89 - Stop Hypnotizing Me, Villainous Princess!

Chapter 89: Yvette's Despair (3k) Accompanying an unbearable sense of agitation, Yvette's expression slowly turned icy. The surrounding temperature gently dipped as well. "300,000, let me meet him." On the other side, Felite seemed oblivious to Yvette's changing demeanor, continuing to raise the stakes with an air of casual indifference. "Felite." At that moment, Yvette finally spoke, "If you mention this again, I'll kill you." Her gaze was sharp, piercing the silver-haired young man like a blade. Hearing this, the Second Prince Felite finally showed a hint of surprise in his eyes. Then, his lips slowly curled into a smile. "This is getting more interesting, Yvette." "It seems this person holds an unusual place in your heart?" "This is the first time I've seen you show such an expression because of someone, dear sister." "It's just a matter of scrupulousness," a flicker of surprise crossed Yvette's eyes, but she quickly masked it. "My belongings are mine alone. No one else is allowed to take them, even if it's just a touch; I would cut off his hand." "You are no exception, Felite." The atmosphere instantly became tense as if swords were drawn. Seeing this, Felite shook his head. "To be honest, I'm actually doing this for your own good." "From what I know of you, this guy is probably someone you forcibly kept by your side," he said, seemingly unfazed by Yvette's threat. "But how can a person like that ever truly submit to you from the heart through sheer force?" "Even if you can compel him to serve you for now, one day, he will find a way to leave you." "When that time comes, as the one chasing him, what kind of amusing expression will you show?" "Will you cry ceaselessly, covering your face like when we bullied you as a child?" "That's none of your concern," Yvette appeared unfazed by his words, her demeanor cold. "If that day ever comes, I'll personally strangle such a disobedient mutt." Felite shook his head once more. "I take back what I said earlier." "Yvette, it's clear you haven't made any progress at all," he said, meeting her unwavering red eyes. "Someone with a twisted personality like yours is unfit to be a king." "The impressive one is him, not you." "Indeed, he's the impressive one, not me," Yvette replied coolly, "So long as I have him, it's enough." Felite paused for a few seconds, then chuckled derisively. "Aren't you curious as to why I suddenly want to take him away from you?" Upon hearing this, Yvette slowly frowned. At this moment, the Second Prince, who had seemed so composed, abruptly changed his demeanor. From Felite, Yvette vaguely sensed an intangible malevolence. "Maybe it's because, during these months away from the capital, you've become too complacent here, forgetting the deceit that surrounded us once," Felite's voice suddenly turned cold, "Or perhaps, with competent subordinates and the support of an Elector, you've grown arrogant." "Honestly, when you declared war on me earlier, I could hardly suppress my laughter." "Yvette, oh Yvette," a malicious glint flickered in Felite's eyes. "Since the day you were born, everyone has prophesied for you, the 'Accursed Princess'." "You are someone with no future." "Even now, as it seems you have the means and ability to catch up to us, those words still hold true." "After all, you should never forget why Father didn't strangle you, the harbinger, in your swaddling clothes the day you were born, right?" Hearing these words stirred unpleasant memories within Yvette. Pain crossed her gaze, and she turned her eyes away, silently looking out the window. After a prolonged silence, she spoke softly, "Of course, I haven't forgotten." "I am... a 'tool'." "A 'tool' to rid the Empire of hidden dangers, surviving to this day for this purpose." On the day she was born, every newborn in the Imperial City, regardless of rank or wealth, perished overnight. The Cardinal of the Church of Providence prophesied that she carried a curse, rejected by the gods, destined to bring endless ruin and calamity to the world. Despite this, Saint Roland VI defied all opposition to let her live and raise her to adulthood. Some might lament the deep bond between father and daughter, yet only those like Felite, who survived the icy and merciless court, understand that familial affection is the least likely existence there. Saint Roland VI had only one reason to let Yvette live: the benefits she could bring far outweighed the opposition from both the common people and high society. "Very