Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 518: “Still pretending to be asleep... Lyra?”

Pushing away the strange thoughts in her mind, Charlotte relaxed against the seat, her two smooth, shapely legs naturally pressed together as her hand gently smoothed her skirt.

"Just knowing Little Astr cares is enough to make me happy."

She was of the same generation as Astrid’s mother, how could she still be competing for attention with the younger generation? It would probably be laughed at if others found out.

Hearing Charlotte’s words, Astrid gently, casually fixing a few stray strands of the woman’s hair. Her crimson eyes drew close to Charlotte’s porcelain-white neck, her long, curved lashes like delicate brushes, faintly tickling the soft skin.

"From what Lady Charlotte said, it seems you don’t really want to spend time with me after all."

"Then how about changing it to just coming by on Saturdays?"

The girl’s cool, melodious voice echoed through the room, like a nightingale’s soft song in the forest.

Charlotte turned her head slightly, giving Astrid a light glance. Her hand, which had been resting on her nightgown, now reached behind to tangle in the other’s smooth, thick silver hair, gently pinching her earlobe.

"Saturdays? But we agreed you’d come whenever you had time?"

Her clear amber eyes held a hint of grievance, and her tone carried a slight displeasure.

She had casually mentioned so many intriguing topics, sparking Charlotte’s interest, then suddenly pulled away, leaving her stuck at that unbearable threshold without resolution. Clearly, this was Astrid’s fault.

Besides, the silver-haired girl had originally promised to spend more time with her lonely aunt, chatting and helping out. How could she now skip on time?

The suppressed emotions resurfaced. Charlotte, unaware she was acting as childishly as the younger generation, pursed her lips and softly spoke.

"Fine, then, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. But now that you’re the extraordinary Regent of the Valeria Empire, Astrid, your words are like spilled water. You can’t just change them whenever you like."

"Since tomorrow is Thursday, come to my bedroom tonight. I’ll prepare tea beforehand, and we’ll talk all night."

They’d seriously discuss their personal insights on magical theory.

Hearing the affection in Charlotte’s tone, Astrid gave a gentle nod, replying softly.

"Alright, Lady Charlotte."

"Then shall we leave it at this for tonight?"

Although she really wanted to keep Astrid here and properly satisfy herself, Charlotte always regarded the younger generation’s wishes. Since the other party clearly had matters to attend to, she wouldn’t insist on keeping her.

"Mm, see you tomorrow, Little Astr."

"Remember to sleep early. Don’t stay up late."

It was already very late. If she didn’t rest soon, her sleep would be affected.

Astrid softly hummed in response, finally releasing her arms from around Charlotte and straightening her slightly leaning body.

Feeling the warmth behind her disappears, Charlotte instinctively propped up her legs, her delicate white feet pressing against crystal slippers as she casually tossed back her dark hair.

Noticing Charlotte’s small movements, Astrid curved her lips but didn’t immediately leave. Instead, she stepped forward with her long, black-stockinged legs, moving to stand directly in front of her aunt.

"Lady Charlotte should have sweet dreams too."

As she spoke, Astrid extended her arms once more, embracing her aunt face-to-face.

Because she only wore a smooth nightgown, Astrid could clearly feel the softness within her embrace. Among the few people who gave her an intense sense of suffocation, Charlotte was probably the most comfortable to hold.

Unlike Amalia, who was slender, or even the petite Lyra, Charlotte was fuller, hugging her brought a distinct sense of softness, yet she was absolutely not bulky. It was a sensation like being wrapped in water.

Perhaps that was the advantage of mature women.

Feeling Astrid’s enthusiasm, Charlotte also raised her arms, wrapping them around the girl’s waist, allowing her skin to be touched by the silken silver hair cascading down, sending cool, smooth sensations across her body.

When the embrace ended, Astrid returned to the entrance, bent her knees, and gently slipped her black-stockinged feet into her heels, hooking the thin straps at the back to secure the shoes.

Charlotte watched Astrid leave the room until the orange-lit bedroom returned to silence, with only the steady ticking of the clock still echoing in her ears.

Time really was late.

Thinking about her conversation with Astrid tonight, Charlotte sat on the bed and only after a long while slipped beneath the covers.

’Let me think... were there any details I missed?’

