"If you are here to get blessed, then I would have to ask you to head back now. I am afraid that I will not be able to help you out."
Auriel spoke this before the person in front of her could get any expectations.
The priestess deflated like a balloon at Auriel's words, but then her confidence came back and she shines even harder than before.
"It is fine, goddess! Just being in your presence is enough for a being like me to feel fulfilled. Please, just allow me to stay with you for some time."
Auriel did not want to, but what choice did she have when she was being looked at like that?
______
Evelyn Greengrass sat in the grand hall of her family's estate, surrounded by her most loyal supporters.
The opulent chamber, with its gilded mirrors and velvet drapery, buzzed with murmured encouragement from the group gathered around her.
Each of them was a member of a noble house loyal to her family, and they had one goal in mind: securing Evelyn's position as the future empress.
"My Lady," one of her advisors, a middle-aged nobleman with a sharp nose and calculating eyes, leaned closer, his voice smooth yet insistent.
"You must act swiftly. The goddess is at the center of everything now. If you fail to secure her favor, it won't matter how strong your lineage is."
Evelyn's emerald eyes narrowed, her perfectly manicured nails tapping on the armrest of her chair. "Do you think I don't understand that? She's a goddess, after all. But it's beneath me to grovel for her attention."
Another supporter, a young woman with a cunning smile, chimed in. "It isn't groveling, Lady Greengrass. It's ensuring what is rightfully yours. You are of noble blood—none of the other candidates can claim the same. If anyone deserves the throne, it is you."
The room murmured in agreement, bolstering Evelyn's pride. She straightened her posture, letting their words fuel her resolve.
They were right. She was a Greengrass, born to lead. Her royal lineage made her the only logical choice for the throne. The goddess would see that eventually, but perhaps Evelyn needed to ensure it happened sooner rather than later.
"Fine," Evelyn said, her voice laced with determination. "If Auriel cannot see reason, I'll make her see it. It's time I pay her another visit."
______
The temple was serene, bathed in the soft glow of morning light filtering through stained-glass windows.
Yet, Evelyn's composure wavered as soon as she stepped inside and caught sight of Auriel. The goddess was seated at a long table, surrounded by a cluster of priests and priestesses who eagerly hung on her every word.
Their faces shone with adoration, their voices overlapping as they vied for Auriel's attention.
Evelyn's lips curled in distaste. How dare these nobodies waste the goddess's time? she thought, her insides boiling with rage. They're nothing but common peasants. They shouldn't even be allowed near someone as divine as Auriel.
The sight of Auriel smiling politely at one of the priests only fueled Evelyn's jealousy. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she stormed forward.
Her heels echoed sharply against the marble floor, drawing the attention of a few priests, but she didn't care. Evelyn's focus was solely on Auriel.
When she reached the table, she slammed her hand down with enough force to rattle the teacups sitting on its surface. The sudden sound silenced the room, and all eyes turned toward her.
Auriel looked up, her expression calm but tinged with surprise. "Lady Evelyn," she said evenly, folding her hands in her lap. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"
Evelyn ignored the priests, who were now whispering among themselves, and fixed her gaze on Auriel. "We need to talk. Alone."
Auriel's brow arched slightly, but she maintained her composed demeanor. "If it's urgent, we can speak here. I have no secrets from those who serve the temple."
Evelyn's jaw tightened, her pride bristling at the idea of airing her grievances in front of an audience. "This is not a matter for common ears," she said sharply, shooting a glare at the priests. "It concerns the future of the empire."
The priests hesitated, their eyes darting to Auriel for guidance. With a small sigh, Auriel nodded. "Very well. If you would all excuse us for a moment."
The group reluctantly dispersed, casting curious glances over their shoulders as they left the room. Once they were gone, Evelyn took a seat directly across from Auriel, leaning forward as she spoke.
"I'm here because I'm concerned about your priorities," Evelyn began, her tone accusatory. "You've been spending far too much time indulging those beneath you—peasants, priests, and people who have no bearing on the future of this empire."
Auriel tilted her head slightly, her golden eyes narrowing. "And what, in your opinion, should my priorities be?"
"Choosing the next empress," Evelyn said, her voice firm. "Someone who can rule with strength, wisdom, and the legitimacy of noble blood. You've met the other candidates. You know they don't measure up to me."
Auriel remained silent for a moment, her gaze unflinching. Evelyn felt a flicker of unease under that steady scrutiny, but she pressed on.
"I don't understand why you're wasting time with these… distractions," Evelyn continued, gesturing vaguely toward the empty hall. "You're a goddess. You should see that I'm the only logical choice."
Auriel finally spoke, her tone calm but with an edge of steel. "Lady Evelyn, your confidence is admirable, but you seem to misunderstand my role. I am not here to crown a ruler based solely on lineage or self-proclaimed worthiness. My duty is to observe, to learn, and to make a decision that serves the greater good of this empire."
Evelyn's temper flared at Auriel's words. "And you think Amara or Sophia could serve the greater good better than me? One is a tongue-tied wallflower, and the other is a reckless mage who can't even control her own power!"
Auriel's eyes flashed, her patience wearing thin. "I think it's unwise to speak of others so dismissively when your actions have hardly been above reproach."
The words stung, and Evelyn's cheeks flushed with anger. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means," Auriel said, her voice cool and measured, "that I have seen arrogance and entitlement from you, Lady Evelyn, but little else. A true leader does not demand respect; they earn it. A true leader considers the needs of all, not just those who share their station."
Evelyn opened her mouth to retort but found herself momentarily speechless. She had expected Auriel to be swayed by her arguments, to see the logic of her claim. Instead, she was being lectured like a common child.
"I suggest," Auriel continued, rising from her seat, "that you take some time to reflect on what it truly means to rule. Strength and wisdom are not found in bloodlines alone, Lady Evelyn. They are forged through humility and understanding."
Evelyn stood as well, her pride wounded but her determination undiminished. "You'll see," she said through gritted teeth. "When the time comes, you'll realize I am the only choice."
Without waiting for a response, Evelyn turned on her heel and marched out of the temple, her mind racing with plans. If Auriel would not see reason, Evelyn would simply have to ensure that the goddess had no other options.
______
Auriel watched Evelyn Greengrass leave with a conflicted expression on her face.
On one hand, she felt relieved that she would not have to spend much time with the spoiled royal child. But on the other hand, Auriel also felt like she had to chase after her and explain to her why she needed to change.
But most importantly, Auriel felt afraid that her careless actions would make her presence on earth much harder to bear and also lower her credit score.
So, even when she did not want to, Auriel knew that she should follow after Evelyn Greengrass to make sure she was alright and made it out alive.
Out of the corner of her eyes, Auriel watched as some people started to head her way. Before they could make it to her, Auriel stood up and walked out.
She could make out Evelyn's figure in the distance and Auriel hurried up to catch up to her. But before she could make it, her eyes caught a figure about to snipe Evelyn from the corner of her eyes.
"Lady Evelyn, look out." Auriel quickened her pace and placed herself before using her mediocre powers to create a shield between herself and the bullet to stop it.
The strain of using her powers made Auriel's arm hurt, but she managed to keep herself steady and save Evelyn.
Evelyn looked shocked to see Auriel standing behind her and saving her from the bullet.
"Y-You-!" Her speechlessness was adorable to see, but Auriel felt the strain of using magic get to her.
"L-Lady, please hurry up and deal with this already." Auriel commented, making Evelyn snap out of it and go after the attacker.