Stop Hypnotizing Me, Antagonist Princess!

In Lynn's past perspective, his impression of Ivyst was merely that she was beautiful, venomous, and powerful.

However, he never cared why her character had twisted in such a way.

Because in the original story, as an unlikable antagonist, people didn't pay attention to her past.

To the readers, similar tragic but strong character types were too common, and an antagonist is just an antagonist, no matter what kind of past they have, it's no excuse for turning evil and opposing the protagonist.

The sole purpose of the antagonist's existence was to press emotions, suppress before elevating, until everything was sufficiently brewed, and then, in a burst of pleasurable climax, the protagonist would defeat them.

After all, they were nothing but vacuous characters living within the text.

However, for Lynn, it was different.

Because that Imperial Princess, constantly criticized on forum boards...was now standing right in front of him, alive and real.

In the original work, a mere mention of "a very tragic childhood" would have sufficed to gloss over it.
Find exclusive stories on empire

But now, looking at Ivyst's tragically beautiful expression, Lynn could no longer entertain such superficial thoughts.

Ivyst's confession-like words continued unabated.

"When I was eight, a third-tier Sealed Object called the 'Mermaid's Eye' emerged on the imperial west coast, turning everything in sight to stone." Ivyst began to untie her nightgown sash, seemingly lost in thought, "It was my first time dealing with a Sealed Object, and also my first time experiencing such unbearable pain."

With the nightgown slowly slipping down, Ivyst covered the emerging spring view at her chest.

Lynn instinctively looked over and saw a vertical pupil mark slowly surfacing on her otherwise flawless chest.

"After I Devoured the characteristics and laws of this Sealed Object, I fell into a deep sleep."

"However, during that time, I wasn't truly unconscious."

"On the contrary, every moment was experienced with intense clarity, the laws of the Sealed Object acting like a disease in me."

"The petrifaction sealed my five senses and also my breath, making me feel like a drowning person sinking endlessly into the ocean, constantly suffering from suffocation."

"I wanted to struggle, to cry, but I couldn't even move a finger."

"Until... a month later."

Listening to Ivyst's recount, Lynn felt parched.

Just then, Ivyst, clutching her nightgown that could slip off any moment, set her bare feet on the soft carpet and then started aimlessly wandering around the room.

"At nine, my father brought a second-tier Sealed Object called the 'Tragedy Cocoon'," she gradually approached Lynn, "After I Devoured its characteristics, I fell into an unprecedented deep sleep again."

"This time, for three months."

"The cocoon, made from Destiny Threads, had accumulated tragic scenes of a hundred and ten thousand people's deaths due to various accidents."

"Within those three months, I felt like I was on scene, dying in all sorts of ways...a hundred and ten thousand times."

Ivyst paused briefly.

"At ten, I Devoured a new Sealed Object again, but since its sequence rank was only four, I only slept for a week."

"Also at the age of ten, I..."

"At eleven..."

"At thirteen..."

"At sixteen..."

"At seventeen..."

...

Under the influence of hypnosis, Lynn was simply the perfect listener and also the perfect secret-keeper.

Perhaps under the influence of alcohol, Ivyst's consciousness was gradually relaxing.

She treated Lynn as a confidante, exposing a side of her that she never shows in her everyday life, entirely to him.

After all, after the hypnosis ended, he would completely forget everything.

So, even if it was just for a very brief moment, being able to fully vent her painful memories was something.

"..."

Lynn stood in silence from start to finish, unmoved and indifferent as if he were a wooden statue.

Not out of heartlessness.

But rather because he didn't know what kind of facial expression to make at the moment.

Sympathy?

For the pains that Ivyst had suffered, he hadn't experienced even the slightest bit.

To stand here and offer sympathy would be far too hypocritical.

Anger?

Lynn tried to make himself feel angry.

But upon reflection, he found no reason to be angry on behalf of Ivyst.

After all, his goal had always been to escape from this woman.

It was just unfortunate that his last ditch effort had gone astray, botching everything.

So now, he didn't know what future awaited him.

Perhaps... watching over her as she confronted an unavoidable BADEND was a good option?

Lynn felt his mind was in a bit of disarray.

This was the first time he had seen this woman speak so extensively.

Unnoticed, Ivyst, who had been lightly strolling around the room, slowly walked back to the window.

It was then that she finally concluded her recollections.

"Sometimes, I truly envy them, whether it's Hillena or Felit, having had everything I've ever dreamed of from birth."

"Sometimes, I also wonder why they are different from me."

"Merely because of status? As the Empire's future heirs, father invested an extraordinary amount of effort and care?"

"But... I am his daughter too."

The moonlight softly cast a bright yet cold glow, highlighting Ivyst's stunning visage.

With the help of that light, Lynn faintly saw a clear liquid slowly sliding down from her eye.

She... was crying?

That super villain who wreaked havoc in the original tale was now crying?

Lynn felt it was incredibly absurd.

Yet, the reality was undeniably occurring right before his eyes.

