Chapter 397: “Then Lady Charlotte, give me a kiss.”
"Lady Gemini the Spellcreator, the universally acknowledged foremost mage in today’s academic circles. The mainstream view among mages regarding her identity is that she originated from before the Apocalypse, a member of the ancient human race from the old era."
"She translated ancient magical incantations from the past into modern standard spells, and her written magical theories form the very foundation upon which all spells are constructed."
Charlotte placed her slender arm on the dining table, using her other hand to gently adjust her skirt. Her full, heavy curves strained against the thin, dark purple fabric, creating a faint impression of being on the verge of spilling out.
"Judging from this, her achievements might extend beyond merely establishing the modern magical studies system. She may have even participated in the translation of the Holy Scripture of Light."
According to legends circulating within the Church of Light, the Original Scripture was divine revelation obtained by the first pope from beneath a fissure of the Abyss. Later, guided by a celestial messenger appearing in a dream, the modern language version of the Original Scripture was finally completed. This scripture recorded all doctrines in their original form, strictly speaking differing from both the old and new versions of the Holy Scripture, though the extent of these differences varied.
"Of course, we can’t rule out the possibility that our speculation contains flaws. Perhaps that legend is true after all, the first pope managed to translate the Original Scripture solely through that dream."
Astrid could understand why Charlotte said this. Just like how she had once touched the Deep Blue brooch and witnessed scenes not belonging to her own memories, perhaps that pope had similarly activated some magical array, thereby gaining access to the Original Scripture.
"Then, Lady Charlotte, do you know where the Original Scripture is currently kept?" After a while, Astrid gently asked, crossing her legs.
Charlotte shook her head softly, speaking in a delicate voice. "Some say the Original Scripture is buried underground beneath the Grand Cathedral of the Church of Light, kept adjacent to sacred relics. Others claim it’s stored within a special barrier known only to the Pope of Light."
"Both theories share one common point, that ordinary believers wishing to access the Original Scripture must possess the [Flawless Light], held by the Pope, as a key. Furthermore, the one attempting to open it must possess exceptionally high affinity with light elements."
Location, key, and the right person, these factors essentially locked down who could possibly obtain the Original Scripture.
Seeing Astrid propping her cheek with one hand, her red eyes unfocused, Charlotte paused briefly before continuing.
"Astrid, do you wish to know the specific contents of the Original Scripture?"
Although even now, Charlotte remained curious about how Astrid could read those incredibly difficult ancient languages, since the other party clearly didn’t wish to disclose it, she wouldn’t press for answers.
As long as the soul before her was still the Astrid Calliste she’d watched grow up from childhood, even if the girl carried some secrets, Charlotte could understand.
"Mm, I do have such thoughts."
Astrid nodded, not denying it.
The Original Scripture recorded information related to Moserria, and this person clearly had some connection with the Sword of Light in Lyra’s possession, most likely the previous wielder. Just this alone was enough to make the research worthwhile.
Following the typical novel storyline, Lyra growing stronger would inevitably lead her toward related plotlines. Making preparations early would ensure sufficient capability to handle problems before they arrived.
"But obtaining the Original Scripture in the short term isn’t realistic. Perhaps we’ll only have a chance to see it after the war ends."
If everything went smoothly, at that time Astrid could completely exchange the knowledge of magical energy devices she possessed for the required intelligence from Monica, a deal that would be mutually beneficial.
After hearing this, Charlotte slightly nodded, quickly expressing agreement to Astrid.
"For now, that’s all we can do."
As for magical energy weapons, with her, a professor specializing in magic circles who had long been engaged in related research, overseeing it, even if explosive breakthroughs couldn’t be achieved in the short term, gradual improvements wouldn’t be too difficult.
As for public opinion and the future selection of the heir apparent, that part of the work would fall to Astrid.
Mid-conversation, the doorbell sounded with soft beeps. Half a minute later, a mature woman with long black hair wearing a black-and-white maid uniform entered the room, pushing a small dining cart.
Glancing at the number of dishes, Astrid nodded slightly, speaking softly.
"Elise, you don’t need to attend here for now. Go have your dinner first."
"Yes, Miss."
Receiving Astrid’s order, the head maid first arranged the dinnerware properly, then checked the menu list to confirm everything was correct before leaving the room.
"We’ve talked for so long. It’s time to eat something."
Astrid raised her wine glass, looking toward Charlotte on the opposite side of the table. Seeing this, the latter straightened her posture and likewise raised her glass.
