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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Back to Playing Around
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If Luciano and I were just pretending to have a falling out, it would unsettle him—in a good way.
Even if it were real, he’d still be pleased to punish me, the thorn in his side all this time.
“Isn’t that the natural response?”
His lips trembled at the corners, as if he couldn’t hide his emotions.
“What am I supposed to do?”
He muttered in a voice thick with exhaustion.
It wasn’t a question seeking an answer.
It was frustration spilling out from realizing that the best option he’d come up with was actually the worst.
There was even a hint of self-reproach, like he was thinking, *How could I be so foolish?*
*Heavens, here we go again...*
Even though I was mad, I couldn’t stand seeing him so down.
“What do you mean, what? Just act like normal.”
I told him casually, as if it were no big deal.
“Huh?”
“Like normal—no, even more energetically than usual.”
Luciano’s mouth fell open in disbelief.
I could tell from his expression that he thought it was nonsense.
“Imperial Consort Isabel won’t know the reason the ambush failed.”
If there had been anyone suspicious around during the attack, Cale would have noticed.
The fact that he said nothing meant there were no separate watchers.
That meant only Cale and I here knew the full details of what happened that day.
In other words, Imperial Consort Isabel wouldn’t know the specifics of the failure.
She couldn’t be sure how the crisis was averted or who the ally was.
*She must be frustrated, on high alert.*
“Yeah. That’s probably it.”
Luciano nodded in agreement, as if he’d already guessed as much.
“So you have to act like nothing happened.”
“I am.”
“You need to go further and make her drop her guard. Like, for example, by partying hard?”
I flashed a mischievous grin.
“...What the hell?”
Luciano’s reaction was one of utter deflation.
But this was the right approach.
Right now, Luciano’s young heart was filled with nothing but blind wariness.
Diving into training and pushing me away would just spread rumors that he was up to something.
*This method won’t work.*
If Luciano stayed on guard, the enemy would prepare too.
Imperial Consort Isabel, already on edge, would interfere even more fiercely.
“If you want to build your strength, you need to make her let her guard down first. Don’t do anything so obvious.”
“But...”
“Don’t rush it. Take it slow.”
Luciano bit his lower lip in dissatisfaction.
“You’re still young, so you have no choice.”
What Luciano needed most right now was time.
He probably knew that too.
Adults might not see it, but a child’s life has its own hardships.
Being young alone made it hard to earn an adult’s trust.
Especially for someone like Luciano, without solid backing.
The nobles were sharp when it came to their own interests.
*They won’t risk betting on a young Luciano.*
If someone stepped up to help him now,
They’d be more likely to use him than actually strengthen him.
Meaning it’d be hard to build a proper faction no matter what he did.
Of course, as the protagonist, Luciano might get some kind of buff.
*In the original story, he slowly built power over a few years, even if it was later.*
But after that meeting with the emperor, I realized reality doesn’t always flow in a positive direction.
It meant protagonists don’t get blindly good buffs.
We needed to be cautious—extra cautious.
“I’m still young...”
Luciano muttered, hanging his head in frustration.
It was an acceptance of reality.
I patted his shoulder.
“We’re weak now, but we won’t be later.”
I added not to be impatient, and Luciano’s head snapped up.
A spark of emotion lit in his previously gloomy eyes.
“We...”
I nodded vigorously at his soft murmur.
I’d deliberately used “we” to remind him he wasn’t alone.
He seemed to get the meaning perfectly.
The way Luciano looked at me grew firm.
It probably hit harder because I’d acted like we were breaking off ties earlier.
Any hint of pushing me away was completely gone!
*Why make such a fuss if this is how it ends up?*
His gaze, mixed with trust and relief, made my shoulders lift proudly.
“You’re not going to talk nonsense about keeping distance anymore, right?”
To confirm, I asked.
But Luciano’s face, touched just moments ago, suddenly twisted.
He looked sulky, like he’d remembered something, full of complaint.
“But your behavior went too far.”
*What the hell is this kid saying?*
I was floored by his words.
It felt like he was criticizing my formal tone and distance earlier.
You started it!
“I was mad at you too!”
I put my hands on my hips and stomped my foot in protest.
If you have a conscience, put your hand on your chest and ask who was wrong first.
“...What are you mad about?”
