Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 425: Blessing for Empire

It took a full week for news of the attack launched by the Kingdom of Velys to reach the imperial capital. At a sensitive moment when the Emperor was unwell and unable to meet anyone, with undercurrents swirling throughout the capital, this news was like dropping a heavy deep-water bomb into a lake.

Night had fallen. In the Third Princess’s chambers, Astrid, draped in a pure black silk nightgown, pored over a letter beneath the lamplight.

She propped her cheek with one hand, fingertips lightly tracing the paper. Her two smooth, bare legs crossed elegantly, the soft skin pressing together like finely scattered snow. Her delicate feet were hidden within slippers, revealing only the round, gleaming heels and exquisitely alluring ankles. Fresh from a bath, her pale skin shimmered faintly with moisture.

This letter wasn’t from the head maid’s intelligence network, but a handwritten report from Charlotte stationed at the second defensive line. Beyond some exchanges regarding magical machinery, it mainly contains private analysis on the war’s prospects and specific developments.

According to the letter, the Liya Tower Fortress had been transformed by Duke Charles into an almost impregnable steel stronghold. Countless advanced magical energy weapons were mounted along the walls and watchtowers, constantly aimed at the Velys army to the west. Reinforcements streamed in from the rear without end.

As the military stronghold geographically closest to the Kingdom of Velys’s border and the first to face attack, Liya Tower Fortress could effectively protect the flanks of the allied lines, shield neighboring positions, and extend its defensive influence to the secondary fortresses northeast and southeast.

It was an extremely tough piece of resistance, nearly impossible to capture in less than two months.

Gazing at the neat, elegant handwriting on the page, Astrid swayed her legs slightly and slowly removed her hand from her cheek. Her ruby-red eyes reflect the light from the wall lamps.

In the original novel, Liya Tower Fortress had also been chosen by Duke Charles as the bridgehead to resist the Kingdom of Velys’s invasion. From protagonist Lyra’s perspective, the fortress had held out for just over a month under the full assault of Duke Grant.

Now, with the addition of magical energy weapons, while it might not completely halt the Velys offensive at the border, it at least grants the Empire more time for counterattacks and greater strategic depth.

As the invading force, without tangible gains, the morale of the Kingdom of Velys’s army will only continue to decline.

After all, not everyone was a fervent believer in the God of Light. While the Temple Knights might tread foreign lands to spread their faith and righteousness, even sacrifice their lives, common civilian mercenaries wouldn’t.

Flipping further, as if expecting what Astrid wanted to know, after concluding the battle analysis, Charlotte mentioned Lyra.

Duke Charles had granted the Honorary Knight an unusually high degree of freedom. Facing the upcoming protracted war, Lyra could choose to go to the less pressured flanks to assist in stabilizing the front lines.

The risk was minimal, the enemies weaker, and given Lyra’s imminent breakthrough to peak tier Master Knight status, her life would be in little danger.

Yet, after brief consideration, Lyra chose to pass this relatively easier task to Duke Charles’s Deputy and remained stationed at Liya Tower Fortress.

She was the Empire’s pride, the magical prodigy who had once defeated the Princess of Velys in a ranked duel. Thanks to Astrid and Charles’s publicity, the idea that Lyra Beckett could defeat the Kingdom had already deeply embedded itself in the public mind. As long as she appeared before the troops, she could inspire morale to a certain degree.

[Duke Charles approved Lyra’s request and assigned her to command a twenty-person defense squad.]

[Judging by combat strength, soldiers equal to Lyra were all holding key military positions. A unit of twenty seemed inadequate for a middle tier Master Knight, but considering her status, Duke Charles’s decision clearly carried the intention of nurturing Lyra.]

[A graduate of Elizabeth Academy of Magic, and a battlefield novice, this level of trust is, in my opinion, invaluable.]

Reading Charlotte’s words and breathing in the faint scent of ink in the air, Astrid’s pupils remain as calm as still water. Only the fingertips resting on the desk tapped gently, betrayed the subtle reflections within her heart.

Perhaps before long, Lyra’s title of [Honored Knight of Holy Light], would gain an additional epithet: [Bastion of the Valeria Empire].

