Now I understood why that demoness had shaved her hair.
It was beautiful—crimson red, scattered like silk.
I quickly looked away.
I forced myself to stop staring, even though part of me wanted to keep looking.
Her teasing voice cut through my thoughts.
"Spacing out, boy? Oh, don't tell me… did I charm you? I didn't know you were the shy type."
"Of course," I replied without hesitation. "Who wouldn't be captivated by someone like you? I just didn't want to take advantage of your situation to please my eyes."
She laughed.
"You don't stand a chance, boy. Handsome or not, I'm a century older than you."
I chuckled.
"And does that really matter? I'd bet I could win you over. I could even promise that you'd fall for me."
I paused before adding,
"But I'm getting engaged soon. So you were right earlier—I don't have a chance. And neither do you."
Natasha clutched her stomach and burst into laughter. Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes.
"Boy, you're incredibly arrogant," she said at last. "Always ready with an excuse when you retreat."
She studied me with amusement.
"And honestly, I've never met anyone like you."
"Every minute your personality changes. One moment you're shy, then cautious, then arrogant and confident. Then suddenly you act like a practical man."
She tilted her head slightly.
"Are you trying to charm me like this?"
I took a deep breath and turned my face away.
"It's not like that. Anyway… when are we breaking the seal? And are you really going to stay like that in your underwear?"
Without another word, Natasha lay down on the ground.
The method for breaking the seal required her to be in her underwear, lying face down while my blood was placed at the centre of her back.
It was a posture that resembled submission.
For someone like her, it had to be humiliating—especially when the one breaking the seal was weaker.
I was certain she felt uncomfortable.
That only made me curse Patrick even more.
How could someone do this to a person who had treated him well? Even though I had only just met Natasha, it was clear she was a kind person.
"Theo," she said calmly. "I respect that you're trying not to look. But focus. Any mistake now could cause problems."
She paused.
"I'll allow you to look for a moment."
Honestly, even with her permission, I didn't like doing it.
I will be getting engaged in a few days.
The engagement wasn't my choice—but I had accepted it. And a man should keep his word.
So I tried not to stare too much.
Still… what I saw surprised me.
Her red hair was spread across her back like spilt ink on a canvas. Deep crimson over pale skin, faintly flushed with life.
There was a softness to it. A quiet femininity I couldn't quite describe.
And that was only her back and her hair.
Now I understood why that succubus had tortured her.
After all, she was supposed to be a demon of seduction. Perhaps she simply couldn't tolerate the existence of a woman more captivating than herself.
I wouldn't be surprised if she felt ashamed the moment she saw Natasha.
So she chose to ruin her.
I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the seal mark on her back.
I cut my hand and let my blood fall into the centre of the mark.
I expected something dramatic—an explosion, a surge of energy, anything.
Instead, the mark slowly faded.
Then it disappeared completely.
…?
That was it?
It just vanished like that?
I quickly brought her the coat I had given her earlier, along with a pair of trousers and other men's clothes from my storage bracelet.
They were the only spare clothes I had.
Natasha dressed quickly.
"Boy… it seems my greatest stroke of luck today was meeting you," she said once she finished.
"Your blood is quite special. I expected the usual chaotic thoughts after drinking it… But none came."
She flexed her fingers slightly.
"And I even feel a little stronger. It seems you passed the test too."
Then she spat something onto the ground.
I looked down—and a chill ran through my body.
It was a small pile of needles.
"Sorry, Theo," she said calmly. "But I had to be careful."
"I was ready to kill you with those if you got greedy. I would have spat them straight into your eyes."
I didn't doubt her.
If those needles had entered my eyes, they would have pierced my brain.
They had already embedded themselves deep into the rocky ground of the cave.
A bitter taste filled my mouth.
Disappointment tightened my chest.
I was the one who should have been cautious… yet I had trusted her.
Meanwhile, she had been ready to kill me at the slightest sign of danger.
I looked at her again.
The men's clothes didn't suit her. If anything, they only made her look more feminine. The tight fit emphasised her figure.
Yet strangely, I no longer felt the same attraction as before.
I didn't know why.
Perhaps it was disappointment.
She smiled at me.
"Theo, you're very naive. And inexperienced. If I were cruel, I could have taken advantage of you."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, a faint threatening aura surrounding her.
"Especially after noticing how unique your blood is compared to other vampires."
I laughed softly.
Did she really think I was inexperienced?
Did she believe I had never considered betraying her?
The truth was simpler.
I just didn't want to think that way.
Why should I live in constant suspicion?
I liked her. So I chose to trust her.
Maybe others would call that childish… or foolish.
But did I care?
Without saying goodbye, I turned and walked toward the cave's exit, stepping into the darkness.
The darkness wasn't an obstacle to me.
To my eyes, it was as clear as day.
I could hear her voice behind me, calling out.
But I didn't try to understand her words.
I didn't even try to listen.
I had already left her everything she might need—potions, supplies, anything that could help her recover.
Soon I reached the cave's exit.
Thanks to my sharp senses, I realised the storm had stopped while I was inside.
I began descending the mountain quickly, almost as if trying to vent my anger.
If life demands that I live with constant suspicion…
Then I will live the opposite way.
I will live fully. I will enjoy life.
I will not live by life's rules.
Those rules are not sacred.
And I will never accept a world that tries to dictate how I should live.