Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 560: “I love you,”

That night, as Astrid had said, she indeed did not stay overnight in Lyra’s room. After remaining until very late, she got up and went to Charlotte’s bedroom to sleep.

As for those so-called noble unwritten rules, they were naturally nothing but a joke. In Lyra’s heart, Astrid had never been an imperial noble who blurred the lines between public duty and personal pleasure, someone solely focused on self-indulgence.

It was just that occasionally... she acted a bit too much like a succubus...

Didn’t she truly fear that if Lyra were bullied for too long, she might suddenly do something terrible?

Undeniably, when Astrid pressed her lips against Lyra’s earlobe and whispered those seductive, low-pitched words, "submit yourself to me", Lyra’s body couldn’t help but tremble. Her bare feet pressed into the blanket, and she didn’t even know where to put her hands.

Thinking back, perhaps Astrid choosing not to stay in her room was also due to another consideration: with a major battle imminent, matters of romance should be handled with restraint. Continuing to stay together constantly as before would neither benefit their respective duties nor help Lyra enter a combat-ready state.

As for what would happen after the battle ended...

Recalling Astrid’s words that night, Lyra quietly bit her lip, pulling the cotton blanket up over her chin. The pleasant scent of body wash lingered around her, just like the days when she still lived in that dormitory room shared by four at the academy.

Vaguely, Lyra felt that once this war ended, her relationship with Astrid would progress to a deeper level than before.

She had no basis for such thoughts, just an inexplicable intuition.

"..."

Then again, they had already done such intimate things; if they were to go even further, that wouldn’t mean...

Her ears and cheeks gradually flushed red. The warmth beneath the covers turned into heat. Lyra slipped out her soft, pink tongue to moisten her lips, and her smooth, snow-white legs lightly rubbed against each other under the blanket.

Her and Astrid... in that way...

Thinking of such embarrassingly intimate scenarios, Lyra pulled the blanket completely over her head, leaving only a few strands of cherry-pink hair lying outside on the pillow.

Calm down... Lyra...

Stop thinking about these things. It’s time to sleep.

It was all Astrid’s fault for saying that final sentence. Just when the atmosphere had become so touching, the moment those bright, alluring lips moved, everything instantly acquired a sensual nuance.

So mischievous.

On the other side, after discussing magical machinery with Charlotte, Astrid lay on the soft bed, quietly waiting for the lights to go out.

Soft footsteps approached. The raven-haired beauty, having just finished her bath, placed two cups of tea on the nightstand, then lifted a corner of the blanket and gently slipped inside.

Feeling the sweet, clean fragrance emanating from her aunt and the unavoidable soft contact of their bodies during movement, Astrid slightly turned her body and looked toward Charlotte, who hadn’t yet lain down.

The lights went out. Silver moonlight gently caressed the beauty’s cheek. The thin silk nightgown could hardly conceal the mature, alluring curves of this enchanting mage, full, generous bosom flowing into a flat, smooth abdomen. Her dark hair cascaded down, shimmering softly under the moonlight like a waterfall suspended in midair.

Charlotte sat upright, gently brushing her hair. The white, silky nightgown gradually rose along her collarbone, finally drooping down from its peak like a curtain, but due to its slightly sheer material, the gap between the fabric and her abdominal skin was faintly visible. A delicate, pale lace flower adorned the lotus-leaf hem of the nightgown, adding an air of dignified elegance to the moonlit beauty who had just finished grooming.

After taking a sip of tea and tidying her hair one last time, Charlotte slipped into the covers and lay flat on her back.

"Little Astr... let’s go to sleep..."

Although tonight she hadn’t been able to discuss magical theory with Astrid as much as she’d hoped because Lyra had come, it was already bedtime. Compared to satisfying her insatiable thirst for knowledge, Charlotte preferred that Astrid get proper rest and sufficient energy.

Anyway, what they were currently discussing was theoretical magic, there was no need to rush.

Hearing Charlotte’s words, Astrid softly hummed in agreement, just about to close her eyes, when the warm, chestnut-colored gaze she glimpsed through her eyelashes caused her to instinctively reopen them.

Charlotte faced her sideways, her delicate eyes shimmering with a moist, gentle light. The arm wrapped around Astrid’s waist tightened slightly.

