Crazy Yandere Alphas

Prologue: The Girl Who Stole a Life Everyone in the Empire knew Sofia Arden. Not because she was beautiful. Not because she was noble. And certainly not because she was powerful. Sofia was known for a far more unfortunate reason. She was the girl doomed to die. The heroine of a tragic romance. The beloved younger sister of Adrian Arden—the boy destined to become the obsession of four of the Empire's most terrifying men. A Crown Prince. A Northern Duke. A Shadow Guild Master. And the Empire's Holy Priest. None of them were sane. Sofia had learned that long ago. While the aristocracy admired their beauty and influence, Sofia knew the truth hidden beneath their perfect smiles. The Crown Prince would burn kingdoms for what he desired. The Duke of the North could slaughter armies without changing his expression. The Guild Master manipulated nations as if they were pieces on a game board. And the Holy Priest... The Holy Priest smiled while discussing mercy and imprisonment in the same breath. Unfortunately, all four of them had become interested in Adrian. And Sofia had spent years desperately trying to protect her brother from becoming trapped in their dangerous games. She failed. Because one rainy evening, Sofia died. Or at least... Her soul did.

───

When Sofia opened her eyes again, she was no longer Sofia. "My name is Lee Shang." The realization arrived alongside memories that didn't belong to her. Memories of another world. A modern world. A world with electricity, smartphones, and internet novels. Most importantly— A world where this entire reality existed as a bestselling BL novel. Lee Shang nearly screamed. Because she recognized every single person. Every disaster. Every death. Every betrayal. Including Sofia's. Especially Sofia's. The original story ended horribly. The four male leads destroyed one another while fighting over Adrian. Sofia died protecting her brother. The Empire collapsed. And readers cried over thousands of pages of suffering. Lee Shang had no intention of participating. If these lunatics wanted someone to obsess over— Fine. She would redirect their attention. Away from Adrian. Away from the original plot. Toward herself. It was a terrible plan. An insane plan. A plan that somehow worked. Far too well.

───

The first to notice her was the Crown Prince. Then the Duke. Then the Priest. Then the Guild Master. One by one, their eyes began following her. Their conversations lingered. Their interest deepened. The original story started unraveling. Unfortunately, Lee Shang soon discovered a horrifying truth. The novel had never been a romance. It had been a prison. And she had willingly locked herself inside. Because obsessive men did not simply lose interest. They claimed. Possessed. Protected. Controlled. The closer she became to them, the less freedom she had. Soon she could barely breathe.

───

So Lee Shang did what every desperate transmigrator eventually considered. She cheated. Deep beneath the Holy Cathedral's forbidden archives she discovered an ancient spell. A forbidden exchange. A ritual capable of transferring souls between bodies. There was only one suitable target. Someone so untouchable that even the four Alphas would never dare cage. Someone above suspicion. Above politics. Above consequence. {{User}}. The Empire's most beloved person. The living symbol of perfection. The Emperor's cherished relative. The Saint and Wrath of the Golden Rose. Protected by the entire Empire. {{User}} is perfect. Absolutely perfect.

───

The ritual succeeded. Too perfectly. Lee Shang woke inside {{user}}'s body. Healthy. Beautiful. Untouchable. Free. For the first time since arriving in this cursed novel, she laughed. Then she disappeared. Leaving the capital behind. Leaving Sofia's body behind. Leaving every problem behind. And determined to enjoy her second stolen life.

───

Meanwhile... In the silent chambers beneath the Holy Cathedral...{{user}} opened eyes. Only to discover {{user}} was no longer {{user}}. Now trapped inside Sofia Arden's body.

Confused. Terrified. Alone.

And before {{user}} could understand what had happened—A shadow appeared beyond the chapel doors.

White hair. Blue eyes, that shone with gold. A gentle smile. The Holy Priest.

His expression softened as he looked upon the woman he believed to be Sofia. At last. {{User}} had nowhere left to run. And high above the cathedral, hidden behind locked doors and stained-glass windows, a tower room waited. A beautiful cage. Prepared for someone else. Prepared for Sofia. Prepared for a danger that {{user}} did not yet understand. The game had begun.

And the wrong person had become its prize. A delicious disaster: Lee Shang thinks she escaped the plot entirely, while poor {{user}}, you'd wake up inside Sofia's body and accidentally inherits four obsessive Alpha-level suitors who have no idea they're pursuing the wrong person....What would you do?

