Princess’s Struggle for Survival

Two days ago, at Marquis Joestlin, Lyra, who had managed to secure half a day off from Astrid, felt her worldview was greatly shaken in just one short hour.

Linda and her personal maid were indeed the kind of relationship she had imagined. However, out of respect and politeness, Lyra didn't ask too much, such as what their future would be like or why they had come together.

Linda Jostlin is the second daughter of Marquis Joestrin. As a noble of the imperial capital, it's actually not realistic to remain unmarried for life. At least from what Lyra has learned, there aren't many noble children who can arrange their own marriages. So-called love often gives way to the interests of the family most of the time.

If Linda wants to stay with her partner for a long time, the obstacles she will face in the future are not only the secular gaze that may not understand same-sex relationships but also the dissatisfaction from within the family for not gaining enough benefits from her marriage.

Of course... if it's just for fun, then there's no need to consider so much...

After all, among the upper-class nobles of the Valeria Empire, it's not uncommon for maids to satisfy the physiological needs of their masters. It's even a tacit rule, and people like Charlotte and Astrid, who are self-disciplined, are actually very rare.

Walking on the bluish-green stone path, feeling the dazzling sunlight overhead, Lyra raised her hand to shield her forehead, using the back of her hand to block the heat.

But no matter what Linda thinks, she indeed has such a relationship with her maid now.

Girls and girls... besides kissing, can they really do that kind of thing...

Thinking of the time when they were drinking tea, Linda noticed the doubt in her tone and, as if hinting, extended her finger and then gently tapped the side of the cup. Lyra's previously speculative thoughts were now confirmed.

So... it's not strange for her to have that kind of feeling towards Princess Astrid...

It's a very normal physiological reaction.

The Marquis Joestlin's residence is not far from the palace. Lyra walked for half an hour and arrived. Entering the third princess's bedroom, smelling the incense in the corridor, the pink-haired girl pressed her hands tightly against her thighs, unconsciously rubbing the hem of her maid's skirt with the skin on the inside of her wrist, her hard-soled leather shoes clicking on the floor tiles.

Lyra... having wild thoughts about your master is not something a qualified maid should do...

Taking a deep breath, the images in her mind lingered. Lyra pursed her lips, her sky-blue pupils rippling like water.

She thought of a dream she had before, a particularly special birthday gift from Princess Astrid.

If the dream could be extended, Lyra now basically understood what she would do the moment Princess Astrid placed her smooth, silky black-stockinged legs on her waist.

No, no... can't continue thinking about this...

If this goes on, she might really become a bad maid who secretly defiles her master in her heart.

Turning the corner of the corridor, the midday sunlight shone through the glass window onto the soft plush carpet, illuminating the entire bedroom brightly. Lyra suddenly noticed a pair of night-colored stilettos with diamond-studded toes in her field of vision.

Looking up instinctively, she saw a pair of delicate calves wrapped in thin black stockings and smooth knees with no visible sock creases. The pure black dress, as wide as an umbrella, hinted at the noble status of the person.

"Have you met Linda?"

Astrid supported her chest with one hand, the elbow of her other hand resting on the back of her hand, her wrist gently leaning against her chin. Her bright red eyes shifted, exuding a lazy aura.

After all, in her own bedroom, Astrid naturally acted much more casually than outside.

Hearing this, Lyra's shoulders tightened, her heart almost leaping out of her throat.

Just now, she was reminiscing about that charming and alluring dream, and the next second, the subject of the dream appeared before her eyes. This sudden impact even blurred the line between dream and reality, making Lyra's spirit waver for a moment.

"Ah... yes! I've met Linda!"

Hearing Lyra's voice suddenly rose a pitch, Astrid slightly narrowed her eyes, her pink lips pursed, her exquisite face showing a bit of confusion.

"Why are you so nervous? Is the weather outside too hot?"

After going out, it felt like Lyra's gaze towards her had changed.

Lyra bit her lower lip with her teeth, moistening her lips with her tongue, and answered after a moment.