Meanwhile, Astrid returned to the room where Lyra was staying, took out the key, and quietly opened the door.

The bedroom was unusually quiet, seemed uninhabited. Astrid placed her stiletto heels at the entrance and walked barefoot into the room.

It was already past 11:30, approaching midnight. Lyra’s current Knight-Captain rank had been temporarily assigned by Duke Charles, so she no longer had to follow the previous night-watch rotation. She should’ve returned by now.

Without using her mental sense to scan, Astrid simply spoke toward the bed as she approached. Beneath the white sheets, there was a small, noticeable bulge. A few strands of soft pink hair lay scattered on the pillow, Astrid could only see the hair, not Lyra’s face, which was turned away from her.

Asleep?

Astrid narrowed her eyes slightly, puzzled that Lyra was different from what she’d imagined, falling asleep before she returned. She turned and walked directly into the bathroom without disturbing her.

And the moment Astrid stepped into the bathroom and closed the door, Lyra, who had kept her eyes shut, opened them. Her deliberately controlled, slow breathing returned to normal as her delicate nose softly inhaled.

’Astrid... came back...’

She’d assumed it was so late that Astrid had gone to Professor Charlotte and would likely stay over, not returning tonight.

That teasing comment about warming her bed, those were just usual, habitual jokes meant to tease her.

"..."

Realizing her secretly held hope had come true, overwhelming joy blossomed in Lyra’s heart, as if light-element magic had set off a string of fireworks in midair, exploding brilliantly at their peak.

Her legs, wrapped in fine white stockings, quietly rubbed against each other beneath the covers. Lyra touched her skirt, making sure it wasn’t wrinkled, then closed her eyes again.

The muffled sound of water reached her ears. Although her vision was dark, she could almost see that graceful, alluring figure moving amid the swirling vapor. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

After an unknown amount of time, Astrid, bathed and changed, stepped out of the bathroom wearing low-heeled sandals, her body still faintly damp.

Lyra’s room had a good distance between the bathroom and the bedroom, with ample lighting in between, commonly used for drying clothes.

Astrid touched up at the drying rack. Lyra’s clothes from before her bath were neatly laid out, dress, blouse, and stockings complete. Already dried somewhat by a fire-element spell, they were nearly dry now.

Judging by the style of the stockings, they seemed to be the very pair she’d helped Lyra change this afternoon. The girl really was clean, worn for only a few hours, barely sweating even in icy weather, and yet she’d washed them immediately after bathing and laid them out to dry.

But... What about hers?

Did she forget?

Standing in front of the clothes rack for a few seconds, Astrid continued forward, approaching the other side of the bed, the side facing Lyra’s cheek.

The delicate-faced pink-haired girl rested her hand beside her cheek, her smooth hair neatly tucked behind her ears, exposing her small, delicate earlobe and half of her pale, tender neck.

Below that was her delicate collarbone. For comfort during sleep, the top few buttons of her shirt remained unfastened, left slightly open.

Just lying beside her, one could easily catch a glimpse of something beautiful.

Astrid quietly gazed at Lyra. Her cool crimson eyes reflected the girl’s peaceful sleeping face, a flicker of thought passing through them. Then, she slipped her two slender, smooth legs beneath the covers.

Lyra truly had some talent as a maid. The soft bedding had been warmed by the girl’s body heat, making it exceptionally comfortable. The moment Astrid extended her legs inside, she felt warm distinctly different from the chilly air outside.

Lyra really had taken her words to heart, she’d properly warmed the bed.

The last one who’d done this for her had been the head maid, long ago.

Her entire body sank into the bed, wrapped in boundless softness. Astrid turned onto her side, gently drawing her legs closer to Lyra’s position.

Finally, warming the bed relied on body heat, the closer Astrid moved toward Lyra, the warmer she felt.

Lyra, eyes still closed, sensed Astrid’s approach. Her back gradually tensed, and even her lashes trembled slightly, nearly exposing the fact that she was only pretending to sleep and had actually been waiting for Astrid all along.

You’re not really sleeping at all... Lyra...

Noticing Lyra’s faintly trembling lashes, Astrid, who knew the truth slightly, curved her lips. Her pale, delicate leg, as if seeking maximum warmth, gently leans against the side of the pink-haired girl’s leg.

