Stop Hypnotizing Me, Villainous Princess!

Chapter 96: She’s Crying

From Lynn’s previous perspective, his impression of Yveste had always been simple: beautiful, malicious, and powerful.

But as to why she had developed such a twisted personality, he had never paid it any mind.

In the original novel, as an unpopular antagonist, her past wasn’t a focal point.

For readers, characters like her—tragic, yet strong and flawed—were abundant. But a villain was still a villain.

No matter their backstory, it could never justify their descent into darkness and their eventual antagonism against the protagonist.

The villain’s sole purpose was to suppress emotions, to serve as a foil that would eventually be overshadowed by the protagonist’s triumph, culminating in an explosion of satisfaction for the readers.

After all, they were nothing more than fictional characters existing within words on a page.

But for Lynn, things were different.

Was now standing right before him, alive and breathing.

In the original work, a single sentence—“Her childhood was exceedingly tragic”—might have sufficed.

But now, gazing at the sorrowful beauty etched on Yveste’s face, Lynn could no longer dismiss it so lightly.

Her voice, soft and sorrowful, carried on, as if pouring out the contents of her soul.

“When I was eight, the western coast of the empire saw the emergence of a third-tier Sealed Artifact called the ‘Siren’s Eye.’ It petrified everything within its gaze.”

Yveste lightly undid the ties of her nightgown for reasons unknown.

“That was my first experience handling a Sealed Artifact and also my first encounter with such unbearable agony.”

As the nightgown slowly slipped, she clutched her chest, covering herself.

Lynn instinctively glanced over and saw something entirely unexpected.

What should have been flawless, pale skin revealed a vertical pupil-like mark etched onto her chest.

“After I devoured the properties and rules of that Sealed Artifact, I fell into a deep slumber.”

“But during those days, I wasn’t truly unconscious.”

“On the contrary, I was painfully aware of every moment. The rules of the Sealed Artifact acted like a disease, ravaging my body.”

“The petrification sealed my five senses, and at the same time, it cut off my breath. I was like a drowning soul, sinking into an endless abyss, suffocating every second.”

“I wanted to struggle, to cry out, but I couldn’t even move a single finger.”

“Until… a month later.”

Listening to her recount, Lynn felt his throat grow dry.

At that moment, Yveste, still clutching the nightgown that threatened to slip completely, stepped barefoot onto the plush carpet and began pacing aimlessly around the room. řÁŊỔＢËṢ

“When I was nine, Father brought me a second-tier Sealed Artifact called the ‘Cocoon of Tragedy.’” She walked slowly toward Lynn.

“After devouring its properties, I once again fell into an unprecedented sleep.”

“This time, it lasted three months.”

“That cocoon, woven from the threads of fate, encapsulated the gruesome deaths of 110,000 people through various accidents.”

“For three months, I relived those deaths, experiencing every one of them as if they were my own… 110,000 times.”

Yveste paused briefly, her gaze distant.

“When I was ten, I devoured another Sealed Artifact. But since it was only fourth-tier, I was asleep for just a week.”

“That same year, I…”

“When I was eleven…”

Her voice trailed off, each word more haunting than the last, as she peeled back the layers of her unbearable past.

"When I was thirteen..."

"At sixteen..."

"Seventeen..."

Under hypnosis, Lynn was the perfect listener—silent, unwavering, and utterly reliable as a keeper of secrets.

Perhaps it was the effect of alcohol, but Yveste’s usually rigid consciousness was unraveling.

She treated Lynn like a tree hollow to pour her heart into, revealing sides of herself that no one else would ever see.

After all, once the hypnosis ended, he would forget everything.

So, even if it was just for a fleeting moment, to be able to unburden herself of the painful memories she had carried alone was enough.

"..."

Lynn remained motionless and silent from beginning to end, like a wooden statue, indifferent and detached.

It wasn’t apathy.

It was that he simply didn’t know what kind of expression he should wear in this moment.

Sympathy?

He had never experienced a shred of the suffering Yveste had endured.

From that perspective, sympathy would feel hollow and insincere.

Anger?

He tried to summon some anger on her behalf, but when he thought carefully, there wasn’t a single reason to feel enraged for Yveste.

After all, his goal from the start had been to escape from this woman’s grasp.

It was just unfortunate that his attempt had failed spectacularly, leaving him stuck here.

Now, he wasn’t sure what his future held.

Maybe... standing by and watching as she inevitably reached her bad end wasn’t such a bad option?

Lynn felt his thoughts swirling chaotically.

He couldn’t recall a time when this woman had spoken so extensively.

Unnoticed by him, Yveste, who had been pacing lightly around the room, slowly returned to the window.

It was then that her recounting finally came to an end.

"Sometimes, I truly envy Shirina and Felit. From the moment they were born, they had everything I’ve only ever dreamed of."

"Sometimes, I feel lost, wondering why they’re so different from me."

"Is it simply because of their status? Because as the empire’s future heirs, Father poured extraordinary care and attention into them?"

"But... I’m his daughter too."

The moonlight cast a soft, cool glow, illuminating Yveste’s stunningly beautiful face.

In that light, Lynn caught a faint glimmer—a crystalline tear slipping silently down her cheek.

She... was crying?

The Yveste who was a world-ending, larger-than-life antagonist in the original story... was crying before his very eyes?

