The Northern Duke’s Daughter Will Never Fall

Chapter: 52: Night Market (4)

【I told you to switch with me!】

‘I can’t! It’s not like I can just switch!’

Astrid was breaking into a cold sweat as she tried to calm down the real Astrid, who was causing a commotion in her head.

In the carriage on the way home, filled with the snacks they had purchased, Ashray sat across from Astrid. 

Completely oblivious to his sister’s inner turmoil, he contentedly munched on skewers and candied fruit.

“Hey, Sis. Aren’t you going to eat? This stuff is pretty good. They coat the fruit with a thick layer of sugar syrup, so it’s really sweet. You should try it.”

“…How can you even eat that?”

While the real Astrid was wreaking havoc in her mind, Astrid herself was feeling irritated. Of all places, why did he have to show up there? Or at least, why couldn’t he have come a little later?

【That guy is tough enough that even if you threw him out of the carriage, he wouldn’t die!】

‘But he’d probably break something.’

【He wouldn’t die, though!】

‘He’s your brother!’

【That’s why I’m saying this!】

On one hand, she was relieved. A moment ago, Leopold had been seconds away from confessing his feelings.

At least, that’s what Astrid thought. When he asked if she still didn’t feel anything for him, regardless of her answer, Leopold seemed poised to declare, “I have feelings for you.”

If that had happened, it would’ve been the end. Astrid doubted she could have responded with a flat-out rejection. 

If things had progressed to that point, annulment wouldn’t even be on the table anymore—it would be straight to…

‘No, that’s not possible. Leopold still has four years at the academy.’

If it had come to that, Astrid would probably have left the academy and quietly begun her bridal training. 

Cooking, housekeeping, etiquette, diplomacy, and not just as any noblewoman but as someone destined to be the crown princess—a role second to none.

‘Not that any of that is new to me. Ten years of living alone… Wait, what am I even thinking?’

“Here, have one.”

Ashray handed her a candied apple as if to snap her out of her thoughts.

“It’s tasty. Give it a try.”

【Don’t let something like this distract you!】

But what choice did she have? Ashray hadn’t done it with malice; he just lacked awareness. Astrid took a bite of the candied apple in her hand.

The sticky sugar syrup and the crisp, tangy sweetness of the apple blended beautifully, making it incredibly delicious.

【…It is good.】

‘Right?’

Well, sometimes it’s better to let things slide. Astrid decided to think of it that way. In fact, it might have been for the best—at least things hadn’t spiraled out of control.

The carriage sped along the main avenue. The night market was winding down, and the sidewalks were crowded with people heading home, while others searched for empty carriages.

Astrid and Ashray’s carriage navigated through the bustling thoroughfare.

‘So, you said you had something to tell me.’

【I do.】

At the night market, the real Astrid had started to say something but stopped herself. Astrid remembered this clearly.

‘Alright, spit it out.’

The bathroom was filled with steam. Even though it was their private residence, the grand duke’s house boasted a massive bathroom. In its center was a large bathtub.

A gilded lion’s head was mounted on the wall, continuously spouting hot water. The balance between the water flowing in and out was maintained perfectly, keeping the bathwater at a consistent level and temperature.

Astrid sat in the tub with a towel wrapped around her head.

Thirty minutes of soaking every day. This was one of the real Astrid’s non-negotiable demands, and Astrid had diligently adhered to it so far.

【You’re such a temptress.】

‘…What?!’

She nearly slipped off the edge of the bath. A temptress? What in the world was this about?

No, she understood the meaning of the word, but why on earth was it being said now?

‘Hey, hey! What are you even talking about?!’

【Am I wrong?】

‘Yes, you are!’

Absolutely wrong. If anything, calling her a flirt would’ve been inaccurate, but “temptress”? The word didn’t even fit her gender.

【But how are you so good at being sly?】

‘What are you even saying?!’

There was no context. She had cut straight to the accusation, leaving Astrid bewildered and unsure of her intentions.

