Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 550: Sometimes… you feel like a character from a novel

The evening breeze rustled through the treetops with a soft rustling sound. Since the city was located in a high-latitude region, the trees growing within Losterling were mostly cold-resistant, insect-resistant ginkgo trees. At this time of year, only a few yellow leaves remain on the branches; most had already fallen to the ground, waiting only for spring to return next year.

Just moments ago, they had walked along the street, their heels and shoes stepping on the dry, yellow leaves. Occasionally, a few leaves landed beside Lyra's shoes, adding a unique touch of color between the pure black leather and the smooth, snow-white silk.

Inhaling the faint fragrance in the air, and having received Elise's confirmation that no one was around, Astrid slightly leaned forward. Her fingers moved down, tugging at the back strap of her high heels, revealing a delicate heel as smooth and rich as chocolate.

Walking nonstop for nearly three hours in high heels, only someone who had truly experienced it could understand the agony. So rather than saying the night market had ended, it would be more accurate to say the Regent Princess simply couldn't walk any further and needed to rest.

If she hadn't preemptively cast several spells to ease muscle fatigue and enhance lightness and speed, Astrid, whose constitution was naturally frail, wouldn't have been able to endure this long.

Freeing her feet from the restraints of the straps, Astrid's long, graceful lashes fluttered slightly as she inwardly sighed at the inconvenience of noble etiquette.

For elegance and beauty, these noble ladies truly sacrificed much.

With the merchants closing their stalls, Losterling City was now silent. Only in the far, distant corners could one hear men drinking in taverns.

Under the dim light, two soft, smooth black-stockinged feet rested atop the front of her heels. The tender soles, separated only by a thin layer of silk, gently pressed against the metallic ornament on the shoe, a floral design inlaid with gold and silver. The silver engravings complemented the smooth black jade perfectly, standing out with delicate softness against the pure black leather.

Although still not entirely comfortable, it was certainly better than continuing to wear them. As for stepping barefoot on the ground, that was something Astrid, who had a slight aversion to dirt, would never do. When considering comfort and cleanliness, the best choice was clearly to rest her black-stockinged feet on the bench, but as an imperial noble, going barefoot on public furniture would be both immoral and undignified.

Noticing Astrid had loosened the straps at the back of her shoes, Lyra, no longer able to hold hands with her, lowered her gaze in tandem. Her eyes settled on the silver flower partially hidden beneath the soft, dark forest of silk. The reinforced toe of the stocking obscured the delicate shape of Astrid's slender toes, making what lay beneath hazy and indistinct, adding a layer of mystery to the allure.

Only belatedly realizing that a mage's physique was far weaker than a knight's, and that Astrid had walked this long distance in heels, Lyra pursed her lips and whispered softly.

"Um... Astrid..."

Her hand gently touched the pale pink hem resting atop her white-stockinged thighs, nearly smoothing out the pleats of the skirt itself. Her voice was soft and gentle.

"If you don't mind… you could rest your feet on my lap."

Although it still defied the idea of elegance, this posture would at least be far more relaxing than the current one.

Balancing on tiptoes atop a metal ornament, how could that possibly be comfortable?

Hearing Lyra's words, Astrid turned her head to glance at the pink-haired girl. Her slender, pale neck wasn't fully covered by the black fabric of her dress. Under the lamplight, the cool white skin and collarbone looked like fine snow.

It was she who would place her legs on Lyra's lap, yet somehow, it was Astrid who was being "unbothered."

Recalling Lyra's tendency to blush after a few teasing remarks, and reminding her special reactions to certain words during last night's flirtation, Astrid's lips curled into a seductive curve. Her voice dripped with allure.

"I wouldn't mind at all. After all, it's you who makes things difficult for others… But since Lyra has offered so kindly, I shall accept without further refusing."

With that, the woman gently turned her delicate figure, leaning her back against the armrest of the bench. From the lotus-leaf-shaped black silk sleeve, a slender, snow-white wrist emerged, lightly propping against her cheek as her crimson eyes gazed at Lyra with quiet amusement.

