Chapter 399: Does marrying Princess Astrid count?
In the restroom, gazing at her slightly flushed, beautiful face in the mirror, Charlotte gently brushed her hair and adjusted her dress. Her heels tapped lightly on the floor as she slowly exhaled through cherry-pink lips.
Even though she hadn’t drunk much wine, why did her cheeks feel so warm?
Her lips still seemed to retain the faintly cool, smooth sensation from the kiss, causing her thoughts to drift momentarily. Charlotte stroked her long, ink-black hair hanging by her waist, her heartbeat unusually clear in her chest.
Earlier, watching Astrid and Amalia interact, that pure, natural closeness had filled Charlotte with intense envy.
But now... just kissing her junior’s forehead...
Why did it make her feel so strangely uneasy?
Closing her eyes, feeling the alcohol seeping into her blood and dulling her feelings slightly, Charlotte pressed her knees together and crossed her legs, the rhythmic tapping of her high heels echoing in the restroom.
Is it because of age?
The Fourth Princess is still young, everyone considers it perfectly normal for her to be delightful with her sister. She can be clingy, demand hugs or kisses on a whim, and be constantly by her sister’s side without raising eyebrows.
But Astrid and she were both adults. Adult expressions should be restrained and subtle, not fiery and direct, openly declaring their longing.
That must be why she felt embarrassed about kissing Astrid.
It had to be.
Her fingertip gently touched the switch. The water-element crystal, pressed by external force, activates its internal magic circle. In moments, a clear stream gushed from the bamboo pipe and landed in Charlotte’s palm.
Opening her eyes again, the woman in the mirror still had a faint blush. Charlotte flexed her fingers, letting the water soak her palms, silently making up her mind.
Better not use magic to sober up just yet, at least she could have a valid excuse when leaving.
It wasn’t that the intimate gesture made her blush. It was the alcohol taking effect. Her limbs and body felt warm for the same reason.
She’d use the sobering spell only when they truly parted.
After washing her hands and splashing water lightly on her cheeks, Charlotte adjusted her dress and stockings, then bent down to tighten the slender straps of her heels. Returning to the dining room, Astrid was still seated, eyes lowered, seemingly lost in memory of that kiss, mingling faint alcohol and alluring fragrance.
"Maybe we should end here for tonight?" Charlotte whispered softly.
Normally, she might have boldly invited Astrid to stay over at the estate, sharing a bed and talking through the night to ease the loneliness and longing accumulated over the past year.
But not tonight. Her heart was slightly unsettled.
Astrid nodded in response, assuming Charlotte, having traveled a long distance back to the capital and prepared specially for this dinner without a moment’s rest, must be tired now.
"Mm."
"Lady Charlotte, don’t use flight magic on your way back. I’ll have Elise arrange a carriage for you."
A carriage was certainly slower than flying, but it safer when person is drunk and requiring no mana at all.
"Alright."
Charlotte sat opposite Astrid. The space ring on her finger shimmered under the light.
"Before we go, why don’t you cast a few spells for me, little Astrid?"
"Consider it an impromptu exam."
.............
"Huh?"
In the dormitory, Lyra paused mid-sentence after hearing Elise’s words. The feather pen in her hand leaves a faint ink mark on the paper.
"Astrid... wants to meet me alone at Purple Dragon restaurant for tea tonight?"
Hearing this, even Amalia, who had been petting her cat, slightly recently turned her head, crimson pupils fixed on the two at the desk.
Nobles of the Valeria Empire usually gather in the afternoon, sipping tea and chatting casually. Rarely did they arrange evening tea meetings.
Besides, didn’t she remember Astrid was having dinner with Professor Charlotte tonight? When would she have time to meet her alone?
Her white lace socks-covered feet idly nudged her slippers. Although Lyra found it odd, she still took a cloth and slowly wiped her pen.
The maid captain nodded gently and replied in a warm tone.
"Yes. She said if Miss Lyra is busy, it’s fine to skip."
"It’s nothing particularly urgent."
If it wasn’t urgent, why arrange a private meeting at the restaurant?
Still... even if it’s truly unimportant, she was happy Astrid wanted to meet her alone...
"I understand. I’ll head over right away."
Glancing down at her small leather shoes, then at her reflection in the mirror dressed in casual clothes, Lyra thought for a moment. She stood, rummaged through her closet, and quickly took out a skirt, a blouse, and two white thigh-high socks, heading to the restroom.
Watching Lyra leave, Amalia remained silent. After a while, she pulled out some small meat treats from a drawer and fed them to the cat in her arms, Auri.
Thirty minutes later, at the restaurant, Astrid sat by the window. Her two soft, silky black-stockinged legs were elegantly crossed, the satin high heels studded with tiny diamonds casting faint glimmers, accentuating the smooth arch of her black-stockinged feet.
Hearing familiar footsteps, Astrid turned her head and saw a pink-haired girl in a pink-and-white dress approaching from the end of the corridor.
Lyra’s outfit today was the epitome of contrast. Her upper body wore a pure white blouse under a light blue long coat, appearing quite warm. Around her neck was a pale pink fluffy scarf, adding a touch of cuteness to her original purity.
Her lower half, however, consists of a pink-and-white pleated skirt and pure white thigh-high socks that barely extended past her knees.
This dual-temperature style might only be comfortably worn by someone with a superhuman physique like a knight.
But...
Astrid glanced at her own black silk dress and inwardly mused, she probably wasn’t in a position to comment on seasonal mismatching.
Thermal magic really was convenient.
"Astrid..."
Lyra, hands resting on her scarf, quickly approached the silver-haired girl.
"Um... I’m here."
