When Charlotte spoke of lacking boundaries, she likely meant how Evelyn always said things that easily sparked imagination, and did things that easily caused misunderstandings.

For example, she often implied in conversation that taking things a step further would be acceptable, or even outright gifted her bedroom key as a present, deliberately arranging ambiguous times suitable for private meetings, blurring the recipient’s understanding of their relationship.

If this were someone more easily aroused, like Lucas, buried a year ago, faced with such an assertive and beautiful mature woman, he’d probably have already schemed to claim this linguistics professor.

Only because Evelyn was facing Astrid, who avoided romantic entanglements, and who, counting both her past and present lives, had no less life experience than Evelyn herself, could she remain entirely unaffected, even often turning the tables on the other instead of ending up like Lyra did back then, a Holy knight blushing and flustered at every turn.

"It feels like a long time ago, I remember hearing Lady Charlotte say something similar."

Hearing Charlotte, Astrid gently teased.

"Lady Charlotte... could it be you’re jealous of her...?"

Back when she was taking advanced linguistics, Astrid had frequently visited Evelyn’s office and home. At the time, Charlotte had prepared her not to pick up bad habits from the other woman.

Looking back now, these two imperial beauties of mature elegance, one alluring and enchanting, the other dignified and noble, seemed to be silently competing in some way.

Hearing this, Charlotte narrowed her tea-colored eyes. Under the blanket, her long, smooth legs, like polished jade, gently squeezed Astrid’s knees.

"Little Astr... truly disrespectful...."

"Daring to tease your elders now?"

Perhaps truly struck by something, Astrid couldn’t see the watery gleam beneath Charlotte’s long lashes, but her snow-white, delicate face flushed faintly pink, the delicate breath from her pretty nose making her even more beautiful as she spoke.

"I just think Evelyn is already at her age, yet still so irresponsible." Charlotte spoke softly.

To say so many provocative things to Astrid, and then behind her back, secretly boast about it as if implying she herself was more favored by this junior, anyone would feel a faint sense of threat creeping in. Especially so for Charlotte, who always felt she owed Astrid something.

And now that Astrid had clearly defined her sexual orientation, it was even less appropriate for the aunt to stay close to Evelyn.

Sensing the faint scent of jealousy in the air, Astrid’s lips curled into a gentle smile as she replied softly.

"Alright, I’ll follow Lady Charlotte’s wishes and keep my distance from her."

The way she said it made it sound as if she, the younger aunt, were jealous of Evelyn and wanted to keep her beloved junior close, keeping others away.

Hearing this, Charlotte peeked at Astrid, then after a long pause, softly spoke.

"It’s for your own good, Little Astr."

"The Empress, and Lyra... they certainly wouldn’t want you constantly spending time with her."

Sharing a partner was never easy. From Charlotte’s understanding of Lyra, the pink-haired girl might seem gentle and fragile, but in truth, her character was incredibly resilient. That she had accepted Astrid having Amalia in addition to herself was already surprising enough.

As for Amalia...

If the Empire Weekly hadn’t been pushing a narrative of harmonious royal sisters and close familial bonds, given her attitude toward Astrid, idle gossips would long ago have spun scandalous rumors and whispered behind closed doors, Amalia showed absolutely no interest in becoming a consort, yet constantly stayed with the Empire’s Crown Princess. Even if they were close sisters, they shouldn’t have zero boundaries, let alone sleep together every single night.

Hearing Charlotte’s words, Astrid nodded, brushing a strand of silver hair aside, her tone serious.

"Hmm, I understand."

It makes sense. If she kept flirting with others, even unintentionally, her pink-haired little knight and her fiercely possessive cold tsundere sister would certainly never forgive her.

Tonight’s battle had been a clear warning, Amalia alone was already overwhelming. Adding Lyra into the mix, even if Astrid were made of iron, she’d be unable to endure the onslaught.

Meanwhile, Charlotte suddenly realized she had placed herself in the same position as Amalia and Lyra, her ears turning slightly warm. Her lashes dipped low as she waited half a minute before speaking.