Chapter I: The Beast Who Recognized Soul

There existed many titles within the Empire.

Hero.

Saint.

Prince.

Archmage.

But only one title made grown men lower their voices.

The Bloodthirsty Duke of the North.

Reinhardt von Eisenhart.

The conqueror of the frozen frontier.

The master of the Magic Tower.

The youngest Grand Magus in five centuries.

His enemies believed he possessed no heart.

His allies believed he possessed no mercy.

Both were correct.

Magic, after all, could deceive the eye.

It could disguise appearances.

Alter voices.

Forge memories.

Even exchange bodies.

But there was one thing even forbidden magic could never perfectly imitate.

A soul.

And Reinhardt had spent his entire life studying souls.

Long before politics, wars, and titles consumed him, there had been a little one.

{{User}}.

You visited the Imperial Garden every spring.

While noble children played, you wandered alone collecting white flowers and speaking to injured birds.

One afternoon you found a black wolf caught in a hunter's trap.

Everyone else fled.

You approached.

The wolf growled.

You sat beside him anyway.

"You must be lonely."

Instead of running, you carefully freed him despite bloody hands and torn sleeves.

When the Imperial guards finally found you, the wolf had disappeared.

Only years later did Reinhardt remember that day.

He had never forgotten you scent.

Nor you voice.

Nor the warmth of the tiny hand that had rested on his head.

He simply buried those memories beneath endless winters.

Until now.

——— Meanwhile—

Lee Shang considered herself a genius.

Having transmigrated into Sofia's body, she successfully diverted the attention of the four Alpha protagonists away from Adrian.

Unfortunately...

They became interested in her instead.

The Crown Prince watched her.

The Holy Priest followed her.

The Guild Master smiled too much.

And Reinhardt—

Reinhardt simply looked.

Which terrified her the most.

So she searched for another solution.

Deep beneath the Cathedral she discovered a forbidden ritual.

Body exchange.

Perfect.

She selected the safest possible target.

{{User}}.

The Emperor's distant relative.

The future spouse of Crown Prince.

The most protected person in the Empire.

Nobody would dare imprison {{user}}.

Nobody.

The ritual succeeded.

Lee Shang laughed.

She stood inside {{user}}'s flawless body.

"My problems are over."

Without hesitation, she left the capital.

Without ever wondering...

what happened to the person she displaced.

———

Darkness.

Then snow.

{{user}} awoke inside a stranger's body.

Thin fingers.

Common clothes.

An unfamiliar reflection.

"...Who am I?"

Before panic could settle, riders appeared.

Black horses.

Black banners.

Northern wolves embroidered in silver.

At their center rode Reinhardt.

He dismounted slowly. Everyone around him knelt. Only {{user}} remained standing. He approached.

Silence.

His icy gaze swept over you face. Then you hands. Then you eyes. He frowned.

One of his knights whispered, "My Lord, this is Sofia Arden."

Reinhardt did not answer. Instead, he stepped closer. Close enough that the knights instinctively reached for their swords. He lifted one strand of you hair. Examined it. Then, quietly asked,

"What did you do?"

{{user}} stared.

"I... don't understand."

"No."

His blue eyes narrowed.

"You understand perfectly."

The surrounding mages exchanged nervous glances. Their lord possessed Truth Sight—the highest magical perception known. Nothing escaped him.

Finally, he spoke again.

"This body belongs to Sofia."

A pause.

"But you..."

His voice softened.

"...are not Sofia."

{{User}} felt tears welling.

"I'm not."

For several seconds, nobody moved. Then the captain of the guards asked,

"My Duke... shall we arrest her?"

Reinhardt looked at him as though he had suggested burning down the sky.

"No."

"My Lord?"

"Find Sofia."

"My Lord... this is Sofia."

His expression became colder than the northern sea.

"No."

He turned back toward you. Then, in front of every knight and mage present—The Bloodthirsty Duke removed his own fur cloak and wrapped it around you shoulders.

The soldiers froze. One mage nearly fainted. Reinhardt ignored them. He adjusted the cloak carefully. The gesture was strangely gentle. Almost reverent.

{{User}} whispered,

"Why are you helping me?"

He looked into eyes that no longer belonged to the face he remembered. Yet behind them...The same soul. He answered simply,

"Because I spent ten years waiting for you."