But something was off about Luciano’s tone as he asked.
Was that a strange glint of anticipation?
*What’s with this attitude?*
I’m mad, so you should look sorry.
What are you expecting?
My anger flared even more.
I pointed at Harrison, who was watching us from not too far away.
“Harrison’s fine, but I’m not?”
“Huh?”
Luciano’s eyes followed my finger.
Harrison flinched and hunched his shoulders under our combined stares.
As if that would hide his massive frame.
“You said you were cutting me off because I might be in danger, but you met someone else. I get Cale—he’s for sword training. But Harrison? I can’t tolerate that!”
How could you abandon me and choose Harrison?
If you’re picking someone to stand by your side, pick me first!
I glared, making it clear I was upset.
“That’s what bothered you?”
Luciano let out a hollow laugh.
It wasn’t that simple.
Seeing me with Harrison today had made me so mad.
Like he’d found someone else to replace me and ditched me.
*The betrayal made me tremble with rage!*
Even thinking back now, my body shook with anger.
Suddenly, Luciano’s expression turned icy cold.
“Is that the only thing you were upset about?”
Why this again?
Cold, expectant, then serious.
Luciano’s emotions were all over the place today.
“What else should I be upset about?”
I shot back.
“Forget it!”
He whipped his head away.
Then he stormed into the building.
Wait, who’s mad at who here?
“Hey! Hey, Luci!”
I had to yell and chase after him as he walked off without looking back.
*This isn’t right...*
I was the one more upset.
But for reasons I couldn’t fathom, I had to soothe the pouting Luciano.
* * *
“So, what’s your plan? Are you really just going to play around?”
I kept prodding at whatever had upset him, and finally, he asked.
*I see through your obvious deflection.*
This time, I let it slide.
“We need to keep up that appearance on the surface. If we look like harmless kids our age, they’ll drop their guard, right?”
“Guess I’ll have to play even harder with you.”
Yes, that’s what I wanted.
Now, no matter what game I suggest, Luciano won’t refuse.
“Just trust me!”
I shouted energetically.
“That makes me anxious...”
Like my father?
Why the same reaction?
“While we’re at it, let’s subtly approach people who might quietly become your allies.”
“How do you know who they are?”
“Wait and see. I’ll tell you later.”
My memory of the nobles who helped Luciano in the original story was fuzzy.
*I’ll remember if I hear their names...*
I needed time to organize the info.
“More importantly, you’ve really decided to build your strength?”
I knew the ambush had changed his mindset, but I hadn’t expected his actions to change too.
*Hanging out with me, he always seemed oddly content with reality.*
“I realized that sitting still means I can’t protect what’s precious to me.”
Luciano’s eyes sharpened.
What?
“Precious?”
I asked, shocked.
“Yeah. There’s something precious I absolutely don’t want to lose.”
He answered firmly, looking right at me.
I was stunned again.
He has something that precious?
*Why don’t I know about it?*
I opened my mouth to ask what it was, then closed it.
His unusually serious expression felt unfamiliar.
When did he acquire something so precious?
And resolve to protect it?
An odd emptiness settled in my chest.
*Feels like this kid I thought was a child suddenly grew up overnight.*
My mouth soured, and I didn’t want to dwell on it.
“So you’ve fully accepted him?”
Instead, I glanced at Harrison beside us.
“I have to.”
Luciano didn’t elaborate.
Once given the chance, he opened up easily.
It stung that he’d grown close to Harrison in such a short time compared to my year of effort.
*But he did something huge for it.*
Luciano had fully accepted Harrison as his own now.
Maybe that’s why their dynamic felt reset.
Harrison’s whole demeanor was brighter.
“Harrison, congrats.”
You finally got what you wanted.
I offered sincere congratulations.
Harrison grinned, unable to hide his pride.
“Thank you. It’s all thanks to you, miss.”
Again with that?
“Hey, not miss. Espin.”
We’re friends—stop calling me miss.
I said it pretty sternly, and his eyes widened round.
But they soon curved softly.
“Yes, Espin. Thanks to you.”
I didn’t really do anything.
I didn’t want to nitpick in this celebratory moment.
Just as we were about to burst into laughter together,
“What’s this situation now?”
Luciano’s chilly voice cut through the mood.
