Late at night, in the luxurious mansion where the Empress of the Valeria Empire was staying, Lyra lay on the soft bed, gazing at the ceiling. A large, ornate crystal chandelier hung beneath the ceiling, its translucent base reflects the fluffy blanket and white sheets. Her eyes lingered, as if observing a miniature replica of another world.

Having finished reading her spellbook and just stepped out of the bath, she had changed from her day clothes into a snug nightgown. Now tucked beneath the covers, Lyra should have been quietly waiting for sleep to come.

But listening to the clock on the wall ticking steadily, the house, quieter than usual, felt increasingly vast beneath the moonlight. Beneath the quilt, there was no warmth except her own. A deep, lonely feeling welled up within Lyra’s mind.

At this time every night, Astrid should have already finished her work, lying beside her, leaning against the headboard, reading books on magic under the warm glow of the bedside lamp before finally drifting off to sleep.

Of course, there were days when things ran a little busier. On such days, the ever-busy regent might only just have finished her duties, gone to the bath, and now sat on the edge of the bed in a pure black silk nightgown, carefully combing her silvery, smooth, waterfall-like long hair.

Fingers gently clutching the edge of the blanket, inhaling the calming incense wafting through the air, Lyra blinked, her thoughts drifting aimlessly.

Indeed, without Astrid, sleeping alone felt so unfamiliar.

Back in White Maple Town, she could still force herself into slumber by claiming military urgency; she had to preserve her energy as the commander-in-chief.

But now, far from war, her relaxed mind made emotional needs especially pronounced.

If only Astrid were here. They wouldn’t need to speak or embrace. Just inhaling her lover’s fragrance, feeling the rhythm of her breath, she would fall asleep instantly.

Soft cotton rolled between her fingertips. Thinking that Astrid and Amalia were just one wall away, Lyra slightly turned her body, shifting from lying on her back to lying on her side, her eyes fixed on the pure white wall with the large bookshelf.

What were they doing now...

After such a long separation, they probably wouldn’t be asleep earlier than her.

Most likely, they were pouring out sisterly affection, expressing their longing through words and touch.

In truth, Lyra’s guess wasn’t entirely wrong. However, the way the two former princesses expressed their emotions was far more intimate than she imagined, so much so that the bed sheets were tangled into a mess.

After staring at the wall for a while, Lyra’s inner emptiness hadn’t diminished at all. In fact, she wasn’t sure if it was psychological, but she felt the traces of Astrid’s presence in the air were fading. That faint, clean rose-like fragrance was slowly being replaced by the incense.

If this continued, soon she wouldn’t sense it at all.

Could it... last just a little longer? Could it wait until she fell asleep before fading?

The moment the thought arose, Lyra suddenly remembered that the Light Sword inside her body was currently sharing storage space with Astrid. It also held some of Astrid’s belongings, including clothes she intended to wear when going out.

[But if you’re storing clothes and such, Lyra, remember to leave me a few clean ones.]

[Especially skirts and stockings... don’t go and dirty them all, okay~]

The teasing, gentle female voice echoed in her mind, accompanied by the image of Astrid’s smile and expression as she said it. Lyra’s hand clenched tightly, and even her delicate, alabaster toes beneath the blanket curled unconsciously.

Astrid really had given her permission to do this... to use her clothes as emotional comfort when they couldn’t be together...

No, "permission" might not be precise enough. It was Astrid who had told her to do it, Astrid who had suggested it as a helpful aid.

That wasn’t just permission. It was encouraging!

The sword-shaped light mark on her fingernail, sensing its master’s inner turmoil, softly flickering in the dim room.

Lyra felt her cheeks burning strangely, a wave of uncontrollable embarrassment rushing through her entire body.

This feeling... was so strange...

Astrid’s possessions had to pass through the hands of the storage space’s owner, being scanned via mana and converted into light particles before being stored in the immaculate Light Sword. As the holder, Lyra naturally knew every detail, style, texture, everything, down to the last thread.

