Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 552: "Don’t just...stare at my face or legs.”

Beneath pink lips, the deep black ink jade was smooth and glossy, carrying a hint of body warmth. The beautiful black-stockinged foot’s upper surface sank slightly upon contact, like a piece of black chocolate velvet cake whose surface reflected silk-like textures, surprisingly soft to the touch.

A faint, cool fragrance permeated the air, an interweaving of rose and lavender. With the closeness, it became delicate and mellow before her nose, acquiring an extra touch of aristocratic dignity.

Shrouded in dim light, Lyra gently pressed one hand against the tip of the foot, while the other held the small, delicate ankle. Just as imperial nobles would perform a hand-kiss towards someone close, she softly and reverently pressed a kiss onto the smooth instep, where faint white skin and pale blue veins could be vaguely seen through the sheer silk.

Startled by Lyra’s sudden action, Astrid narrowed her beautiful eyes. The moment her lips touched the fabric, the maidenly body beneath the exquisite black dress instinctively straightened her waist.

When did this dumb beauty become so bold...

In her imagination, Lyra should have stiffened in shock at her gesture, eyes tightly closed, cheeks flushed, only daring to peek through the tiniest slit of her eyelids at what had just happened.

Instead, she reached out and caught the black-stockinged foot that Astrid had used to tilt her chin, smoothly completing a foot-kiss, a ritual that, in the history of the Valeria Empire, had only ever been performed when the king received his coronation from the pope before the religious reform.

In truth, Lyra herself was stunned by her own behavior. She had meant to think, I can’t keep getting easily bullied by Astrid like this, I need to find a way to fight back.

But her body’s instinctive reaction had turned into exactly this: just like that dream from long ago.

Right, whatever happened to that dream?

It probably hadn’t been fully imagined due to insufficient mental material.

The cool-warm sensation on her lips reminded Lyra not to let her mind wander at a moment like this. The cold floral scent entering her nose makes the girl’s body grow slightly feverish in the deep autumn chill.

Breathing in the pleasant fragrance before her, her gaze settled on the slightly wrinkled black-stockinged ankle. Tiny fabric patterns shimmered in the light, swaying alluringly.

But... doing this, she seemed to be...

Enjoy it too?

Lyra gathered courage and lifted her eyes, meeting the silver-haired beauty on the other side. Astrid still elegantly supported her cheek with one hand, yet her snow-white face, under moonlight, carried a barely perceptible tinge of pink. Her vivid red eyes rippled like a flowing crimson sea.

The noble ritual complete, the smooth, lustrous pink hair moved away from either side of the ink jade, leaving only Lyra’s hand gently gripping the ankle.

"...Who taught you this etiquette, Lyra?"

Astrid’s voice had grown deeper, her beautiful red eyes reflecting the face of the pink-haired girl.

"Elise wouldn’t have taught her subordinates such customs."

Even before awakening her memories, that haughty, capricious, arrogant porcelain princess wouldn’t have been so conceited as to make her maids kneel and do these things for her.

Her maid corps certainly had no such rules.

Hearing Astrid’s words, Lyra moistened her lips, her gaze dropped to the spot she had just touched.

While shopping in the inner city, both she and Astrid had drunk lemon juice, so her lips weren’t dry like they would be after going long without water.

Now, the silk fabric atop that soft, snow-white foot appeared slightly darker, a faint imprint left on the night-sky-colored stocking. Thinking of its origin, it was enough to make one blush.

"Miss Elise... didn’t teach me that..."

Her voice unconsciously became softer, nothing like the assertive tone she had moments before. Lyra lifted her face again, gazing at the imperial regent who seemed to have gradually re-composed her expression, once more elegant and noble. The mischievous thoughts she had suppressed earlier sprouted anew.

She had done it, so how could Astrid still remain so calm, as if it wasn’t her who had been kissed, as if the one doing the kissing wasn’t her?

"..."

A desire echoed in her chest, to make Astrid flustered and embarrassed just once. Lyra’s hand slides upward, capturing the knee.

