Shelly Munero had a plan and the first part of it was to get the public on her side. Numbers had powers and even a candidate for the position of empress would be helpless if everyone was against her.
That was why, to recruit the Goddess was a must.
To further cement her image, Shelly planned an extravagant public offering at the temple. Gold and jewels, rare silks, and spices were amassed into an opulent display of wealth and devotion.
The offering was designed to draw the attention of both the common people and the temple clergy, showcasing Shelly's piety and generosity.
On the day of the offering, Shelly arrived at the temple dressed in a gown that shimmered like the dawn, its fabric woven with threads of gold and silver. She addressed the gathered crowd with practiced humility.
"Today, I offer these gifts not for my own glory, but to honor the goddess who watches over us all. May her light guide our empire to peace and prosperity."
The crowd erupted in applause, their cheers echoing through the temple grounds. Shelly's performance was flawless, and she knew the event would strengthen her public image.
Behind the scenes, Shelly's supporters worked tirelessly to sway undecided nobles and priests. Subtle bribes and veiled threats were employed to ensure their allegiance.
"She's the only candidate with the vision to lead," one supporter whispered to a wavering noble. "Evelyn's rashness is a liability. We need stability, not chaos."
At the same time, Shelly orchestrated small provocations aimed at Evelyn, hoping to elicit an emotional outburst that would reinforce the narrative of her instability.
The more Shelly heard the people speak words about praising her and being on her side, the more she was certain that she was doing the right thing. However, she would not relax until victory was in her corner.
Despite her careful planning, Shelly knew she was walking a fine line. Auriel was no ordinary figure; her divine nature made her both unpredictable and perceptive. One misstep could unravel everything.
As Shelly prepared to visit the temple for her audience with Auriel, she took a moment to steady herself. This meeting would be crucial, and she couldn't afford to falter.
"This is not the end," Shelly murmured to herself. "This is my moment to seize."
With that, she stepped into her carriage, her heart pounding but her resolve unshaken. The game was far from over, and Shelly Munero intended to win.
Gathering the courage to call the goddess out, Shelly Munero spoke her first words to the Goddess.
"O Divine One, please show me your presence and give me the honor of serving you. I, Shelly Munero, would personally like to come forward and clear out the misunderstanding that is smearing my name."
Shelly's words were followed by a cheer given by the people who followed her all the way here. With this much support, Shelly's victory was guaranteed.
But the goddess who had to deal with all this seemed to have a different idea.
______
"What the fuck is going on? Why are there so many people gathered outside the temple like this? I don't feel like dealing with all this today," Auriel's voice carried irritation as she looked down at the crowd that had gathered outside the temple.
Normally, this was not a problem she had to deal with. But Shelly Munero was making it her problem.
Auriel was about to do something foolish and head out to tell people to go away when she suddenly felt a presence at her side.
The goddess did her best to hold her scream in as she noticed Carol's presence beside her. The young-looking gothic girl gave Auriel a blank look before turning to observe the crowd as well.
"Would you like me to get rid of all of them for you, Goddess Auriel? I can make it painless for them if you like. Ah, but if you prefer to hear some screams, I can arrange that as well."
Carol spoke in a monotonous voice, and it almost sounded like a joke. But something about the way Carol let those words out did not make it feel like a joke.
Auriel thought about this offer for a whole minute, causing Carol to think she had accepted the offer and get ready to head out. Thankfully, before Carol could head out, Auriel reached out to drag her back.
"No! Wait a minute, Carol! Let's not get too ahead of ourselves and cause a problem for people. Rather, I would like to resolve this problem without violence."
The gods were not a peaceful race and preferred to resolve their situations by going to extremes. One such situation was Auriel's banishment.
But unlike other gods and goddesses, Auriel was much more peaceful and liked to resolve situations without allowing them to get messy. It had caused her to be the odd one out in most situations.
Still, Auriel had never tried to change herself, and she did not want to change herself right now either.
Carol looked disappointed at being stopped by the goddess, and she put her weapon back with an almost reluctant look on her face.
Sigh
"If this is what you want, Goddess Auriel, then I will not shed any blood. Should I invite Lady Munero inside for your talk with her? If you would like someone else to be present during the meeting as well, then please tell me, and I will arrange that as well."
Carol promised, and she was a good assistant, always anticipating what Auriel needed and trying to help her out with this.
Auriel was going to take full advantage of this offer.
"Thank you, Carol. If it is not too much of a problem, then call Princess Evelyn and Priestess Lilith as well. I feel like they should be present for this meeting as well."
Auriel did not call for the pair because she felt worried and scared. She called for them for… reasons she did not want to say. Anyway, Auriel had no intention of facing this situation alone, and if Lady Munero had a problem with this… then she would have to deal with it herself.
______
Lady Shelly Munero sat poised in her carriage, her lips curling into a smug smile as the temple's grand doors came into view.
The summons had come from Carol, the little priestess who had scurried to her estate earlier that morning, relaying Goddess Auriel's request for an audience.
"A personal invitation from the goddess herself," Shelly mused aloud, her confidence soaring. "She must finally recognize my worth. The others are inconsequential now."
The carriage came to a stop, and Shelly stepped out with practiced grace, her gown shimmering in the sunlight.
Inside the temple, the atmosphere was serene, but Shelly couldn't shake the anticipation thrumming through her veins. This meeting was her victory lap—or so she believed.
When Carol led her into the meeting room, Shelly's confident demeanor faltered. Seated at the long table were two unexpected guests: Priestess Lilith, whose calm, authoritative presence filled the room, and Princess Evelyn Greengrass, who sat stiffly, her eyes fixed on Shelly with a simmering intensity.
Shelly's smile tightened as she took in the scene. This wasn't the private audience she had envisioned. "Ah," she said with a slight edge to her tone, "I see this is to be a... collaborative discussion."
Auriel, seated at the head of the table, greeted her with a warm yet measured expression. "Lady Shelly Munero, thank you for coming. Please, have a seat. We have much to discuss."
Shelly hesitated for a fraction of a second, her mind racing. Why were Lilith and Evelyn here? Was this some kind of ambush? Her eyes darted to Evelyn, whose presence irritated her more than anything. This was supposed to be her moment, and now it felt diluted.
Still, Shelly schooled her features into a polite mask and took the offered seat. "Of course, Your Divinity. I am honored to be here, though I admit I was under the impression this would be a private audience."
Auriel inclined her head, her expression unchanging. "This is a matter that affects more than one person, Lady Munero. Transparency is key."
Shelly's lips pressed into a thin line. "Naturally. I only wish to ensure that my intentions are understood correctly." Her tone was smooth, but the underlying tension was unmistakable.
Evelyn, who had been silent until now, crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, a smirk playing on her lips. "Oh, we're all eager to hear your intentions, Lady Munero. Do enlighten us."
The passive-aggressive jab wasn't lost on Shelly, and her carefully maintained composure cracked just enough for her eyes to flash with irritation.
Auriel raised a hand, cutting off the brewing tension. "Let us remain civil," she said firmly. "This discussion is not about pointing fingers. It is about understanding and moving forward."
But Shelly couldn't suppress the feeling of being cornered. Despite Auriel's calm demeanor, the presence of Lilith and Evelyn felt like a calculated move, and Shelly was determined not to let them see her falter.
"Of course, Your Divinity," Shelly said sweetly, though her words carried a sharp undertone. "I trust this will be a fair discussion."
Her gaze swept the room, lingering on Evelyn and Lilith. "After all, we wouldn't want any... misunderstandings clouding the truth."