Now recalling them, those slightly revealing outfits seemed to overlap in her mind with their wearer, black lace and proud white blending together, sheer black stockings hugging a pair of slender, well-proportioned legs. The silver-haired regent’s delicate, beautiful face carries a hint of allure and seduction, sitting on the bed, smiling faintly at her.

Imagination was a magician’s essential skill, but not for this!

Her racing heartbeat snaps Lyra out of her fantasy. Before her eyes remained only the soft, brownish-gray blanket and the cold moonlight spilling onto the carpet. There was no silver-haired beauty who had shed her noble attire, wearing nothing more risqué than a set of lingerie.

You’re so degenerate, Lyra...

Astrid’s been away for just one night, and you’re already thinking such messy things?

But she already agreed, didn’t she?

It’s too early. At least wait one more day... Are you really that impatient?

Wait one more day for what? It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, Astrid herself said it, satisfying herself, releasing stress, there’s no need to feel guilty.

But... doing it too often isn’t good either...

Too often? People need to try. How long has it been since Astrid last helped you? Do you still need someone to hold your hand and guide you like a little kid?

"..."

Two completely different voices fiercely debated within Lyra’s heart. Although their opinions differed, the speaker was unmistakably her own familiar self.

Minutes passed. Lyra buried her crimson face into the pillow, her teeth tightly biting her lips, turning the light pink petals nearly white.

At first, she only wanted Astrid’s presence to linger a little longer. How did it turn into this?

Even... for a brief moment, she actually considered grabbing a pillow and going next door to ask Astrid if she could sleep beside her...

What would she do there? Ruin the sisters’ long-awaited reunion by being a third wheel?

Besides, doing that would plainly tell Astrid she was the clingy type who couldn’t sleep a single night without seeing her.

That level of dependence... compared to little Amalia, she might even be worse...

Rolling around in bed several more times, her hair now disheveled, Lyra drowsily sat up, walked to the edge of the bed, and blew on her face with a warm breeze. Her bare, soft white feet gently pushed through the blanket until she found her slippers and put them on.

She clearly couldn’t fall asleep like this. Maybe going outside for some fresh air would help, then return to bed later.

Anyway, she had warming magic on her side. She wouldn’t catch a cold.

Picking up the black hairband from the nightstand, she gently tied her pink hair and tucked it behind. Lyra stood up and left the warm bedroom.

Late autumn, early winter. The outdoor temperature dropped sharply compared to indoors. Continuous night winds brushed against Lyra’s cheeks, bringing threads of cold.

Outside the bedroom faces a garden. Since the Empress of the Valeria Empire was staying here, Elise had specially issued a new rule: after nine o’clock at night, most maids should rest in their own rooms and not move around freely. Only a small number needed to stay in the waiting hall for her orders, in case of emergencies requiring the maid squad’s intervention.

Because of this, Lyra saw no one in the corridor, only flowers and tree branches swaying gently in the moonlit garden, carried by the night breeze.

Although the temperature had dropped significantly, the outdoor air was indeed much fresher than inside the bedroom.

Her delicate arms resting on the marble railing, body slightly leaning, Lyra crossed her legs, her gaze sweeping across the garden gazebo. After a while, her eyes unconsciously shifted to the side.

That ordinary-looking door.

..............

Inside the bedroom, Amalia’s cheeks were deeply flushed. Her knees, clad in creamy white stockings, were damp with sweat, becoming slightly translucent. Her calves were parted, resting behind her, her entire posture resembles a "duck sit."

Humans were visual creatures, at all times.

After bathing, she had originally worn only a pure white nightgown. But after talking so much with Astrid and learning the general situation, the clothes she had prepared in advance and stored within the imperial scepter now served their purpose.

Fortunately, Amalia had considered everything before leaving the capital, not only aesthetics, but also practicality, including comfort and convenience.

Now that Astrid had gone to bathe, she would return to clean the sheets, then it would be Amalia’s turn to wash, saving time while avoiding making anyone wait.

