The carriage stopped at a spot with an open view. Following the servant’s footsteps, the group headed toward Charlotte’s research laboratory. Lyra, who had visited this professor of magic Circle studies’ private estate several times before, had never accompanied Astrid to tour the newly completed magical energy machinery workshop.

"Isn’t this... a bit too big..."

Staring at the magical device inside the workshop, nearly half the size of a magic-powered airship, Lyra looked exactly like a naive village girl stepping into the Capital City for the first time, curious about everything around her.

Astrid gazed at the massive cannon, its entire body, reflecting a cold metallic sheen under the lights. After pondering for a few seconds, she gently explained to Lyra.

"This is the first-generation prototype of a magic-energy fortress cannon. It was commissioned from craftsmen before Lady Charlotte went north to participate in magical weapon research. Its large size is because the detailed design hasn’t been refined yet, nor have we optimized the magical runes inside the barrel for energy transmission."

"Due to the low energy output efficiency of a single crystal stone and significant energy loss, its actual destructive power per shot is somewhat weaker compared to current magic-energy weapons. It’s far from deserving of such a bulky, massive frame. But regardless of its flaws, as the first prototype, this fortress cannon holds immense significance in the history of magical weapon research."

"Its pressure-wave chamber, its special ignition method, its optical targeting system, there are too many weapon designs worthy of being carried forward. The magic-energy giant cannon standing within the Liya Tower fortress evolved directly from this one. Later, the cluster of fortress cannons forming White Maple Town’s iron bucket defense line was also built based on its blueprint."

Seeing Lyra seemed deeply interested, Astrid took her hand and gently swayed her legs sheathed in soft black stockings, guiding her closer while explaining Charlotte’s research concepts.

"The magical circles inside the barrel not only transmit energy but also serve to fix the angle, confining the fire to prevent dispersion."

"The central firing platform uses mirrors as a barrier, protecting the operator from external magical attacks while providing excellent vision and helping the gunner aim."

"As for the indentation directly below, it’s mainly used to install crystal stones and allows the user, in necessary moments, to self-destruct the weapon, ensuring precious magical research data doesn’t fall into enemy hands..."

Astrid paused here, tilting her head to look at the pink-haired girl in a pink-and-white short dress, standing straight with her white-stockinged legs, intently staring at the magic-energy cannon.

"...I thought after experiencing so many battles, Lyra wouldn’t like things that might bring back unpleasant memories."

Away from the battlefield and back to normal life, Lyra indeed hadn’t interacted with magic-energy weapons for quite some time.

Hearing Astrid’s words, Lyra shook her head, her watery eyes fixed on the metal barrel before her, softly replying.

"I don’t really want to remember those awful things..."

The cold, brutal battlefield, death within arm’s reach, the thick, foul smell of rust, none of these had anything to do with beauty.

Human instinct naturally seeks benefits and avoids harm, escaping all things that cause pain.

"But... there are some things I mustn’t forget, and shouldn’t forget..."

Thinking of those past events, Lyra’s pupils slightly dilated, her tone becoming somewhat complex.

Fortunately, Astrid raised her hand, gently adjusting Lyra’s skirt hem. The faint touch brought her thoughts back to reality, allowing her to see clearly those beautiful, clear crimson eyes.

Healed by Astrid’s gesture and temporarily shielding away painful memories, Lyra promptly added,

"Besides, weapons are merely tools. What matters is how they’re used, and by whom."

These magic-energy weapons mass-produced in the workshop had saved millions of city defenders’ lives. They might as well be called miraculous pills that revive the dead and restore flesh to bones.

Hearing this, Astrid nodded softly, quietly agreeing.

"That’s true."

One of the key differences between humans and beasts is the ability to craft weapons to fight beings far stronger than themselves.

Wielding a sword isn’t shameful. What’s shameful are the filthy hearts driven by selfish desires, those war profiteers who arbitrarily trample on others’ lives and whitewash all their crimes.

