“Why… why do you look so panicked now? Demon Queen? Kill me if you can... Hah.” I sneered at her, even though her hand was tightening around my throat. I knew this was reckless, maybe even suicidal, but from the beginning, I never had a choice. With Mom no longer in my hands, this was the only card I had left to play. If I didn’t do something now, both Alice and I would end up as slaves to that damned queen.

  “Don’t push your luck, human boy. Answer my question, or I’ll kill you right here and now,” she said, eyes sharp like a predator’s, her grip tightening even more.

  In this state, I could maybe last another twenty seconds. That’s it. So let’s gamble, I'll drop one crucial piece of information now or never.

  “I know... about the invaders too. Let me go, or you'll lose everything I know.”

  I forced a smile, though my vision blurred and my mouth foamed. My body was reaching its limit, but the risk was worth it. If this worked, we might have a chance.

  “You really are insane,” she hissed. “With your body in this state, you’ll be dead in seconds if I don’t stop. Are you still going to be stubborn?!”

  I didn’t respond. I had no air left to speak, my face turning blue as my lungs screamed. Every last ounce of strength was focused on staying conscious. If she didn’t stop, this would be game over.

  ...I’m sorry, Alice.

  “Damn lunatic,” she muttered. “Because you mentioned something that piqued my curiosity, and because of that insane resolve of yours... I’ll spare you. But next time, watch your tongue, or I’ll actually kill you.”

  With that, she finally released me.

  I collapsed instantly, gasping for breath, my lungs pulling in sweet air as my mind started to clear again.

  “You... cough... you can’t kill me,” I said between coughs, glaring at her. “Because if you do, this world ends with me, Demon Queen.”

  She simply clicked her tongue in annoyance and muttered that she lost her appetite, then turned and left the dining hall, leaving me on the floor trying to get my breathing back to normal.

  That’s when Alice quietly called my name from behind, then slapped me.

  It didn’t hurt, really, but the sound was sharp.

  “Why… Why did you do that?! Do you even realize you almost died, Bayu?! I tried so hard to keep you alive, and yet you act like your life means nothing! Why would you do that even after I begged you to stop?! Why won’t you ever listen to me?! Why do you always... Ugh! You idiot! Stubborn! Infuriating!” Alice cried as her voice broke into sobs.

  “I’m sorry. For being such an idiot, for being stubborn and annoying... and for dragging us into this mess.” My voice softened. “But Alice... this is how I survive in a world where I have no magic, no strength. Just tricks and sheer will. I’m truly grateful that you saved me, so much that you agreed to that demon’s conditions. But I can’t let you get bound to one of her generals like that. Don’t ever agree to a deal like that again. I’d rather die than watch your freedom be taken from you. Do you understand me, Alice?”

  As I wiped her tears with my hand, she suddenly pushed me to the floor.

  “Alice? What are y... ”

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  Before I could finish, she lay down on top of me, hugging me tightly.

  “…Sorry, Alice,” I whispered, slowly brushing her hair.

  We stayed like that for a while, until a maid arrived and asked us to follow her. She said she’d take us to our designated resting room.

  “Alice, can you let go? We need to go,” I said gently.

  She didn’t move.

  “Alice? Hey, Alice? We really need to get going,” I added, pinching her cheeks softly, but she still wouldn’t budge.

  “Oh come on, we can’t stay here forever, right? And... my body’s still in pain, you know.”

  Finally, she got up. But instead of letting go, she held my hand, and together we followed the maid.

  When we arrived, I was shocked. It was a large, luxurious room with a single, massive bed.

  After showing us the room, the maid left. I motioned Alice to come in, closed the door, and immediately dropped onto the bed. Alice followed and lay down beside me.

  “Let’s start from the beginning, Alice. What happened in the castle while I was unconscious?”

  Facing her, I listened as she explained. Apparently, the Demon Queen barged into the room again after I passed out. She paused when she saw the state I was in, then told Alice and my mother that she could heal me, if they accepted her terms. She teleported all of us to her castle, and brought me into a room with a pool of blood. She stripped my clothes and threw me into the pool, then left. Alice stayed by my side.

  “Great… so much for privacy. Anyway, what deal did she make with my mom? And whose blood was that pool filled with?” I asked.

  Alice’s face fell. She said Mom agreed to become part of the Demon Queen’s ancient relic collection—in exchange for my life and recovery.

  “That manipulative witch…” I muttered bitterly. “She planned to heal me from the start. Seeing how desperate you were, she just wrung every advantage she could get. I swear, I will get Mom back.”

  “But Bayu,” Alice said, her voice low and troubled, “what’s really going on? I thought we were summoned to defeat the Demon King and bring peace to this world. But the more that happens... the more it feels like we were lied to.”

  I explained everything. From the moment I was summoned… to meeting Mom in the forbidden library… to the Demon Queen’s sudden attack.

  “I guess… I’ve just been stupid, haven’t I?” Alice said quietly, tears forming again. “I was so caught up in the magic and the legends and all the praise they gave us… I didn’t notice the hell you were going through. I… I don’t deserve to be your girlfriend.”

  “Oh, come on. You’re going to make yourself sick crying like that, Alice,” I said, wiping her tears again. “And besides, I didn’t tell you everything. That’s on me too. But don’t forget, you’re the one who saved me back on Earth, remember? You got me out of that hellhole filled with criminals.”

  “That was different! You nearly died back then too, because you tried to protect me from that bastard who tried to kidnap me! I’m the reason you almost died… again…”

  “Yeah, maybe I almost died. But it also freed me from that cursed place. I finally got to live like a real human being after that. So stop blaming yourself.”

  I smiled. “Besides, that’s when I fell for you. Do you know how happy I was when you accepted my feelings? I was so overjoyed I would’ve married you on the spot, if I wasn’t dirt poor, that is.”

  Alice fell silent for a moment.

  “Alice? Are you falling asle... ”

  Before I could finish, she suddenly climbed on top of me again.

  "Alice, could you please move a little? This position is... dangerous. In more ways than one," I said, trying to get her to shift.

  "Hey… We've been dating for five years, right? And during all that time, we've never done anything more than hold hands. That’s because my family has always kept me under watch, every second, every move. I was treated like an object, not a person. But they can’t control us anymore. So..." She looked straight at me, eyes filled with resolve. "I want you to do it. Now."

  "But Alice, we’re not even marri... "

  She pressed both her hands against my mouth.

  "Please... I want you to be my first, Bayu. I almost lost everything to that demon if you hadn't risked your life for me. Just this once... let me be selfish." Her voice trembled, emotions all over the place.

  I let out a soft sigh. "...I can’t say no when you ask me like that, Alice."

  I leaned in, kissed her, and we stayed up together until the sky began to lighten with the coming dawn.

  "My back… Alice, you do realize I’m not fully healed yet, right? You were way too enthusiastic," I groaned, lying flat with sore muscles all over.

  She just smiled, covering half her face with the blanket in embarrassment.

  Not long after, she fell asleep. Yeah, we hadn’t slept at all since yesterday, so I guess it’s time.

  Before closing my eyes, I grabbed some paper, ink, and a feather quill I found in the room. I scribbled a short note:

  “Alice and I are resting. Please don’t wake us until noon.”

  I placed it on my chest, lay down, and finally let myself drift into sleep.