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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: The Surprise Sword Master
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“Prince, let’s go out!”
I burst through the door to find Luciano and shouted.
He closed the book he’d been reading and raised an eyebrow.
“Now?”
“Yeah, now. It’s urgent, urgent!”
He showed no sign of moving, so I stamped my feet impatiently.
The look in Luciano’s eyes as he stared at me darkened suspiciously.
“What’s with that look?”
“What trouble are you trying to stir up?”
“Trouble?!”
I was annoyed and put my hands on my hips, stomping my right foot repeatedly.
I’d gone to all the trouble of setting this up, and Luciano wasn’t cooperating.
“From my experience, whenever Espin smiles like that and acts all desperate, something big always happens.”
Luciano replied calmly.
“How was I smiling?!”
“A smile hoping to surprise me.”
‘Gasp, was I smiling like that?’
I clamped my lips shut on the grin that had spread across my face of its own accord.
Come to think of it, whenever I planned something naughty that might get me scolded, I’d rush it through just like this.
If I explained step by step, Luciano would obviously refuse, so I had no choice.
But not today.
‘It’s a gift for you!’
Today, I planned to introduce Luciano to Cale.
I’d come expecting him to be thrilled about finally having a swordsmanship teacher, but Luciano wasn’t being cooperative at all.
“Anyway, we have to go now. Come on.”
Since it was a surprise gift, I pushed the logical explanation aside and just insisted we go.
It had absolutely nothing to do with lacking confidence in persuading him logically.
It was because it was a surprise gift.
“Let’s go out!”
“What’s this about?”
“It’s a secret.”
‘If it’s a surprise gift, telling you ahead spoils the fun.’
Luciano just stared at me steadily, showing no intention of moving.
His calm expression screamed that he wanted for nothing.
That stubborn jerk!
He had no idea I was trying to do something nice for him!
‘Why am I the one getting more worked up when I’m the one giving the gift?’
I puffed out my cheeks and blew air through my lips to cool my rising frustration.
“So, you don’t want to go?”
Did he read my mind, sensing that if he kept this up, I wouldn’t make the introduction today?
“Give me at least a rough explanation.”
He was sharp, so I didn’t want to reveal even a hint.
But Luciano’s attitude was so unyielding.
“I’m introducing you to someone.”
At that, Luciano’s calm face hardened.
He set down the book he was holding and stood up.
“Who?”
Seeing him ask immediately, he finally seemed interested.
My sulky mood lifted, and a laugh bubbled out.
“It’s a secret. Meet them yourself.”
Thinking of how much Luciano would like it made me thrilled.
Would he even shed tears of emotion?
Not like the tears from chopping garlic or onions—something mysteriously exciting.
Anticipation kept trying to make my lips stretch into a wide grin.
But under Luciano’s scrutinizing gaze, I forced my lips tightly together.
For some reason, Luciano’s expression turned serious.
He even seemed irritated.
“You don’t like it?”
If he really hated it, I’d have to postpone the meeting with Cale.
I couldn’t force it.
“Fine. Let’s go.”
When I asked dejectedly, Luciano agreed.
It felt reluctant, though.
He’d surely love it soon enough!
“Yeah, I knew you’d say that. Get excited. You’ll definitely like them once you meet!”
I made a fuss and dragged Luciano along.
“You’re sure I’ll like them too.”
“Yeah. I’m certain.”
He followed with a displeased expression.
I’d already told Billy the destination ahead of time, so no need to say anything else.
Even inside the moving carriage, Luciano’s stiff face didn’t soften.
‘I have no idea why he’s taking this so seriously by himself.’
Still, just imagining his shocked reaction soon made my mouth keep curving up.
‘Ah, this is thrilling!’
“You seem pleased?”
I controlled my stretching lips at Luciano’s cool voice.
“Nope. Just meh.”
I deliberately played it nonchalant.
Luciano’s eyes narrowed.
“How’d you meet this person?”
“I went looking for them.”
“Why?”
To introduce them to you.
‘If I say that, he’ll catch on, right?’
I rolled my head around.
“Because you need to meet them?”
You two were fated to meet in the future anyway.
“Why meet a stranger?”
There he goes again.
Luciano pressed like an interrogator.
He always disliked me meeting new people.
Probably wary they might be plants from Imperial Consort Isabel.
“That’s why I’m introducing them to you. Wait. Meet them first, then judge.”
At that, Luciano clamped his mouth shut again.
With his arms crossed tightly, he looked sharp.
Hmm, need to lighten the mood a bit.
“Prince, you said you trust me, right?”
Fortunately, Luciano didn’t hit me with “When did I say that?”
He just nodded with a dissatisfied glint.
‘My grumpy one’s gotten so sweet.’
A pleased smile came naturally.
“Then, you can’t hate the person I’m introducing too much. I want you two to get along. Got it?”