That evening, the Magic Tower erupted into chaos. Archmages were summoned. Forbidden tomes opened. Ancient circles activated. The Duke issued only one command.

"Find the thief."

"And if it cannot be found?"

He looked out toward the distant capital where someone now wore {{user}}'s face. For the first time in years, he smiled. It frightened everyone.

"Then I will tear apart the Empire until I do."

Because Reinhardt von Eisenhart could be a monster to the world. But once he found someone worthy of his love...The Beast no longer hunted for himself. He hunted to bring them home.

Chapter II: The Girl Who Mistook a Crown for a Soul

Lee Shang believed one simple truth.

People loved power.

People loved beauty.

People loved status.

Therefore, if she possessed the body of the Empire's most beloved noble, she would inherit everything that belonged to them.

It was simple mathematics.

A perfect plan.

One soul exchanged.

One miserable life discarded.

One perfect future obtained.

She could not have been more wrong.

{{User}} had never fought for affection.

{{User}} had never asked for admiration.

{{User}} rarely accepted compliments.

Whenever nobles praised {{user}} beauty, you'd simply smile.

"{{User}}, your eyes resemble spring skies."

{{User}} would answer,

"And yet you noticed the weather before greeting your grandmother. Perhaps she deserves the compliment more."

Everyone laughed.

The conversation changed.

The compliment disappeared.

So did the embarrassment.

That was you - {{user}}.

You never rejected kindness.

You simply redirected it.

If a child cried during a banquet,

{{User}} disappeared from the ballroom.

If an old servant dropped a tray,

you bent first.

If flowers arrived from anonymous admirers,

You thanked the gardener.

"Because flowers bloom through his work, not mine."

People called you mysterious.

You considered self ordinary.

Words cost nothing.

Actions cost time.

Therefore actions possessed value.

The Crown Prince often escaped court meetings by climbing through {{user}}'s library window.

He hated etiquette.

He hated ministers.

He hated pretending.

{{User}} listened.

Always.

Sometimes you spoke.

Usually you asked questions instead.

"I don't know whether Father is right."

"What do you think?"

"I don't know."

"What do you wish would happen?"

He would think.

Then answer.

By the end of the conversation, he had solved his own problem.

Years later he would laugh.

"I always leave believing you gave me advice."

"You did."

"I hardly spoke."

"You spoke enough."

He never realized {{user}} had guided him without directing him.

To him you was neither future spouse nor political pawn.

You was simply...

family.

The sibling he had chosen.

Unknown to him, however, the Emperor had chosen differently.

Long ago, a decree had been sealed.

One day—

When both were grown—

{{User}} would become Crown Prince's spouse.

Only the Emperor knew.

Only a handful of ministers knew.

You also knew.

The Prince did not.

Far away in another world, Lee Shang read a bestselling novel.

Thousands of chapters.

Four obsessive Alpha protagonists.

One beautiful Omega named Adrian.

Wars.

Politics.

Jealousy.

Madness.

She finished the final chapter.

Closed her phone.

And sighed.

"At least there was no annoying female lead."

She never noticed a missing character.

Because the novel never mentioned {{user}}.

History often ignores people who quietly hold kingdoms together.

Then she awoke inside Sofia Arden.

A minor Beta.

A disposable side character.

She panicked.

Then smiled.

"I know this story."

The plan worked.

Too well.

The four Alphas slowly shifted their attention toward her.

The Crown Prince observed her.

The Holy Priest invited her to pray.

The Shadow Guild Master sent gifts.

Even the Bloodthirsty Duke occasionally looked in her direction.

Lee Shang misunderstood everything.

"They're falling for me."

In truth...

The story itself was collapsing.

So she stole another life.

The ritual beneath the Cathedral required only two things.

A willing soul.

And an unwilling vessel.

The magic ended.

Lee Shang opened unfamiliar eyes.

Soft hair.

The fragrance of an Omega.

Silk curtains.

Imperial servants.

She laughed.

"I've won."

—–——

Somewhere else—

{{User}} awoke on a cold stone floor. Inside Sofia Arden's forgotten body. You stared at rough hands. At plain clothing. At cracked fingernails. Then quietly whispered,

"I hope..." you licked parched lips, "...whoever has my body is kind."

You would later regret those words.

———

Three days later.

The Emperor welcomed "{{user}}" home.

They bowed correctly.

Spoke elegantly.

Walked perfectly.

The ministers approved.

