In the capital of Velys, Princess Iris Kroyd of Kingdom of Velys, wearing an expensive velvet robe, walked through a certain noble residence.

"Your Highness Iris, Lord Albert is in the front hall. Shall I escort you there?"

"Mm, lead the way."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Following the servant’s pace, the Princess of Velys, wearing gray-brown thigh-high boots, stepped slightly, almost soundlessly, her deep violet eyes clouded with faint worry.

With the arrival of the cold wave, the joint plan between the Church of Light and Kingdom of Velys to invade the Valeria Empire had now completely collapsed. All the enormous wealth invested in the early stages of the war had disappeared into nothing, not even a single shred of benefit gained.

So many lives lost, yet nothing achieved. Combined with the onset of winter, domestic stress became increasingly severe. Many nobles were stirring, eager to make the royal family bleed. Perhaps some ambitious schemers were even attempting to overthrow the kingdom during this chaos.

Troubling news had already reached remote regions, some nobles refused to pay tribute to the king and deployed private armies to seal off their territories, forbidding any unauthorized personnel from entering, including members of the royal family.

In times of peace, such actions were undoubtedly equivalent to defying royal dignity, serious enough to be considered outright rebellion.

They saw clearly that the royal family was steadily losing control over regional nobles. The kingdom was hanging by a thread. Before long, the nation itself might change hands.

Ambitious schemers. Warmongers. Powerful nobles eager to profit from chaos. Conservatives long for peace. The royal family attempts to redirect conflict toward the Valeria Empire. On this frozen land, multiple factions schemed and plotted against one another. War loomed at the edge of a knife.

As for the Church of Light, after Lyra broke through to the Arcanist Mage rank on the spot and severed the [Holy Radiant City] with a sword stroke that pierced heaven and earth, the entire religious organization had fallen into chaos and rumors.

The clash of sacred relics ended in failure. Some said it was the Lord punishing them for straying from the righteous path. Others claimed it was merely coincidence, a trial from heaven.

Yet compared to the secular turmoil, the Church of Light, with its ever-preaching Holy Maiden calming the faithful, soon returned to normal order.

At least, that was how it appeared on the surface.

As for the truth, Monica Angelis was no fool. Based on Iris’s understanding of her, it would be unthinkable for her to waste such a golden opportunity. Beneath the waves of chaos, her network of informants was likely far more extensive than before.

"..."

Valeria Empire... Lyra has already become an Arcanist Mage...

Back during the Magic Exchange Competition, she had fought the pink-haired knight clad in holy armor to a draw, indeed, for most of the match, she had been the one dominating.

Now, she remained at the peak of Magnus, while the other had already crossed that insurmountable gap, ascending into a transcendent existence with a higher life form.

Truly enviable talent.

As Iris pondered, the servant indicated they had arrived.

"Your Highness, Lord Albert awaits within."

Albert was a Middle Tier Arcanist Mage. Due to his lands being close to the royal domain, he often visited the capital and occasionally participated in the king’s political assemblies.

After the Kingdom of Velys launched its invasion of the Valeria Empire, this Arcanist Mage had grown increasingly reclusive, rarely appearing in public and ceasing all political commentary.

All signs point to one conclusion: this Mage was almost certainly not a warmonger. At the very least, he seemed to hold war as a means of diverting internal conflict in utter contempt.

Iris’s visit today was exactly to secure his support, preparing for the civil war soon to come.

She pushed open the door. A middle-aged man in an old-fashioned robe sat silently on the sofa.

"Good afternoon, Princess Iris."

The man opened his eyes, gazing at Iris before him, his expression not particularly friendly.

"Have you come bearing the king’s orders?"

Hearing the man’s words, Iris’s brows gradually furrowed. She realized this visit would be harder than expected. Remaining dignified, she replied calmly.

"I come for myself, Lord Albert."

In name, Princess Iris still represented the Velys royal family. Yet in reality, her political stance and personal ambitions had already diverged from the majority of the royals.

Her goal wasn’t to have Albert defend the royal house, but rather to position him as a force for establishing order, one that would serve a role in the future.

