Princess’s Struggle for Survival

Exchanging a glance with Astrid and understanding her silent approval, Elise bowed slightly and continued to stand by, waiting for the muffins to bake.

Lyra set down the ingredients and fetched a few bowls to prepare the mixture.

She cracked four eggs, separating the yolks from the egg whites, and kept only the whites.

Following Elise's previous steps to make cream, she vigorously whisked the egg whites in one direction until they foamed.

Then, she added a spoonful of sugar and poured in a whole bottle of milk.

Astrid sat on the sidelines, watching Lyra focus intently on the porcelain bowl in front of her.

Outside, the sun shone brightly, its light streaming through the window and falling on the dark brown wooden floor.

The air was filled with a rich, sweet fragrance, and occasionally, a warm breeze brushed through her hair from behind, creating a comfortable, almost intoxicating atmosphere.

Listening to the rhythmic sound of eggs being beaten and the girl's slightly labored breathing from the effort, Astrid gently crossed her black silk-clad legs, a faint smile playing at the corner of her lips.

Although it was supposed to be a holiday for Lyra and Elise, Astrid found herself enjoying a rare break from her usual busy schedule.

Sometimes, Astrid couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy for the original Astrid.

At least that person didn't have to worry about the future.

Every day was spent indulging in shopping, eating, and idling away her time.

She was of noble status, doted on by her father, and if not for her brother's scheming nature, she might have even enjoyed the illusion of a perfect sibling relationship, complete with a dreamy suitor like Tristian.

If only her temper had been a bit more restrained, if she hadn't offended the heroine blessed by fate and the future emperor, if she hadn't strained her relationship with Charlotte, and if she hadn't been foolish enough to do those despicable things for Lucas, perhaps she wouldn't have met such a tragic end.

Amalia, the Velmont family, the impending rise of Emperor Hibbort, and the kingdom of Velys—countless fragments of information swirled in Astrid's mind.

She thought of the strange death barrier and the shadowy figure Charlotte had mentioned, something so unsettling that even Astrid had felt a flicker of fear when Charlotte had shared her bed that night.

Clink.

The sound of the porcelain dish scraping against the table brought Astrid back to the present.

Elise's Tallinn cake was ready.

Astrid shook her head, chiding herself for getting lost in thoughts of a future that still felt so distant.

She had almost missed the beauty of the moment right in front of her.

"Miss Astrid, would you like to try it?" Elise offered.

Astrid slipped on her gloves, took the now slightly cooled Tallinn cake, and brought it to her lips for a small bite.

The sweet jam paired with the soft cake created an indescribable delight on her taste buds.

"Miss Lyra, would you like to try it too?"

"Hmm... I'll eat later."

Seeing that Lyra was too busy whisking the cream to stop, Astrid picked up a piece of Tallinn cake and gently brought it to Lyra's lips.

Lyra's ears turned red at the sight of the black silk-gloved hand in front of her, but she didn't refuse.

She silently lowered her head and accepted Astrid's offering.

It wasn't the first time, after all...

After finishing the Tallinn cake, the next task was Lyra's ice cream.

It had taken half the morning to prepare the cream, with a break for lunch in between.

Then, using ice magic, the mixture had been frozen for three hours in the afternoon, finally ready by four or five o'clock.

Astrid held the lunchbox, watching as a thin white mist rose from the surface of the cream ice cream.

Lyra had even drawn a bear pattern on top with a spoon.

Visually, it looked quite appealing, but the real test would be in the taste.

Picking up a spoon, Astrid gently scooped a portion.

Under Lyra's eager gaze, she brought the spoon to her lips and took a careful taste.

The milk flavor was rich and strong, and the sweetness was almost overwhelming.

She had been lost in thought all afternoon and hadn't paid much attention to how much sugar Lyra had added.

Judging by the taste, it must have been quite a lot.

After tasting it carefully, Astrid found the flavor to be average, not as good as the treats she had enjoyed in her previous life, nor as delightful as the ice cream sold near the palace entrance.

However, seeing the anticipation in Lyra's eyes and the way her fingers nervously twisted together, Astrid couldn't bring herself to voice such a critique.

"It's delicious, Lyra," Astrid said instead.

At the very least, the sincerity and effort behind the dessert were something no roadside stall could ever replicate.

As expected, Lyra's blue eyes crinkled slightly at the corners, and she clasped her hands behind her back, clearly pleased.

"If you like it!"

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To Dear Father and Mother,

It has only been a month, but it feels like I haven't written to you in a long time.

I am currently in a bedroom in the Imperial Capital.

By the time this letter reaches you, it will likely be late spring, and I will have spent my second month away from home in the imperial capital.

In my last letter, I mentioned the Elizabeth Academy of Magic. Unfortunately, due to some unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to enroll in time.

However, I was fortunate enough to meet a noble lady named Astrid Calliste, who kindly took me in and arranged for me to join the academy next year.

Miss Astrid is a wonderful person.

