The Northern Duke’s Daughter Will Never Fall

Chapter 8: Astrid Almost Tries to See People Differently

It had only been a few hours since they left Miterien’s territory, and it was time for their first meal.

Even if it was a journey with the Crown Prince, it wasn’t feasible for a royal chef to accompany them.

Thus, they had no choice but to rely on pre-prepared provisions. Still, the meal was leagues above what ordinary travelers would eat on the road.

‘It’s definitely a class above,’ thought Astrid.

Instead of hard bread, there was freshly baked bread from a portable oven, accompanied by a well-balanced salad and a steak.

To top it off, there was a wide-based cup filled more than halfway with wine to prevent spillage.

By all standards, it was a decent meal, akin to something served at a reasonably fine restaurant rather than a travel ration.

Astrid wasn’t picky about food. She would eat whatever she was given without complaint.

However, since the person sitting across from her was Leopold, even the finest meal wouldn’t taste good.

‘I’d rather eat outside.’

Her gaze shifted towards the window. Outside, she saw the escort troops dining in shifts.

Though it was hard to make out clearly from a distance, she spotted something that resembled a small, khaki-colored metal container.

‘Is that a mess tin?’

Wow, it’s been ages since I’ve seen one of those.

She had thought she’d never see one again.

As Astrid fell into a brief moment of nostalgia, a voice reached her ears, instantly souring her mood.

“I’d like to have my meal in peace.”

Leopold sat at the small, one-person table, gracefully wielding his fork and knife as he tossed his salad with an air of sophistication.

“How unexpected. For once, our wishes align. Wonderful. In that case, I’ll take my leave.”

Her words were swift, but her actions were even swiffer.

Astrid rose from her seat as soon as she finished speaking. She grabbed her tray from the table, tapped the carriage door lightly with the tip of her shoe, and the attendant standing by opened it smoothly.

“Astrid, where do you think you’re going?!”

Leopold’s flustered voice called after her. Astrid, who had already stepped onto the carriage’s stairs, handed her tray to the attendant before turning back to face him.

“Your Highness, please enjoy your meal in peace. I’ll make sure not to disturb you.”

It was like being slapped in the face when you’re already feeling down.

Astrid had no fondness for this awkward arrangement either. Sitting across from Leopold in a carriage and eating together was hardly a pleasant experience.

Since Leopold had just voiced his desire for peace and quiet, it was all the more welcome.

“F-Fine! Do as you please!”

Ignoring Leopold’s sharp, bristly tone, Astrid retrieved her tray from the attendant and moved toward the small clearing where the escort troops were dining in shifts.

As her footsteps crunched on the ground, the escort soldiers glanced in her direction.

When they saw her approaching with her tray, their eyes widened, and they quickly rose to their feet.

“L-Lady Astrid!”

“Please, continue your meal.”

Easier said than done.

Having the equivalent of a general’s wife—or perhaps even the daughter-in-law of a president—sit next to them while they ate would make anyone feel on edge.

Astrid, fully aware of this, had no intention of showing mercy. She wanted to eat her meal, and that’s all there was to it.

Even if she didn’t eat much, she still needed to eat.

“My Lady, it would be better for you to eat comfortably inside.”

The man speaking wore a shoulder patch with an eagle emblem—a sign he was likely the platoon leader.

He appeared to be five or six years older than Astrid, with short hair and sharp features. His steady gaze met hers without a hint of nervousness.

“This is more comfortable for me. Just pretend I’m not here and eat as you were.”

Of course, that was easier said than done.

Still, Astrid genuinely felt more comfortable here than in the carriage with Leopold. Sitting across from him might be physically comfortable, but it was mentally exhausting.

“But… everyone’s meal…”

Even for a field meal, the escort troops’ meals were primarily salads. The only meat they had was a small portion, smaller than Astrid’s palm.

Meanwhile, the piece of meat on Astrid’s tray was at least twice as large in area and three times as thick.

“Are you the platoon leader?”

“Yes, Lady Astrid. My name is Vico.”

“Very well, Platoon Leader Vico. Bring me some utensils.”

“Pardon?”

Vico’s face was a picture of confusion as he processed her sudden request.

The soldiers’ initial goal had been to send Astrid back to the carriage.

But now, under her firm orders, Vico had no choice but to retrieve some utensils.

“How can soldiers who must fight to protect the nation eat meals like that? It’s disgraceful.”

