LYDIA'S POV

　　But throughout the whole conversation, I found myself distracted. Their voices, though helpful, lacked the warmth and reassurance I craved. I couldn't shake the feeling that they were intentionally keeping their distance from me. Was it because of what happened yesterday? Or was it something else entirely? I couldn't be sure.

　　I appreciated their advice, but what I really needed was their presence, the assurance that they were not just the betas of this kingdom but also my mates. Their support, both emotional and physical, would have meant the world to me right now.

　　"Thank you for the advice," I replied through the mind link, trying to mask my disappointment. "I'll do my best."

　　"We know you will," Evan responded, his tone still formal. "Good luck, Lydia."

　　"Stay strong," added Brandon. "We believe in you."

　　As their voices faded from my mind, I felt a mix of determination and loneliness. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. The hypnotist began their work, and I felt my consciousness slipping into a dreamlike state.

　　The world around me dissolved, and I found myself standing in a strange, shadowy realm.

　　The air was thick with tension, and the oppressive atmosphere made it clear that I was not alone. Summoning every ounce of mental strength, I readied myself for the battle ahead.

　　This was my moment to prove my worth, not just to the nobles, but to myself. The throne was my destiny, and I had to show that I was capable of leading and facing any challenge that came my way.

　　The darkness shifted, and the demon emerged, its eyes glowing with malevolent intent. I took a deep breath, grounding myself in the belief that I could overcome this trial.

　　But just as I stepped forward, the demon disappeared. I looked around, checking for any sign of its return, ready to defend myself from any surprise attack. The darkness around me intensified, the atmosphere growing eerier by the second. I shivered as I felt the temperature drop, rubbing my arms to ward off the cold and trying to focus on the task at hand.

　　Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced my chest. I gasped, my hand flying to the source of the pain. My fingers came away wet and sticky. The pain intensified, and I realized with horror that I had been stabbed. The dagger remained lodged in my chest, and with each passing second, I felt my strength ebbing away.

　　Footsteps echoed in the darkness, and when I looked up, I came face to face with none other than my father. But this time, his face held a sinister expression, one I had never seen before.

　　"Father?" I whispered, my voice trembling. "Why… why are you doing this?"

　　He smiled, a cold, heartless smile that sent chills down my spine. "You're not ready, Lydia. You'll never be ready. You're weak, and you will never be worthy of the throne."

　　My life was draining, and I writhed in agony. It didn't matter that I was in a different realm; the pain of being stabbed in the chest felt all the same. It literally felt as if I were dying.

　　The darkness around me intensified, and the sinister presence of the demon loomed closer. My vision blurred, and each breath was a struggle. The hallucination was designed to test my mental strength, but it was becoming too real, too unbearable. I tried to focus, to remember that this was a test, but the pain was overwhelming.

　　Being stabbed by my father was something I never expected. It felt like the trust I had built slowly shattered once again. Why would my father stab me?

　　He stood there for a moment, then stepped closer, the same evil smile plastered on his face.

　　No! He is not my father. He is someone else.

　　"You are not my father!" I tried to shout, but my voice came out in unsteady breaths.

　　He laughed, and his voice was different than what I remembered.

　　"Of course not! No one wants a weak child like you. We do share the same blood, but I despised the moment you were born. You were just a burden and nothing more. Even now, you lay there as a mere weakling, but I have decided to deal with you once and for all," he said, and with that, he disappeared.

　　Suddenly, Luna Judy was standing in his place. I tried to crawl away, but she punched me, sending excruciating pain through my gut.

　　"Lydia, you're nothing but a failure," she hissed, her eyes filled with malice. "You think you can become queen? Pathetic!"

　　I gasped, trying to catch my breath, my body wracked with pain. This wasn't real. It couldn't be real. I had to remind myself that this was all part of the hallucination, a twisted test of my mental strength. But the pain was so real, the betrayal so visceral.

　　"Why… why are you doing this?" I managed to choke out.

　　"Because you're weak," she spat, her face contorted with hatred. "You've always been weak, and you always will be."

　　Her words reminded me of the night she hurt me the most, leaving me shattered completely with no hope of living. That night, I had wanted to end my life. Tears gathered in my eyes as I looked at her with a pleading look. "Please let me go! What have I ever done to you?" I questioned.

　　"As if you don't know it already," she remarked and threw another punch at my jaw, snapping my face to the other side.

　　"No-no, I don't know," I shook my head, the tears now streaming down my face. The physical pain was excruciating, but the emotional torment was even worse. I felt as if I were being torn apart from the inside out.