The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 3

“Ah… I get it. So, what kind of reward do you want?”

Even as I asked, I knew it was a question I’d regret. He was bound to say something about finishing what we started. But instead, Kylian softly stroked my hair and responded,
“Why did you call me that earlier?”

“Call you what?”

I mentally replayed what I had said. What did I call him again?
“You asked if ‘Kyl’ could hold back for you.”

“Oh… ‘Kyl,’ that?”

Kylian smiled faintly, nodding in approval. He seemed quite pleased with it.

Well, it made sense. “Kyl” was the nickname Vanessa, the original female lead, used for him, so of course he’d like it.
In a sweet, tender voice, Kylian made his request.

“Sis, could you keep calling me that from now on?”

I didn’t plan on seeing him again. I was going to avoid him. But seeing him smile like that—so dazzling it could stop my heart—I just couldn’t say something so cold.

“A nickname? Sure, I can do that.”

“…A nickname?”

“Isn’t that what people call it when they shorten someone’s name?”

I asked awkwardly. I thought it was a common term here, but maybe it had another meaning in this world.

He couldn’t possibly be pleased just because ‘nickname’ has the connotation of affection, could he?

Still, it was hard to believe that the all-powerful Duke Chailled would ask for something as simple as the nickname ‘Kyl’ as his reward.

Kylian Chailled, the man who controlled the empire’s only bank, its schools, its council, and even the royal family. A man who spent obscene amounts of money like it was nothing.

In the original story, if it meant gaining the heroine’s love, he’d dig ponds, build mansions—anything.

“What are you thinking?”

“Just… that the reward you asked for was different from what I imagined.”

“And what did you think I wanted?”

“Well, I assumed you’d want to… finish what we were doing… uh—”
I quickly covered my mouth. His impossibly good looks really are dangerous—they make you spill your inner thoughts without realizing it.

Kylian chuckled and wrapped me in his arms.

“I’m glad you at least know what I want.”

“Ahaha, so why…”

I couldn’t bring myself to ask. Why had he chosen a nickname as his reward, instead of continuing from where we left off?

I swallowed my question, but of course, Kylian, ever perceptive, caught on immediately.

“You’re wondering why I asked for a nickname as my reward for holding back, aren’t you?”

“…”

Kylian gently combed his fingers through my hair as he continued.

“If I get a reward for holding back, doesn’t that mean I’ll get something even better if I hold back more?”

I didn’t expect him to have such a grand plan. As I froze, Kylian laughed lightly.

“I’m just joking.”

“You are, right?”

“…Maybe not entirely.”

“Huh?”

Before I could ask what he meant, feeling uneasy, there was a polite knock on the door.

Haild, the butler, brought in a lavish brunch and quietly left. The scent of buttery bread, thick slices of ham, and perfectly cooked eggs filled the room, accompanied by a pot of tea.

My stomach growled. I was starving after the eventful morning, which was no surprise.

Sitting across from Kylian at the table, I gave him a look as if asking if it was okay to start eating.

To my surprise, Kylian’s face turned red, and he looked away.

“…Should we wait to eat?”

I wasn’t sure what look I had given him, but he definitely misunderstood. I quickly waved my hands.

“No, no! Let’s eat! You go ahead.”

Looking a little disappointed, he started eating.

I couldn’t help but think, How can someone eat so gracefully? It was like watching a luxury hotel breakfast ad.

I nibbled on my food while sneaking glances at him. Now that he was clean and dressed in fresh clothes, courtesy of Haild, he looked even more refined than yesterday.

The crisp white shirt hugged his broad shoulders and muscular frame perfectly. His focused expression while eating only made him more captivating.

There was a regal aura around him that people like me couldn’t replicate, no matter how hard we tried. It was like he was made to wear a suit.

Yesterday, at the bar, he had looked different, as if he was in disguise. I decided to ask him about it.

“Your Grace, may I ask you something?”

“Call me Kyl.”

“Ahem, Kyl. You look different from yesterday.”

“Did you prefer how I looked yesterday?”

I barely stopped myself from saying I preferred how he looked with nothing on. But before I could answer, Kylian spoke.

