CHAPTER 340: RESPONSE

Five minutes earlier, after coming out of the bathroom, Charlotte took off her nightgown and sat down on the armchair. As soon as she looked up, she saw the silver-haired girl staring at her in the dressing mirror.

Since she was a close junior and they had just shared a bed, Charlotte didn’t pay much attention to Astrid’s gaze at first. However, when she put on a pair of transparent stockings, the girl in the mirror was still staring at her. The clear, bright red eyes were tinged with the faint light coming through the window, and even Charlotte couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed.

Staring like this... it’s just too strange...

Just as this thought crossed her mind, she saw Astrid lightly brush her hair and then raised her face.

Through the reflection in the mirror, their gazes were suddenly intertwined.

Faced with this awkward situation, Charlotte didn’t show any emotion. She just continued to bend her knees, slipping her toes into the transparent stockings that seemed as thin as a single layer, and gently pulled them up.

Under the gentle morning light, the woman’s fair and smooth leg skin was delicate. The thin, transparent stockings covered her legs, exuding a seductive sheen. Just by looking, one can feel the indescribable smoothness.

With a soft "snap," the stockings reached about ten centimeters below the thigh root. The double-ringed transparent lace slightly pressed into the flesh. Charlotte lowered her head, gently smoothing out the slightly messy stocking at her toes, and spoke softly.

"Little Astr, even if we’re both girls, staring at another unmarried woman while she changes clothes for so long is not what a lady should do~"

Hearing Charlotte’s words, Astrid knew that the other party must have misunderstood. However, considering that the dream she had just had might be too far-fetched for Charlotte, she decided not to explain.

"I’ll be more careful next time, Lady Charlotte."

Seeing Astrid so straightforwardly admit that she had been watching her change clothes, Charlotte was at a loss for words.

Getting up from the dressing chair, standing straight, and making sure the stockings weren’t wrinkled, Charlotte turned to the wardrobe and picked out a light purple dress.

"Of course, if it’s Little Astr, I wouldn’t mind."

As soon as she said this, she suddenly remembered the hazy good morning kiss from earlier. Ripples stirred in her heart, but she quickly returned to the mirror to change her clothes.

This time, the silver-haired girl in the mirror didn’t continue to stare at her.

A faint sense of loss lingered in her heart. Charlotte held the dress and hadn’t started changing yet when she immediately heard Astrid say.

"Okay, I understand."

"After all, I’m Lady Charlotte’s favorite person, so it’s normal to have some privileges."

How did she become so proud?

Charlotte couldn’t help but laugh, thinking that Little Astr really didn’t treat herself as an outsider. Sharing meals and beds was one thing, but even watching her change clothes was considered a privilege.

However, with Astrid’s joke, the previously slightly strange atmosphere was directly dispelled. Charlotte rustled into her clothes, got up, and called the maid to prepare breakfast.

"When does Little Astr plan to have breakfast?"

"Right away."

"Then go wash up first. I’ll call you when breakfast is ready."

Leaving the bedroom in her high heels, Charlotte walked through the corridor, listening to the servants’ reports, and headed towards the rooms where Lyra and the others were staying.

"Countess, the distinguished guests have already had breakfast and are now free to move around."

Turning the corner, Charlotte saw the pink-haired girl staring at a pot of flowers at the end of the corridor.

"Miss Lyra, did you have a comfortable night at the manor? Was there anything we didn’t take care of properly?"

Hearing the gentle and melodious voice from behind, Lyra turned around and saw Charlotte in an elegant dress. She nodded and replied.

"I slept very well, thank you for your hospitality, Countess Charlotte."

Looking at the delicate girl with pink hair and blue eyes in a casual outfit, Charlotte suddenly remembered what Astrid had said last night, and a hint of contemplation appeared in her tea-colored eyes.

A girl who likes girls and is not a noble, Lyra Beckett.

’From a personality perspective, she is indeed a good child, hardworking, and exceptionally talented. Her future achievements will definitely surpass mine.’

Feeling Charlotte’s scrutinizing gaze from head to toe, Lyra nervously lowered her eyes, her legs pressed together.

After a moment, realizing she might have scared Lyra, Charlotte gently and slowly spoke.

"That’s good. If Miss Lyra feels bored, you can also walk around the manor. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask the maids. They will do their best to answer."

Lyra nodded and replied softly.

"Okay... thank you, Countess Charlotte..."

"...Um, is Astrid still resting?"

Hearing Lyra’s concerning words, Charlotte opened her lips to respond.

"Yes, she just woke up and is washing up in the bathroom."

"Miss Lyra, do you need something from her?"

Lyra shook her head and spoke calmly.

"Not really... I was just curious."

The last word was more appropriately replaced with concern, but facing Astrid’s elder, Lyra was always worried about being seen through too early, so she didn’t dare to speak too clearly.

Being pointed out by Astrid before had already caught Lyra off guard. If Astrid’s aunt found out the truth, she would have to quickly find a place to hide.

Seeing Lyra acting so coy, Charlotte slightly narrowed her beautiful eyes and slowly spoke.

"If Miss Lyra wants to see Astrid, I can relay the message."

"Ah? No, no, let Her Highness Astrid rest well..."

Perhaps because the destined heroine had all her attribute points invested in combat and charm, with no points in acting skills, such a hurried and slightly flustered response further confirmed Charlotte’s judgment.

"..."

After a moment, Charlotte smiled gently at Lyra, turned around, and approached Amalia’s room door.

"Then I won’t disturb Miss Lyra from admiring the flowers."

"There are many seasonal flowers planted in the garden next to the mansion. If Miss Lyra is interested, you can also take a look."

Receiving Lyra’s affirmative response, Charlotte nodded and gently knocked on the door.

.........

