The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 29

Monsieur Gartone remained unfazed by my words, almost as if he hadn’t heard me at all. It was as though my statement hadn’t registered with him, despite how clearly I thought I had spoken.
“You’re dismissed,” I said firmly, emphasizing each word. A vein bulged visibly on his forehead, but I felt no fear. This was the Duke of Chaield’s mansion, after all.

Step, step—

He marched up to me, his shadow looming over my face with an air of intimidation. Yet when I neither flinched nor cowered, he curled his lips into a smirk.

“Dismissed? That’s not a decision the Lady of Diane gets to make.”

Unfortunately, only the staff of Chaield or those loyal to Kyle would react to my smallest action with admiration and deference.
“The decision is mine,” I said coolly.

“We’ll see about that.”

He let out a sardonic chuckle just as another voice cut through the air.

“The decision most certainly rests with our future Duchess,” Claire said, returning to the room with a commanding tone and her chin held high. I needed to learn that poised stance of hers.

Claire took my left hand, adjusting it so that the Chaield crest on my engagement ring was fully displayed.

“M-Milady Claire…!”

“The Duchess-to-be has spoken. You’re dismissed,” Claire said, her voice glacial and her chin tilted just so. Gartone, now visibly unnerved, instructed his assistants to pack up, muttering under his breath.

“It’s a shame… Only my dresses match the grandeur of Chaield….”
He wanted to keep his pride in check before Claire, but he couldn’t resist leaving a parting jab. His face said it all: bitterness mixed with a wish to see things go wrong.

“Amel, what do you think the Duke would say at a time like this? Try practicing,” Claire whispered only loud enough for me to hear. I pondered how Kyle might respond and then spoke up.
“Well, as soon as Chaield picks another designer’s dress, they’ll be considered the Empire’s finest.”

I cut off any response from Gartone with a crisp smile. Left speechless, he packed up quietly and exited the mansion.
“Oh, Amel! You’re such a quick learner!” Claire embraced me tightly, a sensation that nearly stole my breath.

“Ack! It’s only because you taught me so well, Claire!”

The thrill! Being praised by my favorite person was an unmatched feeling. As I basked in her affection, reality set back in.

“But now that the designer’s gone, will I have to pick from one of the existing dresses?”

“What? No way. This is Chaield’s engagement. There are over a hundred designers out there begging to have their masterpieces chosen. Isn’t that right, Amel?”

“Then why did you bring in Monsieur Gartone in the first
place…?”

“Hmm. That was my mistake.” Claire admitted this easily, though I heard her true thoughts through the gift of my ring.
Teaching you how to handle dismissals takes hands-on practice. It was worth bringing in an impudent designer.

Sister… was this a lesson on firing people?

The power and wealth of Chaield ensured everything for the engagement, from the dress to every intricate detail, was prepared flawlessly.

Two weeks ago, after I dismissed Gartone, Claire had taken extreme measures when I couldn’t settle on one out of a hundred designers.

“Why don’t we order a hundred dresses and pick one that speaks to you on the day of the engagement? Sounds good, right, Amel?”

“Claire… dresses go out of style, you know. They won’t last more than a few years.”

“Then we’ll just have to attend parties together until you’ve worn each one.”

Extravagance at its peak.

“Amel, go ahead and choose what feels right today. Follow your instinct for the engagement,” Claire said with a satisfied smile. Behind her stood a line of Chaield staff specializing in hair and accessories, waiting attentively.

As much as I wanted to marvel at each beautiful dress, we couldn’t afford to delay. The engagement was set for this evening.

“Hmm… I’ll choose this one,” I said, pointing to a dress that hugged my torso snugly, accentuating my figure, and flared out below like an apricot-hued rose in mid-bloom.

Claire’s approving nod set the staff in motion. They began dressing and styling me at a pace that felt both efficient and luxurious.

Soft brushes swept over my face, and unlike Monsieur Gartone’s disdain, every gaze from the Chaield staff was filled with warmth.

“Miss, could you move your hand here for a moment?”

“Miss, please keep your eyes forward as we adjust your hair.”

The professional touch of Chaield’s team was unmatched. Thanks to them, I was ready far earlier than expected.

My long hair was swept to one side and loosely braided, adorned with tiny, glistening gems. The result showcased my graceful shoulders and made my heart race at my reflection in the mirror.
“Thank you, everyone. You’ve done a wonderful job.”

“No, thank you, Miss!”

“Truly, you’re beautiful as ever….”

I blushed at their compliments, feeling a bit embarrassed. To distract myself, I went over the day’s schedule, even though I knew it by heart.

“The engagement will take place at six by the lakeside. The Count and Countess of Diane’s guests will be brought in just before then.”

Preparations were originally set to conclude by four, but thanks to the staff’s efficiency, I was perfectly ready just after two.
Two hours loomed ahead, too long to idle away without purpose. I needed something to do.

