Chapter 403: Good Night Kiss
"Although it might sound strange to say this... I always feel like Astrid can see many things others fail to notice..."
Lyra stood upright, her fingers poking out from the fluffy sleeves of her sweater to gently press against her chest. Her blue eyes stared seriously at the silver-haired girl before her, her voice unusually soft.
"It’s as if Astrid already knows what’s going to happen next."
Although eighteen-year-old Lyra often appeared naive and innocent when it came to emotions, she wasn’t so foolish as to ignore everything happening around her.
As a personal maid, she had seen how Astrid exploited information gaps to gain advantages from nobles big and small. She had also personally experienced how Astrid guided her through a series of maneuvers to obtain the Sword of Light; now that she thought back on it, many details from that day matched up perfectly. Astrid seemed to have known long ago that this holy sword resided in the library of Elizabeth Academy of Magic.
Besides that, there was Astrid’s absolute confidence in Amalia’s ascension, this went beyond mere confidence. The word "certainty" might be more accurate.
Imagine: a girl imprisoned in a castle since childhood, the illegitimate daughter least favored by the Emperor. Astrid only met her a few times, yet firmly believed she could triumph over the two imperial heirs.
Even though Lyra trusted Astrid one hundred percent, she still couldn’t wrap her head around this particular matter.
The probability of Princess Amalia actually succeeding was almost infinitesimal.
Hearing Lyra’s words, Astrid’s expression remains unchanged. Her pale fingerprints traced softly across her tender lips, then bent to rest beneath her chin.
She could completely understand Lyra’s confusion. Even Charlotte, and perhaps even Amalia herself, likely harbored some doubts about that near-impossible outcome.
After all, not everyone had her godlike perspective, knowing exactly what major events were about to unfold.
"Maybe I have a special prophetic ability?" Astrid lowered her voice, her icy crimson eyes reflected the face of the pink-haired girl standing before her.
Lyra’s eyelashes fluttered slightly at the words, momentarily unable to tell whether Astrid was joking or speaking with deeper intent.
But... considering Astrid’s ability to decipher mysterious ancient spells...
At the very least, one thing Lyra could confirm is that the Imperial Princess definitely harbored secrets unknown to anyone else, even relatives like Amalia and Charlotte, or even her own mother, Lady Fanya, might know very little about them.
"Um... I don’t really know either..."
Lyra lowered her arms, her palms nearing her soft thighs covered by thick white stockings.
If it was a secret even her closest family didn’t know, then asking further, given their current friendship, would be pushed too hard.
"I’m saying all this because I just wanted to have a real talk with Astrid..."
She made up her mind, lifted her head, and looked straight at the cold, moonlit beauty opposite her. Lyra carefully controlled her tone, enunciating each word with clarity.
"The Empire’s future... or rather..."
"Our future... isn’t going to be as calm and peaceful as we imagined."
Through her time with Astrid, Lyra could sense the other’s urgency about certain matters, as if an invisible, intangible crisis was constantly pushing Astrid forward. That feeling had even led Lyra to suspect that Astrid’s daily efforts weren’t just about helping Amalia ascend, but also involved many other arrangements and considerations she didn’t understand.
Hearing this, Astrid’s dark brows slightly furrowed. She hadn’t expected Lyra to suddenly ask her this.
"..."
Could it be... Lyra realized this and chose to go train at the frontier?
For her sake?
After a moment of silence, Astrid gave a soft, low response.
"Mm."
The royal war was about to officially break out. Conflict between the two nations loomed close. Even setting aside the numerous problems directly before her, looking further ahead, the cluster of troubles behind the Holy Light Church was undoubtedly the main storyline that "The Innocent Knight of the Stained Light" was supposed to follow.
As the absolute protagonist of the original story, Lyra will inevitably face a series of unknown challenges ahead, challenges that could affect not only the entire Human Empire, but even the whole world.
A chosen heroine by fate, blessed with extraordinary talent and exceptional beauty, must also bear responsibilities beyond what ordinary people can carry.
This was exactly why Astrid wanted Lyra to truly grow stronger. It wasn’t just for the sake of the silly maid herself, it was so there would be someone capable of shouldering the crisis yet to come.