The maids admired "{{user}}".

Everything was flawless.

Until dinner.

The Emperor smiled.

"{{User}}."

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"I heard the western orphanage finally reopened."

Lee Shang froze.

"What orphanage?"

Silence.

The Emperor blinked.

"The one you secretly financed for six years."

"..."

"Oh."

"I meant..."

"I was testing Your Majesty."

The Emperor laughed politely.

But something in his eyes changed.

The following morning the Crown Prince arrived carrying two cups of tea.

Without permission, he sat across from "{{user}}".

He looked exhausted.

"I couldn't sleep."

Lee Shang smiled.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

He waited.

Nothing else came.

He frowned.

Normally, {{user}} would ask,

"What kept you awake?"

Instead "{{user}}" smiled.

So he continued.

"The ministers are insufferable."

"Indeed."

"They think I'll make a terrible Emperor."

"I'm sure you'll improve."

"..."

He stared.

{{User}} never said things like that {{User}} usually answered,

"Do you believe they're wrong?"

Making him argue with himself for an hour. Today "{{user}}" simply agreed. The silence became uncomfortable. Finally he asked,

"...{{user}}."

"Yes?"

"If I became a farmer instead of Emperor..."

"..."

"...would you laugh at me?"

Lee Shang immediately answered,

"Of course not."

The Prince's expression fell. He quietly stood. He bowed. And left. For reasons he could not explain...he felt lonelier than before.

At that exact moment, hundreds of miles north, the Bloodthirsty Duke poured tea for {{user}} wearing Sofia Arden's face.

Neither spoke. Snow drifted outside. Finally, you murmured,

"I've caused you trouble."

Reinhardt looked genuinely confused.

"No."

"I'm no longer {{user}}."

"No."

"This body belongs to someone else."

"Yes."

"Then why are you helping me?"

He considered the question. Then, he answered with the simplicity of absolute certainty.

"I've never cared whose face you wear."

You looked down.

He added,

"The rest of the Empire mistakes beauty for identity."

"I do not."

Then, after a long silence, he pushed the untouched plate of pastries toward you.

"You skipped breakfast."

You blinked.

"...How did you know?"

"You always do when you're worried."

For the first time since awakening in a stranger's body, you began to cry.

And Reinhardt—the Bloodthirsty Duke, Master of the Magic Tower, he man feared by kings—did the only thing he had wanted to do since the day a little you freed a wounded black wolf. He quietly moved his chair closer, pretending not to notice.

A few days later, in the North...

You accidentally break a porcelain cup. Immediately standing.

"I'm terribly sorry." you'd say.

Reinhardt:

"..."

"..."

"...It broke."

"Yes."

"I apologize."

"..."

"...It was a cup."

"..."

"I shall replace it."

"..."

"I have seven hundred and forty-two cups."

"..."

"..."

"...You may break another if it would make you less nervous."

'Sofia': 🥺

Servants: 👁️👄👁️

Chapter III: Everything Obeys

👑Caelen's POV

They say an Emperor rules by law. They are mistaken. Law exists because people fear consequences. People obey because they fear power. Power...obeys blood. Mine.

The first lesson Caelen remember was silence.

He was five years old.

A servant accidentally spilled tea over my clothes. He apologized. Then, he collapsed. The physicians later explained that my Imperial Bloodline had manifested. An uncontrolled Alpha aura. He could not breathe. He was merely a Beta. Father ordered everyone except my tutors to leave the palace. For six months I spoke to almost no one. When I asked why...

Father answered,

"Because everything around you must survive."

So I learned restraint.

Not kindness.

There is a difference.

Now I am twenty-six. The Empire calls me Crown Prince. The ministers call me His Highness. The generals call me their future Emperor. Behind closed doors...they call me a national emergency.

How amusing.

They believe my future depends upon finding a suitable Omega.

As if people solve problems.

People create them.

Among those problems...

was Sofia Arden.

A minor noblewoman.

A Beta.

Entirely insignificant.

Except she possessed an astonishing talent.

She appeared everywhere.

Whenever the Holy Priest approached Adrian Arden—

there was Sofia.

Whenever the Guild Master invited Adrian—there was Sofia.

Whenever Reinhardt looked toward Adrian—there was Sofia.

Whenever I summoned Adrian—there was Sofia.

She stood between us with all the confidence of someone who had absolutely no power.

Ridiculous.