Let’s see. A tea time would inevitably lead to devouring desserts, so that was out. Strolling by the lake was tempting, but Kyle had insisted on saving that sight for the engagement, so that was also off the table.

With my options dwindling, a light walk seemed like the only choice.

“Would it be all right if I went for a short walk to clear my mind?” I asked.

“But…”

“Just for an hour, please?”

“The engagement is today…”

“Please?”

I coaxed the servants with a soft plea. Success.

With the estate of Chaield sprawling as it was, wandering freely risked losing track of time and missing the ceremony. I decided to stay close to the building where Kyle conducted his affairs.

“Shall we?”

There were still many parts of the estate I hadn’t explored. As I wandered near the post office, I paused, catching sight of someone peculiar.

Who…?

The man’s gait was awkward, as though he were suppressing urgency, his eyes darting nervously. His attire was unremarkable, blending in with any well-dressed gentleman, making him easy to mistake for an early guest.

If not for the telltale silver hair of the royal bloodline.
Why is he here…?

Verdelrevan de Haile, the Crown Prince. It wasn’t odd that he had an invitation to the engagement. His presence wasn’t surprising, but his suspicious behavior was.

Unaware of my proximity, Verdel reached into his coat, pulled out a small envelope, and slipped it into Chaield’s mail slot—a box only accessible to designated staff. Then, with a calculated casualness, he pocketed his hands and strolled away, pretending to survey his surroundings.

As I racked my brain over what that envelope could contain, a chilling thought struck.

An invitation?

In the original story, an altered invitation led Kyle to initiate war. Verdel sent him an invitation with the wrong location, leading Kyle to arrive alone and become a target of ridicule. It was then Kyle realized that Verdel only saw him as a financial tool.

But this was strange. In the original timeline, this incident shouldn’t happen for another year.

As the pieces clicked into place, a cold dread crept over me.
Is this because of me?

Not long ago, I had humiliated Verdel at a café known for its strawberry treats. Already inclined to dislike Kyle, Verdel would have only felt more antagonistic after that.

Angered, Verdel must have decided to spite Kyle by sending him an altered invitation…

No!

If Kyle saw that invitation, it would trigger a chain of disastrous events. I couldn’t let that happen. Using the excuse of needing a drink to clear my suddenly dry throat, I dismissed the servants and dashed to the mailbox. I shoved my hand into the slot, but it was futile—my fingers wouldn’t reach. A stick only splintered and snapped inside, unable to retrieve the envelope.

“No, no…”

“What are you doing, my lady?” a familiar voice called. Mr. Haeld, the head steward, approached. I stammered out a flimsy excuse about dropping a twig inside as a prank.

His response, however, was unexpected.

“Don’t worry, my lady. Mail deposited there travels directly through a chute to the sorting room. I’m sure the twig has already been discarded.”

“Oh, that’s a relief… or wait, no! How long before the mail reaches Kyle?”

“It depends on the sender. Correspondence from the royal family is delivered to His Grace immediately.”

A chill ran down my spine at his answer.

“Ensure the Merrifield trading proposal is concluded by the end of the day,” Kyle instructed, dismissing the visiting merchants. He only glanced at the letter handed to him once the room cleared.

The royal seal confirmed it was indeed from the royal family, yet no report of a royal messenger’s arrival had reached him.
Did Verdel come personally?

Kyle picked up the letter and stood. Today, Verdel hadn’t disguised himself, making it easy to locate him. Kyle found him lounging against an ornamental rock by the lake where the engagement would take place.

A shadow fell over Verdel, drawing his attention.

“…?”

It was Kyle’s shadow. The Crown Prince stood, flashing a practiced smile that usually earned at least a smirk from Kyle. Today, however, Kyle’s face was steely and cold. A thought crossed Verdel’s mind.

Did Amelia tell him? Did she reveal that I see him as nothing but a source of wealth?

He dismissed it; it seemed impossible that anyone would truly care for Kyle, the feared Duke.

And Kyle isn’t naive enough not to know why I use him for his fortune.

The two had been born in the same year, raised close by the alliance between the royal family and Chaield. Verdel knew exactly what Kyle had endured and what his weaknesses were.

“Kyle. Why the fierce expression? You look like you’re about to devour someone,” Verdel said, trying to provoke him with feigned innocence. He knew this was Kyle’s greatest flaw.

No matter his power, Kyle had no one. And every human, no matter how hardened, craved warmth.

Craved? How laughable. He’s never even had someone to miss.
Verdel smirked inwardly and shrugged. He had always been present throughout Kyle’s life, and as long as that remained true, Kyle couldn’t push him away.

But Verdel’s confidence shattered moments later.

Rip—

Kyle tore the royal-sealed envelope into neat pieces without even opening it.