The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 13

As soon as the day broke, I finished my preparations.
Preparations for what, you ask? Obviously, for my escape.

“…I hope you’ll stay by my side from now on.”

No matter how many times I replayed it, I couldn’t take lightly what Kyle said yesterday. Anyone would think he was talking to a soulmate!

After spending about a month at the Duke’s mansion, I had roughly figured out Kyle’s schedule. His week followed almost the same pattern, with Haeld mentioning any special events during breakfast, so predicting his whereabouts wasn’t difficult.

Right now, Kyle was away due to a large-scale meeting at the Chaeld family estate.

“Okay, this is my chance to run.”

Most of the key staff at the mansion had accompanied Kyle, leaving no one to stop me.

Learning from my last escape attempt, I had packed wisely this time—water and comfortable shoes were a must.

With determined steps, I headed toward the mansion’s gates, but an unexpected obstacle appeared. Chaeld family guards, who looked like royal bodyguards, blocked my way.

“Where are you going, madam?”

I had forgotten an important fact: the Chaeld family was guarded by private soldiers, not to mention knights from the principality’s order. It wasn’t unusual for soldiers to guard the mansion, given that the Chaeld family was also the principality’s ruler, but that wasn’t helpful in my current situation.

“I’m heading to Count Diane’s estate. I think it’s best to return since I’ve recovered from my cold.”

I spoke confidently, gesturing for them to step aside.
Of course, those loyal only to Chaeld weren’t fooled by my feigned dignity.

Well… not like they’d care about my orders anyway. They’d only get scolded by their master.

So, I decided on a different approach.

“I feel like I’m going to collapse without a proper walk. Kyle would be so sad if I fainted.”

It stung a bit to use Kyle’s name to aid in my escape, but desperate times, right?

I pressed a hand to my temple, feigning illness. The guards hesitated and stepped back slightly.

“…Perfect. It’s a bit sneaky, but it’s working.”

As I approached the gates, the guards courteously opened them. I started striding out, feigning a casual stroll, though they followed closely. Annoyed, I snapped at them.

“Are you planning to follow me all the way? You’re interrupting my walk.”

“We don’t intend to disturb you, madam.”

Do they seriously think my last name is “Madam”?

“Then, please keep your distance.”

“I’m afraid we can’t.”

Their unyielding attitude pricked my pride.

“Why? Do you think I’m going to try and escape?”

“…….”

The guards pointed silently at the overstuffed bag I was carrying, with water bottles, emergency rations, a map, and a compass peeking out from the top.

“Ahem… I was just planning to explore the Duke’s gardens. The estate is so vast that I brought these along in case I got lost.”

I awkwardly explained, strolling slowly through the garden. The elite guards following me exchanged knowing glances, their eyes lighting up.

“An excellent idea, ma’am. Since you’ll soon be the Duchess, it’s good to familiarize yourself with the grounds.”

“D-Duchess?”

I stammered, and the guards proceeded to recite in unison.
“The Duke himself called you the future Duchess.”

“He also said you are precious beyond compare and that if you suffered even the smallest injury, we’d all lose our heads.”

No, no! This makes it sound like we’re getting married tomorrow!

“W-When did he say that?”

“From the very first day you arrived at the Duke’s estate. He’s repeated it several times a day since then.”

“Ugh!”

This can’t be happening. How did I end up as the doomed love interest?

Escape is my only salvation. I have to get out of here…!
Without any more hesitation, I broke into a sprint. Though it wasn’t ideal, I was Amelia, daughter of the Knight Commander. Running at this speed was no problem.

Abandoning my bag, I pushed myself to my limits, running until I finally saw the boundary wall that marked the edge of the Duke’s estate.

Summoning all my strength, I made a leap that could rival a martial arts master, just barely managing to perch on top of the wall.

“Ma’am! It’s dangerous! Please, come down!”

Living at the Duke’s mansion with a ruinous male lead is far more dangerous than this!

The guards started climbing the wall after me. With their towering height, it wouldn’t take them long to reach me.
In a moment of desperation, I stood up unsteadily on top of the wall, which only made the guards panic, stamping their feet like my life depended on it.

“Ma’am! Don’t jump! Please fall back; we’ll catch you!”

“And tell Kyle that another man touched me? He’d go mad!”

“Uh, well…”

They seemed genuinely afraid of Kyle. The tension froze, as if I’d thrown ice water on them.

I glanced down the other side of the wall, and my legs wobbled. Was it always this high?

Last time, I landed on a soft patch of grass, but here, it was a marble pathway, likely used for carriages.

“Ma’am! The wind is strong! Please, come down!”

“No way, I—ah!”

I lost my balance, and before I knew it, I was tumbling forward.
Forget any judo moves from college phys-ed; they were useless. All I could do was protect my head as the world spun around me.
Just as I was bracing myself to meet my end by falling rather than by the guards or fate…

“Oh my, how adorable.”

A smooth, sultry voice drifted into my ear, and I found myself wrapped in a graceful embrace.

Someone had kindly caught me.

“Who…? Why does she look so familiar?”

Red eyes. Long, flowing black hair cascading down her back.
An exotic dress rarely seen in the empire, deep red lips, and a single pearl earring in her left ear.

“Whoever you are, you’re quite cute. Care to stay and play with me?”

Claire Chaeld, my favorite character, was holding me.

Her straight, elegant nose, perfectly sculpted brows, thick lashes framing her crimson eyes, and nails painted to match her lips.

