'I can't wait for the wedding, so I can finally leave this job,' Vivienne thought to herself as she followed the crown prince into the forest. 'It has been one week since Ava went off with the High Priest, and we've been searching everywhere for her.'
"Your Highness, we've been wandering through the forest for three hours already. I believe it would be wise to return and rest for now and then resume our search for Lady Silverwood later," Vivienne suggested, attempting to reason with the stubborn crown prince.
"I can sense that Ava is here. I'm certain of it," the crown prince declared with unwavering confidence, forging ahead without slowing down.
'That's what you said two hours ago,' Vivienne thought to herself, rolling her eyes at the crown prince's persistent stubbornness. 'Instead of exploring alternative solutions, we're trapped here, spending twelve hours a day searching for Ava. What a futile waste of time.'
Suddenly, a loud clap of thunder reverberated, capturing everyone's attention.
"Ava!" the crown prince exclaimed in a state of panic, sprinting after the source of the thunder. Vivienne and the guards were left behind, unable to match his swift pace.
'Drat. We've lost sight of the crown prince. We must attempt to trace the source of that thunder,' Vivienne thought to herself.
"Everyone, keep your eyes wide open. We must locate the crown prince once more," Vivienne commanded.
"There's no need for that," a voice resonated through the air, leaving everyone searching for its source.
"I'm up here," the voice declared, drawing the attention of all present.
As they looked up, they realized the voice had originated from none other than the High Priest himself.
'Oh my goodness. He appears like a deity descending from the heavens,' Vivienne thought, awe-struck, as the High Priest gracefully landed in front of the gathered crowd.
"We cannot leave His Highness unguarded," one of the guards spoke up. "We must locate him as quickly as possible."
"Goddess Ava has located your crown prince. She instructed me to guide you all out of the forest, so please follow my lead," the High Priest announced, fulfilling his role as per Goddess Ava's orders.
"Does this mean Lady Silverwood has succeeded in her training?" Vivienne inquired with curiosity.
"You must address her as Goddess Ava. As for your question, yes, she has indeed succeeded in her training," the High Priest responded in a snobbish tone, emphasizing the proper title for Ava.
"Will Goddess Ava's newfound power be capable of resolving the issue of the drought?" Vivienne asked.
"She will be able to resolve the drought problem by tomorrow," the High Priest answered.
"Why not today? It's still daytime," Vivienne inquired.
"HOW DARE YOU RUSH THE GODDESS! IT IS ALREADY A BLESSING FOR US TO WITNESS HER PRESENCE! MAKING HER WORK NOW IS ATROCIOUS! DO YOU HAVE NO SHAME!" the High Priest shouted at Vivienne.
"Apologies for my lack of manners," Vivienne apologized humbly.
'I am simply asking a question; there's no need for you to get so agitated,' Vivienne thought to herself, striving to conceal her annoyance and maintain a composed expression.
The remainder of the journey passed in silence, and upon their arrival, they found Ava and the crown prince already waiting for them.
"Thank you, Raphael, for safely guiding the others," Ava expressed her gratitude.
The High Priest swiftly knelt before Ava and replied, "Anything for the Goddess."
"Please rise, Raphael. There's no need for you to kneel," Ava said, her expression flustered by the High Priest's actions.
"Once you become a crown princess, people will kneel before you. I believe his gesture is appropriate, Ava," the crown prince interjected.
"She is a Goddess, and you should be kneeling as well," the High Priest retorted, gazing up at the crown prince and glaring at him.
Vivienne, observing the scene unfold, couldn't help but wonder, 'Is this story turning into a reverse harem genre? Maybe I didn't need to shoo away the Northern Duke.' She watched as Ava found herself encircled by two attractive men who exchanged heated glances with each other.
Vivienne clapped her hands, capturing everyone's attention.
"Let's return and rest. Tomorrow holds great significance," Vivienne declared.
Without a word of complaint, everyone swiftly dispersed, tactfully avoiding the imposing presence of the two powerful men. Casting one final intense glare at each other, the crown prince hastily whisked Ava away while the High Priest gracefully departed with an air of dignity.
