Chapter 88: Ch 87: An Exchange?

The air turned tense after Goddess Paphelia’s confession. Actually, calling it a confession would be an insult to confessions. It was more like a tantrum at this point.

But even a goddess’s tantrum had a chance to twist things around.

Aiden knew he needed to navigate this carefully in order to keep both sides satisfied. And if that did not happen, he needed to throw the butterfly goddess outside.

"I am afraid I cannot and will not accept your request. I am a devoted man, and the only person in my life is my goddess. It won’t ever work out between us."

Aiden assured Goddess Paphelia again in order to drive the point through her thick skull, but the goddess just pouted, not even showing a hint of annoyance on her face.

"How would you know that without even trying? I promise you I can be just as nice as your goddess. In fact, if it’s my outer appearance that is causing you issues, you can tell me your ideal type. I can take that form for you."

Goddess Paphelia promised before she began to shift her outer appearance. She changed eye colors as well as hair colors while keeping a close eye on Aiden’s expression to notice what he liked.

However, Aiden was not going to like whatever Goddess Paphelia did because she was not his goddess.

"Goddess Paphelia, I think we should stop now. We are—"

"Stop being so dull, Aeloria. Can’t you see that I am busy right now? Hey, I know something that will make it equal. How about I exchange you and Aeloria? My attendant has been with me for years, so I bet she can serve you better. What do you say?"

Goddess Paphelia proposed without any shame. In fact, it did not even seem like she understood what she was doing.

Aiden felt disgusted by the goddess. No, disgust was a small word. He felt repulsed by her, as she could just throw her followers away as she pleased just because someone else fascinated her.

And from the looks Aeloria was giving her goddess, this was not the first time this had happened either.

’I am beginning to feel more and more sorry for the follower. But I am not risking helping her and causing trouble here.’

"I am afraid we cannot accommodate you any longer, Goddess Paphelia. Please leave as soon as you can."

Aiden kept a polite smile on his face, but his words were clear—get out of here before we have to force you.

"Oh! Are you throwing me out? Do you think you can do that? I would like to see what you can do if I refuse to leave."

The goddess was stubborn to a fault, and Aiden tried to advise her once more when he felt the space around them shift.

One second, the goddess was standing in front of him, and the next, she had been thrown out by his goddess.

"Goddess Apophis, did you—"

"Her voice was getting on my nerves, so I decided to throw her out. What? Don’t tell me you wanted to go with her—"

"Of course not! I will never betray you or go against you, my goddess. I was just afraid that sending a goddess out might have consequences for your body. Are you sure you are alright?"

Aiden asked his goddess, who sighed and nodded.

"Don’t underestimate me. I might not be able to use my full strength, but I am not a pushover either."

Goddess Apophis was strong, and there was no doubt about it. As for Goddess Paphelia... Aiden had a feeling they had not seen the last of her.

She was a prideful goddess who had just been thrown out. It was safe to say that she would want revenge sooner or later for this humiliation she had been forced to endure at their hands.

’I better head back and tighten the security around our perimeters. I have a feeling Goddess Paphelia won’t sit quietly for long.’

...

"Goddess Paphelia, are you—"

"I am fine. In fact, I am better than fine. Have you ever seen anyone be as fine as I am right now?"

Goddess Paphelia’s voice shook with rage when she said this, and her umbrella broke down into butterflies, flying around her in rage.

Despite the fact that she said that she was not enraged, Aeloria could tell that her goddess was enraged. But even she had to admit that her goddess went a little too far with her joke...

"Goddess Paphelia, maybe it would be for the best if you apologize. I know you did not mean anything by your joke, but the other side—"

"Joke? What joke are you talking about? I was serious when I asked them to exchange you with that other attendant. You might not be able to tell since you are not a god, but that person’s energy... It was special. His energy and his devotion... Those were the real deal. How can I, as a goddess, pass it up?"

Goddess Paphelia had seen the light that covered Aiden’s body. It was faith that was warped around him, inviting Goddess Paphelia to come and bask in it.

She knew that her own servants were loyal, but none of them showed the same level of devotion as Goddess Apophis’s priest had. And she wanted that devotion for herself.

"As a goddess, seeking devotion is in my nature. The stronger one’s devotion is, the more we will appreciate it. And right now, my instincts crave that priest and tell me to make his devotion my own."

Goddess Paphelia confessed, and her attendant sighed in regret. She knew that she had lost her goddess, so there was no point in trying to change her mind.

"So, what do you want to do now? You were rejected—"

"Only because that stupid lowly goddess interfered. I am sure that priest will agree to serve me if I get to him alone. I should be able to turn his faith toward me easily."

Goddess Paphelia was certain, and Aeloria just sighed and shook her head at her goddess’s foolishness.