Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 101: A Foreign Word-Friend

In the end, Livia selected two paintings that caught her eye.

One depicted the dilapidated view of the bell tower, which had sold for eighteen gold coins, and the other was one of Amalia's early works, priced at fifteen gold coins.

"Will Miss Livia take them now, or...?"

"Leave them here for now. According to our agreement, every time I pay for a painting, I'll take the corresponding one."

Back in the room, Livia said, "Go and write down what you need as soon as possible. That way, it will be easier for the servants to prepare everything quickly."

Amalia nodded and went to the next room. She sat down at the desk, picked up the pen and paper, and began to think carefully about what she needed.

Fifty-three gold coins was undoubtedly a significant sum, enough to sustain her for several years.

First, she needed various types of dyes. Recently, her blue-gray pigment had been running low, and she needed to replenish it immediately.

Besides dyes, she could also afford better pens and more professional drawing paper suitable for painting.

The tip of the pen glided across the paper, leaving behind a few lines of neat handwriting.

Amalia paused for a moment, then added a few more items below, brushes and easels she had never dared to consider before.

Looking at the neatly written list of transactions in front of her, Amalia suddenly felt an illusion, this thin piece of paper recording her needs was like a wish list given to the old man of the Holy Light during the Feast of Light in the Valeria Empire, a tradition where each child's beautiful dreams for the future were written down.

Amalia knew, of course, that there was no such thing as the old man of the Holy Light.

It was the parents who loved their children who truly fulfilled those wishes, not some fabricated figure.

Livia... the old man of the Holy Light... The comparison was too absurd to even consider.

Thinking of the stark contrast between the two images, Livia and the mythical figure, Amalia's lips curved slightly, revealing a smile she hadn't noticed in years, one that had been absent for so long.

A few drops of ink fell from the tip of her pen.

Amalia glanced at the paper in front of her, quickly shaking off the bizarre thoughts, and fell into deep contemplation once more.

Aside from these... she didn't seem to have anything else she wanted...

She had books, painting tools, and the rest Amalia either couldn't use or couldn't think of anything else.

Since she didn't need anything more for now, she could always address it later.

The girl set down her pen, pushed open the bedroom door, and walked slowly to the next room, handing the list to Livia.

Without realizing it, Amalia had begun to feel that no matter what happened, Livia would always be there.

Taking the list, Livia read it carefully and asked softly, "Are you sure you only want these for now?"

"Yes," Amalia nodded.

This was enough.

Seeing the girl's confirmation, Livia carefully tucked the list into her handbag.

As she unbuttoned it, the dark green potion bottle and the metal box inside clinked together, producing a crisp sound.

Livia paused, then took out the metal box and asked Amalia gently, "Would you like something to eat?"

Though eating supper at night wasn't ideal and could lead to weight gain, Amalia was so thin that a little extra food wouldn't hurt.

Livia herself often ate dinner late at night and wasn't concerned about her own weight, unaware that Amalia had also been skipping breakfast.

The blonde girl was momentarily stunned by the offer.

Then, as Livia opened the metal box, a faint aroma of wheat filled the air.

Amalia's eyes narrowed slightly as she saw inside the box, a few wheat cakes and five or six pieces of finely prepared jerky.

Since altering her sleep schedule, Amalia had often felt hungry at night, but there had been no one to provide her with supper.

She had no choice but to endure until dawn.

Seeing that Amalia didn't immediately refuse, Livia quickly made up her mind.

She lifted the lunchbox and handed it to the girl.

Seeing that Amalia cautiously did not stretch out her hand, Livia first took a piece of jerky, brought it to her lips, bit it lightly, and ate a piece symbolically.

"Let's celebrate my surprise today, and Miss Amalia, have a bite to eat."

Looking at the woman's bright blue eyes, clear as sky, Amalia subconsciously placed her hand on her stomach.

Through a layer of silk, she could feel her stomach protesting.

If I just eat a piece... it shouldn't be a big deal... Amalia thought, her gaze falling into a silent daze as she stared at the wheat cakes and jerky in the box.

And Livia said it was a celebration... Nothing more...

After a moment's hesitation, Amalia stretched out her soft hand and took a piece very carefully.

She had never eaten this kind of dried meat in the castle, and at first glance, it seemed fresh.

She held it in her palm, examining it carefully for a while, before slowly bringing it to her lips and poking out her pink tongue.

In the next second, Amalia noticed Livia's gaze fixed on her cheeks. Her heart trembled suddenly, and she quickly closed her lips, taking the jerky into her mouth.

Seeing this, Livia smiled and said softly, "Tell me how it tastes after eating."

The first time she watched Amalia eat, Livia thought this little tyrant was quite cute.

Somehow, she thought of Lyra, who should have fallen asleep by now.

Lyra had eaten with her for the first time, and that nervous, shy look still lingered in Livia's memory.

After a while, Amalia stopped chewing and whispered, "It's delicious."

Perhaps it was just simple hunger, or some other reason she couldn't quite place, but Amalia felt that what she had just eaten was unexpectedly delicious,.even more so than a normal palace meal.

Watching Amalia eat what she had offered entirely, Livia felt a subtle emotion stir within her.

Being able to accept food offered by others and eat it in their presence was an act of trust, a lowering of one's guard.

It meant that Amalia's relationship with her had taken a deeper step forward.

At least in the other's subconscious, she was no longer a stranger but a relatively friendly presence.

"Jerky is a specialty sent by a friend's my hometown. It really does taste good," Livia said as she took a piece of wheat cake from the box and gently handed it to Amalia.

"This one is not bad either. Try it."

After being fed by Livia once, Amalia felt as though some invisible shackles had broken.

She looked at the item in the woman's hand, paused for a few seconds, and then chose to take it.

The wheat cake was a little dry at first, but the bite felt pleasantly glutinous.

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Amalia chewed it carefully, soon detecting a subtle sweetness hidden between her tongue and teeth.

While jerky might not be filling, this kind of wheat cake was definitely a good choice to satisfy hunger.

Amalia felt her stomach grow more comfortable after finishing a piece.

"Thank you, Miss Livia, for your hospitality..."

After eating, Amalia had no reason to stay in Livia's room any longer. With a simple goodbye, she returned to her bedroom.

"Good night."

"Good night, Miss Amalia."

Listening to Livia's gentle voice, Amalia walked into her room, closed the door, and sat down on the bed with quiet steps.

Auri was already asleep, curled into an orange mass in the cat's nest.

She didn't stir as someone passed by, continuing to sleep soundly.

Amalia glanced at the cat in the corner, her eyes gradually growing distant.

Her work had been admired by Livia, and she had been able to barter for new painting tools, a deal far more favorable than any she had struck with the black-hearted maid.

The evening breeze brushed lightly against her skin, and the faint sweetness of the wheat cake she had just eaten lingered on her tongue.

Amalia bit her lip, and beneath the smooth silk of her skirt, her delicate ankles gently pressed together.

It was supposed to be a very happy night, yet she couldn't bring herself to feel joy.

'This is a specialty sent by my friend's hometown…'

Amalia repeated Livia's words in her mind, over and over, her brow furrowing unconsciously.

Her palm rested against the sheets, her slender fingers twisting lightly.

She should have realized that Livia couldn't spend every day with her.

Livia surely had other matters to attend to, and as a member of the royal family, social engagements were the last thing she lacked.

Moreover, someone like Livia, with her noble temperament and radiant presence, would naturally be the center of attention wherever she went.

With her background and status, it was no surprise that she had no shortage of friends.

'Friend.' The word felt foreign to Amalia. Since childhood, no one had truly embodied its meaning in her heart.