Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 483: Regret

If one had to find a fitting description, the sensation Astrid currently felt was akin to bringing her fingertip close to freshly made ice cream, her skin touching the creamy, sugary tip, a delicate and soft texture, though far less cold, instead carrying a certain inevitable warmth and dampness.

A slender serpent coiled gently around her fingertip, like touching clouds. After the shameful sounds, Amalia’s eyes shimmered with a hint of satisfaction, her blue irises caught scattered glimmers of light.

As her finger withdrew, the warmth and moisture gradually faded. At the unavoidable moment her fingertip brushed against the girl’s cherry lips, Astrid felt her ears grow slightly warm.

"Thank you for the treat... sister...."

Amalia whispered softly, then darted out her delicate tongue to lick her lips. Already glistening from cream, her lips now appear even more tender, like glazed porcelain.

"It tastes sweet..."

Whether she meant the cake’s frosting, something else, or perhaps both, was left for Astrid to interpret.

"Sister won’t try some too?"

With that, Amalia took out a silk handkerchief from her imperial scepter and gently wiped the slender, pale finger of Astrid.

After half a minute, Amalia took the fork herself, shifting from recipient to giver. She speared a piece of cake and offered it to Astrid behind her.

In the Valeria Empire, sharing the same spoon or plate was considered impolite, but exceptions were made for those close, especially for someone like Amalia and Astrid, who had done far more intimate things. Sharing a fork was trivial.

Astrid leaned forward, taking the cake Amalia offered into her mouth. The rich sweetness of the frosting flooded her palate, filling her taste buds with sugary delight.

Amalia was right, the taste truly was sweet.

Before returning, Astrid had been drinking afternoon tea with the capital’s nobles, indulging in various sweets. Not hungry, she took only a couple of bites, leaving the rest for Amalia to finish.

After all, her little sister was the one constantly buried in state affairs, desperately needing a sugar boost.

Continuing to patiently feed Amalia, feeling the petite, gentle body nestled in her arms, Astrid couldn’t help but marvel once again, some people truly seemed born unable to gain weight.

Unlike herself, who had to carefully manage her diet. If she ate three lavish meals a day, drank milk tea and desserts in the afternoon, her weight would definitely climb.

As regent and the late Emperor’s appointed Imperial Jewel, she represented royal dignity. She couldn’t simply follow her whims.

Just as she pondered asking Elise to refine her meal plan again, the cake on the plate disappeared unnoticed. After feeding Amalia the last piece, she gently wiped the girl’s lips with the silk handkerchief. The golden-haired girl seated in her lap suddenly stopped swinging her legs, wriggled her slender waist, and lifted her face toward Astrid.

Ruby-red eyes met blue. Astrid understood Amalia’s unspoken meaning. Casually brushing aside the golden strands near the girl’s ear, her other hand supported the smooth, white-stockinged beneath curve.

Truth be told, whether as an adopted younger sister or now as the openly affectionate Empress of the Empire, Amalia’s clingy nature remained unchanged.

Almost every kiss ended with Astrid pulling away first. The reason was simple, if she didn’t act, Amalia might just stay fused to her like that until imperial duties resumed.

This golden-haired girl was simply that passionate, and her affection for her sister utterly unhidden.

After a long while, their lips parted. Amalia, who hadn’t managed to part Astrid’s lips, wasn’t discouraged.

Her sister still treated her like a little sister, or even a child. Although after that confession, the wall around Astrid’s heart had developed a few cracks, it was still far from the point where she could accept Amalia as a lover.

The road had to be taken step by step. And her sister would be eaten up, bit by bit.

At least just now, when she initiated the intimate act, her sister’s body had involuntarily trembled.

Ending the cake-flavored kiss, Astrid gently rubbed Amalia’s head, her voice soft.

"In a few days is your coming-of-age ceremony. With the empire currently at war, shall we keep it simple?"

Amalia naturally had no objections to Astrid’s suggestion.

"Mm, that’s what I was thinking too."

Preparing a banquet and inviting the prominent nobles of the capital to celebrate would suffice.

It saved money, didn’t waste too much time or disrupt work, and earned her the reputation of a wise ruler.

For Amalia, the real highlight came afterward, more specifically, the night after the ceremony.

After exchanging a few more words, discussing visions for the empire’s future, the two left the study and headed to the dining hall.

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

Days later, in the imperial capital of the Valeria Empire, the imperial palace’s reception hall, the coming-of-age banquet for the new empress officially began.

Whether due to newfound shyness with growing up or the shift in status, Amalia didn’t change clothes in Astrid’s bedroom closet as she used to during past banquets. Instead, she remained in the imperial chambers to bathe and dress, preparing to make a grand entrance.

Since Amalia had her own plans, Astrid saw no need to fuss over such minor details.

With less than half an hour until the banquet began, the woman stood before the mirror, carefully adjusting her sleeves. Her lustrous silver hair cascaded down her back. The silk, midnight-blue gown accentuated the exquisite, alluring figure of the empire’s most beautiful woman. Her smooth, round shoulders were fully exposed, framed by the pleated dark fabric, making her skin appear even more snow-white and flawless.

Beneath the hem, her slender, shapely legs were tightly wrapped in black stockings, fine-textured silk with a soft sheen. Her high heels featured straps, fastening a delicate band around her elegant, black-stockinged ankles. The honeysuckle pattern at the toe further highlights the Imperial Jewel’s grace and nobility.

Studying her reflection carefully, Astrid removed the deep blue brooch from her chest and placed it inside a ruby pendant.

Without the brooch, her outfit appeared slightly plainer. Although her natural beauty still made her stand out, at least her presence wasn’t overwhelming.

