The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 54

Had this response been given at any other duchy’s estate, Amel would have been dragged out and beaten for her insolence. But this was the Chaield estate.

“…!”

The coachman’s words were enough to shock everyone present, including Kyle. The cheerful Lady Diane feeling downcast? It seemed unimaginable.

Of course, no one was more affected by the news than Kyle himself. The thought of what might have happened at the palace left his mind reeling.

“Where is she now?” he demanded.

The coachman relayed Amel’s current location and condition in painstaking detail. With every word, a shadow darkened Kyle’s face.

“Hild, I’m heading to the Diane estate first. Finish what I assigned and follow me.”

“As you command. I’ll have the swiftest horse prepared immediately.”

Kyle wasted no time mounting his horse. This wasn’t a situation for the leisurely pace of a carriage.

Using a shortcut and a fast horse, Kyle reached the Diane estate in no time. As he glanced up at the sky, his brow furrowed.

“What are you doing up there?” he barked.

“Ugh…”

It was Vanessa, who was supposed to be guarding Amel, lounging on the roof and snacking on dried meat. Seeing the disheveled state of the Chaield Duke who had raced over, Vanessa clicked her tongue.

‘The coachman who raced back to report my lady’s mood and now the Duke rushing over—this whole duchy is mad.’

Vanessa decided not to waste her time conversing with the madman.

“My lady said she wanted to be alone. She’s in her room and asked me not to follow. She even looked teary as she told me, so I had no choice but to keep watch from here.”

“…”

Kyle found Vanessa’s attitude irritating, but he let it go for now. After greeting the Diane Count and Countess, he headed straight to the second floor.

When he knocked on the door and received no response, his heart sank.

“…My lady?”

“…”

“Are you inside?”

Kyle waited patiently—for about three seconds. When no answer came, fear gripped him, and he carefully opened the door. For a moment, he stood frozen in the doorway.

Amel lay on the bed, eyes closed, looking fragile and forlorn. Scattered around her on the floor were the jewels he had given her as gifts.

‘What happened at the palace…? Did that bastard Bered do something?’

Suppressing the anger bubbling within him, Kyle checked his fiancée carefully. She didn’t appear to have any external injuries, which gave him some relief.

The coachman had mentioned she complained of a mild headache, so perhaps letting her rest was the best course of action.

Kyle quietly walked over, sat on the floor with his back against the bed, and began gathering the discarded jewels. Seeing his gifts strewn about pained him.

‘It must’ve been an accident while she was asleep. She wouldn’t have discarded them intentionally.’

Even as he tried to convince himself, the truth gnawed at him.

‘No… it looks deliberate.’

Had she truly cast aside these gifts? If so, was it because they were from him?

Kyle pressed his lips into a tight line and silently placed the jewels on the table. Just as he was closing his eyes to collect himself, he felt a light touch on his head.

“When did you arrive, Kyle?” Amel’s soft voice called to him.

The gentle fingers tousling his hair bore the engagement ring he’d given her, and Kyle’s tense expression eased slightly.

“My lady, are you all right?”

“What did you hear to make you ask that?”

“…”

Amel climbed down from the bed and sat beside him. She thought she’d feel guilt or self-loathing when looking at his face, but after some rest, surprisingly, she felt nothing.

‘…Or maybe it’s because he looks ridiculously handsome as always.’

The thought of not seeing this face for a month saddened her. She’d miss his voice, his warmth, and his comforting embrace.

But she had no choice. A poverty that didn’t leave you starving but deprived you of all options forced difficult decisions.

For herself and for the Diane family, Amel had to go to Keltman.

Kyle noticed the faraway look in her eyes, as though her thoughts were drifting to some distant place.

“My lady, why are you wearing that expression?”
“…What expression?”

“Like someone who’s about to leave.”

“Kyle, may I ask for a moment of your time? I’d like to tell you what happened at the palace today.”

Amel explained the day’s events, omitting any disparaging remarks about Bered. This deal was something she had wanted entirely of her own volition.

