The Northern Duke’s Daughter Will Never Fall

Chapter 18: Leopold Makes a Resolution

Astrid was on the smarter side.

That’s why, in this current situation, she quickly grasped what Leopold was thinking and why he seemed so furious.

Next to her stood Astein.

She wasn’t sure if Leopold had seen them walking side by side until now. No, he’d definitely seen it. But that, in itself, was another source of potential conflict.

However, if she flipped the perspective, Astrid had her own argument to make.

You were the one who did wrong first.

You were the one who made a mistake first.

So I just did the same. Besides, all I did was walk with Astein for a bit, and unlike you, I didn’t spout any nonsense.

But the situation started to unfold a little differently than Astrid expected.

The red flush on Leopold’s face slowly faded, his complexion returning to normal.

The face that had clearly displayed his anger began to calm, and little by little, he returned to his usual self.

Leopold began walking toward Astrid with heavy, deliberate footsteps.

As the distance between them gradually closed, Astrid calmed her own heart and organized her thoughts.

The one who was wrong first was Leopold.

Astrid hadn’t said anything. She had merely walked with Astein for a short while.

Of course, she couldn’t exactly prove to Leopold that she hadn’t said anything, but if he failed to recognize his own wrongdoing and then started making a fuss with her…

‘I’ll have to smack him one.’

As she resolved herself internally, the distance between Astrid and Leopold narrowed further.

“Astrid… no, Squad Leader.”

“…Huh?”

It was an unexpected statement.

Leopold’s face was utterly serene.

He looked as if nothing had happened, as if he hadn’t seen anything, his face the very picture of normalcy.

“I lost my composure earlier in the training ground and spoke out of turn. I ended up saying something I didn’t mean. I humbly ask for your forgiveness, Squad Leader.”

He even gave a polite nod of his head as he spoke.

“Ah, uh…”

When a person is flustered, words don’t come out right.

Leopold’s actions were so unexpected that Astrid couldn’t make sense of the situation.

“Squad Leader, from now on, I’ll be more mindful and careful with my actions and words. Until the day we safely graduate from this academy, if I ever act rashly, please don’t hesitate to rebuke me.”

This time, he bowed deeply at the waist, offering a formal and respectful gesture.

At this point, it was Astrid who became flustered.

She had fully expected him to blow up and had even prepared how she’d respond. But seeing him like this, reflecting on his actions, was completely unexpected.

“The instructor is waiting, so let’s head back to the training ground.”

Leaving those words behind, Leopold turned and walked away.

His face was devoid of any trace of emotion, and somehow, that made him seem even stranger.

—

“I said I wouldn’t ask about the cause of the commotion, so I’ll keep my word. But Cadet Astrid and Cadet Leopold. Today’s the first day of training, isn’t it? Causing such a disturbance on the very first day is not something I can just overlook.”

“Yes, sir.”

After the afternoon training ended, Leopold and Astrid were summoned to stand before Varian.

A disturbance that had occurred the day after their entry was difficult to brush aside. On top of that, the two of them held positions where they were supposed to set an example for others, making it even harder to turn a blind eye.

“Immediately return to your dorms, grab your combat rucksacks, and head to the drill ground in front of the dormitory.”

The “combat rucksack” referred to a bag containing the personal supplies necessary for entering a state of war.

These rucksacks were placed inside the storage units assigned to their dorms. Since there had been no instructions related to these bags so far, most cadets probably didn’t know exactly what they were for.

Of course, Astrid knew full well what they were.

—

“What happened?”

As Astrid entered the dormitory, she was greeted by an elf—Eranya.

It seemed that the archer’s training had ended at around the same time. Since Astrid had been delayed by her meeting with Varian, Eranya had returned a bit earlier.

“…Sounds like you’ve already heard.”

Rumors sure spread fast.

In the morning, Astrid had wrestled with Varian and subdued him.

In the afternoon, she’d broken a desk in half and, for some reason, hurled a string of profanities at the crown prince before storming out.

Unintentionally, Astrid had become the most talked-about cadet of this cohort.

“We’re supposed to gear up with our combat rucksacks and head down.”

When she pulled out the combat rucksack from the storage unit, its weight wasn’t as heavy as she’d expected.

“So this is the combat rucksack… I saw one in my storage, too. Can I try lifting it?”

“Go ahead.”

Eranya slipped her hands under the shoulder straps and lifted the bag. Her face quickly twisted into a grimace, and she gently set it back down.

“Ugh, it’s heavy… This thing’s really heavy.”

