Transmigration: I Became a Goddess!

"Yes, Goddess Athena," she said. Many believed she was the reincarnation of Goddess Enhui herself. Others claimed she was the second goddess sent to Earth to protect humanity from the spirits of sin. Legend has it that Athena emerged from Lake Gayank—born of its mystical waters—and even as a child, her power was unmatched.

Her story intertwined with that of Prince Lucius, a banished royal from Decresh. King Baeon had deemed him weak and unworthy, unable to generate energy like the other royals. Cast out and disgraced, Lucius wandered until he met Athena. She took him under her wing, becoming both his master and his source of power. Athena allowed him to draw energy directly from her, which ultimately linked him to the lake itself. This bond transformed him into a force no one could stand against.

Over time, Lucius fell deeply in love with Athena. Together, they returned to Decresh, where he seized the throne, banished his brothers, and ruled with unmatched strength. After the deaths of the king and queen, Athena bore Lucius a daughter—but tragedy struck. The moment their child was born, Athena's life faded away.

Before her death, Athena used her remaining strength to trap the malevolent spirits within ancient relics, locking them away in Decresh. But her passing disrupted the balance, and the seals weakened. Now, the spirits have been unleashed, spreading death across the kingdoms.

My heart pounded as the truth sunk in. This was why Athena's presence was so urgently needed—and why Lucius had been so determined to keep me hidden. If people believed I was Athena reborn, chaos would erupt. And if their belief gave the spirits any power over me, the consequences could be disastrous.

After she finished speaking, her words hung heavy in the air. She paused, then gently clasped my hand. "Don't worry," she said softly, her gaze steady. "We had truly hoped you might be our reincarnated goddess. But it seems... you are not."

Her grip tightened slightly before she let go. "We can only hope that whatever plan the Prophetess, the generals, and His Highness are devising will succeed. If the real soul of Goddess Athena can return to her body, she might save us before the spirits of sin spiral completely out of control."

With that, she stood up and began to leave. But just as she reached the door, she turned abruptly and rushed back, her expression urgent.

"Princess Ariel is coming!"

My heart skipped a beat. I didn't need further explanation. I immediately slipped beneath the covers and pretended to be asleep, knowing the little princess must not see me awake. The room fell silent just as the sound of soft, graceful footsteps approached.

Princess Ariel entered quietly, her presence light yet commanding. She made her way to my bedside and gently took my hand in hers. Her voice, tender and filled with childlike wonder, broke the stillness.

"Mother," she whispered, her words carrying both innocence and longing. "I had such a wonderful day today. I wish you could have seen it."

She continued, her tone now wistful. "I want so badly for you to experience life with me again. Please come back, Mother."

Soon, she finished her rambling, her voice now lighter and brighter than before. She mentioned having a private lunch with her father—Lucius had carved out some time from his gruelling royal duties just for her. Her face lit up with a radiant smile as she left the room, her energy far more vibrant than the sorrowful presence she'd carried the first time I met her.

As the door closed behind her, I sat on my bed, waiting. Lucius had promised we would leave for Decresh tonight, a promise I had clung to. Seconds stretched into minutes, and minutes into hours. Midnight came and went, yet the door remained shut. Not even a guard arrived with an update or a summons.

I hesitated the urge to step outside growing stronger. But his warning echoed in my mind. Never leave this room, no matter what. After hearing the maid's story earlier, I understood the weight of those words. If I were in his place, I would have said the same—stay hidden, stay safe.

Even so, disappointment crept in. I had trusted him, and now it felt like I was being forgotten. I crawled under the covers, a bitter taste of disillusionment settling in my chest. Just as I was on the verge of sleep, the door burst open with a startling force.

I sat up, clutching my sheets tightly. A shadowed figure stepped inside, his face obscured by the brim of a wide hat. My heart raced as I braced myself for the unknown. Then he raised his head, and I froze.

Gorgeous devil.

But this wasn't the Lucius I was used to. Gone were his regal robes and formal demeanour. He was dressed in plain, tattered clothes that clung to his frame as though he had spent hours blending into the shadows. He shut the door quickly behind him, his gaze sharp and determined.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice a mixture of relief and confusion. "And why are you dressed like that?"

He didn't answer immediately, instead tossing a bundle of fabric onto the bed. I unfolded it to find a simple but striking dress—practical, yet undeniably elegant.

"Put that on," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We're leaving. If we're going to be outside for a while, we need to blend in. No one can recognise us."

I stared at him, trying to process his words. This wasn't the brief conversation I had imagined—it was clear I was about to be pulled into something far more elaborate.

He turned away to give me privacy, but as I reached for the dress, a sudden wave of emotion overtook me. Before I could think twice, I lunged forward and threw my arms around his neck, clinging to him tightly.

For a moment, he stiffened in surprise, and so did I. My actions felt instinctive, born of relief, frustration, and something deeper I couldn't quite name. Realizing what I'd done, I quickly pulled back, my cheeks flushing.

"I—I don't know what I'm doing," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.

Lucius's expression softened, but only slightly. "We don't have time for this," he said, his voice low and steady. "Get dressed. We don't have much time left".