If soone were to ask when the most bustling day in the Capital City is, the vast majority of people would answer that it is the start of the new year. That is the universally recognized date when the new era of humanity begins, and it is also the birthday that the Kingdom of Velys recognized as the day the God of Light descended into the world.
On the eve of its arrival, the residents of the imperial capital have already prepared for the warm-up. Whether they are nobles, knights, or commoners, everyone has their own way of celebrating.
In the West District, the noble residential area known for its prestigious status is now as bright as day. Hundreds and thousands of light attributes crystals are blooming with brilliance in transparent lampshades regardless of cost, illuminating the luxurious towers and pavilions.
The streets and alleys are filled with the beautiful lodies played by bands, sotis gentle and sotis solemn, like a combination of an organ and a wooden flute, providing a unique rhythm different from dance music for the swaying figures behind the windows.
On the other side, the East District, divided by the central avenue, is far less bright than the West District. The light from inferior candles and oil lamps is different from the holy white of light crystals, but rather a faint brownish yellow, like the paper pasted on the windows of the residences.
Although the two different colors of light form two distinct areas, at this mont, the aroma of coarse wheat beer from the East District blends into the evening breeze of the West District.
The oak harp in the hands of the bard resonates with the orchestral music played by the noble band. People of different statuses are all filled with the joy of the New Year, joining in this New Year’s gala outlined by the night.
In the palace, in the private garden of the Third Princess, Astrid watches the Fearless slowly crossing the sky in the night, her blood-red eyes shimring.
"Sister, what’s wrong?"
Noticing Astrid’s gaze lingering on the sky’s magic-powered giant ship, Amalia spoke softly.
"The iron rack is hot enough, you can put the skewers on now."
Hearing the little girl’s clear and cold voice, Astrid withdraws her gaze and responds softly.
"Yeah."
In the blink of an eye, it’s already her second year in this world, or rather, the second year since Astrid Calliste’s mories from her previous life awakened.
A different world from reality, the Valeria Empire, swords and magic...
Truly marvelous.
Watching the head maid place the prepared skewers on the iron rack, Astrid relaxed and placed her hand on Amalia’s head, gently stroking the girl’s ink-like smooth hair.
In the past year, with the help of so royal power, Elise developed the intelligence organization behind the Empire Weekly to a new height. Although it still couldn’t match the intelligence advantages accumulated over the years by the two princes, with the influence of the publication itself, this advantage is gradually being reduced.
At least in this small area of the imperial capital, Astrid can sense any slight change in the wind.
"Little Astr, what would you like to drink?"
A mature female voice reaches her ears. Astrid turned her gaze to Charlotte, who was wearing a close-fitting dark purple dress. The woman sat elegantly, her long, fair legs casually crossed. Although she wasn’t wearing stockings, her naturally beautiful fair skin still reflected a smooth and tempting luster. Silver tal hollow heels hang from her slender, jade-like feet, dignified and beautiful.
"Today, I’d like so red wine," Astrid says softly, her red eyes reflecting the countess’s face.
"What about you, Lady Charlotte?"
The woman blinks a few tis and gently replies, "Since Little Astr is drinking, then I’ll join you. Otherwise, it feels like sothing is missing."
Alcohol generally doesn’t bring good mories to Charlotte, as it easily reminds her of those tis when she was alone, drinking under the moon. Therefore, when dining with the younger generation, Charlotte prefers juice.
However, drinking a little in this atmosphere is quite fitting.
The bright red liquid pours from the bottle into the goblet, and the air is instantly filled with a sweet wine aroma. Noticing Amalia staring at the glass on the table, Astrid rubbed the little girl’s face and gently said, "Livia can’t drink yet. You’ll have to wait until after the coming-of-age ceremony to try it."
It’s normal for children to be curious about drinks they haven’t tasted before, but alcohol isn’t exactly a beneficial drink for the body, so it’s better to avoid it as much as possible.
Furthermore, in Astrid’s view, considering Amalia’s preference for sweets, she might not be interested in this low-sweetness, high-astringency wine with a slight bitterness. She will likely be disappointed when she tastes it in the future.