"Mm."
Their glasses clinked together. Charlotte took a small sip, her already delicate lips becoming moist and glossy from the liquid.
"How long do you plan to stay in the capital, Lady Charlotte?"
"About two months or so. After that, I’ll probably have to go north again for several years. I won’t be able to return until everything settles down."
Using a knife to gently slice through the steak, Charlotte looked at the sauce splattering onto her porcelain plate, her pink lips parting slightly.
"You know too, before the war officially breaks out, I can’t afford to be too far from the frontlines."
Firstly, she was the person most familiar with magical energy weapons. Secondly, a middle tier Arcanist Mage like herself could restrain part of the enemy nation’s high-end combat forces, preventing them from acting recklessly.
Astrid frowned slightly upon hearing this, yet she knew this was an unavoidable situation.
Arcanist Mages were equivalent to half the nuclear weapons of her previous life. The destruction they could cause was of a devastating nature. Once deployed, it often signified an irreversible turning point in the war, transforming the conflict from one of consuming lower-tier populations to seize resources, into a meat grinder where even noble elites like herself could die, a fight to the death.
Thus, even during wartime, Arcanist Mages wouldn’t easily enter the battlefield and escalate matters, unless the situation had become so dire that only nuclear-level force could resolve it, just like in the original novel, where Anthony, the headmaster of Elizabeth Academy of Magic, chose to intervene personally under such desperate circumstances.
"I see... Lady Charlotte, please pay attention to your diet and the climate there. Mages’ bodies are still more fragile than knights’."
"Alright, I’ll remember."
After finishing speaking, hearing Astrid let out a soft sigh, Charlotte paused her hand holding the dinner knife, gently asking.
"What’s wrong, Little Astr?"
"I was just thinking... you won’t be able to stay in the capital City for long before leaving again. It makes me feel a bit sad."
"..."
Not expecting Astrid to be sighing over this matter, Charlotte momentarily didn’t know what to say. After a brief pause, she lifted her lips with a forced lightness.
"Little Astr doesn’t need to be so sad. Two months isn’t actually that short."
"Besides, the manor is close to the capital, and I’ll often be staying at the academy. We can meet frequently and have dinner together, it’s not a problem."
Actually, it wasn’t just Astrid. Making the choice to leave the capital City, Charlotte herself felt bitter inside.
Over the past decade, she had neglected Astrid’s upbringing due to work and responsibilities, causing the girl to become immersed in the luxurious lifestyle of the upper nobility, developing an arrogant, domineering, and spoiled personality.
Even though she trusted Hibbort and believed he could properly care for Fanya’s daughter, ultimately resulting in this outcome, she still bore half the responsibility.
"As long as Little Astr needs me, during these two months, I’ll try my best to spend more time with you." Charlotte spoke softly.
Even setting aside this guilt, purely from a personal standpoint, as Astrid’s elder, Charlotte, who had been separated from her for so long, had also been constantly suppressing her inner longing.
Astrid was the daughter of her closest friend, someone who had accompanied Charlotte through years of youth. In the cold, desolate northern territories, she missed and worried about no one more than this silver-haired girl sitting calmly before her now.
But... some things were simply higher than personal affection...
Hearing this, Astrid slightly nodded, slowly inserting her fork into the beef on her plate.
"Okay, Lady Charlotte."
"Just remember to keep warm."
Longing aside, she wasn’t as clingy as Charlotte imagined, needing to be together constantly.
Compared to Charlotte’s departure, what Astrid cared about more was whether her aunt could properly take care of herself there.
Duke Charles’s territory was located in the empire’s north, perpetually cold. Lady Charlotte was accustomed to the capital city’s pleasant climate, and the northern environment might not suit her well.
Seeing Astrid’s red eyes regain their calmness, Charlotte fluttered her eyelashes slightly, feeling somewhat relieved.
"Alright, alright, I know."
After speaking, Charlotte cut into her steak. The knife clinked faintly against the plate. Hearing the sound, the woman slightly relaxed her brows while straightening her previously crossed long legs.
The next second, Charlotte felt a smooth sensation on her calf, separated only by a layer of sheer pantyhose and thin black stockings, she could vaguely feel the other’s body temperature.
In that brief instant, realizing what had happened, Astrid quickly retracted her raised leg. The diamond-encrusted black stiletto heels tapped sharply on the floor tiles, click-clack, slow then fast.
