The Northern Duke’s Daughter Will Never Fall

Chapter 50: Night Market (2)

“…Why are you here?”

“To clear my head, I decided to take a stroll through the night market. What about Your Highness?”

“I’m here for the same reason.”

‘That scoundrel.’

Leopold ground his teeth. It had to be the work of his chamberlain. How else could he have run into Astrid at this exact time, in this exact place, on this exact day?

“What a coincidence. I’m here because Ashray suggested it, but I didn’t expect to meet Your Highness.”

Could it be that the chamberlain wasn’t behind this after all? The Astrid he knew wasn’t one to lie. Even if she tried to act, her clumsy attempts would be obvious. But this Astrid showed no signs of deception.

“Since it’s a coincidence, how about we walk together?”

He’d mustered up the courage to say it, but even as the words left his mouth, Leopold questioned himself. 

He’d told her not to seek him out until she returned from the academy. And yet, here he was, suggesting they tour the night market together. Was this really the right choice?

“That sounds good.”

The highlight of any night market was, of course, the food.

“This is called squid,” Astrid said.

“I’m aware.”

In Persangte, a landlocked region, fish were a rare and valuable commodity. It wasn’t something one could easily find or afford, but tonight’s night market seemed to have no shortage of seafood on display.

While the prices weren’t exactly cheap, neither Leopold nor Astrid had any issues with money.

One food stall was selling skewered squid brushed with butter and grilled over a charcoal fire.

‘Does it taste the same as I remember?’

Without hesitation, Astrid bought two.

She’d always liked squid, but since coming here, she’d had few opportunities to eat it. She figured she’d indulge herself now while she could.

“You’re generous. I should have bought it instead.”

“…Huh? Oh, well… here, have one.”

After a brief hesitation, Astrid handed Leopold one of the skewers. Each of them now held a skewer as they took their first bites. The chewy squid flesh, soaked in butter, filled their mouths with flavor—

‘Not good.’

It wasn’t the taste she’d expected.

She’d made a mistake buying two.

They could have just bought one and shared it.

Her original plan had been to eat both herself, but somehow, she’d ended up giving one to Leopold. After taking a bite of her own, she realized she didn’t like the taste at all.

“By the way, where’s Ashray?” Leopold asked.

“Ah, right. Ashray, here, I’ve taken a bite, but you can have it.”

“Really? Thanks, Sister!”

Astrid handed the skewer to Ashray.

Since it didn’t suit her taste, she had no reason to force herself to eat it.

Given how small her mouth was, she’d only taken a tiny bite, barely noticeable.

Just as Ashray reached out to take the skewer, a hand shot out faster than his and snatched it away.

“…Your Highness?”

“I haven’t had a bite of mine yet. Take mine instead, Ashray. This one…”

Leopold’s gaze shifted to the skewer in his hand.

More precisely, to the small bite mark left by Astrid’s teeth.

“I’ll have this one.”

“Huh? Your Highness, I’m fine with that one. Can’t we just buy another?”

“No, this one will do.”

To prove his point, Leopold took a bite of the squid skewer.

‘What’s wrong with a prince eating what his future princess has eaten?’

With that thought in mind, Leopold calmly chewed the squid.

It tasted terrible.

【Look at you, you sly fox.】

‘What now?’

【You’re a fox in human form, aren’t you?】

‘What’s that supposed to mean?!’

【Seriously, I’m impressed.】

The real Astrid’s sudden criticism caught her off guard.

‘What’s your problem now?’

【It’s not a problem. I’m just… in awe.】

‘In awe of what?’

【We’ll talk about it later.】

Her voice sounded strangely subdued.

Astrid’s curiosity was piqued, but since there wasn’t much she could do about it, she decided to let it go for now.

“Sister, look over there.”

“Hmm?”

Ashray pointed toward a small tent. People were gathered noisily in front of it, not because of the tent itself but the dart-throwing booth set up just in front of it.

“Darts?”

“Yeah, not what I was going to point out, but hey, you want to try it? Brother-in-law, you too.”

With a playful grin, Ashray grabbed Astrid’s wrist and led her toward the booth.

