The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 36

Upon arriving at the palace, I entered the detention room without hesitation. Thanks to the generous gold from Chaield, it was comfortable enough to feel like a second home.

“Lady Diane, it’s been a while.”

“Ahaha…”

Of course, befriending the staff in the detention room wasn’t exactly something to brag about. But life, as they say, is all about connections. Someday, these relationships might come in handy.

“Now, let’s discuss the Necklace of Harmonia. Please feel free to answer at your leisure. Is the chair height comfortable? Would you like more coffee?”

The investigator’s tone was warm and accommodating. I replied that I was fine and earnestly cooperated with the questioning.
Even earlier, during the uproar at The High Times, it became clear just how important the Necklace of Harmonia was to the royal family. All I knew about it was that it symbolized Vanessa, the female protagonist in this world.

“Investigator, is the Necklace of Harmonia really such a big deal?”

“Haha! My lady, you have quite the sense of humor. Among the nobles who frequent the palace, there isn’t a single one who doesn’t know about that necklace…”

The investigator abruptly stopped, clapping a hand over his mouth. I suppose it made sense—my family had lost access to the palace after a financial fiasco, so my ignorance was only natural.

“Ahem. Let me explain. Ignorance, after all, is not a crime.”
And so, I learned the details about the Necklace of Harmonia. While I already knew it was expensive because of the embedded Aretite crystal, I hadn’t realized it symbolized an alliance of significant importance.

“Wait—are you saying this is tied to the alliance with Keltman?”
The Keltman tribe, a fierce warrior clan from the north, would later play a pivotal role in the catastrophic war funded by Kylean Chaield’s vast resources.

In times of war, money and connections matter far less than sheer physical strength.

The Keltmans were formidable, even without weapons. Yet, the shrewd Kyle, the harbinger of destruction, provided them with both weapons and poison, encouraging them to annihilate everyone who dismissed him as merely a “moneybag.”

Thus, he sought salvation through ruin.

I’m getting too invested in Kyle’s storyline.

At any rate, the Keltman chief, Zedima, and his children seized the opportunity to invade, reducing the empire to rubble. While Vanessa, leader of the Aretists, targeted the empire’s key figures, Zedima’s children—especially Princess Lien—wiped out everyone else.

Ugh… just when one disaster ends, another begins.

By some stroke of luck, I had managed to prevent Vanessa from becoming the leader of the Aretists.

I didn’t know who would take her place, but at least I had avoided the ending where Vanessa gifted Kyle his destruction.
But now it’s the Keltmans.

Enduring the rest of the investigation felt torturous. My expression must have been grim, but the investigator continued his barrage of questions.

Finally, the mechanical timer dinged. My allotted time was up.
As I rose, I caught sight of Vanessa, Lady Reina, and Lady Gretchel seated beyond the translucent glass, waiting their turn.

“Are the investigations conducted in order?”

“Yes, but it’s more symbolic than anything.”

“What do you mean?”

“His Majesty has ordered severe punishment for anyone connected to the Necklace of Harmonia. The true culprit will likely face execution.”

The investigator revealed that the prime suspect thus far was Lady Gretchel, who had been wearing the necklace.

“She must have been desperate to get rid of it.”

They must understand, at least to some extent, how others would feel about a young lady gaining the emperor’s favor. I could still picture Lady Gretchel trembling, pale as a sheet.

“Shouldn’t the investigation be more thorough?”

I had my reasons for saying so. Shortly after the necklace disappeared, I had brushed against Lady Gretchel’s skin.

Naturally, I heard her thoughts. Despite the necklace being more of a shackle than a blessing, she had been genuinely distressed about its disappearance. The odds of her being the culprit were slim.

“Hmm. Then who do you think the culprit is, Lady Diane?”

“Well…”

It was a tricky question. Normally, Vanessa would have been the one to steal the necklace. After all, she had brought five Aretists with her, clearly with a plan in mind. Even when I read her thoughts, she had been plotting to take it.

But no. Vanessa was complaining that she had failed to steal it.
In fact, during the commotion Vanessa created as a distraction, someone else had taken the necklace. So Vanessa wasn’t the true culprit.

It’s not Lady Reina either.

Lady Reina should have left the detention room long ago. The excuse that her detention was extended for antagonizing the investigator seemed shaky.

She had been trembling so badly she couldn’t even lift her head. When I confronted the Aretists, she had been cowering on the floor, burying her face in her knees. Honestly, it was a miracle she hadn’t wet herself.

