Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 556: One and Only

Taking the magic-focus chassepot rifle handed over by Charlotte, Astrid’s mental energy spread out naturally, sensing the changes in the materials and the reinforcement circles inscribed inside the barrel. Her slender jade fingers gently caressed its surface. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"What did you add, Lady Charlotte?"

Astrid had participated in crafting this rifle before and naturally knew how expensive the materials were. Its primary purpose wasn’t to arm an army, but rather to serve as propaganda, just like the legendary Fearless did in the past, demonstrating to the nobility how magic-energy weapons could protect their wealth from the claws of beasts like wolves, tigers, and leopards.

"A bit of Sacred Torch Tree sap, and remnants of magma ore ash from deep within Mount Kharlos."

Charlotte gazed into Astrid’s eyes, her gentle voice.

"The first lubricates the contact surface between metal and earth crystals while enhancing the barrel’s strength. The latter amplifies wind-element particles at the base, generating stronger air pressure."

Even within the royal vaults of the Valeria Empire, such materials were unheard of. They were rare magical substances Charlotte had personally gathered during her travels, extremely precious and irreplaceable.

Seeing Astrid carefully examining the internal magical engravings, Charlotte added timely details.

"As for the circle structure, I’ve also added some enhancement spells. While they drastically increase the consumption of elemental particles within the magic crystal and don’t improve transmission efficiency, at critical moments, it can unleash destructive power several times greater than before."

The difference between a middle tier Magnus level elemental barrier and that of a peak tier one seemed like just a minor rank gap, but in actual combat, the defensive enhancement was at least doubled.

To use an imperfect analogy, Astrid’s magic-focus chassepot rifle, after Charlotte’s modifications, had transformed from an ordinary long-range sniper into an anti-materiel rifle.

And with mental energy aiding in target locking, Astrid could even use her senses to determine wind direction and position, constructing the firing line with accuracy far surpassing the naked eye.

"...You’ve gone to great lengths, Lady Charlotte."

For a magic-energy weapon requiring immense time and rare magical materials, even an Arcanist mage like Charlotte would need to invest considerable effort.

Hearing Astrid’s words, Charlotte merely lifted the corners of her lips slightly, responded softly.

"Little Astr is the most important person in my world. No effort spent on you will ever be excessive."

If only her treasured collection had more materials compatible with this weapon, Charlotte would’ve added even more, crafting a reinforced version with even greater power and stability.

Only then would it truly match her Little Astr’s status.

Hearing this, Astrid looked across the table at the raven-haired beauty. Warm sunlight fell upon Charlotte’s smooth, shimmering strands. Her white, elegant dress enveloped a full, soft figure like gentle hills. The glossy satin fabric floated as slightly as clouds, accentuating her already fair skin and adding a mature, sensual charm to her presence.

The magic-focus chassepot rifle dissolved into shimmering specks of light, merging into the ruby pendant at Astrid’s chest. The layered black skirt fabric folded slightly with the motion of her arms.

"You were the one saying earlier I’m always saying sweet nothings to please others. Isn’t Lady Charlotte doing the same?"

As a frontline researcher, Charlotte’s wasn’t any lighter than her workload. Just from what Astrid knew, she had to shuttle constantly between the temporary magic airship workshop outside White Maple Town and the suburbs of Lostering City. For Charlotte to still find time amid all this to consider her personal safety, how could she not be deeply moved?

A warm current flowed through her chest. The usually reserved Astrid reached out and gently touched a strand of black hair that had fallen onto the desk, carefully tucking it behind Charlotte’s ear.

"Lady Charlotte... Do you remember that promise...?"

The cool female voice echoed in the air, just like when the silver-haired regent brushed her hair aside, unintentionally releasing a sweet, delicate fragrance from her wrist.

"That night in the manor, when we held each other and lay together on the soft bed, and reached that mutual understanding."

Charlotte paused briefly, her tea-colored eyes fixed on Astrid’s wrist, white as jade, before meeting her watery gaze again, replying softly.

"Of course I remember."

