Goddess's Yuri harem: Chosing the Empress is hard-Chapter 54: A Tempting Offer - Part 1

The tension in the room was thick, and it seemed as though the argument between Lila and the elder would escalate further when the sound of graceful footsteps echoed through the chamber.

All eyes turned toward the doorway, where a tall woman in a deep burgundy dress, trimmed with gold embroidery, stepped inside. Her striking presence immediately silenced the room.

Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her sharp amber eyes seemed to pierce into the souls of everyone present.

She carried herself with the poise of nobility, a faint smile playing on her lips, as though she knew a secret no one else did.

"Such passion for your goddess. It is commendable. I do not mean to intrude, but I couldn’t help overhearing your plight. Perhaps I may be of assistance."

She said, her voice smooth and honeyed, commanding attention.

The room collectively tensed as the elder’s eyes widened. His expression shifted from shock to distrust as recognition dawned upon him.

"Lady Victoria. You shouldn’t be here."

He said slowly, his voice laced with caution.

Lady Victoria raised a perfectly arched brow.

"Oh, Elder, how cold of you. I simply came to offer my help. Is that not what your people seek? To restore their precious Goddess Minerva? I could make that happen... but only if you’re willing to cooperate."

A ripple of unease passed through the crowd. Whispers broke out among the followers of Minerva, and Lila’s eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope.

She turned to the elder, her earlier anger melting into eagerness.

"Elder, this is it! This is the answer we’ve been waiting for! Lady Victoria can help us. Please, let’s hear what she has to say!"

Lila exclaimed.

The elder’s face darkened as he shook his head firmly.

"Absolutely not. We will not accept help from her. Our goddess would not want to break any rules."

His voice was resolute, cutting through the murmurs like a blade.

Lila’s mouth fell open in disbelief, and the whispers in the crowd turned into muffled gasps.

"Elder, how can you say that? This is our goddess we’re talking about! How can we turn away a chance to save her?"

The elder fixed her with a hard glare, his tone unwavering.

"Lady Victoria’s offers always come with a price—one too steep for any of us to pay. Her so-called ’help’ is nothing but a trap, one that will lead us further away from the divine path. I would rather see us struggle than watch our people fall into ruin."

Lady Victoria let out a soft, melodic laugh, as if the elder’s words amused her.

"Elder, you wound me. I offer my aid out of the kindness of my heart. Is it so wrong to want to assist those in need? Of course, every service requires compensation, but surely you would agree that saving your goddess is worth any price?"

Her words sent a shiver down the spines of everyone present, but Lila’s determination burned brighter.

"Elder, please reconsider. We owe it to Minerva to try everything we can. Even if there’s a price, we can bear it together!"

She pleaded, stepping forward.

"No. This discussion is over. As the leader of this community, I have made my decision, and we will not be entertaining Lady Victoria’s schemes. Anyone who defies me in this will not be welcome among us."

The elder said sharply, his voice booming with finality.

Lila recoiled, her eyes wide with shock and betrayal. Her fingers clenched into fists as she trembled with frustration, but she couldn’t bring herself to openly defy the elder—not yet.

She bit her lip hard enough to draw blood and stepped back into the crowd, her expression simmering with barely-contained fury.

Lady Victoria sighed dramatically, shaking her head as though disappointed.

"What a pity. I had hoped you would be more reasonable, Elder. Still, I understand loyalty is a stubborn thing. Should you ever reconsider, you know where to find me"

She said.

She turned gracefully on her heel, her long dress swishing around her as she strode toward the exit.

But before she left, she glanced over her shoulder, her amber eyes locking onto Lila’s for a brief moment.

The faintest smirk curved her lips, as if she knew exactly what the young woman was thinking.

As soon as Lady Victoria disappeared, the room erupted into murmurs. Some of the followers seemed relieved by the elder’s decision, while others looked conflicted.

Lila, however, was visibly seething. She clenched her fists tightly, her mind racing with thoughts of defiance.

Once the crowd began to disperse, she approached the elder again, her voice trembling with desperation.

"Elder, you’re wrong about this. I know you are. We can’t just sit here and do nothing while Minerva suffers! Even if it’s risky, we have to take that chance!"

The elder’s expression softened, but his tone remained firm.

"Lila, I understand your frustration, but my decision is final. Lady Victoria’s help is not what it seems. I will not allow her to exploit our desperation for her own gain."

Lila opened her mouth to argue further, but the elder silenced her with a raised hand.

"Enough. We’ve had this conversation already. Please, trust in my judgment."

Tears of anger and helplessness welled up in Lila’s eyes as she watched the elder walk away, his back straight and unyielding. She stood frozen in place, the weight of her emotions threatening to crush her.

That night, as the moon cast its pale glow over the village, Lila lay awake in her bed, staring at the ceiling. Her mind replayed Lady Victoria’s offer over and over again, and the elder’s refusal felt like a betrayal.

"I can’t let this go. If the elder won’t do what’s necessary, then I will."

She whispered to herself.

Her heart pounding with determination, Lila slipped out of bed and quietly made her way out of the house.

The village was silent, the only sounds being the soft rustle of leaves in the night breeze.

Clutching her cloak tightly around her, she headed toward the edge of the village where Lady Victoria had said she would be staying.

"I’ll do whatever it takes to save you, Goddess Minerva. No matter the cost."

Lila vowed under her breath, her eyes gleaming with resolve.

As she disappeared into the shadows, a figure watched her from a distance, concealed by the darkness.

The faint glint of a smile played across their lips before they melted back into the night, leaving no trace behind.

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