Stop Hypnotizing Me, Villainous Princess!

Chapter 45: When Small Desires Control Big Decisions

In this world, no one is entirely transparent, inside or out.  

No matter how genuine someone’s heart is, they wear masks to navigate life.  

For some, the mask is thin; for others, it’s impenetrably thick, obscuring their true self.  

But even the most guarded individuals occasionally retreat to solitude, removing their mask to find a moment of peace.  

Yveste was no exception.  

Yet, she wore two masks.  

One covered her face, hiding the curse mark that repelled and disgusted others.  

The other concealed her true self, a shield she’d crafted since childhood to endure the scornful gazes of the world.  

Over the years, she’d abandoned her natural personality, donning the persona of “The Third Princess” to survive the cutthroat world of imperial politics.  

To uphold this facade, she buried her gentleness, embracing ruthlessness and authority.  

She became the embodiment of her ambition, even fooling herself into believing she’d achieved her ideal self.  

Her inner thoughts, her moments of vulnerability—no one knew them.  

No one, except Lynn.  

Only in the presence of a “hypnotized” Lynn did Yveste let her guard down completely, treating him like a thoughtless automaton rather than a thinking, sentient human.  

That was why she had indulged in such an uncharacteristic act earlier.  

Of course, part of her was fulfilling Lynn’s supposed wish, upholding her word.  

A leader’s promise, after all, must carry weight.  

Had it been under any other circumstances, Yveste would never have shown such a lapse in composure.  

Now, her cheeks were tinged with a faint flush, as though she’d downed a glass of fine wine.  

The severity and detachment that usually defined her features had softened, replaced by a rare, almost intoxicating allure.  

Seeing Lynn dumbly cradling the black stocking she’d given him, Yveste chuckled lightly.  

“Such a fool,” she teased, slipping her bare feet back into her boots before leaning casually against the desk once more.  

Her gaze lingered on him, and for reasons she couldn’t explain, Lynn felt a strange emotion rise within him.  

Thanks to her impulsive gesture, he had witnessed something dazzling and obtained what he jokingly called a “relic.”  

It was an unexpected windfall, one that brought him both triumph and turmoil.  

As the lingering warmth of the stocking pressed against his palm, Lynn sighed inwardly.  

It was shameful to admit, but he felt as though he were caressing her thigh.  

Ridiculous. Thank goodness I’m not some degenerate fetishist, Lynn thought, determined to maintain his self-respect.  

Yveste’s voice broke his reverie.  

“Well? Do you like it?”  

Her casual tone sent a jolt through Lynn’s mind.  

Though she likely intended it as an offhand remark, to him, it was a loaded question.  

Like it?  

Of course not! He wasn’t a pervert.  

But denying it outright wasn’t an option—her truth-detecting ring would expose his lie instantly.  

If he claimed he didn’t like it, she’d wonder why he’d requested her “relic” in the first place.  

Should he admit the truth—that he sought it to establish a connection with her future, godlike self? That was impossible to explain.  

Caught in this mental labyrinth, cold sweat beaded on Lynn’s back.  

He couldn’t stay silent either; doing so would only arouse her suspicion.  

Left with no choice, Lynn activated his saving grace, Lie Eater, praying it would once again shield him.  

“I... I like it,” he said, forcing the words out.  

The ring remained dormant.  

“Figures. You really are a little deviant,” Yveste scoffed with a faint smirk.  

Success?! Lynn thought, stunned.  

He attributed this victory entirely to Lie Eater, refusing to believe it reflected his genuine feelings.  

Absolutely not. There’s no way I actually feel that way.  

Just then, the Eye of the Mind symbol on Yveste’s palm began to flicker faintly.  

It signaled that the hypnosis was nearing its end.  

Yveste sighed softly, lifting a hand to massage her temple.  

Her expression shifted as she tightened her posture, allowing her usual mask of cool authority to settle back into place.  

The warmth of a moment ago evaporated, replaced by the chilling dignity of the "Third Princess."  

Presenting the glowing sigil to Lynn, Yveste began the customary post-hypnosis ritual:  

“When the hypnosis ends, you will forget everything that happened...”  

She paused mid-sentence, her eyes narrowing.  

She’d nearly overlooked something crucial.  

What would happen once he woke up and discovered the stocking in his possession?  

Though Lynn wouldn’t recall the events in the study, the mere presence of the item would lead him to... certain conclusions.  

It didn’t take a genius to connect the dots.  

Frowning, Yveste reconsidered.  

Hypnotized as he was, she could plant any suggestion in his mind, crafting an alternate narrative to explain the stocking’s appearance.  

The logic didn’t need to be perfect—his subconscious would fill in the blanks.  

A wicked idea formed in her mind.  

“Once you leave this room, you will forget everything that transpired here,” she began, her voice taking on a mischievous lilt. “However, you’ll remember one thing: you’re a perverted little thief who secretly lusts after the Third Princess. You stole her stocking to indulge your vile desires in the dead of night.”  

A wicked smile curled her lips as she added, “Now, repeat after me.”  

Her arms crossed, accentuating her chest, she watched Lynn with predatory amusement.  

Lynn gritted his teeth inwardly, furious.  

This was downright malicious.  

“I...” He hesitated, only for Yveste to lift a small Recording Stone, holding it up with a playful glint in her eyes.  

“Continue,” she urged, her tone brimming with interest.  

This evil woman!  

Suppressing his indignation, Lynn complied reluctantly.  

“I’m a perverted little thief who secretly lusts after the Third Princess. I stole her stocking to indulge my vile desires in the dead of night...”  

“Perfect,” Yveste said, her voice dripping with satisfaction.  

---

As Lynn exited the study, he clutched the black stocking tightly in his pocket.  

Though its warmth had faded, a peculiar feeling lingered within him.  

He couldn’t pinpoint it, but images of Yveste’s earlier actions replayed in his mind.  

Her delicate movements, her undeniable allure—it was maddening.  

Damn her. If only she weren’t so insufferable... Wait, why should I set that aside? She’s awful, plain and simple.  

Lynn shook his head furiously.  

“Why are you smiling?”  

The question startled him.  

Turning the corner, he found himself face-to-face with Greya, who looked at him curiously.  

“You’re smiling so broadly,” Greya said. “What’s on your mind?”  

“Me? Smiling?” Lynn asked, dumbfounded.  

“Yes. And quite... contentedly, I might add.”  

Lynn froze.  

The realization hit him like a brick.  

There was an old saying:  

If you can’t control the little head, it will control the big one.  

In his previous life, Lynn had scoffed at the idea, dismissing such men as weak-willed fools.  

Yet here he was, proven wrong by his own actions.  

Ashamed, he raised his hand, ready to slap himself into clarity.  

But at the last second, he hesitated.  

Instead, he smacked his forehead with a resounding smack!  

“Whoa! Lynn, calm down! It’s not that serious!” Greya exclaimed, startled.  

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!