Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 428: “If Prince Lucas continues indulging like this, it wouldn’t be strange if one day he died on a woman’s lap.”

Chapter 428: “If Prince Lucas continues indulging like this, it wouldn’t be strange if one day he died on a woman’s lap.”

At a time when the war between the two nations was particularly intense, the Empire’s highest-ranking frontline commander suddenly left the command fortress and headed deep into Imperial territory, by any measure, something major was about to happen.

Astrid unconsciously narrowed her crimson eyes, her two black-stockinged legs lazily crossed, gently rubbing against each other. Light shimmered softly across the smooth skin of her thighs, accompanied by the delicate, pleasing sound of silk sliding against silk.

"Elise, how exactly did you obtain this intelligence?" Astrid asked.

The Duke Charles’s departure meant that supreme wartime command had passed to his adjutant. Only one possibility could explain such a move.

Something had changed in the capital, urgently requiring a powerful noble loyal to the Imperial family and holding military authority to assist behind the scenes, ensuring stability amid potential upheaval.

Duke Charles had once supported Hibbort’s ascension to power, and his ducal family had long maintained close ties with the Imperial household, truly a case where prosperity or ruin affected them all together. To withdraw such a pivotal figure from the front lines to the rear, the issue must be far more serious than outsiders imagine.

"Reporting, Miss," Elise replied, one hand pressed lightly to her chest, her voice solemn and low. "Duke Charles hasn’t participated in any military meetings for quite some time. Even military orders have been relayed and executed by his adjutant."

"This happened on the third day after the capital’s envoy arrived at the frontier. Since then, Duke Charles has disappeared from public view, no longer participating in any military affairs."

"Our intelligence personnel update reports every three days on average. If their pace matches reality, Duke Charles should already have arrived in the capital by now, though it remains unknown to outsiders."

Returning from the first defensive line to the capital took considerable time, causing all frontline intelligence, including what Astrid received, to suffer certain delays. Elise’s response was to accelerate personnel movement, ensuring information continuity.

"This also indirectly explains why the Emperor demanded the Imperial Guards control the main roads around the imperial capital so early on."

Aside from deterring any armed forces that might threaten Imperial authority, it also provides cover for Duke Charles’s entry into the capital.

After listening, Astrid’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. Propped up on one arm against her cheek, her elegant foot, sheathed in sheer black silk, lightly flicked at her shoe, lifting it slightly.

Internally, most state affairs had long been delegated by Hibbort to four ministers; he himself appears rarely.

Externally, the Royal Guards controlled all roads leading to the palace, strictly checking movement, while simultaneously summoning the frontier Duke to the capital for assistance.

Something about Hibbort’s actions felt suspiciously like summoning a regional governor to the capital to support the throne.

Seeing Astrid remain silent, Elise stayed quiet as well, hands folded neatly at her waist, her long legs, clad in white silk thigh-highs, standing straight, returning to the maid captain’s usual standby posture.

"..."

"If this is how the intelligence was obtained," Astrid said after a pause, relaxing her expression, her slender white fingers tapping lightly on the table in rhythm with her words, "then its authenticity deserves further discussion."

"Where Duke Charles currently remains unknown. Elise, further investigation is needed. Until he reappears, everything remains uncertain."

In Astrid’s eyes, the claim of Hibbort’s severe illness was unconvincing, making the current intelligence seem less reliable as well.

"Moreover, I believe if Lucas and Alistair knew of this, they’d likely reach similar conclusions."

Duke Charles was the highest-ranking commander on the frontier. Intelligence concerning him wasn’t difficult to gather, especially information as overt as this. Elise’s intelligence network, cultivated over years, could easily uncover it, let alone the various nobles within the Empire.

Astrid even suspects that even the army of the Kingdom of Velys couldn’t remain unaware of this news.

Although her two elder brothers were mediocre in ability, they hadn’t completely lost their basic political instincts. The Duke entering the capital to support the throne clearly signaled that the Emperor was aging and weakened, no longer able to govern, and already considering his successor.

