"I really didn’t know... Little Astr is so possessive..."
Even though she was almost an adult who could stand on her own, in so aspects she still acted like a child craving attention.
Charlotte casually brushed her hair, hiding the blush on her ears.
Her originally flawless, snow-white cheeks were tinged with a rosy hue from both alcohol and shyness, her tea-colored eyes inadvertently exuding an intoxicating charm.
Astrid looked into Charlotte’s eyes and spoke after a few seconds.
"Because Lady Charlotte is very special to ..."
Whether in terms of actual closeness or future plot developnts, compared to the sowhat distant Hibbort Valeria, Astrid preferred interacting with Charlotte.
This nominal aunt shared many of her views, and coupled with the forr’s affection for the original host, it was only natural that she beca the first political force Astrid wanted to actively secure after transmigrating to this world.
After spending so much ti together, Astrid’s feelings for Charlotte had gradually deepened, which was why she had the idea of doing sothing for her.
Including the custom perfu she gifted her and the articles related to magical devices, these were all ways Astrid expressed her love, not just for the sake of benefit.
Hearing Astrid’s words, a faint ripple stirred in Charlotte’s eyes. After a mont, she suppressed the strange feeling and reached out to wrap her arm around Astrid’s waist.
"Little Astr, saying that is too cunning."
First, she called herself selfish, unwilling to let others get close to her, and then turned around and said she was special, different from everyone else.
If it weren’t for their relationship and the fact that she was in her thirties and had seen much of the world, she might have been as shy as so sixteen or seventeen-year-old girls, unable to speak.
"You are also very special to , Little Astr," Charlotte said.
For a mont, both won on the bed fell silent. After a while, Astrid thought Charlotte had fallen asleep and was about to move her head away when she felt the pressure from Charlotte’s hand still there.
Not asleep yet... after drinking so much...
As she pondered, Astrid heard Charlotte speak.
"Little Astr... at the dinner table tonight..."
"You weren’t very satisfied with Amalia’s words, were you?"
At that ti, Astrid ntioned that the developnt of magical devices was closely related to the Emperor’s policies.
Once Hibbort abdicated, if everything went smoothly, the next to ascend the throne would be the Fourth Princess, Amalia.
Even with the objective factor of the conservative nobles, the resistance they would face would still be greatly reduced.
"Why do you say that, Lady Charlotte?"
"I saw the look in your eyes at the ti."
When Amalia said, "I will do as my sister suggests," Charlotte noticed out of the corner of her eye that Astrid bit her lip, her red eyes flashing with complex emotions.
Astrid didn’t expect Charlotte to notice that, thinking she was already quite drunk at the ti.
"Lady Charlotte is really sharp..."
"But it’s not that I was dissatisfied. Amalia’s response was within my expectations."
After all, she was just a fourteen-year-old girl, and being able to respond like that was already quite good.
"So you were still a bit disappointed?" Charlotte continued.
Astrid was silent for a mont before slowly saying, "Just a little."
She brought Amalia to dinner not only to let Charlotte et the future Emperor but also to let Amalia listen to their conversation. It didn’t matter how much she understood; knowing the general idea was enough.
"Amalia’s words align with our future plans, but there’s still sothing missing."
"Little Astr ans..."
"I’ve told Lady Charlotte before, I hope Amalia can beco an Emperor who thinks more about the people."
Not to beco her subordinate, nor a puppet Emperor who rely conveys her intentions.
"She seems to rely on you too much," Charlotte gently stroked Astrid’s back, speaking softly.
"Like a fledgling bird in the nest, she does whatever you tell her."
Astrid nodded, agreeing with Charlotte’s view.
"Amalia’s situation is a bit special. She might indeed have so dependency on ."
"I’m worried she might stay like this in the future."
The one who would truly sit on the throne in the future was Amalia Valeria, not Astrid Calliste Valeria. At most, Astrid could only offer advice; she couldn’t be the Emperor for her.
After hearing this, Charlotte roughly understood Astrid’s concerns and whispered,
"There’s no need to rush too much. Amalia is only fourteen after all."
"Little Astr’s expectations of her are too high."
Fourteen years old, only four or five years away from the ti Amalia would ascend the throne in the original story.
Without the knowledge of the original plot, Charlotte only vaguely knew that Hibbort had so hidden illness.
She estimated that the next Emperor’s ascension would have at least a ten-year buffer, so in her view, Astrid didn’t need to expose Amalia to too much political stuff.
After listening to Charlotte, Astrid pondered for a mont, then slowly sighed, her voice low.
"I am indeed a bit impatient..."
If it really ca to it, after Amalia ascended the throne, she wouldn’t rush to promote magical devices.
She would wait until they weathered the first wave of the Kingdom of Velys’s invasion before considering further nurturing this golden-haired girl to face the potential crises ahead.
At worst, there was still the safety net of Lyra, who in this worldline shouldn’t co into conflict with Amalia. As the destined heroine, her existence could ensure that the Valeria Empire wouldn’t suffer severe damage from external forces.
Looking at the smooth, silky silver hair spread on the pillow, Charlotte turned over, her breath like orchids.
"Wanting a child to be independent requires a gradual process. As a guide, it’s enough to provide tily guidance and companionship."
Before she finished speaking, Charlotte suddenly thought of sothing, her lips curling with a hint of self-mockery.
"Though it’s a bit ironic for to say this."
The reason Astrid had beco like that before was partly her fault as an elder. If she couldn’t even educate her own junior properly, it would be laughable to say these things now.