'I can't wait to go home,' Vivienne thought to herself as she returned to her room.
Weary from traversing the forest, Vivienne slowly made her way back to her room, feeling the weight of fatigue upon her shoulders. As she entered her room, she was taken aback by the sight of Ava sitting there, donning an innocent expression. The unexpected presence of Ava left Vivienne completely caught off guard.
'Oh no,' Vivienne thought, her gaze fixed on Ava. 'The crown prince is going to create quite the commotion.'
"Greetings, Goddess Ava. Is there anything I can assist you with?" Vivienne greeted, attempting to convey as much formality as possible, given her deep concern about unintentionally offending Ava, who now held a higher status than her.
"No need to worry. I wanted to unwind a bit here. The crown prince was overwhelming me, invading my personal space, so I thought staying in your room for a while would provide some respite. I apologize for intruding upon you so suddenly," Ava explained with a sincere expression of apology.
"Oh, no worries. I am always here at your service," Vivienne replied, although, in her mind, she couldn't help but think, 'I really want to sleep right now.'
Vivienne and Ava exchanged awkward glances, the silence lingering uncomfortably. Vivienne found herself unsure of what to do or where to sit.
"Would you like some snacks? Unfortunately, I don't have any tea at the moment," Vivienne offered, attempting to alleviate the awkwardness.
"I would appreciate that. Thank you very much," Ava responded gratefully.
Vivienne swiftly retrieved her snacks from her luggage and arranged them on the table, finding solace in the task as it helped distract her from the presence of the female protagonist. She focused on organizing the snacks, allowing her mind to wander away from the current situation.
"I am finished with the preparations. Please enjoy your snack," Vivienne stated, standing beside Ava, who was seated.
"Please join me. I find snacks more enjoyable when I have someone to share them with," Ava suggested, attempting to persuade Vivienne to join her.
"I wouldn't dare to sit with the Goddess," Vivienne replied, striving to maintain her politeness.
"Please, I insist," Ava persisted.
Reluctantly, Vivienne gave in, realizing that declining her request would be even more impolite.
The two remain quiet for a while as they slowly eat the snack.
Vivienne's mind raced with questions as she contemplated the possibility of the crown prince barging into the room and the potential conflict between the two protagonists. Uncertainty filled her thoughts as she pondered what she should do in this situation. All the while, Ava remained in her presence.
"You don't need to worry. I have already informed the crown prince that I would like to spend some time with you. I will return to rest with him in the evening," Ava reassured as if she could read Vivienne's thoughts.
"That's reassuring to hear that the two of you have a strong bond," Vivienne replied, inwardly relieved.
"Do you think I am qualified to be a Goddess and an Empress?" Ava asked; Vivienne noticed how Ava looked anxious while looking at her.
'So, this was the reason why she came to my room. She must have been feeling incredibly anxious about this and needed someone to confide in,' Vivienne thought before responding.
"I believe you possess all the qualifications. You completed the basic etiquette in just one month and mastered your powers in one week. You are more than capable of becoming both the Empress and the Goddess," Vivienne said, seeking to reassure Ava.
"What if I make mistakes? What if I end up causing harm instead of helping people?" Ava questioned.
"If you make mistakes, it's important to acknowledge them and work to rectify them. Remember, you will always have the crown prince and the High Priest by your side, as well as Milo and myself, to assist you and offer support," Vivienne reassured Ava, emphasizing the need to learn from her mistakes. "Mistakes are not failures; they are opportunities for growth. Embrace them as valuable lessons that will make you stronger and enable you to help even more people."
After hearing Vivienne's comforting words, Ava felt a greater sense of reassurance. The two companions continued to enjoy their snacks in silence. Once Ava finished her portion, she graciously thanked Vivienne and took her leave of the room. Vivienne, feeling a wave of relief wash over her, let out a long sigh. Recognizing the toll the day had taken on her, both mentally and physically, she resolved to treat herself to a relaxing bath, seeking solace and rejuvenation.
