The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 23

“Three hours after Kyle faced the Emperor of the Hail Empire…
The Emperor himself spearheaded a legislative change, proposing to scale back royal privileges in the interest of public welfare. The law was swiftly passed and enforced, as decreed by the imperial mandate.

Had Amelia already been detained, the new law wouldn’t have applied retroactively, rendering it useless. Fortunately, she hadn’t been formally arrested yet.

Kyle’s efforts were not in vain.

Upon hearing from Haild that Amelia was safe and only needed to post bail for a formal investigation, a hint of satisfaction spread across Kyle’s face.

The Emperor, observing Kyle’s rare expression, clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“Tsk, tsk. Who would have thought that the mighty Duke of Chield would be so taken with a woman? She must be an extraordinary one to turn you into this. Women, they’re dangerous creatures indeed.”

Normally, Kyle would have ignored such irrelevant comments, but this time, he mulled over the Emperor’s words, a slight crease forming on his famously stoic brow.

“…”

The notion that the head of the imperial family would dare assess anyone—especially her—left a foul taste in Kyle’s mouth. Yet, he bit back his irritation. After all, the Emperor was still family, and he knew enduring this would eventually earn him his sister’s approval.

But simply letting it go? That was not in Kyle’s nature.
“Since Your Majesty finds women to be so dangerous, I’ll take measures accordingly.”

“…What?”

“As I mentioned last year, the budget allocated for the women of the imperial court, aside from the princess and essential staff, is excessive. I’ll adjust it upon my return.”

Ever since the Empress’s death, the Emperor’s only indulgence had been in the company of women, a luxury Kyle was all too prepared to curb. The Emperor called after Kyle, who bowed politely with a faint smile.

“Wait, you really intend to cut that budget? What if I go mad from boredom!”

“Will you become a tyrant then?”

Kyle’s gaze pierced through the Emperor. His lips curved up, but the chill in his eyes sent a shiver down the Emperor’s spine.
“Ha-ha, come now, we’re family, aren’t we? I’ll draft the order tomorrow morning and send it to Chield for review. Just don’t cut too harshly.”

The Emperor emphasized the word “family” as if clinging to the last thread of hope.

Contrary to the Emperor’s wishes, Kyle would have preferred to evict them all.

‘Once the engagement is finalized, I’ll deal with it at my own pace.’

Kyle, thinking of Amelia with her engagement ring, couldn’t help but let a soft smile slip. The Emperor, who had just witnessed Kyle’s intense display of power, gaped at the sudden blush that spread across the duke’s face.

‘Does that boy have bl00d vessels after all?!’

＊＊＊

“Sister, are you all right?”

“Sister, please have something to eat. The investigation must have been so grueling. You look thinner already…”

“Uh… I’ve only been here for three hours, you know? And I usually don’t eat at this time.”

I was flabbergasted at the way Chield’s staff fussed over me like I was a princess. No, not just a princess—an engaged one. The treatment I received was beyond imagination.

The interrogation room, which should have exuded a harsh and foreboding atmosphere, had iron-barred windows adorned with fresh flowers. The investigator wore a bow tie with glitter, desperately trying to project a non-threatening image. His tone was as gentle as that of a kindergarten teacher.

Instead of tepid water or stale tea, I was served a milkshake painstakingly prepared by Chield’s renowned chef.

‘Money really is everything.’

Relaxed in a chair more comfortable than my own bed at the Diane estate, I finished giving my statement, glancing out the window to scan the horizon.

A dark figure appeared, but it wasn’t the person I was waiting for.

“Sister, are you all right?”

Kyle’s gaze swept over my face, concern deepening the lines of his expression. Curious about his thoughts, I subtly slipped an arm around his waist.

‘She seems to have lost weight… I must get her back to the estate for proper rest.’

Did no one realize I’d been here since 9 a.m., lounging comfortably until I was released at noon?

“Kyle, it was only three hours. I was fine, thanks to you. Thank you.”

All praise to Chield. All hail wealth.

“It’s a relief to hear you say that. I’ve called for a carriage, so it should arrive soon.”

“Um… But Kyle, I can’t leave with you.”

“Pardon?”

Kyle’s face went slack, as if he’d just been handed a death sentence. He waited for my explanation, but I could see the storm brewing behind his eyes.

Why wouldn’t she come with me? Was the kiss that bad?

Did that cursed Verdr say something to her?

Amel…

Seeing Kyle’s worried gaze, the head butler, Haild, stepped in to clarify the situation.

“Your Grace. During the investigation period, Lady Amelia must remain at her residence. According to the regulations, she can only return home under the escort of a guardian. This also means that the engagement ceremony will need to be postponed until the investigation concludes.”

“So that means…”

“I’ve already sent word to the Diane estate with a swift courier.”

Exactly. Despite being an adult, I needed my father or mother’s signature to return home, all because I was the daughter of the bankrupt Diane family.

They feared I might flee during the investigation since the Diane estate had nothing more to lose.

“Haild. Is there no way around this?”

Kyle’s voice was filled with an unspoken demand to find a solution.

“Your Grace, it’s complicated… especially with Sir Diane.”
It was the first time I’d seen Butler Haild look so conflicted. I gently squeezed Kyle’s hand, showing that I understood.

[…The Earl of Diane is a man of principles. If I bypass the rules, he will resent me.]