She followed with a light step, while Leopold’s eyes narrowed at Ashray’s hand on her wrist. He followed closely behind, gaze locked on that hand.

“How does this work?” Ashray asked.

The owner of the dart booth froze for a moment, eyes widening at Ashray’s imposing figure.

“Uh, uh… It’s simple, sir! Ten darts for one silver coin. Hit the targets, and you win a prize!”

“Huh. Let’s give it a try. Sister, Brother-in-law, you in?”

“She’s not my girlfriend,” Leopold said curtly, as the booth owner’s casual remark drew his ire.

With a swift motion, Leopold slid his hand between Ashray’s grip and Astrid’s wrist.

“Ah!”

Astrid gasped softly as Leopold’s arm wrapped firmly around her waist.

“This is my fiancée.”

“Ah, m-my mistake! My apologies, sir! Haha…”

The booth owner’s awkward smile only grew wider. Two plates, each holding ten darts, were set before Ashray and Leopold.

‘This is definitely rigged.’

Astrid knew the scam well. Back in her original world, she’d seen these at carnivals. They’d hang an almost invisible net in front of the targets so the darts couldn’t hit properly.

‘Two silver coins on a scam like this? Fools.’

【His hand… His Highness’ hand…】

The real Astrid’s voice was unusually faint.

Her mind was still preoccupied with how Leopold had wrapped his arm around her waist. While Astrid herself didn’t think much of it, the real Astrid’s reaction was entirely different.

【You’re more sly than I am.】

‘Is that a compliment or an insult?’

【A compliment, obviously.】

Despite the commotion happening right beside him, Leopold didn’t seem particularly concerned.

Picking up one of the four remaining darts, he threw it casually. As expected, the dart flew wildly off course.

“Hmm. I see how it works now.”

He rubbed his chin in thought.

“Astrid.”

“Yes, uh… you.”

“Is there anything you want?”

【That one! That one!】

‘Which one is “that one” supposed to be?’

【Third row from the bottom, second from the right!】

On the prize shelf, stacked in tiers, the item she was talking about was a pure white snow leopard plushie. It seemed Astrid had taken a liking to it.

【That one’s perfect! I love it!】

Well, of course she’d want it. Her nickname was “The White Snow Leopard of the Snowfield,” after all. A white snow leopard plushie was fitting.

“That one. Third row from the bottom, second from the right.”

“Ah, the leopard plushie.”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.”

Leopold picked up a dart and looked at Astrid for a moment.

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No reason.”

With the dart in hand, Leopold narrowed one eye and gauged the distance and direction.

“Just thinking it’s so like you.”

Then he threw the dart.

“It’s bigger than it looks.”

“It really is.”

The leopard plushie was larger than expected.

The dart, which had initially flown in the wrong direction, suddenly curved midair and struck the leopard plushie dead-on.

“See? It’s a scam after all.”

“It’s called a trick, Ashray. If merchants operated honestly all the time, they’d go out of business.”

“Still, isn’t a trick basically a scam?”

“Think of it as entertainment. People expect this level of deception at a festival game.”

【Your little brother’s as dumb as ever. Our prince is absolutely right.】

‘He’s your little brother, you know.’

Regardless, Astrid liked the leopard plushie too. It wasn’t obvious at first, but once she held it and felt how soft and fluffy it was, she thought it would be perfect to hug while sleeping.

【Someone’s calling you. Focus!】

‘Huh?’

Before she realized it, she’d ended up in front of a tent near the dart-throwing booth.

Inside the tent was a purple crystal ball, and standing before it was a tall woman with a deep hood covering her face.

“Oh my, what a surprise. To meet a young lady about to be married in a place like this.”

‘Her manner of speaking is a little strange.’

【Who cares about that?! She said you’re about to be married!】

‘W-wait a second!’

Her first instinct was to call it a scam, but with the real Astrid causing such an uproar in her head, she had no choice but to approach the woman, albeit reluctantly.

“Are you talking about me?”

“Yes, young lady. It’s you. I can see it clearly. It looks to me like you’re about to get married. How about a quick fortune reading? Bring along that nobleman with the wig too.”