I knew the real Astrid’s personality well, yet her words still managed to catch me off guard. It made me wonder just how much difficulty the other noble daughters must have endured when dealing with her in person.

【What I was trying to say earlier.】

‘Say what?’

【I’ll do everything I can to help you return to your original world.】

Then, there was a long silence. Just as the quiet began to feel stifling to Astrid, the only sound was the soft drip, drip of water droplets falling from the ceiling into the tub in the still bathroom.

【…Please, help me.】

‘Help you with what?’

Knowing the real Astrid’s personality, asking someone for help like this was likely a first for her in her entire life.

【Help… me, please…】

It was a strange feeling.

Her voice trembled slightly.

‘…Are you crying?’

She wouldn’t cry. Astrid could feel a hint of the real Astrid’s emotions, though.

It wasn’t sadness. It was something else—an odd blend of melancholy and despair.

【It’s just frustrating. I’ve never felt inadequate in anything I’ve done until today. But now… maybe it’s because I’m emotional.】

‘That… um.’

What was I supposed to say in a situation like this? Unsure of how to comfort her, I chose to remain silent. 

I couldn’t offer words of encouragement without understanding why she was acting this way.

‘What do you want me to help with?’

I figured I’d start there. I untied the towel from my head, dipped it into the cold water, and wrung it out.

Rip—

Even though I thought I’d controlled my strength, the towel tore in half with a loud snap.

【For me to marry His Highness Leopold… I need your help.】

‘What?’

I froze mid-step, the torn towel still in my hand. For her to marry Leopold, she needed my help? I couldn’t make sense of what she meant.

【I know I’m not feminine enough, and I lack the grace and social skills… If you leave and I’m left alone…】

Finally, I began to understand what she was trying to say.

“Oh…”

But what exactly did she need me to do? Even if I helped, how would that guarantee her marriage to Leopold?

【You’re so naturally feminine. You effortlessly embody the ideal noblewoman—exactly what men desire.】

I’m a man.

【Even His Highness Leopold… Ashray… or even that old man—our father—would probably prefer you over me.】

Though my body is female now, my mind remains male.

And yet, the real Astrid was saying that someone like me, someone so “feminine,” was essential for her to marry Leopold.

I felt like crying.

【So… please, help me become the crown princess. I’ll do everything in my power to help you return to your original world, but… can we do it after I become the crown princess? I know it’s selfish and unreasonable, but…】

I couldn’t answer.

Knowing how much pride the real Astrid had, it must have taken enormous courage for her to humble herself and make this request.

【I’m begging you…】

And how was I supposed to refuse when she put it like that?

“Are you not going to see your Brother-in-law?”

“No.”

“Well, I guess there’s no need since you’ll be stuck with him all day tomorrow anyway.”

Astrid didn’t bother to respond.

It was the last day of her vacation. Tomorrow, she will head back to the academy, leaving in the morning by carriage.

“Haven’t you had a dull vacation? Don’t you feel like you didn’t do much?”

Ashray had been lounging in Astrid’s room since morning, chatting idly. Now it was noon, and he showed no signs of leaving.

Astrid didn’t see the need to kick him out, so she half-heartedly replied to his random comments while letting the time pass.

She hadn’t done much and hadn’t had much she wanted to do.

In hindsight, she regretted not going to the north. If she had known earlier that she couldn’t reveal she wasn’t the real Astrid—that such a thing was bound by a curse, like an inviolable rule—she would have headed north immediately after the first week of her vacation.

For an hour each day, she could switch with the real Astrid. She could have used that time to capture one of the northern barbarian shamans and forced them to find a way to break the curse. Once the curse was broken, she could have told Leopold the truth and sought his help.

But it was too late. She had no choice but to return to the academy and wait for summer break to try again.

With all that in mind, after returning tomorrow and enduring the weekend, formal classes would begin. Her real academy life was just around the corner.