The Northern Duke’s Daughter Will Never Fall

Chapter 57: That B**** Again (3)

Why had those two walked in together? Astrid couldn’t comprehend it. More truthfully, she didn’t want to understand. 

The real Astrid in her mind was also in turmoil, practically tearing her hair out.

“Are you just going to sit there and watch this happen?!”

But Astrid took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm. After all, this wasn’t necessarily a situation that warranted her anger. 

While the real Astrid was pleading for intervention, acting rashly and losing her temper might backfire.

Calmly. Steadily.

Approach this as if it were no big deal. Something like, Oh, you must’ve bumped into each other just outside. Yes, something like that. That was the way to handle it.

‘Watch carefully. I’ll show you how to respond in situations like this.’

Astrid exhaled softly and organized her thoughts. Meanwhile, Leopold and Violet had already stepped into the room and were looking around for seats.

“Cadet Leopold.”

“Hm? Did you call me?”

“Explain yourself.”

Huh?

Something about her tone had gone awry. This wasn’t the approach she had intended. Her words came out sharp, thorned with irritation despite her efforts to stay composed.

Leopold turned to look down at her, standing still. His expression showed a hint of confusion. Astrid’s mint-colored eyes stared straight into his, blazing with barely concealed anger.

“What exactly do you want me to explain, Astrid?”

“Mind your tone. This isn’t Persangte or the Imperial Palace. Cadets don’t use formal language here.”

Leopold closed his eyes briefly and waved a hand. He admitted fault but couldn’t help feeling slightly annoyed at her sharp tone in front of everyone.

“Fine. So, what do you want me to explain, Captain Astrid?”

“Why did the two of you come in together?”

Only then did Leopold glance sideways at Violet standing next to him. So this was the issue. Just as he was about to step away from her, Violet smiled faintly.

“Uh, um… Violet, Cadet…?”

There was something unsettling about that smile.

Before Leopold could create some distance, Violet closed the gap herself and boldly linked her arm with his.

The soft sensation brushing against his arm—while not as pronounced as what he’d felt when Astrid had accidentally ended up lying on his chest a few days ago—was still enough to momentarily short-circuit his thoughts.

Eranya, on the other hand, was the one most visibly shocked.

‘Why… why is she doing that all of a sudden?’

She looked up at Violet with a baffled expression.

Violet’s behavior was entirely unexpected. Eranya had merely invited her along for a casual drinking session, nothing more.

Of all her many friends at the academy, Violet had been her closest confidante. Be it drinks, food, or desserts, they were a perfect match for one another. Yet, for Violet to pull such a stunt here? Even Eranya hadn’t seen it coming.

‘…What?’

Their gazes met. And at that moment, Eranya understood. Through their countless drinking sessions and games of hide-and-seek with instructors, their bond of friendship allowed her to read Violet’s intent with just a look.

‘That sly fox. She’s craftier than I thought.’

Eranya stifled a small laugh. The message in Violet’s gaze was crystal clear.

‘Doesn’t this seem fun?’

And Eranya couldn’t resist a good bit of mischief. If anything, she was already plotting ways to escalate the situation for even more amusement.

She sneaked a glance at Astrid, who stared at Leopold and Violet with a dazed expression, as if she couldn’t quite process what she was seeing.

‘This is going to be hilarious.’

“Wow, so that’s how it is. The two of you hit it off so well that now you’re like this?” Eranya teased.

“And what does this mean for Captain Astrid?” Astein chimed in, grinning. Even Veracien, clasping her hands tightly, alternated her gaze between Violet, Leopold, and Astrid.

“Oh my, to think I’d witness such a fascinating scene with my own eyes. I’m so glad I enrolled here…”

While Veracien’s words hardly sounded like those of a devout priest, Astrid didn’t even register them.

“So, how long has this been going on?” Eranya pressed.

“How long? Isn’t it an open competition? Whoever claims him first wins,” Violet said coolly, tightening her grip on Leopold’s arm.

