The Northern Duke’s Daughter Will Never Fall

Chapter 39: Champagne and Mandarin Sauce Shouldn’t Be Eaten Together (1)

Something felt off.

That was the thought that came to Leopold.

Astrid von Miterien.

His fiancée and the daughter of Wolfgang von Miterien, one of the great contributors to the founding of Einthafen.

They had grown up together since childhood. And though their relationship had grown strained due to a certain incident, Astrid remained a significant figure in Leopold’s relatively short life.

He also knew that he had treated her coldly over the years.

‘Did she… lose her mind?’

The Astrid in front of him was acting strangely.

Her tone of voice had changed. Her demeanor and the way she looked at him were different.

And just now, she’d been mumbling nonsense.

Her gaze, her attitude — all of it seemed unfamiliar.

‘But that can’t be it. Astrid hates me, and I’ve treated her coldly as well. So even if I were cruel to her, it’s not as if she’d lose her mind over it.’

No matter how much he thought about it, something was off.

Her tone, her attitude, and the fact that she was mumbling to herself like she couldn’t focus — the reasons stacked up one after another.

It was clear as day.

Something was wrong with Astrid.

“Astrid, are you feeling alright?”

“I’m, I’m fine. It’s just… my head feels a little noisy.”

‘Noisy…? In her head?’

He wasn’t knowledgeable about medicine, but he did know that hearing noises in one’s head wasn’t a good sign.

“…Astrid, do you have plans for dinner tonight?”

“None, no, wait! No, I mean yes! No, I don’t have any!”

Leopold’s eyebrows knitted together.

Her response was bizarre. She didn’t even seem aware of what she was saying.

“Then let’s have dinner together.”

“Y-yes, alright.”

There was no need for her to return home. The imperial palace had more than enough rooms to accommodate her.

Moreover, since Astrid was the crown prince’s fiancée, they would prepare a room for her, even if it didn’t already exist.

After being guided to a waiting room, Astrid lay sprawled on the plush bed.

Before dinner, attendants would come to help her prepare, so she had some time to rest.

【“Oh my, for His Highness to invite me to dinner first — isn’t this proof that there’s no one for him but me?”】

Her thoughts echoed like an annoying bell in her head.

Blood pressure rising.

The urge to argue surged within Astrid.

It was obvious to anyone who saw it: Leopold disliked her.

He avoided being in the same room as her, and he definitely didn’t seem to want to spend time with her.

And honestly, that was understandable.

Astrid’s personality had sharp edges.

Her words were often barbed and harsh, reflecting her strong, authoritative nature.

Even if she tried to soften her tone for Leopold, it wasn’t like her temperament would change so easily.

She was prickly, she was blunt, and she made it clear that she had no intention of bowing to anyone.

What kind of man would fall for that?

‘The world was so quiet when I didn’t have to hear your voice. Can’t I go back to those days?’

【“H-how rude!”】

‘It’s not rude. I’m just saying.’

Her voice had suddenly become clear one day, but even now, she didn’t seem to know the reason.

【“I told you, I don’t know how it happened! It just—”】

***

Meanwhile, in Miterien Territory — Northern Border

A place where the concept of four seasons did not exist.

A permanent frozen wasteland where blizzards howled without end.

In this endless expanse of snow and ice, a squad of Miterien rangers was on night patrol.

“Captain, doesn’t that look weird to you?”

The sharp-eyed ranger pointed beyond the veil of the snowstorm.

“Weird? If you’re talking about that ‘snow maiden’ nonsense again, I’m not letting it slide.”

“No, no, it’s not that! Look there, Captain. Doesn’t that look like a tower or something?”

“…A tower?”

The captain narrowed his eyes, straining to see through the fierce snow.

And sure enough, there was something there.

A dark, shadowy structure, taller than a person.

“It… does look like a tower. Damn it. Those savages must have built another one of their altars.”

“Should we destroy it?”

The savages of the north had a habit of erecting small towers, monuments, or altars during their raids.

No one knew exactly what they were for, but one thing was certain — they weren’t good news.

“Yeah, let’s go. Move!”

The twenty rangers moved in unison.

Their steps were silent as they advanced through the snow, their bodies low, breath held tight to avoid detection.

The tower came closer and closer… until it didn’t.

Suddenly, the snowstorm grew more intense.

Their footsteps sank deeper into the thick snow, and their progress slowed to a crawl.

It was as if the weather itself was trying to stop them.

“Captain, this isn’t going to work! Should we fall back and return with reinforcements?”

The blizzard’s howling drowned out the ranger’s voice, so he had to shout to be heard.

The captain, eyes squinted in concentration, pondered his options.

“…Alright, we’ll pull back for now. No sense risking it.”

The tower was closer than when they first spotted it, but it was still too far.

If they continued like this, they would be gambling with their lives.

“Everyone, retreat!”

The rangers quickly began their retreat, blending into the white abyss, leaving the tower behind.

***

Back at the Palace — Astrid’s Room

【“I told you, it just happened out of nowhere.”】

‘Is that really how it works?’

【“Yes, that’s exactly what I said.”】

That wasn’t much of an explanation.

Even if he wanted to look into it, who would he ask?

Was there someone out there with the same condition?

And if there was, would that person even have the answers?

‘In the end, I’ll have to figure it out on my own.’

【“Isn’t that why you got permission to use the Royal Library?”】

‘…True.’

That was, indeed, the reason she had requested access to the library.

But would such information even be in there?

If it was recorded in any text, it would probably be in the form of “This person experienced such-and-such incident at such-and-such place.”

But what she needed was more than just a record of events.

What she needed was a solution.

