Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 493: Jealous

When Astrid woke up the next day, Lyra was no longer in bed. Also missing was the black hair ribbon she had placed on the nightstand the previous night.

Aside from a glass of water nearly cooled to room temperature, only a wooden figurine holding a sword remains standing on the nightstand, casting a modest shadow under the morning light.

As Knight-Captain, Lyra was far busier than an ordinary knight. Even when she wasn't on duty, she still had countless additional tasks, inspecting the operation of various defensive magic arrays, assigning specific craftsmen and soldiers, checking the defense lines for any vulnerabilities.

She probably didn't wake her because she had risen far too early.

Pulling back the blankets, two legs wrapped in smooth black stockings pressed together beside the bed as Astrid slowly stood up, straightening her slightly wrinkled dress after a night's sleep.

At a mere flicker of thought, ambient wind element particles gathered around her instinctively, causing both her dress and long hair to sway gently. Within moments, the silver-haired beauty, who had just awoken with a lingering languor, regained her poised and elegant demeanor, the very image of a noblewoman radiating grace and aristocratic refinement.

The reason Astrid had chosen to stay with Lyra last night wasn't just to fulfill the latter's wish for her presence. It was also because she truly missed Lyra herself.

Try to love someone who loves you. Don't let their feelings remain one-sided forever, because if you don't, it's better to reject them cleanly, even if it causes them pain.

While Amalia had always been the younger sister Astrid cared for, Astrid now realized she should also learn from her sister's determination and initiative.

For instance, giving clear emotional and behavioral feedback to Lyra, letting her feel Astrid's own love and affection in return.

Otherwise, Lyra's feelings would remain far too humble.

After getting up and washing up, Astrid, now neatly arranging her long silver hair, put on her gemstone pendant and left Lyra's bedroom. Elise was already waiting outside, and upon seeing Astrid emerge, immediately stepped forward to drape a warming cloak around her shoulders.

"Miss, breakfast is ready. Shall we go after you've eaten?"

"Alright, let's go."

Unlike Astrid, who had headed straight to her lover's bed upon arriving at the Northern Frontier, Elise had spent most of the night familiarizing herself with the entire military fortress. With Astrid's approval, she promptly turned and led Astrid toward the noble dining hall reserved for Duke Charles and others.

By chance, as they stepped into the dining hall, they spotted a woman with ink-black hair and a delicate, refined aura already seated there, or rather, someone who had clearly been waiting for Astrid's arrival.

"Little Astr came to inspect the front lines, yet didn't even bother to tell me in advance."

Today, Charlotte wasn't wearing her usual plain mage's robes. Instead, she wore a close-fitting plum-purple dress. Beneath the table, her full, shapely legs were clad in sheer stockings, elegantly crossed at the ankles. Delicate silver stilettos adorned her slender feet, their side-cutout design revealed the graceful curve of her arches. Wing-shaped metallic embellishments near the heels accentuated her sensuality while adding a touch of mature sophistication to Charlotte's presence.

Astrid gracefully took a seat across from Charlotte and, gazing at her long-unseen aunt, moistened her lips before speaking.

"It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I didn't expect Amalia to be so capable, I honestly thought she'd struggled more. Yet in just a few weeks, she stabilized the entire situation in the capital, turning things around completely."

"That's what gave me, the Empire's Regent, the chance to leave and inspect the troops."

One must admit, truly worthy of being called the "Blonde Tyrant" from the original novel. Although her personality flaws were immense and her crimes numerous enough to warrant moral annihilation millions of times over, Amalia's governing abilities were undeniably strong.

Otherwise, how could she have transformed from a semi-puppet empress, placed on the throne by the Four Great Dukes, into a ruler who gradually swayed public opinion, built her own power base, and ultimately turned the entire Valeria Empire into a runaway barrel training toward destruction?

In this timeline, Amalia wasn't as tyrannical. Having been exposed to political knowledge earlier, she was performing even better than that cruel shadow of her former self.

Hearing Astrid's words, Charlotte curved her lips into a smile. Her long, pale fingers rested gently on her chin, her tone soft.

"You didn't tell me, I almost forgot."

"Nowadays, Little Astr is the Empire's Regent. In both status and power, you far surpass me, a mere Marquise."

