Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 289: “Did you have any dreams?”

The wall was adorned with deep purple wallpaper, the floor covered with a light brown carpet, and a pillow with pure black lace patterns rested quietly at the head of the bed.

At the bedroom door, a pink-haired girl stood upright, her arms at her sides. The crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling illuminated her slender figure.

This was Princess Astrid’s private domain, the bedroom of the third princess of the Valeria Empire.

Looking down, Lyra saw the ribbon bracelet tied in a bow on her wrist and the black-and-white maid dress she wore.

Below that were two spotless white knee-high socks and a pair of black matte leather shoes.

She was Princess Astrid’s personal maid...

Her memory seemed to have some gaps, but at this moment, Lyra didn’t have the immediate urge to search her mind.

She vaguely remembered that she had come here to prepare tea and then assist Princess Astrid, who had returned from a banquet, to bed.

Right... black tea...

Gazing at the expensive carpet before her, Lyra gently removed her maid shoes. Her white-stockinged feet stepped onto the soft carpet as she slowly walked to the desk.

Beside the ink and brush, a cup of warm black tea was emitting steam. Lyra looked at the calm surface of the liquid in the cup, her blue eyes slightly dazed.

At that moment, the door suddenly opened, and a silver-haired woman with skin as white as snow, dressed in a black dress, entered the bedroom.

Having had a few glasses of red wine, Astrid’s usually cool cheeks were tinged with a hint of red. Her skirt swayed, and her clear, bright red eyes seemed to hold moonlight.

"Here to make tea?"

The woman’s alluring voice mixed with the crisp sound of high heels, creating an indescribable charm.

Kicking off her high heels, her long, slender black-stockinged legs crossed and swayed as Astrid quickly approached Lyra and sat down on the armchair.

Feeling a wave of fragrance mixed with a faint hint of alcohol, Lyra fluttered her eyelashes and softly replied.

"Yes..."

"Princess Astrid, have some black tea. It helps with the alcohol."

Astrid nodded, leaning back in her seat, her pink lips parting slightly.

"Leave it there, I’ll drink it later."

"First, help me massage my shoulders..."

Following her mistress’s command, Lyra obediently nodded, her hands slowly resting on the rounded shoulders wrapped in the black dress. Her fingers pressed with varying intensity.

After five or six minutes of massage, feeling the soreness in her shoulders slightly relieved, Astrid let out a comfortable hum. As Lyra’s hands moved, her elegantly crossed legs swayed gently.

"Lyra..."

"I’m here, Princess Astrid."

Looking at the smooth silver hair that fell naturally like a waterfall, Lyra moved her fingers, her palm accidentally brushing against the cool strands of the woman’s hair.

"...Later, help me massage my legs," Astrid said.

Remembering that Astrid had to wear high heels every day when she went out, it was impossible for her not to feel tired. Lyra paused her fingers and softly replied.

"Understood, Princess Astrid."

After a while, Lyra moved from behind Astrid to stand in front of her. Astrid sat with one leg crossed, one hand resting on her neck, the other hanging by her skirt.

Her snow-white, delicate face lightly rested on her wrist, her beautiful features illuminated by the light, showing a relaxed and comfortable expression.

Seeing this, Lyra gently sat on the carpet, her feet tucked beside her hips, her back straight, and her hands covering Astrid’s straight calves wrapped in black stockings.

The thin fabric of the stockings allowed Lyra to see the slight skin tone at Astrid’s knees. The touch under her palms was soft and smooth, like burying her hands in warm snow.

Feeling the softness between her fingers, Lyra suddenly felt shy about staring at that black jade-like skin.

She tried to control her breathing, clearing all the lingering thoughts from her mind, and simply served her mistress, who had been tired all day, as a personal maid.

On the other hand, Astrid looked at Lyra, who had lowered her head in front of her.

The girl’s waist-length light pink hair slightly trembled, covering her smooth forehead. After a moment, Astrid’s gaze fell on the desk, where her usual handbag was placed.

Time passed minute by minute, and the muscles in her legs gradually relaxed under the continuous massage. Astrid fluttered her eyelashes and softly said.

