After a few glasses of wine, Astrid completely dropped the aloof facade she maintained in front of outsiders.
The atmosphere at the dining table gradually beca livelier, with even the usually reticent head maid joining in the conversation.
Though she only occasionally chid in with a few words or shared her insights, it was still a significant change.
Lyra gazed at Astrid’s flawless face in the candlelight. The cool liquid she drank couldn’t dispel the warmth in her heart.
The New Year was almost here... Although she couldn’t return to her village to celebrate with her family this ti, this feeling wasn’t bad at all...
Lyra took a bite of cake, her peripheral vision catching Charlotte drinking wine with a composed expression, her gentle gaze lingering on Astrid for a long ti.
Across the table, the head maid was attentively monitoring the food on the table, ready to get up and replenish it at any mont.
Occasionally, she would glance at Princess Astrid to ensure her clothes were properly buttoned and her hair wasn’t ssy.
How nice...
Lyra pressed her lips to the rim of the glass and took another sip of red wine.
After chatting for a while, with midnight still so ti away, Astrid suggested playing a round of "The Grand Lord," to which everyone readily agreed.
In the palace of the Capital, nobles in exquisite attire danced gracefully in the ballroom, glasses clinking against trays with crisp sounds that were quickly drowned out by the footsteps.
In the eastern district, vendors lit oil lamps, turning the usually pitch-black streets into a sea of flickering lights. Inside old taverns, the air was filled with constant noise, the rich aroma of alcohol mingling with the rare scent of roasted at perating every corner.
After so ti, a deep bell toll reached the airship 1, 500 ters above the capital.
Hearing the sound, Astrid turned to look out the window, and the others’ gazes followed hers.
Beneath them, countless dazzling fireworks exploded outside the window. Further away, near the Elizabeth Academy of Magic, the entire night sky was illuminated.
The brilliant colors of the fireworks even montarily outshone the moonlight, the scattered lights resembling a complex galaxy spread across layered curtains.
Unlike modern fireworks, these created by elental collisions could soar up to 1, 000 ters high.
Gazing at the spectacular view outside the airship, Lyra was montarily stunned. She placed her hands on the glass, her sky-blue eyes reflecting the starry rain of firework blossoms.
Knowing the ti was right, Charlotte channeled her ntal energy to activate the light elental crystal network on the airship, forming the words "Happy New Year." Simultaneously, she silently chanted a spell, and several beautiful fireworks encircled the airship, dazzling like the sun.
"Everyone, Happy New Year."
Astrid raised her glass, smiling softly at the group.
"Happy New Year."
Lyra’s voice blended with the others’, ending with the gentle clink of glasses.
...
Astrid’s plan was to have the airship hover over the capital until 2 a.m., then fly to the outskirts to land.
The group would rest at Charlotte’s estate for the night before returning to the imperial city the next day.
After celebrating the New Year and playing so board gas, Elise returned to the control room to continue piloting the airship.
Seeing this, Lyra also expressed her desire to go out to the deck for so fresh air and to see the imperial city under the night sky.
"If you want to go, then go. Tonight, you don’t need to seek my permission specifically," Astrid said, swirling the red liquid in her glass, her lips curving slightly.
"But be careful not to fall off."
Hearing Astrid’s words, Lyra blinked a few tis. While touched, she also felt a bit strange.
Was Princess Astrid treating her like a fool again? With such high railings, how could one possibly fall off accidentally? Moreover, there were safety nets outside to prevent falls.
"Thank you for your concern, Princess Astrid."
With that, Lyra stood up and left the dining room, her small shoes tapping away.
Watching the pink-haired maid’s retreating figure, Astrid set down her glass.
Her fingers instinctively wanted to tap on her thigh, but since she was holding soone, she ended up touching Amalia’s soft, smooth, white-stockinged thigh instead.
The slightly indented flesh beneath the stockings felt like a large blob of creamy pudding.
Feeling the touch, Amalia didn’t resist. Instead, she leaned her arm against Astrid’s, not letting her pull away easily.
Seeing this, Charlotte smiled faintly without comnt, inwardly marveling at how close the two princesses were, to the point where even she felt a twinge of envy.
After nearly ten minutes, Lyra still hadn’t returned. Astrid leaned down to whisper in Amalia’s ear.
Hearing this, Amalia slightly narrowed her eyes, then lifted her face to kiss Astrid’s forehead before obediently sliding off her lap.
"Little Astr, are you going to check on Miss Lyra?" Charlotte asked.
