Stop Hypnotizing Me, Antagonist Princess!

"Your Highness, returning to Glostit this time may not be as smooth as you imagine."

"Oh? Why?"

"The incidents that transpired in the Soron Mountain Range still pose a hidden threat."

"Do you mean... the matter of you being possessed by two Great Demons?"

"Right. A human, especially one who has been stripped of the Divine-given factor and has been shunned by the Church, is the most common victim of corruption and degeneration by demons. Therefore, once we return to the Imperial Capital, there will certainly be those who exploit this issue."

"So, how should we respond?"

"There are two methods."

"Which are?"

"The first one, when necessary, includes considering the option of 'abandoning me' within your range of..."

"And then you joyfully take off, double up with that cheap woman tens of thousands of years later? Are you trying to enrage this Imperial Princess to death?!"

"Hisss... Your Highness, stop biting. I still have a second method of response."

"Speak."

"Since there will always be those who want to use this to criticize you, why not take the initiative? Instead of letting them hold this thunderbolt, it would be better for us to detonate it first and give those people a taste of getting blown up."

"How exactly should we do it?"

"When we arrive at the Imperial Capital, I'll split up with you. You will go to the Council Hall with them to attend the honor ceremony, while I find an opportunity to cause some trouble—the bigger, the better. Ideally, it should be in front of His Majesty."

"Then, those guys certainly won't miss the chance to bite me."

"Do you have confidence?"

"Of course, after all, with the assistance of the Witch Miss, I... Hisss! Your Highness!!!"

"From now on, never refer to that cheap woman like that in front of me!"

...

"Your Highness?"

The sudden call brought the slightly distracted Ivyst back to reality.

She subconsciously raised the champagne in her hand to her lips for a slight sip, covering the barely perceptible smile at the corner of her mouth.

At the same time, Ivyst's red eyes lightly lifted, looking at Aphia before her.

"What is it?"

She asked indifferently.

Clearly, Ivyst was in a good mood at the moment.

Even though she was in an extremely distasteful gathering, she still had few complaints.

The banquet had already begun.

The Council Hall was bustling with people, and the musicians on the stage were playing lovely dance music.

Beside the long dining table laid with exquisite patterned tablecloths were lavishly expensive silver candelabra and platters bearing steak, desserts, fruits, and various cold dishes for the taking.

The guests who had arrived, not including the servants, numbered over two hundred.

Those who could attend tonight's honor ceremony were all dignified members of the Royal Family or distinguished nobles of Glostit.

This included the Great Imperial Princess Hillena, Second Prince Felit, as well as the Sixth Prince and Ninth Princess; all attending the banquet.

They were surrounded by many people, engaging in conversation.

The scene could not be called anything but grand.

The entire Council Hall was magnificent and luxurious, with crystal chandeliers above casting a soft yellow glow, and the tiles on the floor were embellished with ornate golden patterns, expressing opulence.

At the center of the grand hall stood a several-meters-high bronze statue, an imposing and majestic man wearing the Holy Crown, clothed in regal attire, his steed rearing its front hooves in the air.

This was a memorial statue to the founder of the Saint Laurent Empire, Saint Laurent I.

Every time they saw this statue, the nobles and politicians who frequented the Council Hall would recall the Empire's past glory.

At this moment, the subordinates from the Augusta Manor were gathered in twos and threes around Ivyst.

During this process, they were also subjected to many disdainful and scrutinizing glances from the nobles present.

After all, to the local nobles of Glostit, these people were nothing more than country bumpkins from the borderlands.

Being able to enter the Council Hall to attend the honor ceremony was already a grace of the Emperor.

Aphia, dressed in a Western gown, seemed also uncomfortable with such gazes.

Upon hearing Ivyst's inquiry, she whispered, "I just heard that there's been a last-minute change to the order of the honor ceremony. Originally, Captain Xiya and the others, who should have been after us, have been moved ahead of us."

At these words, a hint of anger flashed in everyone's eyes.

Managing a level-0 Sealed Object outbreak and jointly killing a Fifth Rank Legendary Demon—these two incidents were incomparably different in difficulty.

These damned people not only erased Lynn's significant contributions but were also trying to weaken the glory that rightfully belonged to them.

This was... utterly detestable!

Upon hearing this, Ivyst slowly raised her eyes to look around.

In the Council Hall, beneath the bronze giant, on the high platform stood a middle-aged man with a crown, dignified and majestic, holding the Holy Wand and emanated a subtle golden radiance that involuntarily made one yearn to submit, like a miracle.

He was the most supreme being of the Empire, Saint Laurent VI Calderon.

And besides him, several high-powered attendants stood behind Saint Laurent VI.

Although not many in number, any one of them could shake the entire Empire, as they were the most influential figures among the movers and shakers!

