Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 479: Gazing at Moon

The delicate cherry lips pressed against her cheek, like a wisp of cool snow settling on skin. Amalia’s movements were gentle and tender, as if treating some precious treasure that required careful handling.

Although they had shared countless similar intimate moments before, morning and night kisses during their days as adoptive sisters, Amalia had never then revealed her true feelings, expressing only a younger sister’s affection toward her beloved elder sister, Astrid.

Now it was completely different.

Having confessed her heart to Astrid, she was kissing the silver-haired beauty before her as an admirer.

Astrid did not reject her. She gently wrapped an arm around Amalia’s shoulders, the other hand resting on the girl’s smooth, round knees covered in white stockings. Her crimson eyes conceal a complex expression.

This kiss lasted longer than any before. Amalia gazed at the long, fluttering lashes before her, the gem-like red eyes reflected the candlelight from the dining table, becoming crystal clear.

After a long while, Amalia pulled her lips away from Astrid’s cheek. Her slender arms tightened, and she whispered softly.

"I don’t need my sister to give me any promises about lovers just yet..."

"I just want to tell you how happy I am, and I long for you to accept it."

Her love was too heavy, accepting it fully would burden anyone with immense pressure. Thus, Amalia did not dare to hope that Astrid could love her with equal intensity, yearning to spend their entire lives together, seeing only each other.

"No matter what the future holds for you, sister, at this moment, I have honestly conveyed my feelings."

"Even if you only give me the tiniest response, I will be content."

This was not the outcome Amalia most desired. If she followed her heart completely, of course she wished Astrid would love only her, become her exclusive empress, not allowing this love to be shared with anyone else, not even a little.

But Amalia, who had walked out of that castle, having received so much care and tenderness from her sister, how could she selfishly hoard that light, keeping it only for herself to admire?

Even if Astrid came to love someone else in the future, as long as she still deeply loved Amalia, as long as there remained a warm, bright corner in her heart belonging to her, Amalia would be satisfied.

After all, no matter what the future brought, even that Holy Knight Lyra, who gave her the greatest sense of crisis, there was one thing no one could match.

Many people love Astrid. Many people were cared for by her. But the only one who simultaneously held both the identity of lover and younger sister, there was only her.

Thinking more about this, the jealousy that constantly tormented Amalia could ease. She could then buy herself more time to carefully trim those selfish little sprouts, shaping them into forms that wouldn’t harm the one she loved.

Listening to Amalia’s soft murmurs, feeling the lingering soft, moist touch of lips on her cheek, Astrid now fully calmed her mind, pondering the deepest layers of her emotions.

Undoubtedly, her feelings toward Amalia were primarily a sister’s compassion, care, and affection. But to say there was nothing beyond that wasn’t entirely true. At the very least, when faced with Amalia’s intimacy that clearly surpassed extraordinary sisterly affection, she had made no move to stop her. In fact, she had instinctively accepted the girl’s closeness, her body felt not the slightest discomfort or uneasiness.

And deeper still, Amalia’s figure was indeed present in Astrid’s envisioned future. Even as Empress of the Empire, she would remain family, someone Astrid found extremely difficult to part with.

"..."

’Even if you only give me the tiniest response, I will be content.’

Was that really enough?

After a long silence, Astrid raised her hand and gently brushed a stray lock of hair from the girl’s face. She kissed the forehead of the white-stockinged girl, speaking softly.

"I understand, Amalia."

The emotions in her arms had been made clear to her. As the other had said, at this point, whether objectively or subjectively, they could no longer maintain the intimacy of the past. Something had already changed with that confession.

In other words, Astrid now faced no choice of maintaining the status quo, allowing Amalia to continue being gnawed by inner turmoil, suffering while suppressing emotions deeper than sisterly love.

To retreat meant distancing themselves, rejecting that unrestrained intimacy and contact. To move forward deepening their bond beyond what they once had, possibly even including intimate acts surpassing sisterhood.

From an emotional standpoint, Astrid didn’t want to grow distant from Amalia. As for deeper intimacy, whether of soul or body, she didn’t dislike it. But not disliking something didn’t mean she liked it.