One thing Lyra had indeed forgotten: the silver-haired beauty before she maintained elegance at all times and in all places. Even in this half-reclined position, with her legs slightly bent and resting gently in Lyra's lap, her cold, exquisite face still radiated dignity and nobility, untouchable and sacred.

Even after losing her former title as Third Princess, and stepping back onto the political stage as the Empire's Regent, Astrid Calliste remained a dazzling gem rivaling the imperial scepter itself, the most beautiful woman in the entire empire, unmatched by any.

Before the gently flowing fountain, the night-sky-colored noble gown could have concealed most of Astrid's thighs. But because she was lying on her side and had to lift her knees, the luxurious underskirt's sheer fabric had shifted upward slightly, revealing a pair of long, perfectly proportioned, flawlessly shaped black-stockinged legs resting gracefully atop the pale pink hem.

Feeling Lyra's body tremble slightly, the amusement in Astrid's crimson eyes deepened.

"If you don't mind, Lyra~"

"Could you rub them for me?"

It wasn't entirely flirtation, though it certainly had that effect.

She really was tired, and was even considering using wind magic to float low above the ground for the walk back later.

"Ah..."

Hearing Astrid's words, Lyra's ears flushed red. She recalled the first time she had massaged Astrid's feet like a maid.

Back then, she hadn't yet understood what her feelings for Astrid truly meant. But now, having clearly recognized her emotions and even studied some intimate knowledge, Lyra found it difficult to stay composed.

After half a minute, Lyra unconsciously moistened her lips and swallowed slightly.

"…Yes, Astrid…"

As a maid, she had done everything before.

Remember your professionalism… Lyra…

This is just helping your mistress relieve physical fatigue… Don't overthink it. That's all.

Her fingers gently touched the two delicate black-stockinged feet resting on her lap. With each subtle rise and fall of the dark, silken moons, a sweet, subtle fragrance naturally diffused into the air.

Like orchids and roses intertwined, it perfectly matched Astrid's noble aura.

The woman's ankles were exceptionally delicate, appearing even more refined beneath the black silk. Further down, the smooth, flawless instep reflects a soft, lustrous glow. The skin beneath the stockings bore no marks of bumps or injuries, smooth and even, like the surface of a leaden lake.

Imperial nobles raised in luxury usually took meticulous care of their skin, and Astrid was no exception. Since childhood, she has received pampering from head to toe. Elise always held an umbrella over her, minimizing direct sunlight exposure. At night, rose baths, milk baths, and mineral salts were all part of her routine.

Beyond genetics, such postnatal care was one of the reasons why the Empire's gem remained so dazzling.

Her fingertips glided over the instep. With slight depressions beneath her touch, the softness was visibly tender, like tofu or pudding. The specific textures of silk and skin merged under the light, creating a hazy, gauzy beauty.

Feeling the softness between her fingers, Lyra carefully massaged in a steady rhythm, the cool, smooth sensation continuously stimulating her fingertips, sending ripples through her blood straight to her heart.

Compared to the Regent's ornate noble dress, layered with sheer fabrics and lace patterns, the bare feet, freed from high heels and wrapped only in thin, sheer black stockings, were surprisingly simple and clean. Even her nails bore no flashy polish, only a natural light pink, hidden beneath the reinforced silk.

Noticing Lyra's gaze, Astrid, who had never explained this before, gently parted her lips.

"I dislike heavy makeup or overly bold colors."

In truth, she didn't need them. Even in a simple black strapless dress, Astrid Calliste could easily become the center of any banquet.

"Natural beauty is more appealing."

The cold, feminine voice fell like a statement of fact, yet it also seemed to convey something to Lyra. Astrid slowly closed her eyes, suppressing the odd sensation of having her feet controlled by another, her pink lips parting slightly now and then.

Minute by minute passed. Struggling to focus solely on the massage and not on the tempting figure before her, Lyra paid close attention to her technique, ensuring each movement wouldn't hurt Astrid's delicate ankles.

"Astrid… If you're not going out, maybe wear high heels less often…"

They looked beautiful and stylish, enhancing her elegance, but the physical toll was certainly multiple times greater than regular shoes.