Half a minute passed. A crisp knock echoed at the door. Astrid quietly reviewed documents, lifted her head and moved toward the entrance.

"Miss, may I come in?"

"Please."

No sooner had Astrid spoken than the door swung open from outside. A long, shapely white-stockinged leg stepped into the bedroom, followed by cascading black hair falling to her waist.

Elise approached Astrid holding a stack of parchments, her voice gentle.

"Miss, these are the recent updates on the two Princes, as well as activities related to the Velmont family."

"Additionally, after the battle report arrived, His Majesty summoned four ministers to the palace for a late-night council."

"At the same time, many cabinets received notice that an emergency meeting would be convened by Hibbort tomorrow morning to formulate a response to the Kingdom of Velys’s invasion."

Tomorrow? The Emperor Appearing in person?

Catching this sensitive piece of intelligence, Astrid fluttered her eyelashes, faintly expecting how lively tomorrow’s cabinet meeting would be.

Hibbort hadn’t appeared before the public for nearly a month, and rumors were escalating rapidly.

Or perhaps they weren’t just rumors, at least, Hibbort’s apparent state did resemble that of an aging Emperor, too ill to govern, urgently needing a regent.

As for whether that regent would be Lucas or Alistair, the answer remains unrevealed.

"I see. What time tomorrow?"

"In response, Miss, nine o’clock sharp, at the Royal Council Chamber."

"..."

Casually brushing her hair aside, and noting the lateness of the hour, Astrid gave a slight nod, signaling Elise to return and rest.

She didn’t need to think, both Princes would surely attend tomorrow. As Hibbort’s most beloved daughter, she couldn’t afford to be absent either. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

She continued flipping through the fresh intelligence handed to her by the head maid, confirming there was nothing of great value. Then she moved behind Amalia, gently wrapping her arms around the loli’s neck, her soft body pressing against her back.

"It’s time to sleep, Amalia."

Hearing her sister’s words, the black-haired girl obediently nodded. As she stood, she reached out and grasped Astrid’s two slender arms.

"Okay, let’s rest together, Sister."

After placing a gentle kiss on the woman’s wrist, Amalia turned around and hugged the silver-haired princess tightly. Her smooth white-stockinged legs rubbed delicately against Astrid’s.

Feeling the cool, warm touch against her legs, like pressing against a piece of fine, smooth jade, Astrid blinked softly. Amalia didn’t loosen her hold. One milk-white stockinged foot slipped out of her shoe, skillfully entwining around Astrid’s ankle, while the other remained planted on the floor for support.

With a slight push, Astrid fell back onto the bed, her cascade of silver hair spilling across the sheets.

...................

The next day, at the Royal Council Chamber, Astrid participated in the emergency meeting convened by Hibbort, accompanied by Amalia.

During this period, Astrid almost always brought Amalia wherever she went, so the cabinet members didn’t find her presence unusual. They merely glanced indifferently before turning away.

One person’s presence in this meeting was critical especially, the Imperial Emperor himself, Hibbort Valeria, who had disappeared from public view for nearly a month.

After exchanging a brief greeting with Lucas and politely expressing her stance, Astrid tightened her grip on Amalia’s hand and quietly waited for the main figure to appear.

She also wanted to see what kind of condition Hibbort was truly in, or rather, what kind of image he intended to present to everyone.

At this critical juncture of foreign invasion, the Emperor’s state of mind was paramount.

Ignoring the open rivalry between the two Princes, Astrid lifted her watery eyes and calmly gazed at the towering throne at the center of the chamber, an elevated seat untouched for so long.

Countless luxurious decorations adorned the solitary seat, sunlight pouring in, gems sparkling brilliantly, symbolizing the absolute supremacy of secular imperial power.

After an indeterminate time, a low, steady footsteps echoed from the staircase. Instantly, it was as if someone had cast a silence spell, the ambient noise in the council chamber vanished, leaving only the deep, slow sound of heels tapping against the stone floor.

Loose golden hair cascaded behind his head like rippling waves of ripened wheat in autumn. His azure blue eyes were as still as an ancient well, concealing the dignity of a lion.