It was the promise that once Astrid reached the Arcanist mage rank, Charlotte would allow her to join her in exploring the Abyss.

Fanya was a close friend and mentor, who had vanished beneath the Abyssal fissure. The child Fanya left behind, entrusted to her care, was in many ways like her own daughter. Naturally, Charlotte didn’t wish for Astrid to share that danger, which was why she set three strict conditions and delayed Astrid’s descent into the Abyss.

"As long as Lady Charlotte remembers..."

"My point is, until then, I’ll remain perfectly healthy."

Astrid’s voice was soft and low, her lowered eyes glinting with fragmented light.

"So please, Lady Charlotte, rest assured."

Today, Charlotte had sought her out for a chat. Her first question was why Astrid was still lingering at the frontlines. Her first request was for Astrid to stay close to her, an Arcanist mage. Her first gift was a magic-energy weapon for self-defense.

Although she never explicitly voiced concerns, Astrid could feel Charlotte’s care behind every action.

Looking into Astrid’s clear, bright red eyes, those determined eyes reminiscent of Fanya, yet distinct in their own right, perhaps stirring long-suppressed youthful passion, or maybe it was simply the love of a close family member. Something seemed to nudge Charlotte’s heart.

"Little Astr is already grown. Of course I trust you." The woman gently caught Astrid’s hand resting near her cheek. Under the table, her silk-stockinged legs pressed and rubbed slightly together.

Even though she was the one being cared for more now, this imperial countess so valued and beloved by the silver-haired regent, she still couldn’t help but see Astrid as a child sometimes.

Feeling Charlotte’s grip on her delicate hand, the skin as tender as tofu, Astrid let her palm remain clasped, pressing it gently against the woman’s fair, smooth cheek.

Charlotte, caught off guard by Astrid’s practiced motion, fluttered her lashes, her tea-colored eyes trembling slightly.

"Little Astr... seems you’ve had plenty of private time with other girls..."

The cheek-touching was so natural, as if she’d done it many times before. Now that she thought about it, even her hair-tucking gesture seemed instinctive.

Back in the capital, Astrid had often taken tea with noble ladies. Her graceful demeanor and proper conversation earned her great favor, and her popularity among women might not have been less than among men.

Just moments ago, it had been a warm atmosphere of stepmother doting on daughter, daughter cherishing stepmother. Now, the woman’s tone inexplicably carried a hint of displeasure, even Charlotte herself couldn’t quite explain why.

She had indeed treated Lyra this way before. Well, the specific actions had been even more intimate. If instead of her niece sitting before her now, it were a certain pink-haired girl, she’d probably already be teasing Lyra’s little fang with her fingertip.

Caught off guard by Charlotte’s remark, Astrid blinked, then smoothly continued along the topic, her tone slightly testing.

"Girls are soft and sweet, so naturally easier to get close to."

Whether it was Amalia or Lyra, Charlotte will eventually find out about these things. Now that Astrid had made her orientation clear, probing the elder’s attitude in advance could only be beneficial.

Hearing Astrid’s reply, Charlotte exhaled softly through her nose, her tone somewhat complex.

"Could it be that sweet talks were practiced that way?"

"No wonder Little Astr is so good at making people happy."

As for whether Astrid liked girls, Charlotte didn’t dwell much on that direction, after all, she knew Astrid had once secretly admired Tristian. Even if she didn’t know, her sexual orientation probably wouldn’t have changed that quickly.

Probably... wouldn’t have...

Lyra’s image flashed through Charlotte’s mind. She straightened her posture, the well-tailored brown cape resting on her shoulders, accentuating her graceful, alluring figure. Her legs, wrapped in sheer stockings, crossed anew. The delicate arch of her foot, supported by silver sandals, emitted a soft, hazy luster like polished jade.

Hearing Charlotte’s words, Astrid shook her head, skillfully responding.

"Not quite. After all, Lady Charlotte is the one and only in my heart."

Compared to the head maid who always looked after her like an elder sister, Charlotte was closer to a gentle aunt in Astrid’s heart. She just skipped the age-appropriate formality and called her directly, but calling her the "one and only" was certainly justified.

