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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: The Drunken Challenger
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I was just as stunned by her innocent, wide-eyed expression of surprise.
‘Why that face?’
Then it hit me belatedly.
The first nickname I’d ever used for him—bypassing “Your Highness”—had slipped out.
Luciano blinked his big eyes innocently.
Judging by his reaction, he seemed to prefer this over “Your Highness.”
‘Well, it does feel more friendly.’
I should keep calling him this from now on.
Seeing Luciano forget his earlier irritation made me chuckle involuntarily.
I gave him a thumbs-up and finished my thought.
“Lu-chi is the best!”
I pretended not to notice the flush creeping up Luciano’s neck as he pressed his lips together.
I never missed a chance when it came my way.
Sensing his good mood amid the confusion, I added slyly,
“Don’t get mad—hear me out to the end?”
Luciano nodded obediently.
“Lu-chi really is the best!”
As I repeated it, his neck shrank back slightly.
He was trying hard to hide his embarrassment.
‘Huh, what’s this?’
Why was he suddenly acting so cute?
It made me want to tease him more.
Just as I was about to give in to the itch,
“Huh?”
Cale’s odd interjection cut in.
He was eyeing us with a smirk.
Only then did Luciano seem to notice Cale, instantly switching expressions.
The cute look vanished in a flash.
‘Aw, too bad.’
It could’ve been even more fun.
I shot Cale a look that screamed “no sense of timing.”
“Hah. Unbelievable. Can I just head back now?”
“We just met—where are you going?”
When I grabbed at him, Cale put on a show of reluctance.
Luciano’s gaze turned icy in equal measure.
Better make introductions quick before the mood soured.
“Now, let me introduce you two properly. Lu-chi, this guy’s going to be your master!”
I announced Cale’s identity to Luciano with an inner fanfare.
“Master?”
He looked at me like I’d said something absurd.
“Yeah. Swordsmanship master! He’ll teach you proper technique.”
Was it the word “master”?
Or because of our promise?
Rather than complain, Luciano sized Cale up carefully.
But his gaze gradually filled with distrust.
Cale read it right away.
“Who decided that? I never said I’d take him.”
Cale grumbled curtly.
I kept my eyes only on Luciano.
He pondered seriously for a moment.
Cale’s reaction mattered less than Luciano’s feelings.
“Espin.”
After a pause, Luciano spoke gravely.
He wasn’t snapping in irritation—his attitude was far more composed.
“Yeah.”
“I appreciate the thought. But…”
I could sense the rejection coming.
This wouldn’t do.
I hadn’t even properly introduced Cale yet.
“Wait!”
I cut him off swiftly.
“Wait!”
Then, unexpectedly, another shout rang out.
Cale echoed my words a half-beat later.
His face was flushed red and purple.
“Were you about to reject me just now?”
His heaving breaths showed his pride was wounded.
I gauged Cale’s reaction and stepped back.
If they sorted it out themselves, that’d be ideal.
“Yes. I decline.”
Luciano glanced at me before answering with excessive politeness.
I clutched my head quietly from the sidelines.
Luciano showing manners was a bad sign.
It meant he had no intention of revealing his identity.
He’d decided to draw a firm line.
Cale snorted, missing the vibe.
“Why decline?”
His question dripped with arrogance.
Or maybe he was oblivious to his own state.
Luciano openly scanned Cale from head to toe.
“How about checking a mirror first?”
Realizing his own appearance belatedly, Cale’s face reddened.
“What’s wrong with me?!”
He bellowed despite knowing full well.
His face told the truth he ignored.
“You look like a drunken lout.”
Cale’s face burned even redder at Luciano’s calm retort.
People always fluster when truth hits home.
“You judging by looks alone? Someone aiming to be a serious swordsman with such shallow vision?”
“That’s the bare minimum I’ve gleaned about you. And is it fine for a ‘serious swordsman’ to look like that?”
‘Classic sharp-tongued Luciano.’
He struck without mercy or favoritism.
Cale’s face looked ready to explode.
“I’m drunk now, sure—but I’m actually impressive once you get to know me!”
In the end, Cale admitted it himself.
See? He was a drunkard.
Luciano’s lips stayed flat, but his eyes mocked Cale.
Cale stiffened as he caught it.
It was over.