"Lyra, how was your day today?"

Hearing Astrid’s question, Lyra was momentarily stunned, then answered truthfully.

"It was fine..."

"...What is it, Princess Astrid?"

Hearing this, Astrid’s lips curved slightly. After enjoying the leg massage for a while longer, she took out a paper certificate from her bag and gently handed it to Lyra.

"I learned from the Elizabeth Academy of Magic that today is your birthday... so I specially had someone prepare this as your birthday gift..."

"Happy birthday, Lyra."

Birthday... hers?

Lyra was momentarily stunned, only reacting after half a minute that Astrid was celebrating for her. Her pink lips parted slightly, and even her hands paused briefly.

"For... for me?"

"Of course."

Taking it, Lyra saw the most prominent line on the parchment.

Kost Town Medical Institute, exclusive medical certificate.

At the end of the parchment were two familiar names, her parents from her hometown.

"After much thought, I didn’t know what Lyra particularly needed, so I asked Elise to arrange this."

"What you see now is just a later printed copy. Your parents should have already received the letter. With this paper, they can receive the best treatment in town for free."

As Lyra listened, she looked at the parchment in her hands, her pink lips unconsciously forming a line.

Having been away from home for so long, it was impossible not to worry about her parents.

Moreover, when they sent her to the academy for further studies, her family had already used up their savings. If something happened later, they might not be able to get timely treatment due to lack of money.

Once an illness is delayed, the problem could become more severe.

As a daughter, Lyra sometimes feared that her parents might hide their health conditions to avoid worrying her, or to save money for her expenses, thinking that minor ailments could be endured without seeing a doctor.

Astrid’s gift had truly touched her heart.

After a moment of silence, Lyra pursed her lips and said.

"Princess Astrid... thank you..."

"...I really like this birthday gift."

But for her, the gift was slightly too generous. However, based on Lyra’s understanding of Astrid, even if she mentioned it now, Astrid wouldn’t take it back but would instead comfort her to accept it with peace of mind.

Rather than verbal refusal, it was better to accept it graciously now and repay Princess Astrid well in the future.

Hearing Lyra’s slightly choked voice, Astrid smiled and then spoke.

"No need for too many words of gratitude, I’ve heard enough to make my ears callous."

"If you truly feel grateful, then help me massage my feet."

With that, she saw Lyra’s body tremble slightly, the curve of her lips becoming more pronounced.

"What? Unwilling?"

"..."

"...No, not at all."

Lyra hurriedly shook her head, her hands sliding down the elegant leg line, resting on the woman’s small, delicate black-stockinged feet, gently holding them.

Feeling the warmth of the palms through the stockings on her feet, Astrid’s body stiffened for a moment, then quickly relaxed, letting Lyra move freely.

In the quiet bedroom, apart from the subtle sound of skin rubbing against fabric, there was only the ticking of the wall clock and the almost inaudible breathing of the two.

Noticing that Lyra’s ears, hidden in her hair, had turned as red as tomatoes, Astrid, who had some vague guesses about the girl’s special preferences, narrowed her eyes. After a moment, she softly said.

"However, since it’s Lyra’s birthday, just giving a gift to your parents seems a bit inadequate."

"Besides this, is there anything else you want?"

"Tell me, just for today, I’ll try to satisfy you."

The night was deep, and the evening breeze was refreshing. Astrid’s words seemed to carry a certain captivating magic, especially the so-called satisfaction she mentioned at the end, the slightly lowered tone making Lyra’s heart tremble.

"Princess Astrid..."

Perhaps it was her imagination, but Lyra felt that the atmosphere in the bedroom had subtly changed. The girl nervously moistened her throat, controlling her tone as she spoke.

"This gift is already enough."

At least for her, nothing could be better than this.

Hearing this, Astrid thoughtfully said "Oh," her hand resting on her thigh, gently stroking, a mischievous curve forming at the corner of her mouth, her tone subtly becoming more alluring.

"Really?"

