Chapter 91 - Audience With A Goddess

Laina looked up at the sky above. She was mesmerized by the endless night sky, filled with twinkling stars. The moon hung up high and shone its moonlight down into the temple. 

She could see the moonlight reflecting off the surface of the water. As she observed the pool of water, Laina noticed that the reflection of the moon seems to be expanding. 

Through enough, mere moments later, the entire pool of water was covered with moonlight. From the pool of water, a figure emerged. Laina watched in awe. She had never seen anything like this. 

-What an entrance.- she thought to herself. 

Uncertain on how to react when meeting with a goddess, Laina curtsied. As she slowly looked up, the light dissipated, leaving behind the ethereal moonlight Moon Goddess Selene. 

She wore a long flowing dress, similar to what the Moon Maidens wore but with more embellishments. A layer of sheer fabric layered over her dress and it floated and swam through the air as she moved. 

Her hair was platinum, long and wavy. She wore a circlet on her head covered in moonstones, opals, and diamonds. Her skin was as fair as milk, her pupils were sapphire blue. 

When she looked at Laina, her lips curled into a smile. Laina did not notice it, but the moment the Moon Goddess laid eyes upon her, she had a mild look of surprise. 

"Moon Goddess Selene, it's an honor to be in your presence. My name is Laina. I am the Crown Princess of Kinshearth. I have come to seek your advice," Laina introduced herself. 

Selene smiled, "Likewise, child of the sun. You've come a long way to look for me.

The Moon Goddess waved her hand and cast a spell. Instantly, a set of tables and chairs materialized before their eyes. There was even a piping hot pot of tea with matching cups and saucers waiting for them. 

"Please, take a seat. We have much to discuss," Moon Goddess Selene invited Laina to take a seat. 

Once they were seated, Laina picked up the teapot and poured them each a cup of hot tea. There was a pause of silence between them before one of them spoke first. 

"Moon Goddess Selene, are you all-knowing?" Laina could not help but ask. 

She wondered if Selene knew the purpose of her trip. Selene shook her head as she explained. While she was able to foresee Laina's arrival, she was not able to see the reason. 

"For you to have traveled such a long distance, it must be something of utmost importance. We can spare the small talk and head straight in. How can I help, Princess Laina?" 

It was her first time meeting and communicating with a Goddess, so Laina did not expect things to go so well. Since she preferred to go straight to the point herself, this was an appreciated surprise.

Laina began her explanation from the time King Kragen arrived in Kinshearth. As soon as his name left her lips, she could see a shift in the goddess's facial expressions. 

She continued to recount what transpired, leading to the painting in question. At this point, Selene could not keep it in any further. 

"Pardon me for interrupting, but you said the painting was of you and Kragen?" Selene asked for clarification.

"Yes that's right."

"That's impossible. It could not have been. You're not his mate," the Moon Goddess explained. 

Selene furrowed her eyebrows as she picked up her teacup to take a sip. She had hoped that it would help her get her thoughts in order but it did not work. She stood up from her seat and paced the room for a while. 

"Your Highness, do you have the painting with you?"

"Yes, I do."

"Can you show it to me?" 

"Of course," Laina accessed her spatial storage and brought out the painting. 

She placed it on the easel and stepped to the side so that the Moon Goddess could take a closer look. Laina also explained how she and her subjects discovered that there was the image of the other woman where Laina was painted on. 

Selene waved her hand over the painting, completely removing the top layer to reveal the true image of the painting. Then, she turned to Laina and looked into her eyes. From the moment they met, Selene noticed something about Laina's eyes. 

Now that they were standing closer to one another, she was able to see her eyes with greater clarity. 

"Is something wrong, Moon Goddess?" Laina asked as she blinked twice. 

Selene was staring at her for quite some time, leading the crown princess to worry if there was something wrong with her face. Just as she was about to raise her hand to touch her own face, Selene stopped her. 

Selene placed her hands over Laina's eyes and began to chant a spell. When she finished, she removed her hands. The purple glint in Laina's eyes vanished. Laina felt a little lightheaded as her vision blurred for a few moments. 

Her legs went numb as she fell to the ground, but Selene caught hold of her and helped her to the chair. 

"You were under an enchantment, your Highness."

Laina looked up at her, gasping in shock, "Under an enchantment?"

Selene nodded, "It was cast on you prior to your meeting with King Kragen. The enchantment made you think King Kragen was your mate. If you were a werewolf, it would have had a greater effect on you. You would have been compelled."

"I… I don't understand."

"When you were about to meet King Kragen, did you notice anything different? Maybe elevated heart rate, or realizing you could smell some specific scents?"

The Crown Princess pondered for a moment. She searched deep into her memory bank, trying to recall the events of that day. Laina lit up. She remembered smelling the sweet scent of smoked applewood and honey. 

She somehow also knew someone special was waiting for her in the Throne Room. Laina recounted the information to Selene, who listened in silence. When she finished, the Moon Goddess slammed her hand down on the table. 

"Kragen has gone too far!" She exclaimed in anger. 

Laina, still confused as to what had transpired, wanted to know what had happened. 

Why was the Moon Goddess so upset?