CHAPTER 464: “I’LL ALWAYS BE HERE.”

After instructing Anthony to place the heirlooms that Hibbort had repeatedly emphasized into the ice coffin, and handling all other matters left unaddressed, Astrid stared silently at the empty bed and the neatly arranged tea set and towel on the bedside table, unable to look away for a long time.

That broad back which once seemed omnipotent in her childhood memories had ultimately turned to dust, passing away with lingering worries for the empire and his adopted daughter. From now on, there will no longer be such a bright beacon illuminating through the thick fog ahead, everything will have to be walking alone.

She sat down at the bedroom desk, her gaze sweeping over stacks of books and the quill pen lying quietly there. Leaning back in her seat, Astrid quietly absorbed the sorrow within her heart.

Seeing this, Elise softly sighed inwardly, her expression remained calm. After a long pause, she spoke quietly.

"If Miss doesn’t plan to return to the banquet hall, I’ll send someone to inform Empress Amalia."

Given Astrid’s current state, it clearly wasn’t suitable for her to go mingling with nobles tonight.

Hearing Elise’s words filled with concern, Astrid gave a slight nod.

"Mm."

Thankfully, Elise, the cold-appearing yet warm-hearted head maid, understood her current emotional turmoil and volunteered to handle the unpleasant affairs.

Listening to the firm footsteps of maid shoes on the floor tiles, the door opening and closing with faint sounds, Astrid gently crossed her long legs, resting her palms on her knees as her slender dark brows gradually tightened with her inner emotions.

After who knows how long, moonlight from outside streamed in, illuminating the surface of the desk, making the mouth of the glass ink bottle shimmer with light.

Elise stood holding a maid’s tray, her dark eyes reflected the silver-haired princess before the desk, fragile and crystalline, like cold glass.

She said nothing, only silently stepping beside Astrid and standing there, just as she had done thousands of times before, quietly accompanying her.

Meanwhile, the coronation celebration banquet for the new Empress lasted until just past ten o’clock. After hours of socializing and finally calming the moods of numerous nobles, Amalia exchanged a few words with several cabinet ministers before turning to leave the venue.

"Sister... where has the Regent gone?"

Tidying her hair slightly, making sure the silk ribbons on both sides hadn’t loosened, Amalia, having properly readied herself, prepared to go see Astrid.

Trin bowed slightly in response, his expression respectful. "Your Majesty, the Regent is currently resting in the Emperor’s chambers."

So late... It must be about Hibbort...

Amalia had expected this. Her blue eyes flickered with thought before she asked, "The former Emperor should have prepared rooms for our rest?"

"Indeed, Your Majesty Amalia. If you wish to rest, the maids can guide you there."

"Not yet. I’ll go see the Regent first."

While conversing with Trin and walking toward the Emperor’s chambers, Amalia heard from servants that Astrid had been meticulously caring for Hibbort in the bedroom.

Although she didn’t particularly want to see that man, Amalia believed she wasn’t so petty as to be unable to bear even a brief glance at him.

Arriving at the entrance of the late Emperor’s bedroom, Amalia brought the guards to temporarily withdraw, then stepped forward and gently knocked on the door.

"Amalia Valeria requests an audience."

Half a second later, a familiar female voice came from inside.

"Come in, Amalia."

Upon receiving Astrid’s permission, Amalia gently pushed open the door.

The room was lit by only a single lamp, appearing somewhat dim. A cool evening breeze blew in from the window, gently swaying the woman’s lustrous silver hair.

At the sight of the silver-haired princess sitting beside the desk, leaning against the chair, Amalia’s eyes softened slightly. Then she turned her head and noticed the patient’s bed was completely empty, causing her expression to flicker with surprise.

After a few seconds to collect her thoughts, Amalia regained her composure, her eyelashes fluttering as she slowly stepped toward Astrid.

The secret plan to withhold the late Emperor’s passing was revealed to Amalia. Now that his bed stood empty, only one conclusion could be drawn.

Hibbort had passed away. His body had been placed into the ice coffin by Anthony, Dean of the Elizabeth Academy of Magic, and would be buried in the imperial mausoleum at an appropriate time.