The next moment, Lyra felt her palm slip as the woman withdrew the small ankle she had been holding. Astrid’s clear red eyes slightly lit up.

"Such a rare opportunity, are you sure you don’t want to make any other requests?"

The black-stockinged toes lightly brushed past Lyra’s neck, gently resting on the girl’s chin, slightly lifting it.

The warm body temperature and smooth touch were like flickering flames, igniting a pile of grass in Lyra’s heart.

Astrid narrowed her eyes, her lips seeming to be coated with a bright pink glaze, looking particularly tempting.

"I thought you quite liked me."

Applying more force, Lyra’s head was lifted, her white-stockinged feet unconsciously tightened their toes, pulling the fabric thin at the soles.

Looking at the black-stockinged legs lifted up by the woman, the light from the chandelier fell on the smooth surface of the stockings, forming a bright path. Lyra’s mind went blank, completely unaware of what she should do or think.

Time became blurred, whether it had been a few minutes or just a brief two or three seconds, Lyra felt the warmth at her chin suddenly disappear.

Astrid put down her slender feet, leaned forward, her long, well-proportioned legs naturally crossed, the distance between them shrinking again.

"What, can’t even speak now?"

Their faces were almost touching, Lyra could even count the number of Astrid’s eyelashes.

The woman’s breath carried a faint aroma of alcohol, adding a touch of allure to the already ambiguous atmosphere.

"Princess... Astrid..."

"Don’t call me Princess, just call me Astrid."

Astrid raised her hand to touch Lyra’s lips, her cherry blossom-like lips opening and closing, carrying waves of fragrant air.

"Of course... if you feel that calling me that is more appealing..."

"That’s fine too."

.......

"Lyra?"

A cold female voice entered her ears, gradually awakening Lyra’s spirit.

Opening her eyes, the girl found herself sitting on a flat grassy lawn, leaning against a towering giant tree, a semi-transparent sword beside her, its blade half-buried in the soil.

After a brief moment of confusion, Lyra quickly realized the situation.

This is... the Monster Mountains...

She and Princess Astrid had come here to pass the Elizabeth Academy of Magic’s assessment.

Everything just now... was it a dream?

Noticing Lyra’s gaze quickly focusing, Astrid bent down and softly asked.

"Did you sleep well?"

Having rested from 12:30 to 1:40, it was about time to get moving.

Looking at the face that was no different from the one in her dream, Lyra raised her hand to cover the blush on her cheek.

A beam of light happened to pass through the leaves and fall in front of the girl, so Astrid didn’t immediately notice the change in Lyra’s expression, thinking instead that she was just unaccustomed to the bright sunlight after waking up.

"..."

"...It was alright."

Her heart was pounding in her chest, Lyra didn’t look at Astrid, her thick eyelashes lowered, hiding the strange emotions deep in her eyes.

This dream... was so strange...

Princess Astrid had indeed given her such a gift on her birthday, but the subsequent development in reality was definitely not that bizarre.

She had actually... kissed Princess Astrid...

Her lips still seemed to retain the sweet and soft sensation from the dream.

Recalling the end, they were lying on the soft, wide bed in the bedroom, their intimate, almost no-distance physical contact made Lyra purse her lips slightly.

The warmth in her heart didn’t dissipate but became clearer and more vivid as her thoughts flowed.

So, kissing a girl feels like this...

Soft, like biting into a piece of cloud.

Closing her eyes, the silver-haired beauty beneath her was flushed.

Due to her weak constitution, Astrid in the dream had no strength to lift her waist after the kiss and could only be pressed against the bed by her.

Her black-stockinged legs gently rubbed against her legs and waist, her eyes dazed, like a cat seeking affection, a quietly blooming begonia.

That version of Princess Astrid... seemed even more beautiful...

And thanks to the limited knowledge in Lyra’s mind, which only allowed her to think of hugging and kissing, otherwise, the girl might have been a bit afraid to face Astrid now.

Hearing Lyra’s reply, Astrid lightly fluttered her eyelashes, recalling the girl’s tightly pursed lips while sleeping, and casually asked.

"Did you have any dreams?"

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