Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 546: Let’s sleep my master

In the washroom, Astrid removed her full maid outfit and sat down in the bathtub Lyra had just used. The air still seemed to carry traces of the girl’s citrusy fragrance, mingling with the gentle warmth spreading from the warm water, lingering around her strands of hair.

Leaning her back against the porcelain tub, the thin clothes she’d just taken off soaked in the hot water, Astrid slowly exhaled, her crimson eyes fixed on the soft orange light above.

People seemed unable to suppress their physical instincts. Even she, after such prolonged intimate contact with Lyra, felt a faint, hard-to-suppress heat stirring within.

Fortunately, Lyra’s constitution was relatively sensitive. Just holding her like that, with her legsing Astrid’s arm, it hadn’t taken long before she reached her own release.

Otherwise, if it had dragged on any longer, even she might have lost control.

Once again confirmed: Lyra was a special existence who could elicit a reaction from her. Astrid placed her hand on her knee, her long lashes caught the light, her pale lips slightly pursed.

Besides that, she was also lucky Lyra, caught up in the moment, hadn’t had the energy to pay much attention to her. Otherwise, if that silly maid had noticed anything, it would have been difficult for her to extricate herself.

The faint heat gradually subsided as the water flowed over her delicate body. Astrid patiently cleaned her pure white undergarments. Although they were freshly changed, they’d inevitably picked up traces from the earlier activities.

While bathing, she might as well clean them too.

Astrid narrowed her eyes, gently rubbing the white stockings. The gentle warm water flowed over her chest, reaching her pale collarbone.

That said, in this maid roleplay, Lyra’s performance was becoming more and more immersive.

In today’s several kisses, the other party had almost entirely taken the lead. It was nothing like the usual shy and innocent girl, even daring to keep her eyes open while kissing her.

Her face was still as red as a little sun, but for Lyra, it was tremendous progress.

At least after tonight... Lyra could slightly shift from her long-standing mindset of a pursuer, becoming a bit more confident...

And learn what she should do in the future.

The soft silk fabric deformed under her fingers. Astrid gazed at the clothes in her hand, her crimson eyes flickering, her pale knees pressing together slightly.

Lyra had completely released her feelings, yet she still felt a tiny bit of restraint lingering.

Just soak in the bath a little longer. Let the desire dissolve on its own.

Astrid Calliste, the Empire’s Regent, was not Lyra. She wasn’t so easily aroused that the fire couldn’t be extinguished quickly.

...........

Thirty minutes later, Lyra, sitting by the bed drinking tea, heard the sound of water draining, the signal that Astrid had finished bathing and was about to return to the bedroom.

Nervously sipping her hot tea again, Lyra held the teacup with both hands, her gaze shifting to the magic-heated kettle beside her. The black tea inside was nearly empty.

To make it convenient for the drinker to always have fragrant black tea available, Astrid had specially prepared the tea in the kettle previously. As long as one wanted to drink, heating it with fire magic would suffice.

Without realizing it, the water originally meant to last the whole night was almost finished, probably because she’d lost a lot of fluids twice in a row and truly needed to rehydrate to satisfy her body’s needs.

Had Astrid anticipated this from the start, preparing such a large kettle on purpose?

As these thoughts passed through her mind, the girl’s bright blue eyes shimmered faintly, and she recently regained pale complexion flushed slightly once more.

Stop thinking about such strange things, Lyra.

It’s over now... Just rest properly once Astrid returns...

Just as she was talking herself into calmness, she heard the washroom door open. Lyra lifted her gaze to see Astrid entering the bedroom, now wearing a gentle, pure white nightgown.

Her two snow-white, smooth legs bathed in the moonlight streaming through the window, as if coating her already delicate skin with a layer of silver light. Her equally bright silver hair fell to her waist, resembling a waterfall reflecting the starry sky.

Astrid’s skin was naturally an extreme pale white. Whether she wore white stockings or not wasn’t easily noticeable under moonlight. But Lyra noticed a warm, silky sheen on her ankle, along with a slight, unmistakable crease.

Pure white and opaque, she must have changed back into the standard maid model, not the black one commonly used by princesses.

