10:

  - Chameleon -

  A new fact I recently learned is that Zorian can only fall into a deep sleep if he consumes a special potion. Itzayana mused.

  Otherwise, he would have difficulty controlling himself and his unbearable drowsiness due to the negative energy within him that always wanted to stay awake and fight for a "drink." His brain and physique are truly above average...

  Too unique, really. He will fight anything, including fatigue and the problem is, if he hasn't slept yet, he will move around a lot and be talkative. He will do anything to get a reaction, because silence is a reaction to him!!! Really... I'm confused whether I should respond or not. His responses are the same, which is to disturb people in various ways (he has trouble sleeping/is fussy but also disturbs people who just want to sleep; rest peacefully).

  'Maybe he hasn't found a new proven way to overcome it other than drinking the potion'.

  I say that because he once drank it next to me. Whether he drinks it or not, it makes him restless.

  ---

  [A few weeks ago]

  Consciously or not, I often find Zorian feeling uncomfortable when he doesn't drink the potion.

  "I still can't sleep. My brain is still awake, wondering if this person is disturbing me or not!?"

  Itzayana closed her eyes, her instincts and hearing still alert and focused on the sounds around her...

  THUDD--... Zorian firmly placed the glass potion bottle down, his grip on the small bottle tightening. With one squeeze, he could probably crush the small glass bottle.

  "AGHTTT." Zorian screamed, veins appearing on one side of his forehead, his four fangs growing slightly longer. His other palm held his face, trying to keep hold of the world that was beginning to spin wildly around him.

  With trembling legs, Zorian collapsed onto the bed with a thud. With his animal instincts, he moved slowly on all fours towards Itzayana, who had her back to him. He was breathing heavily, "I can't sleep well! It's annoying."

  The greenish scent returned from Itzayana's body, the calming energy that Zorian always sought and loved excessively. "...!!?"

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  For a moment, the greenish scent or energy calmed Zorian and made him surrender to his current situation...

  This foreign energy again... It always appeared when it was not needed!.

  The transparent ropes around them tightened, and Itzayana, who was still pretending to be asleep, swallowed nervously. Her heart beat faster in fear.

  In the middle of the night, Zorian, who was calmer but still unable to sleep, got out of bed. His legs, like those of a newborn fawn, trembled as he walked towards the window.

  "Ught--." His eyebrows furrowed in annoyance, his hands clenched into fists until they turned white on one side.

  A member of the vieled force crouched respectfully, "... I am at your command!"

  There was silence for a few seconds...

  The worried voice of the member broke the wall of silence, "Sir?"

  "Don't look at me! How is the progress on the crystal flower and the flower of eternity!?." Zorian said firmly.

  The member pondered, "We can only find very few related resources."

  "It's quite difficult to get more. The 'mystic' forest guards have become more vigilant..."

  "D*mn it!!." he growled, his teeth clenched in frustration.

  "That's the only way to overcome this d*mn black energy!!. A little bit isn't enough!."

  The member still bowed his head, his lips forming new words. "I'm sorry, sir, but I can see that some of the energy is slowly evaporating."

  "... There is a familiar foreign energy. Although it is only a little, if you are more regular. Maybe you can heal without the help of crystal flowers."

  "... Or it could be that the energy is part of the mana crystal..."

  "What!?" For a moment, he was silent, a part of him still in disbelief. His mouth opened slightly in surprise. His brain didn't respond for a moment.

  Mana crystal!?. What are those unique words!? I (Itzayana) never knew anything about that in the original "plot!?."

  "You can leave." Zorian's steady feet moved backward, his blank gaze accidentally meeting Itzayana's deep gaze as she was contemplating. Zorian slowly walked towards Itzayana.

  "Did you experience the same thing too!?. Huh!?." He ask.

  His eyes pierced sharply into the core of Itzayana's contemplation. His mind wondered, "That familiar foreign energy is truly beyond my comprehension. Those words were clearly made up."

  "Ha..." Zorian dropped himself right next to Itzayana, his arms wrapping around her waist, his presence invading Itzayana's personal space.

  Oh my dragon, what a shock. Itzayana stared at Zorian's closed eyes, her breathing now more stable. Her blue eyes were still wide with surprise, her heart was still beating fast, still not recovered from the shock. Confusion still filled Itzayana's head, which was always open to new things.

  And maybe since then, Zorian had a new habit. Sticking to me before he fell asleep. He almost always came when I wasn't asleep yet. That annoyed me too!!.

  He often came home smelling of blood or wine. It was useless to resist or even wake him up, because when he fell asleep, it was like he was in a coma for several hours!.

  Perhaps that was why, as a temporary solution, Zorian preferred to drink the potion rather than get the familiar foreign energy (even though it was obvious).

  Because there was no method or step taken by Zorian yet, perhaps because it hadn't been tested for sure. So, he preferred to stick with what was certain. The purpose of the potion was to sleep, but he fought to stay awake. It was completely beyond reason. Itzayana rolled her eyes.

  Tck, tck...

  Itzayana shaked her head. His gaze returned to Zorian's sleeping face.

  Zorian Lychnis Carthach Arzaan... I won't last long. You get bored easily and there's a lot of drama after marriage, you might hate it...

  Maybe, if I don't agree. All you might find is my body, no matter how fast you are, if you're too late, then so be it.

  Your life might be as ruined as the original "plot". My presence also ruins the original "plot."

  In this life, Zorian is more about finding something that won't bore him for a long time. He observes and investigates Baron Ramona, who also has problems.

  Maybe this is something exciting for him. And I play the role of his "chameleon."