[{"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-46":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},1801196,2401,"Chapter 46 46: Bond is truly special","princess-s-struggle-for-survival-chapter-46",46,"\u003Cp>Two minutes later, in Charlotte's private office, Astrid sat on a bench with a cup of steaming black tea in her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cherry-red lips hovered near the rim of the cup, the fragrant steam gently rising as the tea's surface rippled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Astrid, are you saying you want me to accompany you to the suburbs to inspect the fields?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The office, though private, still carried a semi-public atmosphere, prompting Charlotte to address Astrid formally by her real name rather than the more intimate \"Little Astr.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astrid nodded, her lips glistening with a faint trace of tea, moist and delicate, as if coated with a glossy cherry-pink glaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I lack the expertise to identify the issues with the land in the suburbs, so I came to ask Lady Charlotte to join me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte was aware of the problems plaguing the suburban lands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew the task of addressing these issues had been assigned to Crown Prince Lucas by the Emperor Hibbort, and it should have had nothing to do with Astrid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be... that the girl was still trying to do Lucas a favor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte glanced at Astrid with a complicated expression, then shifted her gaze to Lyra, who stood upright beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes lingered for a moment, hesitating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing this, Astrid quickly understood Charlotte's concern and whispered, \"They are all my trusted people. Lady Charlotte, feel free to speak openly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Astrid's words, Lyra pursed her lips, a warm feeling swelling in her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The head maid and Charlotte were old acquaintances, so she naturally wouldn't divulge any private conversations between her master and Charlotte.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astrid's statement, however, carried a deeper meaning: it was a clear declaration of trust in Lyra, her valet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This acknowledgment filled Lyra with joy, and she resolved to serve Princess Astrid with even greater dedication in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Charlotte retracted her gaze, silently recited a spell in her mind, and cast an intermediate-level spell, Barrier Enchantment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems Prince Lucas has been closely monitoring this matter lately... Astrid, do you remember what you said this morning?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was referring to Astrid's earlier vow to stay away from Prince Lucas and avoid unnecessary involvement with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, I remember.\" Astrid's lips curved into a faint smile as she gracefully set the teacup back on the saucer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My investigation isn't to assist Lucas. It's simply to address the plight of the farmers on the outskirts of the imperial capital who have no land to cultivate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After all, no one wants the price of coarse barley in the market to skyrocket this autumn due to a shortage of raw materials.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her reasoning was sound, but coming from Astrid, it felt somewhat delicate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a princess of the empire, she typically enjoyed the finest red wines from Royal Winery, a privilege of her noble status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lived a world apart from the hardships of common folk, who depended on a half-bottle of rough ale after a long day of labor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, Astrid's kindness toward the farmers brought satisfaction to Charlotte.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I'll accompany you later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman leaned forward, her arms resting on the lesson plan, her chest pressing lightly against the upright book.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was all because Charlotte hadn't paid enough attention to Astrid before, which had nearly led the young princess astray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, not only was she willing to accompany Astrid to investigate the land, but if Astrid even suggested moving a bed into her private office, Charlotte wouldn't refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, what did Elowen talk to you about earlier?\" Charlotte asked, her tone tinged with curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had noticed the unusually harmonious atmosphere between the two during their conversation, and even she, as an elder, couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Professor Elowen was interested in perfumes, so we chatted a bit longer,\" Astrid replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Elowen's colleague and close friend, Charlotte knew the Alchemy professor well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elowen was the type who wore mage robes year-round, rarely smiled, and maintained an intense curiosity about magical knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She never hesitated to seek advice when faced with questions, embodying the same fervor the Duke Velmont's family had for accumulating wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, Elowen was a reliable colleague who excelled at everything except for her lack of interest in money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did she ask you to teach her how to blend perfumes?\" Charlotte pressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had heard a little about Elowen's recent preoccupations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astrid answered honestly, \"I'm not sure. Professor Elowen asked me a few questions about perfumes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren't for other pressing matters, Astrid wouldn't have minded continuing the conversation with Elowen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Elowen might be a novice in perfumery, Astrid, drawing on her expertise from her previous life, was confident that few in this world could rival her knowledge of fragrances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What exactly did she ask?\" Charlotte inquired softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astrid took another sip of black tea to soothe her throat. \"Just some questions about the measurements of flowers and blending techniques. I shared what I knew.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main issue was the lack of time; otherwise, Astrid would have loved to ask Elowen if she had ever experimented with aging fragrance essences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Charlotte's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of surprise in her tone. \"Did she propose collaborating with you? For example, mass-producing the perfume you gave me and selling it to other nobles through the Velmont family's business network?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astrid slowly looked up at Charlotte, who was leaning over the lesson plan, her figure striking and commanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" Astrid replied simply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, before leaving, Elowen did hint at the possibility of future collaboration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She mentioned that the next time they met, she would prepare a set of equipment for making perfumes, as Astrid had suggested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And—\" Astrid paused, a tender smile gracing her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That bottle of perfume was carefully crafted by me, inspired by my memories of Lady Charlotte. It's the most fitting birthday gift for you, unique in the world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won't share its recipe, nor will it be used for commercial profit. It's one of a kind, made solely for Lady Charlotte.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Astrid's unexpected reply and seeing the sincerity in the girl's clear, serious eyes, Charlotte's heart trembled slightly, and an indescribable emotion quietly stirred within her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>_This was made just for you... You're the only one..._\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, Charlotte stood up casually, smoothing her hair as she whispered, \"Little Astr's words are sweeter than ever now, enough to make anyone's heart flutter...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte had to admit that she was genuinely moved by Astrid's words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sense of relief washed over her, the kind that comes when you realize the child you've watched over has finally grown up and learned to care for others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Lyra, who had been standing quietly by the door, glanced subtly at Astrid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sky-blue eyes flickered with a fleeting look of longing before she quickly averted her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>_Little Astr... And a gift that belongs solely to Count Charlotte..._\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their bond is truly special.\u003C\u002Fp>",1158,"2026-06-09T04:47:03.705Z",1,"novelbin.me","e6f8bca11bf44622720c5868b1dbc191b0a2be95f47de8cd4e4ecc82aeaf261c","princess-s-struggle-for-survival-chapter-47","princess-s-struggle-for-survival-chapter-45",607,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fprincess-s-struggle-for-survival-cover.jpg"]