Astrid naturally knew why Charlotte was feeling down and quietly held the Countess’s hand, speaking softly.
"Lady Charlotte has her own things to do, and besides, so problems can’t be solved just through education and guidance."
With the original Astrid’s terrible personality, as long as she stayed in the palace and interacted with those so-called upper-class people, even if Charlotte stayed by her side every day, it would only annoy her.
Her fingers slipped between Charlotte’s, interlocking with hers, and Astrid quickly changed the subject.
"Let’s take it slow. Maybe Amalia will understand in the future."
Whether it was to maintain the Empire’s rule or to satisfy her selfish desire to bring a better life to the people under this decaying system, the developnt of magical devices was essential.
Knowing that Astrid was doing this to lessen her guilt, Charlotte felt a warm surge in her heart, her fingers gently clasping back.
"But speaking of which, the Fourth Princess really likes Little Astr~"
"During dinner, her eyes were almost glued to Little Astr the whole ti, never looking away."
Facing Charlotte’s teasing, Astrid pursed her lips and softly replied.
"It’s just a normal dependency of a younger sister on her older sister."
Anyone who had been lonely in a castle for so long would naturally cling tightly to the person who took them away, and Amalia was no exception.
"Is that so? I think she clings to you tighter than any sisters I’ve seen."
Thinking about it, when Astrid helped her back after dinner, although her head was muddled, Charlotte felt like she was being watched by a resentful gaze.
At that ti, the two personal maids were following behind, and on their side was only a black-haired girl, the Fourth Princess Amalia.
In the deep night, others might not have noticed, but as the one being watched, Charlotte could clearly sense the emotions in that gaze.
As if she had taken sothing very important from her.
"By the way, Little Astr... you don’t sleep with Amalia every night now, do you..."
If just helping her for a mont made the Fourth Princess uncomfortable, then this little girl’s possessiveness was a bit too strong.
Hearing Charlotte’s question, Astrid paused for half a minute before gently saying,
"We do sleep together every night."
Sotis Astrid even felt like she had beco Amalia’s personal body pillow. Whether at noon or at night, Amalia had to hold her to sleep.
"In that case, I must have disturbed your normal rest tonight," Charlotte said.
Astrid shook her head: "I told Amalia that Lady Charlotte hasn’t been here for a long ti, and it’s rare for you to stay overnight in the palace. How could I let you rest alone?"
"Besides, it’s good for her to sleep alone occasionally. She can’t keep sleeping with every day after becoming Emperor."
She was her older sister, not a concubine. For such a big person to cling to her sister every day wouldn’t help Amalia show her majesty as an Empress in front of her subjects.
"That’s true..." Charlotte nodded in agreent.
After a while, feeling the alcohol kicking in and having chatted for so long, it was ti to rest. Charlotte closed her eyes and softly said,
"Goodnight, Little Astr."
"Goodnight, Lady Charlotte."
With that, Astrid also closed her eyes, burying her head in Charlotte’s chest, using her sweet body scent to counteract the side effects of the soberity spell.
Before falling asleep, Astrid rembered there was one more thing she hadn’t done.
In her mind, a golden-haired, blue-eyed girl in a white dress appeared, holding an orange cat by the bed, her expression cool, her slender, smooth white-stockinged legs gently swaying.
The moonlight fell on Amalia’s golden hair, like snow covering wheat ears.
....
Early the next morning, Astrid and Charlotte had breakfast in the room. According to the plan, Charlotte needed to write a popular science article for publication.
For convenience, Astrid had her write it on the spot so she could offer suggestions and make revisions at any ti.
"Lady Charlotte, just write normally. I’ll help you review it later and do so polishing."
After all, this article wasn’t a pure academic paper but a guiding piece to make most nobles realize that the continued developnt of magical devices could effectively improve their quality of life.
Charlotte might be talented in academics, but she might not be as professional in guiding public opinion.
"Alright, I understand," Charlotte replied.
"Then Lady Charlotte can write for a while. I’ll go check on Amalia."
"Go ahead, I know Little Astr cares for her sister."
Astrid smiled and left the bedroom, entering the room diagonally across. Besides Amalia, Lyra was also there, both sitting quietly and reading.
She had wanted to ask Amalia how she slept last night, but seeing them so focused on their studies, Astrid didn’t want to disturb them. So she stood and watched for a while, then turned to return to her own room. As she walked, she deliberately controlled the swing of her long, black-stockinged legs to avoid making too much noise with her heels.
Just as the door closed, Lyra and Amalia both glanced in the direction Astrid had left. When Lyra turned her gaze, she found Amalia still staring at the door, their eyes eting in mid-air.
"Miss Lyra, do you care a lot about Sister?" Amalia suddenly asked.
Looking into the girl’s pure red eyes, Lyra suddenly felt a bit guilty, as if so hidden thought in her heart had been seen through.
"Well... Princess Astrid is my master, and I am her personal maid..."
"Of course, I have to care more."
Finding a suitable reason to answer, Lyra didn’t know why she felt guilty. After all, it was only natural for her to care about Princess Astrid.
After hearing Lyra’s reply, Amalia looked at her a few more tis. Lyra quickly adjusted her emotions, her watery eyes blinking gently.
"What is it, Livia?"
"...Nothing."
Amalia withdrew her gaze and continued focusing on the magic book in front of her.
Compared to this pink-haired maid who posed no competition, she was more concerned about Charlotte.
That mature Countess was really close to Sister.
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