Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 136: Want to lock away Astrid

"No one has ever stayed with me like this before..."

The deep, resonant toll of a bell drifted in from outside the window, accompanied by the cool evening breeze carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees, gently spreading throughout every corner of the bedroom.

Amalia held Livia tightly, as if she had grasped the most unique treasure in the world. Her eyes slightly lifted, and her voice was softer than ever before.

"Sister, I wish I could have met you sooner."

Amalia paused, her blue eyes shimmering like rippling water.

"Turns out... this feeling is so much better than I imagined..."

Since childhood, she had lived a precarious life by her mother's side, mechanically staring at the mirror every day, doing small chores like cleaning the room.

Sometimes she didn't even have enough to eat, let alone receive any care or love from the person called her mother.

The fatherly kindness, filial piety, and sisterly harmony written in books were nothing more than a string of words to Amalia, a necessary plot device to drive the story forward, a special concept that only existed in fiction.

Just because of a blood connection, people could see each other as a community of interests, sharing warmth and care.

From small civilian families to royal lords, the binding of their interests was always tied by blood.

Hearing Amalia's words, Livia lowered her eyelashes, her gaze growing even gentler, and she spoke softly.

"I also regret not meeting Amalia sooner."

If she had entered the book earlier, she could have prevented Lyra's admission spot from being replaced by her own, and she could have stopped Astrid from bullying Amalia.

Of course, the most crucial point was that Astrid could have met this inherently not-so-bad girl tyrant earlier, giving her the care and affection she deserved as a child.

Amalia curved her lips slightly upon hearing this, her delicate face gently rubbing against Livia's arm.

The warmth transmitted at such close proximity even gave Livia the illusion that it was Auri, who should have been sleeping in her nest, who was now nuzzling her.

"I'm really happy to hear you say that, sister."

"Sister~"

Amalia sniffed softly, repeating in a tiny voice.

"Sister..."

Her tone rose slightly, carrying an indescribable joy.

"What is it? I'm here," Livia said.

Amalia closed her eyes, her arms tightening even more. "I know, but I just want to call you sister."

Only in front of Livia would this seemingly stoic golden-haired girl let down her guard and act like a child.

Livia didn't respond, silently listening as Amalia repeated the title that should have belonged to Astrid Calliste.

Outside, the night deepened. The highest spire of the palace in Capital City, which seemed to pierce through the dome, appeared cold and sharp under the moonlight.

As time passed, the large shadow cast by the building quietly shifted.

Feeling Amalia's steady and rhythmic breathing, Livia relaxed her body, allowing the other to hold her tightly as if afraid she might escape, arms wrapped around her waist, legs pinning her knees, leaving no room for her to pull away.

Amalia was simply too insecure, like a drowning person clinging to a piece of driftwood, naturally holding on for dear life.

Looking at the girl's peaceful sleeping face, Livia slowly closed her eyes, soon entering a shallow meditative state.

Unlike deep meditation, shallow meditation restored less mental energy but was more sensitive to the outside world.

Livia needed to rely on the ticking of the clock to determine how much time had passed.

From ten o'clock last night until five o'clock tomorrow morning, during these thirty-some hours, Astrid couldn't afford to slack off even a bit.

She had to strictly follow the one-hour-and-fifty-minute intervals to take the transformation potion, ensuring that "Livia" could exist in front of Amalia for a long time.

However, this also meant that Astrid couldn't sleep for two days and one night, relying solely on her willpower to push through.

......

At five in the morning, in the third princess's chambers, Lyra finished washing up and walked to the mirror.

She put on her maid dress, tied her white hairband, and lightly tapped the tip of her small leather shoes on the floor.

She then pulled up her white stockings, ensuring her attire was perfect before turning to leave.

The hallway was empty. Lyra arrived at the door of the neighboring room, staring at the handle for half a minute before suddenly realizing something.

Princess Astrid wouldn't be back today.

So... she didn't need to keep waiting here...