A strange sense of disappointment welled up in her heart, as if some expectations had fallen through. Realizing this, Lyra unconsciously lifted her heel, her two slender, delicate feet tensing slightly.

Lyra, what on earth are you thinking about again!!!

Internally scolding herself, Astrid had already approached, and the refreshing fragrance instantly filled the room.

"Have you finished drinking?"

Seeing the kettle nearly empty, Astrid asked gently.

Lyra softly hummed in response, then watched Astrid take the kettle and leave. After a moment, she returned, placing it a bit farther from the nightstand to heat.

"When the tea’s ready, drink more before sleeping."

Seeing Lyra’s cheeks still carrying some blush, Astrid’s lips curved slightly.

"After all... the master’s bedsheets are soaked..."

"You need plenty of hydration."

Being directly pointed out about her most embarrassing part, Lyra instinctively curled her pale toes resting on the carpet, her fingers holding the teacup as she replied softly.

"I know..."

Finishing her words, recalling her earlier speculation during her bath, Lyra moistened her throat, her pink lips parting slightly.

"Astrid... drink some tea too..."

Even if she was wrong, after kissing for so long, the other party involved would inevitably feel a bit dehydrated.

Astrid glanced at Lyra upon hearing this. The magic-heated kettle was restarting, and apart from the black tea in Lyra’s cup, there seemed to be no other way to rehydrate.

A day without Elise’s service really felt uncomfortable everywhere.

Noticing Astrid’s gaze, Lyra only realized this herself. The girl thought and handed her teacup to Astrid.

"Just drink from mine."

They had kissed so many times already, their tongues were nearly familiar with each other’s presence. This kind of indirect kiss was nothing at all, right?

Astrid nodded slightly upon hearing this, strictly adhering to the maid’s rule that she must obey her master’s commands. She took Lyra’s teacup, her red lips pressing against the finely crafted ceramic rim as she took a small sip.

Perhaps it was psychological, but gazing at Astrid’s long, slender neck now freed from the maid’s bow, Lyra seemed to hear, from Astrid’s swallowing motion, a faint, cat-like sigh.

"..."

Next time, she absolutely couldn’t drink so much alcohol casually.

Even if she did drink, she should let her body metabolize it naturally. She couldn’t seek intoxication just for the sake of being drunk.

Having found a suitable excuse, Lyra placed her legs back under the covers. By the time Astrid finished her tea, the magic-heated kettle had nearly warmed up. Once the tea was properly heated, Astrid poured another cup of her special milk tea and placed it by the bedside before lying down beside Lyra.

Feeling the delightful silk texture beneath her, a pair of slender, pale legs naturally intertwined. Just as she was about to ask Astrid why she was still wearing white stockings while sleeping, Lyra suddenly recalled the teasing words Astrid had used on her and wisely chose not to mention it.

If Astrid took the opportunity to tease her again, she would truly be stripped bare and completely exposed.

However, just because Lyra thought this didn’t mean Astrid wouldn’t take the initiative. The woman gently placed her hand on her own leg, tugged at the white stocking, and spoke softly.

"Indeed, it feels a bit unfamiliar..."

"After all... they’re Lyra’s socks..."

Huh???

Hearing Astrid say this, Lyra’s heart instantly jolted, and her leg pressed against Astrid’s gave a slight tremor.

What Astrid was wearing now... was hers?

Thinking carefully, it makes sense. After all, Astrid’s maid outfit today was modified based on hers. For a one-day maid, preparing two pairs of socks was basically enough.

Now, with three changes in one night, and all being the white outerwear style rarely kept in Astrid’s wardrobe, she could only wear Lyra’s for now.

Her throat unconsciously felt dry again. Lyra straightened her back, making no response to Astrid’s remark.

The silver-haired maid before she knew exactly what to say and how to say it to make her feel embarrassed.

She couldn’t keep being led around by the nose. Otherwise, if they went at it again, she’d have to shower once more and change the bedsheets.

Wrapping her arms around Astrid’s back, her softness gently touching Astrid’s, Lyra pretended not to hear anything, reluctant to be swayed by the wicked woman’s provocations.

