Royal capital, 

Singing and dancing were going on to celebrate the coming-of-age party.

"Ouch! Her Highness Astrid?"

The cold liquor slowly trickled down Lyra's cheeks, staining the girl's sky-blue eyes with a bright red.

Astrid slowly straightened her legs, a mocking smile on her lips, and her silver hair fluttering gently with her movements.

"I'm sorry, I just tripped over something and spilled the drink in my glass."

"It seems that this young lady has no chance to enter the dance."

The woman was wearing a close-fitting silk dress, her white and slender legs were completely wrapped in a layer of slightly permeable black stockings, and her bewitching cheeks were a little drunk.

Directly opposite her, a young girl with pink hair and a white dress was drenched in a glass of red wine, and the cold liquid flowed down her hair to her neck, sliding all the way down her snow-white skin.

As the vicious villain of the fantasy novel "The Innocent Knight of the Stained Light", Princess Astrid would always jump out at any possible moment and cause a lot of trouble for the protagonist, Lyra.

For example, arranging for someone to replace her enrollment place, or drinking in public like now, or pulling a few of her fox friends to provoke each other head-on, all the things that can frustrate the protagonist, Astrid must be involved.

Seeing the pink-haired girl in front of her like a bird with wings wet by the rain, her head down, her pink lips clenched, and her two slender legs wearing white over-the-knee socks rubbing gently, Astrid, who was a transmigrated person, narrowed her pupils slightly, and many original settings suddenly appeared in her mind, including her identity and the reason why she deliberately embarrassed Lyra.

Astrid Calliste Valeria, a villainess who is keen on persecuting the protagonist, has silver hair and red eyes, and is called by most people in the novel a vicious princess who is good for nothing except for her appearance.

She and Lyra really have a feud because of a man, Earl Velmont, Astrid has been in love for a long time. But Earl Velmont never answered her, and now, as soon as the protagonist Lyra appeared, the other party took the initiative to invite the dance, out of jealousy, Astrid began to embarrass Lyra everywhere, and the two eventually evolved into enemies of life and death.

As a villainess, Astrid's ending was naturally extremely miserable, and she was stripped of her royal status by the next Emperor, thrown into prison, and she finally died tragically in prison two years later.

Thinking of her extremely miserable future, Astrid couldn't help frowning, her pale fingers gently rubbing the goblet, and her mind gradually sank.

Since the wine has been spilled, the play can only be done in full.

"Elise, take this young lady to the room to change her clothes, and when the ball is over, I will apologize to her personally."

If only she could have transmigrated a few seconds earlier.

On Astrid's orders, the head maid named Elise looked around and made sure that the security of the ball was strong enough to ensure the safety of Her Royal Highness, and bowed slightly to Lyra.

"Miss Lyra, please come with me."

Seeing her valet and Lyra leave the ball, Astrid turned to the Earl Velmont, who stood nearby. She gracefully lifted the hem of her skirt, bent her knees slightly, and offered a dignified aristocratic salute.

"Mr. Velmont didn't seem to have any other dance partners..."

"How about we share a dance first?"

Seeing Lyra leave the scene weakly and helplessly, and hearing the invitation of the initiator Astrid to dance, a trace of disgust flashed in Earl Velmont's eyes, and his tone was lukewarm.

"I'm sorry, Her Highness Astrid."

"It occurred to me that I had something to do, so I would take my company first."

With that, the man walked towards the center of the stage, glass in hand, leaving Astrid alone. 

Fortunately, the Earl Velmont had refused; otherwise, she would have been truly unable to extricate herself from the situation. 

Noticing the subtle glances and covert observations directed her way, Astrid pursed her lips in feigned displeasure. Her delicate fingers clenched into fists, and her finely arched eyebrows, reminiscent of distant mountains, furrowed slightly. 

Until she fully understood the situation, she couldn't afford to reveal her true feelings. 

Meanwhile, far from the center of the Ball, Lyra followed Elise to a modest room. 

Elise gently pushed the door open and gestured for Lyra to enter. 

"Miss Lyra, there is a private bathroom inside. You can place your wet clothes in the storage area and freshen up. I will arrange for someone to bring you a change of clothes shortly. Once you're done, please wait here. The dance is over, and Her Royal Highness wishes to speak with you."

After this brief explanation, the head maid exited the room, leaving Lyra alone. She glanced around the simply decorated servant's quarters, quickly realizing that this was likely Elise's personal living space. 

Lyra's hair and dress were drenched in red wine, courtesy of Astrid's earlier actions. Even her once-pristine, milk-white stockings had become slightly transparent from the moisture. 

Princess Astrid's actions… they couldn't have been unintentional, could they? 

