The Northern Duke’s Daughter Will Never Fall

Episode 53: Academy? I Have No Idea Why I Came Here (1)

‘I’ve packed everything I need. You don’t have to worry.’

【Why on earth did you even bother going to the academy? Such a useless place…】

The real Astrid’s grumbling echoed incessantly, but Astrid paid it no mind.

It was entirely understandable, though. Given the real Astrid’s personality, going to the academy had been a brilliant decision.

‘I get why you didn’t want to go to the academy, but if we’d followed your plan, it would’ve been a complete disaster.’

【Why? Wasn’t it a solid plan?】

‘No…’

As Astrid later found out, the real Astrid’s entire plan revolved around this: spending the four years of Leopold’s academy tenure living at the capital’s grand duke’s estate, visiting him weekly to demonstrate her devotion. 

She would bring home-cooked meals and gifts to prove she was the ideal, pure-hearted woman worthy of being the crown princess.

That was the entire plan.

It was painfully clear to Astrid why she hadn’t made any progress with Leopold.

‘Absolutely not. I may not be able to grant all your requests, but at least until I return to my world, you have to listen to me.’

A man understands the psychology of another man best. Astrid was confident that with Leopold’s lukewarm feelings for Astrid, her original plan had zero chance of success—not even a sliver of possibility.

【…Fine. I’ll do as you say.】

The real Astrid seemed relatively compliant now.

Even so, Astrid couldn’t agree to her plea from the bathroom.

Astrid was an outsider in this world, someone who needed to return the body to its rightful owner and leave as soon as possible. She had no intention of staying here longer than necessary.

Though she didn’t have any deep connections in her own world, it was still far more familiar than this one. That’s why she had turned down the real Astrid’s request.

‘Fine. Even at the academy, if I take charge of this body, just follow my lead.’

【Stop saying things that sound so suggestive!】

‘What?! What’s so suggestive about that?!’

“Well then, Ashray. Please take care of Father. He’s strong, but he’s not young anymore.”

“Wow, Sis, you’ve really changed. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to look after him.”

Ashray flashed a grin. The real Astrid, meanwhile, was fuming, muttering about wanting to break a bone or two, but she had to restrain herself.

“Next year, I’ll be entering the academy too. You might as well think of me as your junior in advance.”

“Sure. I’ll wish for your failure.”

“What?! Sis, are you serious?”

Being a year younger than Astrid, Ashray would be eligible to apply to the academy next year.

Given his strength, family status, and lack of shortcomings, he would likely pass without any issues. 

Astrid climbed into the carriage, thinking that she’d probably see Ashray at the academy next year.

“Alright, let’s get going!”

With Ashray’s loud shout, the carriage jolted, swaying once before it started to move.

It had been a month-long vacation. It hadn’t felt particularly long, and all she’d really done was dig through books in the library and visit the night market, but she had rested well enough.

Now it was time to return to the academy.

Through the carriage window, Ashray’s figure gradually disappeared from view.

The familiar scenery of the grand duke’s residence slowly faded into the distance, giving way to the main road as the carriage picked up speed.

‘I wonder how the other squad members spent their time off…’

【Not all cadets were on vacation, and you didn’t hear much about what the elf, the mage, or the priest were doing, did you?】

Eranya had said she would stay behind. Astein mentioned visiting his hometown, and Veracien had planned to stay at the temple. Astrid figured she’d meet them all once she returned to the academy.

【I assume His Highness will return today too?】

‘…I don’t know. I didn’t ask.’

Since she hadn’t asked, she didn’t know.

And there was no need to ask.

【Why not? Why didn’t you ask? Is there some hidden reason?】

‘Huh? Oh… uh… well…’

【Could it be… you’re trying to maintain an air of mystery?!】

‘W-what? Uh, yeah… sure.’

Astrid didn’t know where that came from, but if the real Astrid wanted to think that, it seemed best to just let her. Even though she’d agreed to help, Astrid felt a bit burdened by the task.

After all, she had no experience with relationships. Plenty of crushes, sure, but never a successful one.

And having never succeeded, the idea of helping the real Astrid marry Leopold felt daunting.