You need not worry about my food and clothing. Miss Astrid's household was short of staff, so she asked me to serve as a housekeeper, handling various chores.

The work is quite manageable, similar to what I used to do at the cake shop, but the conditions are much better.

I am provided with food and lodging, along with a monthly commission of ten gold coins.

Due to certain regulations, I am unaware of the salaries of other maids, but I assume there isn't a significant difference.

Miss Astrid's family is well-known in the imperial capital, and they have the means to offer such generous compensation.

I am deeply grateful for her kindness and assistance.

Praise Miss Astrid.

Come to think of it, I haven't described Miss Astrid to you in detail.

She is eighteen years old, having recently completed her coming-of-age ceremony, and she is exceptionally beautiful.

Her hair is a unique silver-white, which looks stunning in the sunlight. It is incredibly soft and smooth to the touch.

Her hair is much longer than mine, cascading down to her waist, yet she manages it effortlessly. I wish I could have hair like hers.

In addition to her silver hair, Miss Astrid has another distinctive feature: her eyes.

They are a transparent, clear dark red, somewhat reminiscent of the rabbit we once caught at home, but far more beautiful.

Her pale complexion complements her eyes perfectly, making her look even more striking.

Though she has a cool demeanor, she is genuinely kind-hearted.

By the way, Miss Astrid is also an excellent cook. She has a unique cooking style.

The method she uses is quite different from what we are used to.

She adds a variety of ingredients and creates flavors unlike anything we've had at home.

I've had the pleasure of learning a few dishes from her, such as chicken with creamy mushroom, grilled eggplant, sweet and sour grilled pork, and scrambled eggs with tomatoes.

While my attempts aren't as good as hers, they still taste quite nice. I look forward to cooking these dishes for you when I return.

Speaking of cooking, there's something I think you'll particularly enjoy, Mother.

Miss Astrid uses certain plants typically reserved for potion-making in her cooking.

These plants add a flavor similar to a mix of ginger, black pepper, but with a much spicier kick.

Eating too much can even make your stomach burn!

Since you love spicy food, Mother, I'm sure you'll appreciate this.

I've included a small bag of these seasoned spices, called black peppers, in the envelope.

Aside from cooking, I've also been focusing on my studies.

Miss Astrid is highly skilled in magical knowledge. Whenever I encounter issues with spellcasting, she can quickly identify the problem and guide me.

With her help, I've successfully advanced to the level of a low-level Apprentice.

Additionally, under the guidance of another head maid named Elise, my physical training has progressed, and I've reached the level of an Intermediate Knight.

Elise is a Peak Master Knight, even stronger than the village Chief's son. She is only twenty-five years old, which is quite impressive.

I don't know if I'll be able to reach the level of a Master Knight by the time I'm twenty-five.

I've heard that the graduation standard at the Elizabeth Academy of Magic is to become a low-level Grand Knight or a low-level Sorcerer.

It would be a shame if I couldn't complete my studies by then.

Since coming to the imperial capital, I've realized that I might not be as talented as I once thought...

I've rambled on about myself for a while now.

How is everything at home? Are you both in good health?

I've sent back a little money, nine gold coins in total, so that Father can buy higher-quality coarse ale.

But remember not to drink too much; it's not good for your health.

Mother, you shouldn't spend so much time on needlework each day.

It's hard on your eyes. Make sure to rest well at night.

Use the remaining money to buy a few more lambs; they'll provide some income in the future.

I don't need much money here, so there's no need to send any to me.

Working with Miss Astrid for a year will allow me to save a significant amount, enough for my passage home and daily expenses in the future.

How are Grim and Fang? Have they gotten fat recently? I haven't touched them in so long; I wonder if their fur is still as soft as when I left.

If they've lost weight, it might not feel as nice to pet them.

I'll buy them something nice to eat and visit them when I return home.

Please take care of yourselves and rest well. I'm doing fine here.

With love,

Your daughter,

Lyra Beckett

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Lyra put down the quill and read the letter from beginning to end, ensuring that nothing written would unnecessarily worry her parents.

Satisfied, she breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

She had initially wanted to write about how much she missed them, but she couldn't return home immediately, and expressing such feelings would only deepen her longing. In the end, she decided against it.

Upon rereading the letter, she noticed that she had devoted the most ink to describing Princess Astrid.

After folding the letter neatly and placing it into an addressed envelope, Lyra added nine gold coins and a packet of black peppers into a small leather bag.

She then stood up and left the bedroom with her belongings.

The nearest mailbox to the palace was located near the Elizabeth Academy of Magic.

Lyra walked alone for a while, carefully placing her items into the mailbox.

As she stood before the dark green mailbox, its painted metal shell glowing faintly, Lyra paused for a moment, lost in thought.

Then, she turned away and began her walk back.

The streets were alive with the hustle and bustle of people and carriages.

In the afternoon, a postman arrived to open the mailbox and retrieve the heavy envelope inside.

As the girl's letter began its journey, filled with well-wishes and concern, the wind carried with it the traveler's growing thoughts, slowly taking root over time.