Accompanying Lyra as she wandered through the workshop, Astrid had originally intended to discuss follow-up magical machinery research with Charlotte. Unknowingly, it had turned into taking her little girlfriend on a museum tour, showcasing her knowledgeable girlfriend’s competence.

Lyra, once again utterly awed by Astrid’s vast theoretical knowledge, suddenly recalled a long time ago, when she was still a novice apprentice, being completely stunned by Princess Astrid’s depth of knowledge, even once suspecting she was a powerful genius sorceress.

It was only later she discovered Astrid’s actual strength wasn’t as unimaginably powerful as she’d thought. In fact, most of the time, she needed to protect Astrid instead.

But if she thought about it from another angle...

The noble, cold, and fiercely powerful Imperial Regent... might collapse with just one push?

Before the seed of rebellious servant defying master could further sprout in Lyra’s heart, the sound of crisp, pleasant footsteps reached their ears.

"I heard from the maid that Little Astr came?"

Accompanying the sound of heels was a mature, melodious female voice.

Charlotte stood with her arms crossed, one hand wearing a silk-white glove lightly propping up her cheek. A brown leather field coat draped over her shoulders, swaying gently in the breeze. A white shirt concealed her dramatic alluring curves, yet couldn’t fully hide their magnificent scale. With each step, proud beauty trembled enticingly.

Below, Charlotte wore a white elegant long dress matching her top. The wide, layered hem, made of naturally lustrous satin, enhances the wearer’s gentle aura, revealing subtle shimmering textures beneath its understated appearance. Two pale, beautiful legs clad in transparent stockings peeked from beneath the skirt, needing no extra adornment, merely standing there was enough to captivate attention. The black high heels completed the overall outfit’s consistency, making the woman appear both sexy and dignified.

"Nice to see you again, Countess Lyra."

Noticing someone else beside Astrid, Charlotte also greeted Lyra, who instinctively stopped swaying her hips and responded softly.

"Good afternoon, Charlotte..."

She nearly bit her tongue. After the carriage conversation, thousands thoughts raced through Lyra’s mind in just one second, yet she ultimately didn’t switch to a more charming form of address.

"Professor..."

Sensing Lyra’s nervousness, Charlotte looked at her with slight confusion, then glanced sideways at Astrid after seeing the girl greet and immediately lower her head.

What’s wrong with her?

Understanding the meaning conveyed by those warm tea-colored eyes, Astrid shook her head, her red eyes also fixed on Charlotte.

Nothing’s wrong.

Just thinking about how to face Charlotte in the future.

After all, their relationship had suddenly shifted from close teacher-student to aunt and niece, complex emotions making it difficult to face each other were inevitable.

Let her process it.

"Lady Charlotte, I came without prior notice. I hope I didn’t disturb you." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Do we need to talk about such things with each other? Little Astr didn’t say this in bed before."

Given how close they were, being too polite would only create distance. Charlotte’s remark, normally unremarkable, made sense, everyone in the capital’s nobility knew about her relationship with Astrid. Sharing a bed was no big deal; it only emphasizes their closeness.

However, the current situation had effected subtle changes. Astrid had long realized she was a lesbian. Now, having had unforgettable and passionate experiences with both Amalia and Lyra, hearing such a joke naturally evoked different feelings than before.

It felt a bit... odd...

Added to this, the time Charlotte got drunk, Astrid had carried her to the washroom herself, which in some ways made Astrid realize she could also harbor rainbow-colored fantasies toward other beautiful women.

After eliminating this, that odd feeling further accelerated in Astrid’s heart.

And the other person who heard this, the official girlfriend Lyra, also froze slightly, her eyelashes trembling, fingers unconsciously twisting her skirt’s cotton sleeve.

Previously, simple-minded Lyra definitely wouldn’t have imagined anything strange. But now, with Amalia as an example, even the purest girl would briefly think along other lines.

The Third and Fourth Princesses weren’t blood-related, only nominally sisters. If the younger sister could do it, why not the aunt?

Astrid and Charlotte had no blood relations. Even the so-called aunt-niece relationship was merely an informal label based on Charlotte being Fanya’s close friend, it wasn’t officially recognized by anyone.

