In a sense, this action could bring that despicable woman and him closer, even breaking down some existing distance and barriers between them.
However, Ivyst was so filled with hatred toward that woman that she couldn't possibly do something that would please her enemy .
Or perhaps, continue to imprison him as before?
As long as she didn't give him any chance to escape, even going so far as to amputate his limbs, then he would belong to her forever... right?
No, that was not the way.
For some reason, a voice deep within Ivyst resonated.
In her mind, the image of Lynn's calm and indifferent gaze unintentionally surfaced.
That gaze, as if she had always been seen as nothing more than a substitute for the future Doomsday Witch, brought a sharp pain to Ivyst's heart just thinking about it.
Merely imprisoning him would never change his gaze.
But apart from this method… what other means could bring him back to her side?
Or, perhaps Milani's perspective was the correct one.
Could an imperfect substitute never win against the real deal?
Ivyst stared blankly at the moon in the sky.
Just then, a breeze blew in from the window.
Accompanied by the rustling sound, a book on the desk was suddenly flipped open to an unknown page.
Instantly, a sense of enlightenment emerged.
Ivyst gently lifted her wrist, pushing her wheelchair slowly toward the direction of the desk.
After a moment, she saw clearly which book it was.
"Chronicles of Xino."
It should have been her most hated book, yet now it laid at the corner of the desk, and coincidentally, flipped to a specific page under the flutter of the wind.
Ivyst's initial thought was to close the book back.
But an unintended glance let her see the content on that page.
It was about the protagonist, Xino, who after refusing the marriage proposal from the Duke Family, was questioned by his friend.
"Are you insane?! For a noble girl from the countryside, you actually gave up the olive branch thrown by the Duke himself and even made Miss Lilia cry!"
"Dear Gray, I indeed did so, but why are you so perplexed?"
"Because you always do things that make no sense!"
"Things that make no sense?"
"You said that one day you would become a great figure above all and have always inspired yourself and those around you on the battlefield with this goal, escaping death time and again, to finally catch the eyes of those dignitaries."
"And this marriage with the Duke Family was supposed to be a stepping stone for you."
"Moreover, from what I know, it was not merely a political marriage, Miss Lilia herself was fond of you, and in every aspect, she was superior to your childhood friend from that rural noble family."
"Logically speaking, you had no reason to refuse."
"But I simply refused."
"That's exactly what's annoying!"
"Patience, dear Gray, before I answer your puzzlement, I have a few questions for you."
"Logically speaking, would a young beautiful woman kiss an ugly old man?"
"Logically speaking, would a healthy person marry someone who is disabled and missing limbs?"
"Logically speaking, would a distinguished noble abandon his revered status and inheritance to pursue a woman from the slums?"
"That's even more unlikely."
"Right, logically speaking, such things shouldn't happen, but they constantly occur in this world."
"Dear Gray, what do you think is the reason?"
"Thinking it's money shows you still are trapped in the normal way of thinking, liking to judge different people or things, and thinking choosing the better and more excellent option is the most sensible thing."
"Unfortunately, there is one thing that is not part of this."
"It is precisely because of love, that a young beautiful woman can cast aside aesthetic and societal views and passionately kiss an ugly old man."
"It's also because of love that a healthy normal person can offer a lifetime of companionship to a disabled person."
"You all always talk about what's logical."
"However, love is the most illogical thing in the world."
(ps: The Imperial Princess is about to undergo a super evolution.)