinch and question the goddess’s decision and her plans.

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