Chapter 97

Chapter 97: She’s Crying (3.5k)

In Lynn’s past perspective, his impression of Ivyst was simply that she was beautiful, vicious, and powerful.

However, he had never cared about why she had developed such a twisted personality.

Because in the original story, as a disliked villain, her past didn’t attract any attention.

To readers, there were far too many similar tragic and strong characters, yet a villain is a villain; no matter what their past is, it doesn’t justify turning dark and opposing the protagonist.

The sole purpose of a villain’s existence is to suppress emotions, build up suspense, and then unleash a climactic moment, just to be defeated by the protagonist in the end.

After all, they are merely ephemeral characters confined to the pages.

But for Lynn, it was different.

Because the much-criticized villainous princess stood vividly before him at that moment.

In the original work, a simple mention of a “terribly tragic childhood” could easily gloss over her backstory.

Yet now, staring at Ivyst’s sorrowful expression, Lynn could no longer entertain such a flippant thought.

Ivyst’s words continued to pour out, almost as if she needed to vent.

“When I was eight, a level 3 Sealed Item called the ‘Eye of Siren’ appeared on the western coast of the Empire. It petrifies everything in its sight.” For some reason, Ivyst gently loosened the ties of her nightgown. “That was my first encounter with a Sealed Item, and it ended up being an unbearably painful experience.”

As her nightgown slowly slipped, Ivyst covered her chest, revealing the delicate beauty beneath.

Lynn instinctively looked over, only to find a vertical pupil mark slowly appearing on what should have been a flawless, pale chest.

“After absorbing the properties and laws of that Sealed Item, I fell into a long slumber.”

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

“On the contrary, I was utterly awake, feeling every single second as the laws of the Sealed Item swept over me like a disease.”

“The petrification sealed my senses, and it sealed my breath as well, making me feel like a drowning person trapped at the bottom of an endless sea, constantly suffering from the pain of suffocation.”

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

“Until, a month later.”

Listening to Ivyst’s narrative, Lynn only felt parched.

At that moment, Ivyst, holding onto her slipping nightgown, walked barefoot over the soft carpet, aimlessly pacing the room.

“When I was nine, my father brought home a level 2 Sealed Item called the ‘Cocoon of Tragedy.’” She gradually came beside Lynn. “After absorbing its properties, I fell into an unprecedented slumber.”

“This time, it lasted three months.”

“That cocoon, made of threads of fate, condensed the tragic images of over 110,000 people who died due to various accidents.”

“For three months, I died 110,000 times in different ways as if I were there experiencing it all.”

Ivyst paused for a moment.

“When I turned ten, I absorbed a new Sealed Item again, but since it was only a level 4, I only slept for a week.”

“That same year when I was ten…”

“When I was eleven…”

“When I was thirteen…”

“When I was sixteen…”

“When I was seventeen…”

Lynn, still under hypnosis, was the perfect listener and also the perfect keeper of secrets.

Perhaps due to the influence of alcohol, Ivyst’s consciousness gradually relaxed.

She treated Lynn like a tree hole where she could pour out all the sides of herself she never showed anyone.

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

So, even if it was just a fleeting moment, being able to express the painful memories she held inside was worthwhile.

“.”

Lynn stood there silently, like a wooden puppet, utterly motionless.

It wasn’t that he was being apathetic.

He just didn’t know what kind of expression he should wear at that moment.

Sympathy?

He had never felt even a fraction of the pain Ivyst had endured.

From such a standpoint, a so-called sympathy felt pretty hypocritical.

Anger?

Lynn tried to make himself feel angry.

But the more he thought about it, the more he realized he had no reason to be angry for Ivyst.

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

Unfortunately, he had missed his last chance and messed everything up.

So now, he didn’t know what kind of future awaited him.

Perhaps watching her meet the inevitable bad end like this was a good choice after all?

Lynn felt his mind was a bit chaotic at that moment.

As far as he remembered, this was the first time he had seen this woman talk at length.

Unknowingly, Ivyst, who had been gracefully pacing the room, slowly returned to the window.

It was at this moment that she finally finished her reminiscence.

“There are times when I really envy people like Cyrilina or Felix. They were born with everything I ever desired.”

“There are times when I also wonder why they are so different from me.”

“Is it merely because of their status? As the future heir of the Empire, my father invests an extraordinary amount of time and attention in them?”

“But I am also his daughter.”

The moon cast a soft, cool light, illuminating Ivyst’s stunning features.

In that light, Lynn faintly saw a glimmering liquid slowly sliding down from the corner of her eye.

She… was crying?

The world-destroying supervillain from the original work was actually crying at this moment?

Lynn found it utterly absurd.

But the reality was vividly present before him.

And at this moment, he finally understood why Ivyst’s subordinates were mostly useless.

While others were engaged in fierce battles and political intrigues within the royal selection, she had wasted most of her time dealing with various Sealed Items. The atmosphere fell into an unspoken silence once again.