Looking at the white-clad girl before her, dressed in a pure white dress, with golden hair and blue eyes, Astrid reached out and gently ruffled Amalia’s hair, speaking softly.

"It’s time to rest, Amalia."

"Today is the day of the new Empress’ ascension. Ensuring the ceremony’s completeness was also one of the late Emperor’s final wishes."

After speaking, Astrid suddenly realized there was no need to say this. The girl before her harbored only hatred, not love, for Hibbort. Using the pretext of fulfilling his wishes might only make her uncomfortable.

She had become too emotional, forgetting that even at the end of their lives, father and daughter had never reconciled.

But unexpectedly, Amalia showed not a trace of displeasure. Instead, she gently nuzzled Astrid’s hand and responded in a soft voice.

"Alright. If that was his wish, then let’s end it here for tonight."

"Sister should rest too."

As she spoke, Amalia actively reached out and took Astrid’s hand from the other side.

"Let’s go, sister." The girl said.

...............

Late at night, in the Imperial Chambers of the Valeria Empire, Astrid, having bathed, wore a pure black silk nightgown. She sat cross-legged atop the soft bed.

Perhaps considering future renovations or redecorations, Hibbort had kept Amalia’s room minimalist, lacking elaborate noble decorations or particularly flashy layouts. Even the pillows and bedding were plain white.

Although the decor was simple, the room still contained all necessary facilities expected of an imperial bedroom. Besides essential work areas and a wardrobe, it also included noble-exclusive magitech devices such as a lamp, hot water kettle, and underfloor heating, all designed to allow the new Empress to focus on state affairs without distraction from trivial matters.

Her hand resting on the smooth bedding, her long silver hair cascading down from behind and covering her two delicate feet, Astrid gazed at the hazy moonlight outside the window, restraining herself from thinking about everything that had happened tonight.

The sound of dripping water reached her ears. Muffled by the door, it wasn’t clear, yet stood out distinctly in the quiet summer night.

It was the sound of Amalia bathing.

The entire room only had a soundproof barrier set up in the main bedroom, which could be turned on or off at will. The washroom lacked such a barrier, and Amalia hadn’t specifically used her spiritual energy to cast a sound-damping spell.

Listening to the sound of water hitting the floor tiles, Astrid adjusted the strap on her shoulder, her mind briefly filled with images of swirling steam, momentarily covering the surging flood of memories.

The new Empress was bathing in the washroom, while she sat idly on the latter’s bed, especially on this first night following the conclusion of the coronation ceremony.

Glancing at the lace-trimmed hem of her nightgown, and the two smooth, moonlit thighs exposed beneath it, Astrid suddenly had a slightly absurd thought.

Right now, she felt almost like a concubine who had cleaned herself thoroughly, waiting for the Emperor to finish his bath before receiving his favor.

Her fingertip gently traced the nightgown, looking at the sleek black silk that clung to her full figure. Astrid curved her lips slightly, amused at her own inexplicable ridiculousness.

Still... being able to think about such trivial things was better than continuing to drown in sorrow.

Lifting the covers, she slid her long, delicate legs beneath the sheets and sat at the head of the bed. Her crimson eyes turned toward the Imperial Scepter leaning beside her, and she reached out, picking it up to examine it carefully.

Fifteen minutes later, the washroom door opened. Amalia, freshly bathed, stepped into the room wrapped in a cloud of steam, gently dried her hair with a towel.

By the time she reached the bed, the moisture in her golden hair had been mostly dried by a combination of fire and wind elemental magic, leaving it smooth and soft.

Seeing Astrid holding the scepter, Amalia kicked off her slippers and sat beside the woman, speaking softly.

"Sister... Do you remember what I told you...?"

Astrid shook her head gently, her voice tender. "What?"

"I’m soul-bound to the Imperial Scepter..." Amalia slipped her legs under the covers, feeling the smooth, cool texture beneath her, then continued.

"...just now, when my sister touched it, I could feel it too."

Perhaps due to the bath, Amalia’s voice had become clearer than usual.

"It feels... like being cared for by my sister."

As she spoke, Amalia reached around from behind and gently wrapped her arms around Astrid’s waist.

"Can this sensation not be undone?" Astrid asked.

If it couldn’t be removed, then during battle, if someone struck the scepter with a sword, wouldn’t that be equivalent to directly attacking her soul?

