The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 30

Verdel could only stare as Kyle shredded the letter with ruthless precision. For a moment, he was too stunned to react, the sheer audacity leaving him speechless.

“You—you really just…!”

“Verdel,” Kyle said, his voice smooth and practiced, as if they were at one of his many business meetings. He placed the torn fragments of the letter in Verdel’s hands with a formal smile that never touched his eyes.

“It’s no secret that you’ve always seen me as your personal bank. I’ve been aware of it for quite some time, and I’ve let it slide.”

“…!”

“But dragging my fiancée into this and letting her know your true intentions was a step too far.”

The Crown Prince swallowed, the tension coiling in his throat. Kyle, who always met him with a composed mask, now radiated cold fury and open disdain. It felt like a challenge, daring Verdel to accuse him of disrespecting the royal family. But Verdel kept silent—he knew better. The royal household’s stability was closely tied to the man standing before him.

Resentment simmered beneath Verdel’s exterior, but he forced a more diplomatic response.

“It was a harmless joke directed at Amelia—I didn’t expect it to reach you. My apologies.”

Kyle’s interruption was swift and sharp. “Don’t speak her name so carelessly. Stay away from her. Don’t touch her.”

“Is Your Grace really so possessive?” Verdel countered with a forced smirk.

“You, of all people, should know just how possessive I can be, Your Highness. You’ve spent years playing at friendship just to fund your indulgences.”

“Kyle, take back those words, or—”

“I’m surprised you’d make such a mistake, considering how well you know how the House of Chaield operates.”

For a moment, Verdel’s eyes dropped to the crest on Kyle’s jacket: two beasts, each with a foreleg raised above a shield. A sigil ingrained with ruthless intent—kill, tear apart, and seize what is desired. This was the essence of the man before him, the infamous Monster Duke.

Fear clutched at Verdel’s throat, momentarily robbing him of his voice. He clenched his teeth, swallowing hard.

“…!”

From the corner of his eye, he saw Amelia Diane running toward them. Relief washed over him—she was, for once, a welcomed interruption.

Noticing the way Kyle’s expression softened when he saw her, Verdel put his pride aside to address the practical matter at hand. Realities were what they were.

“We may have our disagreements, but the royal budget won’t suffer for it, right?”

Kyle, his gaze fixed on Amelia, allowed a subtle, ironic smile to form. His voice dropped low, dripping with control. “Verdel. I never starve my dogs.”

“…”

The implication was clear—a warning coated in a smile. And then, as if sealing the deal:
“If you wish to remain my loyal dog, I suggest you leave before my fiancée arrives.”

Kyle had always known how to handle his “pets.”

“Kyle… gasp, gasp…” I reached him, breathless from sprinting, gripping his shoulder for balance. This dress was definitely not made for running.

“Are you all right, my lady?” Kyle asked, his tone gentle as he handed me a cup of water. In my exhaustion, I fumbled, and the cup slipped from my grasp, clattering to the ground.

“…My lady?”

When he tilted his head, a moment of clarity washed over me, as if my vision sharpened to perfection. Even today, his presence was overwhelming.

His dark hair, usually tousled and framing his face, was swept up, exposing his striking features. And that suit—no, a tuxedo—immaculate and tailored to perfection. He looked like he’d stepped straight out of a bridal magazine, the epitome of elegance.

“Don’t you want to drink?”

“Drink? I’d rather drag you somewhere secluded and… devour you. How are you so breathtaking? It’s unfair that no one warned me. I know I’m weak for beauty, but this is too much. I wasn’t thinking about it before, but now that you’ve asked… Maybe we really should find a place to—wait, never mind.”

“…I thought you’d be thirsty.”

“Right, water. Thank you. I’ll drink it now,” I said hurriedly, accepting the cup and looking around. We were by the lake—Kyle’s carefully guarded surprise for the engagement.

The estate staff, efficient as ever, had nearly finished setting up for the dinner. The lakeside was alive with a celebratory air.

“Did you run all the way here?”

“Yes. I heard you were over here…”

“To see me?”

Kyle’s eyes shone with anticipation. The truth was, I had come because of Verdel and his suspicious actions, but I decided not to disrupt the joy of our engagement day.

“I wanted to ask if you’d show me the lake,” I said with a teasing smile. Kyle’s eyes widened, likely expecting to reveal it later, but with such a grand feature, it was impossible to hide forever.

“Would you like to take a walk?”

He extended his hand, and together we began an impromptu stroll along the water’s edge.

The lake was vast, beyond anything one would expect on private land. Its clear waters sparkled under the afternoon sun, each white stone seemingly chosen for its gleam.

The breeze stirred the trees, making the leaves whisper as we walked. Kyle caught stray leaves with practiced ease and turned to me.

“Do you like it, my lady?”

“I love it. Especially those swans on the water… They are swans, right?”

