If he survived in such a harsh environment, he’d come to deeply resent me for being the reason behind his misfortune. When he finally completed his shedding and returned, it would lead to the future I had seen—that much, I was certain.

“I saw it so long ago that I don’t quite remember the details of the shedding process,” I said. “Honestly, I’m not even sure if I explained it properly.”

I couldn’t allow him to leave. I would never send him to the demon realm—not unless he gave up on revenge someday in the distant future. For now, he needed to stay here—by my side, whether he hated me or not.

If he left, those red eyes would no longer look up at me. He wouldn’t be waking up in my arms anymore. I would end up like before—sleeping alone and waking up alone. If that happened, what would I become? Why did the thought of him not being by my side make me feel so empty? Was it just a sense of hunger?

“Do you know something?” Zetak said, interrupting my thoughts.

He gently took my hand, pulling it away from him. The grip wasn’t as forceful as it once had been—it was careful, almost as if he didn’t want to hurt me.

“When Your Highness lies, your voice tends to lower a bit.”

“…”

“I’ve spent four years with you, Your Highness. Do you think I wouldn’t know your habits? You did the same when you lied to the Empress, telling her you were impotent. The same with the Emperor. Whenever you lie, your tone subtly drops.”

“…”

“I don’t know why you’re lying, but I believe that one day you’ll tell me the truth.”

No. I won’t tell him. I will never let him go to the demon realm. Even if he ends up with a twisted body, I don’t care. He has to stay by my side, always. He has to be here, in my arms. He must never disappear from my sight. And if he were to vanish… vanish… what would happen? Why did the thought leave me feeling so empty inside? Was it hunger?

“Fine. I’ll tell you someday.”

‘When you give up on your revenge.’ I thought to myself as I pulled him closer into my embrace. I will not let you go. Ever. He stiffened in my arms like stone, but I ignored it. He felt cool, and it was comforting—more than just cool, actually. It almost felt refreshing… Or maybe it wasn’t that he was cool—maybe I was feverish?

In the midst of our conversation, I hadn’t noticed anything unusual. But as soon as we both fell silent and stillness settled in, my mind seemed clearer, though my body did not follow. My body felt heavy, and even breathing seemed to become increasingly difficult.

“Zetak.”

“…”

“Zetak, something feels wrong…”

I murmured, feeling an odd heat rising through my body. Zetak flinched in my arms. Was I running a fever? The heat inside me kept growing. Was I unwell? No. I knew this feeling well. I had felt it before, in my past life.

My body felt heavy, my breathing was labored, my head felt light and dizzy, and there was a tight pain in my lower abdomen. I knew these sensations all too well. This was hunger. No wonder I had been feeling empty earlier. It seemed I was indeed hungry. Memories of the extreme hunger I once endured flooded back to me.

Since being reincarnated as a human, I hadn’t experienced real hunger. I thought I’d had a substantial dinner, so why was I feeling so empty all of a sudden?

Perhaps I should ask Zetak to bring me something to eat. Just as I was considering it, he suddenly pushed me away, jumping to his feet.

“Ugh, could you stop panting against my neck already?”

“Zetak…? Haa… It’s just too… too much…Too hungry.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me! Hungry for what?!”

For some reason, Zetak grabbed him by the neck and shouted. This insolence… Fine. I could forgive the swearing, but shouting in my face like that – he’d pay for that later. I tried to tell him that, but all that came out were strange groans.

“Ugh… Why is this happening…?”

It was only then that I realized I couldn’t form words properly. My breathing had grown heavy without me even noticing.

“Ah, so that’s why the medicine wasn’t working… It’s not that it didn’t work—you were just too unaware to notice? How can someone be this oblivious…”

“Medicine…? Ah, that…”

My thoughts felt sluggish, but I remembered. The medicine – the one that was supposed to invigorate me. It seemed I had been too unconscious to notice its effects.

The word “medicine” echoed clearly in my muddled mind. That was when I finally understood—this wasn’t hunger, and I wasn’t sick. I remembered the medicine I had taken, the one my father had sent. I had thought it was just something to slightly boost human s*xual desire, a small thing. Just a little desire, nothing more—something no bigger than a fingernail. At most, it would grow to the size of a finger, I thought. But this wasn’t just a small increase…

“Zetak, help me, please. It’s so hot… Take me to the bathroom…”

I should’ve listened to him. If I had gone and cooled myself down with cold water from the start, maybe I wouldn’t be in this state. I was paying the price for ignoring the words of someone who had already experienced this. In this reincarnated body, I had never truly felt any kind of s*xual desire. And now, this overwhelming sensation was beyond mere desire—it was pure torment.