It felt absurd to Lynn.

Yet the truth was undeniable. It was happening right in front of him.

At this moment, Lynn finally understood why Yveste’s subordinates were generally a bunch of incompetents.

While others were scheming, building factions, and forging alliances during the Succession Ceremony, most of her time was squandered on dealing with various Sealed Artifacts.

The atmosphere once again fell into an unspeakable silence.

Yveste didn’t wipe away the tears staining her cheeks, allowing them to flow freely and quietly.

Who knew how much time passed before she slowly turned around to face Lynn.

“All of this must seem so foolish to you, doesn’t it?” A faint, bittersweet smile tugged at her lips, her expression heartbreakingly beautiful. “Despite having immense power, I’ve accomplished absolutely nothing.”

“Maybe defecting from the empire wouldn’t be such a bad choice.”

“But I’m not willing.”

“If I leave the capital, slink away from the place that has brought me so much humiliation and disdain, and watch Shirina—the one I despise most—ascend to the throne… I can’t do it.”

“Even if there’s only the slimmest chance, I want to try.”

Lynn’s thoughts drew in a sharp breath.

It was clear that the Yveste standing before him was still in the early stages of her story, not yet fully consumed by darkness. Her mindset hadn’t shifted entirely; she still saw herself as the Princess of the Empire and naturally fought for the throne she believed was hers.

Her current approach to problems differed vastly from the apocalyptic Witch of the End she would later become, capable of slaying gods and demons alike.

More importantly, she wasn’t invincible—not yet.

This world still had deities and countless hidden powers of incredible strength. Overturning the empire’s rule would only become remotely feasible for her by the mid-point of the story.

After a brief pause, Yveste spoke softly once more.

“...Just yesterday, I received a secret decree from Saint Roland VI.”

“He demanded that within three days, I deal with the unknown Sealed Artifact in the Creationist Sect’s possession, with minimal collateral damage.”

“I don’t know how long I’ll be unconscious this time. I don’t even know if I’ll miss a critical moment in the Succession Ceremony.”

“But if I refuse, even my title as the Third Princess will be stripped away.”

Lynn remained silent.

She wasn’t even struggling over the excruciating pain she would inevitably face while handling the Sealed Artifact.

Her torment stemmed from the fear that her prolonged coma would leave her lagging far behind the other princes and princesses, with no chance to catch up.

She had just gained the support of an Elector Count, with her ambitions barely beginning to take flight.

Yet in the eyes of Saint Roland VI and the aristocratic clergy of the capital, all of this was ultimately a joke.

“Ridiculous, isn’t it?” Yveste suddenly took a step toward Lynn, her tone calm as she said, “Everything I’ve been through.”

“Tell me, what are you thinking right now?”

“My heart aches deeply for all that Your Highness has endured…”

The wooden, mechanical response echoed in Yveste’s ears.

Her pupils widened slightly, as though taken aback by his answer.

But the next moment, Yveste suddenly laughed.

“Maybe you’re the only person in this entire world who would ever think that way.”

“They all say I’m a monster.”

“Lynn, you’re a monster too.”

For some reason, as she looked at the hypnotized black-haired boy—the same one she always likened to a loyal dog—the malicious princess called his name for the first time.

“Forget everything I just said.” Yveste stared at Lynn for a moment, then decisively turned her back to him. “And by the way, if you count the time, the drug should be kicking in soon.”

The drug?

What drug?

A flash of alarm surged through Lynn’s mind.

The next moment, a powerful wave of dizziness overtook him, making his body sway unsteadily.

That wine... it really was spiked.

As an overwhelming drowsiness swept over him, Lynn felt completely at a loss.

He couldn’t understand what this woman wanted anymore.

Clearly, he had failed to seize her moment of vulnerability and win the right to return to the capital early.

Moreover, knowing the full truth now only convinced him further that she wouldn’t let him go.

With her extreme and twisted sense of possessiveness, if she knew she’d be unconscious for a long time, sparing him from having his legs broken and being locked in the basement would already be a miracle!

Yet Yveste didn’t answer his questions, her figure receding into the distance.

As she moved further away, the fragility hidden in her shell vanished, and the cold, oppressive aura of the imperial princess once again filled the room.

She was, after all, the Third Princess of the Empire—not a helpless, weeping little girl.

Once she had decided to act, she would do so decisively and thoroughly.

She would make all those who underestimated her taste the bitterness of their own folly!

“Three things.”

Yveste’s icy voice cut through the room.

“First, when I wake up from my coma, the first person I see must be you.”

“Second, I haven’t forgotten the roses I’m owed, and you’re not allowed to forget either.”

“Third, during my absence—whether it’s half a year or longer—you will act on my behalf. Show those arrogant fools just how capable Yveste’s subordinates truly are.”

“Burn these three commands into your mind. Fail even one, and I’ll kill you the moment I wake up.”

Despite the overwhelming confusion in his heart, even the Lie Eater within Lynn could barely hold on now.

Drowsiness swept over him like a tidal wave.

As he looked into Yveste’s cold, piercing eyes, his body collapsed to the ground.

And then, he lost consciousness entirely.

When Lynn woke up again, sunlight streamed brightly through the window.

He climbed off his seat, only to realize that he was inside a slowly moving train.

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