LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 51
Chapter 51: Night Market (3)
In this country, Einthafen, silver hair wasn’t common.
Although I couldn’t claim certainty since I hadn’t seen the entire population, at least among the noble children eligible to be considered for the crown princess’s position, silver hair seemed… rather rare. Truthfully, Astrid herself didn’t know for sure.
Having avoided social gatherings, she had never truly observed the daughters of other noble families. Even during her time at the academy, that was her only point of reference.
And in the academy…
‘Was there… or wasn’t there?’
She couldn’t remember clearly. Each day had been so busy that she struggled to recall even the members of other units.
‘Astrid, are there any other noblewomen with silver hair among the nobility besides us?’
【There… could be.】
So, regarding what this fortune teller was saying… it seemed like they were suggesting another wife besides Astrid. But no matter how she thought about it, the possibility seemed exceedingly low.
She had never seen silver hair before. She wasn’t sure whether she had encountered it at the academy. And so…
【Why are you entertaining such pointless thoughts?】
‘Oh… huh?’
Sometimes, truth could be brutally harsh.
And depending on who delivered that truth, its impact could vary significantly.
For example—
【Logically, that “wife” the fortune teller mentioned is just you and me, isn’t it? How can you not realize that from the context?】
When someone who doesn’t consider the listener’s feelings speaks, their words can become doubly devastating.
‘…….’
【That’s why I said it before. Just focus on becoming the crown princess, and then we can figure out how to return to your original world. That’s a more…】
Even as she kept rambling on, her words barely registered in my ears.
This was unbelievable.
A future like that could exist?
It was utterly inconceivable.
However, this fortune teller seemed quite competent. The prediction of two wives was likely their way of grasping the essence of the real Astrid and the fake Astrid coexisting within this body.
Not to mention the horrifying foresight that both would become Leopold’s wives.
***
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
“Hmm? What is it, Astrid?”
“Well, this… this is…”
What Astrid held in her hand was a pregnancy test.
Of course, such a thing didn’t exist in this era, yet somehow, there it was in Astrid’s hand.
“This is… goodness, two lines!”
“It looks like… the fourth… is on the way…!”
A radiant smile spread across Leopold’s face.
The uncontainable joy lit up his expression, while Astrid, blushing shyly, gazed lovingly at him.
“Oh, my beloved wife…! The fourth, what delightful news!”
Leopold swept Astrid into a tight embrace.
And in his arms, Astrid, rather than resisting, smiled as if she were equally delighted.
‘No, no, no!’
【What on earth are you imagining?】
The real Astrid’s voice rang in my head, and I couldn’t respond.
Even she thought that the fortune teller was referring to Astrid and herself. Yet, how could I possibly explain what had just crossed my mind?
【It’s not a fixed future yet. They say the future can be changed, remember?】
‘A-a fixed future… Right! That’s right! It’s not fixed!’
“Why is that, Astrid? Are you unwell? Your face is beet red.”
“Eek?!”
Leopold’s face suddenly appeared right in front of her, causing Astrid to let out a genuine scream. Startled, she nearly struck him in the face but managed to stop herself at the last moment.
“N-no… It’s nothing…! I-it’s just that I’m f-f-f-f-feeling a little hot…!”
“Perhaps it’s because it’s early summer. In any case, thank you for the fortune reading. Here’s your payment.”
Leopold didn’t seem particularly concerned.
Taking a few coins from his pocket, he placed them on the table before standing up. Astrid followed suit.
As the two of them exited the tent, Veracien, dressed as the fortune teller, watched them intently.
“It’s refreshing.”
It was an early summer evening.
The lingering coolness of spring hung in the air, mingling with the gentle warmth of the season. It was quite pleasant weather.
“Astrid.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Astrid’s face, which had been flushed to the point of steaming, had now returned to its usual calm state.
【You’re not secretly looking forward to it, are you?】
‘No, absolutely not. Not at all.’
Such a future could never happen.
“Shall we take a stroll for a while?”
I had to decline.
A walk? In this crowded night market? What kind of stroll would that even be?
“By the way, belatedly asking… Do you like that doll?”
“Oh… this?”
It was the leopard doll I had been holding close to me the entire time, even while we were at the fortune-teller’s. A large leopard doll with pure white fur and round black spots scattered across it.
Astrid was quite fond of it. Its size was just right, and hugging it gave a comforting, cozy feeling.
“Yes, I do… Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve thanked you. Thank you, Your Highness. I’ll cherish it.”
“…You’ve become more honest, Astrid.”
“Pardon?”
