CHAPTER 336: MONICA IS COMING TO VARELIS

With less than a week left before the end of the holiday, Astrid and her companions bid farewell to the Beckett couple and boarded a carriage bound for the Capital City.

Since she needed to stay in the imperial capital to study magical devices, Charlotte, as a professor at the academy, naturally couldn’t accompany the younger generation on their outing.

However, after not seeing Astrid for two months, she couldn’t help but worry about her. Thinking that the latter would be physically and mentally exhausted from the journey back to the imperial city, she decided to host a banquet to properly welcome her.

As they neared the imperial capital, the carriage didn’t enter the city but instead headed to a manor in the suburbs of the Capital City. When Astrid took the hand of the head maid and slowly stepped out of the carriage, the first thing she saw was the elegant figure waiting to greet her at the manor’s entrance.

Since Elizabeth Academy of Magic was on holiday, Charlotte hadn’t been going there much and thus wasn’t wearing her usual teacher’s robe. Instead, she had on a dark purple satin dress, the lightweight and soft fabric hugging her curvaceous figure. Her two long legs peeked out from under the skirt, and the setting sun reflected off the thin, transparent stockings covering her skin, giving off a warm and smooth sheen.

Further down were a pair of silver engraved high heels, which not only encased her snow-white feet but also accentuated her tall stature.

Seeing Astrid get out of the carriage, Charlotte quickly stepped forward.

"Welcome back, Little Astr."

Along with her words came a warm, fragrant hug.

Embracing her aunt, Astrid was surrounded by softness and a sweet scent. She leaned close to Charlotte’s ear and whispered softly.

"I missed you, Lady Charlotte."

If there was any difference in Astrid after regaining her memories, it was that she was more straightforward in expressing her emotions to those close to her. In other words, she was more direct.

Except with Lyra.

Hearing Astrid say this, Charlotte felt a warmth in her heart. Her gaze fell on Lyra and Amalia, who had also gotten out of the carriage, and she quickly let go.

"Me too, Little Astr."

As an elder, hugging for too long in front of others might not be appropriate. They could take their time to get closer later in bed.

After smoothing out her slightly disheveled skirt from the hug, Charlotte looked at the head maid, who had just finished discussing matters with the coachman, and spoke in a calm tone.

"You’ve all been on the road for two days and a night, so you must be tired."

"I’ve prepared a banquet in advance to welcome you all. After dinner, you can stay at the manor to rest before returning to the capital."

With half a week left before the new semester starts, there’s plenty of time to rest, so there’s no need to rush back.

Astrid changed back at Lyra, who had also been looking at her. Upon meeting her gaze, Lyra quickly lowered her head and looked at her Mary Jane shoes.

"Then I’ll trouble you, Lady Charlotte."

She also had something she wanted to discuss with Charlotte.

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

Several hours later, in Charlotte’s private bedroom, Astrid sat with her on the soft bed, breathing in the sweet scent emanating from the sheets while earnestly recounting her two-month life experience in Morin Village.

"It does sound relaxing. I’m a bit envious of your journey, Little Astr," Charlotte gently brushed her hair and casually placed her hand on her thigh.

Being submerged in magical devices research every day, even with her passion as a buffer, would eventually tire anyone out. She longed for a holiday where she didn’t have to think or use her brain.

Looking at the raven-haired beauty beside her, whose demeanor was as serene as an orchid but with a hint of fatigue in her eyes, Astrid placed her hand on the side of their touching legs and whispered softly.

"Before the new semester starts, Lady Charlotte, why not take a few days off and have a good rest?"

Seeing her caring elder so tired, she couldn’t help but feel a bit heartbroken.

Although Astrid’s suggestion was quite tempting, Charlotte just thought about it and let it pass. With the border in crisis and the previous batch of magical devices handed over to Duke Charles showing room for improvement after field tests, where would she find the time to rest?

"Alright, Little Astr, I’ll consider your words."

Suddenly thinking of something, Charlotte slowly crossed her long legs, the bright silver flickering faintly in the air. She glanced at Astrid, her pink lips parting slightly.

