Chapter 19 – Episode 19. Cross
Until the events of that day, Leopold and Astrid were on good terms.
Leopold knew that they would become a couple when they grew up, and Leopold was well aware that Astrid, who was reputed to be somewhat reckless, wayward, and introverted, was in reality simply clumsy at expressing her feelings.
10 years ago.
Until that day.
After that happened, Leopold and Astrid both hated each other.
Growing up, Astrid became more and more cold, unfeeling, and unfeeling, and Leopold, who had a quick-tempered and fiery personality, was at odds with Astrid.
When they meet, they often fight aung daung, and sharp-spoken daggers that pierce each other’s hearts come and go. Around the time when they said it would be better not to meet, Leopold heard that Astrid had fallen and lost consciousness.
She had to go to visit her in the hospital.
Although there was such a physical problem that it took 2 weeks round trip, if you really made up your mind to go, you could go as much as you like.
Leopold did not go at all.
Then I heard that Astrid woke up a month later, and her academy line was decided.
Leopold still vividly remembered the conversations they had while living in the carriage together and coming to the capital.
– I have no intention of marrying your Highness. Do you know
I shouldn’t have had to say it like that.
– Me too. Yeah, that’s rather good It’s really surprising to be able to come together in a place like this.
I didn’t even have to say that.
In the first place, he hadn’t even thought about marrying another young lady besides Astrid.
It did, but a strange alliance was established in which each cooperated in finding a better partner for the other.
Whether that’s sincere or not.
*
The moment she saw Astrid walking with Astain from afar, something hot rose in her heart.
Wasn’t I the only one who could stand next to you?
No matter how much they hate each other, aren’t they bound by the relationship of engagement?
How can I give up my place so easily?
The thought swept through my mind.
Filled with hot anger, I wanted to run right away and push Astain away and scream at Astrid how could that be possible.
So, I was going to do that.
So, I approached Astrid.
One step.
– Literally, they’re not engaged yet. It’s just a pact between the fathers, but we haven’t agreed yet.
It reminds me of what Leopold said.
Even though I knew Astrid was listening, I remembered those words that must have stuck in her heart like a dagger because she couldn’t overcome her temper.
One more step.
– Astrid, I know you’re listening. Whatever you say, though.
Those words like a dagger stuck in her heart, words that twisted so easily.
Words like poisonous snakes flowed from Leopold’s mouth.
One more step.
– Yeah, that means it’s not confirmed.
Words that pierce her heart once again because she can’t twist the dagger.
One more step.
– The reason I came to the academy was to find a rain that was more suitable for me. If there is a better lady than the Grand Duchess of the North, I intend to welcome her with my rain.
Anger cools off.
My mind was clean, very tidy.
I was wrong.
I was wrong.
Astrid’s gaze was staring at Leopold.
Are you sure you’re not wrong?
Do you think you deserve to rebuke me?
The gaze that seemed to say that was directed at Leopold.
Leopold had a hunch.
Astrid doesn’t care about me anymore.
I have no intention of giving my side to me anymore.
The emotional trough had already formed 10 years ago, and today, due to Leopold’s fault, the trough has deepened even more.
Leopold hasn’t changed at all.
The young Leopold from 10 years ago had not changed at all and was only disappointing Astrid every time.
As for the bizarre alliance, Leopold found that Astrid was at least sincere.
That she had absolutely no intention of marrying Leopold, that she had no intention of leaving her side, that she was sincere when she said that she would break up the engagement.
While walking around the parade ground, Leopold thought.
Even from now on, what if I change?
If I become a different me than I am now, if I become a more mature me, what will happen?
It wasn’t that he wanted Astrid back or anything like that.
In the first place, Leopold also thought to himself that he did not like Astrid.
Regardless, it was hard to believe that Astrid had given up on her side so easily.
—-, Thought Leopold.
*
6:30.
Around two hours after they started going around the parade ground, the two of them stopped going around the parade ground and went up to their lodgings according to Variant’s instructions.
“You worked hard, squad leader.”
“… Cadet Leopold also suffered a lot.”
Compared to Astrid, who looked relatively normal, Leopold looked quite tired.
Carrying a battle rucksack on your back and going around the parade ground wasn’t easy, so it’s not understandable that Leopold was tired.
“I’ll see you later at the dinner set.”
“Yes, you are.”
After a light nod, Leopold entered the room and Astain quickly stood up and helped Leopold remove his combat backpack.
It’s heavy, so I’m carrying it. Even if I could do it alone, it wasn’t that easy to take it off, so Leopold didn’t refuse Astain’s help either.
“You have worked hard.”
“… No.”
Leopold also didn’t see Astein as pretty.
“Since we still have time, how about washing up before dinner?”
Looking at the clock, it was a little past 6:40.
There wasn’t enough time to take a shower, but it wasn’t good to smell like sweat, so Leopold readily agreed to Astain’s words and took a towel and entered the shower room.
If you turn on cold water and wash your face, the cool air washes your heated face and refreshes you.
But compared to that, his head only became more complicated.
“Oh, I guess it wasn’t that hard.”
“What is it?”
Lying sideways on the bed, Eranya waved his hand at Astrid as she entered the room.
As Erania said, it wasn’t too difficult. The weight doesn’t feel particularly heavy, and walking is just like walking.
Rather, it bothered me more because I was walking at Leopold’s pace.
If you walk away at your normal speed, Leopold’s pride will be hurt and you won’t know what else to say.
‘I don’t care what they say.’
It had nothing to do with it, but it was a specification to buy and listen to sounds I didn’t like.
Besides, after a little fuss earlier, it was a bit strange that Leopold unexpectedly readily acknowledged his mistake and moved on.
“But, squad leader.”
“Yes?”
Astrid put down her combat rucksack, picked it up lightly, and put it back in the watchtower, Erania asked curiously.
“Why are the squad leader and Cadet Leopold on so bad terms? They said they were engaged.”
‘Do you know not only the people of the Empire, but also these elves? How much did they talk about it until it came to this?’
Although such a question came to mind, Astrid couldn’t readily answer it.
Now that Astrid is in her head, she hates being married to a man. But that’s her secret, no reason to tell anyone else.
Then, to explain it convincingly, what should she say?
“First of all, I don’t see Cadet Leopold as a man at all—”
“It’s not like you’re not inside. Hey, the door is open… “
“—Anyway. I couldn’t even look at it that way in the first place… Go… “
The door was suddenly opened.
The door opens, Astain stands in front of it, and Leopold can be seen behind it.
She should have stopped talking, but Astrid’s gaze was on Leopold and her mouth continued to speak.
I don’t know if Astain opened the door without even knocking at that point, at that timing, but Astrid and Leopold, who were talking about Leopold, met their eyes.
The words had already flowed out of his mouth, and there was no doubt as to whether Leopold had heard them or not.
Leopold’s face was hardened.
Silence prevailed.
It was a gathering for dinner, so it was quite noisy outside, but strangely, there was only silence as if there was no sound between these four people.
“… Squad leader, let’s go eat.”
After a while, Leopold broke the silence.
