Chapter 166: Chapter 166: The Crimson Empress [1]

Chapter 166 – The Crimson Empress

After breakfast, they each went their separate ways.

Noah watched them go—some excited, some determined, all with a purpose. Each woman had something to accomplish. Not just for him, but for the family they were building together. And that was enough to light a fire in anyone.

As for Noah, he had his own plans.

Starting with Aphasia.

He’d made a strong first impression. But that wasn’t enough. Not for what he wanted. He needed loyalty, trust—the kind that wouldn’t break even if she saw his deepest secrets. Especially his realm.

Because if the wrong people found out, things could get ugly.

He stood just outside her training hall, exhaling softly.

“This time, I’ll be a proper gentleman. No sudden entrances.”

He smiled.

Then, with perfect hypocrisy—

Knock. Knock.

And before she could answer, he walked in anyway.

“Hey, Aphasia. Miss me?”

…

Inside, Aphasia was mid-session with her shadow spirits, trying to improve their combat synch. It was going well—until she heard the voice.

“Hey, Aphasia. Miss me?”

She turned fast, already annoyed. That damn voice again.

“You—don’t you know how to knock prope—”

But she stopped.

Eyes wide. Mouth open. Words dead on her tongue.

“…Am I dreaming?” she muttered, stunned.

Noah’s smile deepened. “Lucky you. It’s not a dream.”

She stared at him like he was some divine vision—and who could blame her? Silver hair that shimmered like starlight. Runic eyes that pulsed with quiet power. A face sculpted like it didn’t belong to this world. A body that made you question the fairness of the universe.

“How can you be this beautiful?” she blurted, zero shame.

Noah chuckled. “I ask myself that sometimes. But let’s not get distracted. I’m here for your answer.”

That pulled her back.

She looked down at the bracelet he gave her. His gift. His message.

’I want you.’ That was what Noah said to her.

She’d thought about it—again and again. She knew his intentions weren’t just romance, but strategy. He was building something. A future. A dominion.

But even knowing that…

Even knowing she was another piece on the board…

She couldn’t stop the warmth that spread in her chest when she looked at him.

Hell, she didn’t want to stop it.

Because wasn’t this what every girl dreamed of? A man so beautiful, so powerful, that just choosing you felt like a blessing?

And more than that—he came back. She had made him wait and he did without complaining. He let her choose without pressing her.

And for that—

[Aphasia’s feelings have reached 75%.]

She smiled, soft and sweet.

’He’s a manipulator, a player… but damn, he’s good at it.’

And maybe… maybe she didn’t care anymore about this aspect of him.

“I accept,” she said, locking eyes with him.

Noah stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her gently.

She flinched. It was… new. No man had ever hugged her. Not even her father.

But there was something about the way Noah held her. It was firm, protective, warm.

Safe.

And without realizing, her head leaned against his chest, sinking deeper into the embrace.

“Welcome to the family, Aphasia,” Noah whispered.

She smiled. And for the first time in years, her heart felt… light.

…

Elsewhere, Elizabeth, Sophie, and Emily stood across from Solaris.

Solaris’ eyes narrowed. Jealousy didn’t even try to hide itself.

Elizabeth, of course, smirked. “Do you need us to flex a little more?”

Solaris clicked her tongue. “Why wasn’t I part of this ’transformation’ everyone’s raving about?”

She looked at Emily. “Well… except you.”

Emily’s jaw tightened.

Elizabeth shrugged. “For now, it’s just Noah’s women. So it’s not that surprising.”

“And what do you mean ’for now’?” Solaris asked, eyebrows raised.

“Well, I could transform you into a Fate Elysiari… but unless you suddenly picked up a Fate affinity—”

“I didn’t. I’ve got Light and Fire affinities.”

“Then yeah, no luck.”

She turned her gaze to Emily. Her smile? Pure mockery.

“But you, Emily? You could become a Lightning Elysiari. You just have to kneel under your daughter first. Tempting, right?”

Emily stayed silent.

She hated how right Elizabeth was. Her daughter would agree, no hesitation. But that wasn’t the point.

She didn’t want to serve under Sophie.

She wanted her own path. Her own transformation. Her own claim on Noah.

And that meant earning Sophie’s blessing—and the other wives’ respect.

So she didn’t lie.

“I want to be Noah’s woman,” she said, her voice clear.

She waited for the backlash.

Sophie shouting. Elizabeth mocking. Solaris laughing.

But none of them reacted like that.

“It was obvious,” Elizabeth said dryly.

“Painfully obvious. You fucking degenerate,” Solaris added with a sigh.

Sophie, though? She said nothing. Just turned to Elizabeth and changed the subject.

“Let’s get this over with. It’s time the world knows I’m Empress.”

But still in her mind, ’we will talk later.’ she said to Emily

…

Announcing Sophie’s ascension was easier than anyone expected.

The Church had influence over the whole human domain. All they needed was a convenient story—Rome and his sons mysteriously absent, the empire in need of guidance—and suddenly Sophie’s coronation felt natural.

Some questioned it. Of course they did.

But none of them said a word aloud.

Because sticking your nose into royal affairs? That shit gets you killed.

Projectors sparked to life across the Human Domain.

Every street. Every slum. Every marketplace. Even the criminal dens had one flickering image in common:

Sophie.

Dressed in crimson. Flanked by Elizabeth and Solaris. Emily behind them, crying like a proud mother.

What a good actor.

People stopped. Watched.

Solaris stepped forward, voice loud and regal.

“People of the Human Domain, we bring you a new age.”

“The first woman crowned Empress.”

“A round of applause—for Sophie Castria, The Crimson Empress.”

Silence.

Then—

The whole human domain exploded.

As for Sophie,

She didn’t even smile.

She just stood there looking at those shocked expressions with regal intensity and coldness.

In her mind, this whole thing was unnecessary, because now,

Sophie didn’t need approval to rule.

—End of chapitre 166—

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