Stop Hypnotizing Me, Antagonist Princess!

The time rewound to ten minutes earlier.

Staring at the nobles in the banquet hall, each with extraordinary poise and splendid clothing, Sherlock held a champagne flute, a smile on his face.

From time to time, familiar guests would pass by, greeting him with a smile.

After all, having spent nearly twenty years in Orn City, everyone had come to regard him as the spokesperson for the Bartleion family.

Although the family was currently in decline, a starving camel was still bigger than a horse, and they were still much stronger than many of those present.

Moreover, they had heard that this astonishingly capable butler had seemingly established a connection with the Bartleion family's enemy, the Mosgla family.

Although they despised such an act of betrayal, in their hands, Sherlock did control many private assets.

There were often dealings of mutual benefits.

As time went on, many had truly forgotten his status as a butler.

After all, not everyone could be as wealthy as he was.

Even if that wealth had been siphoned from his own household.

And feeling the guests' goodwill, Sherlock felt very appreciated.

For so many years, he had worked diligently for the Bartleion family, all so that one day he could stand out as he did now.

While the Marquis was alive, Sherlock had not been able to fully shed his servant's identity.

On the contrary, it was now that the other was comatose that Sherlock had truly become a part of the city's upper class.

The feeling of being on equal terms with those nobles was truly exhilarating.

But... it was still not exhilarating enough.

Because he was not a true noble.

He could only barely compare with them by relying on the Bartleion family's name.

The good news was that he now had an opportunity that might allow him to shed his butler's identity and truly become a lower noble.

"Master Dalion, rest assured, I will quickly locate that boy's hiding place and capture him for you to deal with personally," Sherlock said humbly to the young man beside him.

His name was Dalion Mosgla, who had come all the way from the Imperial Capital and was chosen by the Snow Eagle family to attend tonight's banquet.

Of course, he also possessed another, more esteemed identity: the Valkyrie Irina Mosgla's younger brother.

Just this connection alone was enough to make most of the nobles attending the banquet tonight look up to him.

This was why Sherlock was so subservient.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

However, the other party seemed unappreciative.

The young man named Dalion scoffed, "For something as low as you, being associated with the Mosgla surname is an honor in your life, do not think that, with the Bartleion family's paltry offerings, we would hold you in high regard; you have a long way to go."

Hearing this, Sherlock's tone became even more subservient, "The young master's criticism is valid."

When one is under another's roof, one must bow.

Seeing him like this, although Dalion was quite annoyed by that guy's disappearance, he decided to leave it at that.

Looking at Duke Tierus starting to fundraise in the distance, a hint of sharpness appeared in Dalion's eyes.

A prestigious elector he was!

The reason that Dalion had been sent by his family to Orn City, and to take over the Bartleion family's assets, was merely incidental.

The main purpose was to establish connections with the currently troubled elector Duke Tierus.

The Mosgla family had deep ties with the Heavenly Principle Church.

And these two forces, currently thriving in the Imperial Capital, had unanimously chosen to stand behind the Second Prince, who was gaining great momentum.

In their eyes, the most likely candidate to win the King's election was none other than the dazzling prince, who shone like the sun.

Everyone else, including the Great Imperial Princess Hillena, simply fell short.

Therefore, the Mosgla family had decided to pay a great cost to woo Duke Tierus.

If they were to form a strong alliance, the Second Prince's path to the future would be clear and unobstructed.

And as of now, no one seemed capable of preventing them from reaching out to Duke Tierus with an olive branch.

Although it was unclear why the Third Imperial Princess Ivyst was present here.

He did not think for a moment that this person, known as "the calamity," had even the slightest chance of gaining Duke Tierus's support.

Because the offer from the Mosgla family was simply too lavish.

So lavish that even an acting Duke would be tempted.

Thinking this, a commotion suddenly arose in the distance.

Under the gaze of Dalion and Sherlock, the young man with the crow mask stepped forward, coming to the assistance of the Third Imperial Princess.

Not only that, but he seemed to have also earned the favor of Duke Tierus.

Who is this person?

Simultaneously, the question arose in both their minds.

"My name is Lynn, sir," the other party answered nonchalantly.

The next second, his words echoed in their ears.

Sherlock felt a chill run through him.

He had never imagined that Lynn, who had vanished from the manor for over half a month, would brazenly appear at tonight's banquet!

Feeling the murderous gaze from Master Dalion beside him, Sherlock broke out in a cold sweat.

At this moment, all he wanted to do was to rush up and tightly clutch that boy's neck, demanding to know what exactly he intended to do.

"Leave it, leave it to me, Master Dalion," Sherlock wiped off the sweat, "I will bring him back to the manor, where you can deal with him as you please."

"Useless!"

Dalion snorted coldly.

After the crowd calmed down a bit, Sherlock hastened his steps towards Lynn's direction.

Meanwhile, his heart filled with loathing and anger.

It was all because of this fellow that he had failed to make a good impression in front of Master Dalion.