"In any case, just keep it in mind."

She trusted her niece wasn’t anyone careless.

"Of course..." Astrid replied softly.

"Besides, even though Professor Evelyn loves saying strange things, in my eyes..."

"Her charm isn’t even half of Lady Charlotte’s~"

"After all, Lady Charlotte is the most beautiful sister I’ve ever seen. Not just your looks, but your personality are wonderful too."

Her gentle words drifted into Charlotte’s ears, the tender, sweet trailing tone seemed to carry the faint breathy moan from just moments ago.

"..."

Astrid probably meant ’attraction,’ right?

Wait... no matter how she listened, it sounded like she’d just jumped from Evelyn’s topic solely to flatter her...

A brief surge of electricity ran through her heart. The noble beauty with dark hair and tea-colored eyes shot Astrid an angry glance and murmured.

"I’m practically old and haggard. Little Astr, don’t say things just to make me happy."

"Hmm? How could that be?" Astrid blinked, her voice coquettish.

"I remember, Lady Charlotte, you’ve had many suitors. You just didn’t like any of them, so you turned them all down."

In terms of looks, Charlotte Ashkater would definitely rank in the top five of the original novel, when she first appeared, Lyra’s perspective described Charlotte as "a noble and icy lady, like a rare orchid."

Hearing this, Charlotte lightly pinched Astrid’s waist, only to hear the other let out a soft, cat-like moan.

"Mmm~"

"???"

She had only pinched her waist. She hadn’t done anything strange.

Why was Astrid... so sensitive...

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

After a long, awkward silence, Charlotte pressed her pink lips together, her fingers resting near the shoulder strap of the silver-haired girl’s nightgown, barely half an inch from her delicate skin.

Everything that had happened tonight had been too overwhelming. Even as the most innovative leader of the reformist faction, someone open to new ideas, she struggled to process such a rapid series of changes.

Especially at the end, Astrid had never acted like this before.

Could it be she hadn’t fully come down from her state yet... and her body still carried lingering sensations...

Had it truly been... that good...

"..."

Just as Astrid closed her eyes to rest, the mature beauty beside her spoke softly.

"Astrid..."

"I’m here, Lady Charlotte."

After a brief pause, she heard Charlotte’s voice, softer than ever.

"I’m actually... quite curious... What does being in love feel like?"

Perhaps discussing such a topic with a younger relative was inappropriate, so Charlotte’s words were slightly subdued, as if she didn’t want Astrid to hear clearly.

But since she’d asked, it was clear that Charlotte, who had never experienced love, truly wanted to know.

"That day, you told me you’d established relationships with Lyra and Amalia."

"Besides you, Little Astr... I’ve been observing Lyra’s condition too."

"When that girl saw me emerge, she was so nervous."

Her hands clutching her pink-white dress, her face faintly flushed, her slender legs, wrapped in soft white stockings, pressed tightly together, completely losing the resilient aura of the Holy Light Knight she once displayed on the battlefield.

She was entirely a simple girl, full of worries, unsure if she’d gain parental approval.

And it wasn’t just Lyra, Astrid, after falling in love, had also changed. At least from Charlotte’s perspective, the ease and comfort she radiated when with her two life partners was impossible to hide.

It wasn’t like normal noble socializing, nor was it like her interactions with Charlotte as an elder. It was a feeling Charlotte couldn’t quite put into words.

She had no romantic experience, never even a secret crush. She couldn’t offer advice from experience, nor truly empathize. But one thing Charlotte was certain of, Astrid was happier now. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

She could naturally express affection for Lyra in front of her, could openly dote on Amalia without hesitation, as if she were soaking in honey every day.

Unlike before, though she’d always seemed emotionally stable, constantly busy, with few close relationships to support her, she’d been like a solitary traveler walking through the world.

Yes... a lonely traveler...

Even though Astrid had her, her little aunt, the reliable Head Maid, a younger sister to care for, and little maids she could tease at will, Charlotte always felt she was still walking alone.

