Chapter 626: Preparation
News of Charlotte, the pioneer researcher at the forefront of magical device technology, moving into the imperial palace quickly spread throughout the entire capital.
According to information previously disclosed by the Regent Princess, the grand Magical device Exhibition will be jointly held in half a month at both Elizabeth Academy of Magic and the Imperial Palace. As the primary architect of the Magical device discipline, Charlotte, who had already taken her seat, will attend the event.
Besides her, numerous social elites will also step into the academy’s exhibition hall and the Valeria Royal Collection Museum, all eager to witness the grand spectacle.
At the same time, the imperial government will publicly reveal a large amount of previously classified magical device data, including certain military equipment, Magical device weaponry, and transport machinery, helping people understand the reformists’ upcoming research priorities and exactly what these magical devices could do for them.
Beyond these pre-released promotional announcements, to demonstrate the Valeria Empire’s royal family’s emphasis on this exhibition, Astrid had placed a series of pre-event measures on the agenda, entrusting them directly to Amalia for execution.
For instance, free entry tickets distributed randomly with the Imperial Weekly, and the magical device renovation work throughout Imperial capital.
Empress Amalia had recruited a large number of architects for urban construction. These magical device builders, recently retired from the battlefield, had renovated the street lamps lining both sides of Imperial capital’s roads. Not only the already advanced and elegant western district, designed for noble residences, but also the relatively old and dilapidated eastern district, home to most outsiders, had improved environmental improvements.
The most noticeable change was that merchants no longer needed to bring their own kerosene lamps for lighting. Bright beams from light-element crystalline stones would now shine down from street lamps several meters high, helping people clearly see the roads. The energy consumption and high costs generated by this were entirely covered by the royal family.
As for other decorative structures, fountains, greenbelts, sculptures, Amalia had also dispatched people to repair and refurbish them, striving to let the Imperial capital, hailed as the "City of Glory," radiate brilliance from within and without during this Magical device exhibition.
"Amalia, these Magical device-savvy craftsmen must remain under our control. In the future, they’ll play extremely important roles."
"I understand, sister. You reminded me of this before, when we were preparing against the invasion from the Kingdom of Velys. These people, recruited under the temporary wartime laws, are now under the royal family’s banner. No one can take them away."
Inside the palace’s private dining room, having finished breakfast, Astrid and Amalia each held a cup of black tea, legs crossed as they chatted softly, seated on the balcony overlooking the entire capital.
"They’re the seeds for future Magical device development, and a crucial step in turning theory into reality. Their value isn’t any lower than scholars capable of researching magical devices."
The white-robed young empress gently swayed her slender, smooth legs. Thick white stockings with silver trim covered her skin, shimmering with a soft, lustrous sheen as she moved. As she spoke, she lifted a hand to support her delicate cheek.
"This capital renovation is also a way to train their craftsmanship. When doing similar work in the future, they’ll be able to achieve twice the result with half the effort."
"Not to mention how much funding I’ve allocated, using such generous treatment just to keep their loyalty."
The "temporary wartime law" Amalia referred to was the series of conscription clauses she, as Empress, had issued during wartime. These included both frontline combat soldiers and logistical personnel, craftsmen capable of repairing city walls, engraving magical runes, and assembling Magical device weapons at the rear were also included.
"Mm, good that you remember, Amalia."
Astrid nodded, pressing her pink lips to the rim of her cup for a light sip of tea. Her gaze lingered on her own black-stockinged legs poised before her, the dazzling sunlight enveloping the delicate high heels, creating translucent glimmers at the leather tips.
Just like science in her past life, medieval thaumaturgy valued practical application above all. Scientific theories that could be applied in reality were the most important.
Amalia turned her head, gazing at Astrid bathed in sunlight, sipping her tea before speaking again.
"No wonder it was your idea, sister. You always thought three steps ahead. I was only focused on minimizing casualties and balancing interests between the nobility and imperial authority, but you’ve already considered everything after Kingdom of Velys’s defeat."
