Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 505: Did You Do It Like This With Professor Charlotte Too?

Chapter 505: Did You Do It Like This With Professor Charlotte Too?

The next morning, Lyra received news that she will be temporarily reassigned from the front lines to inspect the town of Siyak.

"Was this Princess Astrid’s decision?"

"Yes. Also, the Regent Princess invited the Knight Captain to go to her room, she said she had something important to discuss."

’Something important? And she wants me to leave the front line?’

After hearing the servant’s report, Lyra gently wiped her lips with a napkin and stood from the dining table. Following the instructions, she headed toward Astrid’s bedroom.

Before entering, she greeted the vigilant head maid standing nearby. Lyra paused briefly, using the reflective surface of her armored gauntlet to check her face. After carefully wiping away any stray snowflakes, she raised her hand and knocked, simultaneously deactivating her full armor’s defensive systems.

"Come in."

A lazy female voice echoed from inside. Lyra pushed the door open. The morning breeze swayed her skirt as she stepped in, briefly revealing a soft stretch of her thick white tights-clad thighs. Without the armor, the girl’s sharp, battlefield-ready aura faded, replaced by a gentler, sweeter presence, like a delicate fawn leaping through the forest.

Astrid sat at her desk, her long legs sheathed in smooth black tights crossed elegantly. Her fingers twirled around strands of silver hair at the nape of her neck, while a thin black hair ribbon dangled from her pale pink lips.

She removed the ribbon and loosely tied her hair back, preventing the long silver strands from flowing freely. Then she tilted her head and looked at Lyra, speaking slowly.

"You’re curious about why I called you here, and the real reason for your temporary removal from the front line?"

Lyra nodded. Her peripheral vision caught sight of the bed behind Astrid, its white velvet sheets were neatly spread, smooth and untouched, without a single wrinkle.

Astrid didn’t sleep here last night...

That thought flashed through Lyra’s mind, and immediately, one person came to it, her, the mature and elegant beauty with dark hair, Professor Charlotte, who had always been so kind to her.

So Astrid... spent the night in Professor Charlotte’s room...

Before her thoughts could wander further, Astrid spoke again.

"I went to inspect Siyak yesterday. The patients’ conditions are quite severe."

"I tried using purification magic to eliminate the disease, but the results were minimal. Even combined with herbs and medical tools, we can’t fully erase the plague."

"So I’ve come up with a new idea. Last night, I went specifically to consult with my Aunt Charlotte. I confirmed the theory exists and has practical value."

Her delicate feet, encased in fine black tights like chocolate pudding, stepped softly into slippers as she slowly walked toward Lyra. Astrid lifted a strand of pink hair resting beside the girl’s ear, her voice soft.

"And the most crucial element in this plan... is you, Lyra."

More precisely, it was the [Sword of Light] she wielded.

Feeling the warmth of Astrid’s fingers and seeing the flawless white wrist so vividly close, Lyra’s ears warmed slightly. She whispered shyly.

"Me..."

"What does Astrid need me to do?"

Could it be what she was thinking, using her overpowered affinity for light elements to unleash high-tier light magic to heal the injured?

This time, Astrid didn’t play games or tease her. She straightforwardly explained the entire process, as well as the several key conditions required for resonant casting.

"So... I need to briefly merge souls with Astrid?"

"Yes. You understand correctly."

Astrid looked at the pink-haired girl standing at her height, without heels, Lyra even seemed slightly taller. She spoke softly.

"I understand if you’re unwilling. After all, forming a soul connection isn’t risk-free, and it involves deeply personal privacy."

That said, Astrid already knew, once Lyra understood the stakes, refusing was nearly impossible.

Lyra Beckett was simply that kind of person, someone warm and giving, like a little sun.

Just as Astrid predicted, Lyra didn’t hesitate at all. Her sky-blue eyes shimmered with determination.

"I’m willing, Astrid."

Not only because the infected personnel would indirectly affect the frontline soldiers’ combat effectiveness, but even if they were just ordinary Empire civilians suffering from illness and pain, Lyra would still try to heal them.