The dream he had long held of being a noble might well be shattered because of this!

The possibility made Sherlock completely lose his reason.

He had never considered that Lynn was actually his master.

Because the day that kid was banished to Orn City, watching him with the posture of a defeated dog, bereft of any backbone, Sherlock realized then and there that his opportunity had arrived.

Such a pushover, he thought he could knead him however he wanted.

Thinking this, Sherlock impatiently patted the young man's shoulder.

"Why have you shown up in a place like this? Come back with me right now!"

He commanded domineeringly.

He had assumed that the other party would, as before, silently comply with his directive.

But to his surprise, something unexpected happened.

Under Sherlock's gaze, the young man in front of him looked at him, first stunned for a few seconds, his eyes seemingly filled with confusion.

Then, suddenly the other party smoothly pulled out a revolver.

Without a word, without a question,

he simply and casually took aim at his throat.

With a "bang",

he fired without hesitation.

"Huh—huh—"

The shock in Sherlock's eyes couldn't be hidden; he reflexively covered his throat, stumbled backward a few steps, fell to the ground, and convulsed uncontrollably.

Blood spread across the marble floor like paint.

Feeling the life force gradually dissipating from his body, Sherlock couldn't understand.

Where had that gloomy young man from his memories, who seemed lost like a homeless dog, gone?

And, the wealth and honor he had longed for... seemed about to slip away again?

In the last second before his consciousness faded, Sherlock vaguely saw a hint of careless nonchalance in Lynn's eyes.

As if he had just kicked a stray dog lying by the roadside to death.

So that was it.

In the eyes of these nobles, I was nothing but a servant from the beginning to the end.

...

"You, you just killed him like that?!"

At the instant the gunshot rang, Glaya shuddered, then asked with great agitation.

After all, in his impression, this kid had always been calm and didn't seem like someone who would act rashly out of impulse.

"What, should I have let him swagger in front of me for a bit, wait for my emotions to ferment, then rise against the current at the most depressing moment, deliver a speech slapping him in the face, and then kick him to death?"

Lynn shrugged his shoulders.

That would be too much trouble.

Besides, even if he were going to do that, it would depend on who the person was.

If the fiancée he was facing right now were standing in front of him, Lynn might indeed pull off such a stunt, shouting "Do not bully the poor just because they're young" to bolster his momentum, and then cling tightly to Her Highness's coattails.

The problem was, this guy was just a butler, an utterly insignificant minion.

Lynn even felt sorry for having wasted a bullet on him.

But the people around didn't seem to think so.

The instant the gunshot resounded, many present instinctively lay flat on the ground, and quite a few ladies screamed.

Order was only somewhat restored when the guards arrived at the scene.

"Duke, are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Duke Tierus looked at Lynn with a solemn expression, "As for you, you'd better give me an explanation."

"My lord, I think it would be best if I explain to you."

Suddenly, a discordant voice rang out.

A haughty young man emerged from the crowd.

"First let me introduce myself, my name is Dalion, from the Mosgla family of the Imperial Capital." While there was arrogance in Dalion's eyes, he bowed meticulously, "Also, this person in front of us is named Lynn Bartleion."

"You should have heard of the history between our two families."

"Whether you call it a misunderstanding or say a traitor got what he deserved, it's a case that was adjudicated by Judge Nidro."

"But now he has just shown up at such a solemn and respectable banquet, all the while thinking of venting his personal grudges, even going as far as killing my butler."

"This is undoubtedly an arrogant provocation to the Duke!"

"I suggest that this man be immediately arrested for murder and thrown into jail to await judgment."

Dalion spoke clearly and methodically to everyone present, as well as to Duke Tierus.

With just a sentence or two, he twisted the other party's position into a highly unfavorable situation.

Hearing these words, Duke Tierus immediately furrowed his brow deeply.

He turned to look at the young man in front of him, who had won his favor just a few minutes before, yet found his expression extremely calm.

Seeing this, Duke Tierus fell deep into thought.

While he pondered, Dalion suddenly turned and walked up to Lynn.

Looking at the ridiculous mask on his face, he couldn't help but sneer.

"Long time no see, Lynn."

"The once celebrated star of the academy, now fallen to such a state, if those of your peers led by Sai Li saw this, they'd probably be too shocked for words, right?"

"..."

Hearing the provocative words, Lynn remained silent.

Seeing this, Dalion's smirk grew even more mocking: "Also, Sister Irina asked me to send you a message."

"Your Divine-given factor is very useful."

"But... if you want to live, never come back to the Imperial Capital in this lifetime."

Having said these two sentences, Dalion straightened up, looking scornfully at the young man before him.

But the next second, his pupils shrank sharply!

The revolver in Lynn's hand, somehow, was now aiming at his heart.

Then,

"Bang!"

Twice in quick succession.

(ps: This book is scheduled to officially release on the 24th of this month at 11 pm sharp, which is the day after tomorrow, so after tomorrow's chapter update there will be a launch speech to post. I hope everyone can come and read it then.)