"From now on, I'll need a Little Astr's kind favor."

Although speaking in jest, Charlotte couldn't help but inwardly marvel. Back then, she had personally advised Astrid not to get too close to Prince Lucas, promising that as an Imperial Countess, she would do everything in her power to protect Astrid, the daughter of an old friend, if Astrid didn't wish to be involved.

Yet in the blink of an eye, Astrid had risen above her. With Astrid's current authority and influence, it was now the elder who needed protection.

Truly astonishing.

"Of course I'll take good care of you, Lady Charlotte."

Astrid caught the teasing in Charlotte's words, but continued along with it.

"As long as Lady Charlotte is willing, you can let me take care of you for as long as you'd like."

When she was young, she had relied on elders like Countess Charlotte for protection and support in every way. Now that she had achieved success, it was time to return the favor.

Charlotte smiled radiantly, seemingly unsurprised by Astrid's response.

"I knew Little Astr would say exactly that."

When it came to pleasing her, Astrid had always been exceptionally skilled.

"I've read about the academy reforms in the newspapers. Little Astr must have gone through a lot of trouble pushing through the basic magic curriculum."

This was a proposal Charlotte had long advocated. Foundational magic courses would allow many commoner talents, those who hadn't previously studied magic but possessed some aptitude, to keep pace with their instructors, preventing them from falling behind too early and becoming mediocre due to inadequate teaching.

"When I first heard, I felt deeply relieved."

It felt as though Astrid, after wandering so far, had finally inherited Fanya's ideals, choosing to bring magic to the people and standing beside her once more.

Astrid fluttered her eyelashes, gazing at the woman's flawless, porcelain-like face, and said softly,

"In that case, it's also settled one of Lady Charlotte's long-standing concerns."

As for the subsequent reform measures, Amalia, who remained in the capital focusing on domestic affairs, would gradually advance them. They didn't need to worry about that here.

Casually discuss the turbulence surrounding Amalia's ascension, the Imperial Trial, her official coronation, and the subsequent waves of dissent, Astrid and Charlotte chatted while eating, turning a simple breakfast into a nearly hour-long affair.

"From the moment you chose Amalia, the path ahead became one of extreme danger. If not for Little Astr's unwavering persistence, I truly wouldn't have wanted to see you take such risks."

Charlotte held her fork, her warm tea-colored eyes quietly fixed on Astrid. Under the table, her elegantly crossed silk-clad legs slowly uncrossed.

"Fortunately, everything unfolded exactly as Little Astr planned. The late Emperor, prioritizing the Empire's continuity after his death over personal emotions or familial ties, made the right choice in the end. You gambled on his final decision, and succeeded in securing a wise ruler for the Empire."

From Charlotte's perspective, whether Prince Lucas or Prince Alistair took the throne, they'd merely be conservative short-sighted, nobles. Even if they temporarily relaxed restrictions on magical devices under wartime pressure, they'd inevitably pass laws to obstruct such progress later.

For both Astrid's personal safety and the shared cause they had worked towards, Amalia's ascension as one of their own was the best possible outcome.

"Even now, I still feel that the secrets within Little Astr are truly extraordinary..."

Charlotte gazed into Astrid's eyes, her voice low and gentle.

"How could you be so certain that Amalia, who had absolutely no leverage at the time, could smoothly inherit the throne, and not only that, but prove herself not a fool of an emperor, but a truly capable and wise ruler?"

"And then there's... those magical incantations. Even I, a Arcanist Mage, barely understand them, yet you can decipher their meanings so clearly..."

Regarding Astrid's knowledge of Elders speech, the only explanation Charlotte could think of was that Fanya had left some research results for her own daughter, allowing Astrid to bypass the so-called [World Will] in translating Elders speech and using the stronger ancient magics.

But if that were true, why would Astrid keep it from her?

Whenever similar topics arise, Astrid always deflected the conversation. Charlotte never forced her younger relative to reveal everything. Everyone had their privacy. If the time was right, the other party would likely open up on their own.

After reflecting on Astrid's growth, Charlotte remembered another matter. Her silver stiletto tapped against the floor tile, producing a slightly grating sound.

