Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 454: What she desired was no longer merely being treated as a sister’s younger sibling.

Chapter 454: What she desired was no longer merely being treated as a sister’s younger sibling.

Hearing the sharp, distinctive clicking of slender heels on the floor tiles behind him, Academy head Anthony turned around to face the golden-haired girl dressed in a flowing white silk gown, and spoke first.

"Congratulations, Princess Amalia. Your appearance today was extremely successful."

With no prior rehearsal, relying solely on improvisation, the future emperor of the Valeria Empire had performed impeccably in public.

Especially that aura of authority, similar to Hibbort’s, that naturally commanded respect, making it easy for listeners to overlook the fact that the person seated upon the throne was actually a petite white-dressed little girl whose feet couldn’t even touch the floor while wearing high heels.

In response to Anthony’s praise, Amalia gave a slight nod, gently pinching the hem of her dress with both hands as she softly replied.

"Lord Anthony’s speech was also a crucial part of the event. Without your support, I doubt many of the nobles below would have accepted me so readily."

Even though she knew everything had been arranged by Hibbort, it didn’t stop her from showing proper respect to the man who would soon become her regent.

Anthony responded with a faint smile.

"Your Highness flatters me. This is merely my duty."

"The Emperor chose you, and you’ve proven your excellence through your abilities."

After exchanging a few polite words, Hibbort finished speaking with the four ministers. As the Council Hall was once again sealed by the Imperial Guards, the man raised his

blue eyes to look at Amalia before him.

"Next Friday, the coronation ceremony will be held at the Imperial Palace and Elizabeth Academy of Magic."

"Cough... Prepare in advance. These imperial concerns, don’t allow the slightest negligence."

Just as Astrid had suspected, the reason Hibbort chose such an early date for Amalia’s ascension and rushed the coronation ceremony was because his health condition could no longer hold on much longer.

Based on his own physical sensations and mental force detection of his failing internal organs, Hibbort knew he had at most, no more than, two weeks left to live.

"I understand," Amalia replied softly, her gaze sweeping over the four ministers present.

The coronation ceremony of the Valeria Empire’s emperor was far from a simple stage appearance. Proclamation of succession, transfer rituals, military parades, celebratory proceedings, and royal banquets, each step was essential to display imperial majesty. Naturally, the arrangement of venues and other preparations would be delegated to the ministers, impossible for Hibbort to handle personally.

"I appreciate all of your efforts," Amalia said.

Seven days might sound long, but for preparing an emperor’s coronation, it felt just a little too short.

The four ministers bowed one after another, each affirming their full dedication to the upcoming coronation.

Hibbort watched the graceful white-dressed princess before him. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke.

"The palace interior is already heavily secured by the Imperial Guards. My personal safety is not a concern... Cough..."

As he spoke, he was accompanied by intermittent coughing, his voice slightly hoarse. His facial muscles twitched faintly, causing his stubble to tremble along with them.

"Trin, from now on, follow Amalia’s orders at all times. Your top priority is protecting her safety."

Once the weekly meeting ended, the name Amalia Valeria would inevitably stir a massive upheaval within the capital’s noble circles. As this heavyweight news dropped into the water, the ripples spreading outward would affect every corner of the empire over the coming days.

From the moment her true identity was revealed, Amalia was destined to be busy. A flood of noble social engagements would completely consume her free time. Especially during this critical power transition, many sought to connect with Amalia, hoping to discuss cooperation and build favorable relationships with the future emperor.

As the new ruler, she couldn’t completely avoid these interactions. For now, Amalia needed to appear multiple times in public with her golden hair and blue eyes, clearly demonstrating her political stance and governing inclinations through her actions, thereby reassuring the nobility and earning their trust.

Moreover, although Hibbort had acknowledged her bloodline and changed Amalia’s status from illegitimate daughter to the fourth imperial princess recognized and raised by Astrid, other royal family members might not accept her. Handling those nobles will be left to Amalia herself.

Upon hearing Hibbort’s order, Trin placed one hand over his chest, giving the standard response salute.

"As you command, Your Majesty."

