Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 517: Stay with Me

As an Arcanist mage specializing in wind-element magic, Charlotte had always been surrounded by arcane magic throughout her daily life. Since her days as an apprentice, she had constantly interacted with those invisible arcane factors drifting through the air.

Astrid was right. What the world least wanted wasn’t certain elemental particles, nor wind, water, or earth that fluctuated due to mountains, rivers, and climate, nor light and darkness that naturally transformed with day and night, nor even fire and lightning born from nature’s mighty forces. What truly remained ever-abundant no matter how many arcane spells mages released was the omnipresent arcane factor itself.

They were like the ocean, while mages were merely fish living within it. Even if they stirred the water with fins formed from magical power, they couldn’t affect the entire sea.

"Aracne factors are the of elemental particles. Only when they gather, arrange, and combine do they become the various elements perceivable by a mage’s mental sense..."

Charlotte murmured softly, her beautiful hazel eyes flickering with tiny sparks of light.

"If we continue reasoning along this path... beneath the reach of mental perception, in places even smaller, perhaps arcane factors also follow certain laws, much like how we currently cast magical incantations..."

"Specific arrangement rules, definite connection pathways, stable spell circle structures, on this foundation, arcane factors differentiated into basic elements such as wind, ice, water, and fire, as well as the two higher-order elements of light and darkness."

The fundamental nature of the spell [Mimetic Particles] seems to point exactly toward this. Because its casting process required a crucial prerequisite: a specific elemental particle as a template, to achieve the so-called "mimicry."

For example, when Astrid used [Mimetic Particles] to create temporary ice-element particles and cast [Ice Shard], the specific procedure involved first gathering some ice-element particles, then using magical power to drive arcane factors to adhere and replicate all their external characteristics, ultimately producing an entire ice shard.

However, in the real world, extreme conditions are completely absent if a certain elemental particle basically didn’t exist. Even in freezing tundras, there exist extremely faint clusters of fire-element particles unable to form spells. Thus, that prerequisite seemed insignificant.

Of course, spellcasting was one thing, research another. What Charlotte now wanted to understand was the underlying operational logic behind arcane factors transforming into elemental particles. She couldn’t afford to overlook even the slightest bit of information.

Hearing Charlotte’s words, Astrid gave a gentle nod, indicating her agreement with the elder mage’s perspective.

"Lady Charlotte’s thoughts align perfectly with mine."

She had originally worried Charlotte might not accept the idea immediately, but never expected not only acceptance, but also the elder mage independently delving deeper along her logic, adding supplementary conclusions to the theory.

No wonder she was a noble reformist leading the forefront of magical-energy device development, her ability to accept novel concepts was truly swift.

For some reason, Astrid suddenly felt the urge to tell this elder in front of her about her preference for girls.

Given Charlotte’s open-mindedness, she should be able to accept it, right?

After pondering for a few seconds, considering her orientation wasn’t the focus of tonight’s discussion with Charlotte, Astrid quickly dismissed the thought and focused intently on waiting for Charlotte to speak.

"No wonder I never noticed."

After several minutes, Charlotte seemed to have realized something. Her long, delicate legs rubbed gently together as her hand naturally rested on her thigh.

"The ever-abundant environment of arcane factors becomes a disguise during spellcasting. Unless one focuses entirely on the ignorant arcane factors, one simply can’t become aware of what Astrid described."

As she spoke, a gust of wind swept through Astrid’s silver hair, also lifting Charlotte’s thin silk nightgown, exposing a segment of thigh as smooth and white as jade.

This time, Charlotte’s mental sense was entirely focused on perceiving particle changes, observing every instant of [Mimetic Particles] from beginning to end without missing a single detail.

Then, she cast another ice-attribute spell, using the wind to closely adhere to the ice block, watching the transformation from ice-element particles to water-element particles as the melted ice, and noticing that faint yet unmistakable cluster of arcane factors appearing.

Just as expected.

Faced with tangible evidence, Charlotte’s internal trust in Astrid’s mentioned theory deepened, but still hadn’t reached the level of treating it as absolute truth.

In the path of magic, theories born from sudden inspiration and later overturned by successors were millions. Before reaching the legendary rank of Spell Creator, no one could affirm with certainty that their path contained no errors or that their understandings represented absolute truths.