To Astrid’s eyes, it just looked like Eranya was being dramatic.

Where is there a job that requires as much physical strength as an archer?

Eranya, who handles a rather large longbow, and Eranya, who pulls its string with ease, being considered physically weak? That made no sense at all.

“You handle a bow so well, yet you’re saying it’s heavy? You’re really exaggerating.”

“Oh, come on, I was just joking. I just wanted to lighten the mood for the squad leader.”

Eranya’s playful grin at that moment felt genuinely appreciated.

There hadn’t been many good moments lately, but thanks to Eranya’s friendly demeanor, my mood seemed to lift just a little.

“So, what exactly are we supposed to do with this on our backs?”

Well, wasn’t that obvious? But then again, it’s possible she might not know.

Feeling too lazy to explain, Astrid just shook her head.

“I don’t know.”

“Listen up. Until the evening meal assembly, you’re to keep that combat pack on your back, along with your personal weapon, and keep circling the training ground.”

“Understood.”

Varian’s punishment was exactly as expected.

“As I thought…”

But it wasn’t hard.

“With this much weight, it’s way too light…” or so Astrid thought, and Eranya also mentioned that it wasn’t that heavy. Perhaps it’s because the two of them weren’t ordinary in terms of strength.

As soon as they finished one lap around the training ground, Leopold’s face didn’t look good.

Since he could wield a rapier with ease, he’d naturally have a decent amount of strength, and with his constant training, this much weight shouldn’t have been a problem. However, for an ordinary person, the weight of this combat pack was no joke.

The unfamiliarity of it and the shoulder straps, which weren’t adjusted perfectly, seemed to dig into his shoulders.

While walking, Leopold kept readjusting the slipping pack, and each time he did, the straps dug deeper into his shoulders, causing him to wince in pain.

It was probably around five o’clock, so there were still two hours left until the evening meal assembly.

Astrid glanced at Leopold’s face as he walked a few steps away from her. He didn’t look like he was doing well.

Even if you dislike someone, there’s still a certain sense of camaraderie.

After spending nearly a week together in a carriage and another week together at the imperial palace upon arriving at the capital, it seemed some form of attachment had developed.

Seeing Leopold’s current state, the anger and irritation from earlier started to give way to a feeling of pity.

“Maybe I should help him out a bit. If I stick close to him and support the bottom of his pack with my hands, it’d be a little easier for him.”

But if I did that without saying anything, it’d likely deal a heavy blow to the lofty pride of the crown prince.

“Leopold… Your Highness.”

“Cadet.”

His response was exceedingly formal.

I expected him to say, “What is it?” or “Why?” but this reply was somewhat unexpected.

“Seeing you struggle like this, I thought perhaps I could offer some assistance.”

On purpose, Astrid used the formal tone of someone outside the training grounds.

Without looking at her, Leopold shook his head as he continued to stare straight ahead.

“Does he not need help, after all?”

“As expected, the pride of the crown prince is unyielding.”

“Astrid.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“For the last time… for the last time in this academy, may I speak comfortably?”

There was no real need to ask for permission to do something like that, so Astrid found it a bit strange.

“Do as you wish, Your Highness.”

“I’m sorry.”

“…”

Astrid didn’t say anything.

No words came to her.

It was such an unexpected statement that she walked alongside Leopold, staring at his profile in silence.

“My hot temper got the best of me, and I ended up saying something I shouldn’t have. No matter the reason, I made a grave mistake. Even if you were to scorn me, I would have nothing to say. And even if Uncle Wolfgang were to scold me, it’s something I’d have to accept.”

“No, I wasn’t planning to inform Father…”

“If that’s the case, then I’m grateful. In any event, I feel that I must apologize. Earlier, I…”

Leopold wiped the sweat dripping down his forehead.

A clear trail of moisture was left behind, glistening in the setting sun.

“I thought, for a moment, that you might be having an affair with Astein. But no, Astrid, you’re not that kind of woman. I misspoke, disgraced you, and for a moment, I even believed you’d do such a thing.”

Leopold’s gaze turned toward Astrid.

“It’s only right for me to apologize. I’m sorry, Astrid.”

Astrid remained silent.

It wasn’t about forgiveness or anything like that. For some reason, the grudge she’d been holding against Leopold seemed to melt away—just a little, just a tiny bit.

“But Astein… something about him… I have an odd feeling. Astrid, I promised to support you in finding a good partner, but I’m certain it’s not Astein. I think it’d be wise to reconsider.”

“No, that’s not it.”

It seemed that his misunderstanding still hadn’t been fully cleared up.