"What should I do? Kamian, let me examine your ankle. If it hurts because I touched it wrong, shout in pain."

Kamian seemed too overwhelmed to respond. I cautiously grabbed the hem of Kamian's pants, feeling the dampness on my fingertips, which seemed ominous.

"...What if you can never use your ankle again? Will I have to carry you around? Can I even do that?"

My hand gripping the hem trembled uncontrollably. I couldn't bring myself to lift the pants, fearing that Kamian's ankle might be in a state like the melting skin of a demon's relic.

There was no time to waste. Sulphuric acid might still be corroding Kamian's skin. I anxiously strengthened my grip on the pants, mustering all my strength in the corner of my eye. At the same time, I tried to wipe off the acid with my clothes, but...

"You doubted me when I said it was a lie earlier."

"..."

"You fell for it completely."

Contrary to my worries, Kamian's ankle was perfectly fine. With a dejected expression, I looked up, only to find Kamian wearing a smug smile. Suddenly, a surge of anger welled up within me. In a fit of rage, I fiercely struck the exposed instep with my clenched fist. Kamian let out a grunt, but I felt no remorse whatsoever.

That rascal had turned my head and mind upside down with his anxiety-inducing actions. I glared at him, teeth gritted, but Kamian's smile gradually faded from his face. He lifted himself up and trapped my waist between his legs.

"Surprised?"

He asked in a gentle tone, brushing my hair behind my ear. My heart was still pounding fiercely. When I first met Kamian in the novel, he seemed like a villain who wouldn't be satisfying even if I beat him to death. However, after being sucked into this world and living side by side with him for fifteen years, it seemed I had grown fond of him. The thought of him being able to die made my throat tighten, and my head became dizzy.

"You're about to cry."

His warm, large hand enveloped my cheek, gently stroking under my eyes.

I pushed his hand away and stormed out of the bedroom. The sound of footsteps pounding on the floor revealed how low my spirits were. It was infuriating how my emotions were running wild, as if I were in my adolescence.

It was good that I forcefully pushed Kamian away and left the bedroom, but there was nowhere suitable to go. It was too cold outside, and the sun was setting. Going to Debra and Jex's bedroom on the first floor was out of the question. I didn't want to cause unnecessary trouble by simply opening the door and going in, as they would surely notice that I had fought with Kamian.

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In the end, ironically, the place I headed to avoid seeing Kamian was Kamian's bedroom. I opened the door wide and threw myself onto his bed, flipping the blanket over my head.

It didn't take long before I heard the sound of the door opening, and slow footsteps approached. As one side of the bed tilted, I pressed myself against the wall.

"Planning to sleep here after switching rooms today?"

"..."

"Sleeping together might be difficult. The bed is narrow."

"Leave."

"It's cold. Let's warm up under the blanket together."

Kamian lay down next to me and slipped into the covers. Just like me, he had flipped the blanket over his head and quietly called my name.

"Liv."

"..."

"Should I tell you my weaknesses?"

Taken aback by his unexpected words, I turned my face towards Kamian.

"Do you really think there is such a thing as a weakness for that scoundrel? Or is this another one of his teasing games?" I stood there, unable to provide a prompt response, my eyes widened in bewilderment. In stark contrast to my confusion, Kamian's smile grew deeper, emanating an air of sophistication. Seeing his smug face, I momentarily forgot the fact that I had been angry just moments ago and silently marvelled within.

Kamian shifted his body, inching closer towards my face. The distance between us was so close that our noses almost brushed, and I could feel the warmth of each other's breath. And then, he whispered discreetly.

"My weakness lies in your blood."

Even though I clearly understood his words, I doubted my own ears.

"My blood?"

Kamian nodded, his smile still intact.

"It can subdue me more effectively than any charm or relic."

"How can my blood do that?"

Kamian chuckled softly, grazing my nose with his lips.

"Ah."

The sudden and natural turn of events left me dumbfounded, and all I could do was gaze at Kamian, bewildered and lost, without even realizing what had happened.

"I shouldn't have mentioned that."

"Why not? Don't be so coy. Since you've brought it up, spill it all."

"You're already giving me a hard time. If I reveal everything, you'll have even more power over me."

"What's the harm in that? Can't you handle a little shake-up?"

Kamian simply laughed in response, refusing to provide an answer. I found solace in the sight of his face from beneath the covers, feeling somewhat relieved. If my blood truly was Kamian's only weakness, then it meant that no one could harm him without my cooperation.

I fervently hoped for my own recovery and for Kamian to no longer love me... Praying that the day would never come when I would have to use my blood to lead Kamian to his own destruction.

* * *

Recently, Kamian had been leading busy days without a moment's respite. The scorching energy of the sun had subsided, and as autumn arrived, they transitioned into the full-fledged harvest season.

Kamian not only worked on our farm but also helped out with the neighbouring farms that required the labour of young people. While they received a meagre compensation in the form of harvested crops or a small wage, it was far from commensurate with the effort Kamian put in.