The Magical device reform was the central focus of the Valeria Empire’s future development. Thanks to the objective factor of war, Amalia had pushed through the relevant legislation early. This further reduces the negotiation space and bargaining chips available to the conservative conservatives.
This political maneuver, using the tide of the times to modulate restrictive opposition forces, was truly mastery.
"It’s mainly thanks to your own abilities, Amalia." Astrid fluttered her eyelashes gently, praising softly.
"I only gave a slight hint, yet you immediately understood exactly what to do... and executed it so excellently..."
"I honestly didn’t expect you to so smoothly extract people from the Velmont family. They’re a merchant clan, masters at seizing profits. Whether it’s the current Duke or his apparent heir Tristian Velmont, they should clearly see the royal family’s next moves and the future prospects of Magical device development."
Put nicely, they were shrewd. Put harshly, they were like hyenas drawn to grease, never moving without profit, this was the Velmont family’s creed.
"Sister, you overestimate me. The people the Velmonts handed over were barely more than what was on paper. Claiming they’re temporary workers, but who knows how many they’re secretly keeping."
Amalia flicked her skirt, her exquisitely crafted princess shoes lightly brushed the floor. Her graceful foot arch, covered in smooth white stocking, lifted slightly on one leg, leaving about half a finger’s gap against the white shoe surface.
"I haven’t seen any halt in production of those basic household magical devices due to manpower being pulled away."
In certain aspects, the emperor and nobles could pretend not to see, though everyone secretly understood the truth.
The Velmont family knew Amalia’s actions were laying groundwork for future plans. Amalia, in turn, knew they were holding back. But their current interests aligned, so there was no need to press the issue.
Besides, Duke Velmont truly wanted to owe Amalia a favor, ensuring that, in the future, even if she didn’t fully open the gates for Magical device supply and sales, she’d at least offer some convenience.
Hearing Amalia’s words, Astrid pursed her lips, speaking gently.
"Amalia... are you very dissatisfied with the Velmont family?"
"..."
"No. They’re supporting pillars who helped secure my succession, indispensable. Although they’re the kind of fence-sitters prone to changing allegiances, their contributions can’t be denied."
Amalia’s fingers paused on her thigh, lightly touching the soft skin covered by cream-white stocking. Her white-stocking foot gently lifted, revealing an exquisite ankle adorned with a pearl chain. The pale pink ribbon fluttered with her movement, like a ribbon tied to a cake box.
"I’ll make good use of this force, sister." Amalia whispered.
If she had to name her dissatisfaction, it was directed at an individual, not the entire ducal family.
One particular count had once considered arranging a marriage with the Third Imperial Princess. Although purely political, if it had happened, she’d have lost any chance of growing closer to her sister forever.
Moreover, even if it were a loveless political marriage, given her sister’s status as the empire’s most beautiful woman, how could Tristian possibly resist afterward?
The best possible outcome was that nothing happened at all.
It was only because she knew her sister harbored absolutely no feelings for him that Amalia could set aside this personal resentment and treat this partner, someone who supported her rise to power, with a calm demeanor. That day, when Duke Velmont publicly displayed his submission before everyone, it had already been the strongest possible statement. In Amalia’s view, for that old fox to openly take a side was truly unexpected.
Winning over nobles through calculated interests was the duty of an emperor. Disliking her sister’s former suitors was a personal emotional matter. The two didn’t conflict. Most of the time, Amalia, never losing control, wouldn’t bring the latter into her imperial role.
Just as her sister said: an emperor is a cold-blooded political machine. But beneath the imperial robes, she should still be a living, breathing person.
Taking another sip of tea, Amalia, more eager to shed her regent’s mantle and long dress than to discard her imperial identity, suppressed her strange desires and spoke softly.
"By the way, sister, the first issue of the Imperial Weekly introducing the Magical device exhibition should already have been delivered by carriage to the empire’s most remote corners."
"I believe every noble across the empire now knows that a major event awaits in the Imperial capital."
