Transmigration: I Became a Goddess!

His hands were still gripping me, firm yet trembling, as though he was caught in some internal conflict. Then, slowly, he released me.

"What's wrong?" I asked, my voice soft but steady. I needed to understand what had just happened, why his energy felt so charged, so restless.

Before Lucius could answer, Kaell stepped in, his tone cautious. "Some spirits broke loose. Everyone thought it was chaos. We… thought they were coming for you. You know, you."

The weight of his words sank into me, and I turned to Lucius, my heart sinking with guilt. The apology came out almost instinctively. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to—"

"Just promise me," Lucius interrupted, his tone sharp but not unkind, as if he was struggling to maintain his composure. "Promise me you won't leave my side for the rest of the night. No matter what happens."

His gaze locked with mine, unyielding and filled with something I couldn't quite name—was it fear? Concern? Something more? I nodded, swallowing hard. "I promise."

"Good." His voice softened, but the tension in the air didn't waver. "We're leaving now."

He turned to Kaell, gesturing for him to go. Kaell nodded and disappeared into the shadows without question. Then, Lucius shifted his attention to Kiel, giving him a wordless command with just a look. Kiel followed suit, vanishing as if the spirits themselves couldn't elude him.

It didn't take much to figure out what was happening. Lucius had sent Kiel to track the spirits, but he'd kept him here until now—until I was safe. That realization made something stir inside me, a strange warmth I couldn't quite place.

Lucius guided me to the carriage, his presence steady and protective. The ride back to the inn was quiet, the stillness wrapping around us like a cocoon. The inn, with its comforting warmth and familiar peace, felt like a sanctuary amidst the chaos.

But the night wasn't over.

After a brief stop, Lucius insisted we head somewhere else. The journey was longer this time, the air growing cooler and heavier as fog began to envelop the landscape. When we finally arrived, I blinked in awe.

An ancient temple rose before us, its silhouette looming in the mist like something out of a historical epic. The stone steps leading upward seemed endless, disappearing into the shroud of fog. It was breathtaking and eerie all at once.

"This," Lucius said, his voice breaking the stillness, "is one of the most magical places you'll ever experience. If you truly want to see something extraordinary, this is it."

I followed him inside, my curiosity outweighing my exhaustion. But as we started climbing the steps—hundreds of them—I began to regret my choices.

By the time we'd reached what felt like the millionth step, my legs were shaking, my breath coming in sharp pants. Sweat clung to my skin, and I couldn't hold back my frustration anymore.

"How many stairs are there?" I gasped, leaning against the stone railing for support.

Lucius turned to me, his expression almost amused. "You've only climbed 400."

"Only 400?" I stared at him, incredulous. "Are we trying to reach heaven or something?"

His lips quirked in a faint smile. "Don't worry. Just 500 more to go."

I nearly collapsed at his words, my body rebelling against the mere thought of more steps. But then, to my utter disbelief, Lucius stepped closer, grabbing my hand. He wrapped my arm around his neck, his other hand slipping to my waist to steady me.

The sudden closeness made my breath hitch. My heart stuttered, a flurry of emotions rising within me. Butterflies—actual butterflies. Was this something Athena had left behind, some remnant of her butterflies for him? Or was it something entirely my own?

I couldn't tell.

But as Lucius guided me up the stairs, his touch steady and sure, I realized I didn't care. For now, I'd let myself feel.

Finally, we reached the top. Over 500 stairs later, my legs felt completely numb, my body aching with exhaustion. I couldn't even manage a full sentence; all I could do was lean into Lucius as he carried me, effortlessly, in a bridal carry. It was embarrassing, but I didn't have the energy to protest.

When we entered the temple, the atmosphere shifted. The air grew thicker, almost reverent, as though we had stepped into a space untouched by time. It was ancient, but not in the sense of ruin; it felt alive, as if the temple itself was breathing, waiting for us.

And then, a voice broke the stillness.

"Your Highness," came the greeting from an odd-looking woman who appeared from the shadows, bowing deeply.

My heart skipped a beat. Your Highness? How did she know his identity? I thought we were supposed to be in disguise, to keep his true nature hidden for our safety.

Lucius caught my gaze, giving me a reassuring look. It's fine, his eyes seemed to say. She knows. She's safe.

But before I could ask him about it, the woman spoke again, this time turning her attention to me. "This is not Athena," she said, without a hint of hesitation.

Lucius nodded, his expression unreadable. "This is not Athena."

Her eyes met his, and it was as if they were communicating silently, their unspoken words passing between them like a delicate thread. Then, with a soft gesture, she beckoned me toward a seat. "Come, young lady. Sit with us."

There was an odd weight in the air now, a subtle shift that made me uneasy. I followed her instructions, my feet dragging as I took a seat. Lucius sat beside me, his presence grounding me as the woman began to speak again.

"Stretch your hands," she instructed, her voice low and commanding.

I blinked, unsure for a moment. Stretch my hands? What was she going to do?

Lucius seemed unfazed, simply watching the interaction with an expression that was hard to read. I slowly stretched my hands toward the woman, uncertainty bubbling inside me.

"This is a tarot reader," Lucius explained, his voice almost casual. "She's a prophetess, but not in the traditional sense. She reads futures, yes, but she does it through cards, bells, and other tools. She's not a prophetess by title, but her abilities are…"

"Unusual," the woman interjected softly, her eyes gleaming with something mysterious.

I couldn't help but feel a chill creep over me as her fingers brushed lightly against mine. The moment her touch made contact, a cold wave of energy surged through me, sharp and sudden, as if something foreign had invaded my body. It was so intense that I immediately withdrew my hand, instinctively pulling away from the cold sensation that still lingered on my skin.

"What—what was that?" I asked, my voice shaking slightly, still feeling the remnants of that eerie touch.

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