She didn’t believe her little sister, who wrote those plot threads and foreshadowing, would include everything with just a line saying "Lyra returned home and lived happily ever after."
Receiving Astrid’s response, Lyra nodded, her pink lips parting slightly.
"Of course... Astrid always likes doing this..."
Keeping every problem bottled up inside, unwilling to share with others, never expecting help.
If she hadn’t asked, would Astrid have just let her go like this? For the next year, she could indeed stay in the capital. But with only the strength of a middle tier Magnus and the hollow title of a nominal baron, she’d be unable to help with anything.
The thought of helplessly watching the person she loved slip toward the abyss while being powerless to do anything, was utterly terrible.
"Can’t you... just talk to me more about these things?" Lyra tapped her thick thigh-highs, speaking softly.
Actually, what Lyra truly wanted to say was:
"Can’t you... depend on me a little?"
Even if Lyra Beckett couldn’t do anything right now, at least tell her the path ahead is rough and difficult, she needs to work extra hard just to glimpse a sliver of light. Give her a clear goal to pursue or strive toward.
Hearing Lyra’s words, Astrid pursed her lips. Her gaze skimmed over the pink-haired girl’s sweater collar. After half a minute, her pink lips parted.
"I understand what Lyra means."
Even the most fragile chick must eventually learn to fly. Staying in the warm nest forever will only erode its will, making it impossible to spread its wings in the cold wind later.
She truly wished Lyra could live a happy, fulfilling life under her protection, but the fate of a chosen heroine wasn’t something easily altered by individual will.
If she didn’t undergo tempering now, refining herself to peak condition, how could she face the future? How could she accept the gifts and responsibilities bestowed upon her by destiny?
Even Lyra herself had the resolve to take risks, yet she, Astrid, had been hesitating all along.
"Lyra."
"Mm?"
"I support your decision."
Astrid paused, then continued.
"In the future, if there’s anything I need your help with, I’ll tell you directly."
Lyra Blackley wasn’t a fragile girl who needed constant care. She was the resilient knight from the original story who, through her own strength, overcame millions of powerful enemies, cut through thorns and brambles, and steadily advanced toward the journey’s end.
She had her own life, her own destiny. Even with Astrid as a variable in the story, Lyra would still walk that path radiating brilliant light.
Hearing this, Lyra gently bit her lip. The stone weighing on her heart finally eased slightly, and she whispered,
"Don’t hide things from me."
"I won’t."
"Absolutely not."
"Okay. I absolutely won’t hide anything from Lyra."
Why did this kind of conversation feel like something she’d overheard from deeply in-love couples in her past life?
Thinking this, Astrid’s natural anxiety over Lyra’s upcoming departure was slightly alleviated.
Receiving a definite answer, Lyra’s eyes shimmered with faint light. Her hand rested on her slightly heated chest, feeling her heartbeat accelerate.
At this moment, it felt as though she’d grown a little closer to Astrid.
Maybe... This was what it felt like to be needed and cared for by someone you loved. It wasn’t very obvious, but she could sense it.
Tomorrow, after registering at Elizabeth Academy of Magic, next semester she should start heading to Duke Charles’s territory according to the academy’s arrangements.
She still had two months, she could stay with Princess Astrid in the capital City for two more months.
No, wait, she had to return home for the New Year and inform her family about her decision. The round trip will take over a month. The actual time they could spend together would be less than two weeks.
From now on, she needed to cherish every moment.
With that thought, Lyra nibbled her lips a few times and softly said:
"Um... today’s game was fun."
"Miss Elise’s tea was delicious too."
Astrid nodded in agreement, responding gently.
"Miss Elise’s skills are indeed reliable."
Having served by her side for so many years, the head maid’s tea-brewing had long reached perfection.
"In the future, if you have time, we can host such events more often..."
"Lyra seems to enjoy the atmosphere of everyone sitting together playing games."
Lyra nodded slightly, her fingers finally relaxing their grip on her thigh-highs.
"Mm, it really felt joyful."
An indescribable sense of comfort and warmth, like celebrating the New Year.
"..."
"Astrid..."
"I’m here."