"But Little Astr, you’re really something... You didn’t even bother to write me a letter for such a long time..."

"Your words are sweet, calling me and saying you missed me..."

For two whole months, if she hadn’t deliberately kept an eye on Astrid’s situation, she wouldn’t have known that the latter would return today.

This little heartless one... How has she reverted to her old ways...

The old Astrid was the same, rarely initiating contact. Only when something suddenly happened would she remember her.

Like a few years ago, when Astrid wanted to switch Lyra’s admission spot, she initially didn’t plan to use royal power but instead relied on Charlotte’s identity to solve the problem more directly.

After not contacting each other for a long time, their first meeting was to discuss such a sensitive topic for Charlotte. The result could only be an unpleasant part. Charlotte had thought that Astrid would become a bit more sensible after that conversation and abandon such reckless ideas, but Astrid’s subsequent actions still disappointed her, leading to a further deterioration of their relationship.

Hearing the hint of resentment in Charlotte’s tone, Astrid curved her lips, her arm quietly wrapping around the other’s waist, her cheek resting on Charlotte’s smooth and rounded shoulder.

"It was indeed my oversight, I’m sorry, Lady Charlotte."

"How do you want me to make it up for you?"

Seeing the fair arm wrapped around her waist and the warm breath she could truly feel so close, Charlotte was momentarily started by Astrid’s initiative and directness, her rose-like lips slightly parting.

After a moment, Charlotte suppressed her emotions, covering Astrid’s hand on her waist, her voice carrying a rare hint of expectation.

"If you’re really sincere, then stay at the manor one more day tomorrow."

Consider it as spending more time with her.

Feeling the warmth from the back of her hand, Astrid fluttered her eyelashes a few times, leaning half against Charlotte.

"Alright, I’ll listen to Lady Charlotte."

In the past, they were both in the imperial capital. Although they didn’t see each other often, there were always opportunities to have dinner together or sleep together, so Astrid didn’t find it strange.

Now, after not seeing each other for two months and returning to Charlotte’s side, Astrid feels that her fiery aunt, whose personality was inversely proportional to her figure, had taken on another image.

Like a resentful young wife with unresolved worries?

Just thinking about it seemed a bit impolite, so Astrid quickly dismissed this strange thought and immediately heard Charlotte speak.

"...Little Astr, if you have things to do, go ahead. It’s not necessary to stay."

"Your own matters are the most important."

Rather than leaving free time to accompany her, Charlotte was more worried that Astrid would have to work twice as hard later to make up for her current relaxation.

She also knew that the imperial princess’s time wasn’t that abundant.

"My own matters are the most important?" Astrid softly repeated, her long eyelashes brushing against Charlotte’s shoulders.

"...What could be more important than deepening my relationship with Lady Charlotte?"

The cool female voice echoed in the quiet room, and Charlotte’s body stiffened slightly. The silver high heels hanging from her toes slipped off with her movement, falling to the floor with a soft thud.

Astrid didn’t say anything but continued to hug her, bending down to pick up the high heels and gently putting them back on for her.

"What’s wrong, Lady Charlotte?"

Admittedly, when Astrid said this, Charlotte’s heart warmed instantly, and she was overwhelmed with emotion.

"..."

Pretending to casually pat Astrid’s hand, Charlotte adjusted her breathing and uncrossed her legs, speaking in a very soft voice.

"Little Astr, you’ve become quite the smooth talker now."

It’s fine if she says it to an elder like her, but if she says it to other young girls, she would have probably already won them over.

"Just telling the truth..." Astrid added softly.

After chatting for a while, they finally got to the main topic. Astrid remembered that in the original story, during the second semester of the second year, Elizabeth Academy of Magic would hold an exchange competition.

Participants will not only include students from the academy itself but also representatives from Velmora Knight Academy, as well as exchange students from Kingdom of Velvys and the Pan-Human Alliance.

As the relationship between the Kingdom of Velvys and Valeria became increasingly tense, exchanges between the two countries dwindled. This competition could be considered the last diplomatic exchange between the two sides during peacetime.

"Lady Charlotte, regarding the exchange competition next semester, have you gotten the attendance list from Kingdom of Velvys?"

