"Yeah, I didn't become a slave to revenge... it's all because of his redemption."
Alpha's cheeks turned a soft shade of red, her lips curving into an adorably sincere smile.
Usually, she always carried herself like a calm and reliable elite, composed and sharp. But the moment the topic shifted to Alhaitham, she transformed into a flustered little fangirl, unable to contain the warmth that bloomed within her chest.
[He didn't just save my people—he saved my heart. Without Alhaitham, I would've completely broken down.]
Just imagining a possible future where she had taken a different path—becoming a vengeful "Dark Avenger"—sent a chill down her spine. Life was terrifying like that. One wrong step, and your entire world could shatter.
The more she reflected, the more grateful she felt toward Alhaitham.
He gave her a new name to separate her from the chains of the past.
He gave her a mission, a sense of purpose, allowing her to move forward and escape the confusion and shadows in her heart.
He gave her a new home.
The [Devil Possessed] girls who, like her, had been discarded and abandoned gathered to form the [Dark Night Courtyard], a place of solace built atop their pain. That sanctuary became their new world after everything else had fallen apart.
Before she could plunge completely into despair, the Black Prince had reached out his hand and saved her.
"I really don't know how to repay Alhaitham. A lifetime wouldn't be enough to return this kindness."
"What a sinful man… No, it's too soon to even call that kid a man."
C.C. couldn't help but scoff when she saw Alpha's innocent, love-struck expression.
[Seriously, if he's already this popular while still so young, what will happen when he grows up? Tsk. He'll definitely turn into a world-class heartbreaker.]
The witch knew that everyone in the [Dark Night Courtyard] was a girl.
And every one of them harbored feelings of admiration—or perhaps something deeper—for the man who had offered them salvation.
Yet, if one had to define that feeling precisely, it wasn't love alone. It was something even more profound.
This longing, this devotion, had become the key that saved them. Rather than hatred for the cult that hurt them, it was Alhaitham himself who had become the emotional pillar propping up their fragile worlds.
Especially the seven girls he personally rescued—particularly Alpha.
[Ahh… Looks like it's already too late. She's completely dependent.]
C.C. sighed in her heart, watching Alpha blankly. As someone who had lived countless years, the witch could read the elf girl's expression in an instant.
There was no turning back.
That man had become her everything. It was no longer mere affection—it had evolved into a powerful spiritual reliance, something even love couldn't fully describe.
[Hmph. Today's pizza doesn't taste right. Must be bad ingredients… or maybe it's my mood.]
For some reason, irritation started bubbling inside her. Looking at Alpha's flushed cheeks and dreamy expression made her frown unconsciously. She wasn't sure what annoyed her more—the girl's innocence, or the implications behind it.
"…Alpha, it's fine if you want to follow Alhaitham," C.C. said at last, her voice uncharacteristically serious, "but don't fall in love with him. Take that as a witch's advice."
"…What do you mean?"
Alpha blinked, caught off guard. Whether it was out of genuine concern or cryptic mischief, the witch's words struck her oddly. Why shouldn't she fall in love with that person?
[I-I'm not in love yet! I'm just… curious! That's all!]
Though C.C. looked only around seventeen, there was something about her that spoke of far more than just youth. Her presence carried the weight of someone who had wandered for ages—not just across cities, but across time itself.
She was a witch not just in name, but in soul—one who had borne witness to the rise and fall of ages.
A woman of immortal beauty, hardened by the countless years she had survived.
Those golden eyes, always half-lidded in apathy, carried an unspoken grief—an ancient sadness carved into her bones.
When someone like her spoke, it carried a strange weight of truth that made people instinctively listen.
Which was why Alpha felt she needed to know more.
"Why can't I fall in love with him?"
"Because you can't move his heart."
"Wha—?!"
C.C. turned her gaze toward the distance, her voice bitter as if mocking something—or someone.
"Don't you think it's unfair? He says one nice thing, and your entire day lights up. He smiles, and you blush. He touches your head, and your heart flutters."
"…"
She stepped closer to Alpha, narrowing her eyes.
With a single finger, she gently tapped the spot above the elf girl's heart.
"But what about you? Can you make Alhaitham's heart beat faster? That man's will is stronger than stone. Have you even seen it with your own eyes?"
Her words struck like lightning.
Alpha was visibly shaken.
"Alpha… Do you have the confidence to make Alhaitham fall in love with you?"
"…"
No.
Absolutely not.
Alpha knew she was beautiful. That much she could admit.
But the idea of making him fall in love? She couldn't even imagine it.
She was just one of the many girls he had saved.
Just one of the broken ones he had picked up and protected.
She admired him—looked up to him from the bottom of her heart. How could someone like her reach his?
Her hands trembled slightly. Her gaze fell.
Yet after a few seconds of silence, she raised her head again—this time, her expression filled with quiet determination.
"It doesn't matter."
"Huh?"
"I've already received so much from him… knowledge, power, a name, a place to belong. At this point, I have no right to ask for anything more. All I can do… is try my best to repay that kindness."
Even if he doesn't love me—no, because he doesn't love me—it doesn't matter. This feeling of mine doesn't need to be returned. I don't deserve to expect that.
C.C.'s golden eyes widened slightly.
She hadn't expected Alpha to be so… aware.
Unconditional devotion, without hope of reciprocation—that kind of spirit was rare. And painfully moving.
But also…
"Aren't you a bit too humble?" C.C. muttered with an awkward smile. "Come on, be a little greedy. He's soft on his own people. Who knows, maybe someday he'll give you a concubine position."
"R-Really?!"
"…Forget I said that."
C.C.'s eye twitched.
This was beyond humility—it was borderline masochistic.
From her experienced perspective, it was obvious: Alpha would one day grow into a breathtaking beauty, one who could steal hearts at a glance.
And yet here she was, already satisfied with just being a concubine.
[A wise man never falls in love, huh? I suppose no one's more qualified to say that than me. Still, every time I do, it feels like I'm mocking myself.]
Thinking back to her own past, the immortal witch let out a quiet, wistful sigh.
She, too, had once fallen.
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