Lyra sometimes feels tired even in her stiff, low-heeled leather shoes, let alone Astrid's stilettos. Comfort levels must be quite poor.

Hearing Lyra's words, Astrid opened her blood-red eyes and murmured thoughtfully.

"Mm. I'll keep that in mind."

The last person who had said that to her was the late Emperor Hibbort Valeria.

How much time had passed already?

Recalling that golden-haired, blue-eyed emperor, majestic like a lion, Astrid lowered her gaze, her mood sinking slightly.

No matter whether there had been suspicions between father and daughter, or painful conjectures that damaged familial bonds, Hibbort had never once failed her. In many matters, he had shown extraordinary tolerance.

As for the final oath of loyalty, Astrid had never truly held it against him. Putting herself in his place, if she were Hibbort Valeria, she would have made the same choice. And besides, Amalia had personally released her from the oath later.

To Astrid, he had been a kind adoptive father, whose love for her surpassed that of many fathers towards their biological children.

"..."

If Amalia were included, this thought wasn't entirely incorrect, but it did sound a bit hellish.

Treating his biological daughter like trash, yet pouring all his love into his adopted daughter.

Sensing Astrid's emotional shift, Lyra softened her touch and whispered.

"Does Astrid know when the streetlights in the inner city turn off?"

Compared to the beginning of the night market, the streetlights were clearly dimmer. Lyra, sensitive to light elements, had long noticed the light-crystal efficiency gradually decreasing.

"Around ten o'clock," Astrid replied.

Lyra's question pulled Astrid back from her brief melancholy into the present. Gazing at her own feet, resting in the girl's hands, being massaged, yet feeling almost like a toy, Astrid finally parted her lips after a moment.

"Lyra…"

"Eh...?"

Leaning forward, Astrid pressed a kiss against the girl's cheek before settling back against the bench, her voice gentle.

"At the beginning… why didn't you hold my hand?"

Still dazed from being kissed by her beloved, Lyra answered instinctively without thinking.

"Because others might see us…"

Halfway through, she suddenly realized she'd blurted out the truth. Biting her lip, she continued.

"If people saw the Regent holding hands with me, there might be unpleasant rumors."

Same-sex affection wasn't rare in the aristocratic circles that sought excitement, but ultimately, in the Valeria Empire, it wasn't a topic fit for public discussion.

"And later?"

"Later, I asked you… Only after you agreed did I reach out…"

After a brief moment of hesitation, realizing they were both women, and that the close relationship between Regent Astrid and Baroness Lyra was already common knowledge, holding hands probably wouldn't cause much trouble.

Of course, there was also one thing Lyra was very unwilling to admit: in the eyes of the capital's nobles, Astrid was clearly heteros.

After all, many people knew of the rumors that she had once taken interest in Tristian.

In a way, this became a natural cover for the relationship between Astrid, Lyra, and Amalia. Otherwise, considering how delightful that white-stockinged little sister was with her "older sister," it would be hard for subordinates not to start thinking of the Regent as a future empress.

Amalia's enthusiasm for choosing a partner was probably not even a ten-thousandth of what she showed spending time with the Regent.

Astrid nodded slightly. "Indeed, very much like something Lyra would do."

Excessively high moral standards, always seeking permission before doing anything. It feels like even in marriage, she'd be the type to treat her partner with respectful distance.

"My… style?" Lyra blinked, murmured.

"How… Does Astrid usually see me?"

How did it come to "style"?

Hearing the question, Astrid fell silent for a moment before answering after a few seconds.

"The everyday Lyra is a very strong and pure fool maid, morally superior to most people. You always consider others' feelings first, know your boundaries, and never overstep."

"And… you have a strong knightly spirit."

Although most of the time she showed her girlish, love-struck side around Astrid, it was denied that the Holy Light Knight wielding the sacred sword on the battlefield was a trusted comrade.

Lyra's cheeks reddened slightly as she coughed softly.

"I-I'm not that great..."

Still, being praised like this, someone's heart was already blooming with joy inside.

"You really are great," Astrid whispered gently.

"So great, sometimes… you feel like a character from a novel."