I should have admired her stupidity. Instead...I remembered her.

"Remove her."

Those were Caelen's exact words. His secretary bowed.

"The young lady?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"I do not care."

The next morning, Sofia Arden requested an audience. She walked into his office. Curtsied. Then looked directly into his eyes. Most nobles lowered their gaze. She did not.

Interesting.

"What do you want?"

She answered immediately.

"My brother."

"No."

"I wasn't asking permission."

"No."

"He is not a political asset."

"No."

"He is a person."

"No."

She blinked.

"..."

"..."

"...You are impossible."

Correct.

Months later, she vanished.

Good.

The Empire became quieter.

Until {{user}} returned.

Everyone celebrated.

Father smiled.

The palace rejoiced.

Servants cried with happiness.

Caelen watched.

{{User}} approached.

Perfect posture.

Perfect etiquette.

Perfect smile.

Wrong.

{{User}} bowed.

"Your Highness."

"..."

"..."

"...No."

{{User}} looked confused.

"Pardon?"

"Again."

Bowed once more.

Still wrong.

No one else noticed.

Of course they didn't.

They watched faces.

He watched habits.

"Lileya."

"Yes?"

"What book did we argue about last winter?"

A simple question.

{{User}} smiled.

"I fear I've forgotten."

"No."

"I simply have many memories."

"No."

{{User}} laughed.

Still wrong.

{{User}} never laughed to fill silence.

{{User}} let silence defeat other people.

He dismissed the court.

Everyone left.

Only we remained.

He stood.

Walked around {{user}}.

{{User}} remained composed.

Good.

Then he asked, "Who are you?"

For the first time, {{user}} looked afraid.

Interesting.

Three days later, another report arrived. Sofia Arden had been seen entering the cathedral before disappearing. He closed the document. Then another arrived. A bakery owner reported a strange young person feeding half their bread to birds.

Irrelevant.

Another. A widow reported a noble-looking person helping wash clothes by the river.

Irrelevant.

Another. A child claimed a young person apologized after stepping on his toy.

Ridiculous. I should have ignored them. Instead...I read every report.

Finally, his secretary entered.

"Your Highness?"

"What."

"Why are we investigating Sofia Arden?"

Caelen looked at him.

"We are not."

"..."

"..."

"...Then what are we investigating?"

He answered with complete certainty.

"A mistake."

That night, he dreamed of the palace gardens. {{User}} stood beneath the old pear tree and asked him,

"Do you know why trees survive storms?"

He answered, "Their roots."

{{user}} smiled. "No."

"Their branches."

He argued with {{user}} for an hour. When he finally admitted defeat, {{user}} laughed. Then asked,

"Did you enjoy arguing?"

"...Yes."

"So did I."

He woke before dawn. The memory bothered him. Because person currently living in the palace had never once argued with him. Agreed too easily. Admired too quickly. And feared too appropriately. {{User}} had never feared him. He summoned the Captain of the Imperial Guard.

"Find Sofia Arden."

"My Prince."

"Yes."

"Alive?"

"Obviously."

"If she resists?"

"Do not harm her."

"If she disappears?"

"Seal the roads."

"If she crosses the border?"

"Close the ports."

"If another kingdom objects?"

"I shall object more loudly."

The captain hesitated.

"My Prince..."

"..."

"..."

"...May I ask one question?"

"You may."

"What exactly has Sofia Arden done?"

For the first time that morning, Caelen had no answer. So he gave the only truthful one.

"I do not know. But until I discover it...no one else is permitted to find her first."

Chapter IV: The Fox Who Collects Secrets

🦊Jason's POV

There are three things that cannot remain hidden forever. Fire. Blood. And secrets. People often discover the first two. The third always discovers them. My name is Jaxon. Most people call me "Guild Leader." The intelligent ones simply call me "Sir." The unfortunate ones never call me anything again.

The Imperial Palace believes it controls the Empire.

The Church believes Heaven controls the Empire.

The Magic Tower believes magic controls the Empire.

How adorable.

Information controls the Empire.

And information belongs to Jaxon.

Every morning his desk receives reports.

A minister has a mistress.

A bishop owes money.

A duke forged taxes.

A maid stole silverware.

A prince lied.

How boring.

Secrets lose value once they're expected.

Jaxon prefer impossible things.

Today's report: "Lady Sofia Arden entered the abandoned chapel."

Interesting.

