Goddess's Yuri harem: Chosing the Empress is hard-Chapter 86: Are you shocked - Part 2

Priestess Lilith slowly opened her eyes at the sound of Carol’s voice, her serene prayer interrupted by the unexpected enthusiasm. She turned to face them, her sharp gaze softening slightly as she took in Carol’s radiant expression.

"Carol....You look... different."

Lilith said, standing from her kneeling position.

Carol beamed, stepping forward eagerly.

"It’s because I am different! My curse—it’s broken! Look at me, Priestess Lilith! I’m finally back to normal!"

For a moment, Priestess Lilith seemed stunned. Her eyes carefully scanned Carol’s face, taking in the changes.

The childlike features that had once defined her were gone, replaced by the mature countenance of a grown woman. Her posture, her voice, even the way she carried herself—it was all different.

Lilith’s lips parted in surprise before a rare smile graced her face.

"Carol... this is incredible news."

Carol nodded eagerly.

"I know! I can hardly believe it myself! But it’s real, isn’t it? I feel right for the first time in years!"

Auriel, who had been watching the exchange in silence, finally stepped forward.

"It’s real, but we need to confirm whether it’s permanent."

Lilith’s expression immediately sobered. She turned back to Carol, her gaze now tinged with concern.

"That’s true. We should be certain before we celebrate too soon. Carol, would you allow me to examine you? Just to make sure everything is as it should be?"

Carol hesitated only briefly before nodding.

"Of course! But I am fine. You’ll see."

Priestess Lilith gestured for Carol to sit, and as soon as she placed her hands on Carol’s shoulders, a soft glow emanated from her fingertips. The room fell into silence as Lilith focused her divine energy, scanning Carol’s body for any abnormalities.

Carol sat patiently at first, her excitement unwavering. But as the seconds dragged on, Lilith’s brow furrowed. The warmth of her magic shifted, turning from a soft embrace into something more probing, more uncertain.

Finally, Lilith pulled back, her expression unreadable.

"Well?"

Carol prompted, gripping the edges of her seat.

Lilith sighed, her voice gentle but firm.

"Carol... your current state isn’t stable. This transformation is not permanent."

Carol’s heart plummeted.

"What? No, that’s not possible! I feel fine! I—"

Lilith shook her head.

"It’s temporary. Your body is caught between two opposing forces—the divine energy from Auriel and the remnants of the dark magic you were exposed to. That imbalance is what caused this transformation, but it will not last."

Carol’s joy shattered in an instant.

"No... no, there has to be a way to keep this.. I can’t go back. I won’t."

She muttered, hands trembling.

Lilith looked at her sympathetically.

"I’m sorry, Carol."

Carol abruptly stood, turning away.

"I need some air."

Before anyone could stop her, she rushed out of the temple halls, leaving Auriel and Lilith watching in silence.

Priestess Lilith let out a deep sigh, shaking her head as she watched Carol storm out of the temple halls.

"What a child."

She murmured, folding her arms across her chest.

Auriel turned her gaze to Lilith, her expression unreadable.

"She just received disappointing news. She needs time."

Lilith exhaled sharply.

"Time or not, throwing a tantrum won’t change anything. But don’t worry, Goddess. She’ll come around eventually."

Auriel didn’t respond immediately. In truth, she did worry about Carol. The girl’s emotions were tangled, and though she tried to mask it with defiance, Auriel could sense the deep sorrow hidden beneath her surface.

Still, she knew that forcing Carol to confront her emotions wouldn’t help. She needed space.

"I’ll leave her be for tonight. She’ll return when she’s ready"

Auriel finally said, glancing toward the door Carol had disappeared through.

Lilith nodded approvingly.

"That’s for the best."

Yet, despite her words, Auriel couldn’t shake the lingering unease she felt.

______

Morning arrived swiftly, and as the golden sunlight streamed through the temple windows, Auriel made her way toward Carol’s chambers.

She knocked gently on the door.

"Carol? Are you in there? How is your condition? Does it feel more stable?"

There was a moment of silence before the door creaked open, revealing the familiar small figure of Carol—the same childlike form she had held for years. The sight of her sent a pang through Auriel’s heart. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Carol smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Her smaller body looked dejected and her voice had lost it’s enthusiasm as well.

"Good morning, Goddess Auriel."

Auriel studied her carefully before stepping inside.

"How do you feel?"

Carol hesitated, then shrugged.

"Like myself, I suppose. It was nice while it lasted, but I knew it wouldn’t stay."

Auriel frowned.

"Are you sure you don’t resent me?"

Carol’s eyes widened slightly before she quickly shook her head.

"No! Of course not! I could never be resentful toward you, Goddess. I am not in any position to be angry at you."

The words, meant to be reassuring, instead twisted something inside Auriel. The way Carol said them, as if she had no right to her own feelings, only deepened Auriel’s guilt.

"You have every right to feel how you do, Carol."

Carol smiled again, but it was even weaker this time.

"I know."

Auriel studied her in silence for a moment before making a quiet decision.

Subtly, she reached out with her divine power, threading it toward Carol’s very essence. If there was even the slightest chance to lift the curse completely, Auriel would take it.

She worked carefully, gently unraveling the strands of dark magic that still clung to Carol’s being. At first, nothing seemed to happen, and Auriel wondered if perhaps the curse truly was irreversible. But then—

A sharp, searing pain lanced through Auriel’s head, forcing her to stumble backward. A powerful force snapped between her and Carol, like an invisible chain breaking violently.

Auriel gasped, pressing a hand to her temple as a throbbing headache crashed into her skull.

Carol’s eyes widened in alarm.

"Goddess Auriel? Are you alright?"

The sudden shift in Auriel’s demeanor had not gone unnoticed by the other priestesses, who rushed over upon sensing the disturbance.

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