Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 120: "Astrid isn’t a good person either..."

Amalia answered without hesitation, "Because you're very important to me."

"So... I wanted to share this with you..."

There weren't many places she could take Livia, and this was the only decent viewing spot left.

As her only sister, Amalia wanted to share all the beauty she knew with Livia.

Feeling the warmth and sincerity in Amalia's heart, and thinking of her own true identity, Livia's heart twinged slightly. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond to Amalia.

But clearly, Amalia was more proactive than she had imagined.

"Sister." The girl paused, her eyes shimmering with emotion.

"Am I... also very important to you?"

To be fair, Livia had already treated her well enough, but Amalia wasn't satisfied.

She wanted more of Livia's attention, and this greedy desire grew stronger with every second they spent together.

"..."

After a brief silence, Livia replied softly, "You're my sister, and you're very important to me."

Amalia's importance to the future plan was undeniable. Whether emotionally or rationally, she was crucial.

Satisfied with the answer, Amalia's lips curved into a smile, and she beamed at Livia.

"I knew you'd say that."

She knew it, Livia was the person who treated her the best in this world.

In the next moment, Amalia threw herself into Livia's arms. Feeling the girl's excitement, Livia couldn't help but feel a surge of guilt.

Although her intention was to help Amalia escape her dark, lonely life and experience the love of family, objectively, she had used Livia's identity, which was a form of deception.

Especially since the person deceiving her was the very sister she despised, Astrid Calliste.

Could Amalia really handle such a blow...?

Holding the delicate golden-haired girl in her arms, Livia's gaze deepened, her hand gently resting on Amalia's back.

Perhaps she needed to rethink her approach, to ensure that Astrid's identity wouldn't be exposed while giving Livia a reasonable exit.

This thought only lingered in Astrid's mind for a moment before she automatically dismissed it.

Not only were there too many uncertainties in executing it, but even if it succeeded, the harm it would cause to Amalia might not be any less than the alternative.

A person who has never seen light might be able to adapt to darkness, but if she has truly experienced that warm and dazzling light, and then it is extinguished, the previously gloomy and dim environment would become unbearable.

Perhaps in Amalia's heart, Livia Valeria was the one who took her to heaven. Astrid didn't want her death to send Amalia to hell.

That would be too cruel to her, and it might even create an emperor more tyrannical than the one in the original story.

Livia gently stroked Amalia's head, while the latter buried her face in Livia's chest, her delicate breath lightly brushing against Livia's neck, causing a slight itch.

After five minutes, Livia softly spoke.

"Amalia... do you really like hugging me this much..."

You hug me when we meet, when we sleep, and even when we talk. Once you start hugging, it lasts for minutes without letting go.

"Mmm..." Amalia nodded, lightly sniffing the minty fragrance from Livia's hair, her pink lips slightly parting.

"...Sister's embrace is very warm."

This act of wrapping her arms around Livia, leaving almost no space between them, gave Amalia an immense sense of satisfaction.

She could truly feel Livia's soft body, warm temperature, and sweet hair fragrance.

Moreover, the more important point was that Amalia could firmly restrain Livia's waist, making it difficult for her to break free, forcing her to passively hug her.

It was as if she had captured Livia.

"No one has ever let me hug them like this..."

Amalia murmured, her voice faintly revealing a trace of loneliness. Hearing this, Livia's expression softened even more, and she whispered softly into the golden-haired girl's ear.

"Then Amalia can keep hugging me like this from now on."

"Consider it as making up for all the hugs you missed over the past decade."

Livia's tone was gentle, filled with obvious concern. Amalia suddenly felt her eyes grow hot, and her nose slightly sour.

After a moment, Amalia loosened her arms, turned her back to Livia, and moved her hand up to her forehead, as if tidying her messy golden hair, and softly responded.

"Okay."

Her hand brushed past her eyes as if by accident. Looking at the dazzling night sky before her, Amalia was about to say something when she suddenly felt a warm touch on her back, instinctively turning her head.

It was Livia hugging her from behind, her soft fullness gently pressing against Amalia's slender shoulder blades through the fabric.

Amalia had hugged her so many times, it was time for her to take the initiative.

Her gaze lingered on Livia's stunningly beautiful face. Amalia's body trembled slightly, the ripples in her blue eyes not yet fully dissipated, a few glistening tears hanging on her long lashes, like dewdrops on flower petals.

"Why are you crying? Did someone bully our little princess?"