Leopold was staring intently at Astrid.
The emotion contained in his gaze was now palpable, as if it could be grasped.
【…I’ll stay quiet.】
‘What?! Why?!’
【I feel like stepping in would just get in the way…】
Judging by the mood, the real Astrid should have been throwing a fit, demanding an immediate switch back.
Yet, instead of protesting, she quietly declared she would remain silent, which was surprising.
【I just feel like if I intervene, it might disrupt things…】
‘W-what?! No, no way! That’s not it!’
【In any case, we’ve used up today’s time, so I can’t switch even if I wanted to.】
“Astrid, what’s on your mind?”
Leopold was still staring down at Astrid. Given their height difference, whenever they faced each other, Leopold inevitably looked down at her.
“How about we take a little walk?”
“Yes… Yes, let’s do that.”
The night market was still bustling with people. As was typical, the crowd grew denser as the night went on.
“Most people disperse around midnight, so this is probably the peak time for crowds.”
“I see.”
There wasn’t much conversation.
Even as she walked, Astrid couldn’t help feeling annoyed.
‘If you wanted to take a walk, couldn’t we have gone somewhere quieter and more peaceful? Why is it such a crowded place…’
【Wow, listen to you. You’re a real fox, aren’t you?】
‘W-what did I do?!’
【Never mind. Hmph.】
Astrid was baffled by the real Astrid’s sudden sulkiness, unsure of what she had said wrong. She kept quiet and followed closely behind Leopold.
“Aren’t you curious?”
“Curious? About what, Your Highness?”
“About that fortune earlier.”
“Oh.”
Now that he mentioned it, it did seem odd. Astrid could make excuses, saying she was flustered because the fortune had hit a nerve. But Leopold? He had been strangely calm both then and now.
As if he had known all along that things would turn out that way. Leopold remained composed, showing neither excitement nor surprise.
“I don’t believe in fate. I don’t see how knowing the future matters.”
Leopold spoke calmly, his gaze fixed straight ahead. His tone suggested that he had only consulted the fortune-teller out of mild curiosity and didn’t put any stock in what was said.
“At this point, having observed the so-called ‘fate,’ I don’t see what significance it holds. Astrid, what about you? Do you believe in such things?”
“I, I…”
【I don’t believe in it.】
“I don’t believe in it.”
【My life has always been a battlefield.】
“My life has always been a battlefield.”
【I’ve fought a hundred battles and won them all to stand where I am now.】
“I’ve fought a hundred battles and won them all to stand where I am now.”
【And I will never, ever accept the idea of taking a second wife… nor will I become a second wife myself. Such a thing will never happen. You must be mine alone, Your Highness.】
That last part, I couldn’t bring myself to say.
It felt like saying those words would trigger something irreversible.
【Why won’t you say it?!】
‘Sh-shut up! How could I say something like that?!’
“Astrid?”
I had trailed off mid-sentence.
Leopold looked at Astrid, his expression curious. She had been silent for quite some time now.
“…Do you think someone like me would be swayed by the words of some fortune-teller?”
Somehow, I managed to smooth things over.
“Is that so? Indeed, that sounds like you, Astrid. Truly grand.”
【Hehe… His Highness is even complimenting me…】
If you could call it a compliment.
The moon hung high in the sky.
The pale blue light of the moon illuminated the earth, casting its serene glow upon the night. The pleasant weather added to the festive atmosphere for those out enjoying the evening.
“Astrid.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Astrid’s voice was steady, her flushed face from earlier completely back to normal.
“You…”
Leopold hesitated for a moment.
What was he trying to say?
Leopold looked down at Astrid, who was staring up at him.
Those mint-green eyes.
Those beautiful mint-green eyes.
Truthfully, his heart was racing.
Truthfully, it had been pounding ever since he heard the fortune earlier.
The notion of having two wives didn’t bother him in the least.
What truly mattered was the future where he would marry Astrid.
Despite both of them currently striving for annulment, Leopold found himself absurdly captivated by Astrid. His heart raced uncontrollably.
So he desperately tried to act indifferent, pretending not to care about the fortune-teller’s words.
“Your Highness, what is it—”
“Astrid.”
The surroundings grew quiet.
The bustling noise of the crowd seemed to fade, leaving behind a profound stillness, as if the world itself had quieted down.
“…Do you still not feel anything for me?”
“Pardon…?”
“I asked if you still don’t feel anything for me.”
Leopold’s calm gaze rested on Astrid.
He waited quietly for her response.
And then—
“Big Sis! What are you doing here?”
Ashray’s voice rang out.