Princess’s Struggle for Survival

Long before the final match began, Astrid had made a private agreement with Lyra, if the latter could defeat Iris head-on in the arena and claim the championship, then beyond the rewards already provided by the tournament organizers, she would additionally grant her one promise.

A promise that, within the limits and capabilities of the third imperial princess of the Valeria Empire, would certainly be fulfilled.

Now that the competition had ended, it was time for her to deliver on that prize.

"The conditions remain unchanged. Lyra, tell me anything you need."

Because Astrid had deliberately leaned forward, the distance between her and Lyra became even closer than before. The familiar scent of her body diffused through the air within arm's reach, mingled with faint floral notes from her bathing products, through cooperation with the Velmont family, Astrid had developed many new fragrances, expanding her original product line beyond perfumes into bathing essentials.

After all, which noble wouldn't wish their fine robes and sleeves to carry a long-lasting, lingering fragrance? These scents, far superior to plain soap, naturally found a rich market.

But for Lyra at this moment, none of that mattered. She stared at the silver-haired princess before her, whose very pupils seemed to shimmer with light, smiling gently, and her mind suddenly froze.

"As long as it's not too excessive, I can fulfill any request of yours~"

"Think carefully. You only get one chance."

Astrid's voice was languid and melodious, deliberately drawn out at the end, as the light poured down, accentuating the striking contours of the empire's most beautiful woman. Her already pale skin glowed with a soft, lustrous sheen under the illumination.

With just a few simple words, she transformed the previously normal atmosphere into something deep and intimate. Astrid fell silent, one arm crossed over her chest, the other propping up her cheek, her vivid red eyes fixed on Lyra lying on the bed.

'Anything I ask… would really be granted…?'

The rhythmic ticking of a clock echoed in her ears. Lyra swallowed hard, her gaze instinctively lowered, only to land directly on the woman's crossed, sheer black-stockinged legs, faintly revealing hints of skin. The luxurious skirt, with its leaf-like pleats, draped over her smooth, tender thighs like satin ribbons adorning a cake.

Below that were the black high heels concealing her delicate feet. The leather upper met the smooth instep, exposing a narrow sliver of skin, covered by the thin, delicate black stockings, subtly enhancing their softness and adding even more allure.

Suddenly, erotic scenes that had only ever appeared in her dreams flashed through her mind. Lyra's heart throbbed, her hands resting stiffly at her sides, unwilling to move, her breath halting for several seconds.

No, no, no… Lyra…

What on earth are you thinking…?

She desperately tried to purge those improper fantasies from her mind. Lyra pressed her legs tightly together, no longer daring to look directly at Astrid, mechanically turning her neck to stare blankly at the bedsheet before her.

Getting so close all of a sudden… and even her tone has become…

This… this…

The intimate atmosphere in the room made Lyra's already tense thoughts even more chaotic, leaving her unable to find a suitable adjective within a short time.

But one thing Lyra could be certain of:

That suggestive remark, paired with such misleading intonation, Astrid was definitely doing this on purpose!!!

Outside the infirmary window, moonlight draped over the treetops, casting layered shadows. A cool evening breeze rustled through the grove, stirring a soft, whispering sound from the leaves.

"Have you made up your mind, dear champion?"

Who knew how much time had passed, Astrid was the first to speak, her cherry-pink lips parting and closing as if carrying a magnetic charm that drew one's gaze.

Hearing the woman's seductive tone, Lyra hesitantly opened her mouth, pondering for a long while before fear of being too forward caused her to press her lips shut, letting out a soft, quiet breath through her delicate nose.

Since Princess Astrid had said it so directly…

Then it should… be okay, right?

Thinking back to the coquettish tone Astrid used when promising to fulfill her wish, and those teasing, alluring movements when she leaned in, Lyra closed her eyes, steeled her heart, and spoke with a slight tremor in her voice.

"I… um…"

"I want… a kiss…"

That simple sentence seemed to drain all her strength. Lyra didn't open her eyes to look at Astrid, remaining with them shut, outwardly composed as she waited for what came next, though inwardly panicking wildly.