Perhaps it was out of habit from the past few days.

Even though she had heard from Princess Astrid last night that she would be spending the entire day with the fourth princess, Lyra had still subconsciously woken up early and come here to wait.

Looking at the pure white lace wristband tied around her wrist and the shiny black leather shoes on her feet, everything was neatly arranged.

Lyra pursed her lips, giving up the idea of going back to bed.

Since it was almost time to work, she might as well wait here.

It could be... keeping an eye out for Princess Astrid...

Once a habit was formed, it was hard to change. Lyra stared at the carpet's fuzz, her fingers lightly poking her thigh, the soft flesh slightly sinking under her touch.

What would Princess Astrid be doing at this time?

Thinking back to the day when Astrid had asked her to take off her clothes to check the potion's effects, Lyra unconsciously bit her lip, her ears tinged with a faint blush.

It was known that Princess Astrid had to drink the transformation potion when meeting the fourth princess.

So, if Astrid had asked her to undress to verify the effects, did that mean she also had to undress in front of the other?

At this thought, Lyra's cheeks grew even redder.

She couldn't help but feel that the relationship between Princess Astrid and Princess Amalia was finally on the right track, yet a strange sense of bitterness also welled up inside her.

She also wanted to be closer to Princess Astrid...

Even if not as close as sisters, just being friends who could talk about anything would be enough.

After standing in place for over half an hour, the door across from Lyra suddenly opened, and a cold-looking woman with black hair and eyes, dressed as a maid, stepped out.

Elise looked at Lyra standing guard in front of Astrid's room, gently touched the kerchief on her chest, and quickly spread her mental energy to scan the entire palace. After confirming no one was nearby, she spoke softly.

"Miss Lyra, you're up so early. Are you here to prevent others from approaching Princess Astrid's chambers?"

Elise knew that Lyra came every morning to help Astrid sleep, but today, with the princess absent, Lyra still woke up early to come here, which was somewhat unexpected.

Hearing this, Lyra was momentarily stunned. She unconsciously brushed aside a strand of pink hair hanging by her shoulder and replied softly.

"Well... I guess so..."

Although her original intention was to serve Princess Astrid, the end result wasn't wrong.

Seeing Lyra's small gesture of brushing her hair and the hesitation in her tone, Elise suddenly thought of something, her dark eyes narrowing slightly.

Previously, she had been busy with the newspaper's release, leaving the palace after breakfast every morning to handle various matters. The only maid who could stay close to Astrid was Lyra.

And Elise clearly remembered that evening when Lyra, wrapped in a blanket and disheveled, had curled up like a frightened bird in Princess Astrid's room.

Connecting the dots, the morning routine of Lyra helping Astrid sleep suddenly took on a different, more suggestive hue in Elise's mind.

"Since Princess Astrid isn't back, is Miss Lyra feeling a bit out of sorts?"

Hearing the woman's cool voice, Lyra slightly parted her lips, her pink tongue moistening her dry lips before she answered softly.

"Yes, a little."

There was no need to lie to the head maid who had always taken care of her.

Elise nodded thoughtfully, then after a moment, her cherry lips parted.

"When Princess Astrid returns tomorrow, try to get her to rest early."

The transformation potion Astrid needed was prepared in advance by Elise and placed in her bag. Naturally, Elise knew how Astrid would spend this free day.

Two days and one night without sleep was a tremendous burden on the princess's delicate body.

For the sake of her health, Elise didn't want Astrid to overindulge as soon as she returned.

But seeing Lyra's distracted appearance, it seemed she had also tasted the sweetness and couldn't stop.

As someone slightly older and more experienced, Elise felt it necessary to offer this reminder.

Lyra didn't catch the underlying meaning in Elise's words and simply nodded quickly.

"I will, Sister Elise."

Seeing Lyra so obedient, Elise didn't say more and turned to walk toward the dining hall.

Astrid had instructed them that, to ensure no one grew suspicious, all meals today were to be delivered to her chambers as usual, to be handled by her and Lyra.

