[{"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-88":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},1801238,2401,"Chapter 88 88: Homesick","princess-s-struggle-for-survival-chapter-88",88,"\u003Cp>\"Miss Lyra, from today onwards, you no longer need to wake Her Highness Astrid every morning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing Elise's words, Lyra looked at the head maid with a hint of surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In that case... Lady Astrid won't even have breakfast...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, I'll have the maid team prepare some additional snacks. If Her Highness feels hungry upon waking, you can serve them to her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Lyra became her personal maid, Astrid rarely ate breakfast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She often slept until around nine or ten o'clock, calling it her beauty sleep, and then combined breakfast and lunch into one meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, back then, Astrid slept in simply because she enjoyed staying in bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, with her additional evening activities, she compensates for her lack of nighttime sleep by resting during the day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood,\" Lyra replied softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she wasn't sure of the reason, Elise had served Astrid for many years and was undoubtedly familiar with the princess's habits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyra decided it was best to follow instructions without question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To ensure that at least one personal maid was always stationed outside the princess's chambers, Lyra adjusted her meal times to avoid overlapping with Elise's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing by the door, her thoughts drifted aimlessly to the scene she had witnessed in the room the previous night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Transformation potion alters the user' appearance in the eyes of others, enhancing their image based on their original attributes and inner desires.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyra couldn't help but wonder how Astrid perceived her after consuming the potion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A maid, a rival in love, a country girl... and somewhat clumsy when it came to learning magic...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These disparate elements combined created an image that was hard to envision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared at the marble floor tiles beside her shoes for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reflection was blurry, but she could vaguely make out the black of her skirt and the white of her stockings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyra exhaled softly, folded her hands neatly, and adjusted her posture to the standard maid stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over a month ago, she had struggled to get used to wearing maid uniforms and the comfortable pantyhose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, she could perform most noble etiquettes with ease, leaving no room for criticism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the protagonist, Lyra's remarkable learning ability often revealed itself in subtle ways throughout her daily life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, surrounded by so many extraordinary individuals, even she remained unaware of this talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, in the princess's boudoir, Astrid lay in bed, clad in a black silk dress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her long, silky silver-white hair cascaded around her face, partially covering her delicate ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few strands rested on her fair, pink-tinged skin above her collarbone, resembling delicate silk petals encircling a flower's stamen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression was serene, her breathing steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hands rested naturally at her sides, and her long, straight eyelashes fluttered slightly with each breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After an indeterminate amount of time, Astrid slowly awoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her bright red eyes flickered with confusion at first, but she quickly regained her bearings upon recognizing the familiar surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sat up, straightened her back, and rose from the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last night, after discreetly observing Astrid for a while during the initial cleaning, Amalia had remained alone in the bedroom, showing no interest in further conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking that Amalia might peek out if unable to sleep, Astrid had waited in the castle until five in the morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With nothing else to do, she sat by the window, counting the stars in the night sky to pass the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the heavily polluted starry sky of her previous life, the night view of capital City appeared pristine and pure, with scattered points of light surrounding the bright moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every frame, every moment, felt worth capturing with her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of the cold and aloof girl sleeping next door, Astrid couldn't help but recall her sister from her past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although she had mentally prepared herself for their separation, it was impossible not to miss her after so much time had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyra, who was far from home, could at least exchange letters with her family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter the distance, they could always look up and see the same starry sky and the same moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astrid was different. She was a traveler from a foreign land, her soul adrift in an unfamiliar time and space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite Charlotte's care and Emperor Hibbort's affection, the deep-seated loneliness in her heart never faded, not even for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't belong here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps it was the solitude of the late night, or her inability to sleep, but Astrid found herself lost in thought that night, feeling slightly off-kilter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She chalked it up to her own unreasonable sentimentality and decided that the next time she came, she would bring a book to pass the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the starry sky was beautiful, staring at it for too long could easily leave one feeling disoriented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bare feet stepping into soft plush slippers, Astrid walked into the bathroom to wash up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a good night's sleep, she had returned to her usual calm demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The melancholy she had felt in the night vanished with the sound of running water in the basin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pushing her long silver hair back and gazing at her flawless reflection in the mirror, Astrid spat out the chewed cleansing grass, picked up her toothbrush, and rinsed her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she looked up again, her eyes were cold and resolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what the future held, she would continue to move forward alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Picking up the towel, she dabbed it into the water from the blue crystal basin and carefully wiped her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a quick wash, she returned to the bedroom, changed into an elegant princess dress paired with over-the-knee black stockings, and sat at her dressing table to fix her hair without calling Lyra for assistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elise had strictly regulated the shift changes for the palace guards, significantly reducing the risk of Astrid being discovered during her comings and goings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She planned to gradually establish contact with Amalia but knew she couldn't afford to be careless about other matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, she would prepare a dinner for Emperor Hibbort, and later, she would inspect the perfume factory mentioned by the Velmont family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Work kept her busy, and time waited for no one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quarter of an hour later, Astrid, now neatly dressed, left her room and headed for what was essentially her breakfast but served as lunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, she went straight to the alchemy workshop to experiment with new perfume blends that might be used for future trade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She worked diligently until a little past five in the afternoon before returning to the kitchen to prepare dinner for Emperor Hibbort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lyra, come and help me,\" Astrid called.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyra nodded. \"Yes, Your Highness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gave instructions to the pink-haired maid, who promptly followed them and began washing the vegetables with care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Lyra had never seen Emperor Hibbort up close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During their first two encounters, either Astrid hadn't brought her along, or she had been standing too far away to get a clear view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a law-abiding citizen of the Valeria Empire, she, like most people, longed to catch a glimpse of the noble Emperor in person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing Lyra's quiet excitement, Astrid glanced at her but said nothing, focusing instead on the dishes she was preparing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the evening, Emperor Hibbort was seated in the dining room, waiting punctually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astrid sat across from him and instructed Lyra and Elise to serve the dishes on time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My cooking skills are still a work in progress, so I've prepared only four dishes. I hope you enjoy them,\" Astrid said modestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hibbort's expression softened, his eyes as kind as ever. \"It's the thought that counts. The taste is secondary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a top noble, Hibbort had sampled every delicacy imaginable, so he didn't hold high expectations for Astrid, who had only been cooking for half a month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as the food was edible, he would be satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, from what he'd heard from the servants, Princess Astrid's dishes looked presentable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The father and daughter chatted for a while until the kitchen divided each dish into two portions and handed them to the two personal maids to serve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyra took her plate and brought the dishes to the table with a composed expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the dishes were set, she and Elise stood about five meters behind Astrid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That… is Emperor Hibbort…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lyra observed the blond man seated at the table, his dignified demeanor, sharp features, and the royal aura that emanated from his every movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pursed her lips, feeling an overwhelming sense of pressure, far greater than what she experienced around Astrid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the pinnacle of nobility, embodying the supreme authority of the empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she was about to look away, a sharp gaze suddenly fell on her. Hibbort's eyes shifted slightly, landing on the pink-haired maid standing nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His deep green eyes were calm but piercing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Majesty the Emperor had noticed her observing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing this, Lyra quickly lowered her head, her fingers twisting nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hibbort, an intermediate Crusader, was particularly sensitive to the gazes directed at him.\u003C\u002Fp>",1509,"2026-06-09T04:47:04.076Z",1,"novelbin.me","3cccee0c9f8c70d64a680fceaf51abf9fcbd20f4cae6158e77b560013dc3b3a7","princess-s-struggle-for-survival-chapter-89","princess-s-struggle-for-survival-chapter-87",607,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fprincess-s-struggle-for-survival-cover.jpg"]