If this request was too much, crossed some boundary of Astrid's, then, given her personality, she'd likely lean even closer, making Lyra think she was about to be kissed… only to whisper teasingly into her ear, "Dream on."

But precisely because Lyra anticipated such a scenario, one that wouldn't embarrass either of them, she found the courage to voice this act she'd secretly longed for so many times.

She truly wanted to grow close to Astrid… just like Princess Amalia…

"..."

A brief silence. Though she'd only kept her eyes closed for a few seconds, it felt to Lyra like over an hour had passed.

Would Astrid… agree to her request…?

After a while longer, with her heart pounding and feeling as if time dragged endlessly, Lyra heard a soft chuckle from beside the bed.

"Pfft… So Lyra's always wanted this, huh…"

Looking at the girl before her, eyes closed like a Sleeping Beauty awaiting her destined kiss, Astrid lowered her crossed leg and brought her delicate face even closer.

Feeling a warm breath brush against her skin, Lyra's cheeks flushed from pale to pink. Where Astrid couldn't see, the girl curled her dainty, alabaster toes, and beneath her nightgown, her waist tensed slightly, straightening her posture.

"Before I do it, I have one question…"

Smelling the girl's sweet, delicate jasmine scent, Astrid paused, leaning her upper body forward, quietly counting Lyra's eyelashes.

"Where does Lyra want me to kiss?"

A "kiss" was easy to understand, the key was the location. The meaning differed based on where it landed. Just as Astrid typically only kissed Amalia on the forehead to express sisterly affection, never anywhere else peculiar.

Lyra took a deep breath, feeling as though even her subtle act of swallowing was under Astrid's gaze.

Judging from Astrid's tone… she didn't seem to mind doing this…

She pinched the soft flesh of her thigh, clearing her mind slightly, then whispered,

"Anywhere is fine, really… It's up to Astrid's preference…"

The fact that the other party would agree to such a somewhat unreasonable request already made her incredibly happy. Lyra didn't dare ask for more.

Though… she really wished to share the kind of close, romantic kiss between lovers, like the one Linda had once shared with her personal maid.

"Is that so?"

Astrid nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this, her gaze locking onto Lyra's tightly pressed yet still pink, soft lips, resembling cherry blossoms.

At that moment, her perceptiveness reached unexpected intensity. Without opening her eyes, Lyra could still feel Astrid's gaze upon her.

"Then I'm coming now?"

"…Okay."

After that final exchange, Lyra's heart leapt into her throat.

This wasn't a dream or fantasy, it was reality, pure and absolute.

It was really happening.

The flowing air, the warmth radiating from their bodies, the lingering scent filling her nose, everything told Lyra that Astrid was approaching.

Cool strands of silver hair fell loose, slipping into the light nightgown, grazing the girl's smooth, round shoulder. Lyra could sense Astrid's lips drawing nearer and nearer to her own.

What did Princess Astrid's lips taste like…?

Were they soft and smooth… and sweet, like strawberry cake…?

Their breaths intertwined, the distance between their lips shrinking to less than five centimeters. Lyra emptied her mind, ceasing all thought.

Just as their lips were about to meet, Astrid slightly lowered her face, and at the same time, extended both arms to gently cradle Lyra's shoulders.

The next moment, Lyra felt two soft, cool lips gently press against her neck, a sensation like cotton candy, transmitted through her skin and relayed by nerves to her brain.

Astrid's hair and face rested against Lyra's chin, her hands supporting her shoulders. The fragrance from her silver locks continued to diffuse, and her soft lips pressed tightly against the equally sensitive spot on Lyra's neck.

Not a direct lip-to-lip kiss… but a kiss on the neck…

Compared to the intensity of a passionate kiss, this one was restrained yet profound, pushing the already thick intimacy in the air to its peak.

