Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 473: "Did sister used to like the next heir of the Velmont family?”

Chapter 473: "Did sister used to like the next heir of the Velmont family?”

In the private reading room of the Valeria Royal Library, emanating a faint scent of ink, Astrid, completely unaware of Amalia’s current situation, gently caressed her black-stockinged legs while propping her cheek with one hand as she flipped through the book in her hands.

A slender silver pendant hung from the woman’s neck, following the smooth fabric of her court dress. The vivid red gem at its lowest point, nestled against fullness, shimmered under the light with a flowing quality like a stream, harmonizing with her silvery-white long hair to form an elegant and refined portrait of nobility.

As Evelyn had said, the book recommendation she gave indeed recorded much history Astrid wanted to understand, especially information regarding the World Tree and the Fountain of Eternal Youth, filling in the missing clues in her theory about the gods’ apocalypse.

The dark miasma that had obscured the skies during the apocalypse was exactly the ash formed from the burning World Tree. It blocked sunlight from reaching the earth, causing millions of plants to wither and die. The subsequent years of cold killed off the vast majority of elves.

The extremely few surviving groups took refuge within the Carefree Barrier established by the Elven Empress. After the apocalypse ended, even then, some perished due to insufficient food and clean water. Only a handful survived into the new era.

These surviving elves, fewer than one in ten, relied on the remnants of the World Tree and used the Fountain of Eternal Youth water stored in crystal vials in advance to reproduce and thrive, gradually forming today’s elven race. Meanwhile, the World Tree, burned down to only a charred trunk, under their careful nurturing, sprouted new tender branches at the site of its destruction.

After reading this section, Astrid flipped back to the beginning of the book and touched upon once more at the author’s introduction. The book’s author, Estelle, was an adventurer from the Lorin Empire era who once ventured deep into the elven tribes and conversed with the Great Sage of that time.

Regarding the apocalypse described in this book, Astrid could be fairly certain that the disaster was not a natural catastrophe caused by the world itself, but rather a man-made tragedy.

Or rather, a divine punishment inflicted upon the world by the gods.

Within white mist, a figure engulfed in flames, towering like a giant, approaching the World Tree.

It was such a being that felled the World Tree and set its canopy ablaze. Although only briefly mentioned in a single sentence, based on subsequent descriptions in the book, despite its trunk being mostly burned, when this World Tree that connected heaven and earth collapsed, it still spanned across the continent, causing even the heavens and earth to tremble.

Even if the elves’ accounts contain some artistic exaggeration, someone who could stand before such a tree without appearing insignificant, worthy of being described as a giant, must have possessed an extraordinary physique and immense power.

However... there was one thing Astrid found very strange...

It seems not only the elves’ epics, but also the goblins, orcs, the mermaids of the deep sea, the dragons with no definitive history, and even humanity itself, none of these races, some of whose members survived the apocalypse, appear to have passed any information from before the apocalypse into the new era.

It was as if an abstract knife had silently severed the world’s history in two. The apocalypse became the dividing line drawn across a parchment, intelligent races could trace their history only up to that point, with not a single step allowed beyond.

Even the Elders speech language currently understood by humans was merely reconstructed through excavating ruins, searching for relics of the old era, and with assistance from Lady Gemini, resulting in the annotated versions found in students’ textbooks.

Was it because her status was insufficient, or her access to information incomplete? Or was it, as Astrid suspected, that some force exists truly which separated the old and new eras, erasing even the existence of the gods?

Pondering this, Astrid recalled the neighboring country’s Holy Light Church. She had discussed matters of faith with the Holy Light Saintess Monica and learned that the origin of today’s Holy Light Church was actually an ancient sacred text unearthed from ruins, left behind from the old era.

The first pope received enlightenment in a dream, translating the ancient sacred text into a new holy scripture, which became the version now circulating among all followers of the Holy Light.

To further understand the previous era, these ancient relics and literature were crucial.

Anyway, she could read Elders speech, and wouldn’t be affected by whatever world suppression forces exist.

