The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 21

Kyle, being an aristocrat down to his core, knew the palace like the back of his hand. He knew just where to go to find a spot that was secluded yet set the perfect, intimate atmosphere.

We made our way to a space near the greenhouse, nestled between neatly trimmed hedges. To get here from the main party hall, we had to descend several steps, making it a low-lying area ideal for privacy but still visible enough for onlookers to notice from afar.

Kyle pressed me gently against the cool, smooth glass wall before leaning in and capturing my lips in a deep kiss.
A playful smirk curled at the corner of his mouth, as if he were up to some mischievous trick. I couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh as I breathed him in.

Kyle’s kiss grew deeper, more intense, as he invaded my space with a heated urgency. I responded by tilting my head and meeting his passion with my own, entwining our tongues.

His hands cradled my face, caressing it tenderly yet with a heat that made it hard to focus on anything else. The more Kyle pressed his firm body against mine, preventing any retreat, the more I could hear surprised gasps from afar.

The crowd watching us was undoubtedly questioning whether Kyleian Chield really loved me or not.

Kyle seemed to sense their attention too. He paused, pulling back just enough to speak in a low voice.

“Is everything going according to plan?”

“Probably. By now, I’m sure everyone’s perception of Kyleian Chield has shifted.”

I grinned, dimples forming as the satisfaction washed over me. But then, Kyle’s expression changed slightly.

“My image, you say…”

For a moment, his face darkened, as if recalling the title of “the monster who wiped out his family for power,” but soon, his eyes sparkled again.

“Did you do all this so others would see me differently?”

“Partly.”

The male lead’s happiness engine began to run full throttle again. Perhaps “denial” would be a better word for it.
Kyle’s smile widened, a genuine happiness that filled his eyes as he leaned in again. For a moment, it felt as if flowers were bursting into bloom around us.

‘He’s beautiful.’

Lost in the allure of his striking looks and solid form, I gazed at his face. Kyle’s eyes lit up.

“Sister, I—”

I stopped him with another kiss before he could finish.

Somewhere in the distance, I could hear the sound of a handkerchief tearing in two.

Kyle didn’t seem to care, focusing entirely on me. The sensation of his lips pulling at mine, changing angles, and diving back in made my head spin.

His hands, which had been tenderly caressing my face, slid down my jawline to my shoulder and then trailed lower to my waist.
…He was really in a hurry, wasn’t he?

“Ha… Kyle.”

I placed my palm over my mouth to break the kiss and whispered. Kyle, now looking into my eyes, blushed a deep red.

“Kyle, I’ve always wanted to ask—do you see something in my eyes?”

“…They’re mesmerizing. They make me feel… things.”

Kyle’s lips brushed mine as he continued.

“There are plenty of guest rooms in the palace for visitors. We can use any of them, as if they were ours. If you’d like—”

“Oh, Kyle, your acting is so good that those watching must be feeling restless.”

“Do I really seem like I’m acting?”

Kyle’s smile turned dangerously playful, his red eyes gleaming.
He looked as innocent as a child who’d just discovered something wonderful. But I wasn’t about to let him get his way this time.
Even without wearing my engagement ring, I could practically hear his thoughts. And, truthfully, I was a bit tempted.

“Kyle, can I ask you for a favor?”

Kyle’s elegant fingers twirled a lock of my hair as he answered,
“Anything.”

“I’m thirsty. Could you get me some water or wine?”

“…”

It almost looked like he had an imaginary tail that drooped in disappointment.

“Kyle, please? Pretty please?”

I needed a break. His face was dangerously good for my heart.
“…If I bring it, may I feed it to you?”

“Sure. Take your time.”

Kyle smoothed my hair and replied with a voice full of affection, “Yes, Sister.”

With a confident stride, he headed back to the hall where the banquet was held, taking the onlookers with him. The crowd that had been watching us dissipated.

As soon as he was out of sight, my legs gave out, and I slid down the glass wall, sitting on the grass.

‘What kind of kiss was that…’

Deciding to adore Kyle was undoubtedly the right move. How foolish it would have been to keep pushing away a man who was so stunning, strong, and undeniably captivating.

