The Northern Duke’s Daughter Will Never Fall

Chapter 67: Not a Romantic Comic (5)

Astrid’s question hung in the air as Leopold fiddled with the cookie in his hand, a faint smile playing on his lips. He didn’t answer right away.

“So, that’s what you were curious about,” he finally said.

For Leopold, this question was unexpected. It didn’t seem like something Astrid would typically ask.

It showed she had thought about it—considered the strengths of other noblewomen without dismissing them outright, and acknowledged her own perceived shortcomings.

Of course, Leopold had no idea that most of these thoughts came from Violet’s remarks.

“It’s a simple matter, isn’t it, Astrid? What do you think the reason is?”

“If I knew, I wouldn’t be asking,” she retorted, irritation flashing across her face. She had mustered the courage to ask, only to be met with deflection.

“Still, you must have thought about it. I’m curious about your theory.”

‘Do you have any idea?’

【Not really. Didn’t Violet’s reaction say it all?】

‘Then what could it be? Ours is the highest-ranking family…’

“Because I’m the prettiest?” she blurted.

“Pfft.”

Leopold choked, cookie crumbs spraying out as he suppressed a laugh. 

His expression was priceless—one of disbelief, as if he were questioning whether she was serious.

“It was a joke,” Astrid muttered, though her expression didn’t fully match her words.

She did have another theory, one she had been hesitant to voice because she wasn’t confident in her understanding of politics.

“Firstly, perhaps it’s because our fathers are close friends.”

“That’s true,” Leopold acknowledged. “But there’s more to it than that, I imagine.”

Indeed, while their fathers’ friendship played a role, such a simplistic reason couldn’t explain an engagement that would shape the future of the empire.

Astrid chewed on her cookie, the rich, sweet flavor spreading in her mouth as she gathered her thoughts.

“Perhaps… it’s because there are no conflicting interests involved,” she said finally.

Her reasoning was clear.

Akemilla’s merchant guild would undoubtedly seek to leverage its influence over the empire’s economy if she became Crown Princess.

Violet’s family already held full command of the navy, and a marriage with the imperial family could extend their reach into land-based military operations.

Emilie’s father, the Marquess of Jorgien, already commanded significant power as the head of the Magic Tower and a key figure in the production of military-grade magical equipment like the Magic Bracelet. If Emilie became Crown Princess, the Jorgien family’s influence would reach even greater heights.

In contrast, the Miterien Duchy had no such vested interests. They were the empire’s Northern Shield, established solely as loyal vassals to defend the frontier. No political maneuvering or familial ties would alter that.

“Marrying into the Miterien family would strengthen the empire’s stability rather than create internal power struggles. That’s my guess.”

Leopold remained silent for a moment, his blue eyes studying Astrid intently. He hadn’t expected such a thoughtful answer.

“Did someone tell you this?”

“No, it’s just my own reasoning.”

Leopold raised an eyebrow. Astrid’s response was intelligent, logical. It was hard for him to believe it came entirely from her. But who could have guided her to this conclusion?

“That’s… correct,” Leopold admitted at last, setting his cookie down.

Astrid had voiced his thoughts perfectly. While there were additional factors—such as preemptively mitigating any potential rebellion from the Miterien family—those considerations were less relevant now.

“It’s surprising, Astrid.”

“What is, Your Highness?”

“That you—”

***

It was the day of a basic magicology class.

Astrid, who usually showed little interest in academic subjects, approached this one differently.

Despite lacking even a shred of natural talent and finding it unbearably difficult, she clung to this class with determination. After all, magic could hold the key to returning to her original world.

The hope was faint—this was only an introductory course—but she wasn’t willing to leave any stone unturned.

Professor Anafrey stood at the front of the classroom, glancing nervously at Emilie, who sat in the front row. Despite Anafrey’s apprehension, Emilie listened intently, her expression serious.

“The five points of the pentagram represent soul, water, fire, earth, and wind,” the professor explained. “The soul, positioned at the top, symbolizes the head and also indicates that the soul governs the elements. When magic flows along the pentagram, the element is determined by where the energy is concentrated. The ease with which individuals channel energy into specific points depends on their unique magical pathways.”

Anafrey coughed lightly, stole another glance at Emilie, and continued.

“The Magic Bracelet partially substitutes for these pathways. It essentially draws the pentagram externally, allowing magic to flow through pre-inscribed spell diagrams. You simply channel your energy, and the magic is cast. If, that is, you have magical energy to use. Now, please pick up the Magic Bracelets on your desks.”

Each desk had a training Magic Bracelet. As Emilie picked hers up, the embedded gemstones immediately glowed, reflecting the purity and strength of her mana. The bracelet emitted a soft light before dimming, signaling that it was ready for use.

Leopold, seated next to Emilie, activated his own bracelet shortly after. As a Magic Knight, his activation was naturally slower than Emilie’s, a pure magician, but he observed hers with interest.

“You’re quite fast, Cadet Emilie,” Leopold remarked.

“That’s because I’m a magician,” Emilie replied with crisp, undeniable logic.

Astrid, seated nearby, watched Leopold and Emilie from the corner of her eye while fidgeting with her Magic Bracelet. 

Unlike theirs, hers showed no signs of activity. The gemstones embedded in the bracelet remained dull, lifeless, and utterly unresponsive.

“…Cadet Astrid seems to be just as I’ve heard,” Professor Anafrey commented, his tone matter-of-fact. “Though, it’s quite unusual for someone to have this little mana.”

On the surface, it could have been taken as an insult, but Anafrey was simply stating a fact.

【It’s nothing new, but it doesn’t make it feel any better.】

Agreed.

Astrid had no mana. Not even the slightest sensitivity to mana. No matter how much she fiddled with the bracelet, it refused to activate. It didn’t glow, didn’t hum, didn’t so much as flicker.

“Ugh… What’s wrong with this thing? Is it broken?”

Frustrated, Astrid muttered as she continued to poke at the unresponsive bracelet.

“Here, let me take a look,” Leopold offered, extending his hand.

“No, thanks,” Astrid said, pulling the bracelet back.

She decided it was better to believe it was simply defective. The idea of handing it over and having Leopold activate it effortlessly left a sour taste in her mouth.

“It’s fascinating, actually,” Emilie mused. “To have so little mana is almost its own unique trait, don’t you think?”

“…Are you mocking me, Cadet Emilie?”

“Does it sound that way? I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Well, it felt like you did,” Astrid shot back.

Her irritation flared. Sure, she lacked mana. But did Emilie really need to rub it in with her blank, emotionless expression?

Magic is for cowards anyway. All it’s good for is flinging stuff from a distance. Just kill them before they can even start chanting.

“Everyone, the Magic Bracelets on your desks have a preloaded Earth-attribute defensive spell,” Professor Anafrey announced. “To activate it, channel your mana toward the lower-right point of the pentagram, corresponding to Earth. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Professor!”

But no matter how much Astrid tried, nothing happened.

The Magic Bracelet in her hands remained as unresponsive as ever.