The Northern Duke’s Daughter Will Never Fall

Chapter 17: Astrid…!

“Shall we skip class together?”

At Astein’s suggestion, Astrid hesitated for a moment.

Was it really okay to skip class on the first afternoon of the first day?

Moreover, was it really fine to skip with Astein as well?

But more than that, the real concern was what others might think if they saw Astrid, who was already well-known as Leopold’s fiancée, and someone who had just left the training hall after cursing out the Crown Prince, spending time with a man who was technically her squadmate.

However, her hesitation was brief.

“Who cares.”

That vile brat had brazenly declared in front of her that he was looking for a better fiancée candidate while she stood right there.

“I knew he was just a brat, but I didn’t think he’d be such a complete and utter scumbag.”

Even if her knowledge of noble society came from romantic fantasy novels, Astrid was well aware of how important reputation was in such circles.

Not only that, but as a fiancée, not a fiancé, she had to be even more mindful of it. That’s why she had endured it all, putting up with the injustice.

For the honor of her father, Wolfgang, her younger brother, Ashray, and the Frozen Shield Miterien family they were all part of, she had quietly endured it.

But then he had the nerve to say this:

“One of the reasons I’m attending this academy is to find a more suitable bride. If there’s a young lady better than the Northern Duke’s daughter, I’m willing to take her as my bride.”

How could he say such a thing?

The more she thought about it, the more her anger surged beyond control.

“…Let’s do it.”

That’s right.

Her hesitation had been brief.

—

“Cadet Leopold, so you’re the cause of this disturbance.”

Varian’s words were sharp as ever. Even though he had essentially been defeated by Astrid, he was undoubtedly a capable warrior and professor.

The moment he entered the classroom, he immediately noticed Astrid’s empty seat. Then, seeing Leopold sitting with a sulky expression right behind her seat, Varian instantly put two and two together.

“I won’t ask for the details. Cadet Leopold, are you the reason for Cadet Astrid’s absence?”

Varian’s gaze was fixed firmly on Leopold.

Leopold stared back for a moment before slowly nodding his head.

It was the truth, after all.

What’s done is done.

There was no point in regretting his rashness now.

“Causing a disturbance on the first day of class—what were you thinking? Do you even care about your father’s honor?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Knowing full well that it’s crucial to act appropriately depending on the time and place, Leopold silently berated himself.

He was already twenty years old, a full-fledged adult, but with behavior like this, how was he any different from a twelve- or thirteen-year-old child?

“Go and bring back Cadet Astrid. If you don’t find her before the end of class, you’ll be disciplined in accordance with the academy’s military code.”

Although Leopold wasn’t yet a formal knight or even a squire, the academy still operated under military regulations.

Since he had caused a commotion within its grounds, military discipline would be enforced.

But beyond that, Leopold knew he had to take responsibility for what he had done. So, with heavy steps, he rose from his seat and left the classroom.

Once outside, however, he had no idea where Astrid could have gone.

It had already been ten minutes since she stormed out. She could have gone anywhere by now. How was he supposed to figure out where she’d gone?

Leopold looked around with a glimmer of hope in his heart.

But she wasn’t there.

There was no sign of her distinctive silver hair that sparkled like starlight, nor her tall figure or the black uniform that suited her so well.

She was nowhere to be seen.

“Where could she have gone so quickly?”

This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.

He hadn’t meant to be so rude.

He felt sorry inside, but despite that, no gentle words or kind apologies came out of his mouth.

“Idiot. Fool.”

Even as he chastised himself, he still couldn’t see Astrid anywhere.

He wandered outside the training hall, glancing around as he walked. But even after walking for a while, he saw no cadets. It was the middle of class time, after all.

With no clue where to go, Leopold decided to head toward the dining hall, the one place he actually knew the way to. He figured Astrid, unfamiliar with the academy’s layout like himself, might also head there.

“Oh my, isn’t that Leopold… no, Cadet Leopold?”

Silver hair.

While searching for silver hair, Leopold heard someone call out to him.

A young woman with violet hair styled in twin rolls.

A young lady he’d seen a few times at social balls.

She was the daughter of Baizik von Jorgien, the head of the Magic Tower in the eastern region, a veritable repository of knowledge.

Her name was Emilie von Jorgien.

She was also the daughter of the legendary inventor of the “Magic Bracelet,” a groundbreaking device that elevated magical knights to their current prominence.

“Lady Jorgien… no, Cadet Emilie. It’s been a while.”

But now wasn’t the time for pleasantries.

