45 - Stop Hypnotizing Me, Villainous Princess!
## Chapter 45: When the Lower Head Controls the Upper Head In this world, no one is completely transparent inside and out. No matter how sincere one's heart might be, they always wear a mask on their face. The difference lies in whether these masks are thin or thick. Some are so thick that the behavior they show to the outside world is vastly different from the reality hidden beneath. Yet, even so, when the night grows still or when alone, they will often choose to briefly remove their masks, allowing their weary hearts to relax in solitude. For Yvesette, this is also true. However, unlike ordinary people, she wears two masks. One covers her face, shielding the curse mark that all life finds repulsive and detestable. The other is worn on her heart. Due to the strange gazes she has endured since childhood, Yvesette stopped showing her true appearance and personality long ago. To win the royal election, she donned a mask labeled "The Third Princess." To maintain this image, she had to twist her heart, becoming ruthless and cunning. She displayed her most brutal and bloody side to her enemies, a dignified and commanding side to her subordinates, and completely buried away her weakest side. Over time, Yvesette even became accustomed to this facade of herself. Or perhaps, she ultimately became what she dared to become. But what are Yvesette's truest thoughts in her heart? Does she ever feel exhausted? No one knows. Except for Lin En. Only in front of a hypnotized Lin En would Yvesette drop her guard completely, treating him as a question-answering machine rather than someone with thoughts and feelings. Thus, she made the bold move earlier. Of course, there was also a genuine intention to fulfill Lin En's wishes. After all, she had made a promise herself. Fulfilling promises is an excellent trait for a leader. Without these conditions, Yvesette would never have shown such vulnerability. At this moment, her face was flushed, as if she had just downed a strong drink, slightly tipsy. She lacked some of her usual sharpness and indifference, replaced by an alluring charm of a mature woman. Seeing Lin En dazedly holding onto her recently removed stockings, Yvesette smiled gently. "Like a fool." She slipped a boot onto her bare foot and reclined back against the edge of her desk. Feeling his gaze upon her, a tinge of odd emotion arose in Lin En's heart. Thanks to this woman, he had seen something beautiful earlier and learned that the princess seemed fond of purple—he even got hold of a relic. These were all unexpected delights. Lin En sighed, feeling the lingering warmth in his hands. To his shame, he felt as if he were caressing the bare skin of her thigh. Wonderful. Thank goodness he wasn't a perverted fetishist. Even a little deviation could make this last for three years. Seeing him silent, Yvesette casually asked, "So, do you like it?" Upon hearing the question, Lin En's mind jolted. Though it was a casual inquiry, to him, it was a loaded question. Like? He'd already made it clear he wasn't a fetishist—how could he possibly take pride in this? So, he couldn't answer that he liked it. Especially since she was wearing a lie-detecting ring that could discern his truthfulness. But if he answered that he didn't like it, it would also expose him. If he didn't, why did he ask for the holy relics from her personal belongings earlier? Could he claim it was to acquire the relic to communicate with the future Witch of the End, Yvesette? Impossible to explain away. Momentarily, Lin En broke into a cold sweat. He couldn't stay silent, either, as it would only raise her suspicions. With no other choice, Lin En relied on the savior that had come to his aid countless times: the Swallowing Liar, hoping the great Fate’s Prisoner would aid him once more. "Li... like." Seeing the lie detector on her ring remain unresponsive, Yvesette chuckled softly. "You really are a little pervert." Success? It must be the Swallowing Liar at work rather than his true feelings. Yes, it had to be. As he had affirmed before, there was no such fetish in him. Lin En feigned calm and thought to himself. At that moment, Yvesette’s palm with the Mind's Eye mark began to flicker. Clearly, the hypnosis session was about to end. Noticing this, Yvesette sighed softly. She rubbed her brow, starting to gather her facial expressions back into her usual cold, haughty demeanor. It was like putting back on the mask titled "The Third Princess." She presented the mark on her palm to Lin En. As always, it was time for the necessary aftercare: "Once the hypnosis is lifted, you'll forget all that happened earlier..." She stopped, realizing she nearly forgot something. Once the hypnosis was lifted, what would this guy think once he found the stockings in his hand? Even though he wouldn't remember what just happened, he could easily piece it together with mere conjecture, right? Thus, Yvesette changed the approach. Considering he was currently hypnotized, any psychological suggestion could be planted. His logic would piece together a rationale that needn't concern her now, would it? Fortunately, this flaw did not pose a challenge to her. Quickly, Yvesette devised a solution. "Once you leave this room, you'll forget everything that just happened," she said, her face breaking into a mischievous smile. "You'll merely recall that you're actually a perverted thief secretly coveting the princess, finding a chance to steal her stockings to fulfill your ugly desires in secret solitude." Haha. Whatever makes you happy. Lin En was beyond making a retort. The woman wasn't satisfied with just that. "Repeat what I just told you." Yvesette folded her arms, enhancing the allure of her well-endowed chest. Faced with her bizarre request, Lin En felt a curse on his lips. "I..." Ready to speak, he was interrupted by Yvesette’s raised hand motioning for silence. With a casual wave of her left hand, a recording magic stone appeared seemingly out of nowhere and captured Lin En on frame. "Continue." She watched with keen interest, perhaps wanting to immortalize the moment. Hey, bad woman, you're going too far! Lin En’s mouth twitched. Trapped in this situation, he had to comply. "I'm actually a perverted thief secretly coveting the princess, finding a chance to steal her stockings to fulfill my ugly desires in secret solitude..." "Very good." Yvesette's voice brimmed with satisfaction. ... Even after leaving the study, Lin En tightly gripped the black stockings in his pocket. The warmth Yvesette had left on them had faded. However, a strange feeling lingered in Lin En’s heart. Unexplainable, elusive. His mind inadvertently recalled Yvesette’s seductive manner as she removed her stockings before him. Every movement was gentle, graceful, exuding feminine allure. Damn woman, if disregarding her vile nature and sharp tongue, she’d be... wait, why disregard those? Undoubtedly, she was the worst sort. Lin En mused. "What are you smiling about?" Turning the corridor, Greya appeared suddenly, eyeing Lin En with curiosity. He had finished dealing with the aftermath of the Creationist faction's activities and was ready for some rest. Lin En was startled: "Huh?" "I asked, what's making you smile like that, with such a blissful expression on your face?" Greya questioned, feeling something was off with the man. Hearing this, Lin En froze in disbelief: "You said I'm smiling?" "Indeed." "And with a blissful face?" "Absolutely." His response made Lin En fall into silence once more. He had heard a saying in his past life: If you can't control your desires from below, then they will control you. Lin En used to dismiss such thoughts, believing that women were just so-so. Anyone who let their lower desires control them was either weak or a coward. He never imagined that just crossing a line would almost turn him into the very kind of person he once despised. Someone letting the lower head control the upper head. I'm such a fool. Originally intending to slap his lower self as a punishment, Lin En ultimately didn't have the heart, so he slapped his own face instead. "Slap!" "Hey, hey, Professor Lin, don't do this. It's not that serious, not at all..." [In reading mode, the next page cannot be auto-loaded. Please <exit reading mode> and click on the next page to continue reading.]