Ivyst did not wipe away the tear stains at the corner of her eyes, allowing them to flow silently.

He didn’t know how long had passed.

At some point, she slowly turned around and looked toward Lynn.

“To you, this must all seem foolish, right?” A faint smile appeared at the corners of her mouth, her expression incredibly tragic. “I obviously possess immense power, yet in the end, I can’t achieve anything.”

“Perhaps betraying the Empire is a good choice.”

“But I’m unwilling.”

“If I were to leave the Imperial Capital in such a cowardly manner, leaving that place which has subjected me to so much humiliation and contempt, and watch Cyrilina, whom I despise, ascend the throne… I can’t do it.”

“Even if there’s only the slightest possibility, I want to try.”

Lynn inhaled deeply.

Clearly!

It was evident that Ivyst was still at the story’s early stages, not yet fully corrupted, and her mindset hadn’t shifted. She consistently saw herself as the Empire’s princess and rightly fought for the throne.

So her way of handling issues was vastly different from the Sorceress of the End who would kill gods in the later stages.

Moreover, she wasn’t invincible at this moment.

After all, there were still gods and many hidden, powerful existences in this world.

To overthrow an Empire’s regime, she would only be able to manage that in the mid-narrative at best.

Moments later, Ivyst softly spoke again: “Just yesterday, I received a secret order from the Sixth Saint Roland.”

“He asked me to handle an unknown Sealed Item from the Creational Sect within three days, with minimal impact.”

“I don’t know how long I will be unconscious this time, nor do I know if I’ll miss the crucial moment of the royal selection.”

“But if I refuse, I will lose my identity as a third princess.”

Lynn remained silent.

She wasn’t struggling with the pain she would suffer from handling the Sealed Item.

It was simply because if she fell into a long slumber, she would be lagging behind other princes and princesses, with no chance to catch up.

Clearly, she had just garnered support from a count, yet hadn’t had the chance to showcase her talents.

In the end, to the Sixth Saint Roland and those noble church members in the Imperial Capital, all of this was ultimately a joke.

“How ridiculous, right?” Ivyst suddenly walked up to Lynn, saying calmly, “Everything I’ve been through.”

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

“What my princess has endured… it pierces my heart.”

A clumsy and mechanical voice reached Ivyst’s ears.

Her pupils widened slightly, as though her response had shocked her.

But the next moment, Ivyst suddenly laughed.

“Perhaps, you’re the only one in this world who holds such thoughts.”

“They all say I’m a monster.”

“Lynn, you’re a monster too.”

For some reason, looking at the black-haired youth trapped in hypnosis, the cruel princess called out his name for the very first time.

“Forget everything I just said.” Ivyst stared at Lynn for a moment, then turned sharply. “Also, it’s about time; the effects of the potion should be kicking in soon.”

Potion?

What potion?

A hint of astonishment appeared in Lynn’s heart.

The next second, a strong wave of dizziness hit him, causing his body to sway unsteadily.

That cup of wine truly…

As a feeling of intense drowsiness washed over him, Lynn was filled with confusion.

He couldn’t understand what this woman was planning.

Clearly, he hadn’t taken advantage of her softened heart before to gain the right to return early to the Imperial Capital.

Moreover, after learning the whole truth, Lynn was even more certain that she wouldn’t let him leave now.

With her strong and pathological possessiveness, knowing she would fall into a long slumber, she wouldn’t just break his legs and lock him in the basement—she must have just shown an ounce of mercy!

Yet Ivyst couldn’t answer his question; her figure grew increasingly distant.

In that process, the weakness hidden within her shell vanished, and the cold, oppressive air belonging to the princess enveloped the room once more.

She was still the Empire’s third princess, not a little girl who could only sob helplessly in the face of adversity.

Since she had decided to do it, she would do her best at it.

She would make all those who looked down on her taste the bitterness of their own faces!

“Three things.”

Ivyst’s cold voice came through.

“Firstly, when I next awaken from my slumber, the first person I see must be you.”

“Secondly, I won’t forget the rose you owe me; you’re not allowed to forget either.”

“Thirdly, during the time I’m away, whether it’s for six months or longer, you must execute my will and show those bastards what excellent subordinates I, Ivyst, truly possess.”

“You must engrave these three demands deeply in your mind. If any one of them is unmet when I wake up, I will kill you.”

Even as confusion swirled in Lynn’s mind, he could barely maintain his composure as a liar.

The drowsiness engulfed him like a tidal wave.

Staring into Ivyst’s cold eyes, Lynn felt his body collapse to the ground.

Then, he lost consciousness completely.

When Lynn next regained consciousness, the bright light of day flooded in through the window.

He pulled himself up from the chair.

Then he realized he was on a slowly moving train.

He had been thinking all day about how to perfectly handle this climactic moment, which is why the update is a bit lacking; but don’t worry, it won’t be vague afterward!

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