Amalia obediently looked away after hearing this. Elise promptly handed her a glass of grape juice, then continued to fiddle with the skewers on the rack.
On this rare holiday, the conversation between them is a bit more than usual. From the future developnt of magic-powered devices to next year’s academy life, Charlotte and Astrid chat intermittently.
"So, Lady Charlotte, you’ve already t the safety standards for magic-powered weapons as required by the law?"
"Yes, the recent problems have been solved. Next is the developnt of power, which is relatively easier."
"Is it the Rainbow Gathering Circle you ntioned last ti?"
"Exactly. It ensures that the nozzles won’t be damaged by the rapidly ejected flas and also protects the user from being burned by the residual heat to so extent."
A qualified magic-powered device takes at least one to two years from developnt to testing and then to being assigned to the army for soldiers to use. Charlotte’s progress wasn’t slow. If she continued at this pace, she should be able to pull together a decently powerful army before the Kingdom of Velys officially declares war.
As they talked, the head maid brushed so oil on the skewers and added so seasonings. The aroma suddenly bursts forth, whetting the appetite.
Looking at the skewers changing color on the iron rack, the sizzling sound of the at is like a dance tune on the taste buds. Charlotte took a sip of red wine and said softly, "This convenient way of eating brings back so mories."
"mories of when Lady Charlotte was still a student?"
Astrid thought Charlotte was referring to the experience of roasting food on wooden skewers during practical exams, which is sothing almost every academy student has done.
"Yes, but most of the ti right after graduation, during the period of training outside."
Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles. At that ti, she hadn’t yet beco a professor at the academy, nor had she received the title of countess. She was just a seeker of knowledge, yearning for the favor of the God of Magic, honing herself in the desolate Monster Mountains.
"This scent is really hard to resist."
Through the red-hot fire attribute crystals, Charlotte seems to see herself sitting around a campfire, waiting to reward herself with roasted food after a tiring day.
At that ti, she was still young, hadn’t witnessed the decay within the empire, and thought that everything could be solved by herself.
Seeing Charlotte’s thoughtful expression, Astrid didn’t disturb her but instead turned to look at Amalia, who was quietly waiting.
The girl was wearing a white bubble dress, holding a glass in both hands. Her lovely legs swaying slightly in the evening breeze.
"Livia will be sixteen next year."
At the age of sixteen, the most beautiful youth of a person, then she will gradually shed the naivety of her younger years and begin to mature step by step.
Compared to the Blonde tyrant in the original story who buried her youth in lonely years, Astrid is glad she was able to bring Amalia out of the castle. Even though it was a huge risk, with the slightest misstep potentially leading to disaster.
Looking at the gentle face under the moonlight, Amalia let Astrid stroke her head, leaning close like a docile cat, tilting her head to offer the best spot for her sister to rub.
"Sister..."
"Yes?"
"Happy New Year."
As soon as the words were spoken, Astrid felt a warmth on her cheek. Lowering her eyes, she saw Amalia’s hand gently covering her cheek.
This gesture is too proactive, not quite like a sister to a sister, but vaguely similar to the future emperor.
Astrid was slightly surprised, then saw Amalia withdraw her hand and instead gently wrapped her arm around her waist, a smooth and delicate white-stockinged leg rubbing against her knee.
"I’m glad you’re by my side," Amalia says.
The last ti they did this was at the top of the castle, where she and Livia chatted, ate delicious midnight snacks, and expressed their affection for each other.
Although the appearance, attire, and temperant have changed, Amalia could still feel that unique care from the actions of the person in front of her.
She is Amalia Valeria, Astrid Calliste’s sister, unrelated by blood, but no one can sever the connection between them.
Hearing this, Astrid didn’t say much but pinched the little girl’s smooth cheek. After a while, she spoke.
"Likewise."
Feelings are always mutual. Just as Amalia relied on her sister, Astrid also cherished this little sister she has co to know again.