Livia took out a handkerchief from her pocket and gently wiped Amalia's eyes.

Sometimes, not asking would have been better. But once she spoke, it gave Amalia's emotions an outlet.

The grievances of many years could no longer be suppressed, and tears streamed down her cheeks like broken beads, dripping onto her skirt.

Seeing this, Livia slowed her movements of wiping the tears and hugged Amalia even tighter, her voice gentle.

"If you're feeling sad, it's okay to cry."

Crying it out is always better than bottling up all the negative emotions and letting them grow unchecked.

Sitting back on a protruding brick, Livia placed Amalia on her lap.

The latter felt as if she was enveloped in warmth from behind, her fair calves not touching the ground, swaying and brushing against Livia's long, slender legs clad in white stockings, the smooth fabric touching her skin, bringing a delicate and silky sensation.

A few teardrops fell to the ground, wetting the gray-black bricks and turning them darker. Amalia covered her eyes, but she couldn't stop her tear glands from secreting liquid in a retaliatory manner.

Even though Hibbort had never visited Amalia, she had never cried like this before.

What good would crying do? It wouldn't change the facts, and no one would care.

This fourteen-year-old golden-haired girl was used to hiding her emotions, never easily letting them out.

Until she met the golden-haired beauty before her, who was like a beam of light.

"Livia..."

"Mmm."

"I'm not... a bastard..."

As if wanting to vent all her grievances, Amalia choked out.

"I never... asked them... to give birth to me..."

No one cared for her, let alone loved her. From the moment she was born into this world, she had never felt any blessings or warmth.

A tool for the upper class, a stain on life, a lowly mixed-blood, these harsh definitions had accompanied Amalia throughout her childhood.

It was the person before her who gave her a new identity, Livia Valeria's sister.

"I know, Amalia." Livia's voice was soft as she hugged Amalia tightly.

"You didn't do anything wrong. It's all their fault."

The gentle tone, accompanied by a warmth that could drive away the cold in her heart, made Amalia's lashes tremble slightly as she choked out.

"I hate Hibbort..."

The person who imprisoned her in the deep palace, Amalia wished he could taste the same pain.

Hearing this, Livia pursed her lips and softly replied, "He didn't fulfill his responsibilities as a father to you."

To Astrid, Hibbort was a caring and kind father, but in Amalia's eyes, he was no father at all, just the root of all her pain.

"And Lucas..."

"He's just a scoundrel."

On this point, the two could agree.

"Astrid isn't a good person either..."

"..."

Livia was silent for a moment before her cherry lips parted slightly. "The things she did in the past were indeed extremely vile."

At least in Astrid's memories, the original Astrid had indeed bullied Amalia, including but not limited to accusing her of dirtying her dress, finding various ways to withhold meals, forcing the girl to go hungry all night.

"Sister... knows what she did to me?" Amalia wiped her tears, her voice trembling.

"Mmm." Livia nodded, her tone complex.

"I'll make her apologize and compensate you."

Hearing Livia's words, Amalia felt a surge of emotion in her heart, but soon she spoke with difficulty.

"I don't want her compensation..."

She didn't want Astrid to apologize or do anything else. She just wanted Livia to stay away from her.

That bad person... didn't deserve to be friends with Livia...

"I only want sister..." Amalia said.

Hearing this, Livia tilted her head slightly, her chin gently resting on the golden-haired girl's head.

"Okay, then let me compensate you more on her behalf."

What Livia didn't know was that Amalia's statement had omitted a few words.

I only want my sister to stay away from Astrid, that was what the golden-haired girl wanted to say but didn't.

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After comforting Amalia for a while and feeling that the girl's emotions had somewhat stabilized, Livia heard Amalia softly speak.

"Sister... I lost my composure..."

The girl's voice still carried a hint of hoarseness from crying, but she wasn't as agitated as before.

"It's nothing. It's good to cry it out." Livia said.

Hearing this, Amalia sniffled hard, her tone low.

"I look... ugly when I cry..."

As soon as she finished speaking, Livia wiped the water droplets from Amalia's cheeks and spoke seriously.

"No... Amalia looks cute even when crying..."

Livia wasn't wrong. The girl tyrant in the original story wouldn't cry so pitifully like this.

After hearing Livia's response, Amalia swallowed and spoke haltingly.

"Sister... must be lying to me..."

Who looks cute when crying?

"I'm not lying." Livia replied.