Ultimately, the biggest issue right now is that she didn’t have romantic feelings toward Amalia, at least not yet.

"I won’t leave you alone. I won’t let you continue holding back these feelings, draining yourself day after day."

Astrid whispered, her arm around the girl’s waist once again feeling how slender Amalia’s body was.

"If you need it, I’ll give you this love."

"Because I truly love you. But I hope you understand, Amalia, this love isn’t the natural love between partners. At least, not yet."

Because it was familial love, Astrid wished for the girl in her arms to be happy. And for the same reason, she didn’t want Amalia to continue emotionally exhausting herself.

In any case, she had to make this clear to the other.

Hearing Astrid’s response, Amalia’s pupils flickered slightly, her straightened posture trembling faintly.

"That’s enough... sister..."

From the moment she confessed, Amalia understood that what she wanted couldn’t be achieved overnight. That Astrid was willing to understand and express her true feelings already made her happy, because at least this meant there was still hope for the future.

"I love you... sister... Astrid."

Feeling Amalia’s turbulent emotions, Astrid continued holding her, drawing the girl’s head close to her chest. Her smooth, pale chin rested among golden strands of hair.

"I love you too, Amalia."

So much had happened tonight, it far exceeded her expectations. Even now, Astrid felt a dreamlike daze.

Looking at the petite, adorable Empress in her arms, the girl’s fair cheeks pressed against the pure black silk of her dress, her delicate nose sniffing gently, warm breath spilling onto skin. Her slender, smooth white-stockinged legs swayed slightly with emotion, her toes hooked into little leather shoes, nearly kicking them off.

Astrid hadn’t seen Amalia this joyful in a long time. Not even when she ascended the throne had she shown such excitement.

She hadn’t fully accepted Amalia’s confession, she’d only said she understood her feelings, that as a sister she wouldn’t let her continue emotionally draining herself, that even the smallest response was enough.

Amalia was young, so it was understood. But she should have realized the girl’s feelings sooner.

Ultimately, it was her own fault, she hadn’t done enough.

Hearing this, Amalia closed her eyes. Her long, fluttering lashes brushed against Astrid’s collarbone, making the woman’s skin tingle slightly.

"Only sister treats me kindly... only sister makes me love her so much..."

"There’s no one better than you in this world, no one more worthy of love."

She tightened her arms around Astrid’s back, her calf muscles tensed as well. With the other’s permission, Amalia aimed at Astrid’s slender, elegant swan neck. Her pink lips parted slightly, gently imprinting her love.

"...I love you so, so much, sister."

After this brief taste, Amalia moved to Astrid’s delicate, petite collarbone. Her pearly teeth lightly nibbled, expressing emotions with the faintest pressure.

Then came the earlobes and hair. Having everything confessed to her sister, Amalia seemed to have liberated her true nature, her movements gentle and meticulous, yet carrying a faint trace of longing.

Even Astrid, on the receiving end, began to feel warmth spreading through her body, her blood rushing faster through her limbs.

How come... we were supposed to have dinner together... but things have turned into this, like...

Enjoying another delicious delicacy instead.

Their breathing gradually deepened. Suddenly sensing something, Amalia trembled slightly in her body, her blue eyes half-lidded, a soft moan escaping her lips. Her legs, wrapped in white thigh-high socks, pressed together gently. The fabric rubbed against each other with force, producing a delightful, soft rustling sound.

Perhaps when emotion reached its peak, the body naturally responded. Even the loafers on her feet slipped off due to the movement, landing on the floor with a muffled thud, revealing a smooth, delicate white-stockinged foot.

After lingering a little longer, Astrid gently patted Amalia’s back. Her pink lips neared the girl’s ear as she softly spoke.

"I know you’re happy, Amalia..."

"But let’s eat first. If we keep cooking, the food won’t taste as good."

Hearing Astrid’s words, Amalia obediently nodded.

"Okay."

Astrid was right. They didn’t need to rush.

There was still plenty of time after having dinner, even if today passed, there would be tomorrow, the day after, and millions of days ahead.

Her sister had already shown the slightest sign of softening. Just thinking about this was enough to make her heart swell with joy.