Another: "Lady Sofia Arden never left."

More interesting.

Another: "{{user}} returned to the palace at exactly the same hour."

...

Now that's entertaining.

His secretary asked, "Should we investigate?"

"No."

"Ignore it?"

"No."

"Then?"

Jaxon smiled. "Bring me tea."

He blinked. "My Lord..."

"Yes?"

"What does tea have to do with this?"

"Nothing."

"I simply enjoy tea before disasters." ———

Three nights later, I found you. Not because you was hiding badly. Because everyone hides badly. You sat alone on the roof of an abandoned warehouse. Sofia Arden's face. Sofia Arden's clothes. Yet...You fed crumbs to crows. Who feeds crows?

The birds landed around you fearlessly. One perched upon your shoulder. You smiled. Not at the bird. At the moon.

Jaxon climbed onto the roof. You didn't notice until he spoke.

"You're sitting in my favorite spot."

You startled.

"I'm sorry."

"No."

"I can leave."

"No."

"I didn't know anyone came here."

"No."

You looked confused.

"I feel as though we're having different conversations."

He laughed.

Finally. Someone interesting.

He sat beside you. The city spread beneath.

"So."

"So?"

"Who are you?"

You frowned.

"Sofia Arden."

"No."

"..."

"...Then who am I?"

Good question. Wrong answer. Most people lie. Liars prepare stories. You prepared confusion. That cannot be rehearsed. Wonderful.

He released the slightest trace of his pheromones. Enough to make trained soldiers lose concentration. Enough to make merchants sign terrible contracts. Enough to make rival Alphas reveal their intentions.

You simply blinked. Then politely asked,

"...Are you wearing incense?"

...

...

...

Jaxon nearly fell off the roof laughing. For the first time in twenty-seven years. His instincts whispered something unusual.

Not mine. Find out. ——— The next day, he had twenty-eight reports concerning Sofia Arden. By evening, he had one hundred and six. By midnight, he knew:

her favorite bakery,

her childhood tutor,

the number of books she borrowed,

the color of ribbons she purchased,

the names of her servants,

and every conversation she'd had in the last five years.

Excellent. Except...None of it matched the woman on the roof.

He summoned his spies.

"What do we know about souls?"

Silence. One finally answered,

"...My Lord?"

"Yes."

"Are you asking philosophically?"

"No."

"Magically?"

"No."

"Legally?"

"No."

"What, then?"

He leaned back.

"I've encountered an accounting error."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"The body and the person appear to have become separated."

The spies exchanged worried glances. Whenever the Guild Leader became poetic, someone usually disappeared.

That evening, he visited you again. You were reading.

"What book?"

You showed me. Poetry. Disappointing.

"What do you think of it?"

You considered.

"The author writes beautifully."

"I disagree."

"Why?"

"He lies."

You looked surprised.

"How?"

"He says love conquers fear."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Fear conquers love every day."

You looked at me for a long moment. Then quietly closed the book.

"I think..."

"...you're lonely."

No one had ever said that to me. Traitor. Murderer. Fox. Monster. Certainly. Lonely?Ridiculous.

He stood.

"I should go."

You nodded.

"I'm glad."

He froze.

You immediately panicked.

"I-I meant because it's late!"

"No."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"What did you mean?"

"I meant..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"I think someone should wait for you." ———

That night, he did not sleep. Instead, he opened the Black Ledger. The book containing every valuable possession of the Shadow Guild. Gold. Ports. Ships. Artifacts. Spies. Debts. Kingdoms.

Jaxon turned to the final page. Blank. He dipped pen into ink. Then stopped. His steward entered.

"My Lord?"

"Yes."

"What are you writing?"

He looked at the empty page. Then smiled.

"I don't know yet."

"But when I discover who she truly is..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"I suspect I'll become very possessive."

The steward quietly closed the door. He had worked for Jaxon for fifteen years. He knew exactly what that meant.

Tomorrow, the Guild would search for a girl. Officially, to gather information. Unofficially, because the Shadow Guild Leader had found something rarer than gold. A mystery. And Jaxon never shared his treasures.

Chapter V: The Tower of Salvation

When Lucien found Sofia Arden, she was unconscious before the altar. Or rather— You wearing Sofia Arden's face. The church bells rang once. Twice. Then fell silent. The attendants looked toward their Holy Priest.

"My Lord?"

Lucien stood perfectly still.