Charlotte narrowed her eyes slightly, her delicate arm resting gracefully against her cheek as she looked at Astrid.

"Is Little Astr really thinking that?"

"Mm."

"Or are you implying I’m not as good as those young girls..."

Her gaze lingering on Astrid’s fresh, pink lips, Charlotte suddenly recalled one morning when Astrid’s soft touch had pressed against her own lips. Half-joking, half-serious, she spoke.

"Then... am I soft and sweet too?"

The moment the words left her mouth, Charlotte felt her ears grow warm. After all, she was practically old enough to be Astrid’s mother. Saying such things to a younger generation feels somewhat inappropriate.

Astrid, upon hearing this, looked across the table at the mature, tea-eyed beauty, her poised, age-graced figure and alluring wrapped in elegant fabric, her refined, beautiful face adorned with a deep purple hairpin, her gracefully crossed white legs full and soft without excess.

Whether judged by appearance or the actual sensation of an embrace, Charlotte was unquestionably number one.

After all, when it came to the standard of "soft and sweet," the appeal of a mature older sister far surpassed that of a flat little girl or a developing teenager.

But... How should she answer this?

If Astrid weren’t gay, she could just state the truth directly. But considering her sexual orientation and the resulting information gap in Charlotte’s perception, directly comparing her caring aunt to Lyra felt somewhat inappropriate.

After a moment of silence, Astrid spoke softly.

"Of course not."

"Every time I sleep beside Lady Charlotte, wrapped in your arms, I feel as if I’m submerged in an endless sea of honey."

Warm, sweet, embracing softness, her sleep quality improved drastically.

Astrid’s words indirectly answered the question. Charlotte’s lips curled slightly upward as she released Astrid’s hand.

"Is it really that exaggerated?"

Such a description was practically identical to a mother’s embrace.

Feeling affirmed, Charlotte’s mood brightened, her tone lifted slightly.

"Mm." Astrid continued.

"You just don’t realize it yourself."

After all, the only person privileged enough to share a bed with this noble Arcanist mage and stunning mature beauty was Astrid herself.

Even female colleagues close to Charlotte wouldn’t receive such an honor.

Relaxed by Astrid’s praise, Charlotte couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at her lips. Her gentle tea-colored eyes shimmered with a faint morning light.

"In that case, why doesn’t Little Astr stay over for a few more nights?"

Words without action greatly reduced credibility, that was a truth anyone understood.

"Tonight, I’ll stay with you as long as Lady Charlotte wishes."

Astrid lifted her red eyes, speaking each word deliberately.

"I’ll do whatever makes you happy."

Besides, they still needed to discuss the enhanced circles of the magic-focus chassepot rifle. Astrid had faintly sensed traces of arcane factor activity in Charlotte’s modifications, possibly relating to their earlier discussion on arcane factor constructs.

"Mm."

Naturally, Charlotte welcomed this wholeheartedly.

"By the way, Little Astr..."

"Yes?"

"Are those soldiers supposed to arrive at the front the day after tomorrow?"

As an Arcanist mage, Charlotte had detected the magical reflections of the Church’s Knight Order, the [Holy Radiant City] Although she couldn’t discern the internal state of large-scale magic, judging by the increasingly stable effects, their deployment should occur before the week’s end.

"Mm."

"Other than these veteran troops, all newly trained forces and Arcanist mages are already in position."

"Lady Charlotte, please try not to overwork these next few battles. Save your energy for the future."

Her breath ruffled the tea’s surface as Astrid lowered her head to take a sip, speaking softly.

"I’ll go take care of things. I’ll come back and see you later, Lady Charlotte."

"Go on. Stay warm."

A temperature-preserving fire-element spell enveloped Astrid. The girl nodded, glancing at Charlotte by the table. The head maid stepped forward and draped a shawl over Astrid’s shoulders.

Feeling meticulously cared for on both physical and magical levels, Astrid casually flicked a few strands of silver hair, speaking in a slightly low voice.

"Wait for me, Lady Charlotte~"