Once the war between the two nations ends, she will bring all the culprits to justice, install a new pro-peace faction into power, and then accessing that ancient holy scripture should no longer be a problem.

Her fingers lightly rested on the page, ready to continue reading, when her peripheral vision caught sight of the clock nearby.

She had a dinner appointment with a noble later tonight, Lady Sophia of the House of Redgrave. After her younger son Vorelter and Alistair’s failed assassination attempt on the prince, the second prince was exiled by the emperor. Upon learning the news, the well-connected Duke Redgrave quickly disowned his biological son and had since continuously shown favor to Astrid, especially around the time of Amalia’s ascension.

Changing allegiance with the wind was one of the essential skills for nobles in the imperial capital. The Duke Redgrave had never had direct conflict with the Third Princess before, so cutting ties with Anther posed no difficulty of face-saving.

In response to the Duke’s overtures, Astrid remained neither enthusiastic nor cold; she naturally offered the necessary reassurances. As for the cooperation terms previously agreed upon with the second prince, the new Regent would not entirely reject them, but significant reductions were inevitable.

The Duke knew he had miscalculated, yet voiced no complaints. Instead, he encouraged his daughter to spend more time with Astrid and cultivate their relationship.

As for why he didn’t send his future heir, the Duke’s eldest son, perhaps he feared that differing genders might make the intentions too obvious, causing the Regent to feel uneasy. Or perhaps, considering Astrid’s usual social circle consists mostly of well-known noble ladies, he ultimately chose his second daughter as the family representative.

It suits Astrid just fine to interact with other women. Now, as Regent, she stood second only to the Empress in the empire, wielding immense power and influence, and remained unmarried. Which noble wouldn’t envy such a position and dream of rising to the top overnight? Combined with the Third Princess’s exceptional beauty and intellect, anyone who merely glanced at her would be drawn in. Should one have the fortune to share tea and chat about capital city gossip, it would be hard not to fall under her spell.

So much so that a rumor now circulated among the nobility: if in the past, suitors for the Empire’s Gem comprised only eighty percent of the younger generation, the current Regent Astrid Calliste was now an absolute universal favorite, no one could resist the natural charm emanating from the Empire’s most beautiful woman.

If Astrid wished, a mere sway of her high heels could gather hundreds of admirers beneath her skirts. But she clearly had no interest, so she maintained a strictly professional demeanor regardless of who she faced.

After dining with Lady Sophia of the Redgrave family and chatting until nearly eight o’clock, Astrid returned to the palace by carriage. As her slender heels touched the floor tiles, she asked the head maid what Amalia was doing. Elise’s reply was unexpected. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Her Majesty Amalia is not in her chambers. The servants said she went to the abandoned castle near the alchemy workshop."

The abandoned castle, the dark prison where Amalia had once been imprisoned, was now being revisited for the first time by her, who had since become Empress.

Astrid fluttered her eyelashes slightly upon hearing this, surprised.

What was special about today that Amalia went there suddenly?

"Has Amalia had dinner yet?" Astrid asked.

Elise shook her head, replying softly, "To report, Miss, Her Majesty discussed state affairs with several ministers and remained in the study afterward. Then she paid respects to the late Emperor. She hasn’t had dinner during all this."

As for whether she had a snack in secret, that was beyond the servants’ knowledge.

After hearing Elise’s words, Astrid gave a slight nod. Her skirt fluttered slightly as she walked forward along the stone-paved palace path.

Amalia was a peak tier Magnus, strengthened by the Imperial Scepter, and currently within the heavily guarded palace, her physical safety was not a concern.

More pressing than her physical health was her psychological state.

Arriving before the abandoned castle, Astrid saw the iron gate was unlocked. She gazed at the ancient fortress towering under the night sky, its silhouette cast by moonlight resembled a man-eating monster.

"Elise, wait here."

"Yes, Miss."

With a heavy thud, the outer gate closed. Astrid inhaled the scent of damp earth and walked slowly toward the castle.

The last time she had come here alone under cover of night was nearly four years ago.

Now, revisiting this place, it feels both strange and familiar.