Having served Hibbort for years as the Imperial Steward, Trin was to Hibbort what Elise was to Astrid, his power and loyalty were unquestionable.

Glancing at the respectful black-haired man beside her, Amalia gave a slight nod.

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

With Trin, an Arcanist level mage, as her protector, and Imperial Guards visible throughout the capital, Amalia’s personal safety was virtually guaranteed. Not to mention, Amalia herself was a peak tier Magnus concealing her true strength. Even if assassins somehow approach, they’d likely suffer greatly due to lack of intelligence, ending up as charred remains after being struck by Amalia’s lightning spear.

The Fourth Princess was not like the lust-blinded Eldest Prince, who could be tricked into going to poorly guarded suburbs with just a word.

Returning to the Third Princess’s residence, Amalia invited Trin to wait at the Emperor’s study first. Then, she removed the silver high heels that felt slightly awkward to walk in, casually adjusted the height of her thigh-high stockings, and walked barefoot on the plush carpet with her soft, adorable white-stockinged feet as she accompanied Astrid into the bedroom.

"The crystal stone used to record today’s meeting content, I asked Father for an extra copy and gave it to Miss Mary, chief illustrator of the Empire Weekly."

Looking at Amalia who wordlessly threw herself into her arms and used her body weight to push Astrid down onto the soft bed, Astrid gently stroked the girl’s head, finally completing what she hadn’t had the chance to do beside the throne earlier.

"Later, after lunch, I’ll also need to write an article about today’s meeting."

Although news of Amalia’s upcoming ascension will inevitably spread throughout the empire in a short time, the credibility will be significantly higher with the official Empire Weekly confirming it.

Besides, there was one crucial point, Astrid could insert some personal opinions into her article, elaborating on many of Amalia’s virtues and political considerations that hadn’t been showcased during the meeting, helping nobles who didn’t attend the capital gathering to form a clear image of the empire’s new ruler.

This was exactly the primary purpose behind Astrid’s founding of the Empire Weekly, controlling the direction of public opinion.

Once they held the high ground, everything they did would become twice as effective. Even if Amalia had once been the most neglected illegitimate daughter and one of the empire’s rare female emperors, Astrid was confident she could use words alone to shape her into the most promising emperor in imperial history.

"Mm."

Amalia softly acknowledged, then spoke.

"Just now, Elise mentioned that before leaving, Mr. Tristian asked her whether Sister had time for a detailed discussion."

Undoubtedly, it was about Amalia, and the various cooperation agreements they had previously settled on.

"This afternoon?"

Astrid fluttered her eyelashes at the question. Her slippers slipped off the edge of the bed due to Amalia’s movement, revealing a pair of delicate, smooth black-stockinged feet, which then crossed over Amalia’s white-stockinged calves like tempting dark chocolate adorning a cream cake.

Hearing the faint sound of the slippers falling, Amalia naturally parted Astrid’s knees with her legs. Her smooth skin overlapped tenderly with Astrid’s pink-tinged white snow.

The subtle rustling of silk stockings reached Astrid’s ears, along with the warm body heat transmitted through two layers of legwear.

"Sister..." Amalia whispered into Astrid’s ear, biting her lip softly.

"Let me go, okay~"

Astrid wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but Amalia’s voice seemed slightly deeper than usual. The sweet, gentle breath across her neck, combined with the girl’s soft, delicate tone, makes Astrid’s skin feel slightly warm.

"Go by yourself?"

Astrid blinked, calming her emotions as she asked.

"Mm, I’ll go alone." Amalia answered truthfully, twirling her fingers around the tips of Astrid’s silver hair.

"After all, after today’s morning meeting, everyone knows that everything Sister has done over these years was to give me, an illegitimate daughter with no chance of succession, the opportunity to inherit the throne."

"Previously, there was no choice but for Sister to face all those unpleasant matters alone. Now that my identity is revealed, Sister can rest a little."

They were a part of fate. It wasn’t wrong for the future emperor to handle these matters personally.

Considering tomorrow’s deadline for printing the new issue of the Empire Weekly, her writing time was indeed limited. After a moment of thought, Astrid agreed to Amalia’s request.