well," Felite said icily. "Given that, as a 'tool', you should stop dreaming those pointless daydreams." "This isn't meant to disparage you, but to state a fact." "It's not just me; the nobles of the capital, the church, and even the elders of the Synod all think the same." "I want to take that boy from you because of this," he sneered. "Instead of wasting his life following someone doomed to have no future, eventually meeting a grim end, he'd be better off choosing a master whose name will be enshrined in the history of Saint Roland's Empire." Upon hearing this, Yvette was about to explode in anger, but Felite raised a hand to stop her. "Moreover, I'm afraid your current concern shouldn't be about Lin En Bartley," he smirked. "After all, very soon, you won't even be able to protect yourself, let alone worry about others?" Yvette froze at his words. Then, as if something dawned upon her, disbelief appeared in her eyes. Seeing her expression, Felite slowly rose from the sofa, reaching into his pocket. "You guessed correctly." "The main reason I came to Orne City is actually because of you." As he spoke, he placed another letter sealed with wax slowly on Yvette's desk. "Upon learning that you failed to recapture the Sealed Item of the Creation Cult, our dear father in the distant Imperial City flew into an unprecedented rage before everyone." Gazing at the letter, Yvette's face inexplicably turned gradually pale. "A mere 'tool' that constantly acts on its whims could be tolerated by Father once or twice." "But tell me, when your whims cause you to shirk even your inherent obligations, will Father still turn a blind eye?" Yvette gave no response to Felite's words. She stared blankly at the letter on the desk, trembling fingers lifting it. Reading the familiar handwriting on its surface, filled with reprimands and wrath, Yvette's expression was blank. What was written in that letter, to strip the Princess's face of all color, remains unknown. The silence returned, but this time it was stifling. After a long pause, Yvette placed the letter down, lowering her head as she asked softly, "What if... I refuse this task?" "You'll be stripped of your title as the Third Princess and reduced to a mere noble," Felite coldly relayed Saint Roland VI's command, his expression indifferent. "Naturally, without that title, you'll be removed from the Holy Oak Institute, losing the right to compete for the throne." "I personally suggest you refuse." To Felite, Yvette had never been a figure worthy of consideration, nor did he ever believe her presence would impede his path to the throne. A wise person would prioritize self-preservation and refuse Saint Roland VI's command. Yet, for Yvette, refusal was never an option. Her ambition had always been the throne. Even when met with skepticism from all sides, her resolve never wavered. "I accept." After an undisclosed length of time, Yvette softly replied. However, with her head still lowered, Felite couldn't see her expression. "Is this really okay?" Felite asked upon hearing Yvette's decision, seemingly unsurprised. "This isn't your first time fulfilling your 'duty' as a tool. You above anyone else should be aware of the risks." "I remember after you handled the threat of that level-1 sealed item last time, you were in a coma for a full five months." "Everyone thought you wouldn't wake up, yet, you surprised us all." "But what about this time? How long will you be unconscious? Will you have the same luck as before?" "Or perhaps, even if you manage to painfully regain consciousness, you'll be unable to control the curse, deforming into something fearsome and wicked?" Yvette offered no response, clutching the letter tightly in her hand. At this moment, she was exerting all her strength just to maintain her current composure, unable to answer Felite's probing questions. Gone was the commanding Third Princess usually seen, replaced by a soul fraught with pain and helplessness. Probably, no one outside the royal family had ever witnessed this desperate, struggling side of her. Seeing her in such a state, Felite felt that he had conveyed enough and prepared to leave. In his mind, Yvette never stood a chance. If there was blame to be laid, it would be on Lin En for giving her a hope that never existed, only for her to fall back into despair once more. Such cruelty, he thought. "Think it over carefully," Felite said without turning back. "That Bartleon boy is intriguing. The capital is his true stage. There's no need to take such senseless risks with you."