Leaving the council room, Astrid's tense spirit finally relaxed.
She stretched her legs to ease her sore knees when suddenly, a shrill male voice reached her ears.
"The maid team is disbanded, and there are not enough maids available around the Imperial Sister so you need to help my brother do some filling."
Taller smiled, a hint of smugness in his eyes.
Whether intentionally or not, Astrid had done him a great favor this time.
It was unlikely the second prince had ever dreamed he was on his father's list of suspicions.
"I recently selected a new batch of maids. If the Imperial sister doesn't mind, she can take them for a while. If they prove useful, it wouldn't hurt to keep them."
Of course, Astrid didn't want to trouble herself.
Just having cleaned up one batch of spies, she wasn't keen on accepting another.
She casually made up a reason to refuse.
"I was cheated by these careless maids some time ago. I don't want to recruit any more people for the time being. Elise alone is enough."
After speaking, Astrid felt her words were slightly inappropriate.
It was easy for Lucas to see that Lyra wanted to leave, so she immediately added.
"Lyra is also learning how to make desserts, and I believe it won't be long before she can be effective."
Hearing this, Lucas maintained his personable aristocratic posture, his eyes narrowed into slits.
"The Imperial sister seems to value Miss Lyra."
"Does she deserve your trust? This incident is a good warning in case she's in the pastry..."
Lucas didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.
Astrid had fired almost all the maids in one go, and she should also be wary of this new toy.
Best... leave her to yourself...
Guessing Lucas's ill intentions, Astrid's tone turned slightly cold.
It was unclear if she was wary of Lyra or a little dissatisfied with Lucas's words.
"I'll keep Elise on Lyra and not give her any chance to disobey me."
"How much of a storm can a plaything make?"
Anyway, Lyra wasn't here now. Astrid took the opportunity to make Lucas misunderstand even more, so he would willingly wait until she, a stupid princess who didn't know how to learn, got tired of playing and then threw Lyra to him.
Thanks to the bad image of the original owner being deeply rooted in people's minds, Lucas didn't have any doubts when he heard it.
He even dismissed some unbelievable speculations, such as Princess Astrid having been hiding all along but actually being a spy planted by Alistair's camp.
Currently, the only two contenders for the throne are the eldest prince Lucas and the second prince Alistair.
Although the third princess Astrid is favored, because she has no royal blood, it's impossible for her to directly participate in the seizure of the throne.
She must find a suitable heir to rely on in order to enjoy wealth forever.
Today's move essentially confirms Astrid's political faction.
"Since the Imperial sister knows what's at stake, then I won't say more..."
Lucas straightened his shirt, looking every bit the good brother.
"This time, I made you suffer. It just so happened that the pastries I entrusted someone to buy arrived this afternoon. I arranged for someone to send some to you later. They're all local specialties that can't be bought in the imperial capital."
"If there's anything else you need, just say the word. No matter what happens, your royal brother will always support you."
The words were high-sounding, but the man himself was a nasty character who coveted other people's girls.
Astrid didn't believe there was any genuine brother-sister relationship between the original owner and Lucas.
The so-called care and support were merely tools for mutual use on the road to power.
"Then thank you, Brother," Astrid replied with a smirk.
Lucas also tugged at the corners of his mouth: "Between you and me, there's no need for thanks. Just say it directly."
As Princess Astrid walked away, her long dress trailing behind her, her slender heels tapping the ground with a crisp sound, Lucas waved his hand to summon the servants closer.
"Give Elise the snacks and tea leaves, and prepare some unique jewelry."
"Also, inform them not to make any moves lately."
Emperor Hibbort wants to thoroughly investigate Princess Astrid's allergies.
Although it has nothing to do with him, to avoid being implicated in any unsavory matters related to him, Lucas decided to temporarily restrain himself.
When Astrid returned to the garden, Lyra was still undergoing special training from Elise.
In the golden sunlight, the girl's snow-white face glistened with a thin layer of sweat, but Lyra herself didn't seem to care.
She remained engrossed in practicing her knife swings.
Astrid sat elegantly in the gazebo, her pink lips softly reciting Elders Speech.
At the same time, she used her mental power to cool the black tea, taking small sips as she watched.
Since the night of the beating, when Lyra had asked her what to do with the maid and Astrid answered truthfully, the other's attitude toward her had noticeably cooled.
Although Lyra still maintained the respect a maid should have for her master, there was a subtle difference.
In the past, when Astrid taught Lyra magic, the girl would be visibly delighted when she understood something, her voice rising slightly, sweet and crisp, a pleasure to hear.
Now, however, her tone was deliberately restrained, maintaining a neutral, almost indifferent demeanor.
Astrid had read the original web novel and understood Lyra's character, sunny, warm, and deeply empathetic.
She would undoubtedly be dissatisfied with Astrid's wanton cruelty toward others.
This little girl was simply angry with her.
Of course, Astrid wanted to explain herself to Lyra, but now was clearly not the most opportune time.
Prince Lucas had not yet fallen, and she was still in a precarious position.
Acting out of character could easily cause trouble and draw unwanted attention.
In the early stages, she had to maintain the persona of the vicious princess.
Any contradictory behavior might arouse Lyra's suspicion.
If Astrid didn't like Earl Velmont and didn't treat Lyra like a toy, why had she forced her to stay?
Astrid couldn't explain. She couldn't reveal that she knew the plot.
Doing so would only make the destined heroine think she had ulterior motives.
She hoped that in the future, Lyra would come to understand her efforts.
The more Astrid thought about it, the more exhausted she felt. She rested her chin on her arm and let her body relax.
Half an hour later, the snacks Prince Lucas had promised arrived. Astrid urged Elise and Lyra to take a break and eat something to replenish their energy.
"This is what His Highness Lucas asked me to deliver," the servant said before leaving.
Hearing Lucas's name, Lyra's eager expression faded. She looked at the dim sum with downcast eyes, her hands hanging limply at her sides.
Seeing this, Astrid's expression turned serious. "One thing is one thing. You may hate Lucas, but the soft, glutinous pastries themselves are not at fault."
When Lyra hesitated for too long and didn't take anything to eat, Astrid quickly picked up a pastry and brought it to the girl's lips while she wasn't paying attention.
"Open your mouth!"