This meeting was doomed.
‘I figured it might go south, but not like this.’
In the original story, Cale was a ruthless, charismatic genius swordsman.
Why the idiotic behavior now?
Still drunk?
Did I arrange this too soon?
My head throbbed.
“Little miss! What’s this cocky punk? You want me to teach a brat like him?”
Cale snapped at me in frustration.
He found Luciano tough to handle.
“You said you wouldn’t teach. So no complaints about Lu-chi’s attitude.”
Luciano’s attire was plain for royalty, but luxurious compared to nobles.
He wasn’t a commoner, so Cale didn’t need to tread carefully.
And Cale knew that—making his rudeness all the bolder.
“That’s because this punk…”
“Watch your words. Lu-chi’s no ‘punk.’”
Luciano was royalty, after all.
Cale was a passing figure, so Luciano treated him politely.
If Luciano’s mood soured and he revealed himself, wielding royal authority, it wouldn’t end well for Cale.
Half warning to Cale.
Half because I hated the “punk” jab too.
Luciano’s gaze stabbed my cheek like needles.
Cale let out a hollow laugh.
“What a joke I’ve become.”
He looked utterly flabbergasted.
“Espin.”
I turned at Luciano’s call.
His calm face made me feel guilty.
I’d meant to do something he’d enjoy, but how did it turn out like this?
Nothing ever went smoothly for me.
“Yeah.”
As I braced on the ground, Luciano’s hand gently covered mine.
“You knew I was down, right? Thanks for caring.”
But this guy won’t do.
His kind words wrapped a gentle refusal.
Luciano’s dislike for Cale ran deep.
I pondered briefly, then gave up for today.
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed.”
I’d persuade him calmly later.
Not now, anyway.
“No. I’m glad you cared. But I’ll handle this myself.”
Relief softened the smile at his lips as I backed off.
He really couldn’t stand Cale.
Cale, watching it all, grew even more irked.
His gaze turned pricklier by the second.
“Shall we head back?”
I nodded at Luciano’s suggestion.
He stood first, offering his hand; I took it and rose.
Billy approached tactfully, packing the picnic cloth.
I couldn’t just leave without a word to Cale.
“Too bad, but today’s talk is off…”
“Fine. I’ll do it.”
Cale spat it out as his expression hardened through my words.
I didn’t catch it at first.
“Do what?”
“I’ll teach the punk.”
He ground out the words, eyes blazing.
His competitive streak had ignited.
He probably thought being master meant bossing Luciano around…
‘I’m not sure if this is good or bad.’
I cautiously checked Luciano’s reaction.
He scoffed as if it were ridiculous.
“Who said I’d learn from you? No interest—go away. Espin, let’s go.”
As Luciano opened the carriage door, Cale spoke.
“Running away?”
The taunt was blatant.
Luciano froze, glaring icily.
“Who’s running?”
Right—Luciano wouldn’t tolerate that.
“You’re dodging my offer to teach.”
“I’d need to trust your skill first.”
“I’ll prove it. Come at me.”
Cale proposed.
Luciano shot him a look of disdain before turning to me.
“Not going?”
“Huh? Yeah, we are.”
As the mood shifted oddly and I sidled up to Luciano,
“Come at me, I said. I can take down a punk like you without moving a step.”
Luciano’s eyes sharpened at Cale’s provocation.
Cale grinned leisurely despite the glare.
In fact.
“That’s more than enough. Fine, I’ll use one hand.”
He raised his right hand and beckoned.
Pure provocation.
“I see no need.”
Thankfully, Luciano held back.
He turned away dismissively.
Cale grinned wider.
“Scared to face a drunk? Because I’m an adult? That’s why I’ll use one hand?”
It belittled Luciano outright.
As I’d said before, Luciano was fiercely competitive.
His pride was sky-high.
He’d lost to Prince Steven recently, but still held pride in his swordsmanship.
Yet a booze-soaked drunk claimed he’d handle him one-handed.
Asking if he was scared to dodge.
Would Luciano let that slide?
His red eyes cooled to ice.
But fury burned steadily within.
“Fine. I’ll humor you. Don’t regret losing.”
As Luciano accepted, a fleeting smile touched Cale’s lips before vanishing.
He’d hooked him.
His eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
I Thought I Was the Protagonist