"What does being in love feel like?"

Astrid’s words interrupted Charlotte’s thoughts. The silver-haired, crimson-eyed Imperial Princess tilted her head, her cherry-pink lips parting slightly, her voice gentle.

"It’s not really anything special."

"The biggest change is... I have more motivation every day."

Although she had never slacked in exploring the world or rebuilding the Empire before, her mindset had certainly shifted.

She wanted Lyra Beckett to forever bloom like light, wanted Amalia Valeria to find her life’s purpose, wanted her little aunt to achieve her dreams, wanted the Head Maid to think more of herself.

She wanted all the people she cared for to find happiness.

"And also... emotional fulfillment...."

Seeing Lyra’s face flushed like evening clouds, her two white-stockinged feet twisting together nervously, smelling the faint soap scent on Amalia’s skin, holding warmth and softness in her arms.

After speaking, Astrid seemed to recall something and softly added.

"...The body too."

No need to separate them. Physical needs were part of love, nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to avoid like a venomous snake. When they arose, ignoring them selectively wasn’t necessary.

Besides... in terms of compatibility, she and Lyra and Amalia got along remarkably well...

Charlotte listened thoughtfully. Before she could speak, Astrid asked softly.

"Lady Charlotte... have you really been alone all these years...?"

From her perspective, neither Astrid’s original memories nor the original novel’s plot had ever provided any details about Charlotte in this regard.

"..."

After a long pause, Charlotte nodded.

"Yes."

During her youth, when emotions first stirred, she had immersed herself in countless magical studies, uninterested in romance.

Then in the blink of an eye, time had flowed like water. She had reached heights of millions of mages dreamed of, but in doing so, missed every possible youthful romance.

Gazing into Charlotte’s eyes, Astrid spoke gently.

"Then... does Lady Charlotte ever feel..."

"Lonely?"

The cool voice echoed across the bed. A single, simple word strikes Charlotte’s heart like a heavy hammer, making her spirit tremble.

Lonely... It was hard not to, like someone so isolated...

Especially in the past, during that period when their relationship had soured, Charlotte often drank alone under the moonlight. Sometimes, drunk, she’d sit on the bedroom carpet, her cheek resting against the bed, not even noticing when red wine soaked her skirt and stockings.

But right now, facing Astrid’s question, the last shred of elder authority prevents Charlotte from speaking the truth. She simply lowered her voice in reply.

"...A little."

Her like-minded friend lost beneath the abyss, her former comrade corrupted by decadent noble life and abandoning ideals.

Now, perhaps the only one she truly had left was the girl in her arms. In a way, Astrid Auscia was Charlotte’s second anchor to loving the world, besides her ideals.

Feeling she’d said a little too much, Charlotte lifted her hand to brush her hair, lips slightly pressed together.

"It’s nothing, Little Astr."

"I’ve spent so long alone in the past. This small emotion isn’t worth mentioning."

Maybe she really was getting older, becoming sentimental. Back in her early twenties, she’d believed love wasn’t necessary; the magical path was what she should devote her life to.

How had she ended up discussing such strange topics with her junior now?

"Let’s sleep, Astrid."

Gently patting Astrid’s back, Charlotte whispered.

"You’ve stayed up talking with me so long. It’s time to rest."

Even though she felt a bit strange tonight, someone might think she’d somehow gotten tangled in Astrid’s messy, complicated love life.

Hearing this, Astrid fluttered her lashes a few times, speaking softly.

"Hmm, Lady Charlotte."

"Let’s sleep."

"Good night~"

The light went out with the words, replaced by warm, soothing breaths.

A quarter hour passed. Astrid gazed at the long, snow-white neck of the beauty beside her under moonlight, strands of dark hair spilling across the pillow, refracting a soft, lustrous sheen.

"Good night... Dear Lady Charlotte..."

"If you ever truly feel lonely... you can come see me more often."

"I’ve said it before, my chambers will always have an open door for you."

After speaking, she saw the woman’s lashes tremble slightly, but her breathing remained steady.