As expected, Astrid remained as composed as ever, as if she already knew Lyra would only dare go this far. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Actually, that wasn’t quite accurate. Not "only dare," but "only able."

"...It’s not some noble etiquette," Lyra took a deep breath, speaking softly.

"It’s... revenge... for all the things you did to me before..."

Having said that, the girl’s fingers glided over the straight, smooth black-stockinged calf, gently pinching the thigh.

Above that is the hem of the skirt. Undeniably, in the brief moment Lyra’s fingers quickly moved upward, Astrid did show a flicker of surprise.

But... still, she didn’t dare go further...

Astrid exhaled softly through her nose. Her two black-stockinged feet settled beside Lyra’s legs. As the girl gazed at the thigh that had been pressed and slightly deformed, the delicate toes toyed with the skirt fabric, brushing against Lyra’s white stocking.

"This little thing... counts as revenge?"

The teasing in her tone was unmistakable. Astrid pursed her lips and smiled slightly.

"How naive you are, Lyra~"

..............

In the end, when Lyra could no longer endure the provocations of that wicked woman, the silver-haired princess’s two legs were completely subdued, unable to cause any further trouble.

Then, the pink-haired maid fully unleashed her initiative in kissing. The long wooden bench nearly collapsed from the knight’s vigorous movements, and Astrid’s principle of never stepping on wooden chairs was unfortunately broken, since she was now lying beneath one.

For the first time, Astrid felt a sense of oppression from Lyra. Afterward, she darted out her delicate tongue, gently licked the corner of her lips, then adjusted her posture from side-sitting to proper sitting, elegantly crossing her legs.

Was it the effect of what she had said to Lyra last night?

After realizing that she too desired her, that she too loved her, Lyra had finally stopped viewing Astrid’s earlier initiated kisses, as well as all those verbal and physical provocations, as mere "favors" from a pursuer to the pursuit.

Just like in an ordinary romantic relationship, instinctive closeness wasn’t a one-sided gift from one person to another, but a mutual giving, satisfying, loving, and taking.

Emotions only last when both sides invest. This step had already shown initial success. Once Lyra truly understood what love really meant, the time for her to make a choice will come.

Although... that person’s tongue really was exceptionally skilled...

Was it the ultra-endurance granted by the knight’s physique? Even though she was clumsy and inexperienced, after so many kisses and each one lasting so long, she was gradually mastering some techniques.

Next time, she wouldn’t need to hold back against Lyra anymore.

On the other side, Lyra, who had just finished the "battle," pursed her lips, knees pressed together, her two smooth, delicate white-stockinged legs tightly pressed against each other.

Wh-what had she done...

To actually do such things to Princess Astrid...

Although in terms of their relationship, it couldn’t be considered insubordination. For a long time, Astrid had always been the one in control.

Her actions were now practically audacious.

She lifted a hand to brush the pink strands by her ear, using her fingers to block her line of sight, concealing the faint blush. Lyra tiptoed and lowered herself repeatedly, the heels of her little leather shoes making rhythmic tapping sounds beside the bench.

She didn’t even dare to look at Astrid, neither her beautiful face nor her black-stockinged feet, one resting on her calf, the other stepping on the surface of her high heels.

Just then, Astrid spoke first.

"Lyra is becoming bolder and bolder."

The pure, innocent little maid from before would never have dared go this far.

Hearing Astrid’s words, Lyra curled her small toes, gently scraping the tip of her white stocking inside the shoe.

"It’s because... Astrid is the one being too much..."

The real culprit behind all this... was clearly the other party...

She hadn’t intended to do anything at all. Astrid was the one who first lifted her leg and used that spot to tease her chin...

Being secretly provoked like this by the empire’s most beautiful woman, anyone would probably lose composure. Let alone, she loved her so deeply.

With both psychological and physiological needs compounding, if she had still done nothing, Lyra could reasonably suspect herself of harboring some unspeakable condition.

Her fingers quietly adjusting her skirt, her legs clamping tighter. Due to that intense kiss, she had begun to feel faint sensations, forcing her to use this method to slightly relieve herself.

Was she... too sensitive?

