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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: What Kind of Ridiculous Nonsense?
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‘What kind of ridiculous nonsense is this?’
I was so shocked that my mouth just hung open.
But it seemed like my reaction only fueled Luciano’s suspicions.
“You really like someone? Who is it?’
Flames sparked in Luciano’s eyes.
His grip on my shoulders was so tight it felt like he was shaking me.
“What are you talking about? I don’t like anyone!’
“No?’
“No! Where did you hear that nonsense?’
Only after I yelled did Luciano finally calm his excitement.
“Then, how did that happen...’
He muttered to himself, as if he couldn’t comprehend it.
‘Where on earth did he hear something and jump to such a wild misunderstanding?’
I grabbed his hand as he reached up like he was about to mess up his hair.
Under Luciano’s gaze asking what I was doing, I told him firmly.
“No. You’ll mess up your nicely styled hair.’
Luciano let out an exasperated sigh, haah.
“You think that’s important right now?’
“Of course it is. You think I want to go out there looking disheveled?’
I couldn’t stand seeing him like that.
People already looked down on me enough; I couldn’t afford to look even more ridiculous.
“Fine, fine.’
Annoyance seeped into his voice again for some reason.
Even when I tried to look after him!
“Anyway, don’t mess up your hair, and don’t wrinkle your clothes. It’d be a shame to ruin how handsome you look after all that effort.’
Despite my grumpy feelings, I gave him the warning.
I turned to leave for real this time, but my hand was grabbed again.
Luciano’s expression was strange.
Embarrassment, joy, confusion, relief.
A jumble of emotions flashed across his face in an instant and vanished.
“Why?’
“...Handsome?’
“What?’
“Am I handsome today?’
Luciano asked awkwardly.
My jaw dropped.
He’d whined to me that no one ever called him pretty, and now...
‘Why does he want compliments himself?’
I shot him a sideways glare, but Luciano stared at me, waiting for an answer.
I was tempted to say something mean out of spite, but I held back.
‘It’s his birthday today. I’ll be generous.’
“Yeah, you look handsome. That outfit suits you well.’
Of course, my voice wasn’t exactly sweet.
But even with my curt words, Luciano sneaked a smile.
‘So selfish!’
I’d been trying to help him keep his composure, but it looked like I’d need to work on his personality too.
‘I’ll have to find someone to educate him starting tomorrow.’
“I’m really leaving now.’
I tried to go, annoyed, but Luciano wouldn’t let go of my hand.
I shook my captured hand, signaling him to let go, but he held on.
“I’m not done talking.’
“Then say it quick.’
“Why are you always in such a hurry?’
My urging seemed to displease him, as his tone shifted.
“Why? You’re the star today. How long do you plan to be away?’
“You don’t hate being alone with me?’
Luciano was acting extra weird today.
“If I hated it, I wouldn’t be hanging out with you.’
Only after hearing my answer did Luciano release my hand.
Relief was evident on his face, though he still looked deep in thought.
It seemed like Luciano was wasting energy on something irrelevant.
There were more important things for him to focus on.
Something that might happen at this party.
The atmosphere was still calm, almost like the eve of the event.
But once the party truly began, something was bound to go down.
I couldn’t think of Imperial Consort Isabel opening this party out of pure goodwill.
She hadn’t held one for a while, and suddenly doing so now had to have a reason.
The lecture rose to the tip of my tongue.
But seeing Luciano’s own inner turmoil, I held back a bit.
“So, what did you want to say?’
Luciano stared at me intently again.
It didn’t seem like anger.
More like a determination to hear my answer?
“I told you, no time.’
“What’s your type?’
“What?’
“I heard. What’s your type?’
Another out-of-left-field question.
Luciano gazed at me silently.
“Lu-Chi.’
“Yeah.’
“If you have something to say, spit it out straight. Stop beating around the bush with random stuff.’
I had no idea why he was circling like this.
I crossed my arms and glared, making Luciano’s brow twitch.
“I’m not beating around.’
“Then you grabbed me just to ask my type?’
“Yeah.’
My head throbbed at his serious demeanor, and I pressed my temple.