Feeling satisfied with my life choice, I stretched out. But then—

“…!”

I felt a piercing gaze. Strange, since the spectators had all left.

Although I hadn’t been particularly sensitive in my past life in Korea, Amelia Diane’s body, trained as the daughter of a legendary knight commander, was different.

I turned my head in the direction of the gaze and stiffened.
At first glance, it looked like a beautiful blonde woman with striking green eyes was watching me. The long hair and the elegant dress reinforced that impression.

But looking more closely, I realized it was unmistakably a man in disguise. The build was too strong, the features too sharp for a woman.

When I noticed the Adam’s apple half-hidden by a necklace, my instincts screamed at me to run.

Why was a suspiciously disguised man watching me, an extra character?

With my heart pounding, I ran as fast as I could. I turned back after putting some distance between us and saw that he was chasing after me.

“Hey, stop!”

“Come on, if you’re going to dress up as a woman, at least try to sound like one!” I shouted while glancing back, only to be startled by a statue that suddenly appeared in front of me.
I skidded to a halt and looked around, realizing I was cornered.
The man, gasping for breath, approached me as he realized there was no escape.

“Ha… ha… finally caught you.”

Up close, he looked refined but was undoubtedly male.

“Don’t come any closer! Do you know who I am?”

“Huff… huff…”

“I’m engaged to Kyleian Chield! Of the Chield dukedom!”

At my outburst, the man’s lips curled into a smirk.

“That’s why I’m here. You’re engaged to Kyleian Chield.”

“…!”

A shiver ran through my body. My legs nearly gave out, but I clenched my fists, trying to steady myself.

The distance between us was small, and he reached for something hidden in his clothes.

A weapon…?

But I was Amelia Diane. Though I might now be reduced to sewing buttons on teddy bears, I was once the beloved daughter of a legendary knight commander.

Claire had told me to handle anyone who threatened me so they couldn’t do it again.

“Now, stop resisting and come quietly.”

The man stepped forward. As soon as his green eyes locked onto mine—

Thud!

I gritted my teeth and summoned all my strength, delivering a kick between his legs.

My well-trained legs, honed from countless escapes, hit their mark. The man’s face contorted in shock before he crumpled to the ground in pain.

“Hmph. I might have the face of an innocent beauty and the figure of a delicate lady, but I have some strength, too. Now to—”

I raised my chin, ready to deliver a dramatic line, but froze mid-sentence.

The man’s wig slipped off as he writhed on the ground, clutching himself.

And then a terrible realization hit me. Why did this man have the distinctive silver hair associated with the royal family?
There was only one young man in the imperial family who fit that description.

“…”

I wanted to convince myself that the lunatic who’d dressed up and followed me at the palace couldn’t possibly be the crown prince.

“The crown prince and Kyle never got along, particularly because of his penchant for pranks that often went too far.”

A passage from the book flashed through my mind.

“…”

It seemed I hadn’t just kicked any man between the legs, but the future of the Hail Empire.

＊＊＊

Everyone in the banquet hall tensed as Duke Chield entered alone. Their thoughts were nearly identical:
‘They say he’s a monster who wiped out his kin for power, but he’s quite the romantic…’

‘Who knew the Duke was a master of kisses?’

‘He doesn’t show it, but he’s warm and protective when it comes to his woman.’

Kyle, now with an impassive expression, asked for two glasses of wine as if nothing had happened.

But, except for Claire, no one knew how hard he was trying not to laugh.

‘…Amel.’

As Kyle waited for the wine, he glanced around the banquet hall. He’d never imagined that the annual harvest banquet could be this entertaining.

He loved watching Amel sneak glances at the decor, her expression full of curiosity. He took in the sight of her enjoying the food, even catching the moment she ended up with cream on her lips.

When she’d asked him to dance, his entire body had tingled with joy.

But the best part was when she had asked him to kiss her.

“…”

She had asked for it herself. Kyle remembered every detail—the way her lips had curled up as she spoke, the dimples that formed.