Perhaps, the reason Ivyst has become lately, aside from the insecurity Lynn brought her, the loss of power also played a big part.
Having no money in your pocket is an entirely different concept from having money but not spending it.
Upon hearing this, Milani gently shook her head.
She had intended to say that perhaps it was related to one's state of mind.
But as a scientific researcher, she was reluctant to believe in such an idealistic viewpoint.
What's more, in her opinion, the dead end the Princess found herself in could only be led out by the Princess herself and no one else.
However, upon hearing Milani's words, Ivyst didn't get angry or feel lost; instead, she suddenly shifted the topic.
"I... have a friend who's recently encountered some issues."
That so-called friend must surely be you, Princess!
Milani instantly realized there was something amiss.
She lifted her head slightly, staring at Ivyst's somewhat gaunt figure, temporarily at a loss for words.
Princess... was she confiding in her?
Thus, with Milani's puzzled gaze upon her, Ivyst began to recount her story in a low voice.
The reason she sought out Milani was that she counted as probably the smartest person in the estate.
Under the tranquil and gentle night sky, she narrated the majority of her recent, unresolved problems, obfuscated and reworked in a novel angle.
However, no matter how the story was rewritten, as one of Ivyst's closest confidants, Milani instantly recognized the original version of the story.
What a mess... this circle is.
The future her, the past her, two women vying over a dog... Was this the sweat-inducing situation that Subject 126 was facing lately?
Milani suddenly found herself at a loss for words.
Yet Ivyst didn't let Milani off the hook so easily.
"What do you think about the things I just mentioned?"
"Just say whatever comes to mind; consider it idle chatter."
Her voice was soft, betraying no emotion at the moment.
After a moment of silence, Milani bit her lip, mustering her courage to say, "I think... the little dog, being fought over by the two women, is rather pitiable."
"You... cough, they seem to have never considered his feelings, just imposing their own will on him, manipulating him as they please."
"Yet no matter how much one embellishes this relationship, he's still a person, an independent being with free will."
"And between people, what's needed is understanding and..."
What's needed is understanding and love.
Milani intended to say this.
But she was well aware that, from her upbringing, Ivyst really didn't understand what love was.
"An independent being..."
Ivyst didn't notice her hesitation and merely repeated Milani's point, before falling silent.
After a moment, she softly said, "Let's change the subject."
Indeed, it was clear that the Princess's pathological views couldn't be corrected with just a few words.
But if she stubbornly persisted in the wrong direction, the distance between her and the little dog would only grow.
Oh Princess, when will you realize this?
Milani sighed softly to herself.
However, Ivyst was unaware of her current thoughts.
"What do you think, how could the woman from the past ever beat her future self even once?"
Milani hesitated briefly, "In my opinion, there isn't such a possibility."
As soon as the words fell, the atmosphere turned cold.
Milani pursed her lips and then began to explain.
"The woman from the past is like a highly unpredictable Level 1 Sealed Object, very powerful, but often resulting in unsatisfactory outcomes; instead of properly containing it, people would rather destroy it after its usefulness is exhausted."
This analogy was so vivid that Ivyst was instantly reminded of herself.
"The future her... she's like a Level 0 Sealed Object, not only possessing any ability that the Level 1 Sealed Object has, but far more powerful, even the conditions for its containment are simple."
"Under such clear conditions of superiority, if one were to choose between the two Sealed Objects, I think, nobody would hesitate."
"Because logically, it makes no sense to give up the better one for a faulty inferior product."
Milani used an example that was as gentle as possible to avoid hurting her.
Ivyst unconsciously clenched her fists, falling into silence.
"If the data of the two were quantified, then the future woman would outright dominate in all aspects; from a mathematical perspective, the past woman would never stand a chance of winning."
"That's the most logical viewpoint."
Milani answered softly.
After Milani left, Ivyst, once again alone, calmly gazed out the window at the scene beyond.
The most logical viewpoint, huh?
A trace of bewilderment appeared in her crimson eyes.
Even the most logic and mathematically driven Milani had, so rationally, told her that there was no chance of winning.
Then it must be true that there was no chance.
Ivyst had even considered using her own body as bait, to firmly tie the rutting little dog to her side.
After all, from their time together until now, this body had proved to be quite alluring to him.
But in an instant, she quashed that thought.
Sleeping with him, meant being no different from that despicable woman in the future, also having done such a thing with him.