Why was he acting like this today?
Did he eat something bad?
“You know my tastes already.’
If I had to name the person who knew me second best after Nanny, it was Luciano.
We spent so much time together that he knew what I liked and disliked.
Yet he stared at me persistently, as if demanding to hear it.
“I like pink, sweet things, playing around. Oh! And gold coins most of all! I love money. Really, really love it!’
I rattled off whatever came to mind, and Luciano looked at me like it was absurd.
“Not that.’
“Isn’t it? Then what?’
“Your type in men.’
His questions today were beyond imagination, leaving my mouth agape.
‘Does he like me or something?’
“Why ask that?’
Luciano glared at me.
“That guy knows, but I don’t. That’s how it feels.’
‘Ah, so that’s it?’
He must’ve been seriously pissed that he was the only one out of the loop.
Especially since it was someone he disliked who seemed to know me better.
‘But Harrison doesn’t know my type either?’
He’d only heard that he wasn’t it; I hadn’t given details.
Too lazy to explain in depth, I brushed it off vaguely.
“Someone who speaks sweetly.’
Luciano’s eyes widened.
Yeah.
That was for you, who complained about it earlier.
“That’s my type.’
I ignored Luciano’s twitching face.
“No more questions now, right?’
Luciano whipped his head away, as if refusing to respond.
He was being such a brat today.
No more coddling—I’d be firm.
“Get it together. Is this the time?’
“What did I do?’
“You think Isabel will just let it slide quietly when she shows up?’
Only then did he completely change his expression and clamp his mouth shut.
“Who knows what trick she’ll pull? You need to stay sharp. Why waste brainpower on something trivial?’
“Trivial?’
“Yeah, trivial. Why fuss over nothing?’
“How is that nothing?’
Luciano clenched his fist in frustration.
I watched the fist for a moment before answering.
“Of course it’s nothing. I won’t even think about marriage for over ten years—who knows how my tastes might change by then?’
“Ten years?’
The look on his face screamed, ‘That long?’
Marriages happened early here.
I knew it was a romance fantasy world, but coming from modern life, even ten years from now felt ridiculously soon.
Getting married in my early twenties?
No way—I’d enjoy my youth first.
“Yeah. I’m marrying super late.’
I felt Luciano’s calm gaze on me.
“Got it.’
“Huh?’
“You said you’re marrying super late. Got it.’
His even tone told me his turbulent emotions had settled.
Was he freaking out thinking I’d run off and get married right away?
He was still young, but marriage wasn’t impossible.
And once I married, it’d be hard to hang out with Luciano so casually.
‘He must’ve been sensitive about losing his one and only friend.’
“No need to worry about guys or whatever. Any more questions?’
I said it firmly on purpose, and Luciano nodded in agreement.
“Then let’s go back. The star’s been gone too long.’
“Yeah.’
He straightened his expression and composed himself.
“Lu-Chi, be careful.’
“I know.’
“No matter what happens, don’t get hurt.’
No one got hurt on purpose.
It was nonsense, but it was all I could say.
Luciano gazed at me steadily.
“Because you’re here?’
“Yeah. Because I’m here.’
Luciano smiled faintly.
We left the terrace and entered the banquet hall.
Aside from my parents, no one approached Luciano in the hall.
Even though he was the star of the day.
We were spending that awkward time when—
Trumpet fanfare sounded from the banquet hall entrance.
A servant’s booming voice echoed from the doorway.
“Imperial Consort Isabel and Prince Steven arrive!’
Luciano’s face hardened instantly.
I tensed up and stared at the entrance too.
Imperial Consort Isabel entered with haughty poise.
“At ease, everyone.’
Only with her permission did people relax their postures.
Imperial Consort Isabel surveyed the room regally.
She scanned the attendees’ faces and smiled deeply.
Her gaze, moving slowly, suddenly stopped.
Spotting Luciano, Imperial Consort Isabel walked over slowly.
Click. Click.
The echo of her heels in the banquet hall finally halted in front of Luciano.
“So, the star of the day is here.’
Her bright smile seemed somehow sinister.
I Thought I Was the Protagonist
