Astrid’s words struck like a depth charge, instantly stunning Lyra into silence.

Wha... what did she mean by "do it"...?

Could it possibly be what she was thinking?

In the dimly lit bedroom, the slightly raised blanket wrapped around the two girls just after their kiss. Silver and pink strands of hair fell to either side of the pillow, not strictly divided like opposing armies, but slightly tangled together, just like their bare, smooth legs intertwined beneath the covers.

Lyra unconsciously swallowed, her cheeks flushed red, instantly overwhelmed with shyness. Her vision narrowed to those crimson eyes faintly glistening with moisture and that exquisitely beautiful face radiating an alluring charm.

"W-Do... what?"

Having grown used to Astrid teasing her, Lyra couldn’t be certain this was really what Astrid meant. Maybe she was just being teased again, deliberately speaking in such an ambiguous way.

In truth, what Astrid truly meant might just be, "Should we go to sleep now?"

Her heart pounded wildly. Lyra curled her legs under the blanket. Her delicate, alabaster toes curled up, her breathing unevenly growing.

Even though she suspected it was probably just another one of Astrid’s jokes, the mere thought of that intimate scenario made her heart race and her body temperature rise uncontrollably.

Hearing Lyra’s hesitant question, Astrid narrowed her eyes in mild confusion, her blood-red eyes narrowed into thin slits, her long lashes fluttering slightly as she leaned forward.

"Of course..."

She moved closer to the pink-haired girl’s ear, her voice languid and low, enunciating each word slowly, the very action Lyra dared not dwell upon.

"...do it. Let’s do it right now."

If the previous question was like a fire-elemental spell cast by an ordinary mage exploding in the sky, then Astrid’s current words were undoubtedly at the level of a Magnus, or rather, for Lyra, even calling it an Arcanist-tier spell wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

Was there any other possible interpretation for that phrase?

None at all... No matter the official definition or cultural context, there was simply no second meaning...

"A-Astrid..."

Her pink lips parted slightly. She didn’t need a mirror to know her face was completely crimson. Her sapphire-blue eyes shimmered with shyness, like a lake scattered with stardust, gently rippling.

In the life philosophy of Lyra Beckett, the village beauty, doing "it" was an incredibly significant act. It had to be with the person she loved the most, the one with whom she’d promised to spend her entire life. At the very least, according to traditional romantic ideals, passionate lovers should only take this final step on their wedding day, only then could they truly give themselves to each other in purity.

But... but...

Astrid was also a girl.

And she was someone Lyra loved deeply, someone she’d promised to walk alongside for the rest of her life.

Swallowing hard, the soft sensation on the outer side of her calves reminded Lyra once again of the person before her, her softness, her beauty.

"..."

What should she do now? Accept or reject?

Her mind spun in endless circles, leaving Lyra feeling slightly dizzy. The intoxicating scent of virginity filling her arms seemed to invade her nostrils, further clouding her already hazy thoughts.

You’re not even married yet, wouldn’t this be too fast?

But since it’s something you both truly desire, isn’t it okay?

The final step should be formal and solemn.

You’ve already hugged, kissed, and even done more intimate things. Why hesitate at this crucial moment?

Her arms wrapped around Astrid’s slender waist, one hand resting on her smooth, bare back. Their front armor pressed tightly together, lacking the necessary steel support, what she felt was only the swift rush of wind, or rather, waves sweeping over her palms.

The atmosphere in the room quietly reached its peak. Lyra gazed into Astrid’s eyes and tentatively asked.

"R-Really... is it okay...?"

Having been teased by that wicked woman so many times, Lyra also wanted Astrid to know she wasn’t just a meek pushover who always submitted to her teasing.

Moreover, judging from Linda and her maid’s practical performance back then, doing it with someone you loved should be much more pleasurable and far harder to resist than doing it alone.

And another thing... she absolutely didn’t want Amalia pulling too far ahead...

If the Empress could do it, so could she.

Hearing this, Astrid fluttered her eyelashes a few times, her voice gentle.

"If you feel you’re not ready, then let’s forget about it."

She was naturally patient. Even during her fiercest fights with Amalia, Astrid could always endure the emotional turmoil and take care of her needs rather than relying on others.

Compared to the pleasure she could receive, Astrid actually cared more about Lyra’s feelings.