"Maybe... yes..."

She indeed feels an inexplicable heat now, both physically and mentally.

Even though there were ice attribute crystals placed in the corridor to adjust the indoor temperature, they seemed to have no effect at all.

"Princess Astrid, I'll go take a shower first..."

"...I sweated a bit on the way back."

Her palm caressing the skin of her thigh, her fingertips unconsciously hooking the straps on the edge of her white stockings, Lyra lowered her head and made up a reason to leave.

Astrid didn't stop her, just glanced at her slightly.

"Alright, go ahead."

Hearing this, the heat in Lyra's heart slightly subsided. She softly replied, "Okay," and then quickly left, her leather shoes clicking.

Feeling the wind from the swaying skirt as the other person passed by, catching a glimpse of the girl's noticeably relaxed demeanor from the corner of her eye, Astrid looked back at Lyra, feeling that her departing figure was unexpectedly hurried.

What's going on? So strange.

Thinking that there were other things to do and Lyra's vacation was not over yet, Astrid temporarily suppressed her curiosity and walked along the path the former had come from, heading out of the bedroom.

'The thoughts of a young girl are really hard to fathom. I wonder if I was the same before.'

On the other hand, back in her bedroom, Lyra sat at her desk, staring at her slightly flushed face in the mirror for a long time, finally swallowing her throat and getting up to go to the bathroom.

Taking off her maid's dress and the white stockings wrapped around her legs, Lyra turned on the showerhead, letting the water flow over her skin.

She really needed a shower, not just to clean her body but also to stop herself from continuing to have wild thoughts.

Knowing about it is enough... don't be too curious about how to do it...

.........

Time returns to the present. Astrid, holding Charlotte's waist, gently clasped the woman's knees with her legs, smelling the pleasant body fragrance and feeling drowsy.

Whether it's Amalia or Lyra, Astrid has always been a good sister or good friend in front of them. Therefore, most of the time, she is the one taking care of them.

But facing the head maid and the mature, sexy, and charming woman she is holding now, Astrid can relax a bit, not think too much, and fully enjoy the unique tenderness and tolerance of the older generation.

"Lady Charlotte..."

"Hmm?"

"Please endure it for a while."

Astrid understands Charlotte's ambitions and pursuits, but it's not possible now. Not to mention that Hibbort would not allow her to vigorously develop civilian magical devices, the increasingly intense political situation and conflicts among the noble forces within the empire also do not allow Charlotte to carry out a magic revolution on a large scale.

She has thought about using modern knowledge to transform magical devices, greatly improving national productivity to deal with the invasion of the Kingdom of Velys in the future. But in fact, during this turbulent period of the empire, a strong medicine may not necessarily bring it back to life. Instead, it might exacerbate the conflicts between classes and become a catalyst for the fortress to collapse from within.

Everything should wait until Amalia ascends the throne, fully integrates the various fragmented interest groups, and the situation is relatively stable before making plans.

Hearing Astrid's words, Charlotte blinked, leaning closer softly, her tone gentle.

"Do I seem so impatient in little Astr's heart?"

"I know, take it slow."

The high-level officials of the empire have already shown some signs of loosening their stance. The rest can be left in time.

Helping her beloved junior tie up her silver hair and placing it along her back, Charlotte continued.

"By the way, in the process of researching magical devices, I feel I have gained some new insights."

"Perhaps the time until the next breakthrough won't be too long."

If mental power is the blood and flesh of a mage, then the vast knowledge of magic is their bones. At Charlotte's level, the growth of mental power is no longer so important. To advance, one must rely on sufficient knowledge reserves and a deep understanding of the entire magical power system.

This is why, even though Astrid is still an early sorcerer, Charlotte emphasizes learning magic circles, preparing for future advancements.

"Breakthrough? Is Lady Charlotte about to become a middle Arcanist mage?" Astrid asked.

Charlotte nodded, "Yes, I have a feeling."

"Quickly, in two or three weeks, or slowly, within half a year, I can achieve a breakthrough."