Leopold’s black wig had been carefully styled by palace hairdressers, so there was no way anyone could tell it was a wig.

“It’s just for fun.”

Leopold’s interest was piqued.

“I’ll go take a look around, Sister. You’ll be here, right?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

It wouldn’t be a great sight if Ashray hovered around while Astrid and Leopold had their fortunes read together. 

Knowing this, Ashray quickly excused himself, leaving Astrid and Leopold to follow the fortune teller into the tent.

“Take a seat over there. Who wants to go first?”

“Start with my fiancée.”

“Shall we?”

【He said fiancée! He said fiancée! Oh my gosh!】

‘She is his fiancée, so calm down…’

Technically, their engagement hadn’t been annulled yet.

So, by all rights, she was still his fiancée.

Still, the real Astrid’s overreaction made her wonder just how deeply the original Astrid’s feelings for Leopold ran.

“Place your hand on the crystal ball, and I’ll begin the reading… hmm?”

Before the fortune teller even finished speaking, Astrid had already placed her right hand on the crystal ball. Lightning-like flashes of energy, which had been swirling randomly inside, suddenly gathered around the spot where her hand rested. The fortune teller’s face twisted in confusion as she peered into the crystal ball.

‘That’s odd. What’s happening?’

The fortune teller knew, of course, that this month’s zodiac was Gemini. Since it was the month of the twins, fortune-telling was supposed to be clearer, and paths for decisions would often be more distinct.

‘Why are there two intertwined destinies?’

The woman in front of her was clearly one person. Yet, within her, there were two distinct destinies intertwined as one.

Not as if she had a twin, but as if she alone was living two separate fates simultaneously.

This sight was new even for Veracien, the demon disguised as a fortune teller.

‘This is strange. I’ve never seen anything like it. Not even in the Demon Realm.’

Should she push further?

Or should she let it go?

After a moment’s thought, Veracien decided against delving deeper. There was too much she didn’t know. 

She’d observed Astrid for some time, but it had always been from a place of mild interest, not serious investigation. It wouldn’t be wise to dig too deeply right now.

“Now, let’s check compatibility. Young lady, please lift your hand and have the gentleman place his on the crystal ball.”

With her face still slightly flushed, Astrid smiled at the mention of compatibility. Her gaze shifted to Leopold.

Leopold, keeping a neutral expression, placed his hand on the crystal ball. And once again, Veracien’s eyes widened in shock.

“…Sir, are you a noble?”

“Indeed, I am.”

“Why do you ask?”

Astrid, unaware that the fortune teller was actually Veracien, tilted her head in confusion. Leopold also gave a curious glance but said nothing.

“No, it’s just…”

The one truly surprised was Veracien.

Leopold’s fate revealed something astonishing. His destiny showed not one, but two wives.

Seated right in front of her was a single woman, Astrid. But the vision displayed two women.

“He… has two wives?”

“W-what?!”

Leopold’s eyes widened in disbelief.

The idea of having two wives was a shock to him as well.

While monogamy was the norm, polygamy wasn’t exactly outlawed. Nobles sometimes took concubines, and while it wasn’t too common, it wasn’t unheard of either. 

However, Leopold’s father, Kreutz von Einthafen, had never remarried after becoming a widower. 

The emperor’s example had set a precedent, and as a result, most other nobles adhered to monogamy as well.

To hear that he, the Crown Prince, would have two wives was startling, to say the least.

But there was another person far more shocked by this revelation.

【What did she just say?! This hack! No, wait… not just Akemilla, but now there’s two more arrogant bitches to deal with?!】

“And… both wives have silver hair.”

【…Silver hair?】

‘…’

【Hey, HEY! Say something! Do something! Explain this!】

But Astrid had no words to offer.

Because, at this very moment, she was the most shaken person of all.

“There’s… seven children, too. Three from one wife and four from the other…” Veracien’s brow furrowed as she gazed deeper into the crystal ball. “How strange…”

【S-se-seven kids?!】

The situation was spiraling into utter chaos.

‘Two wives? Besides me, there’s someone else?’