The Northern Duke’s Daughter Will Never Fall

Chapter 19: Divergence

Until the incident that happened that day, Leopold and Astrid had gotten along well.

Both of them knew they were expected to marry when they grew up. Leopold was also well aware that Astrid—despite being seen as arrogant, self-centered, and reckless—was simply bad at expressing her emotions.

It was an incident from ten years ago.

Up until that day.

After that day, both Leopold and Astrid came to dislike each other.

As they grew older, Astrid became colder, more unfeeling, and more rational.

Meanwhile, Leopold’s fiery temper and impulsiveness clashed with Astrid’s unyielding coldness.

Every time they met, they ended up bickering. Their sharp words would cut at each other’s hearts, and it seemed better to avoid meeting at all.

It was during that period that Leopold heard the news that Astrid had collapsed and lost consciousness.

He should have gone to visit her.

He wanted to go.

But when it came time to act, he couldn’t muster the courage.

There was also the practical issue of it taking two weeks for a round trip, but if he’d really made up his mind, he could have gone at any time.

In the end, Leopold did not go.

Then, a month later, he heard that Astrid had awakened. Shortly after, it was decided that they would both attend the academy.

Leopold could still vividly remember the conversation they had while sharing the carriage to the capital.

“I have no desire whatsoever to marry Your Highness. Do you understand?”

Did she really have to be so blunt?

“I feel the same. Well, I suppose it’s for the best. Who would’ve thought we’d find common ground in a place like this?”

I didn’t need to respond that way either.

From the beginning, I had never even considered marrying anyone other than Astrid.

And yet, somehow, we found ourselves in a strange alliance—both agreeing to help each other find better marriage partners.

Whether it was genuine or not.

The moment Leopold saw Astrid walking alongside Astein from afar, something hot surged up in his chest.

Wasn’t I supposed to be the only one by your side?

No matter how much we disliked each other, weren’t we still bound by our engagement?

How could you so easily hand over my place to someone else?

These thoughts swept through his mind like a storm.

His heart burned with anger, and he felt the urge to run over, shove Astein aside, and shout at Astrid—“How could you do this to me?”

So, that’s what he tried to do.

He approached Astrid.

One step.

“As I said, we’re not officially engaged yet. It’s just a promise between our fathers. Neither of us has agreed to it.”

Leopold’s own words echoed in his mind.

He knew Astrid had heard him say it. He’d let his temper get the best of him, and those words had pierced her heart like a dagger.

Another step.

“Astrid, I know you’re listening. Why don’t you say something?”

A cruel twist of the dagger already lodged in her heart. Words like a viper’s venom spilling from Leopold’s mouth.

Another step.

“Right, it’s not confirmed, after all.”

Not satisfied with twisting the dagger, he plunged it in deeper.

Another step.

“Coming to the academy was also about finding a more suitable partner for myself. If there’s a lady better than the northern duchess’ daughter, I’m more than willing to make her my bride.”

The burning anger cooled into an icy chill.

His mind became clean, utterly and perfectly clear.

I was wrong.

I’m the one who’s in the wrong.

Astrid’s clear gaze met Leopold’s, staring at him intently.

“Are you really in any position to criticize me?”

Her gaze seemed to say.

“Do you think you have the right to blame me?”

Her eyes said it all, and they were fixed solely on Leopold.

He knew at that moment.

Astrid had no more feelings for him.

She had no intention of ever making room for him at her side again.

The emotional rift that had formed ten years ago had deepened today—all because of Leopold’s own actions.

Leopold had not changed.

The boy from ten years ago remained just as immature, continually disappointing Astrid.

Looking back on their strange alliance, Leopold realized that Astrid had been sincere.

Her desire to break off their engagement, her resolve not to offer him a place at her side, her determination never to marry him—all of it had been genuine.

Even as he ran laps around the training grounds, Leopold’s thoughts lingered on one thing.

What if, starting now, I tried to change myself?