"Come to think of it, Little Astr arrived at the fortress yesterday... yet didn't come see me at all..."

The woman straightened her posture, her stunning features glowing under the light.

"If you were just tired from the journey and needed rest, I'd understand. But I heard you finished inspecting the troops and went straight to see Knight-Captain Lyra, and even stayed the night with her."

"You had time to visit her, but not me, your old aunt?"

It wasn't bad enough that she wasn't the first person Astrid came to after such a long separation, but to not even exchange a single word, Charlotte couldn't help but felt a twinge of jealousy.

"I did plan to visit Lady Charlotte, but it was already so late. I didn't want to disturb your rest, so I decided to come today instead."

Astrid set down her fork and calmly wiped her lips with a silk napkin.

This wasn't just flattery to appease Charlotte. Last night, she had truly thought exactly that.

"What disturbance? I'd be overjoyed if Little Astr came to see me..."

Having said that, Charlotte's tone shifted. Her beautiful lashes lowered slightly, her meaning implicit.

"In the capital, when Professor Evelyn gave you the key to her room, didn't Little Astr frequently visit her at night? She didn't mind being disturbed, so why would I ever reject you?"

Hearing Charlotte's slightly sour remark, Astrid narrowed her eyes, recalling her visits to Evelyn to study languages of other intelligent races. As far as she remembered, none of those had occurred at night.

"Where did Lady Charlotte hear such rumors? I don't have a habit of visiting people at midnight."

"Really not?"

"No. Not at all."

Giving a firm reply, Astrid looked across the table at Charlotte, whose figure was accentuated by the plum-purple dress, and spoke softly.

"Lady Charlotte... are you perhaps jealous of Professor Evelyn?"

It was normal for mature women to have their little rivals. Besides, Charlotte was the elder who had practically raised her, almost like a second mother.

Seeing her beloved younger relatively growing increasingly close with a colleague, perhaps even surpassing her in intimacy in her imagination, Charlotte's unhappiness, and even competitive drive, wasn't surprising.

"Just a little."

Charlotte didn't deny it, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"If you leave without even saying goodbye this time, Little Astr, you'll really be heartless."

Hearing Charlotte's words, Astrid curved her lips and replied gently.

"Of course not."

"I'll stay longer at the border. As long as nothing goes wrong in the capital, I'll likely remain until the war ends."

This was the Empire's most critical challenge now, directly tied to their future plans against Brennild and the Holy Light Church.

"So, Lady Charlotte needn't worry about not seeing me."

"We'll have plenty of time together."

Even as she spoke of staying with her, her body honestly rose to leave and inspect the troops outside. Charlotte didn't know whether to call Astrid smooth-talking or simply too responsible, so she could only follow her to her feet.

"Then I shall look forward to it."

"Isn't Lady Charlotte coming with me to inspect?"

"I still have research to do. I must return first."

"Lady Charlotte, please take care of your health. Don't overwork yourself."

Confirming that Charlotte truly needed to return to her magic devices research and wasn't leaving due to other emotions, Astrid nodded in farewell and turned toward the outdoors.

Still, come to think of it, here in the freezing cold of the Northern Frontier, did Charlotte often wear dresses?

Or... was it because she had arrived?

A gust of cold wind blew against her clothes, sending a chill through her. Astrid softly exhaled and walked toward the defensive zones she hadn't inspected the previous night, a journey that lasted over two hours.

After finishing the inspection and distributing all the gifts, Astrid returned to Lyra's sector.

The pink-haired, blue-eyed girl wore the Armor of Light, underneath which was matching-toned clothing and a short skirt. Thickened white stockings ensures continuous warmth while preventing the knight-captain's delicate legs from chafing against her knee armor. The joints of her leg armor were designed with sufficient gaps, maintaining full mobility while ensuring her lower limbs weren't completely exposed to blades.

At this moment, Lyra stood atop the watchtower, gazing northwest. Suddenly hearing the familiar sound of high heels, she turned her head, and saw Astrid, having completed her inspection.

The next second, soldiers who had only ever heard their commander's firm, resolute voice encouraging them in battle, now heard their supreme leader address the visiting Regent with a tone brimming with girlish warmth.

"Astrid... you're here..."