The Northern Duke’s Daughter Will Never Fall

Chapter 66: Not a Romantic Comic (4)

“There’s a spy, you’re certain?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Leopold scratched the bridge of his nose with his middle finger as he scanned the report in his hands. 

According to the instructor kneeling before him, there was no doubt that a spy had infiltrated the academy. 

Seals were suspiciously tampered with, and there were signs of intrusion in various areas, including the teaching aid storage and practice rooms.

“Have you checked the security arrangements?”

“We have ensured everything is as airtight as possible, Your Highness.”

Leopold crumpled the report in frustration, the paper wrinkling in his grip until it was unrecognizable.

“And yet, you dare to make such empty claims?!”

“My deepest apologies, Your Highness!”

“Things are leaking left and right, and you call this airtight security? Have you forgotten who attends this academy? Myself, the Crown Prince, and Lady Miterien, the future Crown Princess!”

Leopold flung the report aside and rose abruptly.

This was unacceptable—unthinkable. The Einthafen Empire, having finally reached a period of stability more than 20 years after its founding, could not afford such insidious disruptions.

Leopold took a deep breath, staring down at the instructor, who kept his head bowed in shame. His mind churned. 

Whoever was behind this was likely a remnant of a fallen nation—those crushed under the might of Einthafen. The seed of rebellion had to be eradicated before it could grow.

“There’s no evidence of external intrusion?”

“None, Your Highness.”

“Then it must be internal.”

A spy had slipped into the academy. Someone was moving in secret among the students, but it wasn’t likely to be a noble. 

After the war, Leopold and his father, Kreutz, had meticulously rooted out any potential traitors among the aristocracy. 

Nearly half of the noble houses had been obliterated during this purge. It was unlikely anyone would dare plot treason again.

That left the commoners.

Some lowborn infiltrators had dared to sully the academy—the very institution responsible for shaping the empire’s future pillars.

Leopold scratched his nose again. He didn’t need to say much. His position allowed him to command action with a single word, to mobilize others and achieve results with a mere gesture.

“Find them.”

“As you command, Your Highness!”

“If any harm comes to me, the Crown Prince, you know what the consequences will be.”

“Understood, Your Highness!”

“And if…”

Leopold hesitated briefly as a certain young woman’s image filled his mind. Her drunken antics, crying that he was too cold to her, and her frustrated attempts to keep up in class all flashed before him.

“If harm comes to Lady Miterien…”

He stopped, unable to picture it. The thought of Astrid being endangered, or worse, was utterly unimaginable.

“…The consequences would be beyond your capacity to bear. Before the imperial family steps in, Miterien’s Shield will become a blade, and it will strike your heads.”

“We will root them out and report back, Your Highness!”

With a final bow, the instructor left. Leopold stood, preparing to return to class. He had heard about the chaos earlier between Astrid and Violet. 

By now, it was late afternoon, and he figured some snacks would likely be on Astrid’s mind.

“I want something sweet.”

Astrid mumbled the words absentmindedly. Violet, holding an egg against her swollen cheek, glared at her.

“Of course, you would, you gorilla.”

“Well, it’s natural to crave sweets after exerting yourself,” Astrid retorted.

“Are you pregnant or something?”

“W-What are you saying?!”

Before Astrid could respond further, someone leapt forward and wrapped their arms tightly around her waist.

“Astiyaaang!”

“L-Let go! I know it’s you, Eranya! Let go!”

The hands around her waist felt strange, and Astrid struggled to free herself. While the hug was firm, it was no match for Astrid’s strength.

“Geez! What are you doing, Eranya?!”

“Wow, look at this tiny waist. Seriously, how is your waist so thin? You eat all those snacks but don’t gain any weight!” Eranya complained, poking and prodding Astrid’s waist.

“It’s just my body type!” Astrid replied, her mood lifting at the compliment. Her slender waist, long limbs, and fair skin were all typical of Northerners, and she took quiet pride in these features.

“Seriously, though… your waist is amazing,” Eranya said enviously.

Astrid puffed up with pride, oblivious to Violet stifling her laughter nearby. Placing her hands on her hips, she began to flaunt her figure.

“See? Strong and beautiful, just like me. Who needs studying when—”

“When heroes don’t study?”