Lucas, holding a significant advantage, could afford to wait and plan carefully. But Alistair was different, he had to fight desperately like a cornered beast. Otherwise, once Lucas ascended, with the Imperial Guards sealing all external threats and Duke Charles helping the new Emperor internally, eliminating Alistair would be as simple as a wave of the hand. By then, it’d be too late to say anything.

Father... is forcing Alistair to make him move...

Understanding the crucial implication, Astrid blinked several times, then relaxed her back against the chair.

For now, with Lucas still alive, she, the Princess, had no one to rely on and would be forced to align with him. Her priority as a target was far lower than the Crown Prince’s.

Still, even so, basic security awareness was essential. Carefulness ensures longevity.

"Elise, don’t leave the capital for now. Try to stay close to me and Amalia as much as possible."

Receiving Astrid’s order, the head maid nodded calmly. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"As you command, Miss."

Even without Astrid’s instructions, given the intelligence she’d gathered and the accumulated understanding between them, Elise would never leave the Third Princess to act alone.

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

At the Crown Prince’s mansion, an elegant, classical residence, a man with golden hair and blue eyes sat half-naked, wearing only a luxurious velvet robe, enjoying a massage from his personal maidservant.

"Prince Lucas, is the pressure sufficient?"

"Mm, just right."

Seated atop another maid’s soft, warm thighs, his shoulders receiving soothing pressure, Lucas kept his eyes closed, only slowly opening his lips when a damp berry was brought to his mouth, chewing it carefully.

This team of maidservants had been specially assembled by him, an elite group dedicated to serving his every need, each one a paragon of beauty and figure in the eyes of others.

Indulging in meticulous service from his entourage, submerged in the scent of cosmetics and perfume, Lucas couldn’t resist reaching his hand aside.

(............)

"Prince Lucas... doing something naughty again..."

(............)

(............)

(............)

Lucas Valeria could truly be said to be basking in glory. Among the Four Great Ducal Families, two had already shown their support. Many nobles in the capital were also extending goodwill, as if, from everyone’s perspective, the Crown Prince’s succession to the throne was already a foregone conclusion.

Thinking back to those nobles who previously demanded high prices and still might not guarantee support, now joining his political volunteer faction without payment, Lucas felt a surge of secret delight.

When one holds absolute advantage, resources flow endlessly toward them. This dynamic steadily widens the gap between oneself and one’s opponent.

In Lucas’s view, achieving this position was thanks not only to Astrid’s assistance but also to his own shrewd management.

Now, all he needed was for Hibbort to abdicate, and he will grasp the Imperial scepter, ascend that luxurious, noble throne, and become a figure whom everyone must look up to.

Including his incompetent younger brother, and that long-desired, nearly within reach Imperial beauty, whom he’d been unable to touch due to his father’s authority.

Imagining the future of luxurious, unrestrained imperial life, Lucas couldn’t suppress the smile at the corner of his lips.

Temporary restraint would bring greater pleasure, just like waiting for a fruit to ripen, biting into it at the moment of fullest juiciness for the sweetest taste. And for Lucas, well-versed in matters of love and desire, this was a truth deeply understood.

Everyone who defied him will be accounted for. All his waiting and endurance will transform into rich rewards.

He had waited too long for that moment.

Taking another sip of red wine, the sweet-bitter liquid filling his mouth, as if prematurely celebrating his victory, Lucas tilted his neck, signaling the person behind to switch massage areas.

Time passed quietly. On a spring afternoon, having already indulged in a taste of unrestrained pleasure among wine and flesh, Lucas heard a maid whisper into his ear. Moments later, he re-donned his robe and rose from the woman’s lap.

"Lady Helen of the Roast family invited me to a private gathering at her residence?" Lucas asserted to himself.

Now that was unusual. This wealthy young lady had never shown him any favor before, and rarely invited a gentleman for afternoon tea.