Albert raised an eyebrow at her words, resting his hand on his staff, his fingertip lightly tapping its shaft.

"...For yourself?"

"Then let’s hear it..."

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

"Your Highness... caught a cold?"

Seeing the silver-haired beauty across the table softly sneezing, Lydia took a delicate sip of tea before setting down her cup, asking with concern.

"The northern border is bitterly cold, with constant wind and snow. Although Astrid has returned from there, you should still take care to stay warm."

At her words, Astrid adjusted her crossed black-stockinged legs, set down her handkerchief, and responded gently.

"Thank you for your concern, Miss Lydia. I was just suddenly hit by a cold draft, feeling slightly unwell."

Could it be that someone was talking about her?

Completely unaware that Amalia and Lyra had already reached an agreement in the bedroom to share her, Astrid sipped more tea to warm her stomach and continued discussing the serialization work for the Empire Weekly with Lydia.

Compared to the original serialized novels first published in newspapers, the stories penned by Lydia were more realistic. Although they lack some of the straightforward wish-fulfillment flair, their romanticism remains just as strong, slowly cultivating a unique literary identity.

"Oh? Miss Astrid’s been following my work all along?"

"Naturally. After all, Lydia is my important collaborator... and..."

Astrid paused, her crimson eyes calmly watched the girl in the cake dress before her, her gentle voice.

"... this serialized novel is truly quite fascinating."

Lydia’s personality didn’t quite match that of typical capital nobles. She wasn’t arrogant, domineering, or treating commoners’ lives as worthless weeds. Yet regardless, Lydia’s status as a noble lady was undeniable, her knowledge and perspective far surpassing ordinary people.

This gave her writing a distinct advantage: maximum appeal to her target audience.

When Astrid wrote first novel she had to carefully consider readers’ expectations, place satisfying moments, and refine the story’s overall structure, requiring deliberate craftsmanship to create works favored by noble ladies. Lydia, however, was different. She possesses an innate romantic heart, yearning for encounters, love, and a partner whose identity, appearance, and personality perfectly matched her ideal, someone who would love her steadfastly, no matter what.

Even if it meant opposing the entire world, that person wouldn’t care.

She embodied the very romantic essence of noble ladies’ ideals. As long as she poured her own dreamlike visions into her books, natural and unadorned, like a lotus rising from clear water, the reader’s loyalty will remain exceptionally high.

Feeling Astrid’s gaze upon her, Lydia shyly lowered her eyes. Her delicate high-heeled shoes of Lolita style lightly slide on the floor tiles, causing the pearl ornaments on her ankles to gently sway.

"Astrid really thinks so?"

To be affirmed so sincerely by an idol who had followed her entire work felt overwhelming.

Astrid nodded, her tone was still gentle.

"Mm. We’ve known each other for so long, why would I lie to you?"

As the founder of the Empire Weekly, Astrid meticulously read every section each week, including the serialized fiction section, ensuring the newspaper’s quality never declined.

Hearing such tender words from the Regent, Lydia fluttered her eyelashes, her delicate skin blushing faintly pink.

"Then Astrid... who’s your favorite character?"

Not seeking confirmation, simply curious as a friend.

If she and Astrid liked the same character, it would be Lydia’s greatest fortune.

After a brief pause, Astrid gave the name of the second female lead.

In Lydia’s writing, this character differs from the typical malicious side heroine always scheming to break up the main couple. She was elegant, intelligent, mysterious, gentle, and surpassed even the protagonist in talent and beauty. Yet she remains aloof from men, showing no signs of romantic interest.

At Astrid’s reply, Lydia’s eyes brightened. Leaning on her friendship with the Imperial Regent, she teased gently.

"Astrid, do you really like yourself that much?"

"This character’s personality clearly takes after you, Your Highness."

The novel’s second heroine, always dressed in purple, appears mysteriously cold and untouchable, yet in reality, she treats the protagonist with tenderness and care, like a caring elder sister.