One of the elderly men, with white hair, was wearing a red cassock embroidered with strange patterns in gold thread and adorned with a variety of gems, appearing both luxurious and sacred.

Sensing Ivyst's gaze, a hint of a kind smile appeared on his face, and he nodded to her in greeting.

"..."

Ivyst, however, did not give him a friendly look, a trace of coldness flitting through her eyes.
Discover hidden stories at My Virtual Library Empire

The sudden adjustment to the order of the military honors ceremony was likely the handiwork of this old geezer.

She was well aware of it.

The man before her was no amicable character.

On the surface, he appeared approachable, but in truth, he was an extremely detestable old fox.

Not only had he prophesied in her youth that she would bring disaster to the whole world, but he was also indirectly responsible for the downfall of the Bartleion family and the stripping of the Divine-given factor from Lynn's body.

The Cardinal of the Heavenly Principle Church and one of the Seven Imperial Electors, Connor Gregory.

Just for these reasons alone, Ivyst's faction was in an antagonistic and irreconcilable conflict with him.

"Stay calm."

After a moment of silence, Ivyst spoke coolly.

Recalling the promise she had made with Lynn, she chose not to get angry but to wait and see how things would unfold.

Moreover, she had forcibly activated the Jump Transition Matrix to fulfill Lynn's wish, losing a fair amount of power, leaving her somewhat weakened for a short while.

Now was not the best time for action.

Upon hearing this, although the others were dissatisfied, they dared not say anything further and merely sipped their drinks in silence.

To the nobles and members of the Royal Family observing, this dissonance with their surroundings only made the scene more amusing.

However, with Saint Laurent VI speaking on the stage, they didn't dare to behave inappropriately.

"...And now, I will personally award the military honors to the brave warriors of the Empire, a testament tinged with your blood and glory!"

Saint Laurent VI raised the Holy Wand in his hand and gently tapped the ground.

Accompanied by a surge of invisible power, the crisp sound seemed to materialize into ripples, spreading to the hearts of all present.

The military honors ceremony had officially begun!

Just as everyone thought as much, suddenly, a hurried figure rushed onto the stage from the side.

It was the Court Earl under Saint Laurent VI, his expression grave as he whispered something into the Emperor's ear.

Upon hearing the message relayed by the Court Earl, the great Emperor's face, originally majestic and solemn, immediately showed a flash of anger.

"This is preposterous!"

"Notify Adelin to take the Silver Wing Knights to deal with this matter! I want that audacious rebel captured on the spot... no, bring him to the Council Hall! I will interrogate him myself!"

Once the Court Earl took his leave, the ire in Saint Laurent VI's eyes did not diminish.

A short while later, the authoritative Emperor spoke once more.

And this time, he addressed all the guests.

"Who does this Lynn Bartleion belong to?"

His sharp gaze swept across the audience, his tone icy.

Hearing Saint Laurent VI's sudden inquiry, even the ongoing ceremony was put on hold, and the people couldn't help but exchange glances, as if wondering who exactly this Lynn was.

Upon recognizing his surname, many fell silent, their eyes filled with surprise.

Glaya, Morris, and others exchanged glances, taking in a sharp breath.

They drank furiously, attempting to suppress the shock and irritation in their hearts.

Elsewhere, outside of Augusta Manor, there were many who found the name familiar.

In the crowd, Second Prince Felit subconsciously bowed his head.

Indeed.

Hoping for your return to the Imperial Capital was the right decision.

On the very first day, you have stirred up a major incident that has alarmed Father.

Only now, the Family Head of the Mosgla family is present, as is the Cardinal of the Heavenly Principle Church.

Facing two foes from the past, how exactly will you respond?

I am truly curious.

A slight smile played at the corners of the silver-haired youth's lips.

Apart from Felit, Great Imperial Princess Hillena also showed an unusual reaction.

She discreetly furrowed her brows, seemingly surprised to hear that man's name at such a formal and solemn event.

Next to her, Xiya's eyes revealed a flash of anger, his fists clenching subconsciously.

And Tiya, quietly staying in a corner, couldn't help but reminisce about her recent encounter with him, unconsciously biting her lower lip.

That damned man, why does he keep haunting us?

She took a deep breath, trying to quell the restlessness in her heart.

At this moment, the entire Council Hall was silent, as if everyone's thoughts were preoccupied by this unexpected character.

Seeing that no one had answered him, Saint Laurent VI turned his gaze to his third daughter, Ivyst.

In an instant, the eyes of father and daughter met in midair.

Those crimson eyes seemed devoid of any emotion, yet also appeared to carry a hint of mockery.

(ps: Still a bit feverish, but seeing that a generous reader has become a patron, I gritted my teeth and added one more chapter. However, that's not all, there will still be at least two more chapters tonight, starting at seven thousand words.)