Chapter 1
Leah's POV
One snide comment from my worst enemy, and I dropped eighty million gold coins on a custom golem built to look exactly like him.
My requirements were simple: same face, same body, and a personality that's submissive, obedient, and takes whatever I dish out without fighting back.
I've had that insufferable face fetching me coffee, rubbing my feet, massaging my shoulders, even wearing a maid outfit.
Watching him bow and scrape for me finally lets out most of the resentment I've been carrying.
Then tonight, the workshop sends a message out of nowhere:
[Due to a shortage of high-purity mithril, your custom golem needs another month to complete. Thank you for your patience.]
I look over at the man kneeling by the couch, rubbing my legs.
So who exactly have I been treating like a dog for the past two months?
When the message comes in, I'm leaning back on the couch with a glass of red wine in hand.
The man rubbing my legs has silver hair cut short and a face that's gorgeous enough to make you want to punch it.
His name is Ryan.
Well, technically, he's the life-size, hyper-realistic golem I paid eighty million gold coins for, custom-made by the Midnight Alchemy Workshop, which is run by the Crescent Moon Pack.
Why did I order him? Because two months ago, the real Ryan humiliated me at a high-society gala. "Leah," he said, "with that attitude of yours, no man's ever going to look twice at you, no matter how much money you have."
I laughed in his face right then and there. Every man on earth could drop dead and I still wouldn't look at a mangy dog like you. But I couldn't just let it go, so that same day I went and ordered a golem that looked exactly like him.
My requirements were simple: same face, same body, but the personality had to be a submissive, obedient lapdog who takes it and doesn't talk back.
For two months now, I've found new ways to mess with my "Ryan golem" every single day, and watching that arrogant face bow to me has finally let out most of my resentment.
"Is the pressure okay, Mistress?" a low, rich voice asks.
I look down at him kneeling by the couch. He tilts his head up slightly, his amber eyes full of obedience, and maybe a little eagerness to please.
"It's fine," I say, not bothering to sound interested.
That's when the message from the workshop comes through. [Dear Miss Leah, we're very sorry to inform you that due to a recent shortage of high-purity mithril, your custom golem is expected to need another month to complete. Thank you for your patience.]
Me: ???
Me: !!!
I stare at the words on the crystal, then slowly turn to look at Ryan, still kneeling on the floor, still rubbing my legs.
Another month?
Then who is this, kneeling in front of me right now, the one I've been ordering around every night, the one I forced into a maid outfit?
My brain shuts down for a good three seconds. Cold dread shoots straight up from the soles of my feet.
He's not a golem? He's alive? He's the real Ryan?
No. Absolutely not. There's no way.
There's no way that arrogant wolf, who's never given anyone the time of day, spent two months as my servant, letting me humiliate him like this.
Not a chance.
I take a breath and force myself to calm down. Maybe the staff sent the message to the wrong customer. That has to be it.
To test my theory, I decide to push a little.
"Fluffy," I say, using the name I gave the golem.
"Yes, Mistress." He stops what he's doing and looks up at me, all politeness.
I narrow my eyes. "Go put on those pink wolf ears, crawl around the couch, and bark for me."
The second I say it, I catch the flash: his pupils contract; a vein jumps in his neck; something raw and twisted crosses that perfect face, like he's fighting to hold something back.
But he smooths it over fast, all emotion gone.
"Yes, Mistress."
He gets up, walks to the cabinet, and pulls out the pink wolf ears I bought specifically to humiliate him. His hands shake a little as he puts them on.
Then he actually gets down on the carpet, hands and knees, and crawls around the couch.
"Woof, woof."
I'm floored.
He actually did it?
If this were the real Ryan, he'd have torn my house apart by now.
Am I overthinking this? Is he really just a golem?
When he finishes the loop, he stands up. His eyes look a little red, his voice comes out rough. "I'll get you some water, Mistress."
He all but bolts for the kitchen, flustered, like he can't get out of the room fast enough.
Not long after he leaves, my crystal lights up again.
[So sorry, Miss Leah! There was a system error and we messaged the wrong customer. Your order was completed two months ago by one of our senior alchemists, delivered and signed for. Enjoy!]
