The Northern Duke’s Daughter Will Never Fall

Chapter 29: Pointless Counseling Among Similar People

Training was only held on weekdays, and cadets usually had free time on weekends.

However, Astrid wasn’t the type to laze around wasting time. On this Sunday of the second week of training, she’d already kicked Eranya out of bed and taken all the bedding outside, laying it out in front of the training field for some sun-drying.

Just in case someone tried to steal it, Astrid sat on a nearby bench, idly watching the bedding. It was boring, to say the least, and she couldn’t help but think, ‘Why am I doing this?’

‘What should I do this afternoon…’

She’d already done the laundry the day before, and now, after sun-drying the bedding in the morning, she had no clue how to spend her afternoon.

‘The ball… Yeah, the ball is in two weeks.’

On the Saturday night at the end of week four, there would be a celebratory ball for the completion of training.

As part of the ball’s tradition, the opening and closing dances were to be performed by Leopold and Astrid.

Since she’d have to dance twice, it was understandable why Akemilla had asked to take over the opening dance. But…

‘Even so, you can’t just come out and demand it like that. Seriously, that rude little…!’

She’d been like that all week.

Even during joint training with mixed squads, Akemilla hovered around Leopold like a fly, infuriating Astrid to no end.

But expressing her irritation during training felt like exposing personal feelings, which she didn’t like. On top of that, she didn’t want it to seem like she was reacting because of Leopold, which made her even more reluctant to show her anger.

‘Why am I even like this? What’s my problem?’

She was fully aware that she still identified as a man.

But whenever Akemilla cozied up to Leopold, her blood boiled.

She felt like marching over and scolding them, saying, “What do you think you’re doing? This is a prestigious academy, not a dating spot!”

“Oh, isn’t that the squad leader?”

Startled, Astrid raised her head to see Astein grinning at her.

“…Astein, you heading to the canteen too?”

Since Astrid, like Leopold, was a year older than Astein, she naturally spoke informally with him.

“Huh? Oh, no. I’m still full from breakfast.”

“I see… At least you’re sensible.”

Compared to Eranya last week, Astein’s response was far more rational.

“Of course, I’m a pretty sensible person. By the way, what are you doing here, squad leader?”

Without even asking for permission, Astein plopped down on the bench beside her. The movement was so natural that Astrid didn’t even think it was odd.

“…Just soaking up some sun.”

It was an excuse.

She couldn’t exactly tell him the truth, so she offered a casual explanation. But it seemed like Astein wasn’t buying it.

His eyes narrowed in a way that made them look half-closed, and it was clear he’d seen through her.

“You’ve been acting strange since yesterday, squad leader. You aware of that?”

“Me? What’s strange about me?”

Her heart skipped a beat.

She had been acting strangely. Akemilla’s behavior toward Leopold had ticked her off all week, and she’d been unable to hide her frustration.

Her so-called “poker face” had failed her.

‘This is bad,’ she thought, deciding she’d need to work on controlling her facial expressions.

“You’ve got that annoyed look on your face. You sure you’re not in need of someone to talk to?”

“Not at all. I’m not the type to stew over stuff.”

Strangely, every word Astein said felt like it was hitting the mark.

Just moments earlier, Astrid had been agonizing over why she’d been feeling so agitated. She’d been thinking about how angry she felt whenever Leopold spoke with Akemilla or neglected her.

“Hey, squad leader. I didn’t say anything about you having worries, you know?”

“…”

‘Damn sharp mages,’ she cursed inwardly.

Clicking her tongue in frustration, Astrid bit her lip.

“If you’re troubled, it’s because you can’t solve it alone. So why not talk to me? I’ll listen to everything you have to say.”

‘Is he a mind reader?’

Astrid didn’t consider herself simple-minded, but Astein’s words were certainly tempting.

‘Maybe talking it out would help me feel better?’

No matter how much she mulled it over on her own, it’s not like she’d reach any conclusions.

After thinking it over for a moment, she hesitated, then finally opened her mouth.

“…It’s not my story, okay? It’s about a friend of mine.”

“Oh? You’ve got friends, squad leader?”

“Hey.”

She had no friends.

But admitting that would just make her feel worse.

If she counted Ashray as a friend, then that’s still a friend, right? Even if he’s more like a non-blood-related brother.

“I have friends, alright? Anyway, it’s about one of my friends.”

“Ah, yes, yes. A story about your friend, squad leader.”

Astein leaned back on the bench, fiddling with his fingers.

