Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 482: Cake

Returning to the palace, Amalia had just finished a meeting. With the frontlines tense, the situation required constant attention. Amalia had mandated that messengers depart every twelve hours along the route from the Northern Border to the capital, ensuring intelligence could flow like water, allowing the imperial court to respond promptly at any time.

This was a small compensation for the inevitable delay in information. Uninterrupted transmission would at least make the changes in the battlefield seem traceable.

In the Empress’ private chambers, a small council hall for meeting ministers, the sharp sound of long, slender heels clicking against the marble floor tiles could be heard. Hearing the familiar footsteps, Amalia put down her feather pen and looked up.

An elegant beauty, dressed in a silk black dress adorned with intricate patterns, wearing a bright red gemstone pendant and a deep blue brooch, with silver hair and crimson eyes, walked slowly towards her, carrying a plate with a silver fork stuck in a black forest cake that looked exceptionally tempting.

"Am I disturbing Her Majesty’s handling of state affairs?"

Astrid spoke softly, her two long, shapely legs in black stockings swaying gently. A fragrant breeze rose with the slight flutter of her skirt, dispersing into the air beside the desk, mingling with the faint scent of ink.

Amalia shook her head in response, her previously crossed legs also volunteered uncrossed, shifting into a more obedient, legs-together sitting posture.

"Of course not, my dear Regent."

Having said this, Amalia shifted her body slightly to the side. The already spacious seat, with this movement, leaves a large space for someone else to sit.

Understanding Amalia’s intention, Astrid placed the cake on the desk, walked forward slowly, and wrapped her arms around the slender waist of the blonde girl, letting the lacy hem of her dress, which had spread like lotus leaves, cover her own knees, leaving only her legs, wrapped in pure white stockings like smooth cream, resting in front of the desk.

On the desk lay the plan for academic reform at the Elizabeth Academy of Magic, discussed between Astrid and Anthony a short while ago. This involved adjusting the weight of graduation assessments and establishing specialized introductory magic courses to help freshmen quickly grasp the fundamentals of Magical devices, catching up with the curriculum.

This measure, which Charlotte had long advocated but failed to implement, finally received unanimous approval after Amalia’s ascension. Once the imperial decree representing the Empress’ will be officially issued, and the nation’s top Elizabeth Academy of Magic took the lead, other magic academies will follow suit.

"Reform within the academy is relatively easy, after all, Mr. Anthony and we, or rather, the Imperial Empress, are always on the same side. As long as the dean speaks, even if a few individuals oppose it, it’s useless."

Feeling the softness of the thigh beneath her, Amalia relaxed, leaning her delicate body against Astrid’s chest. Her little leather shoes hung loosely from her toes as she spoke softly.

"The current biggest issue is still the lack of manpower. The individual combat strength of the army is too weak, and there are too few Artisans. The people we requested from the Velmont family are only enough to solve the immediate crisis. The longer the war drags on, the sooner the problem of insufficient soldiers will be exposed."

Having said this, the blonde girl didn’t reach for the silver fork on the cake but picked up another document instead.

"The conscription bill will be officially released in a week. The target group remains the commoner knights from various knight academies. Although they lack magical talent, their mental energy quality is still decent. Unlike those life-cherishing nobles, most of them are willing to head to the battlefield for high salaries and generous pensions."

"Additionally, this is the private conscription list of viscounts and above from the Hibbort administration period."

"Before the bill officially takes effect, I’m considering how to get troops from these nobles."

Although the northern border, guarded by Duke Charles, was in the midst of war and the situation was not optimistic, Imperial capital City, deep within the empire, remained a scene of birds singing and flowers blooming, completely unaffected by the war.

Not to mention the common people who underestimate information channels, many nobles were unaware that the Kingdom of Velys was about to mobilize the entire nation for a massive invasion, intending to annex imperial territory. Not every noble had thoughts to selflessly contribute to the empire, the soldiers they privately recruited were their own property, while the imperial territories being invaded might not be their own fiefdoms.

This was also a drawback of the Valeria Empire, which evolved from the previous human empire. Politically, it was more cohesive than the loose medieval European states in Astrid’s past life, with the royal family possessing stronger governing power and, being the supreme nobility in an absolute sense.