In the novel, Lyra made a name for herself in this competition, allowing more people to witness the Light Sword, which subsequently leads to the following plot of it being coveted.

Now that Lyra has the protection of the imperial princess, she naturally wouldn’t face those melodramatic scenarios, but Astrid wasn’t worried about that.

Since awakening, she had altered countless plotlines from the original story, with the land becoming barren and the journey to Monster Mountains being the most crucial.

The girl in the black robe was undoubtedly the connecting point of these two core plotlines. Her existence was related to ancient spells and had intricate connections with the Light Sword in the hands of the destined female lead. Her final whereabouts were likely heading to the other side of the continent, to the human kingdom known as Velvys.

"The list? Why are you suddenly asking about this?"

Hearing this, Charlotte propped her chin with one hand, thought for a moment, and replied.

"The Pan-Human Alliance has already confirmed their list, but Kingdom of Velvys’s list hasn’t been fully decided yet. Perhaps the severe situation at the border has affected their decision-making."

"If you’re really curious, Little Astr, I can tell you what I know so far."

As the imperial princess, this information should be transparent to her. Charlotte wouldn’t be overstepping by telling her.

Seeing Astrid nod, Charlotte then recalled the preliminary list and truthfully told her about a few promising students.

After listening, Astrid fell into thought, her cold red eyes silently staring at the floor.

The information Charlotte provided was consistent with the novel, and the relatively outstanding students also matched the plot.

"Is that all?" Astrid asked.

Sensing Astrid’s concerns about this matter, Charlotte re-examined her memory and, after a while, spoke.

"If I must say, there’s one more thing that’s been on my mind."

"Little Astr, do you know Monica Angelis?"

If she had only read the original novel, Astrid might be unfamiliar with her name. But having been in this world for so long, if she still didn’t know this person, Astrid should seriously consider what she’s been paying attention to.

"Monica Angelis, the current saintess of the Holy Light Church, holds an extraordinary position, second only to the Pope and the King in the Kingdom of Velvys."

"Is she also on this list?"

Facing Astrid’s confusion, Charlotte shook her head.

"Not for now, but I’ve heard some interesting news."

"Monica has proposed to accompany the team to the empire and has already gained the Pope’s support."

The Holy Light Saintess wants to come to the Valeria Empire?

Hearing this, Astrid slightly furrowed her brows and crossed her chocolate-colored stockinged legs.

The entire novel was told from Lyra’s perspective, and the Holy Light Saintess didn’t appear during the exchange competition in the story.

Did Monica not participate in this competition in the original timeline, or did her existence alter the plot, causing the Holy Light Saintess to change her mind?

After a moment, Astrid spoke in a calm tone: "Father probably won’t allow her to set foot on imperial soil."

The Valeria Empire prohibits any religious beliefs, especially suppressing the Holy Light Church, which is the state religion of the Kingdom of Velvys. Just based on her identity as the Holy Light Saintess, it’s unlikely that Hibbort will let her enter the country.

Especially during such a sensitive period, Monica’s arrival will only bring more variables.

"I think so too..." Charlotte affirmed Astrid’s speculation and then spoke.

"But it’s said that Monica made a vow to the Holy Light, claiming that she wouldn’t actively change the beliefs of any Valeria citizens during her visit. Moreover, upon entering Valeria, she will temporarily set aside her identity as the Holy Light Saintess."

"In other words, she would enter the empire as an ordinary attendant."

"..."

After a long silence, Astrid wrapped her arms around her knees and spoke in a low voice.

"Isn’t that even stranger?"

"What does she want to do by so desperately wanting to enter the empire, to enter the Capital City?"

Putting everything else aside, she is the empire’s third princess, Hibbort’s beloved daughter. If Monica intends to harm the empire, it will also be her interests at stake.

"I’m not sure either, but His Majesty is still considering it."

Charlotte placed Astrid’s silver hair behind her back, tidying it up as she used to.

"Trust in the emperor’s discernment..."

"...It’s just that his energy isn’t what it used to be. If it were back in his younger days, he would have known about your infiltration of the ancient castle by the second day."