The at is almost done. Elise sprinkles cumin and chili powder on the skewers, heats them up one last ti, and places them on the prepared plates.
"Ti to eat."
With the perfect and dashing head maid and barbecue master’s command, everyone picked up the skewers in front of them.
It has to be said, the head maid with full marks in housekeeping can still roast the at perfectly even though she hasn’t tried this cooking thod for a long ti. It’s not overly greasy, nor is it tough when bitten. With the seasoning powder Astrid specifically requested, the taste is absolutely superb.
After eating a few skewers of beef, Elise was about to get up to refill Amalia’s glass when she saw Astrid take off her gloves and pour the drink for Amalia herself.
"..."
Seeing the look in her princess’s eyes, which ant to focus on the al and relax, not to constantly watch over them, Elise remained silent for a mont. Her dark eyes looked at the plate in front of her, and after a few seconds, she picked up a skewer of roasted potato slices and gently brought it to her lips.
Chatting while eating, the fire attribute crystals under the barbecue grill emit hot air, dispelling the chill in the garden.
"By the way, Little Astr."
Feeling that her lips are quite greasy, Charlotte wipes them with a silk handkerchief, then leans down to sip the red wine from the rim of the glass.
"Is Miss Lyra ho?"
Hearing this familiar na, Astrid nodded slightly and gently replied, "Yes, she went ho for the New Year."
"After all, she’s been in the imperial capital for two years. If she doesn’t go back to visit, her family will be worried sick."
That makes sense. Charlotte nodded, then suddenly thought of sothing and continued, "Speaking of which, I always feel that Little Astr is sotis surprisingly perceptive."
"Perceptive?"
"Yes."
Through the bright red glass, Charlotte looked at Astrid and said gently, "It’s like you have an inexplicable confidence in Lyra, as if you know she will definitely beco an outstanding mage in the future."
When everyone thought Lyra’s elental affinity was poor, it was Astrid who later proposed a re-asurent. Facing any difficult tests or assessnts, Astrid always instinctively believed that Lyra could do it. This kind of confidence Astrid shows towards Lyra sotis even Charlotte finds unfounded.
Moreover, this perceptiveness wasn’t just towards Lyra but also in many other things, such as the choice of political allies. Astrid seems to know who should be approached and who shouldn’t.
"Really?" Astrid shook the goblet slightly and said softly, "Perhaps it’s because I believe that soone as hardworking as Lyra deserves the results she should get."
Among the freshn of this year in the Elizabeth Academy of Magic, Lyra is one of the hardest working.
After hearing Astrid’s answer, Charlotte still had so doubts in her heart, but she didn’t continue the topic, just nodded in agreent.
"Lyra does possess the basic qualities to beco an excellent mage."
"Outstanding talent, a strong desire to explore knowledge, and the willpower to persist in learning over the long term."
"Her future achievents should not be underestimated."
As a teacher, Charlotte naturally likes such a promising student.
As they ate and chatted, after so ti, a deep bell sound echoed through the Capital.
In an instant, the night sky becos bright. Everyone in the gazebo looks up at the sa ti. Above the palace, countless fireworks burst, their dazzling lights illuminating the entire sky.
The New Year has arrived.
Countless people, filled with anticipation and joy, put down their wine glasses or their dance partners’ hands and look up at the sky at the sa ti.
In the north of the empire, near the border, in an ordinary small village, the dazzling brilliance blooms in those sky-blue eyes.
Dressed in casual clothes, Lyra stood at the village entrance, her hand emitting a soft light as if holding the moon and stars.
Behind her are many villagers who have gathered spontaneously to watch the fireworks.
Increasing the transmission of ntal power, the fireworks in the sky beco even brighter, bursting at the extre point and scattering, the falling flas and drifting light spots like teors streaking across the night sky.
Feeling the light falling into her eyes and the villager cheering for the fireworks beside her, Lyra quietly pursed her lips and began to prepare the next fireworks spell.
Although she and Astrid were now separated, Lyra firmly believed that at this mont when the village bell rings, the imperial princess in the distant capital is also looking up at the sa starry sky.
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