However, compared to certain unified empires, the Valeria Empire did not have as strong a control or restraint over its governing noble lords. The Ruler allowed nobles to arm themselves according to their rank and territory size, using privately recruited soldiers to handle bandits and thieves within their domains, but the specific numbers and scale had to be recorded in official archives.

Their powers and functions were somewhat similar to provincial governors, though still far from being feudal lords or separatist regimes.

"The late Emperor should have considered these matters as well. With his years of diligent governance, the wealth in the imperial treasury is sufficient to support our army expenditures in the early stages of the war."

Astrid spoke softly, casually helping Amalia tidy her golden hair that had scattered over her shoulders.

"However, no matter how full the treasury, spending cannot be done recklessly."

"My suggestion is, there’s no need to rush to spend money to replenish the army."

Hearing this, Amalia fluttered her eyelashes a few times, her voice gentle.

"It seems my sister and I are thinking the same thing."

"I plan to appropriately reduce taxes for some nobles based on the specific number of conscripts, and then pay them compensation in turn, according to a schedule."

A one-off deal might seem profitable in the short term, but in the long run, the royal family and nobles losing a certain degree of mutual benefit would affect overall unity and cohesion.

They also needed an Empress who kept promises, a royal regime that could guarantee the stability of the empire.

"First, deepen the mutual interests. We’ll deal with the rest gradually," Amalia said.

If she used imperial authority to forcefully conscript troops from the nobles without offering any benefits, even with the factor of foreign invasion, it would not be easy for her, the newly appointed empress, to secure her position.

Hibbort’s prestige was sufficient, but unfortunately, he was already buried. The fact that his remaining influence could suppress the domestic troublemakers was already his final help to Amalia.

"For now, we have no choice but to proceed this way." Astrid nodded upon hearing this, her hand, which had been resting beside Amalia’s neck, moved from her shoulder and gently lifted the plate from the table.

Her slender white fingers pinched the silver handle of the fork, gently scooping up a piece of cream and bringing it to Amalia’s lips. Seeing this, the girl lowered her head, slightly opened her mouth to take the cream in.

Knowing Amalia loved sweets, Astrid had specifically included them to add extra sugar to this black forest cake. As soon as it entered her mouth, the fine, smooth texture melted on her tongue, followed by a silky, rich sweetness lingering between her teeth.

"So delicious." Amalia said.

As the Empress of the empire, Amalia had to start reviewing documents and meeting ministers after her lunch break. Since she usually ate very little at noon, working until now naturally made her a bit dizzy. She indeed needed some sugar as an energy supplement.

Whether in spirit or in body, Astrid’s feeding came at just the right time.

Savoring the sweet moisture on her tongue and teeth, Amalia fluttered her eyelashes a few times, and her mood improved significantly.

In the afternoon after work, nothing should be forsaken except for beautiful women and desserts.

"It’s not only promises and money that can get us troops from the nobles," Astrid said while feeding.

"In the next issue of the Empire Weekly, I will personally write an article discussing the recent situation of the northern border war."

"The Kingdom of Velys’s invasion this time was not to annex the northern frozen lands, unsuitable for crop cultivation, but to seize the empire’s most fertile heartland and wealthiest ports. Once they break through the border defenses, they will engage in rampant killing, looting, and burning. At that time, everyone’s lives will be under threat."

This was not Astrid exaggerating. In the original world line, the Kingdom of Velys did break through the border and indeed committed thousands of crimes within the empire.

Intelligent as Amalia was, she immediately understood her sister’s meaning upon hearing this.

"Sister wants to use public opinion to lower the bargaining chips the nobles place on the negotiation table?"

Ideological education about loyalty to the Empress and love for the country certainly wouldn’t be useless. At the very least, among the new generation of nobles, there was no lack of spirited youths. However, for the old hands, the effect was quite limited. In Amalia’s view, Astrid clearly intended to use the manuscript as a verbal sword, forcing the large and small nobles who held numerous soldiers to lower their prices.

"Mmm." Astrid nodded slightly, not denying it.

"These people have lived too comfortably for too long. They have no idea what kind of situation the empire is facing."

