Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 232: My Adorable Knight (Volume 3 Ends)

Hearing Lyra’s words, Amalia’s eyes slightly changed, her gaze shifted from Astrid’s face to the former, her expression thoughtful.

Why does it feel... the pink-haired maid tonight is a bit different from before...

A strong sense of crisis suddenly surged in Amalia’s heart. She tightened her grip on the wine glass, and then heard Astrid speak.

"As you wish." As soon as the words fell, the woman added, "But let me clarify one thing in advance, I only know court dance and social dance. Which one does Lyra plan to dance?"

Lyra replied softly, "Then social dance."

She knew a bit of court dance, but not proficiently, far from being as good as social dance.

However, even this answer still surprised Astrid.

Social dance was the most commonly danced by the nobles of the Valeria Empire, and a compulsory course that every upper-class person had to learn from childhood.

Astrid, having inherited the muscle memory of this body and the fragmented memories of the original Astrid, naturally had no problem dancing it.

But when did Lyra learn it? She didn’t know.

Silently doubting whether she had paid enough attention to this personal maid, Astrid drank the red wine in her glass.

The faint sound of the glass touching the tablecloth announced the end of this dinner.

"Livia, you and Elise go back and rest first," Astrid said.

There wasn’t much conversation at the dinner table, everyone was basically enjoying the food. Astrid could sense that Lyra had something else she wanted to say to her alone.

Upon hearing this, the black-haired girl pursed her lips, then felt her cheeks being held by hands, her forehead gently kissed by two soft petals, accompanied by a sweet rose fragrance.

Receiving her sister’s loving comfort, Amalia loosened her tightly pursed lips, silently stood up, and said softly, "Then I’ll leave first, sister."

After all, today was Lyra’s last day in the palace. As a good sister who was obedient in Astrid’s eyes, she shouldn’t throw a childish tantrum at this time.

"Mm."

Hugging the cold and proud girl again, Astrid gave Elise a look.

The head maid nodded and accompanied Amalia out of the dining room, removing the maids who were ready to take orders at any time along the way, leaving only the most basic security personnel.

Astrid straightened her legs, her fingers brushed away the silver hair hanging by her ears, her shimmering eyes looked at Lyra in a white dress, and she whispered, "Miss Lyra, the palace ballroom is holding a banquet tonight..."

"If we go there to dance, it might be a bit noisy."

Seeing the woman extend a hand as tender as a white bamboo shoot, Lyra gently took it, her pink lips slightly parted, "The dining room has enough space, we can dance here."

Astrid nodded slightly upon hearing this, walked closer, her tone carrying a faint smile, "Mm."

"Then... will you lead or shall I lead..."

Hearing this, Lyra’s pretty face slightly warmed, she actively reached out to hold the slender and smooth waist of the person in front of her, "Princess Astrid, you follow. I’ve practiced leading more."

Noticing Lyra’s reddened earlobes, Astrid couldn’t help but feel a bit mischievous, her delicate nose gently exhaled, the warm breath hitting Lyra’s neck, "Alright, I’ll follow," Astrid said.

Her palm slid up the girl’s smooth arm, landing on the round and fragrant shoulder, then following the smooth curve of the back to the middle of the two butterfly bones, Astrid leaned close to Lyra’s ear, her voice carrying a bit of charm and allure, entering the ear like a tickle in the heart, "Your earlobes are so red... Could it be that Miss Lyra gets shy even dancing with a girl..."

"So easily embarrassed."

Feeling the temperature transmitted from the palm, Lyra’s delicate body trembled, she unconsciously swallowed her saliva, and after a few seconds, she responded in a muffled voice, "Princess Astrid, you should pay a little attention to the dance steps first..."

Teasing her again, she wasn’t like this with everyone.

Back at the Countess’ manor, even sharing a bed with Elise didn’t make her feel this embarrassed.

Looking at the beautiful princess with a slightly raised corner of her mouth due to successful teasing, Lyra once again felt the more mischievous side of Princess Astrid.

But even so, she didn’t dislike it. On the contrary, another emotion surged in her heart.

Lyra also wanted to see Princess Astrid flustered in front of her, preferably completely losing the calm demeanor she usually displayed, blushing and feeling more embarrassed than she was now.

Such a Princess Astrid... must be very cute...

Suddenly realizing what she was thinking, Lyra scolded herself for being a bad maid, then gently stepped forward, preparing for the prelude to the social dance.

........