A flicker of suspicion crossed his blue eyes, but immediately, the image of her graceful figure and beautiful features surfaced in his mind. Combined with the sunlight, and the fact that his desires, aroused earlier by the maidservants’ attentions, hadn’t been fully relieved, his restless heart burned hotter, sending waves of heat coursing through his body.

Could it be that she saw the political resources in his hands, seeking cooperation, and thus specially invited him to her residence to express her goodwill?

It wasn’t impossible. After Hibbort’s health declined, many Imperial nobles had been courting him, and even some members of Alistair’s faction had prepared for a double allegiance.

Thoughts rapidly swirling, Lucas quickly suppressed that minor doubt, a smile forming on his lips as he walked into the adjacent washroom.

Another young noblewoman hoping to climb onto a higher branch, either driven by personal greed for wealth and status, or acting for her family’s interests. Both possibilities were equally plausible.

Of course, to Lucas, such details didn’t matter. He’d exchange his effort and partial political protection for the support of her father’s generation and the youthful, beautiful body of a young girl.

If he recalled correctly, Helen was a relatively less-favored daughter. Doing this wouldn’t affect the normal marriages of her siblings.

A transaction common among the nobility, advantageous and suitable.

Now, Lucas’s mind was clouded by the imminent victory. His vigilance and independent thinking had dropped to their lowest point. He didn’t realize that the more certain victory seemed, the more cautious one should be, lest the opponent launch a final counterattack.

"What’s the Third Princess doing?"

Looking into the mirror at his own visibly improved appearance, Lucas stretched his neck, the bones cracking with a faint creaking sound, inwardly marveling that short-term abstinence truly helped physical recovery.

"Reporting, Your Highness: the Third Princess was previously at the Purple Dragon restaurant, having lunch together with Earl Tristian. It’s said they were discussing commercial cooperation with the Velmont family for the next quarter."

"Is that so...continue monitoring her."

"Yes, Your Highness."

To emphasize his noble status, Lucas deliberately lingered at his mansion for a while longer, then changed into casual attire and headed toward the residence purchased by the Roast.

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

"Lady Helen invited Lucas to a private gathering at her residence?"

Thirty minutes later, upon hearing the news, Astrid paused her pen and continued listening as Elise reported detailed background on the young lady.

Daughter of the Roast, her background was relatively clean, with no clear political affiliations, spending most of her time at home and rarely going out.

"Showing favor to Lucas at this juncture isn’t particularly surprising," Astrid remarked.

Her assessment aligned with Lucas’s. Recently, too many nobles had shifted allegiance to them. Among them, the Roast wasn’t especially sensitive.

"Did he bring guards?" Astrid asked.

Elise shook her head and replied truthfully, "Reporting, Miss: Prince Lucas brought his most elite personal bodyguards."

Astrid had seen that guard unit before. At the time, she’d inwardly marveled, how exactly had Alistair managed to severely injure Lucas, rendering him permanently incapacitated, with such a powerful protective force nearby?

"Somewhat clever," Astrid murmured, then turned to the paper before her, her pink lips parting slightly.

In this case, there likely wouldn’t be any major issues, unless, in a moment of lustful recklessness, he foolishly dismissed his guards himself. But that would actually suit Astrid’s plans perfectly. The sooner Alistair acted, the more chaotic the situation would become. If successful, she could legitimately inherit the political legacy left by Lucas, then skillfully arrange Alistair’s fratricide, ensuring he’d never hold his head high again.

"...If it were me, I’d never give any opportunity at such a time."

Even without the omniscient perspective, judging by the intelligence Lucas could access, a meticulous person like Astrid would avoid all variables during such a critical moment.

Their advantage was already great enough.

Hearing Astrid say this, Elise gave an almost imperceptible nod.

"If Prince Lucas continues indulging like this, it wouldn’t be strange if one day he died on a woman’s lap."

That prince’s debauchery was infamous. In her opinion, such a possibility wasn’t small at all.

Astrid paused, her silver hair, draped over her skirt, slightly swaying.

She didn’t think the maid captain’s judgment was wrong, but was surprised she’d actually spoken her mind so directly.

That wasn’t common before.