[I don’t want to be disliked by her father.]

Kyle exhaled a quiet sigh, staring down at my left hand.

[Does this mean I’m not considered her legal family]

[…We should hurry up and get married]

Pretending I hadn’t heard his conclusion, I turned to the horizon. In the distance, I saw a middle-aged man expertly handling a horse, drawing closer.

“Amelia!”

The former Captain of the Knight Corps, Persche Diane—my father.
Despite having spent years sticking googly eyes on stuffed bears for a living post-retirement, his skill on horseback was as sharp as ever.

“You’ve arrived,” Kyle greeted him with a formality more suited for an audience with the Emperor. My father, equally courteous, checked me over, brushing off my shoulders.

With each adjustment, I caught snippets of his thoughts.

[That wretched prince dared dress as a woman and threaten my daughter]

Despite his kind smile, my father’s thoughts simmered with anger. I calmed him with a sweet smile.

[My daughter is truly the most precious thing. Even that Duke of Chield isn’t worthy of her]

Dad, that’s quite an exaggeration.

Still, Earl Diane thanked Kyle for looking after me.

“Thank you, Your Grace, for taking care of Amelia.”

“It was nothing. We are formally courting, after all; I did only what was right.”

My father repeated his thanks before turning to escort me away. Kyle, looking uncharacteristically restless, watched as I mounted the horse beside my father.

“Earl Diane, it’s getting chilly. Please take Chield’s carriage.”

“Haha, I appreciate the offer, Your Grace, but one horse will suffice. Right, Amelia… hm?”

The friendly smile froze on my father’s face.

“This…”

He stared at the ring on my left hand.

It was an exquisite piece. I could only imagine how much it cost to inlay an Areté crystal and engrave the Chield crest onto such a small band.

But it wasn’t the ring’s beauty that caught his eye. My father’s thick brows twitched upwards.

And then came the inner monologue I’d been dreading.

[That blasted Duke… gave her an engagement ring without informing me?]

Wait, that’s strange. Kyle assured me he’d sent a formal letter to our house as soon as he’d declared our courtship.

Kyle’s confusion mirrored mine.

Unwilling to question the formidable Duke of Chield directly, my father pulled Butler Haild aside into the shadows.

Apparently, they were acquainted; my father was a former Knight Captain, and Haild was a retired knight as well.

Leaning in, I strained to catch their conversation.

“Haild, what is the meaning of this? An engagement for Amelia?”

“Sir Diane, what are you saying? You responded positively to the proposal. We received a reply with your seal.”

“What?”

“Yes, with the Diane crest clearly affixed.”

After a brief pause, my father’s face paled as if lightning had struck him.

“Could it be… my wife… did this without telling me?”

“It seems the astute Countess acted on your behalf, as usual.”
“Haild, but why… why do you assume that?”

Haild shot him a pointed look as if the answer was obvious.

“Because, Sir Diane, if left to you, Lady Amelia would remain unmarried until she was old and gray.”

“…”

“Do you not remember giving holiday passes to 128 knights when she was born on December 8th? I recall you were made to write an official letter of apology.”

“That was just… too much joy to contain… And weren’t you one of those who took the leave, Haild?”

“Regardless, there’s no need for concern. You know as well as I do that His Grace, the Duke of Chield, is the finest match in the Empire. He surpasses others in every measure—etiquette, lineage, you name it.”

While my father and Haild engaged in their competitive exchange, Kyle approached me hesitantly, looking as though he’d just lost a fortune.

…No, Kyle wouldn’t look this despondent over something as trivial as a few billion gold.

“Sister, the night air is cold. Please take the carriage.”

“But there’s only one carriage, Kyle. What will you do?”

“There are plenty of carriages I’ve left at the palace and forgotten about. I’ll have a coachman bring one around.”

How wealthy do you have to be to forget about a whole carriage? Shaking my head in disbelief at Chield’s wealth, I nodded as if conceding.

The carriage arrived shortly after. My father, nudged by Butler Haild, helped me up into it.

“Let’s go, Amelia.”

“One moment, Father.”

I stepped out to take Kyle’s hand, who wore an expression as heavy as thunderclouds.

[How am I supposed to bear a whole month apart… Amel?]

His rapidly shifting thoughts made me smile. I spoke softly, determined to reassure him.

“Kyle, be careful on your way back. Thank you for the carriage.”

“I don’t know how I’ll last a month.”

“It’ll pass quickly. We haven’t had much time to date, so let’s think of this as long-distance. We can plan outings when we see each other.”

“…Dates?”

He looked like I’d just spoken a foreign language. Surprised, I waved my hands as I explained the concept of dating.

“You know, going to performances together, or walking by the lake and talking.”

“Ah… You enjoy that? Strolling by the lake?”

Kyle seemed baffled by the idea of doing something so seemingly pointless. It made sense—he was an efficiency-obsessed workaholic.

I nodded enthusiastically, elaborating on the peacefulness a lakeside walk could bring.

“It’s nice. It’s good to talk, and there’s a sense of tranquility. It’s especially nice at night.”

And looking at your gorgeous face isn’t too bad either.
Kyle, reading my hidden smile, remained puzzled for a moment before his eyes lit up as if struck by an idea.

I felt a sudden chill of foreboding and reached out to read his thoughts.

[I should build a lake at the estate.]

…No, Kyle, that’s not what I meant!