Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 129: Do you like capital City?

In the original story, this village sword had accompanied Lyra into the Elizabeth Academy of Magic until it broke during a competition due to excessive force, rendering it useless.

Astrid remembered that when the sword broke, Lyra had cried alone in her dorm room for a long time, only drying her tears and pretending everything was fine when her roommates were about to return.

For the future Holy Knight, this first sword had accompanied her through many years, holding extraordinary significance.

Even after she obtained her destined weapon, the Holy Sword of Light, from the Elizabeth Academy of Magic's library, it could never replace the village sword's place in Lyra's heart.

People mature and become more stable as they gain experience and knowledge, and Lyra was no exception.

However, in some aspects, she remained the delicate little girl she had always been, never changing.

Grasping the sword's hilt, the cool metal texture in her palm, Astrid weighed the sword a few times, her crimson eyes calm and unreadable.

Compared to knights who focused on physical strength, the bodies of mages who dealt with magic daily were indeed much more fragile.

It seemed she couldn't spar with Lyra too often anymore. With her current physical condition, a single touch from Lyra would probably leave her bedridden for ten days to half a month.

Lost in thought about many trivial matters, Astrid heard the bathroom door open, and Lyra stepped out, her body still damp, her soft pink hair naturally falling to her waist.

Seeing Astrid holding her sword with a particularly focused expression, Lyra's eyes showed a hint of confusion, and she hesitantly asked.

"Your Highness... Do you also want to try learning combat skills?"

Seeing Astrid's delicate and frail appearance, how she had been easily pinned down on the bed last time, Lyra felt more and more that Astrid needed to exercise.

Not to become a magic-sword dual-cultivator, but at least to improve her physical fitness to a normal level, so she wouldn't need to chant a muscle-strengthening spell just to hold a ladle or a pot handle.

"I don't have time for that," Astrid replied softly.

With her ancient language cheat for magic, she could quickly improve without spending too much effort, as long as she increased her mental energy reserves to a normal level.

Combat skills, however, required long-term practice and real combat experience, and time was what she lacked the most now.

Looking at Astrid's pale, slender wrist, the hand gripping the sword hilt slightly tightened, the translucent skin faintly revealing veins under the sunlight.

Lyra remained silent for a moment, the words stuck in her throat.

If Princess Astrid didn't have time to exercise...

Then she would become Astrid's sharpest sword and strongest shield.

Astrid sheathed her sharp knight's sword, then placed the leather scabbard back in its original position before turning to look at Lyra.

Having just taken a bath and caught in the midday sun, Lyra's half-naked skin was covered in a faint mist of water vapor.

Under the direct sunlight, her snow-white skin took on a hint of rosy hue. Her delicate face, with its clear sapphire-blue eyes that resembled the sky, was staring at her intently.

In the original novel, Astrid was extremely jealous of Lyra's beautiful eyes, even to the point of obsession, believing that Earl Tristian favored Lyra because of them.

Looking back now, that speculation wasn't entirely unfounded. Lyra's eyes were indeed stunning, especially when they were still damp from the water, exuding a unique charm that made it hard not to feel fondness for her.

Noticing Astrid's prolonged gaze, Lyra's eyes flickered with a hint of panic. Her fingers curled slightly, and the tips of her fair ears turned red once more.

Even though they had known each other for so long, she still felt embarrassed whenever Princess Astrid stared at her. She hadn't made any progress at all.

She was... so strange...

Feeling her head grow slightly warm, Lyra sat on the edge of the bed. After waiting for the water droplets on her legs to dry, she bent her knees and began pulling up her white stockings, starting from the toes.

In the Valeria Empire, it was considered impolite for maids to work without wearing stockings.

This was clearly stipulated in the noble etiquette that Elise had taught her, and it was something she could never violate.

Listening to the soft rustling of the fabric against her skin, Astrid crossed her legs and interlaced her fingers, resting them on the edge of her skirt.

