Chapter 97: She's Crying
In Lynn's past perception, Evest was merely beautiful, malicious, and powerful.
However, he had never cared about why she had developed such a twisted personality.
In the original work, as an unlikable antagonist, no one paid much attention to her past.
For readers, characters like her—beautiful, strong, and tragic—were all too common. Yet villains were villains. Regardless of their backstories, nothing justified their antagonism toward the protagonist after turning to darkness.
The sole purpose of an antagonist's existence was to stir emotions, to push the plot to its breaking point, and to eventually face their inevitable defeat by the protagonist.
After all, they were nothing more than fictional characters.
But for Lynn, this was no longer the case.
Because the Imperial princess, a villain often criticized on forums, was now standing before him, alive.
In the original story, a single line like "Her childhood was tragic" could easily gloss over everything.
But now, looking at Evest's sorrowful and delicate expression, Lynn could no longer dismiss her with such indifference.
Evest continued speaking, her voice soft and confiding.
"When I was eight, an artifact called the 'Eye of the Siren,' a level-three sealed object, appeared on the Empire's western coast. It petrified everything within its sight." She loosened the tie of her nightgown for some reason. "That was my first time dealing with a sealed object and my first experience of excruciating pain."
As the gown slid down her shoulders, she covered her chest.
Lynn's gaze fell involuntarily to see a mark resembling a vertical pupil slowly appear on her otherwise flawless skin.
"After absorbing the characteristics and laws of that sealed object, I fell into a prolonged coma."
"However, during that time, I wasn't truly unconscious."
"On the contrary, I was painfully aware every second, feeling the sealed object's laws ravaging my body like a disease."
"The petrification sealed my senses, including my breath, leaving me like a drowning victim submerged in an endless sea, enduring suffocation."
"I wanted to struggle, to cry, but I couldn't even move a finger."
"It lasted a month."
As Evest recounted, Lynn felt his throat go dry.
At some point, she moved barefoot onto the soft carpet, clutching her barely-hanging gown.
"When I was nine, my father brought me a level-two sealed object called the 'Cocoon of Tragedy,'" she continued, walking aimlessly around the room. "After absorbing its properties, I fell into another deep sleep. This time, it lasted three months."
"The cocoon, woven from the threads of fate, contained the death scenes of 110,000 people who perished tragically in various accidents."
"For those three months, I died 110,000 times in countless ways."
She paused briefly.
"When I was ten, I absorbed another sealed object. Though its sequence level was only four, I only slept for a week."
"At ten again."
"At eleven."
"At thirteen."
"At sixteen."
"At seventeen..."
In his hypnotic state, Lynn was the perfect listener and secret-keeper.
Perhaps due to alcohol, Evest's usually guarded consciousness began to relax.
She treated him like a confessional, revealing a side of herself she never would otherwise.
After all, once the hypnosis ended, he would forget everything.
Even if only briefly, it was enough to unburden her painful memories.
Lynn stood silently throughout, unmoving like a puppet.
Not out of indifference but because he didn't know how to react.
Sympathy?
He couldn't fathom the depths of Evest's suffering, making sympathy feel insincere.
Anger?
He tried, but he found no reason to feel angry on her behalf.
After all, his goal had always been to escape her.
But after his failed attempt, he didn't know what awaited him anymore.
Perhaps watching her meet her inevitable bad ending wasn't a terrible choice.
Lynn's thoughts grew muddled.
It was the first time he'd heard her speak so extensively.
Unknowingly, Evest stopped by the window, ending her recollection.
"Sometimes, I envy Shirlina and Ferit for having everything I ever dreamed of from birth."
"Sometimes, I wonder why I'm different."
"Is it just because of status? Father poured his heart and soul into them as the Empire's heirs."
"But I'm his daughter too."
The moon cast its pale light over her exquisite face.
In its glow, Lynn saw a tear slide silently down her cheek.
She... was crying?
The ultimate villain who destroyed everything in the original story was now crying?
Lynn found it absurd.
But the truth was undeniable.
He finally understood why Evest's subordinates were so useless.
While others schemed and built alliances, she spent most of her time handling sealed objects.
The atmosphere grew heavy with silence.
Evest let her tears flow unrestrained.
Time passed.
Eventually, she turned to Lynn.
"All of this must seem ridiculous to you," she said, a faint, sorrowful smile on her lips. "To have such power but achieve nothing in the end."
"Maybe leaving the Empire is a better option."
"But I'm unwilling."
"I can't just leave the capital, that place of humiliation and disdain, and watch Shirlina ascend the throne. I won't allow it."
"Even if it's only a sliver of a chance, I'll fight for it."
Lynn exhaled deeply.
Evest was still in the early stages of the story, not yet fully corrupted. She remained an Imperial princess, determined to claim the throne.
Her methods were far from the destructive ways of the witch she would later become.
And she wasn't invincible. The gods and other powerful entities still existed in this world.
It would only be in the mid-story that she could barely challenge the Empire.
After a pause, Evest spoke again.
"Yesterday, I received a secret order from Saint Roland VI."
"I must deal with an unknown sealed object of the Genesis Cult within three days, minimizing its impact."
"I don't know how long I'll sleep this time or if I'll miss key moments in the royal selection."
"But if I refuse, I'll lose my status as the Third Imperial Princess."
Lynn remained silent.
She wasn't struggling over the pain she'd endure.
She was agonizing over losing her chance to compete for the throne while unconscious.
Even after securing a supporter among the Electors, she hadn't had a chance to capitalize on it.
To Saint Roland VI and the church nobles in the capital, it was all a joke.
"Ridiculous, isn't it?" Evest approached Lynn, her voice calm. "Everything I've been through."
"Tell me, what's on your mind?"
"My heart aches for the hardships Your Highness has endured," Lynn replied mechanically.
Evest's pupils widened, momentarily stunned by his words.
But then she laughed.
"Perhaps you're the only person in this world who would think that."
"They all call me a monster."
"Lynn, you're a monster too."
For the first time, the venomous princess who always treated him like a pet dog called his name.
"Forget everything I just said." She gazed at him for a moment before turning away. "And remember, the drug will soon take effect."
Drug?
What drug?
A wave of dizziness hit Lynn, making him stagger.
The wine…
As overwhelming drowsiness consumed him, Lynn panicked.
He couldn't understand her intentions.
Knowing the truth only confirmed she wouldn't let him leave.
With her possessiveness, she'd likely lock him in the basement if she couldn't ensure his loyalty.
But Evest didn't answer his unspoken question.
Her figure faded into the distance, her vulnerability vanishing. The cold, oppressive aura of the Third Imperial Princess filled the room once more.
She was no longer a crying girl but the Empire's ice-cold princess.
If she decided to act, she'd do so decisively.
"Three things," her voice rang out.
"First, when I wake from this coma, you must be the first person I see."
"Second, don't forget the roses you owe me."
"Third, while I'm gone—be it months or longer—you will carry out my will. Show everyone what kind of capable subordinate I, Evest, have."
"Fail in any of these, and I'll kill you when I wake."
Even as confusion filled him, Lynn couldn't resist the overwhelming sleepiness.
Evest's icy gaze was the last thing he saw before collapsing.
When Lynn woke, sunlight streamed through the windows.
He found himself on a slowly moving train.