Tonight belonged to Amalia, the spotlight was for this empress and her once-in-a-lifetime coming-of-age ceremony. Even the regent should not steal the limelight.

After ensuring her attire was as understated as possible, Astrid put on the black silk gloves beside her, then invited Elise to drape a sheer, midnight-blue veil over her striking silver hair.

Now it was complete.

Gazing at her reflection, dressed entirely in black gown, black stockings, black heels, Astrid lightly touched the thin veil atop her head, adjusting its position. A strange thought suddenly struck her.

If the design were just a bit more extravagant, her outfit might rival a wedding dress.

In the Valeria Empire, the difference between wedding attire and banquet wear was merely the degree of ornamentation. Especially since Astrid, so rarely seen wearing a veil concealing her silver hair, now bore a faint resemblance to a bride.

Suppressing the odd sensation, Astrid patted the thigh-high stocking, walked a few steps to ensure her heels fit well, then followed Elise out of the chambers and into the night.

Arriving at the venue, most nobles had already gathered. Just like when Hibbort was present, the four cabinet ministers were already seated. Besides them, the four ducal families were the most notable.

Except for Duke Charles, who couldn’t make it, the other three dukes had come from their fiefs to offer congratulations.

"Good evening, Your Highness the Regent."

"Good evening, Duke Velmont."

Facing the silver-haired regent standing gracefully in her midnight-blue stilettos, Duke Velmont raised his wine glass, expression respectful, though inwardly conflicted.

Previously, he’d only thought Astrid’s refusal of Tristian’s proposal meant his family missed out on a fortune. Now, he realized, failing to arrange a marriage between Astrid and the Velmont family meant to lose far more than gold.

It was losing countless platinum coins and unparalleled status.

Whether considering Astrid’s current position as regent, second only to the Empress, or her masterful maneuvers that secured the unlikely succession of Amalia, the woman before him was undoubtedly the peak of her generation.

No, she could no longer be considered part of the younger generation. With the regent’s title, Astrid stood on equal footing with the four dukes, even slightly above. She was now their peer.

Still, Cedric Velmont was a seasoned veteran. The fleeting regret disappeared instantly beneath his composed expression. He took a sip of wine and began discussing with Astrid how the Empire Weekly promoted trade.

After a while, the Empress’ Guard, Trin, arrived at the venue, a sign that the evening’s main guest, Empress Amalia, was about to enter.

Astrid and Velmont simultaneously ceased their conversation and turned toward the hall’s entrance.

A row of maids entered first, fanning out. Then, a silver lace-up stiletto with a semi-transparent design stepped onto the plush carpet. Warm light shone on the smooth white-stockinged foot, adding a touch of sweetness.

Next, the imperial empress, dressed in a magnificent evening gown, walked into the hall with graceful steps. Her blue eyes swept across the crowd, dignified and authoritative.

Today, Amalia still wore the pure white gown that matched everyone’s image of her. Her golden hair was tied on both sides with red ribbons, cascading down her bare, delicate shoulders. Her refined features looked like carved jade.

The smooth fabric clung to the girl’s soft figure. Thin white gloves covered her slender hands, extending from wrist to elbow, stopping just a palm’s width from her shoulders. The edges featured an innovative spire-like design, barely differing in shade from her pale skin.

Below were white stockings, wrapping the girl’s smooth, tender legs with opaque gold-and-silver floral patterns. The swaying hem emphasized the fabric’s soft, silky texture. Her small, adorable white-stockinged feet rested in silver metallic heels, reducing the pure white ensemble’s innocence and adding imperial grace and nobility.

Astrid observed Amalia’s attire, her gaze briefly lingering on the girl’s face.

Tonight, Amalia must have worn light makeup applied by her maids, the two cherry-pink lips glistened faintly, her delicate nose irresistibly cute.

Under everyone’s admiring gazes, Amalia elegantly walked to Astrid, curved her lips, and extended her hand.

"Regent dressed stunning tonight."

Her blue eyes reflect the silver-haired beauty’s face. Amalia gazed at Astrid in her black gown, her expression especially tender.

Astrid was always beautiful, whether in this sleek black dress accentuating her figure, her bare-shouldered white nightgown, the shirt and pleated skirt with chestnut thigh-high boots she wore when traveling outside the empire, or the summer-only high-heeled sandals revealing her pale, slender feet.

Truly the empire’s most beautiful woman. With beauty at this level, even wearing a sack couldn’t hide her peerless charm.

Seeing the hand extended towards her, Astrid knew her attempt to be low-key had instantly disappeared.

Gently taking Amalia’s hand, their fingers interlaced through two layers of silk gloves. The intimate display between the current empress and regent was enough to dispel most nobles’ conspiracy theories.

Her gaze lingering on Astrid’s moonlight-silver hair, noting the woman wore a veil today, Amalia half-closed her eyes, a flicker of thought passing through.

Sister’s outfit... looks a bit like a wedding dress...

Although they hadn’t shared their thoughts, at this very moment, Amalia’s mind synchronously echoed the idea Astrid had just had.

She couldn’t help feeling secretly delighted. Even if Astrid didn’t mean it, Amalia was still incredibly happy at this moment.

Holding hands, whispering, Amalia seemed to announce to everyone how close her relationship with Regent Astrid Calliste truly was.

"Sister..."

Amalia’s lips neared Astrid’s ear, exhaling a faint, fragrant breeze with her words.

"I’ll excuse myself for a moment, I need to greet the other nobles."

After all, the imperial empress couldn’t stay by the regent’s side the entire time. Amalia had other duties.

Astrid nodded in understanding, released Amalia’s hand, then gently kissed the girl’s smooth, delicate knuckles.

"Mm, Your Majesty."