Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 559: Another Food

Sensual water sounds resonate through the office. After a while, Lyra blushed and averted her gaze, her hand pressing on Astrid’s back relaxing slightly.

Every time she stepped away from work mode and stayed alone in a room with Astrid, just a single gesture or glance from the other woman would stir her emotions uncontrollably.

They should’ve already gone out for dinner after staying so late in the command room. Yet, due to this little interruption, they’d unintentionally spent another dozen minutes.

"I asked if you were hungry... Why did you suddenly do that?"

Physical hunger did exist, but as Astrid moved, that hunger had long since begun spreading into the psychological realm.

Hearing Astrid’s deliberately coy question, Lyra still stood on tiptoe, her entire body tensed as her onyx-like skin brushed against her skirt’s hem.

"Because... Astrid..."

The sight of that half-slipped robe, those silk-soft eyes gazing languidly, those lovely legs elegantly crossed while seated on the desk, this entire picture of a lazy, alluring beauty was simply too seductive.

Lyra’s lips trembled slightly before she, for the first time in her life, dared to say something she’d never had voiced before her beloved.

"You just... look more delicious..."

Making that instant, the already roaring appetite of mouth and stomach utterly dismissible.

Realizing what outrageous thing she’d just said, Lyra’s ears turned exceptionally red, so much that even her pink hair couldn’t hide it.

When had she become... So strange?

Actually saying such things to Astrid.

"You think I’m more delicious?"

Hearing Lyra’s words, Astrid spoke softly, her voice carrying a moist, seductive charm. Inside, she marveled at how the other woman now seemed to possess some ability to fight back, no longer the soft, malleable maid she could freely shape as she pleased.

Including that subtle verbal hint just now, she’d understood it immediately. Without another word, she stood up, as if ready to teach Lyra a lesson, and kissed her.

Although the kiss lacked any forcefulness, retaining that gentle, delicate girl-like tenderness, this change already proved that Lyra had gained some experience against her teasing, she now knew how to avoid always being the passive, flustered party.

Looks like she’d need to put in extra effort from now on if she wanted to make her pink-haired maid blush and steam like a boiling kettle.

"Since that’s the case... with just a taste, how much can you really savor?"

Astrid gently lifted her finger, trailing it across her lips. The loose, pure black velvet robe slipped further down with the motion, now completely failing to conceal those shoulders, round, smooth, and white as jade.

"Doesn’t Lyra want... to take another bite?"

Who could possibly resist the seduction of the Empire’s most beautiful woman? If it were the highly capable Empress standing before Astrid right now, that flat, wide office desk beneath her skirt would probably already have become a dining table.

Lyra felt her entire body temperature rising. Her sapphire eyes locked onto Astrid’s clear, icy gaze, faintly detecting the other woman’s provocation and delight.

Her hand grasped the smooth, eggshell-like shoulder peeking out from beneath the robe, pressing slightly. Her silver hair cascaded across the desk, draped over Astrid’s back.

The silver-haired beauty, feeling the shift in gravity, still wore that faint, victorious smile at the corner of her lips. Her cool, beautiful eyes gazed up at the pink-haired girl above, even finding time to gently brush aside a stray strand of Lyra’s hair.

"It seems... our dinner time will have to be delayed again..."

Half an hour later, Lyra changed clothes in the office’s attached changing room, swapping her slightly wrinkled thick pantyhose for sheer white stockings that wouldn’t cover much skin. The blush on her cheeks gradually faded as she dressed.

A desk... was meant for working...

Yet they’d...

It was definitely Astrid who’d gone too far.

In truth, although both women bore responsibility for what had happened in the command room, clearly the silver-haired princess, cosplaying as a succubus to seduce her knight into corruption, had been far more provocative.

At the very least, Lyra had truly intended to finish discussing work with Astrid before going to eat.

Grasping the smooth silk stocking, letting the delicate white fabric with silver rings gently hug her thigh, Lyra lowered her pale white skirt. Her ice-cream soft feet stepped back into the black patent leather shoes.