Half an hour later, in the Countess’s private bedroom, looking at Astrid who had already changed her clothes, Charlotte carefully spoke.

"Little Astr... I suddenly remembered something..."

"What is it?"

"I think I asked you about your attitude towards marriage before."

At that time, Astrid’s answer was that she wasn’t considering it for the time being. Now, times have changed, and that answer itself might have expired.

Engrossed in digging up dream information, Astrid heard Charlotte’s question, casually fiddled with her skirt, fixed the hairband on her hair, and softly said.

"Lady Charlotte did ask me about that, why?"

"Nothing, I just want to know if Little Astr still feels the same way now?"

After the recent probing of Lyra, it was almost certain that the other party liked Astrid. At this point, the latter’s attitude became particularly important.

Charlotte hoped that Astrid wouldn’t hold back too much on emotional issues with her. At least, she should let her know a bit about what her junior was thinking.

Whether there was affection, the extent of that affection, and whether she had thought about what to do next.

Looking at her aunt’s full, red lips moving up and down, Astrid paused for a few seconds before slowly speaking.

"Yes."

From the moment she rejected Lyra, she understood her true feelings.

Now is not the time for love. At least, until the domestic situation becomes clearer, it’s hard for her to spare extra time for Lyra and treat her like a lover.

Moreover, the other party hasn’t shown any particularly attractive traits that would make her want to spend her life together.

After hearing this, Charlotte continued to stare at Astrid, and after a long time, she spoke.

"...And there’s no one you like?"

"No."

Astrid answered without hesitation, her deep red pupils reflected Charlotte’s face.

"Lady Charlotte, why are you suddenly asking these strange questions?"

And her reaction was a bit urgent, not like her usual calm demeanor when facing anything.

Did last night’s conversation make Lady Charlotte guess?

In fact, Astrid wasn’t surprised that Charlotte knew the specific identity of the so-called friend. After all, her social circle was basically the nobles of the capital, and the range she could give was only that big.

The only strange thing was why Charlotte seemed to have locked onto the girl that Lyra liked as her.

Is it that obvious?

Because she was in the midst of it and had been hidden by the pink-haired dog for a while, Astrid had a mysterious confidence in Lyra’s ability to conceal.

Hearing Astrid’s counter-question, Charlotte also realized that she was a bit too concerned and gently fluttered her long eyelashes.

"What, can’t I care about my Little Astr’s emotional state?"

For some reason, when she heard Astrid say that she didn’t like anyone, Charlotte felt slightly relieved in her heart. The discomfort of her beloved being taken away was mostly gone.

She greedily hoped that Astrid could accompany her for a few more years... and then find someone who could take care of her...

That’s all...

Realizing that she had such selfish thoughts, Charlotte frowned slightly, and her hand hanging by her waist quietly clenched.

It’s not wrong for the junior she watched grow up to pursue the love she wants. Why did she have such a coy and strange possessiveness?

Was it due to the regret of almost losing Astrid before, or was there some other reason?

Anyway, it’s a bit too immature.

Not knowing exactly what Charlotte was struggling with, Astrid, who had guessed most of it, took the initiative to step forward and gently hug her.

"Of course, Lady Charlotte can."

Feeling the soft and cool touch of the silver hair falling on her neck, Charlotte’s body stiffened slightly, and then she heard Astrid speak.

"...So, are you satisfied with my answer just now?"

"..."

After a brief silence, Charlotte pinched the tender flesh on Astrid’s waist. Since it was through the dress and the pinch wasn’t hard, it was more of a joke than a vent.

"What do you mean by whether I’m satisfied? What kind of talk is that?"

Although she would be reluctant to part with Astrid, if the other party really found a suitable man or woman, she would still give her blessings as an elder.

She should.

After a gentle hug, Charlotte’s complex emotions were mostly gone. Since Astrid didn’t like anyone, she didn’t have to worry too much about the other party’s love life for the time being.

Besides, even she herself hadn’t been in love. Expecting her to give Astrid any constructive advice was better off teaching her some magic skills, so she could come back to her maternal home if she was wronged in the future.

"Let’s go eat." Charlotte said.

..........

In the end, Astrid and her group stayed at the Countess’ manor for another day. It wasn’t until the next morning after breakfast that they boarded the carriage back to the capital under Charlotte’s arrangements.

"Lyra, classes starts the day after tomorrow..."

Looking at Lyra, who was sitting opposite with her head lowered, Astrid put Amalia on her lap, one hand on her waist and the other on the little girl’s thighs wrapped in thin white stockings.

"Adjust your state quickly. It feels like you’ve been absent-minded lately."

Hearing Astrid say this, Lyra softly exclaimed and then raised her face.

"Absent-minded... me, have I been?"

Is it that obvious?

Astrid nodded and gently replied.

"Even though I didn’t pay special attention, I always saw you staring at the plate during meals."

"Is something wrong?"

Lyra pursed her lips, and her two jade-like fingers subconsciously twisted together.

"Nothing’s wrong, thank you for your concern, Astrid."

"...I’ll adjust well."

’If I must say, the main reason for my recent state of mind is probably that the gentle Countess seems to have paid more attention to me.’

’Every time I eat, her gaze would occasionally fall on me, accompanied by an exploration and scrutiny that only I could feel.’

’As if... my little thoughts have been seen through by this elder...’

Seeing that Lyra didn’t want to say more, Astrid didn’t press further. After a few words of concern, she began to think about the next plan.

Looking at the silver-haired princess holding Amalia with a calm expression, Lyra thought for a moment and didn’t raise her doubts either.

Asking now will not only completely destroy the remaining ambiguity between her and Astrid but might also provoke the Fourth Princess’s displeasure.

Somehow, it feels like if this silent and cold little girl knew her true feelings, she would definitely show her sharpest claws, just like Auri does when facing strangers.