Clicking her tongue, Astrid sliced off four-fifths of her own steak with precision.

Then she pierced it with her fork, supporting the underside with her knife to prevent it from falling.

“L-Lady Astrid?!”

“When your superior offers you food, you should say, ‘Thank you for the meal,’ and eat it.”

Astrid transferred the steak onto Vico’s plate.

Even if it was the same meat, there was no way the food served to the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess-to-be would be the same as that of the common soldiers.

From the quality of the meat to the cooking method, and even the sauce on top—every aspect of Astrid’s steak was vastly superior. The juices dripped as the succulent meat was placed onto Vico’s plate.

“I don’t eat much anyway, and I’d just end up leaving most of it. It’s better for you all to enjoy it. Platoon Leader, make sure you share it with everyone,” she said with a grin.

***

When Astrid returned to the carriage after finishing her meal, she was met with Leopold’s sullen gaze.

“Astrid.”

“Yes?”

The carriage door slid shut as she carefully adjusted her dress and took her seat. Leopold’s eyes followed her every move.

“Astrid von Miterien.”

“I’m listening. Go ahead. I know my own name quite well.”

“You’re quite something,” Leopold said.

She wondered if he was being sarcastic, but his tone didn’t suggest it.

Leopold wasn’t the type to be snide or sarcastic. On the contrary, he was direct like Astrid. So it was likely he genuinely meant his words.

The comment struck her as unusual.

Astrid, who had been purposely gazing out the window to avoid looking at him, turned to face Leopold.

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing. Forget it.”

‘How pointless.’

Of course, it’s just idle talk.

As Astrid settled in her seat and smoothed out the folds of her dress, Leopold reached for the gold cord hanging in the carriage and pulled it, ringing the call bell.

“Did you call for me, Your Highness?”

The carriage’s window slid open, and an attendant’s face appeared.

“Starting tonight, do not prepare separate meals for Astrid and me.”

“Pardon?”

The attendant’s eyes widened in shock, and Astrid’s own eyes followed suit, just as surprised.

“We’re simply riding in a carriage and being escorted. There’s no need for extravagant meals. Distribute the food to the soldiers outside. Tell the quartermaster to refrain from preparing special meals for us and to ensure that everyone can at least have a taste of it.”

“B-but, Your Highness, royal protocol does not permit such a…”

The attendant’s protest was only natural.

In a nation with a strict class hierarchy, deliberately lowering the quality of a royal’s meal and distributing the food to the soldiers was unthinkable.

“Protocol or not, my father would have done the same. Do as I say. Astrid, do you have any objections?”

Leopold’s blue eyes are fixed on Astrid.

Slowly, she shook her head.

“Also, there’s no need for a separate dining area for us. From now on, Astrid and I will dine with the soldiers.”

“Y-Your Highness! That would only add to the escort’s burden…”

“Do you really think that staying inside a carriage guarantees safety from an ambush? It’s safer to stay among the escort troops. Besides,” Leopold’s gaze shifted back to Astrid, his blue eyes shining with a sharp gleam.

“If there’s anyone foolish enough to attack a carriage bearing the Imperial flag, they’d be better off dead.”

He’s right.

“Prince Leopold.”

“Hm?”

“Leopold von Einthafen.”

“…I’ll change how I’m addressed. It’s irritating, so don’t call me that.”

‘Says the one who started it. How ridiculous.’

Astrid barely suppressed a grin, forcing herself to smile politely instead.

“You’ve done well, Your Highness. You could have easily criticized my actions, but you’ve shown the dignity of a Crown Prince.”

Her words were sincere.

From a noble’s perspective, Astrid’s earlier behavior of sharing food with soldiers could be seen as undignified and lowering one’s status.

However, Leopold had acknowledged her actions as just, even issuing his own orders in support.

In that sense, Astrid felt a newfound respect for him—

“As expected of Uncle Wolfgang’s teachings. You’d never have thought of that yourself. It’s clearly his influence. He’s truly an admirable man.”

—Or maybe not.

“Indeed, His Highness has a generous heart.”

“Of course. You’re finally saying something sensible.”

Just as Leopold’s mood was beginning to lift, Astrid’s next words cut him down.

“His heart is certainly broader than his cherished sword.”

“What did you say?!”

Leopold’s face twisted in annoyance, but Astrid’s gaze remained fixed on the passing scenery outside the window.