[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-princess-s-struggle-for-survival":3,"chapter-princess-s-struggle-for-survival-princess-s-struggle-for-survival-chapter-34":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Princess’s Struggle for Survival",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1801184,2401,"Chapter 34 34: Couple Dance","princess-s-struggle-for-survival-chapter-34",34,"\u003Cp>Walking into the living room, Charlotte observed the men and women dancing gracefully to the music and suddenly felt inspired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned down and whispered into Astrid's ear, \"Do you want to dance with me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the warm breath and fragrant scent from Charlotte on her neck, Astrid pursed her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of hesitation, she heard Charlotte tease, \"What's the matter? You usually call me Lady Charlotte, but now you're reluctant when I invite you to dance?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astrid glanced at Countess Charlotte, who stood to her right, dressed in a long, dark gown with hollow stiletto heels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fair skin and elegant figure made her appear no older than twenty, were it not for the mature aura she naturally exuded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since Lady Charlotte has personally invited me, of course, I will accept,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Astrid accompanied Charlotte to the dance floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte asked which role she preferred, and Astrid responded as she had before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte's lips curved slightly. \"Then you shall take the lady's part,\" she said, extending a slender, delicate arm to gently embrace Astrid's slim waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distance between them closed, close enough for each to feel the other's breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Astrid had inherited the memories and dancing skills of the original body when she transmigrated into this world; otherwise, she would never have accepted the dance invitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astrid raised her left hand to rest on Charlotte's shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte's dress was a one-shoulder design, revealing her delicate collarbone and smooth, rounded shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Astrid placed her hand in the correct position, she immediately felt the soft, smooth skin beneath her palm, causing her eyelashes to flutter slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shall we begin?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astrid nodded, and the two began to dance in sync with the music.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I still remember when I taught you court dance. You used to step on my feet often. I wonder if you've improved after all these years,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte remarked, her arm wrapped around Astrid's waist, their fingers interlaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her legs moved gracefully, causing her skirt to sway gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's been a while since I last danced. I'm a bit rusty,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte's skin was not only fair but also exceptionally smooth to the touch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astrid's hand occasionally slipped, forcing her to apply a bit more pressure to keep it in place on Charlotte's shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really are a bit out of practice,\" Charlotte said with a slight smile, deliberately matching Astrid's steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever Astrid missed a beat, Charlotte adjusted quickly to guide her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Astrid inhaled Charlotte's sweet, natural fragrance and felt the gentle movements of her partner, she gradually found her rhythm and became more confident in her dancing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the dance floor, Lyra watched as Charlotte held Astrid's waist, her cherry-pink lips pressed tightly together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gazed at the pair with a distracted expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countess Charlotte was tall and strikingly beautiful. Standing next to Princess Astrid, who was renowned for her beauty, Charlotte held her own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching them dance should have been a delight, but Lyra found herself unable to enjoy it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes lingered on Charlotte's slender, pale hand resting on the hem of Astrid's dress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the dance progressed, the fabric of Astrid's gown wrinkled slightly, only to be gently smoothed by Charlotte's tender touch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint sense of loss welled up in Lyra's heart, though she couldn't quite understand why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She continued to watch quietly until the dance ended and the two left the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did she lower her head, pretending to adjust her bow tie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How strange... What was she even thinking?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lyra struggled to make sense of her emotions, a pair of pure black, diamond-encrusted heels appeared in her line of sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze traveled upward to reveal slender calves clad in black stockings, smooth as polished jade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lyra, we won't be returning to the palace tonight,\" Astrid said, scanning the crowd for Elise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After failing to spot her, she turned and found Elise standing behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The head maid, who had just exchanged greetings with Charlotte, stood upright and asked a question that was also on Lyra's mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Will Miss Astrid be staying the night at Countess Charlotte's private estate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elise was aware of the relationship between Astrid and Charlotte.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing them enter the venue hand in hand, she had a rough idea of what was to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four or five years ago, she had often accompanied Astrid to tea parties and flower viewings at Charlotte's estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When night fell, Charlotte would insist they stay overnight, and they would return to the Royal Palace the next morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, we'll return to the capital tomorrow morning with Countess Charlotte.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the window, the night deepened, and guests began to depart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before leaving, Lina approached Lyra and, after a moment's hesitation, mentioned the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's something I need to discuss with you in private, Lyra,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of responding immediately, Lyra glanced at Astrid, who was leaning casually against a marble pillar, sipping red wine with a languid expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remembering that Astrid had once said she had no objections to her spending time with Lina, Lyra decided to seek Astrid's permission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Highness Astrid, may I step away for a moment?\" Lyra asked timidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astrid tilted her head slightly, her tone nonchalant. \"Do as you please, but don't take too long. If you keep me waiting, you'll face the consequences.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Astrid's tacit approval, Lyra felt relieved and followed Lina to a secluded corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Lina, what did you want to tell me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lina remained silent but pulled out a stack of handkerchiefs from her bag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dipping her finger into a glass of red wine, she began to write.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had heard from her brother that Elise, Astrid's head maid, was a highly skilled knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Elise was monitoring them, speaking aloud would risk exposure. Writing was safer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using the wine as ink and the handkerchief as paper, Lina briefly summarized the contents of the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She informed Lyra that her parents were under the protection of the Velmont family and concluded with a warning to be cautious of Princess Astrid and Prince Lucas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's all I wanted to say... Take care,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After retrieving the handkerchief and arranging to show Lyra the letter at their next meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lina left under the escort of her family's guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she glanced back, she couldn't help but feel that Lyra, standing alone, resembled a fragile dandelion swaying in the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She's gone?\" Astrid asked casually as Lyra returned to her side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Lucas really doesn't seem like a good person... And what about Her Highness Astrid? Does she feel the same way?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyra's thoughts were a tangled mess.\u003C\u002Fp>",1099,"2026-06-09T04:47:03.705Z",1,"novelbin.me","acb1bc86cf08affa33021f5b1a55d6dc629e4ffb9f21c18565396d740ea6d853","princess-s-struggle-for-survival-chapter-35","princess-s-struggle-for-survival-chapter-33",607,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fprincess-s-struggle-for-survival-cover.jpg"]