Cloaked in a magnificent dark-gold velvet robe, the golden-haired, emerald-eyed man entered the chamber. Facing the sunlight streaming down from the dome, he ascended the steps one by one, and took his seat upon the throne he had long been absent from.

Turning, he sat upon the imperial throne. His imposing green eyes swept across the silent crowd below. Hibbort spoke slowly.

"Everyone, it’s been a while."

The slightly low-pitched male voice reverberated through the hall. Even if it sounded as though Hibbort were whispering, not a single person dared to ignore it.

The Emperor of the Valeria Empire had once again taken his seat, and he was nothing like the outside world had speculated.

Not a frail, aging Emperor crippled by illness, but a man appears robust and strong, his figure firm, his features sharp, showing not the slightest sign of weakness.

"In recent days, I’ve been unwell and unable to attend weekly meetings. Even as Emperor, I must acknowledge my lapse in duty."

Hibbort’s tone was calm as his gaze swept across the seats occupied by his children.

Lucas, seeing Hibbort’s imposing stature and clearly not the image of a sick man, couldn’t help but show a flicker of surprise in his eyes. Meanwhile, Alistair, seated opposite the eldest Prince, seemed somewhat evasive, his eyes meeting Hibbort’s for only an instant before shifting away slightly.

Elsewhere, Astrid looked toward the Emperor, her red eyes faintly betrayed a hint of concern. Besides her, Amalia remained utterly expressionless, neither indifferent nor entirely unsurprised, as if she had anticipated everything.

"I never expected that during my absence, the Kingdom of Velys would commit such unforgivable acts."

Holding the imperial scepter, seated high upon the throne, Hibbort’s expression was solemn, his words clear and resonant. Each syllable seemed to strike directly into the hearts of those present.

"One week ago, Duke Grant received orders from the King of Velys and launched a fierce attack on Duke Charles’s territory, resulting in casualties."

"The invaders claim that everything the Empire possessed originated from the once-great Lorin Empire. When the Lorin Empire collapsed, the Empire seized vast lands, forcing them into harsh, frozen territories to build their homes."

"They merely wish to redistribute this inheritance."

As his words ended, Hibbort surveyed the room. Seeing everyone’s attention fixed upon him, he continued.

"To disguise their robberies with such baseless excuses, I once thought that King might have a more clever clarification. Now it seems I overestimated him."

"Furthermore, the Holy Church has also launched a war of faith against the Empire."

"These fanatical believers proclaim their God of Light as the sovereign of all creation, claim that nonbelievers and heretics have stolen the divine, and thus deserve chains and judgment by holy fire."

"...What radiant rhetoric."

Imposing ideology upon the people, slaughtering in the name of faith, anyone with reason would recognize such actions as fundamentally wrong.

However, religious fanatics are called "fanatical" precisely because of their blind faith. Having lost the ability to think independently, they become mere beasts, manipulated by worldly powers.

"As Emperor of the Valeria Empire, I hereby accept their declaration of war."

At the center of the meeting hall, a crystal-clear orb faithfully recorded Hibbort’s speech. The retrocognition magic will preserve everything from today, ensuring it will be remembered as a significant moment in history.

"Now then... we should discuss how to retaliate."

...................

After over two hours of discussion, the cabinet finalized a specific defensive plan. With Hibbort’s approval, the emergency meeting concluded as the sun approached its zenith.

Watching the Emperor leave the council chamber, Astrid lowered her crossed legs. Her high heels clicked crisply against the floor, and her sheer black stockings shimmered softly in the light, like a delicate, sweet piece of chocolate.

The three main objectives of the emergency meeting now seemed achieved: the Emperor had appeared to stabilize the situation, the Empire officially condemned and accepted the challenge, and the private secretariat had collaborated to establish a strategy against the enemy.

Only one point remains, deliberately avoided by Hibbort.

And as Astrid pondered this, the person most closely connected to that barely overlooked her.

"Sister, it seems Father’s health isn’t as dire as the rumors suggested."

A complex emotion flickered briefly in Lucas’s eyes before he spoke.

"Truly a blessing for the Empire."