After gazing at her aunt for several seconds, Astrid heard Charlotte speak.

"Little Astr, have you been troubled by anything lately?"

"I feel your emotions... seem a bit off."

Although Astrid usually appeared as a reliable junior and a composed, steady Imperial Regent, Charlotte always sensed that Astrid was hiding something from her.

This suspicion didn’t arise overnight. It had formed since the moment Astrid left the capital and first met her at Liya Tower Fortress.

Hearing this, Astrid fluttered her eyelashes and softly countered.

"Really? Why would you think that, Lady Charlotte?"

"..."

After a brief silence, Charlotte’s pink lips parted.

"The current Little Astr is very different from the one back in the capital."

This change wasn’t merely that her already outstanding appearance had become even more striking as she entered her prime years. It also manifested in her attitude toward handling affairs and the specific feelings she conveyed.

If the Third Princess of the Imperial City, burdened by constant threats from the two princes, suppression by conservative nobles, and suspicion from the old emperor, inevitably carried a certain depth of thought, then although Astrid was now the firmly established Imperial Regent, her mentality showed no sign of relaxation.

In fact, whether it was Charlotte’s imagination or not, Astrid seemed even more conflicted than before.

While she remained equally efficient in noble social interactions and continued to handle political affairs with decisiveness and clarity, she gave those who knew her well an inexplicable sense of inner turmoil.

Where exactly was the problem?

If Astrid had some particularly close male friend, Charlotte might have understood this conflict. Though she herself had never experienced young love, she had certainly seen plenty of it.

Astrid’s current state was somewhat similar. However, firstly, there was no suitable candidate, and secondly, it wasn’t completely identical. Thus, Charlotte held less than a ten percent suspicion about this possibility.

"People grow and change; they can’t stay the same forever," Astrid blinked her eyes and softly replied.

Charlotte listened, her chestnut eyes narrowing slightly as she gently nudged Astrid.

"That may be true, but Little Astr’s changes go far beyond just becoming more mature and reliable."

"It’s as if... there’s also a tiny bit of..."

Charlotte carefully chose her words, speaking softly.

"...melancholy?"

Such a word wasn’t quite suitable for a young person, but Astrid was no ordinary individual. As a powerful noble who had maneuvered through years of political intrigue, she had witnessed far more ugliness than an innocent girl untouched by the world.

Hearing Charlotte say this, Astrid slightly lowered her gaze, momentarily averting her eyes instead of meeting those gentle chestnut orbs.

"With the battle at Liya Tower Fortress about to replay, of course I don’t have a carefree mood."

Even if she felt confident of victory, before the final outcome was determined, a person’s heart could never be entirely without ripples.

Hearing this, Charlotte continued to gaze at Astrid. After a moment, she spoke softly.

"That feeling, I can understand it too."

As an Arcanist Mage, Charlotte had the most direct understanding of the destructive power of high-tier magic. When Arcanist Mages clashed, countless knights and soldiers below would be killed by the shockwaves.

Yet they couldn’t completely abandon their troops either. Otherwise, before the Arcanist Mages even took the bait, the defensive line might be shattered, which would be counterproductive.

After speaking, Charlotte continued.

"But if that were the only reason, why did Little Astr just now avoid looking at me?"

Having shared a bed so many times, how could Charlotte not understand Astrid?

If it were such a legitimate reason, Astrid wouldn’t have made that subtle movement.

So indeed, there was something... she was secretly hiding from her...

Realizing that Astrid wasn’t completely open with her as a family elder, that she wouldn’t share all her difficulties and doubts, a trace of bitterness flashed across Charlotte’s heart, but it quickly vanished, transforming into intense concern and protectiveness.

Everyone had their privacy. Moreover, their relationship was more like a close younger and elder family member. It wasn’t strange for Astrid to have her own secrets.

It was perfectly normal. She just felt an indescribable, faint sense of loss.

Called out so directly, Astrid didn’t immediately respond. She remained silent for a long time, until the moonlight outside the window shifted and fell upon her delicate, upturned eyelashes.

"Lady Charlotte, do you think I’m indecisive?" Astrid asked.

After a long silence, suddenly hearing Astrid ask this, Charlotte pursed her lips and spoke gently.