After all... she knew exactly how she had treated Lyra in the past...

Any being with slightly lower moral standards, or someone more predatory, would’ve probably already "lost control completely."

If you’re not ready, then let’s stop...

Astrid meant it.

But Lyra, whose body temperature hadn’t cooled down since that last kiss, slightly bit her pink lips, instinctively wanting to press her legs together, yet refrained due to Astrid’s presence.

After half a minute, the girl spoke softly.

"It’s not like I’m not ready..."

"Umm... What about you, Astrid?"

Seeing the question skillfully thrown back, Astrid whispered gently.

"I asked, so of course I’ve already made up my mind."

Having spoken, Astrid leaned even closer, her lips brushing against Lyra’s ear. Her silver hair lightly grazed Lyra’s neck as she breathed softly, her warm breath sending shivers down Lyra’s spine.

"Or... does Lyra want to try something special?"

Astrid... really didn’t know when to hold back...

Lyra, feeling half her body turned to jelly, opened her hazy eyes. Her teeth bit her lips until they turned pale. Before she could voice her opinion, Astrid continued.

"The last time was white, so let’s go with black this time."

"What do you think?"

Her neck was already locked in Astrid’s arm, pressed so tightly that even their body heat transferred completely. Lyra could feel the coolness of Astrid’s skin, though from another perspective, she herself must have been burning up.

Still... who could possibly resist the Empire’s most beautiful woman and her relentless advances?

"Mm... ..."

Lyra let out a barely audible hum. Then she heard Astrid speak again.

"I didn’t quite catch that. What did Lyra say?"

They were so close they were practically nibbling each other’s ears, how could she not have heard?

Even now, Astrid was still teasing her. Didn’t she fear Lyra teasing her back later?

Thinking about seeing Astrid in her most vulnerable state, Lyra closed her eyes, her face blazing red as she pouted softly.

"T-Then... black..."

After all, black was the color most often paired with the Regent Princess.

"Pfft..." Astrid seemed to have expected this, letting out a soft chuckle in response.

"...As you wish, my dear little maid~"

Then, the silver-haired, red-eyed Imperial Princess rose from the bed, slipped on her slippers, and walked toward the changing room nearby, leaving Lyra alone on the bed, lost in thought.

Was it really... about to begin...?

Under the blanket, faint warmth still lingered, as if capable of setting her entire body ablaze. Still dazed from the lingering intimacy, Lyra stared at the ceiling, her fingers unconsciously resting on the collar of her nightgown.

She had once believed the entrance exam would be the most nerve-wracking moment of her life. Now, she realized, this moment was far more fitting of that description.

Her delicate hand gently caressed her collarbone, then naturally slid down to her left chest, feeling the frantic beating of her heart. Lyra turned over and hugged the pillow, peeking out only her eyes from beneath the fabric.

What would Astrid look like when she came out...?

"..."

Wait, shouldn’t she do something too?

Recalling that night when Amalia wore a white silk nightgown, her two smooth, snow-white legs peeking out from beneath the hem, the different lengths of her stockings hinting at the intensity of the previous encounter.

Did Astrid prefer... that kind of look...?

Considering the significance of this night for a girl, Lyra glanced at the sword-shaped light mark on her fingernail, fell silent for a few seconds, and then retrieved an outfit from within.

A hero couldn’t run from battle.

She had to take this seriously too.

Time passed by the second. In the otherwise silent room, the faint rustling of fabric could be heard. Just as Lyra finished pulling on her white stockings and tidied her hair slightly, she heard a crisp, clear set of footsteps.

Not like the nearly silent slippers from before, but rather, the sound of heels with long, slender stilettos.

Astrid pushed open the door of the changing room. Her beautiful silver hair flowed freely, like a cascading galaxy. A lavishly decorated black dress embracing her exquisite figure, perfectly highlighting her noble aura. Long black gloves covered not only her hands but extended along her wrists, enveloping half of her tender, porcelain-white arms in dark fabric.

Compared to standard noble attire, this dress resembles more of an evening gown. The neckline dipped slightly low, unashamedly accentuating the curves beneath. The backless design not only reveals the Regent Princess’s flawless, snow-white skin but also emphasizes the smooth, alluring lines descending downward, curving where it should, and rising where it ought.