It couldn’t be written too dangerously, causing panic and chaos within the empire, nor could it be written too ordinarily, allowing the nobles to enjoy their lives in peace, unaware that the Sword of Damocles was already hanging over their heads, ready to fall at any moment.

"At that time, I will also mix in some remarks about the King of Velys and the Pope, such as their claim that the land of the Valeria Empire should originally belong to the kingdom, and they are merely reclaiming the inheritance after the dissolution of the Lorin Empire."

Land was the root of the nobles. Once the Kingdom of Velys successfully occupied it, the territories previously bestowed by the ruler would no longer belong to these nobles. The contracts for their fields will be torn up by outsiders, and their mountainous wealth will be devoured by wolves. No one could accept such an outcome.

"Only with a threatening external enemy can they unite with the empire as one."

Astrid straightened her back and sat upright, the diamond-encrusted stiletto heel tapping the floor tile, her legs, covered in thin black stockings, leaning toward the seat to avoid the satin shoe tip piercing Amalia’s fair, smooth calf.

"This is one of the tactics the Kingdom of Velys used to launch external wars, but for us, it is justified."

"They have indeed said such things, and they will indeed do such things. I’m just adding some embellishment to these statements, making them more incisive."

Under the support of the feudal system, when a kingdom’s internal contradictions become irreconcilable, a more severe and acute external contradiction is introduced, directing the nearly explosive public opinion towards outsiders, appropriately releasing some pressure.

One didn’t need to think twice. The Kingdom of Velys had the Holy Church, a religious organization, making it incredibly simple to control public opinion and spread claims of threats from the Valeria Empire.

Probably in the eyes of the common people in the kingdom, the Valeria Empire has already become a synonym for greed, sitting on land flowing with milk and honey, yet still insatiable, wanting to seize all their wealth.

Thus, launching a war not only alleviates the contradiction but also finds an outlet for numerous problems, attributing all the blame to external causes.

"Sister... is truly cunning..."

Amalia moistened her lips, speaking softly.

"But it’s also time to appropriately shatter some people’s dreams, not letting them continue to harbor illusions of compromise with the Kingdom of Velys."

Believing the current national defense can withstand the iron cavalry of the Holy Church, believing the newly developed weapons can achieve victory forever.

Believing the Kingdom of Velys only wants the most barren frozen land, not more fertile fields, this is no different than placing a juicy, delicious piece of meat in front of a wolf that has been starving for months, pinning hopes on its restraint.

Utterly foolish.

Seeing Amalia in perfect accord with her, Astrid curved her lips and continued feeding her dessert.

If it were another timeline, the little tyrant form of Amalia would undoubtedly seize this opportunity of Astrid using the Empire Weekly to control public opinion, thoroughly sowing the seeds of hatred.

At that time, the object of hatred for the Valeria Empire will no longer be limited to the upper echelons of the Kingdom of Velys who brainwashed the common people, but will extend to all citizens from top to bottom. Regardless of an individual’s attitude toward the war, clarity of mind, or moral conduct, even a domestic dog would be consumed by the fires of revenge.

Fortunately, the current Amalia was gradually moving away from that tyrannical, isolated soul.

Looking at the blonde girl peacefully eating cake in her arms, Astrid’s gaze grew increasingly gentle. Her crimson eyes shifted, noticing a bit of cream smudged on Amalia’s pink lips. Instinctively, she extended her index finger to gently wipe it away.

Unlike the slight coolness of the cake cream, Astrid’s finger, upon touching Amalia, gave her the first sensation of softness and smoothness, accompanied by a hint of warmth, gentle and slow.

As the cream stain on Amalia’s corner of the mouth transferred to her fingertip, Astrid was about to take out a silk handkerchief to wipe it, when the suddenly aware Amalia unexpectedly lowered her head, greedily sucking up the cream that hadn’t been delivered to her mouth by the fork.

Her fingertip was suddenly enveloped in warmth, as if soaking in a tub of hot water. At first, only the very tip was covered, but it quickly spread to the second knuckle.

Amalia fluttered her eyelashes, and with the movement, a hint of daze appeared in her slightly narrowed blue eyes.