Now that the opportunity was right before her, how could she possibly say no?

After speaking, Lyra suddenly realized something. Her fingertip lightly tapped her skirt as she murmured.

"Wait, Astrid..."

"If this resonant casting requires our souls to synchronize... doesn’t that mean..."

"...I’ll also be able to feel Astrid’s emotions?"

From Astrid’s description, Lyra had caught the most important keywords: connection, bidirectional, shared.

In other words, when she opened the gates of her soul to Astrid, the other side would be equally exposed and unguarded. This demands an extremely high level of mutual trust.

Lyra trusted Astrid, something she never doubted, not even for a second. But in reverse, Astrid had never truly expressed how much she trusted Lyra.

"Yes." Astrid answered honestly, her crimson eyes fixed on Lyra.

"B-But..."

Lyra moistened her throat, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the silver-white sword scabbard at her waist.

"Won’t Astrid be worried... that I might accidentally mess up the rhythm?"

Or was Astrid’s trust in her truly on the same level as her own trust in Astrid?

Hearing Lyra’s words, Astrid’s gaze grew thoughtful. She rested the back of her hand against her chin, quietly studying the girl.

"Lyra can be a bit clumsy at times, but when it comes to matters of right and wrong, she’s never failed."

"And I’ve always trusted Lyra’s character and personality."

It wasn’t just because of the protagonist’s inherent purity and kindness written into the original story. It was also the accumulated trust she’d built through real experiences with Lyra as a living, breathing person.

Even without knowing those predefined character traits, even if she ignored the limitations of Knight of Light, after going through so much together, Astrid would still choose to trust Lyra.

Just think about it... Lyra didn’t have any truly malicious intentions she’d act on...

Especially considering how often Astrid teased her, if Lyra had even slightly lower moral standards, she probably would’ve lost control long ago and done more than just kiss her.

That delicate little round table from yesterday’s meal wasn’t too small to fit another person.

Lyra parted her lips slightly, clearly not expecting Astrid to deliver such a touching statement so bluntly, in such a calm and matter-of-fact tone.

So in Astrid’s heart, she was someone she trusted.

To be believed in and affirmed by the one she loved, joy surged through her like a floodgate breaking open. Lyra unconsciously rubbed her legs together, and the tips of her small leather shoes obediently pressed against each other.

"I will never betray Astrid’s trust!"

Never, ever, ever.

Hearing the pink-haired girl’s voice rise slightly, Astrid continued watching her, then reached out and gently pulled the girl into the room.

"Eh?"

Feeling the pull, Lyra didn’t resist instinctively. Instead, she leaned forward with Astrid’s motion, her white-stockinged feet slipping out of her shoes as she stepped onto the soft carpet.

"It’s still early. Let’s try it now."

As she spoke, Astrid guided Lyra towards the bed, her voice gentle.

"How do you think we should do this, Lyra?"

"???"

What do you mean... how should we do it...

D-Do... do what? Resonant casting?

In the blink of an eye, Lyra was led from the doorway to the bed. Feeling the softness beneath her, she instinctively pressed her legs together. The fine white fabric whispers with a soft rustle, gleaming pure and snow-like under the light.

Her mind fluttered for a few seconds before she timidly asked.

"W-What exactly... Do we need to?"

"Is the first step... chanting the spell incantation?"

Astrid tilted her head, noting Lyra’s slightly flushed ears and the pink tinge creeping up her pale neck. The girl’s hands tightly braced her thighs, and her delicate toes, hidden beneath white tights, curled tightly.

To those who knew they were practicing magic, it was clear. To outsiders, it might seem like they were building up the courage to cross the final threshold.

"I thought I made myself clear enough."

Astrid murmured softly, her palm gently pressing against Lyra’s skirt. With each word, her hand gradually moved closer to the girl’s snow-white, silk-clad legs.

The moment Astrid’s palm touched the fabric on her leg, Lyra shivered, letting out an adorable little moan. Her eyes shimmered as if veiled in mist.