Caution, humility, and the courage to question, these were the attitudes a true seeker of knowledge should possess.

"Little Astr..."

Charlotte rubbed her temples and sobbed softly.

"You’ve really given me quite the challenge."

Even so, a faint joy tinged her voice, as if a long-standing hazy mist in her mind had suddenly cleared, allowing sunlight to shine through once more.

Whether Astrid’s ideas were correct or not, they would open a completely new path for her nearly exhausted contemplations.

And judging from the current manifestations, the likelihood of error seems low.

Thinking thus, a flicker of relief passed through Charlotte’s heart.

Thankfully Astrid could decipher Ancient Language, and fortunately the Imperial Scepter contained the incantation for releasing [Mimetic Particles]. The former allowed intelligent minds to reverse-analyze the essence of the entire world using the information hidden within these ancient secrets.

Ancient Language, ancient magic incantations, the supreme shackles of World Will, how many secrets lie hidden beneath the surface of magical studies.

After waiting a while longer for Charlotte, Astrid lowered her elegantly crossed legs, her feet gently stepping onto the soft carpet, letting a few strands of fluff conceal the delicate back of her black-stockinged feet.

"Back to the topic, Lady Charlotte."

"There’s still much to explore regarding the essence of arcane factors, but compared to temporarily unusable theoretical magic, our current priority should remain on the application of magical-energy devices."

"Specifically, how to utilize [Mimetic Particles]’ ability to temporarily substitute certain elemental particles to significantly reduce energy consumption."

This was their immediate pressing issue.

Charlotte nodded upon hearing this, forcefully suppressing her inner desire to explore, and gazed tenderly at Astrid.

"If Little Astr says so, she must already have a plan in mind?"

In Charlotte’s view, Astrid shared these thoughts with her wasn’t merely to offload the entire difficult problem onto her as an Arcanist mage, but to seek judgment assessment from her.

Just as Charlotte suspected, Astrid gave a slight nod.

"Indeed, I do have some ideas."

"Continuing from the previously mentioned magic interface, my specific design is as follows..."

"Lady Charlotte needs to first establish a spell circle at the final release gate of the elemental crystal, while allowing a small amount of elemental particles to gather there, providing [Mimetic Particles] with the opportunity to simulate characteristics. This process must be fast and capable of interfacing with outer magical runes."

"Thus, the core issue shifts to how to retain this small quantity of elemental particles. I have another idea, perhaps we can reverse further, setting up a spell circle that intercepts the flow of elemental particles, ensuring a certain residue remains after each release..."

Under the warm yellow light, two graceful, peerless beauties sat side by side at the desk. Charlotte listened to Astrid’s suggestions while retrieving a spare crystal from her spatial ring, attempting and refining it step by step according to the other’s words and her own understanding.

"This feels somewhat workable..."

Mental energy flowed into the crystal, sensing the orderly outward transmission of internal elemental particles. Although there was still much room for improvement, achieving such results in such a short time was already quite difficult.

After ending the mental energy transmission, she turned her head and gazed at the beautiful face illuminated by the light. For a moment, Charlotte felt herself transported back to the days when they had jointly researched the Fearless.

Astrid had similarly stayed by her side then, offering practical suggestions one after another, sometimes even drawing blueprints late into the night before falling asleep right on the desk.

Nothing like an Imperial Princess.

Her delicate eyebrows, resembling distant mountains, gradually relaxed. Recalling the past, warmth welled in Charlotte’s heart. Her peripheral vision caught the wall clock, unconsciously, they had already spent nearly three hours conversing and experimenting. It was deep into the night.

"The specific design can’t be rushed. Different magical-energy devices require different magical circles, the simulated elemental particles possess varying properties, and output methods must be adjusted accordingly."

Charlotte delivered her final conclusion, indicating that perfecting magical-energy devices would still take some time, then turned to Astrid, speaking softly.

"Little Astr, why don’t you stay here tonight?"

"Together, we can explore magical knowledge... regarding the essence of arcane factors..." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

The new theory Astrid had presented was simply too tempting. Charlotte, who always enthusiastically absorbed new knowledge, couldn’t resist the urge to investigate further.