Having ruled out Vanessa, Lady Gretchel, and Lady Reina, one thought lingered in my mind.

If only we could use the necklace’s unique properties, the investigation would be quicker… but perhaps that’s classified information?

While I considered sharing this rare piece of knowledge, I decided against it. Without being certain of the culprit, it was better to tread carefully. Feigning frustration, I furrowed my brow and replied.

“I don’t know. Who could have stolen the necklace?”

Just then, the door to the investigation room creaked open. A composed man entered, clearly a high-ranking noble based on his attire.

“Count Gargoyle!”

“Investigator, who do you believe is the prime suspect?”
The man smiled like an ancient toad. I recognized him—Count Gargoyle, the emperor’s closest confidant and a minor character briefly mentioned in the book.

“Well? Speak up. Who do you think it is?”

The investigator glanced awkwardly between the Chaield engagement ring on my finger and Count Gargoyle’s face.

“I… I haven’t reached any conclusions yet.”

The count stroked his meticulously groomed mustache and cast me a sidelong glance.

…Why is he looking at me like that? It’s unsettling.
“Lady Diane, may I ask a question? Your family fell into massive debt due to Earl Pershe Diane’s mismanaged obligations, correct?”

“…Yes.”

“And the lands granted by His Majesty were all mortgaged. You’ve even been denied palace access for lack of funds to maintain carriages and proper attire.”

“…”

When I didn’t respond, Count Gargoyle turned to the investigator.

“Don’t you think she’s in a prime position to covet a valuable, unguarded item?”

“…Are you accusing me?”

“I’m merely advocating for an impartial investigation.”

“…”

“Investigator, His Majesty specifically ordered a thorough investigation of Lady Diane.”

His tone left no room for argument. The investigator looked visibly uncomfortable. The hypocrisy of calling this a fair investigation while focusing solely on me was blatant.

“Count Gargoyle, I did not steal the necklace.”

“I’m not accusing you, but no thief admits to their crime until evidence is found.”

Being treated as a suspect because of my family’s misfortunes was frustrating enough. But now I was being labeled a thief. My patience was wearing thin. Sensing my anger, Count Gargoyle smirked.

“Are you upset? You may cry if you like. It will remain confidential.”

“…”

“If you feel wronged, there’s a solution. Identify the true culprit behind the theft of the Necklace of Harmonia.”

The Count chuckled, as if even he thought the suggestion was absurd.

“Of course, if that’s even possible. After all, you have the powerful Chaield family backing you. Looking at you now, it’s clear how you managed to win the Duke of Chaield’s favor.”
His lecherous gaze roamed over me, leaving me nauseated. Clearly, he was here under imperial orders to frame me.

At that moment, one thing became crystal clear—the emperor and his confidants were utterly corrupt. Even Berde, who saw Kyle as merely a cash cow, paled in comparison.

“This is simply a reasonable suspicion, Lady Diane. After all, weren’t you the closest to the necklace when it disappeared?”

“If I hadn’t been there, Lady Gretchel and Lady Reina would have been in danger.”

Though I tried to hide my fury, the Count noticed and sneered.
“Let me enlighten you, Lady Diane. The disappearance of the Necklace of Harmonia signifies a major diplomatic crisis.”
I already knew that. And I knew the root cause was the emperor’s reckless indulgence. The alliance, forged by his predecessor, had faltered not just due to Keltman’s ambitions but also because the imperial family appeared weak.

“And you are a noble of the High Empire. Even the House of Chaield is subordinate to it. Nobles enjoy their privileges only while the Empire endures.”

“…”

“So don’t entertain any foolish notions of bringing down the imperial family.”

As he spoke, my mind drifted to the flyer in my bag—a call for information about the necklace theft. All the media outlets in the empire were desperate to uncover the truth behind the incident. And underlying their curiosity was a single thought.
“They likely want to know how a womanizing emperor managed to lose the country’s treasure and bring the Keltmans to our doorstep.”

If there was one thing Count Gargoyle and the imperial family feared, it was the people. They might seem powerless, but as someone from outside this world, I knew better.

The wrath of those with nothing to lose is the most terrifying. When united, they can change the world.

Before leaving, Count Gargoyle repeated his warning.

“Once again, Lady Diane, don’t do anything foolish. You’ll need every moment to prove your innocence.”

I stifled a laugh. The Count was woefully unaware.

Contrary to his assumptions, I had everything I needed: the power of Aretite to catch the real culprit and a plan to overthrow the rotten emperor.