The small private dining table was naturally close in proximity. Extending one’s feet slightly was enough to make contact underneath, let alone both of them having long legs.
Charlotte herself hadn’t felt anything particularly noteworthy, yet Astrid felt somewhat uneasy, tightly pressing her knees together. Her peripheral vision glanced beneath the table, not spotting the pair of silver-buckled high heels.
Ever since realizing her own sexual orientation, Astrid had become more sensitive toward contact with other women.
It’s all Lyra’s fault.
After the brief little incident, the atmosphere at the dining table became less serious. After all, this dinner wasn’t a business banquet, but a reunion both had been eagerly anticipating.
Having discussed some official matters, it was time to reconnect emotionally. Adjusting her mood, Astrid took a sip of wine and spoke.
"By the way, did you arrive in the capital city today, Lady Charlotte?"
"Mm, more precisely, I reached the manor around four in the afternoon."
"And then came to invite me for dinner?"
"Of course."
First, she needed to deliver the latest intelligence to Astrid. Second, after over a year apart, she truly missed seeing the other.
Charlotte herself hadn’t anticipated missing someone so much, her first action upon returning to the manor was ordering the head maid to inquire whether the Third Princess was available for dinner tonight.
"Oh right, I almost forgot to apologize to Little Astr. I was late tonight."
Their agreed dinner time was 6:30, yet Charlotte didn’t arrive at the Restaurant until nearly seven.
"I didn’t wait long. Did you have something else to attend to earlier, Charlotte?" Astrid asked gently.
Charlotte shook her head, speaking softly. "No, perhaps I simply spent a bit more time than usual bathing and changing clothes."
Returning to the capital, she couldn’t possibly rush over covered in dust. Not to mention, the person sharing dinner with her was Astrid, this younger relative she held in particularly high regard.
Before heading to the Restaurant, Charlotte had carefully washed her body, dried her hair, selected her most form-fitting dark purple long dress, and even sprayed some perfume.
After hearing this, Astrid’s gaze lingered on the woman’s beautiful, delicate cheeks. Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, and the sliver of snow-white skin exposed between the skirt folds resembled fine porcelain, merely looking at it gave the impression of fragrance wafting through the air.
It seemed that every time Charlotte invited her to dinner, she dressed up formally, presenting her most beautiful side to Astrid.
"Lady Charlotte, you look very beautiful today."
Whether it was her lovely face, her stunning figure, her perfectly appropriate attire, or those delicate, white legs covered in sheer stockings, everything from top to bottom was flawless.
Time had left no trace on this Arcanist Mage. Instead, it made her even more alluring and charming, like a fine wine capable of intoxicating people without them even noticing.
Hearing Astrid’s sincere compliment, Charlotte took another sip of wine. Her already slightly flushed pretty face became even more tender. She lightly scolded.
"Little Astr is saying sweet words again to make people happy."
Beautiful... then her lengthy preparations weren’t in vain...
Her hand resting on her soft thigh, gazing at the delicate white foot beneath covered by transparent stockings, Charlotte shifted her left leg backward. The beautiful heel lightly pressed against the table leg. The delicate arch of her foot, veiled by a thin layer of gauze, was gently tightened by the silver straps, appearing both dignified and lovely.
"But regardless, being late was my fault. When there’s a problem, compensation should be made."
Gently tugging at the fabric to make the wrinkles at her knee less noticeable, Charlotte withdrew her hand, raised her head to look at Astrid, her voice low, soft, and magnetic.
"Little Astr, how would you like me to compensate you?"
Orange-yellow light illuminated her, making the woman’s speaking lips appear luscious and dewy. As they opened and closed, they seemed coated with bright, glossy enamel.
Charlotte held her wine glass, the hair ribbon adorned with iris patterns gently swaying behind her. The wine-red liquid inside rose and fell with her fingertip movements, resembling a heart beating rapidly.
"Anything Little Astr desires, you may ask. I’ll do my best to fulfill it."
After all, she was the senior. How difficult could any request from a junior possibly be?
Gazing at the mature beauty before her, elegant and noble, yet acquiring an extra hint of allure from the gentle motion of swirling her wine glass, Astrid blinked her eyes, not responding immediately.
Why did this sentence feel strangely familiar?
It seemed... she had asked Lyra something similar before, on that slightly cramped hospital bed shared by two.
The other’s answer was... a kiss?
After pondering briefly, under Charlotte’s gaze, Astrid slowly spoke.
"If that’s the case..."
"Then Lady Charlotte, give me a kiss."