Chapter 45

“Chapter 45: Little Head Controls Big Head”

There’s no one in the world who’s completely what they seem on the outside.

No matter how genuine someone may feel inside, they always wear a mask.

The difference is, some masks are thin, while others are thick as a brick wall.

Thick enough that their behavior on the outside is worlds apart from their true selves hidden beneath.

But even so, every time night falls, or when they find themselves alone, they choose to briefly peel off the mask and relax their weary souls in secluded corners.

For Ivyst, it’s no different.

However, unlike ordinary folks, she has two masks.

One is perched on her face, hiding the cursed mark that repulses and disgusts all living things.

The other is worn in her heart.

Because of the strange looks she endured since childhood, Ivyst has long ceased to show her true self and character to others.

And to win the royal selection, she donned the mask titled “Third Princess.”

To maintain this image, she had to twist her own heart, turning herself into a cold and ruthless individual.

She shows her most vicious side to her enemies, her most authoritative side to her subordinates, and completely kills off her weakest side.

Over time, even Ivyst herself became accustomed to this persona.

Or perhaps she just ultimately became the person she wished to be.

But what Ivyst truly thinks, whether she ever feels tired, nobody knows.

Except for Lynn.

Only when facing the hypnotized Lynn does Ivyst let down her guard completely, treating him like a robot that only answers questions, not a sentient being.

That’s why she acted so out of line just now.

Of course, there was genuinely a desire to fulfill Lynn’s wishes.

After all, she was the one who said it.

Following through is a quality of a great leader.

If not for all the above reasons, Ivyst never would’ve shown such a slip-up earlier.

At that moment, her face was flushed, as if she had drunk a strong potion, slightly tipsy.

She had lost some of her usual sharpness and aloofness, gaining a touch of mature femininity instead.

Seeing Lynn dazedly holding the black stockings she just took off, Ivyst chuckled lightly.

“You look like an idiot.”

She slipped her bare feet into her boots and leaned back against the desk’s edge.

Feeling the gaze on her, Lynn couldn’t help but sense a flicker of strange emotions rising within him.

Thanks to this woman, he had actually seen some wonderful things, and realized that Her Highness the Princess seemed to have a fondness for purple, and he even obtained a relic.

These were unexpected joys.

Lynn sighed, feeling the warm sensation remaining in his palms and sighed again.

It was slightly embarrassing to admit, but he felt as if he had been caressing the skin of her thigh.

What a disaster.

Fortunately, he wasn’t a freak with a fetish.

Even if he was a little off, he could probably get by for three years with watered-down fantasies.

Seeing him speechless, Ivyst casually asked, “So, do you like it?”

At these words, Lynn’s mind jolted.

Though it seemed like a casual question, to him, it felt life-threatening.

Like it?

He already claimed he wasn’t a freak; how could he possibly feel thrilled about this? So he couldn’t answer that he liked it.

Because she was now wearing a ring that could detect lies.

But if he answered that he didn’t like it, it would expose him just the same.

If he didn’t like it, then what was that business with asking her for her intimate clothing? Was he supposed to tell her it was to obtain the relic to communicate with the future Sorceress of the End, Ivyst?

It was impossible to explain.

In an instant, Lynn felt cold sweat running down his back.

But he couldn’t continue in silence either; otherwise, it would raise her suspicions.

Out of sheer desperation, Lynn had to activate the Liars’ Devourer for the umpteenth time, hoping that fate’s great prisoner would help him once more.

“I like it.”

Looking at the ring’s calm surface, Ivyst snorted softly, “You really are a little pervert.”

Did I… actually succeed?

This must be the power of the omnipotent Liars’ Devourer, not his genuine feelings.

It has to be.

As he previously mentioned, he truly didn’t have that kind of fetish.

Lynn thought while trying to appear composed.

Just then, Ivyst’s Eye of the Mind mark on her palm suddenly flickered a few times.

