Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 196: "I think we need an airship."

"Tomorrow is also fine. As long as Lady Charlotte is free, I will try to arrange my time accordingly."

Looking at Astrid, who was still engaging in this boring small talk with her, Charlotte reached out and gently poked her cheek, her tone carrying a hint of coquettishness.

"If you keep teasing me, you’ll have to go back to the palace for lunch by yourself."

As long as it was Astrid’s invitation, Charlotte would always try to make time. Moreover, she really had nothing to do at the moment, and it would be best to spend some time with her.

"But I haven’t changed my clothes... and I haven’t sprayed any perfume..."

Before she could finish, Charlotte saw her reflection in those bright red eyes. Astrid shook her head, her voice soft.

"Lady Charlotte has a good foundation; you look good in anything. As for perfume..."

"...I’ve said it before, I prefer Lady Charlotte’s natural scent. It’s very pleasant."

As she listened to Astrid speak, Charlotte saw her reach out and take a strand of her hair that had escaped from her robe, bringing it to her nose and sniffing lightly.

Charlotte instinctively wanted to speak, but after a moment, she pursed her lips and brushed the hair away, her ears burning.

"Little Astr is teasing me again..."

Making sure no one was around, Charlotte muttered softly, though her tone held no trace of annoyance.

Watching the woman pack up her things and prepare to leave, Astrid turned around and smiled.

"I’m not teasing. Lady Charlotte is naturally beautiful."

At thirty-five, a woman is at her most charming, and Charlotte, being an Arcanist level mage, would only begin to age in the final years of her life.

Now, she was not much different from a young woman in her early twenties, with the only noticeable difference being her mature and intellectual scholarly demeanor, and the increasingly alluring feminine charm that had settled over time.

Taking a carriage away from Elizabeth Academy of Magic, Astrid took Charlotte to a newly renovated restaurant, said to be backed by the Velmont family, specializing in northern imperial cuisine, which had recently attracted many nobles from Capital to come and taste.

"Princess Astrid, please come in. Your reserved private room is ready. As our honored guest, your meal today will be fully covered by the restaurant. We hope you enjoy your meal."

Hearing the waiter’s words, Charlotte blinked, wondering if this was another gesture from Elowen to express her closeness and goodwill towards Astrid.

But the next second, Charlotte remembered where she had heard about this new specialty restaurant.

It was from the imperial monthly magazine founded by Astrid. She had seen a detailed description of the restaurant in the previous issue’s sidebar.

Without realizing it, she had already absorbed the relevant information, even though she had only glanced at it casually without much attention.

Following the waiter into the private room, Astrid and Charlotte sat opposite each other. The former handed the menu to the latter and spoke with a soft smile.

"Elise told me that someone wanted to advertise their new store opening in the newspaper. After agreeing on the price, they offered many additional benefits, and this is one of them."

Otherwise, even a princess of high status would not have the privilege of dining for free.

Looking at the silver-haired princess who propped up her fair arm and smiled charmingly, Charlotte was momentarily unsure whether to marvel at her own superhuman memory as a Arcanist level mage or to be amazed by the clever mind that had come up with the idea of newspaper promotion.

"Having seen the bustling scene at the restaurant’s opening, I’m sure more people will come to Little Astr in the future, just for that small space in the paper." After saying this, Charlotte continued.

"I’m even more looking forward to next Friday..."

The imperial monthly magazine was a biweekly publication, and next Friday was the day the article on magical energy devices would be published.

Charlotte knew that this article would not change the views of the upper class, and its short-term impact would be minimal.

But as a contributor, Charlotte was not disheartened. What she was doing was, in a way, like the restaurant’s promotion in the newspaper. Even if it went unnoticed, it would still leave something in the readers’ minds.

This method was more subtle and easier to accept than sweeping reforms.

Hearing this, Astrid’s lips curved into a beautiful arc, and she tapped the table with her fingers. The pink-haired maid beside her immediately stepped forward to pour tea.

"It seems Lady Charlotte already knows what happened yesterday morning..."

Astrid glanced at the maid pouring tea, noticing that her black and white maid dress had some wrinkles, likely from the carriage ride, and instinctively reached out to smooth them.

