I felt his fingers combing through my hair.

“But it feels like I’ve picked up someone else’s discarded toy… like a used-up plaything.”

His words were slow and deliberate, different from the crude insults he’d thrown before. These were meant to degrade me, and I could sense that clearly. Yet, even though I understood the intention, I didn’t feel much of anything in response.

“I don’t have a taste for picking up what others have left behind. Don’t ever meet with them again,” he said, gently stroking my head.

“If you do…” He paused, as if lost in thought, before murmuring quietly, almost to himself, “Well, if you’re curious, go and meet them.”

For some reason, his words sent a chill down my spine, making the hairs on my body stand on end. It wasn’t exactly murderous intent, but it gave me an eerie feeling, like an unspoken threat lurking just beneath the surface.

The grip of the tentacle around my p*nis loosened, and the sudden release left me feeling as though all the energy had drained from my body. The moment it let go, I reached my third climax, even though all it had brought me was pain.

At this point, it felt like I was on the verge of dying. It was as if my life force was being forcibly drained with each climax, leaving my body acting beyond my control, completely disregarding my will.

“By the way…” Zetak’s voice broke the silence, and then he muttered, “Was it nine times?”

There was a chilling undertone to his voice, as if he was meticulously counting, fixated on fulfilling his promise to make me climax nine times. I wasn’t particularly worried, though. Nine times? With the medicine’s effects, I was practically on the edge of climaxing prematurely—it wouldn’t take much. Just the slightest touch, and I’d be over the edge again in an instant.

“Nine times by my standards.”

He seemed to have read my thoughts and immediately corrected me. I had no idea where his confidence came from, given that he hadn’t lasted more than a few strokes before climaxing himself—despite not being under the influence of the medicine. It made me wonder if he was a bit premature…

“Damn it, I’m not a premature ejaculator,” he snapped.

“…”

Can you read minds or something? How did he know exactly what I was thinking?

“Hah. Trying to look composed, but I can tell what ridiculous thoughts are running through your head. Don’t waste your energy on such nonsense. I’m not premature,” he said, clearly irritated.

I thought I heard him grind his teeth, but it wasn’t very convincing. Considering how quickly he’d finished after just a few movements in my mouth… The thought crossed my mind, and he let out another curse.

“Damn it, I’ve been dealing with this since the bathroom.”

He sounded irritated. Suddenly, the tentacle in my mouth began thrusting hard. What a brat—this must have been his way of telling me to shut up. Struggling to breathe, I tried to pull it out, but my hands were too weak. Perhaps sensing my intention, Zetak withdrew it himself.

“What? Do you have something to say?”

“Yeah. You…”

Speaking was becoming more and more difficult. What in the world was in that medicine? All I wanted was to collapse and catch my breath, but there was something I had to say to him. Summoning all my strength, I finally managed to speak.

“You… are a terrible person.”

After I said it, a strange sense of relief washed over me. It felt like something was filling my chest—maybe this was the feeling of satisfaction. But that feeling didn’t last long. The tentacle slipped back into my mouth, as if to silence me.

With no other choice, I continued sucking, producing small slurping sounds.

“Hah… Honestly, Your Highness…” he mumbled, almost as if he couldn’t believe what he was saying. “Not even a hint of disgust while dealing with a demon… Maybe I didn’t even need to cover your eyes.”

His voice carried a mix of disbelief and relief.

“Really… You’re so annoying, but I can’t stay angry with you. You’ve always been like this, Your Highness – always toying with people’s emotions, pulling them up and down…”

“And that’s why it makes me even angrier.”

He clenched his teeth, muttering something under his breath that I couldn’t quite understand.

***

The sound of splashing water woke me. It took a while for the spinning ceiling to come into focus. With my mind still foggy, I stared up at it until I felt a cool, damp cloth touch my forehead.

“Are you awake, Your Highness?”

I turned my head to see Zetak sitting in a chair. The bright daylight streamed through the window. The last thing I remembered was that it was still night, but now it’s clearly morning. Zetak, calmly wiping my forehead, seemed composed as ever. There was no trace of the side of him that had cursed and spoken to me so informally.

“Yes…” My voice came out hoarse as I asked, “Did you reach nine times?”

Zetak gave a faint smile. “Of course not. You passed out halfway, so I stopped. Besides, the sun has already risen.”

“…You stopped, did you?”

I quietly repeated his words. As expected, he was lying. I remember losing consciousness partway through due to the effects of the medicine, but there were brief moments when I was semi-awake. In those moments, I found myself wrapped in tentacles, with my knees up and my legs spread apart. And Zetak was between them… What was he doing? I couldn’t fully remember, as I kept drifting in and out of consciousness. Why did it have to be that part of the memory that was missing? It left me feeling uneasy. What had he done to me?

“Ah, you’re awake? Even while you were unconscious, I was fine.”

