88 - Stop Hypnotizing Me, Villainous Princess!
Chapter 88: Anxiety and Anger "Knock, knock, knock." "What is it?" Ivest, who was in the middle of reviewing documents, looked up. "Your Highness, Princess. Prince Felit is here and wishes to meet with you." Upon hearing this, Ivest furrowed her brows deeply. When news broke that the Second Prince was preparing to depart for Orne City, she was busy executing a mission at the underground ruins. It was only after she returned that Lynn informed her of this. "Send him to my study." After a moment of contemplation, Ivest replied calmly. She knew very well why he had come. It was nothing more than to demand accountability for the death of the heir of the Mosgra family. But to Ivest, the so-called heir's death was nothing but a joke, akin to a stray dog dying by the roadside. A moment later, accompanied by the unhurried footsteps, a silver-haired young man appeared before Ivest escorted by guards. "Brother." Facing her half-brother, Ivest did not stand but simply greeted him briefly. Seeing this, the Second Prince responded indifferently and then took a seat on the sofa as if he were the host. "I came here today mainly for two reasons." "The first matter, where is Lynn Bartleon?" Felit asked straightforwardly. "Have him come to me." "What do you want with him?" Ivest narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing her renowned brother. "Nothing much," Felit replied leisurely, removing his gloves and smoothing his silver hair, "I'm planning to escort him back for a court trial." With that, Felit took out a delicate envelope sealed with wax from his pocket. The symbol on the seal was a sharp sword plunged straight into a balance scale. "This is a summons from the Glosteen Court." Felit placed the envelope on the coffee table, speaking in an even tone. "Charge?" Ivest didn't even lift her head. "Obviously, for murder." Felit glanced at her, "After all, he did openly kill the son of a marquis before numerous witnesses. Ivest, are you going to play ignorant?" "It's amusing when you think about it. A man exiled to the frontier, forgotten by nearly all of the imperial capital over the past year, and yet near the year's end, this young Bartleon stirs up such an intriguing spectacle, opening the eyes of many families in the capital." "Unfortunately, he seems to lack reverence for authority." Felit tapped the table lightly with his knuckles, "And such arrogance needs to be taught what respect means." "Enough, Ivest. I have a future appointment with the Order of Providence. Don't waste time with futile formalities." Gazing at the envelope on the table, Ivest fell silent. After a moment's pause, she suddenly pushed a newspaper from her desk towards Felit. "If the charges are merely murder, then you likely can't take him," Ivest remarked with an odd smile at the corner of her mouth. "You might want to look at this first." Watching Ivest's uncharacteristic smile, Felit imperceptibly frowned. In his memory, his younger half-sister had always maintained a cold demeanor. Yet now, for reasons unknown, she was breaking precedent by smiling. With that in mind, Felit picked up the newspaper from the table. "The arsonist Lynn Bartleon who set the Order of Providence ablaze was detained by the private guard of Bael Tirus yesterday evening. His whereabouts are currently unknown. Both the city council and the security bureau have filed strong protests with the ducal mansion over this overreach." Upon seeing the headline, the composed and restrained Second Prince experienced a moment of mental paralysis. The Order of Providence? Set ablaze? Lynn Bartleon? He comprehended each word, yet the combination made utterly no sense. Having been on a private train without external contact for the past few days, he was oblivious to the recent happenings in Orne City. Upon disembarking, he hadn't tended to anything, heading directly to Augusta Manor. Evidently, some unexpected incidents had unfolded recently in Orne City. Though puzzled, Felit maintained an outwardly unaffected demeanor. But as he flipped through the pages, his pupils gradually dilated. Heretics Mozel, public protests, the electors' alliance, two million gold in military funds, disabled soldiers’ charity drives, the citywide frenzy of competition. As various terms registered in his mind, a frequently mentioned name surfaced in Felit's consciousness. Lynn Bartleon. This guy again? A sliver of disbelief crept up within him, but the newspaper contents were undeniably before his eyes, plunging him into silence. How is it possible? Just by himself, could he have turned the city upside down? Moreover, he invigorated Ivest, almost entirely distanced from succession to the throne, to the point where she now seemed poised to rise? After all, there are only seven electors, yet there are nine princes. To this day, most of the princes and princesses still haven’t garnered support from the electors. This truly is— Unknowingly, a smile tugged at Felit's mouth. "Upon returning, make sure all intelligence personnel responsible for the Orne City sector are executed," he suddenly told the guard beside him. "Such a clever, intriguing, and resourceful individual, described for over half a year as a 'spine-broken stray'." "What negligence and disgrace." "Yes, Your Highness." The guard replied calmly. "Additionally, Ivest, what do you mean by showing me this newspaper?" Felit once again faced Ivest across the table. "Perhaps you think with Duke Tirus’ protection, I can do nothing?" "Not at all." Ivest’s expression remained calm. "I simply wish to inform you that I now have the support of an elector." "The once overlooked Third Princess is gradually catching up. If you don't want to lose the throne, you’d better halt the underestimation." As he observed her demeanor, Felit paused momentarily, then suddenly chuckled, "Ivest, you really have changed from that disaster-star who would only throw fits when she left the capital." "Let me guess, is this change perhaps brought about by Lynn Bartleon?" "Interesting, truly interesting!" Felit burst into laughter. In truth, he wasn’t indifferent by nature; he merely lacked interest in mundane matters. But when faced with individuals or events capable of rousing his curiosity, Felit would instantly become another person altogether. Like now. "Let's make a deal." Felit relaxed into the sofa with a leisurely demeanor, "I'm very interested in this Lynn Bartleon." "Let me have him, and in return, you can ask for anything." "For unsealed items below Category 0—any five you have the authority to pick." "If you prefer to convert them to monetary value, or wish to place personnel within the imperial administrative system—anything, so long as it’s within my power, you can have it." Ivest’s gaze turned icy. Detecting her shift in mood, Felit mused, then chuckled, "Rest assured, I will ensure his safety within my capabilities." "As for those foolish Mosgra family fools—if not for the need to put on an act to placate their sentiments, this prince wouldn't have bothered coming." "I have never wished to truly rely on those deceitful backstabbers, merely use them." "I refuse." Ivest took a deep breath, suppressing her irritation and rage. "Let me meet him." Felit glanced at her, "He’s not a commodity, but a living person who should decide his allegiance." "After I have spoken with him, if he still refuses to serve me, then I will drop the matter." "Two hundred thousand gold for the opportunity to meet him." Felit interlaced his fingers, placing them on his knee. Seeing his composed demeanor, Ivest finally realized the true source of her inner anxiety and anger. If that man were given a fair choice, would he still choose her? Vote for this! 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