At the very least, if there’s even one other person who’s experienced the same phenomenon, there’s a chance they might have left some kind of trace behind while searching for a solution.

That’s how it should be, right?

If that happens, then… I’ll be able to return to my original world.

And Astrid… she’ll be able to marry Leopold and live happily ever after.

【“Wake up. The attendants are here.”】

‘…Huh?’

The noisy chatter in her mind prompted Astrid to open her eyes.

The first thing she saw was the face of a blonde-haired attendant, her expression shifting from awkward to relieved.

【“How can you fall asleep the moment you lie down?”】

‘That’s how it works. When you lie down, you sleep…’

It seemed she’d dozed off.

Even after opening her eyes, it took her a while to fully regain her senses. She sat there, dazed, staring ahead, when the attendant cautiously approached her.

“Um, Lady Miterien…?”

Astrid slowly lifted her gaze to meet the attendant’s eyes, still a little out of it.

“Leopold…?”

【“What are you saying?!”】

A loud, jarring voice rang in her mind, jolting Astrid fully awake.

The attendant’s face showed visible shock, her expression awkward and confused.

“Ah… m-my apologies. I misspoke. What was it you said just now?”

“Ah, yes… I-I was saying that, as it’s nearly time for your meal with His Highness, we’ve come to assist with your preparations.”

The attendant glanced nervously to the side, where a lineup of items had been neatly arranged — a wash basin, towels, a container of cosmetics, and a rack of garments.

Upon seeing it all, Astrid felt a little overwhelmed.

***

Preparations for Dinner

Astrid didn’t have to do much of anything.

The attendants prepared the basin and took care of the entire process — washing her face, cleansing, and tidying up afterward. Astrid simply sat there, letting it all happen.

They even handled her makeup.

The attendants were reluctant to comment on Astrid’s natural beauty, but it was undeniable. Her fair, porcelain-like skin made for an excellent canvas for makeup, and her complexion was bright enough that only minimal work was needed.

Once her base makeup was applied, the color began to deepen as the attendants added subtle blush, giving her a healthy glow.

“Is there a particular dress you’d prefer, my lady?”

All of the dresses they’d prepared had relatively conservative designs.

It made sense. She would be dining alone with Leopold.

The design clearly aimed to minimize the possibility of “unforeseen accidents.”

But, in all honesty, Astrid welcomed that.

***

The Dinner Dress

In the end, Astrid was dressed in a pale blue party dress.

The neckline wasn’t too low, and the dress had a modest, pure aesthetic. It suited her taste well.

“You’ve arrived?”

“…Yes.”

Leopold was already seated at the dining table in the small banquet hall. He glanced up at Astrid as she entered.

Dressed in a crisp white ceremonial uniform, he looked surprisingly sharp.

【“As expected, His Highness… so dashing…”】

‘Yeah, yeah.’

Astrid didn’t even bother denying it.

He was wearing a white uniform with a diagonal red sash draped across his chest from his right shoulder to his left hip.

Gold buttons fastened the uniform, and the whole outfit shone under the soft orange glow of the lighting.

The faint glint of the golden buttons, the way his blonde hair caught the light, and his sapphire-blue eyes that turned toward Astrid—

Yes, it was a sight one could easily call “beautiful.”

“Take a seat.”

The attendants didn’t move.

Instead, Leopold stood up himself and moved to the opposite side of the table, pulling out the chair for her.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Don’t mention it.”

The sound of soft music floated through the air.

A small orchestra was playing a gentle melody, filling the banquet hall with a calm, elegant atmosphere.

With the music as a backdrop, the table was gradually being set. Plates of pre-dinner bread, butter, and jams were placed on the table, all neatly arranged for ease of enjoyment.

“What kind of sauce would you like?”

The attendant politely inquired.

Leopold, as if on instinct, was about to answer for her.

“Astrid dislikes mandarin sau—”

“Ah, I’ll have the mandarin sauce.”

Her words cut him off.

Silence.

Leopold turned his gaze toward Astrid, his eyes filled with confusion.

【“I hate mandarin sauce!”】

Ah, crap.

By the time she realized it, it was too late.

Leopold, who knew perfectly well that Astrid didn’t like mandarin sauce, was now staring at her like she’d suddenly grown horns.

“I… my tastes must have changed.”

“Is that so? Looks like you’ve finally grown up.”

【“He must have thought I was some adorable child, didn’t he?! I knew it!”】

‘…Are you stupid?’

While Astrid was busy arguing with the “other Astrid” in her mind, the server arrived to pour champagne into their glasses.

The golden liquid shimmered as it filled the glass.

But there was one problem.

Astrid had never had alcohol in this world before.

‘Hey, are you good with alcohol?’

【“Of course I am. There’s nothing I can’t handle.”】

Well, that did seem plausible.

If she was the same Astrid who hunted barbarians like pigs in the northern snowfields, it wouldn’t be strange for her to have a strong tolerance for alcohol.

Reassured, Astrid reached for the champagne glass, tilting it slightly toward Leopold before taking a sip.

The taste was… different.

Her lips tingled as the fizz prickled against her tongue, and the subtle sweetness spread across her palate.

It was a strange sensation.

‘It’s kind of good, actually.’

【“Right? See, alcohol is delicious. It’s not something you just drink for fun — it’s a necessity for survival.”】

That logic felt a little off, but she didn’t argue.

With a calm movement, Leopold picked up his champagne glass and raised it toward her.

“It’s our first proper dinner together in a while. Cheers.”

“Cheers, Your Highness.”

They clinked their glasses lightly.

The faint sound of glass touching glass echoed, like the beginning of an overture.