Leopold had no idea why Lady Emilie was here, but it wasn’t important at the moment.

His heart was in a rush, so he offered a quick greeting and tried to walk past her.

But Emilie grabbed hold of his sleeve.

“Cadet Leopold, are you looking for Cadet Astrid by any chance?”

“How did you know?”

Was it because he was also a magician that he could read minds?

The thought, “How insolent to read the mind of a member of the royal family…”, only lingered for a moment.

“Did you perhaps see her?”

“Rather than seeing her… I simply thought that if Cadet Leopold was searching so urgently, it might have something to do with his fiancée, Cadet Astrid.”

That was a fair assumption.

The only issue was that he wasn’t looking for her for a good reason.

“…You’re right, but do you have a way to find her?”

“I know where she is.”

A small sparrow flew in and perched on Emilie’s shoulder as she smiled.

“Thanks to this little one.”

The sparrow chirped as it pecked at the few grains of rice lying on Emilie’s palm.

“Where is she?”

Leopold’s question came across as somewhat urgent. Emilie responded with a gentle smile.

“It seems she’s headed toward the west exit. Hmm…”

The west exit.

Leopold had no idea where that was.

Noticing his confusion, the perceptive Emilie chuckled softly.

“I’ll guide you there. Let’s go together. You don’t know the way, do you, Cadet Leopold?”

That was true, so Leopold nodded in agreement.

Finding her quickly was the top priority right now.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Leopold followed behind Emilie as she took the lead.

It was a bright and sunny afternoon.

—

Not far away, a large arched iron gate came into view.

Atop the arch sat a massive lion sculpture, roaring and exuding the prestige of the academy.

The iron gate was wide open, welcoming all who approached. Astein stretched out his hand and pointed toward it.

“That’s the west entrance. It seems the squad leader doesn’t know the layout here at all.”

“…Isn’t that obvious? How would I know the layout of a place I enrolled in just yesterday?”

“Ah, but the academy guidebook did come with a map, you know.”

Thinking back to what Astein said, that did seem to be the case.

There was probably a map.

But when she had been looking through the guidebook, she had been far too preoccupied with checking the curriculum and other important details to pay attention to something like a map.

“Well, it’s good luck for me, at least.”

Astein’s words left Astrid puzzled.

How was she not knowing the way lucky for him?

There was no logical connection between her ignorance of the layout and his supposed good fortune.

“How is my lack of navigation skills fortunate for you, Cadet Astein? I’m not sure I understand.”

Astein gazed quietly at Astrid’s face, his half-lidded eyes seeming to study her intently. Then, a faint smile spread across his face.

“Thanks to the squad leader being so clueless about the paths, I get to go on a date with you like this.”

There was a word that could never be ignored.

“Cadet Astein, don’t cross the line.”

Astrid’s mint-green eyes turned toward Astein.

She wasn’t angry, but she needed to set boundaries so that he wouldn’t say anything unnecessary.

“A date, you say? If that’s how you see it, I’ll turn back right now. It’d be wise for you to watch your words.”

Her tone was firm, and Astein waved his hands in a flustered manner.

He must not have expected her to cut him off so cleanly, or perhaps he’d genuinely meant it as a joke.

“No, no, that’s not what I meant! I misspoke. I’m terribly sorry.”

The smile vanished from Astein’s face as he repeatedly bowed his head.

There was no hint of pretense in his apology.

Seeing him apologize so earnestly, Astrid’s expression softened.

‘Did I overdo it a bit…? Well, he’s still better than some people.’

At the very least, Astein knew how to properly apologize for his words, which was already better than Leopold.

And as for Leopold… Well, she’d sort things out with him later.

Now that her head had cooled, she could think more rationally.

It was the first day of class, and skipping it like this wasn’t ideal. Besides, no matter how much of a fool Leopold was, he might actually be looking for her out of guilt right now.

Now that she has calmed down a bit… Yes, she could understand.

Astrid came to a stop.

Noticing her sudden pause, Astein, who had been walking with her, turned back to look at her.

“Cadet Astein, I’m sorry, but…”

She’d go back.

She’d go back and apologize to the instructor.

She’d also deal with Leopold. If she held out just a little longer, it’d all be fine—that’s what Astrid thought.

“I’m going to head bac—”

But she couldn’t finish her sentence.

“Astrid!”

A voice, clearly filled with suppressed rage.

When Astrid glanced toward the west entrance, she saw Leopold.

His face was flushed, and there was an unmistakable look of anger on his face.

“Astrid!”

Even his formal speech had disappeared.