It was no secret throughout the imperial capital that the silver-haired princess, favored by His Majesty, was known for her brutal and tyrannical behavior. She was infamous for mistreating her servants and even publicly threatening a wealthy merchant's daughter, demanding her disappearance from the world the next day, all while flouting the empire's laws with impunity. 

Though Lyra was reluctant to judge others too harshly, it was difficult to dismiss the memory of Astrid's cold, indifferent gaze as she poured the wine. The princess's notorious reputation only added to Lyra's unease. 

'I must have somehow crossed her… but for now, I can only take things one step at a time.'

After a moment of contemplation, Lyra slowly removed her small leather shoes. She slid her fingers to the edge of her stockings and gently peeled them off. 

Once undressed, Lyra stepped into the bathroom to wash up. By the time she emerged, her hair clean and damp, a fresh set of clothes had been laid out on a chair near the bed. 

"A maid's uniform?" 

Given the suddenness of the situation, Elise must have borrowed spare clothes from one of the other maids. 

Overcoming a faint sense of embarrassment, Lyra dressed herself in the provided outfit. She sat down on the edge of the bed, her hands folded neatly on her lap, and waited in silence for whatever judgment was to come. 

Time passed slowly, and eventually, the door opened once more. A striking woman with silver hair and crimson eyes, dressed in an elegant black gown, entered the room. 

Astrid's gaze fell on Lyra, who sat waiting patiently. The princess casually kicked off her high heels, her feet sinking into the plush carpet as she approached. The faint aroma of wine mingled with her natural scent, creating a unique fragrance reminiscent of roses and grapes. 

"How lovely, Miss Lyra…" Astrid's voice was soft, almost teasing. "I didn't expect you to wait so obediently for Elise." 

Lyra's heart skipped a beat as she looked up at the silver-haired princess. Swallowing her nervousness, she spoke in a quiet voice. 

"Your Highness Astrid… did you need something from me?" 

After a brief reflection, Lyra deduced that Astrid had not left her in the room to apologize. The spilled glass of wine had merely been a pretext to remove her from the ball. 

Could it have something to do with Earl Velmont? 

Lyra lowered her gaze, the tension hidden in her eyes not escaping Astrid's notice. The princess sat gracefully on the edge of the bed, one leg crossed over the other, her black silk-clad calf resting elegantly on her knee. 

"That's a good guess. I do have something to discuss with you." 

Astrid idly twirled a strand of her silver hair, smoothing the folds of her skirt where it draped over the bed. 

"Lift your head and look at me when I speak, Lyra." 

Her voice was cold yet melodious, carrying an air of authority that brooked no refusal. Lyra's delicate frame trembled slightly at the command, but after a moment, she slowly raised her head. 

Her eyes met Astrid's crimson gaze, which reflected her own figure like a mirror. An indescribable sense of oppression washed over her, threatening to overwhelm her thoughts. 

Astrid, though not born to the current monarch, was the most favored princess of the Empire. Her every movement exuded a regal luxury that was difficult for ordinary people to comprehend, and this very opulence made Lyra feel as though she were suffocating. 

Your Highness Astrid… What exactly are you planning? 

"Do you like the Earl of Velmont?" Astrid asked after a long pause, her tone icy. 

Lyra was momentarily stunned. After a moment, her pink lips parted slightly. 

"I don't know Earl Velmont well, so… I can't say whether I like him or not." 

So, the princess's interest in her was indeed tied to Earl Velmont's invitation to dance earlier. 

Could it be that Princess Astrid has feelings for the Earl of Velmont? 

Astrid nodded thoughtfully, her ruby-like eyes narrowing slightly. 

Of course, as someone who had read the original story, Astrid knew perfectly well whether Lyra liked Earl Velmont or not. Her question was merely a pretext to justify her subsequent actions in Lyra's eyes, ensuring that her motives remained hidden from any prying observers. 

"So, it's possible that you might come to like him?" 

Astrid twirled a strand of her silver hair, her gaze unrelenting. 

"The Earl Velmont will be staying in the royal capital for some time. To be safe, I cannot allow you to see him again." 

She paused, her tone firm and final. 

"To put it plainly, from now on, you will remain by my side until I am convinced you pose no threat." 

A few seemingly casual sentences effortlessly dictated the course of Lyra's future. The girl's hands unconsciously gripped the hem of her skirt, her lips paling as she bit down on them lightly. 

"But… Your Highness Astrid, I came to the royal capital to attend the entrance ceremony for the Elizabeth Academy of Magic." 

This opportunity was something Lyra had worked tirelessly for, and it held immense significance for her. 

"Entrance ceremony?" Astrid's tone carried a hint of mock confusion, her index finger lightly tracing her lower lip. 

"Oh, it seems I forgot to inform

you, Miss Lyra…" 

"Your place has been taken. The name Lyra Beckett no longer appears among the incoming students of the Elizabeth Academy of Magic."