NOVEL NEXT Chapter 37
Chapter 37: Fool and Fool (3)
‘Listen up. You want to marry Leopold, right?’
【Of course. I’ve never forgotten my dream of being united with His Highness, not even for a second.】
For a moment, Astrid felt a surge of anger. Words she wanted to hurl at her surged up, but she bit them down and forced herself to think of something else.
‘For someone so obsessed, don’t you think his opinion of you is too low? Leopold seems like he hates you.’
Thinking back, it was true. Since waking up as Astrid, she’d only met Leopold a handful of times.
One of those was during the marriage meeting, where they were practically at each other’s throats, snapping and growling like wild animals.
【That just shows how shy His Highness is. He’s playing hard to get.】
‘Do you even know what “playing hard to get” means?’
【It means our hearts are in sync, obviously. You’re so ignorant.】
No, that’s called “like-mindedness”!
‘…Fine. Let’s move on. My goal is to get back to my original world. Your goal is to marry Leopold. But you can only control the body for one hour a day. Get it?’
【Are you trying to threaten me right now?】
Thankfully, it seemed the “real” Astrid understood the point. If she hadn’t, explaining it any further would have been a nightmare.
‘I’m not threatening you. I’m suggesting we cooperate. You help me return to my world, and I’ll help you marry Leopold.’
【…And what’s in it for you?】
There was a moment of hesitation, but at least she was sharp enough to ask the right question.
Despite her obvious lack of common sense, it was a relief to know she could still think logically at times.
‘My only condition is that I leave first. I’m not interested in marriage. Walk down the aisle with Leopold after I’m gone.’
There was a long silence.
Then, after a lengthy pause, the “real” Astrid finally spoke.
【…Fine. Without you, I would have died that day anyway. If you’re the reason I’m alive now, then it’s only right to help you return. But I have a condition of my own.】
‘You’re not really in a position to be making demands.’
Out of 24 hours a day, the fake Astrid controlled the body for 23 of them.
The real Astrid could only control it for 1 hour a day.
And even that hour required the fake Astrid’s cooperation.
Under these conditions, making demands was a bold move.
【It’s not an unreasonable condition.】
‘Alright, let’s hear it. What is it?’
【Use face wash from Estiroma.】
‘…Huh?’
【Use lint-free towels from the Northern brand.】
【Take a half-body bath for 30 minutes every day.】
【Eat plenty of meat for nutrition.】
【Wear white dresses as your main wardrobe.】
【And use the jewelry from my personal collection as I designate.】
‘W-Wait, hold on!’
【Lastly, keep those sly foxes hanging around His Highness at bay. These are my demands. What do you think?】
Astrid let out a long sigh.
But, looking at it from another perspective, the real Astrid was still a 20-year-old girl.
An age where she’d want to dress up and look her best. An age where she’d want to shine.
When she thought of it that way, these demands didn’t seem all that unreasonable.
‘Fine. I’ll accept.’
【Alright. Then our pact is sealed.】
Surprisingly, their alliance was formed rather smoothly.
The fake Astrid would help the real Astrid marry Leopold.
The real Astrid would help the fake Astrid return to her original world.
The only condition was that the marriage would take place after the fake Astrid had returned to her world.
Just as the simple three-point contract was being mentally signed, the carriage entered the main gate of Persangte.
【That’s the Wall of Welcome in Persangte. It’s been a while since I’ve seen it.】
‘You’re pretty familiar with it, huh?’
【I’ve seen it a lot more than you have!】
Her tone was sharp, but there was an unmistakable undercurrent of excitement and nostalgia.
It was understandable. The Wall of Welcome was a sight she’d only seen as a faint, blurred image for so long. Seeing it clearly now must have been a heartwarming experience.
After passing through the gate, they were almost at the Grand Duke’s residence.
【Let’s head straight home, change clothes, and go to the Imperial Palace to request an audience.】
‘You’re seriously going to report your vacation to the Emperor?’
【Of course! Who else would I report it to but my future father-in-law, His Majesty?】
‘I’m not even going to argue with you.’
At this point, Astrid wondered if there was a more single-minded fool in existence.
If only she’d reined in her temper, studied more diligently, and behaved properly, how much better would her life have been?
‘Come to think of it, you grew up in the north, right?’
【Yes, that’s right.】
The carriage was traveling smoothly along the well-maintained road, and despite having been on the move for nearly three hours, Astrid didn’t feel tired.
Her body wasn’t fatigued, but after sitting for so long, her joints felt stiff. She stretched her arms and yawned.
‘So how did you study? You’re a noble, so you should’ve had some kind of education, right?’
【Heroes don’t need to study.】
‘…That’s not what I’m asking. I’m saying, as a noble, you’d have had to learn certain cultural subjects, right?’
Heroes don’t need to study, huh? Wolfgang’s struggles to educate her must have been unbearable.
【I had a live-in tutor.】
‘A tutor, huh?’
Was that in the records? She didn’t remember reading about it in Astrid’s journal.
Thinking about it, though, there wasn’t much else they could have done. There’s no way a school existed in such a remote region, and there’s no chance that a haughty noble like Astrid would have mingled with commoners at a local school.
The only option was a live-in tutor.
【Not that it did much good. I spent more time fighting with them than studying.】
‘Wow… that poor tutor must’ve had it rough.’
