A Princess’s Struggle for Survival

"Sorry, I didn't notice anyone behind me..."

Realizing that the two noble girls had approached in an unfriendly manner, Lyra bowed her head and apologized softly, while moving her suitcase, which was half her height, to the side.

Just now, Lyra's back was not clearly visible to everyone, but as the girl turned around, her pair of sky-blue eyes and signature long pale pink hair instantly made Sally feel a sense of familiarity.

This person... She looks like someone I saw at yesterday's party...

By the way, it's the unlucky girl who was splashed with red wine by Princess Astrid.

"What's your name?" Sally asked her coldly.

Last night, Lyra was still wearing a richly decorated little dress, but today she had changed into a maid's outfit, making it seem as though she had sneaked into the ball to eat and drink under false pretenses.

"Lyra Beckett."

"Ly...ra?"

Sally repeated the name softly, her eyes growing increasingly unkind as memories flooded back.

When Princess Astrid helped her change academy, she had replaced an ordinary girl named Lyra. Sally had investigated afterward and confirmed that Lyra was powerless and wouldn't cause any trouble.

Since she was from a commoner background, there was nothing to worry about.

Thinking of Lyra's identity, Sally, as a member of the aristocratic class, looked down on her from the bottom of her heart. The fact that Lyra had outperformed her in the entrance exam only added to her displeasure.

"Oh, I thought it was someone important. Turns out it's just some commoner who escaped from the banquet..."

Sally's eyes filled with disdain as she looked at Lyra, and her tone grew sharper.

"Why did you change your clothes and go out after just one day? Are you experiencing life, or has Miss Lyra's short aristocratic probationary period finally ended?"

In addition to the disdain evident in her words, Sally's tone was laced with sarcasm and mockery. This kind of verbal insult was particularly hurtful.

Although Lyra was simple, she was not stupid, and she naturally understood the meaning behind Miss Sally's words.

She was implying that Lyra was a fraud who had sneaked into a high-class dance party and didn't belong on such a stage.

"I'm just an ordinary maid, and there is no so-called aristocratic probationary period."

Lyra replied without humility or arrogance.

"Maid?"

Sally raised her lips in a sneer, her eyebrows slightly raised.

"Since you know you're a maid, don't think about things you shouldn't. Just do your job obediently."

"The Elizabeth Academy of Magic isn't a place that just any commoner can enter..."

Before she could finish her bitter words, a cold female voice suddenly interrupted.

"Who gave you the right to educate my maid in plain sight?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Lyra looked up and saw a noble girl with silver hair and red eyes approaching slowly under the shade of a wide parasol.

Astrid was dressed in a dark black chiffon dress, her silky silver hair cascading down to her waist. Her slender, hands were adorned with white lace gloves, one resting on her chest and the other near her cherry lips. Her black silk-clad legs swayed gently as she walked, and her half-exposed lotus arms gleamed smooth and white in the sunlight. Her delicate cheeks, partially shaded, were breathtakingly beautiful.

"Who... Her Highness Astrid?!" Sally's voice trembled slightly upon seeing the newcomer.

Is Lyra Princess Astrid's maid? I thought they had a bad relationship...

Sensing that Astrid was in an unhappy mood, a cold sweat broke out on Sally's back, and her tone lost all the arrogance she had shown when speaking to Lyra.

"I just... wanted to give her a kind reminder..."

The matter was both trivial and significant, but Princess Astrid shouldn't make too much of a fuss about it.

After all, no matter how you looked at it, Lyra's admission quota had been changed by Astrid herself. There was no reason for the two to have a good relationship. If anything, Astrid had likely made Lyra her maid to torment her in another way.

Thinking this, Sally relaxed slightly, and her voice softened.

"I didn't expect Miss Lyra to be Your Highness's maid. My apologies for overstepping."

As she looked at the silver-haired princess standing before her, a wave of complicated emotions surged in Lyra's heart.

'Princess Astrid... is she defending me?'

"Now that you know you've overstepped, why are you still standing there like a fool?"

Astrid's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her tone grew icy.

"Apologize to her."

Sally's mouth twitched slightly at this, her face filled with disbelief.

Astrid was asking her to apologize to Lyra?

When did this commoner climb so high?

Clenching her teeth and fists, a flash of resentment crossed Sally's eyes.

What a joke. How could the second daughter of a marquis's family apologize to a mere commoner?

But as Astrid's gaze grew colder, Sally slowly unclenched her hands, glared at Lyra, and muttered through gritted teeth.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that."

Her apology was forced, and it wasn't directed at a commoner but at Princess Astrid's personal maid, a title that carried weight.

Seeing Sally's reluctant apology, Astrid gave a slight nod.

"And Miss Sally, remember this: no matter what happened in the past, Lyra is now under my protection. Think carefully before you speak or act."

The implication was clear: bullying Lyra would be tantamount to disrespecting Astrid herself. With such a heavy warning, Sally didn't dare to say another word.

"Understood, Your Highness Astrid."

Seeing the inherently arrogant aristocratic lady leave in embarrassment, Lyra breathed a sigh of relief. She raised her face and looked at Astrid quietly with her watery eyes.

"...Thank you, Your Highness Astrid."

Her tone was filled with palpable gratitude.

This time, thanks to Astrid's intervention, she truly didn't know how the situation would have ended otherwise.

Astrid tilted her head slightly, her cherry-pink lips parting as she spoke.

"You are my personal maid. Don't behave so meekly in front of outsiders in the future. It gives the impression that Princess Astrid has no control over her own people, as if anyone can comment on them as they please."

"My people are mine to bully. No one else has that right."

With that, Astrid turned around and walked forward without the slightest hesitation, her beautifully decorated diamond-encrusted heels clicking crisply against the ground.

After all, Sally was one of the few noblewomen Astrid tolerated, and embarrassing her in public had slightly affected Astrid's image. Outside the palace, Astrid had to maintain appearances, even if it meant reducing suspicion and defending Lyra under a plausible pretext.

She wasn't acting out of protectiveness—she simply didn't want anyone else touching her toys.

After two or three seconds, Astrid heard the soft clatter of small leather shoes and the faint sound of rolling wheels behind her.

Lyra was following behind her.