Stop Hypnotizing Me, Villainous Princess!

Chapter 9: Put Down the Gun, Let's Talk!

Lynn spoke as he moved closer to the masked woman.

He had no intention of sparing her; he pressed the muzzle of the gun directly to her forehead without hesitation.

With his reasoning laid out, the once-curious masked woman fell silent.

She didn’t appear frightened by the dark barrel of the gun but seemed more absorbed in the surprise of Lynn’s words.

After a while, she raised her hands and began to applaud lightly.

“You’re right. That fool Rhine nearly overlooked someone with your talents… Just a bit clever? That’s laughable.”

“Lynn Bartleon, you’re becoming more and more intriguing to me.” Her cool eyes now showed a spark of excitement. “The more you act like this, the less willing I am to let you go.”

“Don’t compliment me like that, madam. I might fall for you,” Lynn replied, almost flirtatiously.

Though his tone was light, his hand holding the gun didn’t waver.

After all, the woman before him was someone who could command the submission of Rhine and the Augusta family. Her actual strength was unknown, and he couldn’t afford to be careless.

Even if she were just an ordinary person, she’d surely have powerful artifacts to protect her life.

And that unshaken calm she carried gave him a nagging sense of unease.

But regardless, he had no way back if he wanted to escape from here.

“Fall for me?” the masked woman repeated with a faint smile, saying nothing more.

Ignorant fool. If you ever saw my face beneath this mask, would you still say such a thing?

She mused silently.

But Lynn had no idea what she was thinking, nor did he care.

He nudged the muzzle against her forehead. “Madam, call Rhine in.”

“No hurry. I have a few questions for you,” she replied, ignoring his threat. “There’s something I’m curious about.”

“From what you said earlier, I can tell you despise the nobles of the capital, and I don’t have much fondness for them either.”

“Ultimately, our goals align.”

“So, is it more important to act out of impulse, or to gather strength and focus it outward? Surely you can weigh the two.”

“As for your claim that my men are useless, I won’t deny it, but that isn’t the real reason for your refusal.”

Through her mask, she locked eyes with Lynn, her crimson gaze unwavering.

“It’s unladylike to be so inquisitive.”

Lynn attempted to change the subject.

“And holding a gun to a lady’s head is far from gentlemanly,” she replied with a faint smile.

Lynn sighed. “Alright, alright. Since you’re so eager to know, I’ll tell you.”

“It’s about your eyes.”

“My eyes?” She frowned slightly, clearly puzzled.

“When I look at your gaze, I don’t see much difference from those capital nobles you despise,” Lynn said with a smile. “Even when you’re speaking to me, your eyes aren’t truly on me.” RᴀℕÔꞖÊS

“Whether it’s Morris who came to capture me, Rhine, or you.”

“In essence, you’re no different from those aristocrats you so despise.”

“…”

She instinctively wanted to argue back.

But the words stopped short.

“Well, it’s about time,” Lynn said, noticing her silent contemplation. He wasn’t interested in wasting time on such trivialities and gestured once more.

The masked woman paused briefly, then raised her voice. “Rhine, come in.”

“Yes.”

A faint response came from outside.

Then, the blond man stepped through the door.

He assumed that Her Highness had concluded the discussion and that he was needed to handle the aftermath.

But as he lifted his gaze, he suddenly froze.

Her Highness sat in the chair, arms folded, while the prisoner had somehow freed himself from his handcuffs and was holding a gun to her head.

Seeing this scene, Rhine’s mind nearly exploded.

His expression turned dangerously cold as his hand instinctively reached for his gun.

But after touching his empty holster, he hesitated.

“When did you…”

“Shh, don’t make a sound.” Lynn pressed his index finger to his lips. “If I catch any hint that you’re trying to send a message, I won’t hesitate to empty all six rounds into her.”

“And sure, I’d be dead afterward, but if it means taking you with me for neglecting your duty, I’d say it’s worth it.”

Rhine’s forehead was slick with sweat.

His eyes widened, blazing with rage, as if he wanted to kill Lynn on the spot.

But Her Highness was his hostage.

He knew that Her Highness wouldn’t be harmed, given her own abilities.

Still, the mere sight of a madman holding her at gunpoint would make his position utterly indefensible!

“Put down the gun, and let’s talk this out.”

Even Rhine, proud to his core, had to acknowledge the reality and lower his tone.

Looking into Lynn’s calm gaze, Rhine wanted nothing more than to go back and slap himself senseless.

Morris was right.

This wasn’t just some clever schemer; he was a madman capable of turning the tide with a single chance. “A bit clever” didn’t even begin to describe him.

Seeing Rhine’s bloodshot eyes, Lynn’s face took on a hint of mockery. “Finally willing to look at me properly?”

“If you keep calm, I’ll agree to any of your conditions.”

Rhine forced the words out, barely restraining his anger.

“Any condition?”

Lynn’s lips twisted into a mischievous smile.

Rhine had a sinking feeling, but he forced himself to say, “Of course, I swear it on the Augusta family’s honor.”

“Alright, then take off all your clothes, walk out naked, and shout to everyone you meet, ‘I’m a gay man!’”

At this, Rhine’s expression contorted.

How could he not realize that Lynn was deliberately humiliating him to pay back the beating he’d ordered?

This guy…

Seeing Rhine’s hesitation, Lynn taunted, “So it seems the honor of the Augusta family and this lady’s safety don’t mean much to you?”

“Do you have any idea who she really is…”

Rhine began, intending to tell Lynn the true identity of the highborn woman he was dealing with.

But before he could finish, a frigid look from Her Highness stopped him.

It seemed to say: Be silent. Do as he says.

Rhine was thoroughly stunned.

He couldn’t understand why Her Highness would tolerate this thug’s intimidation or why she didn’t simply kill him on the spot but instead was going along with his game.

But as her subordinate, he had no choice but to follow her command.

In the end, Rhine’s spirit seemed to break as he lowered his head in utter despair.

...

“You really have a twisted sense of humor.”

When she looked up again, the masked woman saw a pile of clothes on the floor, and Rhine was gone.

She had no interest in viewing her subordinate unclothed.

Moments later, a commotion erupted outside the prison, filled with gasps and shouts, which quickly escalated into chaos.

“Well then, my lovely lady, please keep your eyes closed a little longer.”

Still aiming the gun, Lynn removed his own clothes and swapped them for Rhine’s uniform.

Now, he looked like one of her personal guards.

Once ready, Lynn slipped the hand holding the gun into his pocket, keeping it aimed as he gestured for the masked woman to stand.

“Let’s go.”

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