Leopold squirmed, trying to free himself, but refrained from yanking his arm outright—it would be too disrespectful to Violet’s dignity as a noblewoman. His hesitation left him visibly flustered.

Her point wasn’t entirely invalid. The competition for the position of Crown Princess had never been officially called off. 

Violet wasn’t breaking any rules, and she certainly had no obligation to take Astrid’s feelings into account.

Besides, while she wasn’t from a ducal house like Miterien, Violet was still the daughter of the Admiral of the Southern Fleet. As a noble in her own right, she couldn’t be treated dismissively.

“Enough! Just sit down already! Stop rubbing it in!”

There wasn’t much Astrid could do except shout.

“You told me to wait and see! Is this your idea of handling it?!”

‘…Fair point.’

By now, the drinking cups had made their rounds three or four times. Astrid, knowing full well the chaos that could arise if she drank, had only accepted the cup out of politeness, without taking a sip. Instead, she had placed a second cup beside her, filled with juice, which she quietly sipped.

Unfortunately, the seating arrangement was the real problem. Violet sat beside Leopold, while Astrid found herself next to Astein.

“Come on, Captain. Just one drink?”

“No. Not a chance.”

Astein’s perpetually squinting eyes already gave off a shady impression, but paired with his cajoling tone, it only made him seem worse. 

While Astein likely had no ill intent, Astrid’s already boiling frustration made even him seem irritating.

“Feeling upset?”

“What is this guy doing?! Is he trying to throw gasoline on the fire?!”

‘Most people don’t throw a gas can. They pour it.’

“Is that important right now?!”

“Try this, Cadet Leopold.”

It was a dish made of thinly sliced meat stir-fried with bell peppers, carrots, cabbage, and oyster sauce over high heat. Where Violet had gotten it, no one could guess.

“I made it myself.”

“Oh…”

Leopold took a bite and immediately looked impressed. His expression of admiration stung Astrid’s pride, and her own face began to sour.

“T-That… That little…!”

She was angry. Although, technically speaking, there wasn’t any legitimate reason to be.

Rationally, she knew she could dismiss it and bring it up calmly later. But logic wasn’t prevailing.

“Cadet Violet, I am formally betrothed, so sitting this close to me is inappropriate.”

Leopold’s expression, initially softened by the delicious food, returned to one of neutrality.

“Doing this in front of my fiancée is discourteous to her, and I am at fault for allowing it to go this far. Let’s stop here.”

He spoke as politely as possible. Violet, wearing a sly smile, backed off slightly, putting a bit of distance between them. 

It was clear she knew when to end her antics. Pushing beyond acceptable boundaries would no longer be a harmless prank, and Violet understood that well.

“Well then, let’s—”

However, just as Leopold and Violet were about to address the situation as a simple misunderstanding, there was one person in the room who wasn’t willing to let it slide.

Astrid.

“Switch. Now. Right now.”

‘What are you going to do if I let you?’

A fierce internal battle unfolded. Having refrained from switching personalities all day, Astrid still had the opportunity to yield control.

“Just give me control. I’ll take care of this.”

‘Hah…’

Exasperation settled over Astrid. She was tired of resisting. Truthfully, she felt like she’d done enough for the day.

Leopold’s concerned glances annoyed her. Astein’s cheerful calls of “Have a drink, sister!” grated on her nerves. 

Veracien’s chipper comments of “This is what romance looks like!” irritated her even more. And Eranya’s constant shouting of “Astrid! Astrid! Astrid!” made her want to scream.

She wanted to throw it all away.

‘Fine, switch. Do whatever you want.’

Astrid relaxed her body completely, letting her vision shift as if watching TV.

“So, what’s your big plan now?”

‘First, I need a drink.’

“What, wh-what?!” Leopold’s confused voice broke the silence.

Without hesitation, Astrid grabbed the cup of whiskey that had been placed near Astein. In one fluid motion, she downed it, ignoring the burning sensation as the liquid slid down her throat.

“Ahhh!”