Listening to the steady water sounds from the bathroom just one door away, thinking of what had just happened, Amalia stretched her softened legs, lightly placing her fingers on her shoulder to adjust the slipped thin white strap.

Compared to the stormy night of her coming-of-age ceremony, tonight was merely a gentle ripple.

But... for her, it was enough...

The only pity was that her sister still refused to accept her help.

Even after becoming this close, she still wouldn’t let her younger sister cross that line.

So... her guess must be correct...

Someone else was the key.

Her tongue moistened her glossy, warm lips. Her mouth still seemed to carry a sweet, refreshing aftertaste. Amalia lifts the soundproof magic barrier and uses arcane magic to transmit her voice into the bathroom, speaking to Astrid.

"Sister, I’m going outside for some air."

After intense physical activity, her body felt sticky. Although Amalia had quickly replenished the lost fluids, the sensation of the damp nightgown clinging to her skin was still unpleasant.

"..."

After a brief silence, Astrid’s voice came.

"You’ve sweated so much. You’re very susceptible to cold. Use fire-element magic to keep warm. Don’t catch a cold."

"Mm, I will."

Having spoken, Amalia summoned a warm breeze around her body. The faint fluctuation of fire element particles was easily transmitted to Astrid’s senses.

Confirming that Amalia had listened and wouldn’t recklessly rush out into the cold, Astrid continued bathing, speaking softly.

"Just stay outside the house. I’ll finish my bath, change the sheets, and call you."

"Okay, sister."

Amalia straightened her legs. Her moon-shaped, white-stockinged feet stepped into slippers, completely unaware of their recent dance under moonlight.

Opening the door, cold air rushed in. Amalia, whose cheeks hadn’t fully lost their blush, saw Lyra nearby, a pink-haired girl in a nightgown, just as beautiful as herself.

And Lyra, who had been staring blankly at the door, naturally noticed Amalia, who had just finished her "battle."

The atmosphere froze strangely for a few seconds. Lyra looked at Amalia. Amalia looked back. After a moment, the white-stockinged girl spoke first.

"Did Lyra also find the room a bit stuffy and come out for some air?"

Why is she outside... Could it be that she’s been here all along...

Thinking carefully, given the Holy Knight’s upright and honest character, she probably didn’t have the bad habit of eavesdropping.

Her thoughts racing, realizing she had only turned off the soundproof barrier half a minute ago, Amalia felt both relieved and slightly disappointed.

"Mmm." Lyra replied softly, her gaze quietly resting on Amalia’s slightly flushed cheeks.

Perceptive as she was, she suddenly noticed the subtle difference between the golden-haired girl before her and the imperial empress from earlier in the day.

At this moment, Amalia seemed gentler, completely non-threatening. Her expression and eyes lacked their usual sharpness, as if melting ice had turned into warm water.

Was it because she had talked deeply with Astrid... that she became like this?

Compared to the dignified empress, under the night sky, Amalia truly resembled a little sister doted on by her elder sister.

"I see..." Amalia spoke gently, her blue eyes still fixed on Lyra.

Sister and Lyra’s relationship was still at that stage.

In that case... should she...

Lowering her gaze, Amalia looked at the faint red mark on the left side of her collarbone, partially covered by the thin white strap. A flicker of thought passed through her eyes.

Meanwhile, Lyra, unsure what to say to Amalia, stood slightly stunned, silent for a few seconds.

Besides their roles as sovereign and subject, the biggest connection between them is Astrid Calliste, who usually serves as the bridge between them.

If she were to say anything, it should probably be related to Astrid.

Thinking thus, Lyra spoke softly.

"By the way, Amalia."

"Earlier, Astrid left a book with me. If it’s okay, could you return it to her?"

"A book?"

"Mm. While waiting for the airship today, Astrid left it with me."

Hearing this, Amalia suddenly realized, taking up the conversation.

"During that time Sister didn’t have a storage item..."

"Did she keep everything with you, Lyra?"

Even her clothes?