“So, my friend—she’s a girl, right? Anyway, she’s engaged. Got it?”

“Of course. I’m just a commoner, but I’ve heard that nobles usually have arranged engagements. So, what’s next?”

“Well… She and her fiancé don’t get along. They’re completely uninterested in each other. It’s like a cow and a chicken staring at each other.”

“A cow and a chicken? What kind of expression is that?”

Ah.

It seemed this idiom didn’t exist here.

“It’s a saying from the northern tribes. It’s used to describe people who have no interest in each other. Anyway, that’s what it means.”

“Wow, so how are they supposed to handle married life like that? Sounds like it’s going to be rough for both of them.”

“T-That’s none of your business!”

For some reason, Astrid felt flustered.

Even though it was supposed to be “a friend’s story,” her face grew hotter and hotter. For a moment, she considered dropping the conversation entirely, but since they’d come this far, she figured it was better to just finish it.

“So? They’re an engaged couple with no interest in each other. What’s next?”

Astein grinned playfully as he pressed her for more details.

“Well, uh… So my friend, right? She said she’s got absolutely no feelings for her fiancé. No emotions at all, just sort of knows him as an acquaintance, you know?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“But somehow, they ended up spending more time together. And you know how that’s just awkward, right?”

At Astrid’s words, Astein tilted his head in confusion, as if he’d heard something incomprehensible.

“If they’re not interested in each other, what’s so uncomfortable about it? Can’t they just act like strangers?”

“No, that’s not it! Anyway, my friend said she’d get really mad and annoyed whenever Leopold didn’t pay attention to her. Do you get it? Can you understand that?”

Astein stared intently at Astrid.

Did this girl even realize what she was saying?

She’d just openly admitted that she got upset whenever Leopold didn’t pay attention to her. And yet, she seemed completely unaware of the implications of her own words.

Her fists were clenched tight, and she looked up at Astein as if seeking validation, but in this moment, it was hard to believe this was the same woman who had once overpowered a charging monster with brute force.

“So? What happened next?”

“What do you mean ‘what happened next’? My friend said she doesn’t understand why she gets upset when she’s not being taken care of. She’s got no feelings for him, so why would it bother her? It’s driving her crazy.”

“Ah… I see. But, you know, usually, that’s called…”

Astein grinned slyly as he turned to Astrid.

“Jealousy.”

“…What?”

Astrid, who had been ranting with her face flushed red, suddenly froze in place.

“…Jea… jealousy…?”

“Yep. When the person you like gives attention to someone else, and you feel angry and annoyed—that’s jealousy, squad leader.”

“Wh-What are you even saying?! …Ugh!”

Astrid almost shouted, but remembering the eyes of those around her, she clapped her hands over her mouth.

“It’s not me! I told you, it’s not my story!”

“Ah, right, it’s your friend’s story. Anyway, your friend is jealous of her fiancé giving attention to another woman. That’s jealousy, plain and simple.”

“J-J-J-J-J-Jealousy?!”

While Astrid’s face went pale with shock, Astein stretched his arms and stood up from the bench.

“Well, I’m off to hang up some laundry. Be sure to pass on my message to your ‘friend.’”

“Wh-What are you talking about?!”

Astein glanced back at Astrid, his smile playful.

“Just letting you know, the first to act is the one who wins. That’s how it’s always been with men and women alike.”

“…….”

“Good luck, squad leader.”

With those words, Astein slowly walked away, leaving Astrid to sit there in a daze, her thoughts a mess.

“Oh my, isn’t that Cadet Leopold?”

“Ah… Sister Veracien. I see you’re here as well.”

Leopold was sitting blankly by the flowerbeds along the path leading to the dining hall.

On her way back to the church, Sister Veracien happened to see him and called out to him.

“What are you doing here? You don’t look like you’re in a particularly good mood.”

Without waiting for an invitation, Veracien sat lightly next to Leopold on the bench.

“I’m not troubled by anything.”

Veracien’s violet eyes curved into a soft smile.

“Oh my, but I never asked if you were troubled.”

“…….”

“Think of it as a confession, and share what’s on your mind. Problems are solved much faster when you share them, you know.”

“Well, it’s… hmm.”

Leopold hesitated for a moment.

But she’s a sister, after all—a military sister at that. If he framed it as a confession, it wouldn’t be so bad, right?

Finally, Leopold made up his mind.

“…This isn’t about me, but about a friend of mine. He’s had a fiancée since childhood…”

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