"Lyra, have you gotten used to living here recently?"

Hearing Astrid's sudden question, Lyra's expression froze for a moment, and her hands slowed down as she pulled up her stockings.

Why was Princess Astrid asking her this all of a sudden...

Unconsciously pursing her lips, Lyra replied softly, "Yes, I've mostly familiarized myself with the palace layout, and I know how to handle various tasks now..."

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Whether it was teaching her combat skills or guiding her through the service procedures, Elise was undoubtedly an excellent teacher.

Hearing this, Astrid lightly tapped the back of her hand with her slender fingers and opened her cherry lips. "What do you think of Capital City?"

Capital City?

Lyra was momentarily stunned by the question and didn't respond immediately.

As the capital of the Valeria Empire, even Lyra, who had lived in a remote village, had heard of Capital City's reputation.

Dresses, jewels, banquets filled with fine wine and delicacies, this city, a symbol of power and wealth, was the heart of the empire and a city that never slept.

"Capital City... has a lot of people..." Lyra answered.

Especially in the eastern district. When she first arrived in the capital, she had stayed at an inn in the eastern district.

Even at eight o'clock in the evening, the streets were still bustling with people.

This lively scene surpassed even the most developed town in her hometown. The sheer number of people was Lyra's most direct impression of the capital.

"Besides the number of people, is there nothing else?" Astrid asked again.

Lyra finished pulling up one of her stockings and reached for the other, speaking softly, "It's very prosperous..."

"It feels like you can find anything here, buy anything, and everything is very convenient."

Unlike her village, where sometimes you had to go to the town to buy something, and even then, it was likely not available.

If it was something you really needed, you had to ask an adventurer working outside to bring it back when they returned home.

Big cities and small villages were indeed different...

However, after witnessing the glitz and glamour of Capital City, Lyra didn't feel much attachment to it. Instead, she missed her hometown even more.

She wanted to bring her parents to live in the city, but not somewhere as far as the capital.

Lyra's current plan was to buy a large house in a town near her village and move her parents there.

They wouldn't have to live a busy life, just a little work to keep themselves occupied, and the rest of the time they could drink tea and take walks.

Thinking of this beautiful future, Lyra's eyes lit up, but she soon realized something, and her gaze gradually dimmed.

Princess Astrid was an imperial princess. Whether out of habit or a desire for a higher standard of living, it was unlikely she would ever leave the capital.

If Lyra chose to live near her hometown in the future, it would be difficult to see Princess Astrid again.

Thinking this, she felt a sense of emptiness in her heart, as if she had lost something very important...

Unaware of her identity as the destined heroine, Lyra only wanted to live an ordinary life, completely unaware of the legendary experiences that awaited her in the future.

Seeing the faint look of disappointment on Lyra's face, Astrid also felt a bit puzzled.

She had only asked a few trivial questions, so why did Lyra seem like a little puppy with its ears drooping?

"Do you like it here?" Astrid asked.

She wanted to understand Lyra's current impression of the capital, the nobility, and herself through her answer.

Lyra remained silent for a moment before replying softly, "Yes, I like it here."

When she first arrived in this unfamiliar city, Lyra had felt uneasy and anxious. Fortunately, everyone had been very kind to her. Whether it was Lina or Elise, they had both given her a lot of help.

Of course, there was also Princess Astrid.

Although it was because of her that Lyra couldn't enroll in the academy immediately, she had also given her a job and a place to stay in the capital.

In daily life, Astrid taught her magic and helped her learn how to interact with the people in this city.

Rather than saying she liked capital City, it was more accurate to say that Lyra enjoyed spending time with Princess Astrid.

Yes, she liked being with Princess Astrid.

Realizing this, the shyness in Lyra's heart eased slightly. She gently pulled up her stockings and adjusted the stitching at the toes.

Princess Astrid was so gentle... no one could dislike being friends with her…