Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 492: "Good night, Miss Knight Lyra.”

"But right now... no..."

It felt far too embarrassing no matter how she thought about it. Lyra slightly bent her knees, her pale, faintly pink silk-stockinged heels pressing against the bed with a barely audible sound.

She'd tell her about it later, maybe when she could serve as Astrid's maid again.

At her words, Astrid's crimson eyes shimmered with gentle amusement. She slowly removed her hand, which had been caressing Lyra's black silk-clad thigh.

Feeling the warmth disappear, Lyra froze for a moment, then heard the woman speak.

"Then I'll be all ears~"

With that, Astrid slowly stood up and touched around Lyra's room, softly murmuring.

"The reason I came here wasn't just to inspect the frontline and confirm the troop and supply movements. I also wanted to check on you and Professor Charlotte."

"Now that I've seen you in good health, not burdened by illness, I can rest assured."

Indeed, without her interference as the villainess, Lyra's life had visibly improved. At the very least, she no longer had to worry constantly about her parents while stationed on the frontlines.

As her words faded, the silver-haired beauty in a flowing black gown turned her head. Her smooth, delicate black-silk feet stepped gently onto the soft carpet, moving from the bedside to the window, then toward the nearby desk. On its flat surface sat an ink bottle, a quill pen, and a half-written letter, its ink long dried.

Astrid had already noticed the letter earlier while Lyra was bathing. Now, her gaze settled on the words in the upper-left corner: Dear Father and Mother. Her already tender expression softened further.

"In that case, I won't disturb Lyra's rest any longer."

Walking to the entrance, Astrid bent down, her fingers grasping the buckle of her high heel. She slowly lifted one leg.

Huh... What...

Lyra felt a flicker of confusion, accompanied by an undeniable pang of disappointment.

So Astrid wasn't planning to stay the night?

Was it really just a military inspection... and a quick visit to see her?

Her eyes followed as the woman straightened her right leg. One of her slender, black-silk feet was now encased in an exquisitely crafted high heel, leaving only the smooth, soft instep exposed. The leather toe cap gently pressed against the silk-wrapped skin, causing a slight indentation, like a piece of finely textured dark chocolate.

The crisp tap of the high heels echoed through the room, striking Lyra's heart like raindrops on a tranquil lake.

"So... what will Astrid do next?"

The girl fluttered her lashes, her delicate teeth gently biting her pink lip. Her voice was soft, yet carried a barely perceptible yearning.

She wanted to talk more with Astrid, or even just sit together on the bed like they had moments ago, two people reunited after a long separation.

They hadn't seen each other in so long... hadn't had a proper heart-to-heart in ages...

At her words, Astrid paused mid-motion, turning her gaze back toward Lyra seated on the bed.

"I'm going to meet with Professor Charlotte, then take a hot bath and rest."

"Tomorrow, I have a speech at the military exercise ground, followed by inspections of other strategic locations regarding supplies and troop deployments."

If time permitted, she also intended to visit the secondary fortress. The appearance of the Empire's Regent will greatly boost the morale of the border garrison, ideally, every soldier should see with their own eyes that a high-ranking noble wielding real authority, from the prosperous and stable capital, had come to this frigid northern frontier.

Lyra blinked, her fingertips lightly traced the white lace trim of her thigh-high socks. Her delicate, alabaster toes instinctively curled within the thick white silk.

"Professor Charlotte... should already be asleep by now..." Lyra said.

Mages differ from knights. Their bodies couldn't sustain wakefulness, no matter how active their minds remained. Physical fatigue and drowsiness will eventually force them to rest.

Especially someone like Charlotte, who poured immense energy daily into researching magical weapons, standing at the forefront of magitech development. Of the twenty-four hours in a day, the Arcanist mage spent nearly sixteen in her room, calibrating magic crystals and experimenting with new spell arrays. Sometimes, she'd forget to eat all three meals, requiring servants to remind her.

It was nearly one o'clock now, well past Charlotte's usual bedtime.

Hearing this, Astrid also realized that visiting at this hour would be inappropriate, so she dropped the idea.

Since Charlotte was most likely asleep, meeting her tomorrow will be just as effective. Originally, Astrid hadn't planned to visit Lyra's room at night either. She'd only come after hearing from Duke Charles that Lyra had recently returned from the frontline, so she'd requested the key to check on her.

"I'll visit Professor Charlotte after she wakes up," Astrid replied.

If she had arrived to find Lyra already asleep, she would have merely covered her with a blanket, saving any conversation for the next day.

"Is there something else, Lyra?"

Seeing Astrid place her fingers on the other high heel, her fingertip already brushing the interior, Lyra hesitated, her lips trembling slightly as she spoke softly.

"Did Duke Charles... prepare a room for you?"

"Will there be anything missing... or anything that makes it uncomfortable to stay?"

She hadn't received any prior information, so she assumed Astrid's inspection of the border had only recently been announced to Duke Charles.

With such little time to prepare, Astrid might not find the accommodations to her liking.

At this moment, Lyra completely forgot how the silver-haired beauty had once spent nights outdoors with her during academy trials, or how she'd personally taught her to cook amid the kitchen's mundane ingredients.

Astrid was never one to be fussy. Or rather, at times when she shouldn't be, she never displays the petty flaws so common among nobles.

"When I sent Elise to deliver my luggage, I had her tidy the room as well," Astrid said, slipping her other foot into the high heel. She changed at the untied slender straps around her ankle. "I brought my own bedding. Some personal items are stored in storage device."

She wasn't particular about where she slept. The only discomfort might be the absence of a certain Empress tonight.

Without the sweet, pleasant scent of the girl's nightgown or the soft, pliant warmth nestled in her arms, Astrid would feel a certain unfamiliarity, slightly affecting her sleep quality.