Astrid nodded, "Yes, and to get so fresh air on the deck."
With that, she picked up a small plate of snacks and brought it to the control room, placing it beside the head maid.
Then she returned to the dining room to fetch two glasses of juice to sober up and headed in the direction Lyra had gone.
On the deck, Lyra stood alone by the railing, her clear blue eyes reflecting the brightly lit city that never sleeps beneath the airship.
The fireworks had faded, and the night sky had returned to its usual tranquility, with even the nearby railing coated in a thin layer of frost.
Lyra exhaled softly, the thin white mist rising under the light of the elental crystals before dissipating.
"Why haven’t you gone back yet? Isn’t it cold standing in the wind for so long?"
The rhythmic tapping of high heels on the solid wood floor mixed with the woman’s slightly cold tone, which carried a hint of tenderness in the evening breeze.
Upon hearing this, Lyra turned her head and saw a stunning silver-haired beauty in a black dress under the moonlight.
Astrid was holding two glasses of juice, her sheer black dress swaying slightly as she walked.
Her black-stockinged legs rubbed against each other, producing a soft rustling sound, and the hollowed-out high heels sparkled with fragnted light under the moonlight.
"Here, for you."
As Astrid spoke, she handed the glass to Lyra, who reached out to take it. The mont her palm touched the glass, her eyes slightly widened in surprise.
The juice wasn’t as cold as she had expected; instead, it carried a noticeable warmth.
Had Princess Astrid... heated it with fire magic?
Seeing Lyra take the glass, Astrid smiled gently, leaning forward with her fair arms resting on the railing.
After taking a sip of the warm juice, Lyra felt her stomach warm up. She moistened her lips and spoke softly.
"I’ve been in the warm room for a while, so it’s not cold yet."
Hearing this, Astrid gently grasped Lyra’s exposed wrist, finding it smooth and delicate, almost devoid of warmth due to the cold wind.
Feeling Astrid’s hand on hers, Lyra’s ears turned slightly red, though the low outdoor temperature could easily explain it as the effect of the evening breeze.
The physical contact between them was fleeting. Astrid let go and smiled, leaning closer to Lyra, her breath warm and fragrant.
"Lying isn’t a good habit, Miss Lyra."
It was clear to anyone that sothing was on her mind.
Lyra remained silent for a mont before responding in a low voice.
"It’s a bit cold..."
"If it’s cold, why not go back? Don’t you like the atmosphere?" Astrid asked.
Hearing this, Lyra quickly shook her head, as if afraid of being misunderstood.
"No! I really enjoy being with everyone!"
Seeing Lyra’s sudden tension, Astrid took a sip of her juice, then brushed aside the silver hair covering her ear and spoke softly.
"So, you just wanted to co out and feel the breeze alone?"
Lyra nodded slightly, her gaze wandering into the night beyond the railing, sotis looking down at the golden and splendid the Capital below, sotis gazing at the bright moon and sparse stars in the sky.
"...I suddenly wanted to take a walk on the deck."
In truth, Lyra wasn’t sure why she felt this way. Everyone else was enjoying themselves, but after the brief excitent, she had inexplicably fallen into a lancholic mood.
Perhaps it was because the fireworks that had just lit up the sky were so intense, but after their montary brilliance, the sky returned to its quiet state.
The desolation after the grandeur had faded seed to stir up hidden negative emotions within her.
Elise was the maid who had grown up with Princess Astrid, holding a special place in her heart.
Amalia was Astrid’s nominal younger sister, and though they weren’t related by blood, their bond was stronger than most. Not to ntion Countess Charlotte, whom Astrid treated as her own.
Next year on this day, she would likely be celebrating at ho, while they would remain in the imperial capital, spending another New Year together.
That’s good... isn’t it?
The village atmosphere would be lively too, with her loving parents and familiar friends, but Lyra felt sothing was missing.
The more beautiful the present mont, the more it made her think about the uncertain future.
She would eventually leave the imperial capital, leave Princess Astrid, and return to her ordinary yet fulfilling life.
Everything she experienced in the palace would be nothing more than a dream.
A beautiful dream she sotis didn’t want to wake up from.
As she watched Astrid beside her, gently swaying her wine glass, her smooth silver hair fluttering in the evening breeze, Lyra felt even more unsettled.
Everyone was happy tonight, but she was lost in her own thoughts, coming out to the deck alone and worrying Princess Astrid.
I’m... such a troubleso person...
After a while, Lyra spoke up.
"Princess Astrid... maybe we should go back..."
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