Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 112: Pleased and Wary

The moonlight fell on the edge of the bed through the window, casting a glow over Amalia's long golden hair, which shimmered like wheat.

The girl hugged her arms tightly, her pretty face pressed close to Livia's neck.

Her warm breath brushed against the woman's skin, soft as a small feather, each exhale and inhale teasingly light, stirring the heart.

With Livia's permission, Amalia held this position for half a minute before finally mustering her resolve. Her cherry-pink lips parted slightly.

"...Sister."

Unlike her usual cold and ethereal tone, Amalia's voice softened when calling to someone, the final note lifting faintly, carrying a hint of sweetness, as if she were coaxing the person before her.

Hearing this, Livia's lashes trembled. She gazed at Amalia, who clung to her like a small animal, and a trace of tenderness flickered in her blue eyes.

"I'm here," Livia replied.

A simple response, yet it seemed to ignite fireworks in Amalia's heart. The girl's eyes brightened, revealing an expression unlike any before.

"Sister, " Amalia repeated, tightening her arms around Livia.

Sensing the hidden excitement beneath Amalia's cool exterior, Livia made no unnecessary movements.

She simply let the girl hold her, offering her own warmth to provide a rare sense of security.

"I've been here," Livia said.

Her voice carried a soothing magic, and Amalia felt her racing heart gradually settle, replaced by an unfamiliar warmth spreading from her chest to her limbs.

'Livia… Sister…'

Two names that once held different meanings now pointed to the same person, the one who had shone into the castle like light.

In the next moment, Livia turned sideways.

Amalia's arms tensed briefly, panic flashing in her eyes as her grip tightened.

But when she realized Livia wasn't pulling away, her hold softened.

Looking at the delicate blonde girl before her, Livia reached with her free arm, gently resting it on Amalia's waist before sliding it around her back, drawing her into an embrace.

Before, she hadn't fully grasped Amalia's petite frame just by sight.

But now, holding her, Livia realized how slender the girl was.

With the slightest brush of her fingers, she could even trace the faint ridges of Amalia's delicate shoulder blades; it was proof of her fragile thinness.

Hibbort is, indeed, indifferent to this biological daughter to the bone.

Surrounded by the fragrance of flowers and the woman's soothing warmth, Amalia no longer stirred.

Instead, she nestled her head against Livia's chest, gently nuzzling her hair like a kitten seeking its master's affection.

After a while, Amalia spoke softly. "Sister, may I ask you a question?"

Hearing the warmth, the girl in her arms broke the silence, Livia hummed in response, her pink lips parting slightly.

"What is it?"

Amalia hesitated before whispering, "You… Why did you come to live in this old castle?"

This was something Amalia could not comprehend.

With the noble aura Livia carried and the imperial surname that symbolized the empire's power, she should not be here at all.

At first, Amalia had harbored some dark suspicions, perhaps Livia had been exiled here as punishment.

But later, seeing how freely Livia came and went, even spending lavishly on paintings, that theory crumbled.

Could Livia be here… for her?

The thought flickered through Amalia's mind, but she quickly dismissed it.

She was a helpless illegitimate daughter, a stain Hibbort wished to erase. What value did she hold that would warrant Livia's time and effort?

This wasn't self-deprecation, just clear-eyed realism. After careful consideration, Amalia was certain she possessed no worth at all.

Hearing her question, Livia fell silent for a moment before replying gently, "Amalia, do you remember what I said earlier about my strained relationship with my siblings?"

"Yes, I remember…"

Amalia would never forget. Every word from Livia was etched into her heart.

"Sister… is it to avoid them?"

"That's part of the reason."

Though Lucas was gone, his spies still lurked in the capital. Astrid's explanation wasn't entirely false.

Thinking deeper, her connection with Amalia also ensured the girl would never again face Lucas's deceitful warmth.

Amalia bit her lip. "Then… the other part?"

Her instincts told her the unspoken reason was the most crucial.

"The other part?"

Livia arched a brow, resting her smooth chin atop Amalia's head before answering solemnly, "Because of you."

This was the true, irreplaceable reason for her presence in the castle.

Either she would help Amalia claim the throne as her puppet, or she would mold this future tyrant into a capable ruler while mending their rift to avoid future vengeance.

Now, Livia found herself leaning toward the latter.

The answer stunned Amalia. Her slender frame trembled slightly.

"Me?"

She couldn't fathom it. What could she possibly offer to justify Livia's efforts?

Unless… Livia sought to use her, the illegitimate daughter, just as her so-called "mother" had.

No, Livia isn't that kind of person... And as a member of the Valeria family, she'd have no need for such schemes...

Before Amalia could spiral further into her thoughts, Livia released her hold on the blonde girl's back and gently stroked her hair.

"I think Amalia is adorable, so I want to be as close to you as possible. Of course, it would be best if we could have a good relationship."

These words came from Livia's heart - regardless of circumstances, she genuinely wished to live in harmony with Amalia.

Amalia... is adorable...

But how exactly is she adorable?

Though Amalia's expression remained composed, her mind raced through countless thoughts.

Did Livia mean... she likes her?

No matter how she considered it, the other's words seemed to point only to this conclusion.

Simply because she's cute, Livia kept returning to the castle to see her, initiating their nightly greetings just to build their relationship.