Picking up the loafer from the floor tiles and putting it back on, Amalia moved her legs off Astrid’s lap. But Astrid didn’t return to the other side of the table, instead, she stayed beside Amalia, dining together on the same side.

"It’s about time to add some vegetables," Astrid said.

....

Moonlight from outside streamed onto their seats, illuminating the warm-colored fire crystals and light brown table surface. It also brightened the strands of hair hanging beside their skirts.

Having exchanged their hearts, there was no need to hide what they wanted to say. Amalia quietly told Astrid about the troubles she faced during her afternoon meetings with ministers, then spoke of her inner conflict and upon learning the contents of the crystal stones.

"Next time something like this happens, sister must tell me immediately."

"Even if you don’t care about yourself, you have to let me know."

Taking a sip of grape juice, Amalia spoke softly.

"I don’t want you to go through what I once endured. I don’t want you bound by meaningless shackles."

Her affair with Hibbort was over, he was dead. There was no need for further resentment.

Hearing this, Astrid nodded slightly, understanding Amalia’s concern.

"Alright, I will."

"By the way, when did you tell the chefs about this shabu-shabu base?"

"I reminded them a long time ago. I told them to prepare it, just in case we might need it someday."

As the Empress of the Empire, her meals were never handled carelessly. Every spice and ingredient across the entire empire could be obtained for Amalia if she desired.

"Sister, try this. It’s those meatballs you mentioned before, filled with stuffing inside the beef, bursting when you bite into them."

"...The taste really is good."

It had a hint of the beef balls from her past life, slightly inferior in seasoning, but better in texture.

Hearing her sister’s praise, Amalia’s lips curved into a smile. She picked another steaming meatball from the broth and placed it into Astrid’s bowl.

"Then there is a little more."

Looking at the hot beef ball emitting steam in her bowl, alongside the bright red sauce and oil bubbles, Astrid fluttered her eyelashes, inwardly marveling at how Amalia, once a painter, truly had skillful hands. Although they rarely use chopsticks, she could now pick up difficult-to-grab meatballs from the bubbling broth, undeniably showing talent.

Seeing Astrid lower her head and gently take a bite, Amalia’s smile broadened even more, her blue eyes reflected the other’s impossibly beautiful face.

The dinner, filled with conversation and eating, lasted nearly two hours. When the last bite of vegetables was finished, seeing that Astrid, who had long stopped eating, was now only sipping grape juice, Amalia knew her sister had eaten at least a little. She didn’t urge her to eat more, simply picked up a silk handkerchief to gently wipe her lips.

"Sister, after dinner, would you come with me for a walk? To clear our minds?"

She had indeed eaten quite a lot. Astrid didn’t refuse, and responded softly.

"Alright."

So they quickly tidied up, then climbed the stairs all the way up to the rooftop, where they once grilled food and admired the moon together.

The silver-white moon is still hung high in the sky. But now, the audience gazing at it was no longer a caged canary. Amalia sat in Astrid’s lap, sharing the breeze with her, chatting about the beautiful memories they had shared.

Time was truly magical. Several years had passed, their identities and mindsets had affected earth-shattering changes. Yet when she sat once more on the stone steps where she used to sit, feeling the evening breeze caress her cheeks, scattering her dazzling silver hair into silken strands, Amalia still felt as if she had only met Astrid yesterday.

They enjoyed the wind for a long time, the scent of broth on their clothes was mostly faded. Seeing that it was getting late, after a brief moment of closeness, the two left the rooftop, pushed open the castle gates, and stepped outside.

Flowers in the garden swayed in the evening breeze. Moonlight fell upon their petals, illuminating the veins of leaves and delicate tender stamens. The air carried a faint fragrance, mixed with the fresh scent of soil.

Looking at the flowers she had once planted with her sister, her black heels sinking into the earth, Amalia paused for a moment, then continued forward, pulling Astrid’s hand as they passed through the iron gate together.

Each time she passed by, gazing at the ancient castle standing amid wild grass, she would remember those beautiful memories buried deep in her heart.

Once, a person named Livia had entered the cage, illuminating her life in one moment, just like the moonlight now enveloping her.

There was no need to renovate this place. No need to assign someone specially to maintain it.

Keeping things as they were was enough.