***

While they chatted, the carriage entered Michelburg.

Michelburg, the academy city, revolved around the academy and heavily relied on it. It also served as a satellite city to Persangte due to its proximity.

It was Friday, and since weekend outings weren’t permitted yet, the city was relatively quiet. Shops were open and bustling, and among them, a familiar figure caught her eye.

【Green hair? Isn’t that the elf?】

‘Looks like it.’

Their carriage was moving slowly along a road adjacent to the sidewalk. That might have been why she noticed her—a slender beauty with cascading green hair was walking out of a grocery store, arms full of goods, smiling brightly.

“Eranya?”

Astrid leaned out of the carriage window, calling out without hesitation. Normally, she’d balk at something so dangerous, but since the carriage was moving at a slow pace, she figured it wouldn’t be an issue.

“Wah, Astie! Hey, let me hop on!”

At her call, Astrid opened the coachman’s window and asked him to stop the carriage. Moments later, it came to a halt. 

Before the coachman could even open the door, Eranya flung it wide open herself and climbed inside.

She plopped a heavy paper bag onto one seat. Even at a glance, it looked like it weighed a ton. Then she sank into the adjacent seat, letting out a deep sigh.

“Whew! I bought all sorts of stuff on a whim and had no idea how I was going to carry it all. Lucky I ran into you.”

“You haven’t changed one bit, have you?”

【I’ve seen this before, but calling her ‘sister’ so naturally… Your ability to connect with people is really something.】

It wasn’t what it looked like.

But Astrid didn’t bother correcting the assumption. Instead, she turned to Eranya with a question.

“Did you really stay here the whole vacation?”

“Yup. Didn’t go anywhere. I mean, where would I go, my hometown?”

“Your hometown? Why not visit?”

She wasn’t planning to settle in her village, just to stop by. Surely they wouldn’t turn her away. Astrid couldn’t shake the suspicion that Eranya had been exiled from her village.

“Nah, I don’t want to. If I go back, they’ll just complain about why I’m returning when I swore on the World Tree. Nothing good would come of it.”

The World Tree is just a big tree.

Judging by her words, it sounded like Eranya had scribbled some sort of oath on the base of the World Tree rather than writing it on a formal document. But that wasn’t the important part right now.

“You stayed here the whole month?”

“Yup. There’s a lot to do here. Plenty of fun things to enjoy. Oh, oh! Astie! The alcohol here is amazing!”

Alcohol.

No, thank you.

Astrid didn’t even want to think about alcohol, let alone drink it.

“Isn’t drinking against the academy rules?”

“Pfft. The instructors aren’t that strict. If you butter them up a little, they’ll let it slide. I’ve had drinks with them a few times—just casual drinking, of course.”

【How old is this elf?】

‘I was wondering that too.’

Judging by how she called the instructors “kids,” Eranya must have been much older than she looked. But Astrid didn’t feel the need to ask.

“Oh, right! Speaking of drinking, I’m meeting someone tonight for drinks. Come with me, Astie.”

“No.”

“I’ve got a friend to introduce you to!”

“No to the alcohol and no to the introduction.”

“Why not?”

Eranya’s eyes widened in surprise. Then, her expression shifted to one of sly mischief. Her lips curled into a smirk, her eyes narrowing into mischievous crescents.

“You drank while on leave and got into trouble, didn’t you?”

“…I did not.”

The slight hesitation in Astrid’s response didn’t escape Eranya’s notice.

“Oh-ho! That hesitation! Something definitely happened, didn’t it? What was it? Huh? Tell me!”

“Nothing happened.”

Astrid’s firm denial didn’t convince Eranya, who stared at her with a pout for a moment before breaking into another sly grin.

Her grin sent chills down Astrid’s spine. But what came next left her utterly speechless.

“No worries! The friend I’m meeting tonight loves drinking too. Once we start, you’ll naturally join in!”

Seriously?

Astrid had to admit that her preconceptions about elves were completely wrong.

“Oh, right! That friend’s name… what was it again? Ah, yeah. Violet. Violet!”

【Is this elf insane?!】

Astrid couldn’t comprehend why that name had come up here.