The Northern Duke’s Daughter Will Never Fall

Chapter 6: Astrid is Speechless

Astrid had once been a reservist.

In other words, she’d already served in the military.

“I have to… do this again?”

Training for maintaining combat readiness during summer, training for maintaining combat readiness during winter… The names sounded official, but they were just grueling field exercises and winter training under a fancy label.

The realization that she’d have to do it all over again made Astrid seriously consider giving up on everything and just quietly living as the crown princess while figuring out a way to return to her original world.

‘No, no. In stories, once you’re stuck, you’re stuck for good…’

Her thoughts drifted to those moments in novels where characters’ eyes would fill with hearts, declaring there was no going back.

It was terrifying.

Impossible.

No matter how she thought about it, it was impossible.

What good was having a woman’s body if her mind was still that of a man?

She couldn’t even imagine it.

No, it wasn’t a matter of imagination—it was just plain impossible.

She’d already done military service twice, and if she had to live as a “female,” that’d mean having children, too.

She’d go mad.

“I’m a man. Even if my body’s a woman, I’m a man. A man lying beneath another man? Absolutely not. That’s just not possible. Yeah… the training will probably be different since I’ll be an officer. It’ll be fine.”

Come to think of it, the reason training had been so difficult before was that she’d been a regular soldier.

The officers had always gotten off easy.

‘Let’s see here.’

She opened the admissions guidebook and carefully read it, going over each line.

According to the guide, cadets were treated as apprentice knights as soon as they enrolled.

And upon graduation, they’d be formally knighted.

In any case, apprentice knights weren’t regular soldiers.

‘If I’m starting as an officer, it’ll be fine.’

Her pale fingers traced the lines of the guidebook as she carefully memorized its contents.

Fortunately, she could read. Her reading, speaking, writing, and listening were all functional, so there were no issues.

“I’ll just think of it like enlisting as a non-commissioned officer.”

Like going straight to sergeant school.

After all, non-commissioned officers start off as regular soldiers before being promoted to sergeant.

That’s how she’d think of it.

—

Two days passed.

Two days before the academy departure, early in the morning, a flagbearer arrived to announce the return of Wolfgang, the head of the house.

After five long days, Wolfgang’s return had every servant in the mansion rushing out to line up along the entrance, flanking both sides of the main gate to welcome him.

“Father, welcome back.”

Astrid stepped forward, dressed in a crimson dress, playing the role of the lady of the house in the absence of a duchess.

With her left hand gently placed on her chest and her right hand lifting her skirt slightly, she offered a deep curtsy to welcome Wolfgang’s return after repelling the invaders.

“Ah… ah, it’s not that… Heh heh. Yes, I’m back. Nothing unusual happened, I presume?”

“No, nothing at all. I’ve nearly finished preparing for the academy as well.”

“Is that so.”

Wolfgang seemed to hope she’d call him “Father,” but with so many people watching, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

His eyes, sunken and weathered, gazed at her with deep affection.

Despite being soaked in blood, his expression as he looked at Astrid was filled with warmth and love—the eyes of a father looking at his child.

Soft and tender.

For a moment, Astrid considered something.

‘Maybe I should give him a little bit of service for once.’

“Father, could you lower your ear for a moment?”

“Hm? My ear? Why?”

The soldiers behind them were already moving to the training grounds where the victory ceremony would be held.

Their gear was carried to the barracks by the other servants, and the soldiers, now unburdened, walked freely to the training grounds.

“I have something to say.”

“Alright. If it’s something important, we can talk separately…”

“No, it’s fine. Just for a moment.”

Wolfgang, who was tall enough that Astrid had to look up at him, bent down to bring his ear near her face.

She needed a moment to prepare herself.

“Good job, Dad.”

Her voice was calm, but goosebumps rose all over her skin. Astrid’s face twisted in discomfort, while Wolfgang’s face lit up with a grin so wide that it was hard to contain his joy.

‘Phew, it worked.’

“Alright. Go inside. It’s cold outside. I’ll be in soon.”

“Yes.”

But Astrid didn’t immediately head inside.

She noticed Ashray, standing just behind Wolfgang, staring at her with a look of anticipation—like a bear gazing at a basket full of salmon.

“Sister, do I get anything too?”

Despite his bear-like size, Ashray’s demeanor at moments like this was more like that of a child.

“You did well, Ashray.”

“…That’s it?”

“Yes, that’s it. What more do you want?”