Watching the head maid, with her long white-stockinged legs, leave the hallway, Lyra stood straight again, her hands close to her maid dress, silently waiting for her to return.

After another half hour, she saw the maid responsible for changing the incense walk by, placing ash into a metal container.

The pink-haired maid stared absentmindedly, a strange emotion welling up in her heart.

The day had just begun... and she already missed Princess Astrid...

On the other side, Livia felt the person in her arms tremble slightly, her soft golden hair brushing against her skin.

Just as she was about to speak, she heard Amalia let out a soft hum from her throat.

"Mmm..."

Feeling the warmth in her arms, Amalia lifted her head and, in her daze, saw a face that bore some resemblance to her own, fair and delicate.

"Sister~"

After a brief moment of confusion, intense joy surged in Amalia's eyes.

She hugged Livia tightly again, as if to confirm her presence, pressing her forehead against Livia's arm and sniffing lightly.

Her nostrils were filled with the familiar scent of Livia's body, and Amalia's thoughts gradually cleared.

She remembered, Livia was going to spend the entire day with her.

She hadn't wanted to fall asleep last night, but at some point, she had closed her eyes.

Perhaps the evening's atmosphere had been too peaceful, so she had unknowingly drifted off.

But...

Lifting her face, she looked into those blue eyes filled with warmth and the warmth emanating from below. Amalia's lips curved into a faint smile.

Waking up to see Livia, this feeling wasn't bad at all.

"Awake?" Livia asked.

Amalia replied softly, "Yes."

The bright sunlight streamed through the window, leaving clear beams of light in the room.

Neither of the sisters made a move to get up, instead continuing to embrace each other as they had before falling asleep, enjoying the cozy atmosphere of waking up together.

After an unknown amount of time, the wall clock chimed softly. Amalia reluctantly let go of Livia and prepared to get out of bed.

"Sister, breakfast will be here soon. I'll go wash up first and then bring it to you."

Livia shook her head gently and said warmly, "I'll get up too. No lazing in bed."

Staying in bed would only make her sleepier. It was better to sit up and enjoy the breeze.

Amalia didn't try to persuade her further. After sweetly bidding Livia goodbye, she slipped on her sandals and left the room.

Entering the bathroom, seeing that Livia hadn't followed, Amalia raised her hand and examined a strand of hair caught between her fingers, her blue eyes scrutinizing it carefully.

Under the bright light, the strand of hair from Livia's head shone a brilliant golden yellow, exactly matching the descriptions of the Valeria Empire's royal family's hair color in books.

Like sunlight on wheat, or golden sand flowing in fertile soil.

After finding nothing unusual, Amalia carefully coiled the strand of hair and placed it in a small drawer at the bottom of the sink, neatly arranging it in a box.

Just then, Amalia heard crisp footsteps outside the door. She quickly pushed the drawer back into place and stood facing the mirror.

"Amalia, are you done washing up?"

"Yes, sister. Do you need to wash up too?"

Pressing the water crystal, Amalia poured water into the tooth cup and placed a few clean grass stalks in her mouth, chewing gently.

"You go first. I can wait."

As the footsteps faded, Amalia had already chewed up the grass into foam. After a while, she rinsed her mouth, spat out the residue and foam, and picked up a towel, dampening it to gently wipe her face.

That strand of hair... it was definitely golden...

So why had she always felt silver hair before?

If it was all just a coincidence, wasn't it a bit too strange?

Follow current novels on ƒreewebηoveℓ.com.

The damp towel touched her skin, bringing a cool, moist sensation. Amalia furrowed her brows, puzzled.

Could it be that Princess Astrid's hair loss was so severe that she left strands of hair all over Livia?

The more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed.

But when images of Livia and Astrid being intimate flashed in her mind, the strangeness turned into jealousy, instantly filling every corner of Amalia's heart.

If she could... she would lock Astrid away, ensuring she could never see Livia again...