Without an accompanying band, without a bustling crowd, and without the rise and fall of conversation, under the pale yellow light, a black dress and a white dress intertwined in dance.

Looking at Lyra, who was only a dozen centimeters away, feeling the slightly unfamiliar but perfectly timed dance steps, Astrid softly spoke, "Where did Miss Lyra learn social dance?"

She remembered that maid etiquette didn’t include social dance, and Elise wouldn’t actively teach Lyra things that weren’t useful.

Upon hearing this, Lyra paused for a moment, the slender heels tapping the ground, invisibly enhancing the rhythm of the dance.

"I asked Miss Elise to teach me..."

"You shouldn’t have time to learn during the day, right?"

"I practiced alone in my room at night."

Holding Astrid’s waist, her gaze swept over the exquisite and snow-white collarbone, Lyra’s voice was soft, "After Miss Elise taught me the basic moves, I could practice the rest on my own."

So she stood on the carpet alone, dancing with the air?

Thinking of the related scene, Astrid couldn’t help but feel a bit eerie, her gaze lingering on Lyra’s chest lining, slightly wrinkled due to pressure.

"When did you buy the dress?"

"Autumn purchase... I had it custom-made."

Afraid of Astrid misunderstanding, Lyra quickly added, "It was made with my salary!"

Hearing Lyra’s nervousness, Astrid exchanged dance steps, the friction of the silk material between her legs making a beautiful and pleasant sound, "Such expenses can be reimbursed by me."

A dress was nothing to the current Astrid.

"But besides social dance, there’s one more thing that surprised me..."

Glancing at the pair of lace-up high heels with bow decorations, and the soft and delicate white silk-clad feet hidden within, Astrid’s tone was steady, "Miss Lyra can actually handle such shoes."

She had only seen Lyra wear little leather shoes or ordinary flats before, never anything like this. Moreover, in the original setting, the destined female lead shouldn’t have much contact with such attire.

"Princess Astrid... underestimates the body control of a knight..."

Lyra’s voice was gentle, her foot movements becoming more and more proficient.

As the dance transitioned to the middle stage, Astrid needed more leverage, relying more on her dance partner, Lyra.

The latter, seeing the silver-haired beauty lifting her heels and entrusting her full weight to her, slightly exerted her arm, the silver hair falling on her arm like slightly cool flowing water.

"So Lyra did all this just for this one dance?" Astrid asked.

Seeing the cherry blossom-like lips part up and down, Lyra’s heartbeat subconsciously accelerated.

"Mm."

"I wanted to dance this dance with Princess Astrid."

Like that time at Charlotte’s private manor, where Astrid gracefully danced with the help of a woman, becoming the focus of everyone’s attention.

Lyra didn’t need those admiring gazes, she just wanted to be the dancer who accompanied Astrid, or rather, the person who could stand by her side.

After a brief moment of weightlessness, Astrid stood straight again, the black lace lotus leaf skirt drawing a beautiful arc in the air.

"I didn’t expect... I’m so important in Miss Lyra’s heart..."

It seems she misjudged the previous situation. Lyra’s affection for her shouldn’t be just that of an ordinary friend, perhaps it’s almost reaching the level of a close friend or best friend.

Two slender shadows overlapped in the dining room, the alternating sounds of high heels composing a beautiful symphony.

"Princess Astrid is very important," Lyra replied.

Her fingertips lightly touched the silk material at the waist, the touch accompanied by magic spreading through the fingers, all the way to the palm.

Taking advantage of Astrid’s gaze not being able to see her face, Lyra opened her mouth, wanting to say something but didn’t make a sound.

When the other party turned back, she lightly pursed her lips, as if nothing had happened.

Because Princess Astrid... is the person I like...

And besides my parents, the most important person.

"Princess Astrid..."

"I’m here."

At the last part of the dance, Lyra softly spoke, "Starting tomorrow, I won’t be your maid anymore."

"So I hope Your Highness will take good care of yourself in the days to come."

This was her last heartfelt request as a maid.

Upon hearing this, Astrid smiled lightly and replied softly, "You too, my maid."

"Wait, I should change my address now..."

Looking into those red eyes filled with a shimmering smile, Lyra seemed to be momentarily dazzled by the light in Astrid’s eyes, then she heard the other party say, "...my adorable knight."

The crisp female voice fell into Lyra’s ears, directly causing her body movements to slow down by half a beat.