As Claire brushed her hair back and looked at me, I found myself murmuring in awe.

“Sister… you’re beautiful.”

Claire chuckled softly, as if she already knew.

…Oh no. I think I’m smitten.

I stared at the goddess before me, completely forgetting my original escape plan.

That is, until the guards came rushing from the other side of the wall.

They looked ready to grab me with triumphant expressions—only to go ghostly pale when they spotted Claire Chaeld herself.

With a haughty gaze, as though this reaction was expected, Claire asked, “Who’s this adorable young lady?”

“I-I’m just a passerby…”

I began to introduce myself, but the guards interrupted in unison.

“Amelia Diane. The Duke himself has declared her the future Duchess, and they are currently in a formal relationship.”

What? So they do know my name? Are they all messing with me?
Hearing this, Claire blinked slowly, as though processing the information, then began assessing me from head to toe with a cold, analytical gaze.

She wouldn’t hurt me just because she heard I’m Kyle’s lover… right?

But Claire’s reaction was unexpected.

“I think I understand why the Duke chose you.”

“…What?”

“You’re adorable. Pure-looking. But there’s a spark of mischief in your eyes. Dressed up, you could be quite alluring.”

With a mischievous smile, Claire took my hand and pulled me closer.

“I’m Claire. Claire Chaeld. Amelia, why don’t you stay and play with your sister for a while, hmm?”

My heart fluttered. Why do these people have such charming smiles?

With Claire holding my hand, I glanced back.

Kyle. I need to get away from Kyle, but…

“Don’t you want to?”

“…….”

I may not know everything, but one thing I’m sure of: this woman in front of me is the very person who dealt with her half-brothers without a second thought! With survival instincts kicking in, I forced a bright laugh and nodded eagerly, playing along.

＊＊＊

Claire led me to a secluded part of the Duke’s estate, taking me to a private palace. After the demise of her father and brothers, it seemed she had claimed this area as her own.

Determined not to offend her, I put on a polite smile and tried to make conversation.

“So, Lady Claire, did you just come back from the Triha Empire across the sea?”

“Yes. I love to travel. There’s a sense of freedom you only get when you roam wherever you please.”

Claire ordered some refreshments from the maids, offering me a cup of tea.

“Here, have a taste. This tea blend is from the most famous shop in Triha.”

…Am I going to faint if I drink this?

With an awkward smile, I took a small sip. Surprisingly,
“Wow! The tea has a hint of strawberry! It’s lovely!”

“Isn’t it?”

Claire’s smile softened, surprising me. This wasn’t the Claire I remembered; she was supposed to be the ultimate fierce, no-nonsense type!

‘She’s not supposed to be this warm and friendly!’

Throughout our conversation, Claire treated me with warmth and familiarity, showing no reservations.

“It’s nice having you here, Amel. I was actually reluctant to return to the Duke’s estate because I hate being alone.”

“Ahaha… Sorry, what?”

She’s glad I’m here?

“I’ve always wanted a younger sister.”

She continued, making comments like, “Do you always eat so adorably?” and “Would you like to visit more often?” which made my heart skip a beat.

For reasons I couldn’t quite grasp, Claire genuinely seemed to like me. A brilliant idea suddenly popped into my head—a foolproof plan.

The “Do You Like Me or Like Her Better?” strategy.

Kyle resents Claire for using him and for the monstrous reputation it’s earned him. To him, Claire is both a weakness and a living reminder of the violence that helped him rise as Duke.

Claire knows she manipulated Kyle, but she sees it as a necessary burden he must bear as Duke of Chaeld. In her eyes, he owes his position to her willingness to dirty her hands on his behalf.

In short, they avoid each other as much as possible.
But what if Kyle saw me getting along with Claire?

This might be what finally pushes him to cut ties with me for good. It’s a sneaky plan, but it’s solid.

Grinning in satisfaction, I threw myself wholeheartedly into the conversation with Claire. Who knows how long we talked.
Eventually, Claire mentioned wanting to try something new and led me to the dressing room, where she began dressing me up like a doll.

“This dress is the latest trend in the passionate city of Madridian. It’s yours.”

“T-This?”

I was shocked for two reasons. First, the black dress she held out looked incredibly expensive, and second…

“Isn’t it sexy?”

Yes. That was the problem—it was too sexy.

I tried it on out of courtesy, with the maids’ help, but… oh my.
“Sheer fabrics like this are in style for evening gowns in Madridian these days. They call it ‘sheer.’”

The black dress Claire gave me clung to every curve, with transparent panels along the collarbone and sleeves, leaving my neckline and arms visible.

Seeing the neckline on display made me blush, even in front of a mirror.

It was ankle-length, but it was anything but modest.

“Beautiful.”

Claire beamed with pride as she showed me my reflection.
I couldn’t help but marvel at the alluring, radiant woman staring back at me in the mirror.

‘Wow. This look is… incredible.’

I was so taken by my own appearance that I couldn’t step away from the mirror. Then, a loud knock and the sound of the door opening pulled me back to reality.

The smile on Claire’s face vanished instantly.

A deep, steady voice broke the silence.

“…Amelia. So, this is where you are.”

It was Kyle. His flat tone carried enough chill to make the hairs on my neck stand up.

In a flash of panic, I remembered the saying “a smile can disarm anyone,” so I looked at him with a big grin. But then…

“……!”

The moment our eyes met, Kyle’s expression twisted in irritation, and he promptly closed the door and left.