Livia was different from everyone else.

"I'm... adorable?"

"Mmm."

"..."

A long silence followed. Livia simply held her quietly, their closeness allowing them to feel each other's heartbeat and breath.

She meant it... Livia wouldn't lie to her...

After some time, Amalia whispered, "Sister, can we sleep together tomorrow night too?"

Livia replied, "Of course."

"You're my only sister now, so you don't need to ask so carefully about such things."

Her only sister - did this mean she'd surpassed those estranged siblings in Livia's heart?

Amalia sniffed quietly, her recently calmed emotions stirring again.

"Sleep," Livia said. "Children grow better when they sleep early."

It was already midnight - time to rest.

Amalia nodded and buried her face in Livia's chest.

"Okay."

Though in truth, sleep was impossible now.

As minutes passed and Amalia's breathing steadied, Livia checked the wall clock, mentally calculating the medicine's timing.

Amalia could sleep, but she must remain alert - she couldn't forget when to take her next dose.

When the hour hand neared four-thirty, Livia carefully withdrew her arm from Amalia's waist and leaned toward the bedside table, retrieving a bottle of transformation potion from her bag.

Once checking that Amalia was sleeping, she quietly bit open the cork and raised the bottle to her lips.

But as Livia tilted her head back to drink, Amalia's eyes cracked open just enough to witness the scene.

She hadn't slept at all, only controlling her breathing to mimic sleep and spare Livia worry.

What was Livia drinking... Medicine?

After replacing the empty vial, Livia lay back down to rest.

By five in the morning, Livia rose carefully without waking Amalia, leaving a note and two jam-filled Tallinn cakes on the desk.

Once she'd gone, Amalia slowly rose and approached the note.

"I've left first. There's some Tallinn bread on the table, eat it if you get hungry, but only until afternoon. Don't eat it in the evening."

The signature read "Livia," the ink still slightly damp.

Amalia alternated between staring at the note and the cakes, her expression wistful.

Livia had left again...

Some part of her had hoped Livia might stay longer this time, at least until she woke.

Unconsciously... she was growing greedy again...

Petting Auri who mewed from her nest, Amalia returned to bed, curling her delicate frame into the sheets.

The lingering scent of lemon still teased her nose, as if Livia had never left.

...

In the afternoon, Astrid received the news and hurried to the agreed meeting place with Elowen, an afternoon tea restaurant called 'Fries', located near the Elizabeth Academy of Magic.

Upon arriving, she was led by the waiters through the corridor to the fourth floor of the restaurant.

Today, Elowen wasn't wearing the mage robes issued by the academy but a casual outfit: an apricot-colored trench coat, gray wide-legged pants, and gold-rimmed glasses resting on her fair cheeks, adding a touch of intellectuality to her elegant demeanor.

Astrid approached slowly, her black silk stockings whispering against her legs, and took a seat on the wooden chair opposite Elowen.

The open-air balcony was enclosed by a metal fence, with lush ivy clinging to the walls.

A few small pink and white flowers bloomed quietly among the vines, occasionally swaying in the breeze.

Smoothing the hem of her skirt, Astrid felt the broad parasol's shade shielding her from the direct sunlight. Her tone was light and amused.

"I thought Professor Elowen, who deals with medicinal herbs every day, might be a bit old-fashioned. I didn't expect you to have such a refined sense of life."

The location was well-chosen, not only an excellent vantage point but also discreet. The vines provided natural cover, making it impossible for outsiders below to see the people above.

Hearing Astrid's compliment, Elowen adjusted her glasses with a slight push, her voice as composed as ever.

"To attract customers, you must understand their needs. If they're too far removed from the buyer, how can business thrive?"

She knew how much the noblewomen of the imperial capital adored their afternoon tea, so much so that they'd sacrifice their midday naps just for a cup.

Elowen often conducted field research to grasp her target audience's preferences. Since Astrid had business with her, inviting her here wasn't beneath her dignity.

Before their meeting, Elowen had secured the entire fourth floor and cast a silence barrier to ensure their conversation remained private. No one would dare intrude.

Astrid smiled faintly in response.

"It seems I underestimated Professor Elowen's dedication."

Even during afternoon tea, she was thinking about profit. Truly a Velmont through and through.

Dealing with someone like Elowen left Astrid both pleased and wary.

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Pleased, because Elowen's business acumen was impeccable, ensuring no losses.

Wary, because the woman was so shrewd that, were it not for Charlotte's involvement, Astrid might have been outmaneuvered and left with nothing.

After exchanging pleasantries, Elowen handed the menu to Astrid, who ordered a Black Forest cake and a cup of tea before passing it back.

"Won't you order something for your two maids?" Elowen asked softly.

Since Elowen had arranged the venue as the host, it would have been impolite for Astrid, as the guest, to order for her attendants without prompting.

But now that Elowen had mentioned it, Astrid saw no reason to decline.

"Then I'll have to trouble Professor Elowen for your generosity today."

Astrid handed the menu to Elise, letting her and Elise choose according to their tastes.

Then, turning back to Elowen, Astrid retrieved a stack of papers from her bag.

"I assume Professor Elowen's time is limited, so I'll be direct. This meeting is partly to seek your opinion and partly to purchase a batch of commercial raw materials."