She turned her head, glancing sideways at the silver-haired beauty. Astrid stood on tiptoes, her black dress making her look like an elegant cat.

No, that wasn’t right. It should be that a certain regent was simply too much of a succubus.

Finally finding a suitable reason to explain the heat in her body, Lyra was about to say something when the streetlights suddenly went out. In an instant, darkness spread from beyond, engulfing the entire inner city.

It was time.

The fountain before the bench still emitted a continuous flow of water, its surface glittering under the silver moonlight.

"Even the light elements floating in the air seem to be urging us to go to sleep?"

Astrid spoke softly. The black-stockinged foot she had just been kissed on gently slipped into her high heel. Her body leaning forward, fingers circling behind her heels, tugging the black lace.

The next moment, the soft, tender foot was encased in silver openwork floral metal, like a black chocolate pudding placed inside an exquisite gift box. A delicate, lustrous sheen covered the alluring instep, like cream frosting decorating a pastry.

The only slightly discordant detail was the faintly deepened butterfly-shaped mark, silently telling any curious observer that someone had indeed tried tasting it with their lips, though the exact flavor remained unknown to the public.

"Has it already been ten o’clock?"

Lyra’s gaze away from the finely crafted high heels, looking down at herself. She reached out, tugging at the thin white stocking to make it fit more snugly against her leg.

She had left the mansion just before six, and over four hours had unknowingly passed.

It felt like she hadn’t done anything at all.

"I don’t want to admit it either, but it really is time."

Her slender heel tapped the tiles a few times, confirming she was steady. Astrid continued, "Let’s go back, Lyra."

"Whatever you want to do later, it’ll be more convenient there."

"..."

What did she mean by more convenient... Astrid was definitely implying something!

Hearing that, Lyra belatedly realized they were currently in the very center of Losterin’s inner city, the previously bustling night market street. Just moments ago, they had sat on this bench, fully submerged in a kiss lasting at least three minutes.

"Astrid... could anyone have seen us...?"

Being discovered flirting and making out with the empire’s regent, Lyra herself could accept that. Her only concern is Astrid.

Her status was too high. Every action affects many people, so she always had to be mindful of her words and conduct.

"If Elise didn’t interrupt, then no one saw," Astrid answered.

Her most trusted head maid was in the shadows, ready to provide cover at any moment.

Hearing that, didn’t it sound like this had all been premeditated?

As Lyra pondered this, she suddenly saw Astrid preparing to stand up. Remembering how relaxed Astrid had looked after taking off her high heels earlier, she blurted without thinking.

"Astrid... do you still have to walk back in high heels?"

Even though she’d had a foot massage, there was no one watching now. There was no need to keep wearing them.

Astrid paused slightly at her words, then curved her lips into a smile. "Then... what Lyra means is..."

"...carry me back?"

As she spoke, Astrid stretched out her arms, her tender, lotus-root-like limbs glowing bright white under the moonlight.

"..."

"If Astrid is willing... then I could..."

Out of some unspoken understanding, neither mentioned why Astrid couldn’t simply use wind magic to unfold wind wings and fly back with her spirit force.

Lyra could be a bit straightforward at times, but when it came to things involving Astrid, she naturally became flexible.

Even a dumb maid wouldn’t say something blunt and ruin the mood at a moment like this.

"Then hold me, darling~"

After several seconds passed with no further response, Lyra finally realized Astrid had no intention of adding any suffix.

Her cheeks instantly flushed red. She reached out, slowly wrapping her arms around Astrid’s back. The silver-haired, red-eyed imperial princess gracefully pressed her two black-stockinged legs together, letting Lyra naturally support her knees.

"Let’s go..."

After a pause, feeling the lightness and softness in her arms, silver strands of hair falling onto her arm like a sudden cool breeze, Lyra softly added,

"...darling."

Hearing that, Astrid gently brushed her hair aside, revealing her pale, delicate earlobe. Her exquisite face bathed in silver moonlight, her red eyes shimmering, her cool elegance rivaling the full moon above.

"Watch your step. Don’t just..."

"...stare at my face or legs."

???

She didn’t!