Stay overnight here?

Astrid, long accustomed to sharing a bed with Charlotte, was about to readily accept when suddenly a scene flashed in her mind.

She stood atop the city walls, teasingly addressing a pink-haired girl adorned in holy armor.

"If I come back late, I’ll trouble Lyra to warm my bed for me."

Thinking about what Lyra might be doing at this hour.

She should be... no, this girl was exceptionally pure, believing everything she said without question, sometimes even lacking adaptability.

Right now, Lyra had surely already bathed, lying on her soft bed, diligently following her instructions, using her freshly washed, fragrant body to warm the entire bed.

Then, waiting expectantly for her return.

"..."

Thinking of those sparkling sapphire-blue eyes, completely reflecting her own image even in their pupils, Astrid fluttered her eyelashes and gently spoke.

"Tomorrow, Lady Charlotte."

Having spoken, to prevent misunderstanding, Astrid quickly added.

"Tonight, I promised Lyra I’d return for something."

That "something" naturally meant sleeping together.

Charlotte paused upon hearing this, somewhat surprised by Astrid’s direct refusal, but as a consistently gentle elder, she still showed understanding.

"Then tomorrow it is, Little Astr."

Theoretical knowledge wasn’t urgent. She could let tonight’s thoughts settle, ponder further, perhaps making her clearer.

"But..."

Immediately after, Charlotte looked at Astrid with a slightly resentful expression.

"Didn’t Little Astr promise before to come and keep me company often?"

"How come tonight, you even dislike sitting closer..."

This "sitting closer" naturally referred to Charlotte indicating for Astrid to sit directly on her lap after hearing the theory, to properly explain the key points.

Yet Astrid had instead gone through the trouble of walking to the side, bringing over another chair to sit down, and seemed unwilling to have much physical contact.

When she was little, she used to sit on her lap reading fairy tales, saying her skirt fabric felt especially comfortable.

Facing Charlotte’s remark, Astrid naturally couldn’t mention she was a lesbian, accidentally touching that plump breasts earlier had already been somewhat crossing the line. Sitting intimately on her own aunt’s lap now would definitely make her feel nervous and uncomfortable.

"Lady Charlotte, could there be some misunderstanding?"

Standing up, she moved behind the chair. The elegant, cool-tempered silver-haired extended her arms and gently hugged Charlotte, inhaling the mature, alluring fragrance of the woman as she whispered softly.

"I’ve loved always being close to Lady Charlotte."

It’s just that sometimes, the other’s behavior overwhelmed her, especially during one drunken incident when the mature feminine charm surged like waves, probably enough to make even stone blossom.

It was exactly those few instances, along with Lyra’s later confession, that gradually made Astrid realize the fact that she was a lesbian.

Feeling Astrid’s warm body temperature and the softness tightly pressed against her, Charlotte softly exhaled through her delicate nose, her sense of grievance noticeably lessening.

"Then in the future, Little Astr must visit me more often."

Tonight she’d made such shocking statements, deliberately leaving many blanks, making her feel restless and sleepless.

Wanting to keep Astrid to thoroughly discuss, yet the other said she had matters to attend to and leave, leaving her in such a frustrating, halfway state without resolution.

This seemed rather excessive.

Hearing Astrid’s words, Astrid leaned close to Charlotte’s ear, gently exhaling warm breath.

"Alright, I’ll spend more time with Lady Charlotte."

"Unless something unexpected happens, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evening, I’ll come over and sleep with Lady Charlotte."

As for why she wouldn’t come on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends, naturally it was to accompany another certain pink-haired girlfriend with intense feelings.

Her aunt needed companionship, her future girlfriend also required effort, she shouldn’t let Lyra’s love remain one-sided forever.

Astrid had invested greatly in Lyra’s life and studies, her care level is probably equivalent to a rebirthing parent, but emotionally, she remained somewhat colder compared to Lyra’s passionate warmth.

It was time for a change.

Hearing Astrid’s words, Charlotte inexplicably felt her earlobes growing warm, perhaps because the other had exhaled hot breath.

Why did it feel... as if she were competing with Lyra for Astrid’s bedtime companionship...