After waiting a while, seeing that Lyra couldn’t find a next topic, Astrid lifted the corners of her lips and gave a gentle smile.
"If you really don’t know what to say..."
Before she finished speaking, Astrid stepped forward, reached out, wrapped her arms around Lyra’s waist, and pulled her into a soft embrace.
Feeling the softness of Astrid’s body and the subtle fragrance reaching her nose, Lyra sniffed softly and wrapped her arms around her in return.
"Okay."
After a moment, Lyra whispered,
"Can we hug a little longer?"
Tonight, she especially wanted to be held.
Faced with her little maid’s modest request, Astrid naturally had no reason to refuse. Leaning close to her ear, she answered in a lazy, alluring voice,
"As long as you can still sleep when you return, you can hold me for however long you want."
Worried about not being able to sleep... was it because the hug lasted too long, or because her heart wouldn’t calm down...
Gently inhaling the rose scent from the girl’s hair, Lyra closed her eyes and silently savored this brief tenderness.
After an unknown amount of time, Lyra noticed Astrid’s body slightly lean backward, her knees brushing against her legs. She opened her eyes and saw Astrid sitting on the bed.
"Standing while hugging is a bit tiring," Astrid said.
Ah... there’s such a thing?
Lyra, who hadn’t felt any physical exhaustion at all, blinked in surprise, but didn’t question Astrid’s reason.
"Then like this?"
She bent slightly, wrapping her arms around Astrid’s back. Her cool, thin-strapped nightgown didn’t cover her round, smooth shoulders, allowing Lyra’s chin to press snugly against the other’s delicate skin.
"Mm."
Changing the position makes it much more comfortable. After maintaining this posture a while longer, even Lyra began to feel that time was nearly up. Reluctantly, she finally loosened her arms.
"Goodnight, Astrid."
"Goodnight."
Finding the slippers she had dropped earlier, Lyra straightened her legs and lifted back.
Astrid, who had been watching her, suddenly spoke, "What’s wrong, Lyra? Are you like Amalia, needing a kiss before you can sleep?"
As soon as Astrid finished speaking, she didn’t see the expected scene: Lyra blushing, stammering "It’s not like that!" and quickly leaving only her back.
Rather, the blushing part was correct, but the following actions were completely different. She simply pressed her lips together, gazing at her with watery blue eyes that seemed to carry a hint of anticipation.
It seemed she had no choice but to kiss her.
After hesitating for a few seconds, Astrid curved her lips, straightened her back, and lightly brushed her cherry-pink lips against Lyra’s cheek.
"There, is that enough?"
Receiving this fleeting kiss, Lyra’s ears grew even hotter. Her limbs felt slightly uncoordinated, and she began walking with stiff, awkward steps.
"Y-yes, that’s fine."
Watching Lyra leave the bedroom, almost the instant the master bedroom door closed, Amalia, who had been in the bathroom washing up, entered the room. Her vivid red eyes, nearly identical to Astrid’s, fixed on the silver-haired girl sitting on the bed.
Noticing Amalia’s hair was already dry, not wet and damp like right after a shower, Astrid glanced up at the clock and realized the other had been bathing for at least forty minutes.
This was completely unlike Amalia’s usual habit of finishing her cleaning within half an hour and going to bed early to snuggle against her.
"Did you finish bathing a long time ago?" Astrid asked gently.
Amalia nodded, placing the white stockings removed into a nearby basket. Then she kicked off her slippers and climbed onto the soft bed, wrapping her arms around Astrid from behind.
"I heard Lyra talking with Sister, so I waited a bit."
Although her inner possessiveness was screaming, Amalia always knew how to prioritize.
Lyra was Sister’s friend. She probably had something particularly important to discuss with Astrid. As someone cherished by her sister, she had to be sensible and understand that such heavy feelings of exclusivity couldn’t be freely expressed.
But... no one knew how badly she’d wanted to just push open the bathroom door and rush out...
Feeling her heartbeat modulated resonated with her sister’s, Amalia slid her hands around Astrid’s neck, gently locking her in place, and nuzzled her cheek against the silver hair.
When the silver-haired beauty revealed her snow-white, smooth nape, Amalia lowered her lips and began placing delicate, scattered kisses.