Most importantly, Lydia had described her eyes as uniquely beautiful, deep, gradient purple with a distinctly Mary Sue quality, changing shade mysteriously with her emotions. The girl thought it beautiful, but Astrid suspected this character’s real-life model wasn’t actually herself.

Astrid blinked at her words, carefully reflecting. And indeed, there did seem to be some resemblance.

If the protagonist were viewed from Lydia’s perspective, the second heroine in the girl’s eyes did share many similarities with herself.

"So Lydia also likes this character?" Astrid asked.

Lydia picked up her handkerchief, using the motion of wiping cream from her lips to lightly cover her cheeks, softly replying.

"Mm."

"Not just me, many readers have sent private messages saying they love this character too..."

"Even... a small minority feels that..."

About to continue, Lydia hesitated for a few seconds, her tone slightly tentative.

"... the second heroine and the protagonist are the true soulmates."

This topic was slightly sensitive between two girls. Even among the most debauched capital nobles, no one openly discussed same-sex favorites.

What if... Astrid disliked this concept of love, perhaps even hated it...

The more she spoke, the more she felt she shouldn’t have said it. Feeling Astrid’s gaze on her, Lydia quietly ate another piece of cake, silently awaiting what came next.

"The overall tone of the story shouldn’t change," Astrid replied.

"Huh?" Lydia froze for a moment, quickly realizing what Astrid meant.

"I wasn’t suggesting changing the story, just... saying it offhandedly..."

And secretly curious, how did Astrid view this matter?

The elegant silver-haired Regent, still savoring her tea, nodded thoughtfully before speaking softly.

"Then it means your readers particularly enjoy this type of character."

"As for the same or different gender... I support love itself more..."

Although Astrid herself was a lesbian, her two lovers, one a rising star of the empire, the other the supreme empress above all, meant that revealing her sexuality too openly could easily lead people to make wild speculations about them.

Until everything settled, it was better not to expose it carelessly. After all, there were still many conservative nobles within the empire waiting in line to cause them trouble.

After speaking, Astrid continued gazing at Lydia, her voice soft and gentle.

"My answer’s done. How about you, Lydia?"

"Eh?"

"How do you feel about that character?"

Hearing Astrid’s words, it felt as if the question were asking whether she liked Astrid herself. Lydia pressed her lips together, her left hand unconsciously twisting the fabric of her skirt.

"I... like her too..."

Embarrassing, but not unbearable.

Seeing Lydia’s slightly shy expression, Astrid narrowed her eyes, her fingers lightly tapping her thigh as she silently mused.

This little girl... could she also be a lesbian?

Perhaps former Astrid would have thought she was overthinking. But after Amalia and Lyra’s back-to-back revelations, it was hard not to consider such possibilities.

Her sister, her little maid, both had feelings for her. Who will be next? Astrid dared not ponder further.

"Then we’re kindred spirits."

Astrid smiled faintly, quickly shifting the topic, unwilling to explore further.

She already had Lyra and Amalia. Continuing to flirt outside risked facing double jealousy.

Besides, even the most exceptional time management expert couldn’t handle more than that.

Meanwhile, in the Regent’s private chambers, the two people Astrid had been thinking of had nearly finalized their agreement, only minor details left to settle.

Amalia sat on the chair, her smooth white-stockinged legs crossed as usual. Her intricately carved metallic high heels, open on the sides, supported her delicate snow-white feet like exquisite inlays adorned with warm jade.

"In that case, from now on..."

Lyra extended her hand towards the white-stockinged loli.

"... Please treat me kindly."

Amalia gazed at that hand, called from years of wielding a sword. After a moment of silence, she set down her ever-present Imperial Scepter and clasped it.

"Please treat me kindly, Lyra."

With that, Amalia stood and left the room, leaving Lyra alone in the bedroom.

The pink-haired girl sat on the bed’s edge. Hearing the door shut with a thud, she silently recalled the conversation.

Her intention had clearly been, if Amalia didn’t mind, they could spend Sundays together with Astrid. But the other seemed to have misunderstood.

What did she mean by "I’ll make the older sister feel better than you can"?

No... wasn’t it supposed to be about resting together?