If I became a different version of myself, if I became a more mature version of myself, what would happen?

It wasn’t that I wanted Astrid to come back or anything like that.

From the beginning, Leopold believed that he did not have Astrid in his heart.

It was simply hard to believe that Astrid had opened herself up so easily, regardless of such matters.

— That’s what Leopold thought.

***

6:30 a.m.

Around two hours had passed since they began running laps around the training ground. Following Varian’s instructions, the two stopped running and returned to the dormitory.

“You’ve worked hard, Squad Leader.”

“…You’ve worked hard as well, Cadet Leopold.”

Compared to Astrid, who still looked relatively fine, Leopold seemed quite worn out.

It’s not as if carrying a combat backpack while running laps around the training ground was an easy task. So, it wasn’t unreasonable for Leopold to be exhausted.

“Let’s see each other later at the dining assembly.”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

After a brief nod, Leopold entered the room, and Astein quickly got up to help him take off his combat backpack.

Since it’s much heavier than it looks, it’s easy enough to put on alone, but taking it off isn’t so simple. Leopold didn’t refuse Astein’s help.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“…It’s nothing.”

Leopold didn’t view Astein in a particularly favorable light, but he still accepted the gesture.

“We have some time before dinner, so why not freshen up before then?”

Checking the clock, it was just past 6:40 a.m.

There wasn’t quite enough time for a proper shower, but it also wasn’t ideal to stay reeking of sweat. So, Leopold nodded at Astein’s suggestion, grabbed a towel, and headed for the shower.

Turning on the cold water and washing his face, the cool sensation washed away the heat from his flushed skin, making him feel refreshed.

But in contrast, his mind only grew more cluttered.

“Oh my, you don’t seem that tired.”

“Well, yeah, I’m fine.”

Lying diagonally on the bed, Eranya waved at Astrid as she entered the room.

As Eranya had said, it wasn’t particularly exhausting. The weight wasn’t anything she’d consider heavy, and all she did was walk as if she were on a stroll.

Rather, matching her pace to Leopold’s slower walking speed had been more bothersome.

If she had walked at her usual brisk pace, Leopold’s pride might have been hurt, and he’d surely say something.

“Not that I care what he says.”

It didn’t matter to her at all, but she preferred to avoid unnecessary scoldings.

Besides, after the slight commotion earlier, Leopold’s unexpected readiness to admit his own mistake had been somewhat surprising.

“By the way, Squad Leader.”

“Yes?”

As Astrid set down her combat backpack and returned it to its place on the storage shelf, Eranya asked curiously.

“Why do you and Cadet Leopold have such a bad relationship? I thought you two were engaged.”

“Even elves know about that? Just how much gossip has to be spread for it to reach this point?”

The question crossed Astrid’s mind, but she couldn’t give a straightforward answer.

In truth, as the current Astrid’s mind was fundamentally that of a man’s consciousness, the very idea of marrying a man was repulsive. But that was a personal secret she couldn’t share with others.

If she had to offer a reason that others would understand, what could she say?

“For one, Cadet Leopold doesn’t seem like a man to me—”

“He’s not in the room, is he? Oh, the door’s open…”

“—at all. Honestly, I can’t even see him that way…”

At that moment, the door abruptly opened.

Standing at the doorway was Astein, and beyond him, Leopold was visible.

She should have stopped talking. She really should have.

But Astrid’s eyes remained fixed on Leopold, and her lips carried the words to their end.

Of all possible moments, of all possible timings, it had to be the exact moment she said those words. And for some reason, Astein had opened the door without even knocking.

Astrid’s and Leopold’s gazes locked.

The words had already slipped out, and there was no doubt that Leopold had heard them.

His face was frozen stiff.

Silence filled the air.

The outside was noisy with the dinner assembly taking place, but strangely, within this room, it felt as if all sound had vanished.

“…Squad Leader, shall we head to dinner?”

Only after a long, drawn-out pause did Leopold finally break the silence.