"Resonant casting requires an extremely high level of between partners. So prior to that, some physical contact is necessary."

They weren’t twin sisters born from a mirror, capable of telepathy, understanding each other’s thoughts with just a glance. Even loving couples needed decades to reach such harmony. How could they, two people whose relationship wasn’t even fully defined, expect to achieve it instantly?

Meeting Lyra’s gaze, Astrid’s tone remained calm.

"So, tell me, how do you think we should do this? How can we feel most comfortable and relaxed?"

Her bewitching red eyes sparkled, and her words sent hearts racing. Lyra stiffened her spine, her breathing turned shallow and deliberate.

"C-Can we do it... any way?"

"Of course."

Astrid confirmed with a nod, her toe elegantly flicking her slipper.

"But we should hurry. The sooner we try, the sooner we succeed. That way, we can save time and reach Siyak faster to help them escape their suffering."

Hearing Astrid redirected the conversation to the plague, the nature of the act shifted entirely. What had begun as a shy, intimate touch between two girls is now transformed into a necessary, righteous act, a forbidden fruit that must be plucked for the greater good.

Lyra’s anxiety eased slightly, but her cheeks remained burning, and her body felt feverish.

"T-Then... when Astrid went to consult Professor Charlotte..."

Her mind blanked for a second, and Lyra suddenly staggered out of the question.

"...did you two... try it like this too? H-Holding each other?"

This time, it was Astrid who fell silent. She gazed at the flustered pink-haired girl before her, then spoke after a pause.

"Yes."

And at the time, since it was near bedtime, they were both wearing snug nightgowns.

Hearing the reply, Lyra’s heart spun into even greater chaos. Her blue eyes reflected the silver-haired princess beside the bed, whose every breath and movement, even while seated, was intoxicating.

Taking a deep breath, Lyra reached out and gently wrapped her arm around Astrid’s waist. The smooth fabric of her dress slides against her inner arm like brushing against rose petals.

Astrid gave no reaction, merely watching Lyra’s actions. After half a minute, she spoke.

"Let me hold you too."

"..."

"Mm..."

Lyra murmured softly, forcing herself not to overthink.

This was just a necessary step for resonant casting. Stay calm. Clear your mind. Take it slow.

Seeing this, Astrid glanced at Lyra, the back of her hand lightly touching her cheek. She thought to herself, if she really let Lyra take the lead, one attempt would take as long as three sessions with Charlotte.

So, she deliberately lowered her legs, stood up, and walked to face Lyra, who sat obediently upright.

Feeling the warmth against her arm disappears, Lyra blinked in confusion and looked up. The next moment, a night-sky-colored skirt draped over her lap as Astrid leaned down, straddling Lyra’s knees with her legs spread wide.

Now they were close enough.

Gazing at the silver-haired beauty sitting on her lap, face-to-face, Lyra felt the silky texture against her thighs, soft like butter, or a freshly baked velvet pudding cake.

AAAA... Astrid...

The black dress loomed before her, the outer layer of printed sheer fabric resembled a gift ribbon wrapped around a present. Looking higher, the prominent curves were impossible to ignore, followed by the woman’s delicate collarbone and smooth neck.

"It’s time to begin, Lyra."

Astrid’s breath was warm and sweet. Her slippers fell onto the carpet as her nimble, pale hands found Lyra’s, which had been placed on the bed on either side. Gently, she interlaced their fingers.

"Or... would Lyra prefer if I got even closer?"

Closer? That would mean lying all the way back on the bed...

With her hands now guided by Astrid, and the sweet fragrance of the woman filling her senses, Lyra dared not focus on her physical sensations any longer. Like a fugitive fleeing, she quickly retreated into her consciousness and began directing her spiritual energy.

"Let’s begin, Astrid..."

Her clear voice trembled slightly, laced with a moistness as if she’d just emerged from water.

If she kept feeling this way... the very act meant to ease their soul connection might end up having the opposite effect...