Raising Yanderes to save the world

They all went back inside the ruins for now, and Seraphina headed toward the space where her room had been.

Leon followed her at a steady pace and caught up to her not long after. He had a reassuring smile on his face that looked like trouble.

’What is this bastard doing? He wants me to stay back and help the temple while he monopolizes Kael? I will not allow it!’

Seraphina’s mind was a mess, but she kept looking like a scared child on the outside to invoke Kael’s protective instincts.

And it worked.

Kael allowed her to come back, and she felt happy. But Leon just snickered beside her and gave her a knowing glance.

”What do you think you are doing?”

Seraphina forced those words out between her gritted teeth as she tried her best to keep a calm expression on her face. But Leon just laughed in her face, making her feel irritated.

”It’s nothing. But are you sure you want to come back? Well, I don’t mind if you want to keep being seen as a child by Kael your whole life and be protected by him.”

Leon sounded amused, which made Seraphina even more annoyed at him. She wanted to strangle him and demand answers from him, but she quickly calmed herself down.

There was no point in getting angry at him, but she was not going to admit that he had a point...

”What do you mean Kael will never see me as anything more than a child? I can make him acknowledge me as a woman-”

”Can you? You keep acting like a child, have no support base, and keep running from your responsibilities. Even I would not see you as an adult, much less someone like Kael.”

Leon taunted again, and Seraphina wanted to deny what he was saying. But she knew that he was right.

She knew Kael’s personality, and he would keep seeing her as a child and continue protecting her. But what was wrong with that? At least she would get to stay with Kael.

”One day, Kael will have a partner, and all you will be able to do is smile and accept it. You won’t even be able to fight for his affection. Is that what you want?”

Leon asked, and that felt like the final straw.

”No, you won’t be able to take it, right? But you won’t have a choice if you don’t start getting your act together now.”

Leon taunted Seraphina, and she held back her desire to yell at him.

Instead, she looked him in the eye and decided to demand an answer.

”What do you want from me?”

Leon smiled, looking like someone who had finally gotten what they wanted.

”Well, what I want is simple—I want you to take over as the head of the temple and build your power here. You sensed the growing corruption as well, right? The seal is likely going to break soon, and the fight will start. At that time, we will need the temple’s help, and you are the only one who can control this faction.”

Seraphina let out a scoff, finally seeing what Leon was getting at.

Or rather, she already knew what Leon wanted from her.

”You want me to leave Kael and stay at the temple to build my power? I refuse-”

”Are you sure? Think about it again. Do you want to remain a child in Kael’s eyes forever? You might lose him that way.”

Leon pointed out, and Seraphina let out a frustrated sigh, knowing that he was right.

But leaving Kael alone was also like a ticking time bomb. He had too many pests around him who wanted his attention, and one of them was in his house.

”Iris is too timid to make a move, and you know it. She cannot even accept herself, so she is not a threat. Both Lyra and Elena will be busy for the next few years, and no one else has shown up. Don’t you think it’s your time to build up your power as well?”

Leon questioned, and Seraphina mentally cursed him.

He was too good at convincing her to do what she did not want to do.

But he was not wrong either. This was the best time for Seraphina to step back and build her power.

”Think about it. We still have a day before we have to head back. If you agree to my deal, I will help you out with Kael as well.”

Leon promised before he walked away, leaving Seraphina alone with her thoughts.

’Oh my! That bastard has not changed during all this time. So what do you want to do now?’

Her inner voice asked, and Seraphina gritted her teeth, refusing to make a decision.

’Frankly, his proposal is not bad. We will be able to entice Kael much more if we have something to offer him in return. We can also prevent him from going to someone else if we offer him support.’

Seraphina hated how logical her inner voice sounded. She did not want to make this decision...but it had already been made for her.

”Darn it! I don’t want to be separated from Kael.”

She yelled, only for no one to hear her.

...

It was finally time to head back home. Kael had wrapped up his affairs at the temple, and the rest would have to be handled by the temple staff.

They all looked tired and overwhelmed, but happy to be doing what they needed to.

But their desperate gazes kept looking at Seraphina for help.

The girl in question kept a tight grip on Kael’s hand, not letting go of it for even a second, and Kael felt sorry for her.

As much as she wanted to help the temple, Seraphina was his priority. So he pulled her closer and spoke softly.

”I will try what I can to help you out. Please let me know if you need anything-”

”Actually, I was thinking...Maybe I will stay back here and help after all. I feel sorry for these people, and it will help you out as well, right, Kael?”

Seraphina asked, and he nodded. She looked relieved and turned toward the temple guards.

”In that case, I will come back to the temple and help it stand on its feet. Please don’t worry about me. I will keep in touch as much as I can.”

And just like that, for the first time, Seraphina decided to take up the mantle of the Saintess, all for the sake of growing her power and being by Kael’s side one day.