The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 43
The person who had given Lady Grechel the necklace—that one person had to be the culprit. After all, only one individual could have removed the necklace without harming her.
“If Kyle hadn’t assigned me a bodyguard, I wouldn’t have been able to buy this much time. My fiancé really is the best.”
I cupped Kyle’s cheeks—he, who had just overwhelmed me with ardent kisses—and planted several light pecks on them. The hard, brooding expression he had worn moments ago melted like snow in the sun.
“Do you think a few kisses are enough to make me forgive and forget?” he muttered, though his voice had softened.
“Oh, don’t pretend you’re not enjoying this. Look at those red cheeks, Kyle! But what’s there to forget, anyway?”
“I’ll make myself clear. The thought of sharing you with another man is unbearable.”
“Huh? It’s unbearable for me too. Why would I ever let myself be shared between two men?”
“…?”
Though I was the one answering, Kyle looked more bewildered than I’d ever seen him. What kind of misunderstanding had he gotten himself into? Fortunately, there was someone who made it easy to piece together the situation: Claire, who stood at the top of the stairs, tapping the cover of a novel to draw attention to it.
That book—I recognized it immediately. Vanessa had been talking about it endlessly lately.
“Last Week, My Wife Had an Affair.”
Oh no.
I pinched Kyle’s soft cheeks—not enough to hurt—and demanded, “Kyle, don’t tell me you thought I was fooling around with another man.”
“…”
“And what could have possibly given you that idea? Where would I go when I have someone as amazing as you? Line up the hundred finest men in the capital, and I wouldn’t even blink. Do you think anyone out there is more handsome or kind than you?”
“…Sister…”
I should have stopped there, but Kyle’s suddenly softened gaze was so endearing that I couldn’t help but heap on more praise.
“Kyle, you need more confidence. Why would I ever look at anyone else? Let’s start with your upper body. Face? Perfect score.
Strong arms? Perfect score. Those abs and your waist? National treasures. Everything about you is flawless.”
“…”
“And your lower body? Oh, don’t even get me started. It’s not an exaggeration—I’m genuinely amazed every time. I even dream about those solid thighs every other night! But, of course, the most impressive thing is—oh.”
“Please, continue. I’m curious to hear what you like most about me.”
Damn it. My mouth had run away with me again. Embarrassed, I avoided his gaze, only for Kyle to smirk—a full return to his usual confident self.
“Shall I confirm it tonight? What part you like best?”
The way he practically wagged his invisible tail as he grinned at me made it clear that the misunderstanding had been completely resolved. I patted him on the back like an overgrown puppy and asked, “So, why did you even think that?”
“…I smelled men’s cologne.”
“Oh, that?”
I rummaged through my bag and pulled out a small gift box. I had picked it up from a shop on my way back from Lady Grechel’s manor.
“It’s a present. I used the jewelry you gave me to buy it. You’re the best fiancé, after all.”
That, of course, was a lie. If I admitted I bought it with my salary, I’d have to explain my work with the Hail Times. It wasn’t time to reveal that secret just yet.
“I sniffed so many different scents before choosing this one. It’s my favorite. I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I picked something I enjoy. Is that okay?”
“…”
Peering into his thoughts, I realized Kyleian Chaield was teetering on the edge of emotional collapse, utterly overwhelmed by the gift.
“I thought she had another man, but now she surprises me with this… How could she know exactly what I need?”
“But why a fragrance for bare skin…?”
I watched him imagine spraying the cologne on his shirt collar, pulling me into his arms, and waiting for me to bury my face in his chest to breathe him in.
“How am I supposed to hold back?”
The scene hadn’t even happened, but Kyle was already struggling to keep himself in check.
“Kyle, have I never mentioned that I can read thoughts with my Arete?”
“…!”
“Keep thinking like that, and you’ll drive me crazy.”
“…Please don’t tease me.”
“But, Kyle, weren’t you heading to the palace this evening?”
“Now that I’ve seen my fiancée, I should get going.”
As Kyle turned to leave, I reached out to stop him. If Kyle was going to meet the emperor, I wanted to tag along. Seeing the emperor or Count Gargoyle’s pale, panicked faces would be immensely satisfying. And if the opportunity arose, I wanted to deliver my rebuttal in person instead of through the newspaper.
“Kyle, can I… come with you? As your fiancée?”
“Why not? Most couples attend important meetings together.”
Kyle wrapped an arm around my shoulder and led me to the carriage.
I’d been to the palace many times, but this was my first direct audience with the emperor, and I couldn’t shake a hint of nervousness. To make matters worse, Kyle hadn’t told me what they were supposed to discuss.
“Lady Diane. I’d been meaning to summon you ever since you became Chaield’s fiancée.”
What a liar. A call from a womanizer like you isn’t exactly a compliment, Your Majesty.
“I requested her presence, Your Majesty. I don’t like being apart from my fiancée,” Kyle interjected smoothly, as if reading my mind.
The emperor merely chuckled, though the humor didn’t reach his eyes. “They say Duke Chaield is utterly captivated by his fiancée. What do you think, Count Gargoyle?”
“She certainly seems to have captured his heart,” the count replied.
I reevaluated the emperor at that moment. No matter how much I disliked him, he was still a ruler. Count Gargoyle, too, was a key figure in the empire.
Even in casual conversation, the tension between Kyle and the emperor felt like a battlefield. I had to admit, they were skilled at their positions—though that skill hadn’t saved the empire from financial ruin or restored the emperor’s dignity.
“Your Majesty, may I ask why you summoned me?” Kyle asked politely.
“Ahem. I suppose it’s time to address the matter.”
The reason was obvious. My column exposing the royal family’s reliance on Chaield Bank had likely driven this meeting. Kyle feigned innocence while the emperor struggled to mask his guilt.
This must be what they mean by a battle of wits.
I quietly sipped my tea, sensing this was a discussion I wasn’t meant to join. Finally, the emperor broached the subject.
“It seems the fact that we’re indebted to Chaield Bank has been revealed by an anonymous source. I apologize for any inconvenience, Duke Chaield. I know your intentions were good.”
The emperor offered a disarming smile, but Kyle’s returning smile had a distinct edge.
“There’s no need for Your Majesty to apologize personally.”
“Haha, I’m glad to hear that. I’ll be sure to reflect on this and ensure such issues don’t arise again.”
“I won’t do it again,” spoken with all the gravitas of an emperor.
Kyle tilted his head slightly, his smile almost innocent. “Ultimately, this is a matter between the imperial family and Chaield Bank. While I own the bank, I believe the public can distinguish between the bank and me personally.”
“…!”
“If Your Majesty wishes, I can arrange for an extension on the repayment period.”
The emperor and Count Gargoyle simultaneously turned pale. It was clear now: Kyle wasn’t just helping the imperial family. He was ensuring they remembered that all the money they’d spent was debt.
“You thought it was a gift? Pay it back.”