Astrid’s knee slightly pressed against her according to the dance steps, causing the girl to lose her balance and lean forward slightly.

And the last part of the social dance was for the male dancer to hold the female dancer’s waist.

It was precisely this move that pushed Astrid, who wasn’t controlled well by Lyra, to the other side of the temporarily clean table for utensils.

The girl directly pressed on her, one hand on her waist, the other clasping her palm.

Feeling the softness beneath her and the scattered silver-white hair, Lyra was slightly stunned, her gaze lingering on Astrid’s lips, which had become more delicate and charming after drinking.

At this moment, Lyra once again understood her heart.

She indeed liked Princess Astrid.

Otherwise, why would she want to lean down and kiss her.

"Lyra..."

"Do you like pressing on me so much?"

Looking at the pink-haired girl pressing on her, thinking that it seemed to have happened before, Astrid felt that even her legs were firmly restrained by the other party, unable to move under this round table.

Hearing this, Lyra instantly reacted, the blush on her cheeks spreading like watercolor.

"No, it’s not..."

Just as Lyra was getting up, the metal decoration on Astrid’s chest hooked onto her thin skirt, and with the movement of getting up, a clear "rip" sound was heard.

Immediately after, Lyra felt a chill on her chest, looked down and saw that her skirt had been hooked open a large section, exposing most of the snow-white underneath to the air.

In less than a second, Lyra quickly covered her chest, her cheeks red as if about to bleed.

For a moment, both sides were silent. After a while, Lyra got up from Astrid, and the latter also straightened her skirt and stood up.

"That..."

"...the dance is over, let’s go back."

Suppressing her shame, Lyra spoke softly.

Astrid looked at Lyra, who was lowering her head, and silently brushed the hair by her earlobe.

"Alright."

Perhaps Lyra was mistaken, when she looked back, she saw Astrid’s slightly reddened earlobes. When she wanted to focus, the woman had already hidden her ears under her silver hair.

Would Princess Astrid feel embarrassed by what just happened?

Even though there have been more intimate moments before...

Calming her emotions, Lyra stepped forward with doubts and walked into the night with the person beside her.

.......

Returning to the palace, Astrid didn’t go to her bedroom immediately, but followed Lyra to her room, watching the other party pack the last bit of luggage.

Village sword, study notes, clothes to wear, and...

Seeing the maid outfit in the wardrobe, Lyra hesitated for a moment, then softly spoke, "Princess Astrid, can I take this too?"

Following her gaze, Astrid quickly understood Lyra’s thoughts and nodded slightly, "If you want to take it, then pack it."

After all, it’s also a part of life experience, worth keeping as a memento.

Upon hearing this, Lyra pursed her lips, carefully took one down, folded it neatly, and put it into the suitcase.

Looking at Lyra, who was squatting in front of the suitcase and busy packing, Astrid’s expression was gentle, until a letter fell out from the sandwiched book and landed on the carpet.

Astrid picked it up, propped her cheek with one hand, and looked at the content with interest.

When Lyra finished packing and turned around, she noticed the thing in the other party’s hand.

"Very beautiful handwriting," Astrid handed the letter to her.

Upon hearing this, Lyra paused for a moment, then softly said, "It’s very similar to Princess Astrid’s."

Astrid smiled lightly upon hearing this, "Of course."

A simple word explained the countless days and nights that had shrouded Lyra’s heart.

The girl took the letter, looked at the silver-haired princess sitting cross-legged in front of her, and slowly spoke, "Princess Astrid, can I hug you?"

Astrid didn’t speak, just smiled and opened her arms.

The next second, Lyra hugged Astrid, the person she was supposed to hate. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

"Goodnight."

Tonight passed, and they would face each other with new identities.

(End of Volume Three)

So this volume ends here. This volume didn’t had much except for magical devices and how the imperial council works. But this volume also made a layout for future how magical devices can be used like Hibbort and Florence thought.

This volume there was also some development between Charlotte and Astrid, Lyra and Astrid.

Next Volume I could say would have an info dump. Fourth Volume will reveal the world more like all races that are present, magical theories, and some things about Gemini like how she knows English.

It will have detailed classification of magical powers, races, history of continent and Empire, Church, Abyss, Culprit behind the scenes who made land barren and even the gem that Astrid always wears. Compared to the third volume, the fourth volume will have less romantic things and more info dumps and fights. But there will still be some scenes that I will try to add like Princess Astrid forced in bed by Lyra.

Thanks for reading till here and keep reading more.