The next day...
"All hail Goddess Ava! All hail Goddess Ava!" the civilians chanted in unison as the gentle rain sprinkled down upon the field. Miraculously, the plants grew rapidly, transforming the once barren land into a bountiful harvest. The farm area now teemed with an abundance of crops that would sustain everyone for the remainder of the year. A collective sigh of relief resonated through the crowd, for they would no longer have to endure the hardships of hunger and starvation.
With joy filling her heart, Vivienne observed the people around her, no longer burdened by the weight of desperation. The once turbulent atmosphere had transformed into one of blissful contentment. The sight of people gleefully frolicking in the rain affirmed that peace and harmony had been restored. Vivienne's thoughts echoed with elation as she realized, 'People will no longer riot now. And I can finally go home!'
"We should celebrate!" the Eastern Duke exclaimed joyfully, his eyes filled with elation as he gazed upon the lush green field. For months, he had grappled with this problem, and now, thanks to the presence of the Goddess, it had been resolved in just one day. The relief and gratitude he felt were immeasurable, and he eagerly embraced the opportunity to revel in the newfound prosperity.
"There is no need for celebrations," Ava interjected, her voice calm and composed. "Instead, it would be wise to save all the food that will be harvested rather than squandering it on festivities." Her words carried a sense of practicality and foresight, emphasizing the importance of preserving the newfound abundance for the future.
'That is a wise idea,' Vivienne thought to herself, observing Ava's wisdom and growth. 'Ava has truly matured and will undoubtedly become a great Empress. I can now rest easy, knowing that she is capable of leading with wisdom and foresight.' A sense of relief and reassurance washed over Vivienne, allowing her to find solace in the knowledge that Ava was well-prepared for the challenges ahead.
"You are right, and I apologize for my impulsive suggestion," the Eastern Duke admitted, acknowledging Ava's wisdom. "I was simply overjoyed to witness the transformation of the once barren field. Thank you sincerely, Goddess Ava. Please remember that we will always be here to support you whenever you are in need." His words carried a deep sense of gratitude and a genuine pledge of loyalty.
Having witnessed the miraculous transformation, Vivienne wasted no time packing her belongings and preparing for their journey back home. As everyone else neared readiness, Vivienne noticed that Ava desired to have a conversation with the High Priest before parting ways. Although Vivienne was not within earshot to know the specifics of their discussion, her primary focus remained on the imminent return home.
Upon witnessing Ava's conversation with the High Priest, Vivienne presumed it would be their final encounter. To her surprise, however, the High Priest's carriage continued to follow them all the way to the royal palace. Vivienne's confusion grew throughout the journey, leaving her with unanswered questions. It wasn't until they arrived at the royal palace that Vivienne finally received the answers she sought, and the purpose behind the High Priest's presence was revealed.
As Vivienne stepped out of the carriage, she was greeted by Milo, and the two quickly embraced in a joyous reunion. However, their tender moment was abruptly interrupted by the crown prince's voice.
"The High Priest will be staying at the royal palace as a guest. He wishes to oversee the wedding ceremony between Ava and me," the crown prince ordered his secretaries. Despite his words, it was evident that the crown prince harbored no desire to prolong his interaction with the High Priest.
Milo, sensing the tension, looked at Vivienne with confusion. Vivienne responded, "I'll tell you later," hinting at the need for a private conversation to discuss the unfolding situation.
Upon noticing the presence of the Northern Duke, Vivienne's confusion only deepened. The Duke appeared worn out, complaining about being overworked by Milo. However, before he could elaborate further, Milo intervened and urged the Duke to go and greet the crown prince, promising that they could catch up later.
Vivienne watched as the Northern Duke reluctantly departed under Milo's guidance. Milo met her gaze, his playful tone resonating with reassurance. "I'll explain everything to you later as well," he said, hinting at an upcoming discussion to shed light on the situation.
Vivienne eagerly anticipated the opportunity to converse with Milo and gain clarity on the mysteries surrounding their return.