At that very moment, he finally understood why Ivyst's subordinates were basically a bunch of useless people.

Others fought openly and secretly in the King's election, cultivating power, building connections.

But her time was mostly squandered on dealing with various Sealed Objects.

The atmosphere sank into an unspeakable silence again.

Ivyst did not wipe away the tears at the corner of her eyes, letting them silently flow.

Time passed without knowing how long.

At a certain moment, she slowly turned around and looked over towards Lynn.

"All of this probably seems foolish to you," her lips curved into a faint smile, her expression unspeakably tragic, "to have such great power, yet in the end, achieve nothing."

"Perhaps, betraying the Empire might also be a good choice."

"But I can't accept that."

"If I were to leave the Imperial Capital in such a shabby manner, leaving the place that brought me so much shame and contempt, helplessly watching the detestable Hillena ascend to the throne... I couldn't do it."

"Even if there is only a minuscule chance, I still want to try."

Lynn took a deep breath inwardly.

Clearly, the current Ivyst was still in the early stages of the plot, not fully corrupted yet, her mindset had not shifted, and she viewed herself as the Empire's Imperial Princess, rightfully struggling for the throne.

Thus, the way she handled problems was vastly different from that of the later Doomsday Witch, who would kill gods she encountered.

Moreover, she was not invincible at the moment.

After all, there were still gods in this world, as well as many other secretive and powerful beings.

Overthrowing the Empire's regime was something she could barely manage only around the mid-point of the plot.

A moment later, Ivyst softly said, "...just yesterday, I received a secret order from Saint Laurent VI."

"He demanded that within three days, I must handle an unknown Sealed Object from the Creation Sect with the least amount of impact possible."

"I don't know how long I will be unconscious, nor if I will miss the crucial moments of the King's election."

"But if I chose to refuse, then I would not even be able to keep the identity as the Third Imperial Princess."

Lynn remained silent.

She wasn't even struggling with the pain that might come from dealing with the Sealed Object.

It was merely because if she was unconscious for too long, she would be far behind the other princes and princesses, never having a chance to catch up.

She had just gained the support of an elector and hadn't yet had the chance to unfold her grand plans.

In the end, in the eyes of Saint Laurent VI and the nobles of the churches in the Imperial Capital, all this was but a joke.

"It's ridiculous, isn't it?" Ivyst suddenly stepped forward calmly before Lynn, speaking softly, "everything I have experienced."

"Tell me, what are you thinking about right now?"

"The everything Her Highness has endured... it pains my heart deeply."

The monotone and mechanical voice reached Ivyst's ears.

Her pupils dilated slightly, seemingly taken aback by his response.

But the next second, Ivyst suddenly laughed.

"Perhaps, you are the only one in this world who would think like this."

"They all say I'm a monster."

"Lynn, you are also a monster."

Somehow.

Looking at the black-haired youth under hypnosis, the venomous Imperial Princess, who always considered him a mere dog, called out his name for the first time.

"Forget everything I just said," Ivyst gazed at Lynn for a moment and then swiftly turned around, "Also, considering the time, the effects of the drug should be kicking in soon."

Drug effects?

What drug effects?

A trace of astonishment crossed Lynn's mind.

The next second, a strong wave of dizziness came over, making his body stagger.

That wine indeed...

Feeling an overwhelming sleepiness, Lynn filled with confusion.

He couldn't comprehend what her intentions were.

He had not previously seized the opportunity to soften her heart and gain the privilege to return to the Imperial Capital early.

Moreover, knowing the truth, Lynn was even more certain she wouldn't let him go.

With her intense and pathological possessiveness, knowing she would be unconscious for a long time, it'd be considered lenient if she didn't break his legs and lock him in the basement!

However, Ivyst couldn't answer his questions, her figure slowly fading away.

During this process, the fragility hidden within her shell disappeared, the coldness and oppressiveness that originally belonged to the Imperial Princess once again dominating the room.

After all, she was still the Empire's Third Imperial Princess, not a little girl who only whimpered in the face of adversity.

Since she decided to do it, she would do it crisply and to the best.

Let everyone who looked down on her taste the feeling of being slapped in the face!

"Three things."

Ivyst's cold voice came through.

"First, when I wake up from the unconsciousness next time, the first person I see must be you."

"Second, the debt of the rose flowers you owe, I will not forget, and neither should you."

"Third, during these days I'm absent, whether it's half a year or longer, you are to act on my behalf, making those bastards see just how outstanding my subordinate truly is."

"These three demands, you must etch them deeply into your mind. If you fail to meet even one, I will kill you upon waking."

Despite the intense confusion in his heart, at this moment, Lynn was nearly unable to maintain his facade as a Lie Swallowing.

Sleepiness washed over him like a tide.

Looking at Ivyst's icy gaze, Lynn only felt his body falling to the ground.

Then, he completely lost consciousness.

...

When Lynn woke up from unconsciousness again, the sky was bright outside the window.

He climbed up from the seat.

Then he realized he was on a slowly moving train.