Her body still felt faint electrical sensations, and her legs felt slightly weak. Fortunately, as a Master Knight, her constitution was outstanding. Once her shoes and stockings were on, Lyra keenly noticed this and quickly regained her composure with slight control.

Returning to the command room, Astrid sat on the sofa away from the desk. The thick, warm velvet robe she’d worn was now completely gone, replaced by an elegant pure-black noble dress that hugs her slender figure. Her legs were elegantly crossed, high heels dangling from her stocking tips, revealing a delicate, moon-like shine from her smooth, dark skin.

But... something seemed different...

If Lyra remembered correctly, the black pantyhose Astrid had worn earlier should have been the refined version with gold and silver patterns, complete with fine cross motifs running down her thighs toward her knees along the smooth leg lines.

Now, all those patterns were gone, leaving only pure black. The thin, smooth material shimmered faintly in the light, adding a softer elegance to her legs. Near the top of the stockings, delicate lace trim hinted that the pantyhose had changed into a garter style.

Lyra, guessing what had happened, felt her ears grow even hotter. Her hands, washed thoroughly multiple times, stretched along her skirt hem before curling back inward.

"Astrid, let’s go have dinner."

"Mm."

Astrid responded softly, slowly straightening her legs.

"Seems like having a little snack made Lyra more energetic."

"..."

She was being teased again, saying her face flushed too easily, wasn’t she!

Thinking back, she’d originally intended to scold Astrid, yet ended up being the first to collapse. She hadn’t even needed Astrid to act, just a slight leg movement, and she’d lost all resistance.

So embarrassing.

Thinking this, Lyra let out a soft "Mm" and, reluctantly to give Astrid another chance to tease her, turned and walked toward the door, her heels clicking.

She was at least a peak tier Master Knight... Why was she so weak in certain matters?

Was it because... she was too sensitive?

Or was it simply that when facing someone she poured her entire emotions into, someone she completely, utterly loved, one became so easily satisfied?

It has happened several times already. Even during kisses, she’d nearly lost control.

If she really gave in that easily... Astrid would definitely mock her.

Absolutely couldn’t let her find out!

The more she thought, the more distracted her mind became. Listening to the rhythmic clack of her heels, Lyra reached the door and touched back at Astrid.

The stunningly beautiful Regent had already pulled the robe back on. After confirming the other wouldn’t get cold, Lyra opened the door, letting the cold wind rush in.

Night had fallen. White Maple Town wasn’t yet fully dark, every street glowed with light from magical devices.

"Let’s go, Astrid," Lyra said.

..........

After dinner, Astrid accompanied Lyra to her residence in White Maple Town. The conditions here were far inferior to the luxurious mansion specially arranged in Losterling City to please the Regent. It was only slightly better than the single-room dormitory from the Liya Tower Fortress days. Still, though small, it was fully equipped, no lack of facilities or furniture.

"Astrid... have you been staying at Professor Charlotte’s these past few days?"

"Mm. Lady Charlotte has made new breakthroughs in magical device research. We discuss things until late every night."

On the Magic Focusing Cannon, Charlotte had glimpsed the possibility of using arcane factors to amplify the effects of magic crystals. If this research direction succeeds, it might greatly increase the energy output efficiency of a single crystal per unit time and reduce energy loss.

Although they couldn’t make the crystals themselves cheap and accessible to the masses, extending the usable lifespan of each crystal still saved costs from another angle.

Both increasing revenue and cutting expenses, achieving either was no small feat.

Hearing Astrid’s reply and knowing the other wouldn’t be staying here tonight, Lyra sat on the edge of the bed and spoke softly.

"Astrid... you’re still so busy..."

Busy to the point of not even having time to return to her own room to sleep.

Now that she thought about it, it seemed that ever since arriving at the border, Astrid had never slept in her own bed. She either stayed in Lyra’s room or spent the night at Professor Charlotte’s.

If Amalia were here, Astrid might also need to find time to accompany the Empress.