"Then remember to have Mr. Trin accompany you."

Every time Amalia had given speeches, negotiated, participated in trials, entered the Council Hall, or interacted with nobles, Astrid had always been presented.

But a flying bird must eventually spread its wings. There will come a day when she’d leave the empire to explore the world. If Amalia could only perform confidently when Astrid was beside her, wouldn’t she forever remain a little sister who couldn’t function without her elder sister for half a day?

She should be given some opportunities to train independently.

"Mm, I know," Amalia replied.

Surely the Emperor himself wanted to see exactly how far she could go on her own, which was why he had placed Trin under her command.

After saying this, Amalia snuggled against her sister for a while longer, whispering some secrets only sisters shared.

"I love you, Sister," Amalia said.

Astrid softly replied, "I love you too, Amalia."

They had exchanged similar words countless times, but Astrid always gave Amalia the careful, needed response.

Passion and patience complemented each other, only then could the seed called intimacy find fertile soil to grow strong.

Holding the slender waist of the person in her arms, burying her head against Astrid’s shoulder and quietly inhaling the sweet, cool maidenly fragrance, Amalia, now re-energized, recalled the ministers surrounding Hibbort beneath the throne and slowly spoke.

"After I ascend, I don’t plan to completely overhaul the Council’s think tank in the short term."

Minister of Internal Affairs Gregor was somewhat of a conservative noble. He had continuously maintained reservations during the previous magical devices reform. Although Amalia didn’t have a good impression of him because of this, in terms of loyalty to the royal family, he truly deserved to be considered one of Hibbort’s right-hand men.

"For now, that’s all we can do."

Feeling the warm, soft body pressed tightly against her, Astrid reached up and grasped the silver necklace at her neck, lifting a cascade of silver hair. Her delicate arm rose and lowered gently, placing the hard gemstone pendant, which might press uncomfortably against Amalia, onto the bedside table.

"Previously, to avoid suspicion and prevent Lucas’s subordinates from detecting any clues, I couldn’t help you cultivate loyal parliament members or ministers."

"Fortunately, Father granted you the legal right of imperial succession and sufficient legitimacy to silence most people."

Regarding the existing team left by the previous emperor, Astrid shared Amalia’s view: if they could be used, then use them. Replace them later only if they became inconvenient or if there were other purposes.

"That’s exactly what I was thinking," Amalia said.

Although there was still a bit of support from her undergarments, without the gemstone pressing against her chest, the tactile sensation of this position was indeed softer.

Indeed, hugging her sister while wearing only a nightgown, with nothing else, was the most comfortable.

She rubbed her cheek against Astrid’s neck and continued.

"Besides the Velmont family behind Tristian, many other nobles will inevitably want to know our stance before and after the coronation ceremony."

"Sister, please let me handle most of these social engagements."

She had longed for the day when she could share the burden with Astrid.

Now that her wish had finally come true, she naturally wanted to do everything possible to relieve her sister’s worries.

Hearing Amalia’s words, Astrid gently pinched the girl’s cheek.

"Alright, alright, I’ll leave it to you."

"Still, one week is ultimately a bit short for an individual. There are still many nobles eager to know our political views. I’ll also make time to communicate with them."

That Amalia had such intentions already satisfied her greatly.

"However..." Astrid’s voice paused.

"If so, our daytime meeting time will be greatly reduced."

As Amalia’s only relative, Astrid clearly understood how clingy the girl was to her.

"..."

After a moment of silence, Amalia softly opened her pink lips.

"I know."

"Even though I really want to be with my sister all the time, I can’t accept letting you bear everything alone."

Amalia fully understood Astrid’s affection for her, but if she didn’t do something in return, that affection would gradually consume her from within.

"And besides, Sister, I’m almost an adult."

"So... please rely on me a little."

Amalia looked into Astrid’s eyes, her blue orbs calmly met Astrid’s red pupils.

After half a minute, she seemed to remember something, and quietly added.

"Not just as a little sister, but also as an adult."

What she desired was no longer merely being treated as a sister’s younger sibling.