How had Zetak endured taking something like this? Was this some kind of backlash? Was I reacting more intensely because I’d never experienced real desire before? My body felt so feverish, and I couldn’t control it. Would it help if I just took off my clothes? My hands fumbled over my chest, reaching for the buttons. Even that was a struggle. It was almost impossible for me to undo even a single button.

I kept trying to unbutton my shirt, but I failed repeatedly. I could feel Zetak silently watching me, clearly not intending to help. I had to do everything with just my left hand since my right hand was practically useless. Wait… there was no need to bother with the buttons.

Realizing this, I grabbed the collar of my shirt and pulled. Using what little strength I had, I forced my energy into the action, and the fabric ripped apart, albeit clumsily. I wanted to tear it off quickly for some relief, but even my energy-filled arm felt weak and sluggish. At least I managed not to let go of the fabric—I deserved some credit for that. As I struggled to pull the torn fabric aside, Zetak cursed under his breath.

“Damn it. What the hell is this…”

For some reason, he was glaring at me, grinding his teeth. What had I done to deserve this reaction? If anyone should be cursing, it was me, not him. But I couldn’t even voice my frustration—I was too busy panting, struggling for breath. Still, as the cold air touched my exposed upper body, I felt a small sense of relief. Now, if I could just get to the bathroom and splash myself with cold water…

I tried to push myself up, but my arms shook uncontrollably. In the end, I collapsed back onto the bed and gave up. I barely managed to turn my body to the side, but that was it.

“Haa… What is this… Why won’t my body move…”

There was no way I could move on my own like this. What kind of medicine was this?

“Zetak… Please, help me… Take me to the bathroom… Please.”

I begged, struggling with every word.

“Damn it!”

Zetak, muttering a string of curses, ran towards the bathroom with awkward, jerky movements. The door slammed shut behind him, leaving me feeling utterly helpless. Why was he going alone? Take me with you! Beyond the bathroom door, I could hear the sound of running water. The frustration made me grit my teeth even harder- Why do I feel like this when I’m the one who took the medicine?!

Lying alone on the bed, the emptiness felt overwhelming. My body was burning, almost to the point of feeling like I was turning to ashes. If there was one emotion I would first awaken to as a human, it would undoubtedly be guilt. Had I really made him take this kind of medicine for a whole year?

What were my parents even thinking, giving me this medicine to take? This effect—it wasn’t just boosting vitality for a healthy person; it felt like my body was ready to burst with heat. They claimed it could even invigorate a 90-year-old? No, it was probably just pushing the body to its breaking point. This wasn’t a vitality booster—it was a potion designed to turn someone impotent.

“Haa… I’m… sorry, Zetak. I… didn’t know…”

I could barely get the words out, but surely his demonic hearing picked up my whisper. Who said that human s*xual desire was weak like a spirit’s? If it weren’t me, I’d find them and twist their mouth shut.

“Ugh… Someone, please… Zetak, come out… and help me get my clothes off.”

I managed to say the words, but the only response I heard from beyond the bathroom was more cursing.

“Shut up, damn it!”

Gone was any semblance of respect. Judging by his ragged breathing, he must have been quite upset. The blatant disrespect annoyed me, but my current situation was more pressing. Perhaps I’d have to deal with it myself.

I managed to unbuckle my pants, but now I was faced with the next challenge—unzipping them. My fingers couldn’t hold a firm grip on the zipper, fumbling and failing to pull it down.

I wanted to tear off my pants too, but I had no strength left. This was beyond what I could handle alone.

“Haa… This isn’t going to work. I need to go and…”

“Get a woman.”

Just as I finished speaking, the bathroom door burst open as if it were about to shatter. Zetak, already mostly transformed into his demon form, walked over without stumbling, even in the darkness.

He looked down at me, squirming like a caterpillar, in silence. The room was already dark, and with his back to the window, I couldn’t see his face at all.

“Now you’re talking nonsense… A woman, huh? Go and get yourself a woman. Do you want to take a pr*stitute to bed?”

His tone was much sharper than usual. I wanted to comment on his disrespect, but all I could do was gasp for breath. His eyes glowed strangely in the darkness.