On the Empire Weekly news, wouldn’t this be portrayed as the Empire’s Regent indulging everywhere, spending every night with different noble ladies in different styles?

Clingsy little sister, gentle older sister, Holy Knight... not repeating a single one...

No, it didn’t matter what outsiders thought. She knew the truth about Amalia, Charlotte, and Astrid’s relationships.

Shaking her head to dispel these baseless, random thoughts, Lyra spoke softly.

"Astrid, was it you who appointed me as the overall commander of White Maple Town?"

Right after receiving the news, Lyra had been wondering whether this was Charles Duke’s idea or Astrid’s. Her final conclusion leaned heavily toward the latter.

If it were Charles, he’d probably have given her a Deputy officer position, a secondary command role, entrusting the vital overall commander post to a more experienced veteran.

Her abilities were decent, but her stability definitely couldn’t match the higher echelons of the military.

Hearing this, Astrid nodded, not denying it.

"It was me."

Receiving the confirmation, Lyra pressed her lips together, then asked further.

"Did Astrid want me... to build up prestige?"

Although thinking this feels a bit self-deprecating, Lyra feels this interpretation might be closer to the truth.

Astrid fell silent, gazing at Lyra. The fingers that had been idly playing with her brooch stopped moving.

Charlotte had asked her this question. Now Lyra was also asking about it.

Had her own command even started lacking confidence?

"No," Astrid said softly, nearly repeating the same explanation she’d given Charlotte.

Five minutes later, having understood Astrid’s reasoning, Lyra carefully spoke.

"Astrid... you just believe in me, purely?"

Believing she could do it.

Such profound trust weighed heavily on Lyra’s heart, leaving her flattered and overwhelmed.

"What else?" Astrid gently countered.

"Do you think I used personal favoritism, appointing you to that position just because we’re close?"

If she wanted to boost Lyra’s status, Astrid had plenty of other means. She wouldn’t risk so many lives that could’ve been saved just to highlight Lyra.

That wouldn’t sit right with her, nor would Lyra accept it.

"I simply believe in Lyra’s leadership talent."

A single, understated sentence sealed the entire matter. Astrid looked at Lyra and continued.

"In fact, after I made the decision, Duke Charles also gave his tacit approval."

He’d seen Lyra’s command abilities during the Liya Tower Fortress battle, heard her restaurant speech, and witnessed her combat skills.

"You’re just lacking a tiny bit of confidence. That’s all."

And as her former superior, now her "best friend," Astrid said this exactly to fill that gap.

"Even if Lyra doesn’t believe in herself, she should believe in my judgment, and Duke Charles’s."

"When has your former master ever made a wrong call?"

When Lyra thought her elemental affinity was weak and she was destined to never become an outstanding mage, it was Astrid who told her, "You might have potential others can’t see."

When noble ladies provoked her and Lyra drew her sword in anger, it was Astrid who told her, "Follow your heart."

During the Magic Exchange Competition, facing an enemy far stronger than herself, it was Astrid who comforted her, saying she could defeat Princess Iris.

Yes. Astrid had never misjudged her.

She wouldn’t this time either.

Feeling deeply empowered by Astrid, Lyra nodded slightly, her tone growing more confident.

"I won’t let you down, Astrid." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

She will work hard to ensure the safety of all soldiers and fulfill the defense mission entrusted to her by the Empire.

Seeing Lyra’s determined gaze, Astrid gave a light nod.

"Mm. I believe in you."

Once Lyra recognized her own potential beyond mediocrity, Astrid spoke again, her tone now slightly teasing.

"Though, there’s one thing that might be true."

"What is it?"

"Maybe I appointed Lyra as commander for another reason entirely."

"???"

The next second, Astrid leaned close to Lyra’s ear, whispering softly.

The girl’s ears instantly turned scarlet, her blue eyes flooded with faint, shy embarrassment.

That kind of unspoken rule... only exists among those filthy nobles, right?

Astrid... was too cruel.