Astrid also knew that further teasing might backfire. Everything that had happened tonight was already sufficient. The fact that the Holy Knight before she had reached this point with her assistance had already exceeded her expectations.

After a peak, one always needs a period of calm to soothe the soul.

Closing her eyes, Astrid gently breathed against Lyra’s shoulder, no longer speaking, simply holding the other gently.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Astrid spoke softly.

"Master~"

"Could you give your personal maid a score?"

She was quite curious about how satisfied Lyra was with her performance today.

Hearing Astrid call her "master" in that sultry voice again, Lyra’s eyelashes trembled. After a while, she answered in a low, soft tone.

"If... using the evaluation standard of Elizabeth Academy of Magic..."

That is to say, the hundred-point system.

"...probably around ninety points."

Astrid softly uttered an "oh" upon hearing this, then spoke again.

"Where were the ten points deducted, Lyra? Could you please specify?"

She was quite confident in her service today, whether in daily care or helping release accumulated tension. She should have fulfilled all duties of a personal maid.

"The ten points deducted are natural because..."

Lyra nibbled her lips, feeling the smooth sensation from Astrid’s legs, and replied softly.

"Even though Astrid is a maid... she has no reverence for her master at all..."

"Claiming to be a maid, yet hiding so many wicked thoughts."

Everything else was done excellently. Only in attitude, though respectful in words and compliant in actions, Lyra always felt as if she was still being controlled by Astrid.

What kind of wicked maid dares to bully her superior so boldly?

"I do?"

"Of course you do."

"Then could Lyra tell me, what wicked thoughts are these?"

In Astrid’s view, she hadn’t done anything inappropriate. If she had to say, Lyra was simply too proper.

If other nobles interacted with their personal maids, the scene would probably be entirely different. Sharing drinks mouth-to-mouth was common.

"..."

She definitely couldn’t articulate it, but Lyra also didn’t want to keep being teased by Astrid like this.

Her pink lips parted slightly, taking a strand of silver hair that fell near her mouth into her mouth as she spoke softly.

"In short, they’re very bad, very wicked thoughts."

Although when she played the maid, she might have had even more outrageous and wicked thoughts.

Listening to the pink-haired girl burying her head on her shoulder, accusing her with muffled words, Astrid whispered softly.

"Alright, whatever Lyra says is true."

"I’m the naughtiest, most wicked maid."

She felt as if, if she wanted to, she could devour Lyra completely right now.

Lyra softly hummed in response, her voice softened.

"...Astrid knows best."

Finishing her words, feeling drowsiness approaching closely, Lyra asked.

"Astrid, will you be as busy tomorrow... as you usually are?"

"Mm, I need to discuss matters with Duke Charles during the day."

The fact that she could spare an entire day specifically for Lyra was already the result of Astrid’s careful arrangements.

Lyra softly hummed in response, holding Astrid even more closely.

"Then... let’s sleep quickly..."

To help her release stress, it was already nearly midnight, and they were still whispering to each other.

She was a knight, so it was fine, her physical condition was right there. Losing or gaining an hour of sleep didn’t matter much. But Princess Astrid was a full-fledged mage. If it affects her work efficiency tomorrow, it will be troublesome.

Hearing this, Astrid leaned close to Lyra’s ear, whispering softly.

"As you command, Master."

..........

Perhaps because she drank too much black tea before sleeping, or possibly due to the bottle of wine from earlier, Lyra unusually woke up in the middle of the night to use the restroom.

After washing her hands, passing by the clothes-drying area, Lyra noticed Astrid’s maid outfit, supported by a hanger, placed where moonlight could reach it to dry.

Besides the outer garments, the undergarments were also there, gently swaying in the night breeze.

The beautiful white lace glistened in the light, resembling a blooming water lily. On either side were thin, white stockings, casting translucent shadows on the ground. Lyra paused briefly, then, blushing, quickly left.

Although Astrid was her one-day maid, tasks like washing dishes and clothes were outside her job scope.

Then... what kind of task required her to clean the clothes while bathing...

She probably wasn’t wrong in her thinking.