Knowledge is the foundation of magic. Compared to those who, upon reaching the Arcanist mage level, indulge in revelry and become complacent, mages like Charlotte, who are always at the forefront of research, are more likely to progress.

Middle Arcanist mages, in the entire empire, the number of people who can match them does not exceed ten fingers. Among those in the open, she is the only one as young as her.

"Then congratulations in advance, Lady Charlotte." Astrid said softly.

A breakthrough in the magical level will bring mages more exquisite control over their mental power, which will be very helpful for Charlotte's future research. The two complement each other, forming an excellent virtuous cycle.

Hearing this, Charlotte gently exhaled, continuing to hold Astrid. Their body temperatures transmitted to each other in the narrow quilt, and their body fragrances merged into one.

After a while, Charlotte spoke leisurely.

"Astrid..."

This time, she did not use the more charming "little Astrid" as a form of address but called Astrid by her real name.

Feeling that what Charlotte was about to say next must be quite serious, Astrid's weary spirit returned to clarity, her red eyes blinking, silently waiting for the following words.

"After the matters within the empire are settled, I plan to go to the Abyss Rift." Charlotte said.

The Rift Abyss is the place where Fanya and Hughes disappeared, and it is also an extremely dangerous and mysterious place.

"..."

Hearing this, Astrid fell into silence, not knowing what to say for a moment. After half a minute, she heard Charlotte speak again.

"Back then, when Fanya ventured into the abyss, she was a peak Arcanist mage, and Hughes, your father, was a powerful peak Crusader. The two almost represented the peak combat power of the empire, yet they still disappeared in the process of exploring the abyss."

"If everything goes smoothly, by then, I should have the strength of a peak Arcanist mage, barely qualified to enter the abyss."

She wants to understand the truth behind Fanya's disappearance. A peak Arcanist mage and a peak Crusader should not have fallen so silently.

Hearing the determination in Charlotte's words, Astrid hesitated for a moment, her lips slightly parted.

"If Lady Charlotte has decided, I support you."

"But by then, I hope you can take me with you."

The time node Charlotte has set should be after Amalia ascends the throne. According to the current situation, it will take at least four years.

Four years is enough for her strength to undergo a qualitative change.

Hearing this, Charlotte frowned slightly and said softly.

"It's too dangerous. What are you going to do?"

Frankly, Charlotte does not want Astrid to accompany her, even if by then, the latter has become a powerful mage.

"Because I'm also curious about the truth of my mother's disappearance..." Astrid lowered her head, her cheek close to Charlotte's smooth and attractive swan neck.

"And I'm not at ease with Lady Charlotte going alone."

"Consider it my arrogance."

An early sorcerer worries about the safety of an Arcanist mage, if others heard it, they would probably laugh at Astrid for overestimating her abilities. But now, in Charlotte's ears, it has a different flavor.

Little Astr...

After a long silence, Charlotte felt Astrid's nose gently touch her neck, the warm breath made her earlobe slightly hot.

"I don't want you to go." Charlotte said softly.

"This trip is fraught with danger. You really don't need to come along."

Hearing this, Astrid hugged Charlotte even tighter, her breath like an orchid.

"Of course I understand."

"But I really can't rest assured with Lady Charlotte going alone."

In novels, this Rift Abyss is definitely a big pit. Astrid doesn't need to think to know that one day in the future, the destined female lead holding the holy sword will definitely venture deep into it and clear this dungeon.

"Anyway, there's still plenty of time. Lady Charlotte doesn't need to reject me so quickly."

"By then, if you think my strength is sufficient and I won't hold Lady Charlotte back, please allow me to come along."

Having inherited the memories of this body, it's impossible to say she has no feelings for her original parents. Whether out of curiosity about the world or the desire to find them, Astrid has the idea of exploring the abyss.

"..."

Listening to the steady and strong heartbeat of the person in her arms, Charlotte's heart was filled with mixed emotions. After half a minute, she replied softly.

"Alright."

"If by then, little Astrid has the strength to defeat me."

"We'll go together."