Just as Astrid's casual words had stripped Lyra of her admission, they could just as easily destroy her completely.
She could be angry, but she would have to bear the consequences of that anger. The thought of her parents, far away and unaware of her plight, filled her with a sense of helplessness. Lyra closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to steady herself. When she opened them again, her eyes were glistening with unshed tears.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness Astrid… I was too abrupt."
The bitterness and injustice swirling in her heart were overwhelming. Lyra clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as crystal tears slowly trailed down her cheeks.
It wasn't her fault. None of this was her fault.
The girl sniffled, forcing herself to turn away from Astrid, her shoulders trembling as she tried to hold back her sobs.
Astrid watched the pitiful figure of Lyra, her expression calm and unreadable. Inside, however, she felt a pang of guilt. After all, the Lyra before her wasn't yet the future Knight of Light. She was just a young girl of sixteen or seventeen, still naive and vulnerable.
After a moment, Lyra felt something soft and cool brush against her cheek. She looked down to see a delicate silk handkerchief being offered to her.
Astrid had leaned forward, her movements graceful as she gently lifted Lyra's chin with her fingers. The princess's touch was cool, but it sent a burning sensation across Lyra's skin.
With surprising tenderness, Astrid wiped away the tears staining Lyra's face. Her crimson eyes remained steady, their intensity making Lyra freeze in place.
"Don't get Elise's carpet dirty," Astrid said lightly, her tone almost teasing.
Was she only concerned about the carpet?
The flicker of gratitude that had begun to form in Lyra's heart vanished instantly. She sniffled again, forcing herself to hold back the tears that threatened to spill once more.
"Have you cried enough?" Astrid asked, her voice calm but firm.
Lyra nodded reluctantly, her voice barely above a whisper. "...Yes."
"Good. Then I have something to tell you."
Astrid handed the handkerchief to Lyra and straightened up, her posture regal and composed. Her tone was matter-of-fact as she continued.
"Since Miss Lyra is so eager to attend the academy, I'm not entirely unreasonable. The condition remains the same: you must stay by my side at all times and not wander off. If your behavior is satisfactory, I will arrange for you to enroll next spring."
In the original story, Lyra had also spent a year in the royal capital before eventually gaining admission to the Elizabeth Academy of Magic with the help of her friends. This arrangement wasn't entirely out of line with the plot.
"Is Your Highness serious?" Lyra asked, her voice trembling as she rubbed her reddened eyes.
Astrid raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "Are you questioning the integrity of the Valeria Royal Family?"
Her tone was icy, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes.
"I always keep my promises."
As His Majesty's favorite princess, securing a student spot for Lyra would be a trivial matter.
Lyra wiped away her tears, her expression shifting from despair to cautious hope.
"So… I just need to stay by Your Highness's side?"
If Astrid's words were true, staying an extra year in the capital might be the best option available to her.
The entrance exams and tuition fees for the Elizabeth Academy of Magic were no small sum, and Lyra didn't want to burden her family further.
"Not exactly," Astrid replied, her gaze sweeping over Lyra from head to toe.
The maid's uniform fit Lyra perfectly, accentuating her delicate yet alluring figure. The white lace-trimmed over-the-knee socks hugged her slender legs, adding to her innocent charm.
"Miss Lyra looks quite fitting in this maid's attire. From now on, you'll serve as my personal maid, just like Elise. You'll be responsible for attending to my daily needs, clothing, meals, and other matters."
"Of course, I won't make you work for nothing. Your monthly stipend will be eight gold coins, and all your expenses in the palace will be covered by Elise."
Eight gold coins, in terms of purchasing power, were equivalent to more than 4,000 dollars in her previous life, enough to cover a month's expenses for an average family. Not to mention, food and lodging would also be provided. Lyra had never had such a well-paying job before.
"Why? Is Miss Lyra unwilling?"
Astrid's eyes narrowed slightly, her tone carrying a hint of displeasure.
"I'm not asking for your opinion."
Whether Lyra wanted to or not, whether she agreed or not, it wouldn't change the outcome.
"N-no, I'm not unwilling," Lyra stammered, her voice barely audible.
'It's just that… the payment is far more generous than I expected…'
Eight gold coins were a fortune to Lyra, but to Astrid, it was merely the cost of a single meal.
"Good. I'm glad you're willing. I wouldn't want anyone to think I'm forcing you into this."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Astrid felt a twinge of guilt. She quickly shifted the conversation, eager to move past the awkward moment.
"It's getting late. I'll have Elise arrange a room for you in the palace. You'll stay here for now."
"Get some rest. If you're too tired to perform your duties properly tomorrow, I'll have no choice but to deduct your salary."
At night, Lyra hugged her soft cotton pillow and watched the moonlight filter through the curtains, casting a gentle glow on the corner of her bed. Her once clear and translucent eyes gradually grew clouded with confusion.
The events of the day had been too tortuous to comprehend.
First, she had rescued Miss Lina from the clutches of thieves, only to be dragged by the latter into attending a coming-of-age ball.
There, she encountered Princess Astrid, who ended up splashing a glass of wine on her. To top it all off, she lost her admission quota in a daze and was forced to become the princess's personal maid.
Thinking of the silver-haired princess with her commanding aura, Lyra shrank further into her quilt. Her eyelashes fluttered, and her slender, pale legs curled up slightly.
That arrogant demeanor... It was truly infuriating.
Originally, she would have been enrolling in the academy tomorrow, but now she had to wait another year.
The gap between heaven and hell was nothing compared to this.
Pounding her pillow in frustration, as if to vent her anger at Astrid, Lyra pursed her lips and stared blankly at the ceiling.
Tomorrow morning, she would have to request a half-day leave from Her Royal Highness Astrid to return to the hotel, pack her belongings, and explain the situation to Miss Lina.
Whether the other party agreed or not, she had to leave.
If all else failed, she could always run away secretly.
After struggling with her thoughts until the middle of the night, Lyra finally fell asleep.