It will become a spectacle recorded in imperial history, larger in scale than the capital’s annual New Year’s Eve celebrations.
"Pay extra attention to security. I’m sure many will try to sneak in."
"The Imperial Guards are already prepared, sister."
As she finished speaking, Amalia gazed at Astrid beside her, her blue eyes reflected the soft light in the girl’s silver hair and her flawless, breathtaking face.
"Lyra should’ve been home for some time now."
Rarely heard Amalia mentioned the little maid first, Astrid turned to look at her. The golden-haired, white-dressed, white-stockinged girl looked back, her expression showing little change.
"I hope she can enjoy this wonderful time." Astrid replied.
Reuniting with her long-lost family, savoring the purest love from her parents.
Feeling Astrid’s tone shift slightly at the mention of Lyra, Amalia experienced a small twinge of jealousy, yet could also faintly understand her sister’s emotions.
On one hand, it was longing for Lyra Beckett. Such a long journey with no letters, being a lover, it was hard not to worry.
On the other hand, it was probably envious for the maid’s family environment.
Her sister once had loving parents too, but they had disappeared beneath the abyss, never to be heard from again.
Perhaps the cruelest thing in the world isn’t never having had it, but briefly possessing it, then losing it forever. Amalia understood this most deeply.
If she were the one to lose her sister, she definitely wouldn’t be as rational as Lyra. She wouldn’t be able to escape the spiral of pain, only sink deeper.
Her high-heeled foot, adorned with tiny polka dots, stepped onto the translucent floor tiles. The openwork Lolita shoe didn’t conceal her snow-white, smooth instep, revealing half of her tender foot arch. As her center of gravity shifted, it covered the gap between the shoe and white stocking.
Amalia walked to Astrid’s side, slightly leaning down, and proactively embraced her.
"In just over ten days, she’ll be back."
Breathing in Amalia’s fragrance, Astrid gave a slight nod, softly uttering "Mm," then heard Amalia say:
"Sister..."
"Besides being your lover, I’m also your little sister, you know."
Her feelings for Astrid weren’t just romantic, they contained much familial love as well. The same was true in reverse for Astrid; it was merely a matter of proportion.
"I love you, sister."
This time, Amalia didn’t choose to kiss the other’s lips. Instead, using the height advantage of her heels and Astrid’s seated position, she closed their height difference and gently kissed Astrid’s forehead.
Feeling Amalia’s tender, hazardous side, thinking of the little girl who used to cuddle in her arms feeling the breeze, Astrid’s heart softened involuntarily. She wrapped her arms around the girl’s slender waist in response.
"I love you too, Amalia."
"...Sister."
It seemed to be the first time she’d addressed Amalia with that term.
Although the latter had always called her "sister, sister," she had never responded in kind.
Hearing Astrid’s words, Amalia’s face suddenly flushed. Her hand resting on the woman’s black-stockinged thigh grew slightly warm from the forward-leaning motion.
She truly... had no resistance against such delightful terms...
If during those moments, Astrid called her that, it might all be over in just a few minutes.
For a moment, realizing what she was thinking, Amalia frowned, quickly closing her eyes.
She was probably truly beyond saving, thinking about these things no matter what happened.
It must be her sister’s fault. Her sister was just too delicious, making her emotions twisted so completely.
It’s all her sister’s fault.
Holding Astrid like this, having completed the achievement of exchanging kisses with her sister at the highest restaurant in the palace, Amalia let go of all other thoughts, simply savoring this intimate tenderness shared between sisters.
Meanwhile, in Morin Village, far in the northeastern reaches of the empire, a lovely girl with pink hair and blue eyes sat by the window, gazing down at the doghouse below the attic, two dogs, just finished eating, snuggling together and sleeping soundly. Her expression was equally gentle.
I wonder what Astrid is doing.
As she pondered, Lyra seemed to feel something and gently lifted her head.
Beyond the eaves, the sun hung high. A faint breeze brushed her cheek, bringing a hint of coolness.
Was it an illusion?
Did something just fly past a moment ago?