【What’s that supposed to mean? I can’t let that slide. Elaborate on your statement—】
“We’ve arrived!”
The carriage ground to a halt with a squeak.
Peeking out the window of the carriage, the grand sight of the mansion came into view. While it couldn’t quite compare to the grandeur of the northern estate, it still boasted an imposing and dignified appearance.
The carriage halted in front of the iron gates, which swung open wide as servants from within the mansion hurriedly streamed out. Among them, one figure stood out more than the rest.
“Ashray, why are you here?”
“Oh, dear sister. After all this time, that’s the first thing you say to your little brother?”
【Why is that guy here?】
‘I have no idea.’
With a large grin stretching across his face, Ashray’s face clearly displayed his delight. His scar-covered face twitched as he smiled brightly, exuding unmistakable joy at seeing his sister.
“You sent word that you’d be arriving, didn’t you?”
“I did.”
“When I heard that, I got so restless. I figured I’d arrive early and wait for you here so we could head back to Miterien together. Father thought it was a great idea too.”
With one hand, Ashray easily lifted a travel bag that clearly had significant weight. His hearty laughter echoed as he followed beside Astrid, cutting across the garden together.
It’s true that seeing her brother after a long time felt good. Despite the teasing, she couldn’t help but feel a bit lighter.
“How is Father?”
“He’s doing well. Things have been pretty quiet with the barbarians lately. Father’s been handling everything alone, as usual. But let’s be honest—Father doesn’t need any fancy titles or explanations. He’s just cleaning them all up. One less person won’t make a difference back in Miterien.”
“That’s true. When did you arrive?”
“Got here yesterday. I’ll be honest—if I’d been a day late, I’d have missed you. I had no idea you’d be arriving today.”
“If you’d just done a little math, you’d have known. It’s not that complicated.”
After all, the training period was exactly four weeks. Anyone could count that out.
“Ah, I was too busy carrying our weapons. Between lugging my warhammer and your greatsword, I’m surprised the horse didn’t collapse.”
“Oh, you brought it?”
The greatsword Astrid had used back in the northern territories.
【He brought Snow Flower?!】
Astrid’s voice rang out, brimming with excitement.
‘That’s the name of that big sword? Snow Flower?’
It’s certainly not “Snow.” The blade’s color was a deep, dull gray—not white at all.
And “Flower”? That’s a stretch. The sword’s shape was more like a massive slab of iron—a weapon that seemed to blur the line between axe and sword.
A weapon only Astrid could wield with one hand. For most people, it would be impossible to lift even with both hands. And yet, its name was “Snow Flower.”
【It’s a beautiful name, perfectly fitting. I don’t see the problem. Typical commoner thinking.】
‘You’re the one with the problem.’
After changing out of her uniform with the help of a maid, Astrid put on her formal attire for the day.
Since time was of the essence, she decided to head straight to the Imperial Palace to submit a request for an audience.
No matter how prestigious Astrid’s position was, not even she could request to see the emperor and expect an immediate audience.
Even in a small kingdom, it wouldn’t work that way—let alone in the grand Empire of Einthafen.
“Sister, where are you headed so suddenly after arriving?”
Dressed in loose, leather trousers made from leopard skin paired with a velvet shirt—an odd combination—Ashray was pacing in the mansion’s lobby. His eyes lit up when he saw Astrid descending the staircase from the second floor.
“To the palace.”
“To submit a request for an audience?”
“Yes.”
“May I accompany you?”
“If I say no, will you actually stay behind?”
At that, Ashray’s lips curled into a mischievous grin.
“Of course not. I’d just follow you in secret. I’m so happy to see my sister again, how could I not stay by your side?”
“You’re such a fool.”
She chuckled and nodded.
“Fine. But not in those clothes. Get properly dressed.”
“Did you meet His Highness yet?”
【He’s at the palace, so we’ll see him tomorrow anyway.】
The walk from the Miterien residence to the audience request office wasn’t far. Given Astrid’s position, she didn’t have to wait long to submit her request. Her face alone served as her identification, and her request was accepted immediately.
The appointment was set for tomorrow. After leaving the office, Astrid and Ashray walked toward the plaza.
“You haven’t changed a bit, Sister. Not one bit.”
【Of course not. Do you know how much effort I’ve put into maintaining myself?】
‘I’m the one doing all the work.’
“I suppose not.”
“You’re still as cold as ever.”
“I don’t see why I need to be sweet.”
【Exactly. Why should I be sweet to my brother?】
“Ashray, do you have any urgent plans tonight?”
“Hmm, I do have one important engagement.”
She’d been considering inviting him to dinner since they were already out together.
“What’s so urgent?”
【That unemployed fool has no plans. He’s lying.”】
“Ah, I’m supposed to have dinner with my sister. But I’m still waiting for her to agree.”
【This brat’s gotten cheekier. Who does he take after?】
‘Better than you.’
“Alright, let’s do that. I was thinking the same thing.”
“See? We’re siblings, after all. We’re so in sync.”
“You’re as annoying as ever. What do you want to eat?”
“I’d love some of that wild boar roast you make over a wood fire, but since that’s not happening here, let’s just get some meat. When in doubt, meat is the answer.”
Astrid was in complete agreement.
【I’m all for it!】