The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 34

The room fell silent, my raised voice reverberating through the cell’s stone walls. Vanessa froze, startled, but quickly regained her composure, her sharp tongue poised for another retort.

“Who has time for manners when they’re one meal away from starving? Politeness is for you nobles who can afford it,” she snapped, her tone laced with derision.

I faltered, caught off guard. “Ah…”

“All those graceful smiles and elegant gestures? They’re luxuries—things people only do when they don’t have to worry about surviving.”

Before this bizarre transmigration, I’d been drowning in student debt and fighting to make ends meet. Her bluntness struck a chord I couldn’t ignore.

When you have nothing, kindness can be a dangerous gamble. You put up walls, speak sharply, and keep your defenses high.
Show weakness, and you’re an easy target.

Vanessa’s abrasive attitude made sense now. After failing to steal the Harmonia necklace and losing her chance at acquiring the world-altering Arete, she was bitter and desperate.
Even so, her roughness was far more pronounced than I’d imagined.

“Still… this is a bit much,” I muttered, tugging at my hair in frustration—only to realize my hand was still holding the gum she’d spat at me.

“And this? What do you plan to do about this gum?” I demanded, holding it out for her to see.

She raised an unimpressed brow. “What’s the big deal? Just cut it off. Or are you too scared to lose a few precious strands of your noble hair?”

That did it. My patience had limits, even with a protagonist.

“Do you always—”

“Wait.”

Vanessa’s sharp eyes locked onto my left hand, cutting me off mid-rant. Her gaze fixed on the engagement ring adorning my finger, its band bearing the unmistakable crest of the Chyeld family.

“You… your hand…”

Ah, so she’d finally noticed. Slowly, I extended my hand, allowing her to examine the ring more closely. In truth, I wanted to read her inner thoughts as she scrutinized it.
“This… this is the Chyeld crest!”

“The only Chyeld heir is Kylian Chyeld…”

“Then she’s… Amelia Diane, the one with the rags-to-riches story?!”

Yes, that’s right, genius.

Vanessa’s face transformed almost instantly. The combative woman from moments ago disappeared, replaced by someone who looked utterly sweet and innocent, her smile soft and charming.
“Oh my, I’ve been terribly rude, Lady Diane,” she said, her voice dripping with sincerity.

“…”

“Let me take care of that gum for you! Your hair is so beautiful—I’d hate to see it ruined. And those cookies you gave me?

Absolutely delicious! You’re too kind.”

Her dazzling smile could have lit up the entire cell. It was disarmingly beautiful, almost enough to make me forget how terrible her personality was.

As she carefully tended to my gum-stuck hair, I caught glimpses of her inner thoughts, and they were as sharp and calculating as ever.

“Damn it, my plans are ruined without that necklace. Guess I’ll just latch onto this rich lady for now.”

“If I can’t make it as an Arretiste, I’ll secure a cushy position through her connections.”

I ground my teeth, forcing myself to keep calm. The sooner I got out of this cell, the better.

“Why are you here anyway?” she asked, her tone syrupy sweet.
“Don’t call me ‘sister,’” I replied coldly.

“Of course, Lady Diane,” she said with a smile so radiant it almost made me forget her audacity. “But really, what brings you here?”

Oh, how I wanted to knock her down a peg.

“I was accused of theft after stopping a group of Arretistes from stealing the Harmonia necklace,” I said lightly, as if it were no big deal.

Her grip on my hair tightened ever so slightly.

“You fought off Arretistes?” she repeated, her voice tight.

“Damn it. So she’s the reason I failed? Should I just kill her?”

Oh, I hear you, Vanessa. Loud and clear.

“Yes,” I said with a smug smile. “They weren’t much of a challenge.”

Her fixed grin faltered slightly, but her thoughts betrayed her true feelings.

“She’s stronger than she looks. I need to stick with her for now.”

“Man or woman, they all fall for me eventually. She’ll be no different.”

Fat chance. I turned to stare out the barred window, doing my best to ignore her presence entirely.

I must have lost track of time because soon a knight arrived at the cell.

“Lady Amelia, you have a visitor.”

“A visitor?”

“Yes. Please follow me.”

Vanessa tried to follow, but the knight blocked her path and escorted me alone.

The moment I stepped into the hallway, I saw him—and my heart leapt.

“Kylian…”

“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice steady and warm.
The sight of him—strong, composed, and effortlessly handsome—sent a wave of relief washing over me. Guilt followed close behind.

“Kyl!” I cried, throwing myself into his arms. His embrace was firm and steady, his presence grounding me as the chaos of the day melted away.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t come sooner,” he murmured, pulling me closer.

“No, you’re here now… I missed you,” I said, my voice trembling with emotion.

How had I ever considered pairing him with someone like Vanessa? This kind, steady, and perfect man was mine, and I had nearly thrown him away for a foul-mouthed, manipulative disaster.
“You’re mine, Kylian,” I whispered fiercely.

“Always,” he replied without hesitation. “No one can take me from you.”

I buried my face against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart, and vowed never to take him for granted again.

Meanwhile, Vanessa sat fuming in the cell, chewing her gum furiously and muttering curses under her breath. Nothing was going her way today.