No matter from which angle, Ivyst couldn't compare herself to her future self.
This was something she was unwilling to admit, but it was an objective reality.
However, did that mean a defective product could never win over a gem?
There was no such rule in the world.
Only love was blind and unreasonable, it was not predetermined who would fall in love with whom.
This was the idea that the "Chronicles of Xino" had instilled in her.
Since she and her future self could coexist and, in Lynn's eyes, were two different women, Ivyst thought it best to make a clean break.
Once she truly did that, the whole nature of the situation changed.
Even if everything she did was gradually making her more like her future self, it didn't matter.
As long as, in the end, Lynn fell in love with the current her, that was fine.
Ivyst didn't think she was completely without advantages.
With her understanding of herself, no matter how unfamiliar her future self might become, there was one thing that would absolutely never change.
Once she developed a desire for something, she would take it by any means necessary and keep it by her side for a lifetime.
Could such a person tolerate her past self doing all sorts of things with that guy?
No matter how much she dressed it up, what Ivyst possessed were many of Lynn's firsts: the first nudity, the first kiss, the first hug, the first time sharing a bed...
Yet her counterattack was so weak.
Didn't this exactly imply that her future self was in some difficult situation, unable to interfere too much with reality, and could only watch as all this unfolded?
Furthermore, he had stayed by her side for a longer time, ultimately.
With such an unparalleled advantage, she was confident that her cute little puppy would eventually come wagging his tail back into her arms to be coddled.
Thinking this, Ivyst's pink tongue gently lapped, causing the breaths of the young man in her arms to quicken slightly.
A hint of triumph flickered in her bright red eyes.
For that person in the future, this moment could very well be considered a kind of live broadcast, couldn't it?
This time, it was her victory.
Just as this thought arose, along with the recent lessening of her internal mental struggles, she felt a refreshing clarity and insight at this moment.
The next second, accompanied by a rising intense red light that was unprecedented, the two deeply kissing were suddenly enveloped by this power coming from within Ivyst.
A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.
The originally dry and silent inner world, that source of prideful powerful force and many Extraordinary Powers, had now suddenly come back to life!
It was not just her; even Lynn was greatly shocked.
He had thought that Princess's powers had not recovered due to the world's corrective forces.
After all, he had changed her fate, allowing her to escape the tragic outcome that would have been caused by the core properties of the Wish Jar.
So, according to his calculations, to prevent her powers from rising too rapidly and outpacing the main group, perhaps for a very long time in the future, Ivyst wouldn't be able to use the Extraordinary Power.
But now, it seemed that this wasn't the case.
Was it all merely because of her own mental block?
Once the mental block was resolved, the power returned to her body?
Lynn let out a sigh of relief.
He had thought that returning to the Imperial Capital's protection would be diminished because Ivyst had lost her power, but now it seemed, the confidence was even greater.
Thinking this, Lynn felt that such a serious occasion shouldn't involve this kind of behavior, so he gently pushed the Princess away by her shoulders.
"Princess, congratulations..."
Before he could finish, Ivyst snatched him back by wrapping her hand around the back of his neck, closing the distance once again.
He was just a subordinate after all.
Being seduced by a superior, what was that all about?
Watching the woman enveloped in the red light, feeling her enchanting and seductive appearance at this moment, Lynn's heartbeat involuntarily quickened slightly.
as her soft lips gently pulled away, the woman in front of him opened her eyes again.
Their proximity was still remarkably close.
Close enough to feel each other's heartbeat.
"Do you love me, even just a little?"
Ivyst breathed out softly, her voice a whisper as she leaned towards Lynn's ear.
"...No," Lynn clenched his teeth, "Besides, I'm merely your subordinate, Princess. It's best you remember that."
This was just a mundane act.
Even if it had been Milani or Aphia who did this, he would have had a similar reaction.
Thinking this, Lynn felt a bit less guilty towards Miss Witch.
Ivyst's eyes dimmed instantly, as if filled with loss.
Seeing that look in her eyes, Lynn subconsciously wanted to explain something.
But then he realized, a woman who had reached her level of understanding and stature after the dragon ordeal couldn't possibly show such a pitiful, girlish demeanor.
It was as he suspected.
The next second, he saw a hint of mischief and pleasure in Ivyst's reddened eyes.
Lynn retracted the hand he had almost extended, and managed to break free from Ivyst's embrace.
Just then, he suddenly felt a burning sting on his tongue.
Lynn sharply inhaled, quickly grabbing a mirror from the nearby desk to examine it.
He thought he had been bitten by this woman during their kiss.
To his shock, under his intense gaze, a visible red mark slowly appeared on the tip of his tongue.
"What...what is this?!"
Lynn asked in astonishment.
"This is my mark," Ivyst, having regained her strength, seemed no longer in need of a wheelchair and stood back up, walking gently to his side, "The previous one was erased by that woman, of course a new one needed to be made."
She propped her hands on the desk, leaning slightly forward, gazing at the dark-haired young man bent over the desk.
The pain on his tongue quickly faded, but Lynn's expression darkened.
He had just begun to change his view of Ivyst, only to have it shattered in an instant.
"What does this mark do? Why must it be on the tongue?"
Lynn asked with a stern face.
Hearing this, Ivyst's pink tongue lightly traced her lips, still glistening with shiny saliva, it was unclear whose it was.
"The effect...you'll know when the time comes."
She said, a slight smile curling at the corner of her mouth.
Lynn took a deep breath, trying to calm his slightly irritated heart.
Since this woman didn't want to tell him, pressing the matter would only be embarrassing for himself.
Although Lynn knew that saying "If you won't tell me, I'll ask Miss Witch" would be a checkmate move, he felt it would be too much.
Such provocations were fine once or twice.
If used too often, one day Ivyst truly might erupt.
With this thought, he let out a soft sigh.
Ivyst, having recovered, seemed normal now, her previous condition suppressed, unlikely to relapse soon, even her formidable powers fully restored.
If so, they could discuss serious matters.
"Princess, do you have any plans to return to the Imperial Capital?"
Lynn reached into his pocket, fiddling with the letter Eleanor had sent him.