The smooth sensation of white stockings transferred to Astrid’s skin. For readiness in case of sudden battle, Lyra hadn’t removed her stockings or changed into a nightgown, even during sleep. At this moment, she still wore the simple outfit she could wear during the day, effectively covering her Light Armor.

If it were just this, Lyra might have endured. But she didn’t know that upon discovering the other’s continued refusal to "wake up" from her feigned sleep, Astrid’s mischievousness quietly escalated.

Even now... you still insist on pretending?

Getting closer wasn’t enough. Astrid deliberately wrapped her arms around Lyra’s back, gently rubbing her outer leg against the girl’s side. The friction between skin and fabric even produces faint sounds beneath the covers.

"???"

That single small action instantly sent Lyra’s heart into chaos.

Astrid was too much... she couldn’t pretend much longer...

Her heart pounded wildly. The only consolation was that Astrid wasn’t fully embracing her, if their chests pressed together, Astrid would immediately feel the violent trembling inside her ribcage.

Then there’d be no need for pretense, her feelings would be completely exposed.

And just as Lyra inwardly sobbed in relief, Astrid gave her no chance to calm down. The other leg, which had been still, now moved like a nimble snake, gently parting Lyra’s tightly pressed white-stockinged knees.

If someone were truly asleep, their legs wouldn’t be clenched so tightly. Astrid’s action was an undeniable move, should Lyra continue to keep her knees closed, weaken further contact, her pretense of sleep would naturally be revealed.

But if she did nothing and let it continue...

As Lyra hesitated, her knees were completely pried apart. Astrid’s two legs gently sandwiched one of hers, her calf skillfully wrapped around to prevent easy escape.

Lyra’s cheeks had already begun to flush. Unable to open her eyes or see her own reflection in Astrid’s gaze, she couldn’t tell if her face had turned red. She could only keep pretending, emitting a soft, delicate hum as if disturbed in her sleep.

It was both an act and a way to release her inner shame.

If Astrid lifted her knee upward right now...

Then wouldn’t she... reach the area between her two legs...

Thinking this, Lyra froze completely, her heart burning hot, her mind on the verge of closing down.

Even with a pair of pantyhose and another layer of fabric, it would be unbearable.

No, no... absolutely not...

Still desperate to open your eyes?

Seeing this, Astrid couldn’t help but find it amusing. She couldn’t help but marvel at how Lyra, for the sake of a little maidenly pride and shyness, unwilling to reveal that she’d been waiting for her all along, could go this far.

Since that was the case, she might as well see just how far Lyra will go to keep up the act.

Gently resting her head on Lyra’s shoulder, Astrid clearly felt the girl’s body tremble. Her lips curved into an even wider smile. One hand held her back, while the other moved downward, just as she had helped Lyra put on stockings in the carriage, inevitably touching that soft, rounded curvy ass.

Then came the white-stockinged thigh. Astrid gently applied pressure, bending Lyra’s knee and placing her leg over her own, forming an upside-down " 7."

Astrid... just what exactly are you trying to do...

Completely losing her ability to think, Lyra’s mind was a tangled mess, mechanically allowing Astrid to control her.

Past the smooth thigh, Astrid carefully smoothed out the wrinkles in the white stockings at the back of Lyra’s knee. Then she continued downward, gently grasping one of the white-stockinged feet.

First the delicate ankle, then the soft, snow-cone-like instep, Astrid’s fingertips lightly glided across.

Lyra, having her almost never-touched area grasped, nearly let out a stifled moan. But the sound caught in her throat, blocked by her tightly pressed lips.

The smoothness of silk and the softness of skin perfectly blended, carrying a slight warmth. The girl’s feet, covered in fine white stockings, were boneless and tender, like a crescent moon reflected on water.

As her index finger slid all the way to the toes, Astrid curled her fingers and gently gripped them.

At this, Lyra could no longer resist. Her ankle twitched slightly, then instantly stilled realizing the mistake, left completely held in Astrid’s hand.

"Still pretending to be asleep... Lyra?"

Feeling the smooth, delicate toes slightly curl, Astrid’s long, pale fingers continued downward, approaching the girl’s sole, and lightly touched it.

"Un?!"