I called them swans because they were white and elegant, though smaller and with shorter legs than I expected.

“They’re white ducks, actually. Would you have preferred swans?”

“No way. Those are ducks? They’re beautiful!”

“Yes. I thought you might like them.”

As a child, I’d read The Ugly Duckling and scoffed at the idea of confusing ducks with swans. But seeing these creatures now, I understood.

I met Kyle’s questioning eyes and beamed.

“I love it! And the name—Amelia Lake—makes it even more special.”
Kyle turned away slightly, a hint of a blush on his cheeks as if embarrassed by his own gesture.

“I’m glad she likes it.”

“She’s so beautiful when she’s happy.”

“I’ll have to create a lake named after our child when we have one,” Kyle’s unspoken thought flitted through my mind as I looked up at him.

“It’s truly beautiful, Kyle. Thank you,” I said aloud, my heart full.

Every time I complimented the sky reflected on the water, the trees framing the lake, or the pebbles lining the shore, Kyle’s inner thoughts alternated between chaotic and completely blank. It was amusing to see this composed man, known for his calm demeanor, struggle to process my praise. So, I kept repeating my thanks, just to see his rare reactions.

When we were halfway around the lake, Kyle slowed his pace, eventually stopping as if to say something significant. His hand gently encircled my waist—familiar yet hesitant today.

“Amelia Lake will always be here,” he said, his voice tinged with emotion.

“…”

“You can see it anytime you visit the estate. I hope you remember that, always.”

There was a wistful quality to his words. I wondered what Verdel might have said to make him worry so much, to make him sound as if I were on the verge of leaving.

Why does he look like I might disappear tomorrow? I wondered, knowing full well that I couldn’t ignore Kyle’s insecurities. I’d come to cherish his joy at even the smallest expressions of affection.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be by your side, always—”

But Kyle couldn’t wait. He leaned down and kissed me, cutting my words short. Even dressed formally as we were, his kiss was as perfect as it could be, worthy of all the praise one might give an artist.

He kissed me so gently, nibbling at my lips, warming them as though savoring every moment, and I couldn’t help but smile. What I thought would be a brief kiss deepened, and I became aware of hushed whispers from nearby staff.

“Oh, so that’s where she went…”

“With the engagement so close, those two are just…”

Their voices were full of joy, almost as if it were their own celebration. Kyle broke away with a soft chuckle, his face flushed.

…She just said she wouldn’t leave me.

Is this a dream?

She said she’d stay by my side…

No, it can’t be a dream.

He radiated satisfaction, holding my hand tighter as he recounted the events of the day without me asking. Normally reticent, his effort to maintain the conversation was endearing.
“But Kyle, I saw you with the Crown Prince earlier. What did you talk about?” I asked, the thought of the letter suddenly resurfacing.

Kyle hesitated, a rare flash of uncertainty crossing his eyes.
Should I tell her I said “dog”…

My expectant gaze pressed him for an answer, but he remained tight-lipped. I decided to use his inner thoughts to my advantage.

“I thought I overheard something about dogs,” I said innocently.
“You seem to have keen hearing, my lady,” Kyle muttered.

“Did you really talk about dogs?” I persisted.

“…I was considering getting a pet,” he replied.

A pet! My eyes sparkled with interest. I’d always wanted a dog and had once dreamed of adopting one when I had enough money, though that dream never materialized.

“That’s wonderful! I’d walk it every day, bathe it, and even smother it with kisses.”

“…”

“Kyle?”

“On second thought, I may have a dog fur allergy,” he said, his voice flat.

An allergy to dog fur? It was transparently absurd, but his slight jealousy was endearing enough for me to let it slide this time.

…And he did look breathtaking today, after all.

We continued to stroll around the lake, choosing to enjoy the serene beauty rather than returning to the estate to wait. The view was captivating, a place I found myself already wanting to return to over and over again.

As the sun dipped and the guests began to arrive for the engagement, the estate filled with a mixture of excitement and anticipation.

Most of those invited by Chaield wore dark suits, giving the event an almost mafia-like atmosphere.

“Amelia!”

“Our daughter!”

With the arrival of the Count and Countess of Diane, the engagement ceremony officially began. Although I had requested a modest event, the decorations were still as splendid as any imperial celebration.

Guests from both families shared a lavish meal and toasted to the union of Chaield and Diane.

As twilight descended, candlelight from the tables illuminated the lakeside. All eyes turned to us, particularly to Kyle, who held my left hand.

“Amelia Diane. I accept you as my bride,” he declared, sealing his words with a kiss to the back of my hand.

How could anyone call such a beautiful man a monster?

…I love you, my lady, whispered his heart.

And with that, I realized fully: I was now engaged to the man once destined for ruin.

And soon, I would see how this changed everything in the path that lay ahead.