If... Charlotte and Astrid...

Her long, smooth stocking-covered legs swayed slightly, the sound of her small leather shoes scraping the ground suddenly became noticeable. The next second, the two conversing turned their gazes toward Lyra together.

"What’s wrong, Lyra?" Astrid asked gently.

After a brief moment of oddness, Astrid quickly returned to her usual state, continuing to face her aunt normally.

She was a lesbian, but Charlotte wasn’t. If trivial matters like this make her act awkward and affect their relationship, it would be worse.

"Ah... nothing..."

Lyra answered softly, striving to appear natural.

Thanks to Astrid’s long-term teaching and guidance, Lyra could already deliver speeches before troops without changing expression. Corresponding skills in body language and facial expression management had also been honed to be greatly superior before.

Watching Astrid continue conversing with Charlotte, Lyra controlled her breathing, her hand by her skirt gradually relaxing. The toe of her shoe lightly tapped the ground as she pretended to adjust her white stocking’s position, avoiding unsightly wrinkles at her ankle or knee.

Don’t think too much, Lyra.

Where in the world are there so many lesbians... and so coincidentally gathered around Astrid Calliste?

Cases like Amalia, where emotions turned abnormal, were extremely rare exceptions, absolutely not representative, and definitely shouldn’t lead to wild speculation.

Professor Charlotte is simply a close elder who deeply cares for Astrid.

Persuading herself thus, Lyra’s tense emotions returned to the serious matter of how to face her girlfriend’s elder. Under this lens, the two women’s conversation appears natural and sincere.

"Lyra rarely visits. Astrid, why not take her around more? You can ask me about anything unclear."

"Lady Charlotte, you’ve only just returned. How did you arrange things here so quickly?"

"Little Astr doesn’t know, although I wasn’t in the capital, I’ve had the steward taking care of the estate. Some researchers also shared their findings so I could keep up with progress anytime."

Finishing, Charlotte spoke softly.

"It’s a pity my storage ring was destroyed in that war. Otherwise, I could’ve brought more finished products."

"Like inferior versions of the magic-focus carbine, single-use incendiary shells, counter-shields against elemental bombardment... But fortunately, I noted down the key points. On my first day back, I commissioned craftsmen to make them. The physical items will be ready soon."

Hearing Charlotte mention that spatial storage ring, Astrid suddenly remembered the extra one she’d obtained from Amalia. She’d planned to give it to Charlotte at the time, but later got busy, preoccupied with being lovey-dovey with her little knight, savoring the sweetness and happiness of romance, and had completely forgotten to deliver it.

Come to think of it, she seemed like someone who’d forgotten her own aunt after getting a wife.

A brief pang of guilt passed through her heart as Astrid softly replied.

"Then I’ll trouble Lady Charlotte."

That ring was still inside her storage glove. She’d find an opportunity later to hand it to Charlotte.

"No trouble. I actually want to see those old items again, maybe I’ll gain some new inspiration."

Black-edged, red-soled high heels crisscrossed, stirring a fragrant breeze as the satin shoe surface refracted scattered glimmers. The delicate texture of the transparent fabric resembles fine art, softly and naturally covering two snow-white beautiful legs, revealing a dynamically captivating beauty with Charlotte’s graceful strides.

Under the professional’s guidance, Astrid and Lyra toured the workshop from start to finish. Unknowingly, an hour passed, and Charlotte had explained every publicly available magic-energy device in the entire facility.

Astrid could tell, Charlotte, as a tutor at Elizabeth Academy of Magic, truly enjoyed the pleasure of teaching.

After drinking a cup of tea, Astrid let Lyra explore alone, then went with Charlotte to the office.

Pleasantries had long been exchanged. After a few casual words, Astrid, gazing at the dignified black-haired beauty sitting by the desk, elegantly crossed her legs. Her black glove rippled with spatial distortion, and in less than half a second, an exquisitely crafted small box appears on the brown wooden desk.

"Lady Charlotte, I have something I’d like to give you."