Seeing Lyra’s timid reaction, as if summoned for a scolding, Astrid propped her cheek with one hand and casually replied.
"Just sit down if you’re here."
Truthfully, Astrid didn’t have anything urgent to discuss tonight. She had simply finished dinner with Charlotte, talked about graduation topics, and felt she should have a chat with Lyra.
She wanted to understand what the current fated heroine truly thought about her future.
Hearing Astrid’s words, Lyra opened at the empty seat, carefully bent her knees, and sat down.
"What would you like to drink, dear Baroness Lyra?"
"Just the regular black tea is fine..."
As soon as she spoke, Lyra quietly corrected herself.
"It’s just Lyra, not Baroness Lyra."
Astrid looked at her, slightly surprised. Lyra immediately lowered her head, fingers pinching her thigh as if she hadn’t just spoken.
"Alright, alright, Lyra."
Facing her teasing, the little maid had shown a rare backbone for a moment, only to revert immediately.
So adorable.
"The order’s placed. Just these two items."
With Astrid busy instructing the waiter to prepare the tea, Lyra finally had a chance to observe her surroundings.
The hall was nearly empty at night. Most customers bought drinks to go, and it seemed only she and Astrid were seated, waiting for tea.
Astrid must’ve drunk quite a bit tonight.
Lyra secretly sneaked a glance at the person across the table. The imperial princess’s normally pale skin now carried a faint pink hue. Her deep red reflector reflected scattered glimmers, appearing softer and brighter than usual.
Based on her experience serving the Third Princess, this was Astrid’s state after drinking.
She was always beautiful, but now she looked even more stunning.
Perhaps it was because some of her lofty noble aura had faded, making her appear more delicate and approachable.
Of course, in Lyra’s eyes, she also seemed more alluring, more tempting.
Once the waiter left, Lyra spoke softly.
"Astrid, why did you call me here so late...?"
If it wasn’t important, she could’ve just come to the dorm to talk.
Hearing Lyra ask directly, Astrid nodded, not prolonging the suspense.
"I just had dinner with Lady Charlotte. While enjoying the meal, we casually discussed some life plans."
Life? Plans?
Two ordinary words combined triggered an emotional wave in Lyra far greater than the sum of its parts.
The imperial princess’s life plans, the contemplation of how to spend her long future, marriage to her partner, finalizing their relationship.
In an instant, thousands of images flashed through Lyra’s mind. Her slender, pale fingers quietly clenched.
"S-So... then...?"
"Then I’m not planning to think about it much yet."
Astrid spoke softly, her slender arms naturally crossing over her chest.
"I want to finish what I’m currently working on, then focus on graduation exams."
Huh? She wasn’t going to confess?
The emotions she’d just built up suddenly deflated. Lyra didn’t know whether to feel relieved or disappointed. But upon reflection, maintaining the status quo wasn’t bad either. In the end, happiness won out.
She was that easily satisfied.
"Graduation exams... but we’re only in the third year, first semester. Do we really need to think about this already?"
Lyra asked gently.
Astrid nodded, then continued.
"Mm. Third year, second semester will have almost no classes. Preparing early prevents being too busy in fourth year and affects graduation."
Similar to universities in her previous life, students at Elizabeth Academy of Magic had to consider their future paths by their fourth year.
Noble heirs might not worry much, they came merely to obtain a diploma and raise their magical proficiency to the noble average, avoiding being a burden. But commoners had many decisions to make.
Become a noble’s bodyguard for rich pay? Use their knowledge to brew potions? Or work like Astrid’s apprentices, copying publications and using their skills to serve nobles in need of low-level mages?
This was a chance to change their fate, a decision second only in importance to choosing the magical path itself.
"Invent a spell, defeat your mentor, or undergo frontier training."
Lyra opened her mouth, quietly recitaling the graduation exam requirements.
"Astrid should easily accomplish the first two..."
Not just Astrid, even Lyra herself found these basic graduation requirements incredibly simple.
Perhaps the only truly challenging one was the last.
In peacetime, it simply meant spending some time in the military and enduring minor hardships. But in these sensitive times, no one knew when war might break out. Frontier training could mean actual combat.
"That’s right. I only plan to graduate through the first two methods."
Astrid nodded in agreement.
Others might not know when the war between Valeria Empire and Kingdom of Velys will erupt, but she, a prophet with the novel’s plot as her foundation, could make a rough prediction. If not enhanced by butterfly effects from altered storylines, the war will officially begin during Lyra’s fourth year.
Under these circumstances, Astrid couldn’t leave Amalia alone in the capital, nor could she bring her to the frontier far from the core political circle.
The old emperor was the key factor in winning the succession war. Even someone as foolish as Lucas understood this simple truth, let alone Astrid.
As they spoke, the tea arrived. Lyra looked at the exquisitely crafted teacup on the table and softly replied.
"It sounds good..."
Without surprises, she will also graduate through these two most stable methods.
With the conversation seemingly stalling, Astrid lifted the teacup lid. Thin wisps of white steam rose, floating among them.
After half a minute, Astrid’s pink lips parted.
"So, what do you want to do in the future, Lyra?"
"I remember you told me your biggest dream was to bring your family to live in the city. Regardless of your title as an imperial baroness, even just from the rewards of those magic exchange competitions, Lyra should be able to afford a house in Kost Town."
If someone else were in her position, they’d probably just relax and become a pampered noble figurehead, living carefree, so why not?
Hearing Astrid’s words, Lyra blinked, her gaze drifting across the calm liquid surface and landing on the ruby pendant hanging from the girl’s chest.
What did she want to do in the future?
Does marrying Princess Astrid count?