"Really?" Amalia asked cautiously.

"Really."

Looking into Livia's serious eyes, Amalia quickly composed herself, only her slightly reddened eyes hinting that she had just cried.

Seeing this, Livia took out the sweet snacks she had prepared earlier and gently handed them to Amalia.

"Have something to eat. Crying is quite exhausting."

Amalia took the jam cookie and brought it to her lips. Her teeth trembled belatedly before she took a small bite.

"Have some juice too, to rehydrate."

Noticing the biscuit crumbs on the silk nightgown, Livia casually brushed them off, then helped Amalia tidy her hair, letting it fall gently down her back.

Feeling Livia's meticulous care, Amalia lowered her eyes and relaxed her body, leaning into Livia's embrace.

"Sister."

"Mmm?"

"Meeting you... I'm really happy."

After crying in a daze and now being held by Livia in such an intimate manner, Amalia felt warm all over, a sense of security she had never felt before permeating the air.

She thought of that day when she stood on the stairs, hesitating whether to end it all.

Fortunately, she didn't impulsively jump, which led to her meeting Livia.

Being loved truly could bring boundless joy from the depths of one's heart.

Hearing Amalia's words, Livia's brows relaxed slightly.

"I'm also very happy to be liked by you."

During her time with Amalia, Livia could feel the girl's heart yearning for warmth.

Even without the various settings from the original story, she would still choose to help Amalia after getting to know her.

Just like when she faced Lyra, Astrid's first thought wasn't to eliminate the threat in its cradle, but to do her best to navigate the situation, ensuring she wasn't suspected by those around her while getting closer to the destined heroine.

She hoped Lyra could have a relatively happy ending. Such a kind and strong girl deserved a bright future.

Although Amalia was fundamentally different from Lyra, in Astrid's eyes, the current Amalia was just a little girl with a twisted personality due to a lack of love, not the future tyrant who would disregard human life.

This golden-haired girl wasn't yet irredeemably obsessed. There was still time.

Hearing this, a faint light appeared in Amalia's eyes, and the jam in her mouth seemed to taste even sweeter.

Under the dazzling night sky, the two sisters leaned against each other, their shadows on the ground merging into one inseparable piece.

After eating two or three cookies and taking a sip of sweet grape juice, Amalia suddenly thought of something and spoke up.

"Sister, the newspaper you founded... Can we put paintings in it?"

Livia was momentarily stunned before softly replying.

"Sure."

"Why? Do you want to publish your paintings?"

Amalia nodded, her voice clear.

"Mmm, I also want to do something for sister."

Especially after thinking about how Astrid had provided the fashion section for Livia's newspaper, Amalia felt uncomfortable, as if her sister might be tainted by someone else.

She didn't have many skills, only her paintings were somewhat presentable.

Hearing this, Livia fell into brief thought. She had considered adding an art appreciation section, but not now. She planned to expand the content after a few more issues.

Rationally speaking, Amalia's paintings were indeed good, except for the overall dark style, there were hardly any flaws.

"If Amalia has time, it would be great if you could help me with a few paintings for publication."

Compared to the other more targeted sections, Livia couldn't guarantee that every reader would like Amalia's paintings, but since the girl had this idea, she might as well let her try.

Firstly, the current content of the newspaper was limited, so any addition would be beneficial.

Secondly, having Amalia participate would also help her connect with the outside world.

Moreover, the most important point was that in her interactions with Livia, Amalia had always been in a relatively weak position.

Her range of activities was limited, confined to the palace castle every day, and the only person she could see was Livia, while Livia could "freely" come and go, meeting various friends.

This inherent inequality exacerbated Amalia's inner turmoil and insecurity. She could easily fall into the misconception that she was a marginal figure in Livia's social circle, a worthless existence that could be abandoned at any time.

If she could do something for Livia, the sense of insecurity in Amalia's heart would be significantly reduced, which was the main reason Livia agreed to her request.

"Then should I start painting tomorrow?" Amalia asked.

"Let's not rush. It's best to wait until I confirm the specific size and layout before starting."

"Mmm."

Seeing Livia agree, a faint sweetness welled up in Amalia's heart.

Although it was very insignificant... at least she was trying to help sister with her own abilities...

What Astrid could do, she would also try to do.

A sense of competitiveness she had never felt before filled Amalia's chest. The girl blinked her lashes a few times, her brows furrowing slightly before relaxing.

She wanted to make Livia inseparable from her.