S-she… how can she…

This is too unfair…

The warm, intimate breath of her beloved was right beside her, and Lyra felt her entire body go weak, her ears, her fingers, the spot on her neck where she was kissed, all burning hot as if on fire.

After a few seconds, feeling satisfied, Astrid slowly pulled her lips away, but didn't immediately retreat. Instead, she took advantage of the closeness to Lyra's earlobe, speaking in a lazy, low tone.

"Is that enough, Lyra?"

"..."

Still in a daze, Lyra didn't respond, only a natural, instinctive reluctance welled up within her.

If only they could stay close a little longer…

Letting Astrid remain nestled against her neck, half a minute passed before Lyra finally snapped back to reality, her ears blazing, her face red as if about to bleed.

"Y-yes, enough…"

Even though the kiss had ended, the lingering effect of Astrid's action still hadn't fully dissipated.

It was… just like flirting…

Once again, fragments of knowledge Linda had shared with her surfaced in her mind, along with the memory of that personal maid deliberately raising her collar to hide marks.

With Astrid doing this… she was completely defenseless…

'I think… I'm utterly ruined.'

A whirlwind of emotions surged inside Lyra, her heartbeat so fierce she could feel her chest trembling.

And Astrid, still holding her tightly, naturally noticed this detail. She lowered her head, inhaling the faint scent emanating from Lyra, her mind continuing to work.

When she kissed her, her body hadn't reacted with discomfort, instead, in that instant, she felt a peculiar sensation toward Lyra, one extremely similar to the time Charlotte was drunk.

Undoubtedly, whether physically or psychologically, she didn't mind closeness with another woman. And because she had long harbored a fondness for Lyra, accumulated since watching her read books, akin to a parent's affection for a daughter, Astrid was genuinely willing to grow closer to her.

After all, girls are soft and sweet, who wouldn't like that?

They remained embraced in warmth for a little longer, before Astrid finally released her, gazing at the crimson-faced Lyra with a radiant smile.

"Can't even handle just this much?"

"I thought Lyra, having secretly learned so much, would have more composure when it comes to physical contact between girls."

If it were anyone else, Lyra might not have reacted so strongly. But when it came to someone she liked doing this… who could remain completely calm and unaffected?

Besides… these two things weren't clearly related anyway…

Realizing this, Lyra covered her face with both hands, burying her head into the blanket.

Seeing the pink-haired girl shrink into herself, like a shy plant whose leaves closed when touched, Astrid's lips curled upward. She folded her hands under her chin, leaned forward beside the bed, her eyes level with Lyra's ears, silently watching.

At twenty years old, still so innocent, blushing and hiding from sight at the slightest tease. No wonder Lyra was chosen by the Sword of Light.

Thinking back to her verbal sparring with Ifny, if she had used even half her skill, Lyra probably wouldn't have dared to train or dine with her anymore.

"Want another kiss?"

Her cheek pressed against the bed seam, Astrid asked with a soft chuckle.

Lyra buried her head even deeper, murmuring in a muffled, tiny voice that Astrid barely made out, the answer was no.

Amused, Astrid waited several minutes, letting Lyra gradually absorb the stimulation. Then she gently smoothed Lyra's disheveled pink hair, poked her cheek, and spoke.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore."

It didn't feel right to keep making Lyra endure this kind of tension repeatedly.

Today, she'd stop here.

"Considering Lyra's victory was truly hard-earned, I won't count that kiss as part of the promise. Think of it as an extra reward. You can make another request."

In a way, that kiss also helped Astrid understand herself.

She truly did hold deep affection for Lyra, and didn't dislike physical closeness with her.

Hearing Astrid say this, Lyra finally lifted her burning face. Her sky-blue eyes shimmered faintly with moisture from shyness, like the sky reflected on a tranquil lake.

"...Really?"

"Mm. Really."

Judging by Lyra's behavior tonight, Astrid didn't think she'd dare make a more outrageous request.

Just a silly little maid, what bold, wicked thoughts could she possibly have? Even if she did, she likely wouldn't dare act on them.