Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 285: Shy Maid

When she was a maid, Lyra had often come into contact with Astrid’s personal clothing.

However, as the core service maid, her duties did not include washing her master’s clothes.

That task was handled by specialized life maids.

Feeling the warmth still lingering in the silk fabric in her palm, and the subtle fragrance carried by the lake breeze into her nostrils, Lyra straightened her legs and pursed her lips tightly.

"Bring me the clothes I need to change into later," Astrid said, focused on controlling the dark elemental particles, not noticing the slight blush on the pink-haired girl’s cheeks.

Lyra nodded and replied softly.

"...Alright."

Princess Astrid had lived in the palace since childhood, with Elise taking care of her daily needs. It seemed she had never washed her own clothes.

Now, in the wilderness without any life maids around, it appears that Lyra was the only one who could do this task.

Seeing the dark elemental particles gather around Astrid again, forming a hazy black mist over the shimmering lake surface, even mental energy couldn’t penetrate it.

Lyra averted her gaze, her eyes naturally fell on the clothes in her hands.

A pure white short shirt, a light pink shawl, and below that, a pair of sheer transparent stockings and black lace-trimmed panties.

Wait... Was she supposed to wash these...

Swallowing imperceptibly, Lyra felt her palms grow warm, the skin in contact with the fabric as if pressed by a hot iron. The warmth spread to the roots of her ears, making them slightly hot.

Sitting on a large rock by the lake, Lyra placed Astrid’s discarded clothes on her knees, trying hard not to let her thoughts wander. Her mental energy quietly, keeping a vigilant watch on the surroundings.

On the lake surface, faint ripples spread, the silver moonlight making the ripples look like leaping silver snakes.

The black mist blocked vision and mental energy, but it didn’t shield the sound of flowing water that seemed to fall directly into the heart, nor the cool, subtle fragrance from Astrid carried by the lake breeze.

For a moment, Lyra seemed to see, under the moonlight, the silver-haired beauty standing alone with her back to her.

The silver light fell on the woman’s high nose bridge and tender lips, every smile and movement exuding charm and allure.

Snapping back to reality, the black mist remains dense. It had all been her illusion.

After some time, Lyra heard Astrid speaking.

"I’m done, you can give me the clothes now."

Getting off the rock, Lyra’s first thought was to hand the items to Astrid.

But as soon as she raised her arm, she realized it was wrong and bent down to take out some clean clothes from the suitcase beside her.

"Astrid, are these alright?" Lyra asked.

From within the black mist, a glimpse of exquisite, snow-white collarbone appears, with a few crystal-clear water clinging to the skin, reflecting the moonlight. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

Seeing the clothes in Lyra’s hand, Astrid nodded, her lashes fluttering slightly.

"Alright."

Feeling her hand empty, Lyra slightly raised her eyes, catching a glimpse of the proud, snow-white back hidden among the silver hair before the black mist fully gathered.

Lowering her head, the vanishing illusion reappeared. The girl’s heartbeat quickened, and even the rustling sound of dressing seemed nearby to carry a hint of allure.

Five minutes later, Astrid emerged from the black mist in a black dress, her long, smooth legs in black stockings swaying as she walked slowly to Lyra’s side.

"Your turn to wash," Astrid said softly.

To ensure she could fight at any moment, she had already changed into the clothes she would wear tomorrow and wouldn’t take them off when she rested later.

"My affinity with dark elements is quite high, so I’ll handle the concealment."

Lyra hummed softly in response, lifting her leg to remove her boots, her white-stockinged feet stepping on the pebbles.

"Then I’ll leave it to you, Astrid."

"Mhm."

Her fingers hooked onto the stockings, slowly pulling them off. Lyra walked barefoot to the lake, letting the black mist cover her body, and began to remove her clothes.

"Astrid..." After taking off her shirt and skirt, Lyra called softly.

Knowing what she needed, Astrid walked over early, raising her arm to take the clothes Lyra had changed out of.

As their hands brushed lightly in the air, the pink-haired girl quickly pulled hers back, her fingers curling and rubbing against her palm.

Once the surroundings were enveloped in black mist, and her heart wasn’t as chaotic, Lyra unconsciously pursed her lips and stepped into the lake.

Submerged in the water, the cool touch slightly eased the heat on her skin. Lyra scooped up a handful of water, the transparent liquid slid down her skin and eventually fell back into the lake.

The dark elements surrounding her, not under her control, gave her a subtle sense of unease. But considering it was Astrid who was shielding her, Lyra felt reassured.

She could trust Princess Astrid unconditionally.

But... on the other hand...

Since Astrid was the one controlling these dark elemental particles, her mental energy must be attached to those magical particles.

Didn’t that mean... Princess Astrid could feel her current state through her mental energy...

Including her every breath, every inch of her skin, even every drop of water sliding down her hair.

"..."

Realizing this, Lyra submerged herself in the lake, only her head above the water, letting her pale pink hair float on the surface.

So, in reality, she was practically laid naked before Astrid.

Isn’t this... a bit too embarrassing...

Holding a towel, fully submerged in the water, Lyra felt her head start to heat up, as if she were in a hot spring, steam rising from her.

Meanwhile, the villainess who occupied the protagonist’s thoughts had no idea of her current flustered state.

She was sitting on the rock Lyra had just occupied, her right leg crossed over her left knee, adjusting her brooch, enjoying the rare tranquility of the Monster Mountains.

Time passed minute by minute. Lyra quickly cleaned her body and tried to summon wind elemental particles to dry her hair when a gentle breeze seeped through the mist.

Princess Astrid... Could she really be watching her bath...

Feeling her hair gently lifted by the wind, Lyra stepped on the smooth pebbles, patted her slightly flushed cheeks, and walked to the edge of the black mist.