“…It was the anniversary yesterday, so that might’ve been why.”
Just as I thought. Yesterday was the anniversary of his brothers’ deaths.

It was also the day Kylian Chailled won the battle for his family’s fortune after a long struggle.

I suddenly remembered the original novel, The Fall of the Tycoon and Beyond, where Kylian’s character was deeply haunted by his past.

Even though he had taken the title of Duke five years ago, every anniversary, he was plagued by nightmares—his brothers cursing him for his survival.

As if they hadn’t been trying to kill him first.

Kylian must’ve gone to the bar yesterday, overwhelmed, possibly even contemplating drastic actions.

Why did I have to be in that bar drinking beer and get caught up with him?

No, I should think of it as saving a life. Yesterday, Kylian must have been emotionally vulnerable, overreacting to everything I did.

Otherwise, there’s no reason he’d be acting so gentle with me now. Unless there was some unknown connection between Amelia and Kylian.

In the original story, Kylian was obsessively attached to the heroine, the first person to ever side with him. It would be best to distance myself before he got more attached.

If he weren’t the male lead, I wouldn’t be letting him go.

I sighed, and Kylian immediately frowned.

“Are you tired?”

“A little.”

I smiled, but quickly added, “Actually, I’m really tired. I should go home and rest. Lately, I’ve been feeling so exhausted. I might need to go somewhere quiet to recover.”

In other words, if I suddenly disappear, don’t come looking for me, dear male lead.

Unaware of my true intentions, Kylian looked concerned and called for Haild.

“I’ll have some medicine brought to you. Please wait.”

“No, really. I just need rest. Can I leave now?”

“Of course. If you’re unwell, you should rest.”

I should’ve said this sooner!

I quickly stood up, but before I could take a step, Kylian lifted me effortlessly and carried me downstairs to the hotel’s first floor.

Wow, his arms are… Focus!

Soon, I found myself in a lavish carriage belonging to the Chailled family, so luxurious it felt more like a moving palace.
Naturally, Kylian sat next to me and asked,
“I’ll take you home. Where should we go?”

Suddenly, it hit me. I’d only told him my first name, “Amelia,” but I hadn’t mentioned I was Lady Amelia of the Dian Estate.

Since “Amelia” is a common name, it would be hard for him to track me down. If I kept my surname and address a secret, I could buy myself time to escape.

“Just drop me off up ahead.”

Kylian, with a barely suppressed smile, directed the carriage to move forward.

The problem? I had no idea where I was going.

“…Do you live here?”

Kylian asked, looking puzzled as we arrived at a vast carrot field.

Crap. I should’ve memorized the streets better.

“Turn right and then left onto River Road.”

I made up more directions, thinking I could duck into any random house.

But the next place we arrived at looked no more habitable—a half-demolished area under redevelopment.

“Did you live here before?”

Kylian asked, eyeing the abandoned homes.

“Uh, no… not exactly…”

I blurted out more random directions.

But each time we moved, the places we arrived at seemed even more deserted.

“…Amel.”

Kylian’s voice was low, serious.

After several failed attempts to guide him, even Kylian must have realized I was avoiding telling him where I really lived.
But again, he surprised me.

“Are you stalling because you want to come to Chailled Manor with me?”

Why would I want that? It’s your house!

“You should’ve just said so. I almost misunderstood.”

Actually, that “misunderstanding” was closer to my original plan.

As I tried to come up with an excuse, Kylian told the driver,
“Take us to Chailled Manor.”

I’m doomed. Instead of escaping, I was heading deeper into the male lead’s territory.

Would it hurt to jump out of a moving carriage? Maybe that’s better than facing a ruin ending.

Amelia, being the daughter of the commander of the knights, had a strong body. She was skilled with swords, so even a rough landing wouldn’t kill her—maybe just a few broken bones.

As I seriously contemplated my options, Kylian, completely unaware, draped his jacket over me and whispered,
“There’s no one at the manor, so you can stay as long as you like.”

“That’s… not really…”

Even though I made my discomfort obvious, Kylian misunderstood again, his cheeks flushing slightly.

“Of course, if you’d prefer, you’re welcome to stay the night. My room is spacious.”

His eyes sparkled with hope.