Astrid froze mid-sentence. Both Violet and Eranya knew, but Astrid herself hadn’t realized.

“When heroes don’t study?”

The sound of creaking could almost be heard as Astrid’s head slowly turned. 

Leopold stood next to Eranya, arms crossed and smirking at her.

Oblivious to his presence, she had been bragging about her waist in front of him.

Switch!

【W-What? No! You fix this yourself!】

Switch, please… I’m begging you…

Her face began to burn red again.

***

【Thanks… You really saved me there.】

Only when you’re in trouble do you call for me. It’s really unfair.

Astrid muttered inwardly as she sipped her tea. While the academy dormitories for boys and girls were in separate wings, interaction after class hours wasn’t strictly prohibited. It was as if the academy’s policy was “Break the rules if you dare.”

“How are the cookies? Do they suit your taste?”

Astrid’s dorm room was modest. Unlike during the training cadet phase, each student had their own private room, though they were small. Still, there was enough space for a bed and a table for receiving guests.

“They’re… good,” Astrid replied reluctantly.

“That’s a relief,” Leopold said with a smile.

The situation felt awkward.

Astrid couldn’t help but feel uneasy. She had asked to switch out in a panic, but Leopold’s sudden kindness only made her more uncomfortable.

“Astrid.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

Now that they were alone, they reverted to formal speech, speaking as the Crown Prince and his betrothed.

“How is academy life? Are you uncomfortable… or have you noticed anything unusual?”

Leopold trusted Astrid’s instincts—those of someone whose senses had reached a beast-like level. If any ominous presence lurked within the academy, Astrid would undoubtedly notice.

“Unusual presence, you say…”

Crunch.

Astrid bit into a cookie, lost in thought. The strangest thing in her life wasn’t the academy or her struggles; it was herself. One body, two souls. 

Even now, the persistent voice in her head babbled: What’s that? Is something going on? What does that even mean? Nothing could be more bizarre.

“I haven’t noticed anything unusual… but is there some sort of unrest within the academy?”

For a brief moment, a chill flickered in Astrid’s eyes as she looked at Leopold. The icy sharpness in her gaze made Leopold avert his own momentarily as he picked up a cookie.

“Of course not. That’s not what I meant,” Leopold replied. “I was simply wondering how you’re adjusting to life at the academy.”

“It’s… not very enjoyable.”

【Of course it isn’t. All we do is study, and there are too few physical classes.】

“Still, you must adapt,” Astrid said with an awkward smile, brushing off her dissatisfaction. It was true she needed to adjust, but to Leopold, she seemed to be struggling more than she let on.

“I see. That’s good to hear. Still, I’ve noticed you seem to be having a hard time lately.”

【Could he just be worried about us?】

Maybe…

If that was all, it would be a relief.

But His Highness… he’s never been this kind to us before.

【That’s… hard to deny.】

Should I ask him about it? That thing that’s been bothering me for a while?

【The timing isn’t bad. Go ahead.】

Taking a deep breath, Astrid steadied herself.

“Your Highness.”

“I’m listening.”

“I have something I wish to ask.”

Leopold’s blue eyes turned to her, silently granting permission to speak. After hesitating for a moment, Astrid finally voiced her question.

“Why did Your Highness choose me as your betrothed?”

Leopold’s eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by the question. Clearly, it was not what he had expected.

“Akemilla of the merchant guild, Violet of the Southern Naval Command, Emilie of the Eastern Magic Tower… They are all daughters of powerful families, each an asset to the empire’s future. Compared to them, I am merely the daughter of Wolfgang von Miterien, with nothing to offer but personal strength. Why did Your Highness choose me?”

Violet’s words had lingered in Astrid’s heart. Akemilla, Violet, Emilie—each of them would be an exceptional choice for Crown Princess, bringing wealth, military might, or unparalleled magical expertise to the empire.

Astrid, on the other hand, had little to offer.

Her family’s martial prowess was impressive, but the Miterien family served as the Northern Shield. 

They were strong, but not strong enough to challenge an entire empire. 

They lacked wealth, cutting-edge technology, or the kind of influence that could fill the empire’s gaps.

Why had Leopold chosen her, of all people? Astrid couldn’t comprehend it.