Feeling a hand near her thigh, gently caressing through the dress, the maid’s wrist trembled slightly. However, as a maid and knight, her skilled body control allowed her to avoid the embarrassing outcome of spilling the tea.

Watching the snow-white hand gently smoothing her dress, the maid straightened her legs, while Astrid’s clear and melodious voice reached her ears.

"Father publicly announced that he would draft legislation to restrict the development of magical energy devices."

After tidying the maid’s dress, Astrid retracted her gaze with satisfaction and continued to look at Charlotte across the table.

"What are your thoughts on this, Lady Charlotte?"

Once the bill was enacted, Charlotte would be the most affected. She was one of the mages most deeply immersed in the research of magical energy devices, and this bill was entirely aimed at her.

"Although His Majesty has said this, it still depends on the timing and content of the bill’s enactment..."

Charlotte’s opinion remained the same as when she first received the news in the morning.

Until Hibbort’s true intentions were clear, no one could know whether this was his genuine opinion or a compromise made under domestic pressure for the royal family and the noble lords.

Hearing Charlotte’s words, Astrid took a sip of tea, a hint of understanding flashing in her heart.

"I think I know what Lady Charlotte is considering. You want to understand Father’s true intentions, right?"

No matter how many interests were involved, the Emperor of Valeria was always the supreme ruler, and his opinion always came first. This was an unchangeable fact after the internal reform of the lords’ power in the empire.

Hearing this, Charlotte remained silent for a long time before finally nodding.

She had grown accustomed to Astrid’s recent changes, so it was not surprising that the latter could sense this.

Astrid was no longer the adolescent girl who thought of Earl Tristian day and night. In many ways, Astrid even gave her a sense of reliability, as if she could fully rely on this junior.

Seeing Charlotte nod slightly, Astrid smiled softly and revealed a bombshell.

"Regarding the reform of magical energy devices, I discussed this issue with Father yesterday afternoon and have a vague understanding of his thoughts."

Astrid and Hibbort... discussing the reform of magical energy devices?

Noticing the surprise hidden in those tea-colored eyes, Astrid softly revealed the answer.

"Of course, I didn’t directly bring it up with Father, but approached it from another angle."

"I showed him the article that was to be published in the newspaper."

Hibbort had always been following the imperial monthly magazine, and Astrid was well aware of this. She had no doubt that such a shrewd emperor would not recognize the potential value of this newspaper.

"I asked Father if he needed to modify the content, and he told me no, to proceed according to my own ideas."

Astrid admitted that the article was heavily biased, highly suggestive, and had a clear purpose, which Hibbort could not have missed.

Yet, despite this, Hibbort had given this response, which essentially indicated his stance, or inclination.

This elderly emperor, close to death, wanted to stabilize the domestic situation, ensuring a smooth transition of power, while also hoping for the continued development of magical energy devices to strengthen the Valeria Empire’s national power and prevent it from being swallowed by the covetous Velys Kingdom.

If it had been twenty years earlier, perhaps Hibbort would not have made this compromise.

"Father actually doesn’t want to overly restrict the development of magical energy devices," Astrid said.

The conversation between Astrid and Hibbort was known only to Charlotte.

Even if the newspaper published related content, it would only be seen as a spontaneous gesture by Princess Astrid, who was close to the reformist leader Charlotte, to show goodwill.

"But ultimately, when Little Astr founded the newspaper, His Majesty gave her ample support, and other nobles would more or less think that there were other intentions behind it."

"Exactly, so I don’t think the conflicting relationship between the two can be resolved through mere games or tests."

The ideological differences between the conservatives and the reformists were vast, to the point of being irreconcilable.

"So what do you plan to do, little Astr?" Completely unaware that she had been led by the once young girl, Charlotte asked gently.

"At least make some achievements to make some nobles realize the benefits of magical energy devices."

At this, Astrid raised a slender finger and gently placed it against her lips.

"I think the vision at the end of the article is quite suitable."

"Wind-assisted carriages?" Charlotte asked.

"No..." Astrid paused, her glossy pink lips parting slightly.

"I think we need an airship."