The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 53

‘It seems I’ve won this negotiation, Lady Diane.’
Feigning generosity, Bered added a promise of a modest stipend to cover maintenance costs, and when Amel remained silent like a clam, he began boasting more loudly.

“Lady Diane, if there are any conditions you desire, speak freely. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make you part of the delegation. Consider me a friend and speak openly. I promise no consequences will follow from anything you say here.”

His voice, which had started confidently, slowed toward the end. Bered frowned slightly as he noticed Amel’s lips curve ever so slightly into a faint smile.

‘What’s with this confidence?’

Though he was the Emperor, he suddenly felt as if he’d lost the upper hand. It wasn’t just unsettling—it made him tense, as though something was going terribly wrong.

Amel, maintaining her gentle smile, slowly lifted her gaze. It was finally time to reveal her hand to the overconfident Emperor.

“Your Majesty, I am grateful for your offer. If I may be so bold, what I desire is… the Imperial Lily Medal.”

“What? How do you even know about that?”
I did my research. Amel suppressed a chuckle.
The Imperial Lily Medal was awarded by the Emperor to individuals who contributed significantly to the prosperity of the Hail Empire or elevated its reputation. Under the current and previous emperors, there hadn’t been a single recipient, and most nobles, even those who valued honor, were unaware of its existence.
‘I’m glad I studied the Empire’s history books in Chaield’s library.’

Receiving the Imperial Lily Medal would provide Amel with two critical things: wealth and honor.

Since it was an award directly conferred by the Emperor, it wouldn’t hurt her father’s pride as a knight. Additionally, the monetary reward that came with it could resolve the family’s pressing financial issues.

“Lady Diane, that’s a bit…”

Bered hesitated, and Amel knew why. Officially, the delegation was only being sent to attend a festival. Awarding a prestigious medal for a month-long mission seemed excessive.

‘The royal family wants to minimize expenses and avoid unnecessary rewards, which makes sense. But that’s their problem, not mine.’

After all, it was the Emperor who had effectively coerced her into taking on this role.

Bered, growing frustrated with Amel’s silence, raised his voice.

“Do you take me for a fool? The Imperial Lily Medal for a month-long trip? Do you even understand the value of that medal?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

“Then you must also know you’re not qualified to receive it. The role of the delegation is simply to attend Keltman’s festival. Don’t you think your demand is excessive? Even if this is a poor person’s bravado, there are limits!”

“Your Majesty, with respect, I do not believe my request is excessive.”

“Ha… Fine. Explain how you reached that conclusion. If you truly believe a one-month delegation deserves the Imperial Lily Medal, I’ll gladly grant it.”

Amel met the fuming Bered’s gaze and spoke calmly.

“To begin, I am not ignorant of the current situation. I understand the relationship between Keltman and the Empire has been strained since the Harmonia necklace incident. That’s precisely why no one has stepped forward to claim the honor of being the Emperor’s envoy.”

Listening to Amel’s composed voice, Bered felt an uncharacteristic sense of intimidation. What does this woman know to speak with such confidence?
“So… you’re saying you deserve the medal because you’re risking yourself for a month-long mission?”

“That’s not what I mean, Your Majesty. I only wish to emphasize that my value is not the same as other noblewomen.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Your Majesty summoned me, not as Lady Diane, but as the fiancée of Duke Chaield. Is that not correct? You need my connection to Chaield to ensure that Keltman won’t dare harm the delegation.”

Amel silently gauged Bered’s reaction.

Bered wiped the sweat forming on his palms against his knees. It felt as though every part of his carefully laid plan had been seen through.

The woman before him was no ordinary noble.
“You likely proposed this role to Duke Chaield first, to secure his cooperation. I assume I was your second choice.”

“…Did Duke Chaield tell you that?”

“It’s merely my speculation. Summoning me, the fiancée of Chaield, indicates you hoped to involve the Chaield family. Is that not so?”

“…”

Bered remained silent, afraid to respond. Amel’s words were entirely accurate.

If the fiancée of Duke Chaield were part of the delegation, Keltman wouldn’t dare apply pressure to the group. Moreover, it would preemptively address certain contingencies that Bered hoped to avoid.

“…I admit it. Your insight is beyond my expectations. If I promise you the Imperial Lily Medal, will you accept the role of envoy and travel north?”

Though phrased as a question, it was effectively a command. Bered expected Amel to nod obediently. Instead, her jade-green eyes gleamed with an ambition that suggested she was after something more.

“Your Majesty, I apologize, but I must ask for one more favor. I request that the medal ceremony be held in the Imperial Hall.”

“So… you want me to throw a grand party? Funded by the royal treasury?”

“If you promise me that, I will gladly accept the Emperor’s order and fulfill my duty as envoy.”

“Ha. Your duty as envoy is nothing more than attending Keltman’s festival under the name of Chaield’s fiancée. Are you unaware of this?”

“There’s one more thing, Your Majesty.”

“…!”

“I will do my utmost to ensure Princess Nadia’s safety throughout the journey.”

Bered’s face fell into shock. He hadn’t expected her to consider that. It was clear she had understood everything. Amel waited patiently for the Emperor’s response.