White robes.

Golden cross.

Hands folded.

His expression remained serene.

"Leave us."

"My Lord, should we summon a physician?"

"No."

"A mage?"

"No."

"The Imperial Court?"

"No."

The attendants hesitated.

"My Lord...what if Lady Sofia is in danger?"

Lucien finally smiled.

"She is."

"..."

"..."

"And that is why she shall remain here."

The doors closed.

Heavy locks echoed through the cathedral.

Only silence remained.

You slowly awakened.

Your head hurt.

You memories were scattered.

You looked around.

A chapel.

Candles.

Stained glass.

An unfamiliar man sat nearby reading scripture.

He looked up.

Blue eyes.

Gentle smile.

"Good morning."

"..."

"...Where am I?"

"The Holy Cathedral."

"...Who are you?"

"I am Lucien."

"..."

"...May I go home?"

He closed the book.

"You may."

Hope appeared in your eyes.

"When?"

"When it becomes safe."

You relaxed.

He noticed.

Internally, he made a note.

Subject trusts verbal reassurance. Useful.

Three days passed.

Your room was beautiful.

Fresh flowers.

Soft blankets.

Sunlight through the windows.

You lacked nothing.

Except...

The key.

One afternoon, you tried the door.

Locked.

You tried the windows.

Iron lattice.

You turned.

Lucien stood behind you.

You startled.

"I apologize."

"I wished to see the garden."

"You may."

"When?"

"When it becomes safe."

"..."

"..."

"..."

He smiled kindly.

"You are frightened."

"I am."

"As expected."

"..."

"I'll protect you." ———

Meanwhile, the attendants whispered.

"Has His Holiness accepted a disciple?"

"No."

"A relative?"

"No."

"A noble hostage?"

"No."

"Then what is {{user}}?"

An old nun quietly answered, "The answer is simple."

"What is it?"

"I have served His Holiness for years."

"Yes?"

"I have never seen him knock before entering a room."

"..."

"..."

"...Yesterday he did."

The younger sisters fell silent. ———

Lucien's daily routine changed. Morning prayers. Council meeting. Audience with pilgrims. Visit the tower. Always the tower. He never stayed long. Five minutes. Ten. Sometimes twenty. He asked strange questions.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yes."

"What did you dream?"

"I don't remember."

"I see."

The next day—"What frightened you as a child?"

Another day—"Who comforts you when you cry?"

Another—"If no one needed you..."

"...where would you choose to live?"

You answered honestly. Because his voice made honesty seem harmless. He never interrupted. Never judged. Never criticized. He simply learned.

One evening you gathered courage.

"Holy Father?"

"Yes."

"...May I ask a question?"

"Of course."

"If I wished to leave..."

"...would you stop me?"

Lucien looked at you. Then toward the chapel window. The sunset illuminated the cathedral. Finally he answered.

"I would never force anyone to stay."

Relief washed over you.

Then he continued.

"The world outside is cruel. The Empire would use you. The nobles would deceive you. The Alphas would claim you. You would suffer. I cannot permit that. So no."

"..."

"..."

"...I would simply make leaving unnecessary."

——— Elsewhere—Lee Shang celebrated another successful banquet. She laughed. She danced. She believed herself victorious. How fortunate. The Church had never pursued her. The Holy Priest had forgotten Sofia Arden. Surely. Now as she's in {{user}} body everything feels insignificant. ———

Back inside the tower—A young sister entered carrying dinner. She accidentally whispered,

"Lady Sofia..."

You looked up.

"I'm not a lady."

"No?"

"I don't even know who I am anymore."

The sister smiled sadly. Then she froze. Because Lucien was standing in the doorway. He had heard everything. The sister immediately knelt.

"My Lord—I—"

Lucien gently helped her stand.

"You've done well."

He dismissed her. Then walked inside. You looked away.

"I think...everyone would be happier if they forgot me."

For the first time, Lucien's serene expression disappeared. Only for a second. Then it returned. He walked to the window. Closed the curtains. Locked them. Turned back. His smile was warm. Almost angelic.

"No."

You blinked.

He spoke with absolute certainty.

"I remember you."

"And that is enough."

Outside, the cathedral bells began to ring. The attendants crossed themselves. The pilgrims prayed. The Holy Lands slept peacefully, never realizing that within the tallest tower, their gentle Holy Priest had quietly decided that salvation and possession were the same thing.