32: Not dealing with the aftermath - Part 2

Auriel kept a tight eye on the lady in front of her. She had a feeling that Duchess Amara needed something from her, but she was not willing to come out and say it.

A whole minute passed in silence before Auriel decided to open her mouth and ask what brought Duchess Amara to her in such a hurry.

"Dear Candidate for the throne, may I know your reason for coming to visit me at such a time? I hope it's not just a social visit."

Auriel asked in a low but meaningful voice. She did not want to show her weakness in front of the Duchess, so she presented her confident side to the lady.

But as expected, the Duchess did not seem to even consider Auriel's brave act as she continued to sip her tea and pick at her snacks.

She took her sweet time finishing her tea before opening her mouth and telling Auriel what she was here for in the first place.

"Goddess Auriel, would you please have a look at this? Do you recognize what this is?"

Amara passed a blurry photo toward Auriel that showed an ancient-looking stone tablet. It looked like it had seen better days and could crumble at any second.

The Goddess tried to zoom in on the image to check what was written on it, but she could not read such a blurry tablet in front of her.

"Is that an ancient tablet? Why would you show me something like this? I am not interested in these toys you show me anyway."

Auriel spoke in a confident voice, but this was not how she actually felt. She was curious to see that stone tablet since she had a feeling that it contained some important words she might be interested in.

But Auriel could not act on her feelings and go to find that tablet. She needed to consider her position as the goddess and maintain an aloof posture that did not care about anyone or anything.

Duchess Amara chuckled, making Auriel's face go red. But before Auriel could show a conflicted expression, the Duchess quickly corrected her own expression and coughed into her hand to hide her happiness.

"I am well aware that a divine and benevolent deity such as the goddess has no interest in mortal things like mortal magic. However, I would still officially like to ask the Goddess to check out this stone tablet.

According to experts, it contains messages from the gods, but we don't have enough wisdom to decipher them. So, as the Duchess who discovered these tablets in her land, I would officially like to invite the goddess to our lands."

Duchess Amara bowed in front of Auriel to show that this was an official request and not a one-off whim of hers. It made Auriel want to head out.

She also had an excuse now, so she could consider taking this request. She felt conflicted about this decision.

Auriel was taking some time, so the Duchess decided to sweeten the deal for her.

"Goddess Auriel, would your decision become easier if I invited you into my lands to officially inspect them? As a candidate for the empress, it is my right to invite you to my lands once a month. I would like to exercise that right."

That stopped Auriel's thinking process, and she felt the need to consider this.

The Duchess was right—there was such a tradition, as far as Auriel had read. Even Priestess Lilith would not be able to say anything about this since it was an official invite.

Tsk, I am the goddess and the sole authority of this place. Why do I have to fear someone like Priestess Lilith? I am not afraid of her… just concerned that she would try to stop me from doing anything dangerous.

Auriel tried to convince herself, and she almost did. But even she knew that she was just gaslighting herself.

"Goddess Auriel, please let me know about your decision in the next few hours. I will be out in the praying chambers. I came to carry out a procession and pray for my good fortune. I hope you will hear my prayer."

The Duchess got close to Auriel when she spoke, and her hand caressed Auriel's own when she talked about prayers.

It sent shivers down Auriel's spine, and she felt her body shudder at the pleasant feeling it gave her.

Before Auriel could get her feelings under control, the Duchess had walked out of the room without looking back.

Tsk, this is not fair! That lady came and did whatever she wanted. Ugh, I can still feel her lingering touch on my body.

Auriel shuddered as she tried to wipe off the imaginary dirt from her body. But in reality, the places where she had been touched felt hot and bothersome.

"Ugh, I need to take a bath. I am sure that the sensation of cold water will wash off this feeling from my skin."

Auriel commented as she hopped into the shower to make herself feel better. But the more she tried to clean herself up, the more she felt like she was spreading that feeling across her body.

It made Auriel feel even more concerned until she felt like she could not stop thinking about it.

______

Auriel sat on the edge of her bed, her mind swirling with uncertainty about the decision she had to make. 

The Duchess's request to inspect the stone tablet tugged at her curiosity, but it also filled her with unease. 

She sighed and stood, knowing there was one person who could provide some clarity, even if her advice came with a heaping dose of disapproval.

Making her way to Priestess Lilith's chambers, Auriel rehearsed what she would say. She expected the priestess to berate her for even considering leaving the safety of the temple for something as trivial as a mortal's request.

Knocking softly on the door, Auriel heard a familiar voice grant her permission to enter. 

She stepped in and closed the door behind her, finding Priestess Lilith seated at her desk, surrounded by neatly stacked scrolls and papers. 

The priestess looked up, her expression neutral but her sharp eyes assessing Auriel instantly.

"Goddess Auriel. What brings you here? I assume this is not a casual visit."

Lilith said, folding her hands neatly on the desk. She looked busy enough to the point where Auriel felt a little bad about disturbing her.

Auriel hesitated before speaking, her voice softer than usual. 

"Priestess Lilith, I wanted to discuss something with you. Duchess Amara has invited me to her lands to examine a stone tablet that she claims contains messages from the gods. I'm... curious, but I wanted to hear your thoughts."

The priestess's lips pressed into a thin line as she leaned back in her chair. For a moment, silence filled the room, and Auriel braced herself for the sharp reprimand she was sure would follow.

Instead, Priestess Lilith sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Goddess, you already know what you want to do, don't you?"

Auriel blinked in surprise. 

"I… suppose I do, but I thought you might—"

"Might stop you? I'm not here to confine you, Goddess Auriel. My role is to serve and guide you, not to chain you to this temple. If you feel that stone tablet is important, then you should go and see it for yourself" 

Lilith interrupted, her tone even but laced with a hint of exasperation. 

Auriel stared at Lilith, caught off guard by her words. 

"You mean… you're not going to forbid me?"

"No," Lilith said simply, her expression softening. 

"But that does not mean I approve of you putting yourself in danger. You are the goddess, the one we serve and protect. Recklessness does not suit you." 

She added, her tone sharpening, "

Auriel felt a warmth in her chest at the priestess's words, a mix of gratitude and guilt. 

"Thank you, Priestess Lilith. Your trust means a lot to me."

"Trust? I would call it resignation. Just don't make me regret it. Rather, I am in a position where I cannot question your decision, just follow it and guide you." 

Lilith raised an eyebrow, her gaze hardening

Auriel chuckled nervously, but the piercing glare she received wiped the smile off her face. She quickly realized that any further attempts to discuss her decision might worsen the priestess's mood.

"I'll… think carefully about my next steps." 

Auriel said, backing toward the door.

"See that you do. And remember Goddess Auriel, the temple is always on your side, no matter what happens." 

Lilith replied, her eyes narrowing as she returned to her paperwork.

Auriel left the room with mixed feelings. The priestess's words had been encouraging, but the weight of her glare lingered. It was clear to Auriel that if she went, she would need to tread carefully.

"Maybe I'll keep this trip as short as possible." 

She muttered to herself, already dreading the consequences of her curiosity.

_____

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