He claimed he stopped because I passed out, but that couldn’t be true. No demon would simply stop because their partner lost consciousness. He must have continued to play with my body.

Still, he likely hadn’t gone so far as to penetrate. After all, he had admitted he didn’t trust himself to stop if he did. I needed to find a way to convince Father to stop sending me that medicine. I’d rather be dragged around as part of a diplomatic envoy from country to country than keep taking it.

“What time is it? What about the lessons?”

“I informed them that you were too ill to attend morning classes. I also took leave for the afternoon classes,” Zetak replied calmly.

“…”

“Don’t go out today,” he added.

“…Alright. That’s probably for the best. It’s not even a lie—truthfully, I don’t have the strength to stand.”

My entire body felt limp and heavy, as if submerged in water. How had Zetak managed to endure taking this medicine for a whole year?

“Get some more rest.”

He covered my eyes with his hand. I tried to follow his suggestion to sleep a little longer, but the quiet was interrupted by a knock at the door. Zetak opened it, revealing a familiar woman—a maid with simple brown hair. It was Karial’s servant, holding a vase full of flowers.

“Greetings, Your Highness. My lady heard you were on sick leave, so she sent these flowers,” she said, her voice slightly unsteady. She seemed uneasy facing those who were aware of her lady’s secrets. Or perhaps it was the sight of Zetak’s spider-like legs that unsettled her.

She held out the vase to Zetak, who took it from her. She appeared eager to leave, but Zetak stepped aside, as if inviting her in.

“Could you place it on the table by the window?” he asked.

“Huh…?”

“I said come in and place it on the table yourself,” Zetak repeated. His tone was polite, but it was clearly a command.

Among servants, there can be subtle hierarchies influenced by their masters’ status, but that doesn’t mean one servant inherently holds authority over another. It’s often more of a pride contest among the servants themselves. So, even if Zetak issued the order, there was no real reason for Rey to comply; her job was simply to deliver the flowers.

Yet she stood there, pale and speechless, unable to even make eye contact with Zetak. The sight of his spider-like legs earlier must have left a lasting impression on her.

“What are you waiting for? Put it on the table.”

“O-okay. Got it.”

Rey walked to the window with a pale face, her steps so unsteady it seemed she might trip at any moment. She placed the vase on the table and immediately turned to leave in a hurry, only to stop in her tracks. Zetak was standing at the door, blocking her way.

“Um… I-I should probably get going now. The young lady is waiting for me…”

“As you can see, His Highness is .”

“Huh…?”

Since entering the room, Rey had been fumbling with her words, unable to say much beyond “Um” or “Ah.”

“Surely, your mistress must have sent a card along with the flowers, right? Shouldn’t you read it aloud before leaving? My master is too sick to read it himself.”

“Y-you could just…”

Rey’s voice trailed off as she lowered her head, her shoulders trembling more and more with each passing moment. It was clear that she was gripped by fear—unmistakable fear. But why was she so terrified just from seeing Zetak’s spider legs? And why was Zetak acting this way? He had no reason to torment her—she wasn’t Karial. Or was there more to it?

I glanced at Zetak. His eyes were dark, and his face showed no emotion. The tension in the room was palpable, hinting at unresolved issues between them.

Rey had been complicit with Karial. Whether it was out of willingness or coercion, she had been involved in something that had affected Zetak in the past. Given her timid nature, it was unlikely she took the initiative to target him; she had probably just followed orders.

She pulled a card from the bouquet and unfolded it, but she didn’t read it aloud. Instead, she silently mouthed the words, making no sound. It was as if the fear had gripped her so tightly that even speaking became impossible.

It was just a card accompanying a get-well gift, likely containing the usual pleasantries and wishes for a speedy recovery. So why couldn’t she read it aloud?

“Why aren’t you speaking?”

“…”

“Should I guess what’s written?”

“Z-Zetak, I…” Rey stammered.

As Zetak took a step closer, Rey dropped the card. It seemed unusual for an adult woman to be so frightened of a boy younger than herself. But then again, given that her opponent was someone fused with a demon, perhaps her fear was justified.

“A wish for His Highness’s speedy recovery—that much is obvious. But there’s something else, isn’t there? Or maybe… a number?”

Rey backed away until her back hit the wall, her face showing signs of panic, her eyes on the verge of tears. Zetak continued to approach, closing the distance between them.

“S-sorry. I… I had no choice… It was an order… I had to follow, or I… I would’ve been punished by the lady…” Rey stammered, trembling as she repeated her apology. She kept saying it was an order, pleading for forgiveness, her eyes brimming with tears as she sniffled like a frightened child.

Zetak halted, her pitiful response seeming to drain the satisfaction from his actions.

“…Fine. Just tell her I received the flowers,” he replied, his voice calmer but still firm.