"Astrid... Um, the clothes..."

After speaking, Lyra reached out her hand, and within seconds, a set of clean clothes appeared before her.

Quickly taking them, she bent down to change, carefully arranged the skirt and pulled up the knee-high stockings, letting the white stockings gently press against her thighs, she spoke softly.

"I’m done."

As soon as she finished speaking, the black mist quickly dissolved. Lyra saw Astrid elegantly crossing her legs under the moonlight, her heart skipping a beat, before walking over to her side and picking up the clothes they had just changed out of.

"...I’ll go wash them," Lyra said.

Astrid looked at her slightly surprised, then smiled after a moment.

"Go ahead."

Since she was being so proactive, there was no need to say more.

Lyra swallowed again, her steps slightly unsteady.

"Alright, I’ll go then..."

"...to wash the clothes."

For some reason, Lyra repeated herself. Astrid blinked a few times, her voice calm and steady.

"Got it."

It’s just washing a couple of clothes, why so nervous?

Or perhaps, Lyra was even more shy than she imagined.

Thinking it wasn’t impossible, Astrid’s lips parted slightly as she emphasized.

"Focus when you wash them."

"After all, some of them are intimate clothing."

Hearing this, Lyra’s hand held the clothes stiffened, and her footsteps paused.

This... She knew that, of course...

Walking to the lake, looking at the undergarment clothes before her, Lyra took a deep breath, trying to calm her heartbeat.

It’s just washing a few clothes.

No big deal... Right, Lyra...

Soaking the skirt and stockings in the water, watching the ripples on the lake surface, Lyra lowered her eyes, feeling as if it wasn’t the water that was being stirred, but her heart.

......

Twenty minutes later, by the campfire, Astrid propped up the wet clothes on wooden stakes, using the heat from the fire to dry the fabric.

Lyra sat by the fire, hugging her knees in silence, her cheeks burning like the evening sky.

Her fingertips seemed to retain the soft touch of the fabric. Just thinking about how the things she had touched had been in zero distance contact with Princess Astrid made Lyra feel her cheeks heat up, her blue eyes avoiding looking at her.

This is... too embarrassing...

The flickering flames reflected in her eyes, like a burning fire in her heart. Lyra’s fingers dug into the soft flesh of her thighs, causing the cream-colored stockings to slightly sink in.

I am Princess Astrid’s personal maid, how can I be so shy just washing clothes?’

Her heart pounded wildly. Lyra saw the shadow by the campfire grow longer as Astrid approached. Biting her pink lips slightly, the muscles in her waist tensed slightly.

"Lyra..."

Astrid reached out to rub the girl’s cheek, feeling the warmth in her palm, the corners of her lips lifting slightly as she spoke softly.

"If you’re hot, move away from the fire. Your face is burning up."

Being touched by Astrid, Lyra was already a bit flustered. Hearing her words now, she feels even more agitated.

"Thank you for your concern, Astrid..."

"I’m fine."

It couldn’t possibly be from the heat... It’s clear...

Suddenly reminded of the time she blushed and stubbornly claimed it was from the firelight, Astrid had let out an amused "oh," and combined with her current tone, it was obvious she was teasing her.

Realizing she was being teased again, Lyra felt both shy and angry, lowering her head to avoid looking at Astrid.

Feeling her mischievousness satisfied, Astrid didn’t continue to tease Lyra. She let go and turned to sit opposite the girl, continuing to warm herself by the fire.

The bright light shines on both their faces, casting a warm glow on their delicate appearance.

Listening to the cracking sound of the burning firewood, it was Astrid who finally broke the silence.

"How was dinner tonight?"

Lyra’s shoe heel tapped the ground slightly, her voice lowered.

"It was delicious."

Princess Astrid’s cooking had always been excellent, to the point where one could easily forget she was actually an imperial princess who should have never touched kitchen work.

"That’s good," Astrid replied.

"Next time, we can try skewered beef. The taste is different from the restaurant’s, but equally delicious."

Exchanging casual conversation, the sense of shame in Lyra’s heart gradually dissolved as more firewood was added.

"By the way, Lyra."

"The Monster Mountains have many nocturnal creatures. Relying solely on crystal stones to mask our presence isn’t safe. If a magical beast happens to pass by while we’re both asleep, the situation could become very dangerous."

This was why the academy supported pairing up in twos. In the early stages of the trial, relying on one person to stay awake all night meditating could easily affect the next day’s hunting efficiency.

"So I suggest we take turns keeping watch," Astrid said.

This way, it’s safer and ensures our combat effectiveness doesn’t drop severely the next day due to lack of rest.

Lyra nodded in agreement, her finger drawing circles on her knee.

"Astrid, you’re a mage, your stamina is a bit worse than mine..."

"I’ll take a longer watch later."

Astrid’s body had always been delicate. Not to mention staying up all night, even with a normal nap, without eight hours of sleep, she would appear very lethargic.

Astrid didn’t refuse, and responded softly.

"Then I’ll trouble you, Lyra."

In terms of endurance and energy, she indeed couldn’t match the pink-haired girl before her.

Feeling the fire’s intensity wane, Lyra added two more logs, she gazed through the flames landing on Astrid opposite her.

The surroundings were extremely quiet, apart from the occasional crackling of wood, even the sound of breathing was barely audible.

Above, the bright moon cast its silver light through the trees, the contrast of cold and warm tones forming indistinct layers around the campfire.

Feeling the silence of the night breeze around her, Lyra looked at the person so close, her long-quiet thoughts suddenly became active.

With the isolation barrier set up, only she and Princess Astrid were by the campfire.

This atmosphere... feels like I could say something...

Seeing the moonlight caught in Astrid’s lashes, Lyra licked her lips and spoke softly.

"Astrid..."

"Do you remember what we talked about before..."

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