Princess Nadia was Bered’s most beloved sister. Sending her to Keltman had undoubtedly weighed heavily on his mind. There was no need to read his thoughts to know that he would do anything to ensure her safety.

‘He’ll agree—he has no choice.’

Guards and knights from other noble families would undoubtedly face resistance in Keltman.

But Chaield was different. With its heavy involvement in Keltman’s industrialization, capital improvement projects, imports, and exports, its presence carried weight.

‘I feel a bit guilty for taking advantage of Kyle and Chaield like this…’

Those who had nothing to their name had to bargain with the value of their own existence. Amel was fully aware of her worth.

In the end, Bered reluctantly agreed to all her demands, his spirit drained.

Amel stood up only after receiving the imperial letter bearing the Emperor’s signature.

“…Amelia Diane.”

“Yes?”

“Never mind. You may go.”

Bered shook his head in disbelief at her audacity and cunning. Underestimating the woman who had managed to tame the “Monster Duke” was a mistake.

By the time the carriage exited the palace gates, my tension began to ease. I rested my head against the window, closing my eyes.

‘Negotiating with His Majesty is utterly exhausting. I didn’t even need to push this hard.’

Bered was probably fuming right now. Granting the Imperial Lily Medal and holding a grand ceremony in the Imperial Hall would require considerable effort and expense.

But if Lady Diane, recipient of the Imperial Lily Medal, were to host a banquet in the palace hall and invite her parents, the Diane family would regain access to the palace and a foothold in high society.

It was a deal that had secured everything I wanted. I had won. Yet, my head ached, and my heart felt uneasy.

‘…It wasn’t a victory won solely by my own merits.’

I glanced at the engagement ring on my left hand, adorned with Chaield’s crest. I had leveraged my status as Chaield’s fiancée to win this deal.

But was it just my status? The carriage I rode in, the white horses pulling it, the coachman, the dress I wore, and the jewels I adorned—all were provided by Chaield.

‘Don’t overthink it. This deal was far more beneficial than harmful.’

I felt no regret for using Kyle. Guilt pricked at my conscience, but for someone with nothing, clinging to moral high ground only led to insignificance.

Still, memories of tirelessly serving tables and clearing dishes in South Korea resurfaced, leaving me uneasy.

Back then, as now, I couldn’t alter my circumstances with my own power alone.

Would I have to rely on others’ status and push myself to the limit to secure my place in the future, too?

As my head throbbed, I asked the coachman, “…Could you take me to the Diane estate, please?”

“My lady, are you not returning directly to Chaield Manor?”

“I’d like to rest for a bit. I’ll return to Chaield before dinnertime.”

The coachman glanced at Vanessa, seated across from me in a maid’s uniform, before responding. Vanessa immediately checked my expression.

“My lady, are you feeling unwell?”

“My head aches a little, but I’ll be fine after some rest at home.”

At my repeated request, the coachman redirected the carriage toward the Diane estate. Relief washed over me as the familiar sight of the Diane mansion came into view, and the coachman expertly brought the carriage to a stop.

“My lady, I’ll return in two hours to fetch you.”
“Thank you. Please wait nearby; His Grace might worry if he finds out.”

Vanessa got out first to help me down. I sighed as I clutched the hem of my dress.

“Vanessa, stay in the carriage. My room is just over there. If anything happens, I’m counting on you.”

“…Understood.”

I entered the Diane mansion, greeted by my worried parents.

We exchanged brief words, but their voices seemed to float past me, failing to penetrate my foggy mind.

“Amel, you don’t look well. Are you all right?”

“…I’m sorry. May I go upstairs to rest?”
After receiving their consent, I ascended to my room.

‘Don’t overthink it. Just rest for a bit and sort it out later.’

One month. I just had to endure for one month. After that, I wouldn’t have to handle things like this again. For now, I’d ask Kyle to understand and provide minimal assistance for the journey.
‘Kyle will be at the manor, so I can’t take too many people with me. I’ll request only the necessary companions to make the trip manageable.’

Once I shamelessly secured Chaield’s support for restoring the Diane estate, I wouldn’t need to risk myself for money again.

‘…Why must I scrape by like this even in this life?’

I collapsed onto the bed, fatigue engulfing me like after running multiple part-time shifts. Though I wanted to cry, the tension hadn’t fully left me, and the tears wouldn’t come.

I removed each piece of jewelry from Chaield and set them gently beside the bed before closing my eyes.

Kyle’s expression darkened as he rose from his desk after finishing the day’s duties and glanced out the window.

By now, the carriage should have arrived, but it hadn’t.

‘Why isn’t she here yet?’

A sinking feeling crept into him—a foreboding sense that something might have happened to his fiancée.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sight of a Chaield carriage racing toward the manor at an alarming speed. Kyle immediately left his office and headed to the first floor, where the breathless coachman had just arrived after pushing the horses to their limits.

“What happened?” Kyle asked sharply.

“P-pardon me… My lady… my lady…”

The coachman couldn’t catch his breath, but the entire Chaield staff stopped what they were doing, their eyes fixed on him. Gasping for air, the coachman finally blurted out:
“My lady seemed… upset!”

“…!”

The entire household froze, their hearts sinking at the news.