Even if Luciano trusted me, he wouldn’t trust the person I introduced.
So when I slipped that in, his expression cooled instantly.
“Why?”
Already a sign he didn’t like it.
“Why?! Can’t you just look favorably on them?”
“That’s why I’m asking—why should I?”
Luciano’s tone was pure interrogation.
Of course you should!
They’re going to be your teacher!
“I want you to look favorably on them!”
I burst out, and Luciano clamped his mouth shut, seeming to mull it over.
“I’ll think about it.”
He spat out curtly.
His firmly set lips seemed to foretell a different outcome from his words.
I wanted to plant a good image before they met, but it felt like I’d backfired.
‘……It’ll go well, right?’
* * *
The carriage arrived at the clearing where I’d met Cale before.
Cale hadn’t arrived yet—the clearing was empty.
“No one’s here.”
Luciano’s voice was icy.
“They’ll be here soon.”
“Soon when? What time was the appointment?”
I checked my pocket watch.
It had just passed 2 p.m., the agreed time.
“R-right now?”
Luciano’s face twisted.
His reaction screamed he had no idea why we were meeting someone who couldn’t even keep an appointment.
Not a good start.
“Shall we sit here and wait?”
I pointed to the shade under a large tree nearby.
Billy, waiting close by, quickly brought a picnic blanket.
I sat on it and patted the spot next to me.
Luciano sat silently beside me.
Considering Luciano’s distrustful nature, I’d expected the introduction wouldn’t be easy.
But now it felt even harder than I’d anticipated.
‘Why hasn’t this guy shown up yet when the appointment time’s passed?’
I was getting irritated too.
Then, in the distance, Cale strolled in leisurely.
‘Ah, seriously! Couldn’t you at least tidy up?’
He looked like he’d been drinking even before coming—reeking of a drunkard.
Luciano spotted him too.
As Cale drew nearer, deep wrinkles formed between Luciano’s brows.
It was the look of “Please don’t tell me it’s that guy.”
Things were getting more ominous.
“You’re already here? Little miss.”
Cale showed no hint of apology.
“You’re late.”
“Ah, sorry, sorry. This the one?”
Cale brushed it off casually while eyeing Luciano up and down.
Luciano stiffened at the blatantly appraising gaze.
He glanced at me and let out an incredulous sigh.
The meaning was clear: This is the person you wanted to introduce me to?
“Um, you see.”
They may look like that, but they’re useful.
Strong.
They’ll help you.
I was about to pour it all out.
Luciano jerked his chin at Cale.
“What’s this, old man.”
Cale’s slovenly expression hardened instantly.
His appearance was grubby, but he wasn’t old enough to be called an old man.
Did he take offense at the insolent attitude from someone who’d come seeking him as a disciple?
Cale’s eyes flashed sharply, his lips twisting.
“What’s this, brat.”
Cale shot back with the exact same phrasing.
Rage flickered in Luciano’s eyes at “brat.”
Their gazes clashed fiercely in the air.
We’re doomed.
I instinctively knew this meeting wouldn’t go smoothly.
“Hey, you two. Calm down?”
I finally snapped out of it and tried to intervene.
“Calm down? Espin, what the hell is this shameless old man? He reeks of booze—how much did he drink?”
“Little miss, this rude brat isn’t the person you meant, right?”
They both flared up at the same time.
Then, understanding each other’s words, sparks flew from their eyes.
The air crackled with tension.
This was exactly why last year’s me hadn’t arranged this meeting.
I’d feared seeing this mess.
‘My prediction from last year was spot on.’
My premonitions like this always hit the mark.
Luciano’s wariness collided head-on with Cale’s pride.
I decided to tackle the easier one first.
I tugged lightly at Luciano’s sleeve.
“Couldn’t we just talk calmly?”
I pleaded with the most pitiful expression I could muster.
Luciano, who’d looked ready to stand, hesitated upon seeing me.
‘Yeah? Yeah? I’m asking you.’
I knew Luciano was weak to looks like this.
At my imploring gaze, he sighed deeply.
“Fine.”
Just as planned—Luciano yielded.
When you gain something, you give back.
As always, I showered him with thanks and praise.
“Thank you! As expected of the Pri—”
Only the prince! I almost shouted, then stopped.
Should I reveal Luciano’s identity to Cale already?
It’d make convincing Cale easier.
A high-status disciple was probably what he wanted.
But getting Luciano to accept Cale came first.
I pondered briefly, but the conclusion was quick.
Then just use his name instead of title.
We were on informal terms anyway—he wouldn’t mind a name, right?
“Thank you, as expected of Lu—”
……I said it and froze again.
Even retired, Cale was from the knight order—would he not know the prince’s name?
Was calling him Luciano okay?
So I had to stop.
But Luciano’s expression was odd.
He was staring at me with wide eyes.