"Of course it can..." Amalia whispered.

"...but if it’s my sister doing it, I don’t mind at all."

"Whether it’s the scepter or my body, only my sister is allowed to touch them."

The ethereal voice echoed in the night. Although spoken in an ordinary tone, Astrid felt as if Amalia were making a vow she intended to keep for life.

If she were to bring up Amalia’s future consort or the Empress of the empire right now, it would ruin the mood. Astrid chose to suppress such thoughts and gently stroked the scepter in her hands.

"From now on, Amalia will be the supreme ruler of the empire."

With this status, their research into magitech devices will become far easier than before.

"Mm."

"Sister has fulfilled every promise you made to me."

’You said you’d take me away from the old castle, to see the outside world. You said you’d place me upon that lofty throne, admired by thousands.’

Every promise Astrid had once made had now come true.

Gently stroking the fabric of her nightgown, sensing the slight tremor in the small body nestled against her, knowing she had touched a spot that made her sister ticklish, Amalia stopped her movements and spoke softly.

"Sister..."

"...I’m right here."

There was no particular reason, she just suddenly said those words out of nowhere. Yet Astrid understood, and could clearly perceive the tenderness in Amalia’s voice.

This sensitive child had sensed the low mood in her emotions.

"I’m your sister, and the one who loves you most." The golden-haired girl’s voice was soft and low. The dignified aura she wore during the day had completely softened, becoming harmless and gentle, like a soft cream cake.

"So... if there’s anything sad... just tell me."

She held no affection for Hibbort, but Astrid was different. She had always seen how much affection Hibbort showed Astrid, and could understand Astrid’s deep bond with this father.

As Hibbort’s biological daughter, young Amalia had once been jealous, jealous that Astrid could receive the love that should have been hers. But later, that jealousy transformed into something else: witnessing the intimacy between Astrid and Hibbort, a closeness that only family should share, something even that cold-blooded Emperor Hibbort managed to obtain.

Still, all such negative emotions had become insignificant on the day he passed away.

Not because she had forgiven Hibbort’s coldness, nor because she completely didn’t care, but because Amalia now didn’t want Astrid to remain sad and heartbroken, drowning in the pain of losing a loved one.

Hearing Amalia’s words, Astrid slightly lifted her downcast eyes and saw the girl’s golden hair, like golden wheat stalks, spilling over the bedding.

Revealing her vulnerable and emotional side to the younger sister she had always doted on didn’t seem like a good choice.

Moreover, she was well aware of Amalia’s hatred towards Hibbort.

Feeling the turbulent waves within her chest, Astrid remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"It’s alright, Amalia."

She wasn’t as fragile as Amalia imagined. Having experienced life and death separations in her past life, her threshold for enduring negative emotions was far higher than ordinary people. She wouldn’t be easily knocked down or fall into despair.

"..."

Hearing Astrid’s words, Amalia understood that the other still didn’t want to release this emotion, preferring to silently bear it alone. She pressed her lips together, a dull ache spreading through her heart.

"Sister... every word you’ve taught me, I’ve kept in my heart..."

The arm resting at Astrid’s waist slowly moved upward, gliding over her flat abdomen and rising curves, finally stopping at her neck, gently embracing.

"You said, ’Don’t pile negative emotions deep inside. Releasing them appropriately is what keeps your heart light and prevents your soul from being twisted and warped by harsh realities.’"

Amalia shifted her body backward, wrapping her arms around Astrid’s slender, ivory-white swan neck. Her relatively slender chest pressed against Astrid’s shoulder blades, like an extension of her words, or perhaps emotional support.

"We are family... you don’t need to suppress yourself, and you don’t have to worry about affecting me..."

"Besides, how could the Empress of the Valeria Empire be so easily overwhelmed by emotions?"

Feeling the warmth from behind, the smooth, pale arms encircling her and pressing against the collarbone of her nightgown, like soaking in warm water.

Astrid’s hands lay limply on the bedsheet as Amalia leaned close to her ear and spoke in an extremely gentle voice.

"So sister... say whatever you want..."

"If you truly don’t wish to speak of it, then staying like this is fine too."

"I’ll always be here."