And most striking of all, those black-stockinged legs, peeking out from beneath the hem of the dress, visible through a layer of dark night fabric, teasingly half-hidden.

"How does this look?"

Astrid’s fingers brushed her lips as she smiled, walking toward the bed. Tilting her head slightly, her long index finger gently swayed near her lips.

As her words settled, she bent her knees and sat on the bed. She didn’t even remove the high heels on her feet, just let them dangle from her toes, like ink-black moons barely clinging on.

Probably... no one could be more breathtakingly beautiful than Astrid tonight...

No, definitely no one.

Staring at the Astrid before her, Lyra took a long while to recover from the shock. Her pretty face grew even redder as she lowered her head.

"P-Perfectly... beautiful..."

Absolutely flawless from every angle.

This was the Empire’s most dazzling gemstone, revealing her full charm.

Hearing Lyra’s words, Astrid gently reached out, lifting the pink-haired girl dressed in her everyday school uniform. Her voice was soft.

"So... does Lyra like it?"

"..."

After a long pause, the girl softly hummed in affirmation.

"But... isn’t it too much...?"

The fabric alone must have cost a fortune. What if it gets damaged later?

Astrid’s eyes sparkled with amusement. At a time like this, Lyra was still so adorably clueless.

But... It was cute.

"Have you ever heard of it? Sometimes, the anticipation during the unwrapping process is more precious than the gift itself."

Having spoken, Astrid withdrew her hand from Lyra’s chin and gently placed the girl’s right hand on her waist, on that black silk ribbon that looked as if it would come undone with the slightest tug.

"I’ve never worn these shoes outside before... so...."

The silver-haired beauty covered her lips, speaking as if deliberately.

"Even if they step on the bed, they won’t get dirty."

The next moment, a wind spell, guided by spiritual power, closes the windows. Inside the bedroom, only the intensifying passion remains, its heat surpassing even that radiated by fire-elemental crystals.

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

The next day, Lyra gradually awoke from her hazy sleep, only to find a mass of silver-white hair resting against her shoulder, a few strands obscuring her vision.

What time was it...?

The windows were still closed. The air was filled with a sweet, intoxicating fragrance, so delicate that even a single whiff could quicken one’s heartbeat.

Slowly recalling everything that had happened the previous night, Lyra looked at the black dress on the nightstand and the pure white shirt lying on the carpet. Feeling a faint breeze seep in from outside the blanket, directly touching her skin, her thoughts became clearer.

She and Astrid had actually...

Although they’d always hugged and kissed, and there had been moments when passion flared, actually taking that final step still left Lyra feeling dazed.

Last night... had been simply too...

And besides, how could Astrid be...

A faint discomfort beneath the blanket reminded Lyra of what had occurred. The pink-haired, blue-eyed Holy Knight fluttered her eyelashes, looking at her hands, unbound by anything, then glancing at the pure white garment in the distance, now utterly battle-damaged. Her heartbeat quickened even more.

This was terrible... How could they have gone that far...?

The next moment, Astrid also slowly awoke. Gazing at the dazed Lyra, she thought for a few seconds before a slight smile curled her lips.

"It seems Lyra subconsciously really likes calling me ’Your Highness’..."

"Does it feel more exciting that way?"

That single, simple sentence ended the game completely.

Lyra had already been lost in thought, but now, reminded by Astrid, vivid images instantly flooded her mind.

"I didn’t...!"

I just... accidentally said it...

Recalling everything, Lyra lifted her slender arm, attempting to cover her eyes.

Seeing this, Astrid let out a soft giggle, tightening her embrace around the petite knight and placing a gentle kiss on her neck.

"Alright, alright. Just as Lyra said."

She really was just as adorable before, during, and after.

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

This volume is complete.

As you all can see, this volume mainly focused on Astrid and Lyra’s story at the frontlines, fully concluding the war arc and setting the stage for the upcoming civil war within the Kingdom of Velys.

The next volume will include accompanying Charlotte to make magical machinery, participating in the Kingdom of Velys’s civil war, exposing the fraud of the Church of Light, and lots of snuggling, snuggling, snuggling, snuggling, snuggling, snuggling.

Snuggling with Lyra, snuggling with Amalia, snuggling with Charlotte, snuggling with the head maid.

After all, the longest arc in this book is definitely romance.