These were imprints left by habit, something not easily erased overnight.

Lyra nodded softly, her bright eyes watching Astrid fully secure the first high heel. Her hands, which had been gripping her sock, suddenly lifted. Her lower lip caught between her teeth makes her look even more irresistibly alluring.

Say something... anything to make Astrid move slower...

Stay with her a little longer. Any topic would do.

Think carefully, Lyra. You're running out of time.

"As... Astrid..."

As Astrid began wrapping the second slender strap around her ankle, like the final ribbon tied around a gift, Lyra opened her mouth. The words escaped before her thoughts could catch up.

She hadn't even decided what to say yet.

But if she didn't speak now, Astrid might really leave.

"... I missed you."

She'd said something similar when they first met. Repeating it wasn't a bad thing.

Astrid turned, her tone still cool, like moonlight falling upon a forest stream.

"I missed you too, Lyra."

The instant the words left her lips, Lyra seemed to summon immense courage. Locking eyes with those captivating crimson orbs, she spoke softly. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"So... Astrid..."

Whether facing battle or inner emotions, one must gather courage.

She had understood this long ago.

If she truly wishes for the other to stay... then she should just say it...

"Tonight... can you stay?"

The clear words made her earlobes turn even redder. The thumping of her heart grew increasingly distinct. Lyra pressed her lips together, her blue eyes brimming with anticipation, like endless waves declining to subside.

Astrid blinked her long lashes, her hand pausing, her voice low.

"Stay... does that mean sleep together?"

"Or... is there something else Lyra wants to do with me?"

Seeing Astrid halt, Lyra let out a quiet sigh of relief. Her mind struggling to process the words, suddenly realizing her earlier statement might have been misinterpreted.

Inviting someone to sleep... was an ambiguous phrase among nobles.

Especially between nobles of the opposite gender, its implications were obvious. Although she and Astrid were both girls, neither could be considered straight. In a way, the situation was similar.

"J-just... lying down together..."

"Anything... whatever you want. Just... talking."

"Not talking is fine too... just lying there doing nothing... that's nice too..."

The more she explained, the more awkward it became. Half of Lyra's face flushed red, her voice faltering. Her restless fingers nearly tore the white silk thigh-highs on her thighs.

Seeing Lyra so flustered, Astrid, who found her utterly adorable, stopped teasing and softly replied.

"If Lyra really wants it that much."

Her nimble fingers reached to the side, untying the secured strap of the high heel.

"Then I'll follow your lead."

A bright clink reached Lyra's ears, the sound of a high heel hitting the floor. Astrid stepped forward slowly, her fingers gently lifting a silver strand of hair from her collarbone and tucking it behind her ear. A faint smile played on her lips.

"The way Lyra spoke just now... was really cute."

Stuttering, yet pure and unfiltered.

In simpler terms, clumsy, but adorable.

The next second, as Astrid drew closer, she straightened her back and spoke without turning around.

"The bathroom Lyra came out of earlier, is that where I should wash up?"

"Ah... yes," Lyra answered, started.

Astrid agreed... and even...

Called her cute?

She'd barely been able to speak, how was that cute?

She didn't understand.

As Lyra pondered, Astrid stepped forward with graceful strides and entered the washroom, closing the door behind her.

Ten minutes later, the soft sound of running water filled the room, indicating the woman was bathing.

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

"Shouldn't we... inform Elise?"

"You're underestimating the chemistry between us."

Fresh from her bath, Astrid now lay on the bed in a light, comfortable outfit, softly responding to Lyra's question.

"Elise and I can convey information perfectly with just a glance or a gesture. If I don't return for a long time, she'll know I'm either staying with you or sleeping at Professor Charlotte's place."

Years of cultivating master-servant understanding meant there was no need for detailed reports. Just as Elise, when delivering messages, wouldn't waste time on things clearly unimportant to Astrid, she only conveyed what was essential, concisely.

"Is that so?"

Looking at Astrid, now close enough to touch, still in her regular clothes though made of slightly softer fabric, Lyra's gaze lowered to the pair of black-silk legs quietly resting under the covers. Despite the ample space, she didn't know where to place her own lower body. She moistened her lips and said,

"I sleep in clothes like this... so I can rush to the frontline anytime..."

"But Astrid... why...?"

Lyra didn't finish, but Astrid understood her meaning. She touched her hair by the ear and said,

"If Lyra faced an emergency and needs to rush to the defense line immediately, shouldn't I, as the Empire's Regent, also arrive at the same time to demonstrate royal wisdom and benevolence?"

At that moment, she certainly couldn't show up in a nightgown.

"And besides…" Astrid paused, her tone laced with implication.

"Isn't Lyra quite fond of seeing me dressed like this?"

"Weren't you always staring at my legs back in the capital? Is it because the embellishments make them look more beautiful?"

"..."

That single sentence instantly killed the conversation.

Lyra buried her head in the pillow, her entire body turning into a hot water bottle, steam puffing out as she had no idea how to defend herself.

Astrid let out a soft breath through her nose, she faintly smiled completely unhidden.

Teasing her little maid was truly delightful.

But ending the chat here was fine too. Lyra had already had a tiring day. If they stayed up all night talking, it wouldn't be good for either of them, given their busy schedules tomorrow.

It was time to sleep.

Her hand moved beneath the covers, searching until she found Lyra's. On the other side, although the girl was deeply embarrassed, she still interrupted her fingers with Astrid's the moment they touched.

"Good night, Miss Knight Lyra."

Astrid closed her eyes, her breathing settled into calm rhythm.

Lyra stared at the dark pillow blocking her view, waiting for her heart to steady before whispering softly.

"Good night."

"Your Highness."