Her pure black stiletto heels tapped lightly on the ground, producing a crisp rhythm like moonlight, blending with the rustling of wind through leaves, branches swaying like a nocturne.

After walking a stretch, she reached the front of the ancient castle. Some of the flowers they had planted together had withered, but more resilient wild grasses continued to grow vigorously, cluster after cluster, gradually overtaking the entire flowerbed.

Astrid gazed at the plants, and the taste of that abnormally bitter potion seemed to echo once more in her mouth.

In the blink of an eye, so much time had passed.

Her eyes briefly lingered on the Milky Way-like moonlight. The silver-haired princess in black dress entered the castle, following the results of her mental sense scanning, and arrived before the room where Amalia once lived.

The door was not locked. Orange-yellow light seeped through the crack, illuminating the satin tips of a woman’s shoes. Astrid adjusted her sleeves slightly, dispersing some of the wine scent on her clothes, then gently pushed the door open.

Before she stood a golden-haired little girl in a pure white formal dress, sitting by the window with her back turned, silently gazing at the distant high wall.

Perhaps she had already heard the familiar footsteps, within the second the door opened, Amalia turned her head, her blue pupils reflected Astrid’s face.

"Sister..."

Hardly had the words left her lips when the white-stockinged girl, just like four years ago, stood up and flew toward Astrid like a little bird, giving her a warm, affectionate embrace full of softness.

Astrid found it strange that Amalia had suddenly come to the castle, but at that moment, with warmth and softness in her arms, the sense of oddness dissipated under the familiar aura.

Perhaps it was the melancholy typical of her age, Amalia was always emotionally expressed in front of her.

"Why didn’t you eat dinner and come here instead?"

Gazing at the girl’s shimmering golden hair, Astrid spoke softly.

Amalia licked her dry lips upon hearing this, her voice low.

"I wasn’t hungry."

Her emotional turmoil had even robbed her of appetite.

Upon hearing this, Astrid loosened her arms from around the white-dressed girl’s waist, her pink lips parting slightly.

"Then wait a while. Eat when you feel like it."

She could sense that Amalia’s emotions were unusually turbulent tonight, but she didn’t know whether it was due to revisiting this place or something else hidden underneath.

Hearing that Astrid wasn’t pushing her to eat, Amalia obediently nodded and pulled Astrid to sit beside her on the bed.

She had used magic to clean the room upon arrival, there was no dust, and no need to worry about soiling clothes.

"How was dinner tonight, sister?" Amalia asked softly, her fingers tightly interlaced with Astrid’s.

"I remember, you dined with Lady Sophia of the Redgrave family?"

Astrid hummed in response, then added, "Ate a bit, not much."

After all, it was a meeting meant for discussion. How much could one eat at such a social occasion?

Upon hearing this, a flicker of delight passed through Amalia’s eyes. She leaned closer to Astrid, lowered her head, and gently sniffed.

"Sister... you’ve been drinking..."

Feeling Amalia’s cat-like behavior, Astrid didn’t deny it.

"Yes, only two or three glasses."

Low alcohol content, wouldn’t cause intoxication or impair judgment. Just a light drink during the meal.

"I see..." Amalia didn’t stop, pressing her slender white-stockinged legs against Astrid.

"That’s why, besides your usual scent, there’s a faint hint of wine on you."

Not as wonderful as the natural fragrance leaves on bedclothes and nightgowns after a bath, but still pleasant enough.

Hardly had she finished speaking when the girl continued.

"Sister, I recently heard something..."

"Something that makes me very curious."

’I’ve known for a long time, but never had the chance to ask, nor knew how.’

Astrid blinked upon hearing this, her gaze falling on the white-stockinged little foot in its small leather shoe, so close to her own stiletto heel that there wasn’t even half a centimeter between them.

"What is it?"

She grew slightly tense at how suddenly this felt.

"..."

After a brief silence, Amalia asked the question that had weighed heavily on her heart for so long.

"I overheard the servants mention... once..."

"Did sister used to like the next heir of the Velmont family?"

"...that is, Tristian Velmont?"