"You don’t seem like it."

Astrid made decisions on many matters far more decisively than she did, such as supporting Amalia’s ascension, tacitly cooperating with the old emperor to humiliate the conservative nobles, personally executing the two crown princes in prison. Whatever Astrid decided to do, she would carry it through.

Based on her current performance, Astrid simply didn’t fit the description of being indecisive.

Receiving Charlotte’s answer, Astrid’s gaze appeared somewhat complex. Her arm gently encircled the woman’s slender, graceful waist, pressing against the smooth fabric of her gown.

"Is that so?"

Judging from political performance, this was indeed true. On matters she deemed correct, Astrid had never hesitated, nor had she stood indecisively on a bridge.

Then why now... did she need her aunt to comfort her?

Having lived two lifetimes, Astrid’s psychological age wasn’t necessarily younger than Charlotte’s. Yet at this moment, being held by her, the feeling of tenderness and care was truly intoxicating.

No wonder they said a gentle paradise was a hero’s grave.

Sensing Astrid’s confusion, Charlotte spoke softly.

"So... has Little Astr encountered some emotional difficulty?"

The Regent’s professional abilities had always been outstanding. If we’re talking about indecisiveness, using the process of elimination easily leads to the answer.

But Charlotte didn’t quite understand, what kind of matter could it be?

Facing Charlotte’s inquiry, Astrid remained silent. Then the woman continued.

"Could it be... related to the current Empress?"

Because Amalia had been so close to Astrid, Charlotte always saw the Fourth Princess whenever she met the latter.

Though she didn’t know much, from Astrid, Charlotte could sense the intimacy between the sisters, sometimes even feeling it was excessive.

Hearing Charlotte’s words, Astrid softly exhaled through her delicate nose.

"Mm."

Her current confusion and bewilderment were half due to Lyra and half due to Amalia. Answering this way was not incorrect.

However, Charlotte was stationed at the border and didn’t know about the events surrounding the Empress’s ascension or what happened on the night of the coming-of-age ceremony. With only limited information, her deduction could only arrive at a guess that wasn’t quite relevant to the current situation.

Could it be... after Amalia ascended the throne, she developed some other feelings toward Astrid...

Such things weren’t uncommon in imperial history. The recent example of the Eldest and Second Princes illustrated this perfectly. They had been close brothers in childhood, only growing apart and eventually becoming mortal enemies after tasting power.

"..."

But, based on Charlotte’s understanding of Amalia, would she really allow this hard-won sisterly bond to deteriorate for the sake of power?

Thinking of this, Charlotte hugged Astrid even tighter, as if trying to merge the person before her into her own body, becoming one.

"It’s alright, Little Astr."

"I am here."

In the past, she had neglected Astrid’s upbringing due to her busy schedule, causing her to stray down the wrong path for a time.

Not anymore. As long as Astrid needed her, she could stay by her side forever, be her personal aunt.

Astrid had heard similar words before, when Charlotte told her to stay away from Lucas. Vaguely sensing that the person before her might have misunderstood something, the silver-haired girl who had just washed her face adjusted her posture and spoke softly.

"I know, Lady Charlotte."

The situation she faced was far more complicated than Charlotte imagined.

Whether it was Amalia or Lyra, facing either of them, Astrid Calliste had failed to act decisively.

Looking back, that night in the ancient castle where they first met, choosing to temporarily accept Amalia had already been the moment she hesitated the least.

Now, allowing Lyra to gradually reclaim the pride she had once set aside as a princess’s suitor, becoming an individual equal to her, wasn’t everything moving in a positive direction?

Yet just like the moment a coin was tossed, in the gap while waiting for the outcome, Astrid could also feel the true state of her emotions, and where that reluctance originated.

Familial love and romantic love, respect and possession, intertwined like tangled threads.

Fortunately, before her stood a gentle aunt who could bring her temporary peace.

"Lady Charlotte..."

"Mm?"

"I love you," Astrid said.

Words she’d never had the chance or possibility to say to her never-met father and mother in her previous life now naturally flowed from her lips to Charlotte.

After a few seconds of breathless silence, the raven-haired beauty embracing Astrid spoke softly.

"So do I, Astrid."