Clearly, the hypnosis session was about to end.

Noticing this, Ivyst let out a soft sigh.

She raised her hand to pinch the bridge of her nose, starting to gather her previously relaxed facial muscles, gradually restoring her cold and proud demeanor.

Like she was putting back on the mask named “Third Princess.”

Ivyst displayed the mark on her palm to Lynn.

As usual, time to start wrapping up: “After the hypnosis is lifted, you will forget everything that just happened.” But she only got halfway through before freezing.

One thing nearly slipped her mind.

Once the hypnosis was lifted, what would this guy think when he saw that he had the stockings?

While he wouldn’t remember everything that just happened, he could figure it out with his imagination, right?

So Ivyst decided to switch tactics.

Since he was still under hypnosis, any kind of psychological suggestion could be implanted.

As for how his logic would piece things together later? Not her concern.

Quickly, Ivyst thought up a plan.

“After leaving this room, you will forget everything that just happened.” A wicked smile suddenly appeared on her face, “You will only remember that you are a perverted little thief secretly coveting Her Highness the Princess, who took the opportunity to steal her stockings, preparing to indulge in your filthy desires in the dead of night.”

Heh.

Enjoy yourself.

Lynn felt utterly drained from the sarcasm.

Little did he know, this woman wasn’t done with him yet.

“Repeat what I just said.”

Ivyst crossed her arms, the curve of her full, heavy chest accentuated.

Upon hearing her ridiculous request, Lynn wanted to curse.

“I—”

Just as he was about to speak, he was interrupted by Ivyst raising her hand.

With a gentle flick of her left hand, she produced a recording stone from nowhere and aimed it at Lynn to snap a picture.

“Carry on.”

She said with great interest, as if she wanted to capture this moment.

Hey, hey, wicked woman, this is too much!

Lynn’s mouth twitched.

But when you’re under her roof, you have to bow your head.

He had no choice but to comply for the time being.

“I am a perverted little thief secretly coveting Her Highness the Princess, who seized the opportunity to steal her stockings, preparing to fulfill my ugly desires in the dead of night…”

“Very good.”

Ivyst’s voice brimmed with delight.

Until he left the study, Lynn squeezed tightly onto the black stockings in his pocket.

The warmth Ivyst had left on them had faded.

Yet even so, there remained a lingering sense of oddity in Lynn’s heart.

Indescribable, unfathomable.

His mind unknowingly recalled how Ivyst had gracefully peeled off her stockings in front of him.

The movement was gentle and charming, every action filled with feminine allure.

That damned woman—if only we could ignore her nasty personality and sharp tongue… Wait, why should we ignore it?

She’s definitely the worst kind of person.

Lynn silently thought.

“What are you smiling about?”

Suddenly, Greya appeared around the corner, looking confusedly at Lynn.

Having completed his duties with the Creationist sect followers, he was finally back to rest.

Lynn jumped in surprise: “Huh?”

“I said, what are you smiling about? Your expression is all over the place.”

Greya curiously checked him out, sensing that something wasn’t quite right with Lynn.

Upon hearing this, Lynn was left in disbelief: “You think I’m smiling?”

“Yep.”

“And smiling like it’s a big deal?”

“Absolutely.”

At his response, Lynn fell silent immediately.

Back in the day, he had heard a saying.

If you can’t control your little head, it becomes your big head’s master.

Before, Lynn dismissed this idea, thinking women were just whatever.

Those controlled by their little heads were either wussies or cowards.

Never did he expect that simply by wearing something, he’d nearly become one of those people he used to look down on the most.

Transformed into someone whose little head controlled the big head.

I’m really doomed.

He slapped himself.

Lynn intended to smack his little head to teach it a lesson, but in the end, he didn’t have the heart, so he just slapped the big head instead.

“Smack!”

“Hey, come on, Lynn! Don’t do that! Not necessary, not necessary…”

Some text omitted.