“I thought you’d say something kinder.”

“Don’t push your luck, Ashray.”

Ashray’s lips jutted out in a pout, a comical sight considering his bear-like physique.

“…You did well, my little brother.”

But when Astrid stepped closer and gave Ashray’s waist a light pat, even the large scar on his face twitched as he broke into a radiant smile.

“Sister, it’s cold, so please head inside. You’ll catch a cold if you’re not careful.”

“When have I ever caught a cold?”

‘Of course, there was that one bigger issue,’ she thought but didn’t dare say it aloud.

—

“So, is everything ready?”

The bread, golden brown and baked to perfection, tore apart in Wolfgang’s hands, releasing soft steam into the air.

Its fluffy inside stretched as it was pulled apart. Wolfgang dipped a piece into corn soup, then took a bite, all while using a fork in his other hand to stab into a juicy steak.

The steak, soaked in a rich brown sauce made from slow-cooked onions and caramel, dripped with savory juices. Wolfgang chewed it thoroughly as he glanced toward Astrid.

“Yes. Thanks to Nanny’s careful preparation, everything’s in order.”

Astrid carefully sliced her steak, ensuring that the knife didn’t scrape the plate—or worse, cut through the table beneath it.

With just a light sprinkle of pepper on the sauce, she took a bite of the steak.

“It’s the day after tomorrow, right, Sister?”

Ashray, seated beside her, chimed in as well.

He grabbed a handful of well-dressed salad and placed it on Astrid’s plate, then casually stole a piece of the steak she’d cut for herself and shoved it into his mouth.

“Ashray, I told you to eat your salad too.”

“Come on, Sister. A guy like me doesn’t get strength from salad.”

“You’re unbelievable…”

‘I like meat too, you know,’ she thought.

But for some reason, her body’s appetite was different now. Her portions were small, and she’d feel full after only a little food.

Knowing she wouldn’t finish her steak, she picked up two of her cut pieces and placed them on Ashray’s plate.

“Father’s going with us, too.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Just thinking about it gave her a headache.

The message had arrived the previous day.

It wasn’t a phone call or a message she could easily refuse. No, it was a letter.

‘Why is that slippery little prince pulling this stunt all of a sudden?’

The Crown Prince, Leopold, had sent word that he’d personally come to escort her.

The crooked, uneven handwriting clearly showed how reluctant he’d been to write it himself.

Since it took a week to travel from the capital, and the letter had arrived the day before, he was undoubtedly already on his way.

It had to be Kreutz’s doing.

If Leopold had been ordered by the emperor himself, there’d be no room for refusal.

“His Highness, Crown Prince Leopold, is coming to escort me.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. The letter arrived yesterday.”

“Then he’s likely already close.”

“Probably.”

“But why do you look so unhappy? Shouldn’t you be on good terms with Leopold by now?”

‘In what world?!’

If she hadn’t declared she’d attend the academy, this wouldn’t be happening.

If she’d just stayed quiet or confirmed the Crown Prince’s plans for the academy, none of this would’ve happened.

Regret was pointless now, but it still gnawed at her.

“Still, it’s reassuring that you’re attending the academy. If it’s you, I’m certain you’ll be knighted as a Heavy Cavalry Knight. And as a Heavy Cavalry Knight, you’ll have the perfect credentials to inherit this house. I’m truly at ease knowing this, my daughter.”

Wolfgang’s words were punctuated by a bite of his sandwich, which was stuffed with smoked meat. He washed it down with a swig of beer.

“Besides… if you and Leopold don’t get along, I’d never force you two to marry.”

Astrid’s eyes widened with sudden realization.

‘I should cancel my enrollment at the academy.’

There had been such a simple solution all along, and she’d missed it.

If she’d just declared that she hated Leopold, despised him, and that marriage to him would be like casting her into hell—the engagement would’ve been off.

How had she missed such an obvious way out?

“Of course, we’d have to find you a new groom. Perhaps that bear over there—Ashray.”

Her thoughts froze.

‘I’m definitely going to the academy.’

Apparently, living as a single duchess wasn’t even an option.

Her choices were Leopold or Ashray.

If she had to pick between the two, she’d rather bite her tongue and die.

But if she could survive for four years at the academy, she’d have a chance to find a way back to her original world.

Four years.

She had four years.

In those four years, she’d find a way home.

‘There’s no way I’m becoming a woman. Absolutely not. No romance. Focus, Astrid…!’