“Under those conditions, His Majesty proposed that I join the delegation. It’s an offer I couldn’t refuse. Once I return, I’ll be able to change so much.”

“…You’ve already decided to go.”

“I want to go. If possible, could you arrange for a small group to accompany me? I’m sorry to burden you with such a request.”

Kyle couldn’t find the words to respond. Watching his fiancée, who looked guilty with every word, stirred something in him.

He hated seeing her so apologetic, as if she were a criminal. It angered him that she’d been alone with that bastard Bered.

Hearing her attach “I’m sorry” to every sentence because of that man’s proposal made him furious, but the idea of her planning to leave alone was what truly infuriated him.

He wanted to meet her gaze and ask:
‘Why do you assume I wouldn’t go with you? Why do you think I’d let you go alone when I fully intend to accompany you?’

As frustration overwhelmed him, Kyle ran a hand down his face. Seeing him like this, Amel hesitantly murmured, “I’m sorry, Kyle. Can I use Chaield’s resources one last time?”

“…My lady, why are you apologizing for using the cards in your hand? I don’t understand what makes you feel so guilty that you keep apologizing to me.”

If this conversation had taken place at another duchy’s estate, Amel might have been dragged out and beaten for speaking so boldly. But this was the Chaield estate.

“…!”

The coachman’s words shocked everyone present, including Kyle. The cheerful Lady Diane feeling downcast? It was almost unthinkable.

Of course, no one was more shaken by the news than Kyle. The thought of what might have transpired at the palace left him in darkness.

“What was she thinking?” he muttered.

Kyle could have provided as many guards and attendants as she needed, whether it was dozens or hundreds. He was even planning to accompany her himself.

Naturally, everything Amel required should come from Chaield. After all, she was to become the Duchess of Chaield.

Yet, hearing Amel speak as if she were begging for help drove Kyle to the edge.

Why was she apologizing for using what was hers? Why did she feel the need to ask permission? His gaze fell to the discarded jewelry scattered on the floor, filling him with despair.

Kyle locked eyes with Amel and spoke firmly.

“If this is what you truly want, I’ll help you.

But you need to explain something to me—clearly. Knowing the current situation, what are you trusting in to make such a decision? What is driving you to go to Keltman?”

Though his voice carried traces of anger, Kyle’s tone was more desperate than anything.

Please say you trust me. Say you trust Chaield, and that’s why you’re willing to take this risk. Say you knew your fiancé would protect you and follow you no matter what.

Please whisper that you never intended to leave without me.

Kyle silently prayed for these answers over and over, but Amel was resolute.

“Kyle, I’m sorry, but I’m going for money and honor. No matter how many times you ask, that won’t change. You’ll never understand how I feel.”

“…Even if it’s a lie, can’t you just say it? Say you trust me—trust Chaield completely.”
“No.”

Her curt response made Kyle’s heart plummet to the floor. But Amel continued without hesitation.

“Not now, not ever will I rely solely on you or Chaield. That’s why I’m going to Keltman.”

“…”

“Kyle, I don’t want to depend on you alone. I want to fulfill my role as an envoy, gain wealth and honor, and stand beside you on my own two feet. Do you understand… Kyle?”

Amel’s sharp declaration faltered as she noticed Kyle’s reaction. The man, who had been simmering with anger just moments before, now stood frozen, his face red as an apple.

She waved a hand in front of his face, but he didn’t respond. Sighing, she reached out and grasped his hand. As expected, his inner thoughts became clear.

“I want to stand beside Kyle on my own two feet…”
“So… what she wants, after gaining wealth and honor, is to be by my side…”

“On her own two feet… beside me… she means me!”
Kyle was replaying “I want to stand beside Kyle on my own two feet” in his mind like a mantra, his ears burning bright red.

“Kyle, are you okay?”

“…Were you serious about what you just said?”
“I was. The Diane family may never become as great as Chaield, but I’m tired of depending on you alone.”

“That’s what you meant…”

“Yes. So will you help me, so I can stand by you on my own? I am Chaield’s fiancée—”

Amel stopped mid-sentence, startled. Kyle had suddenly slipped her engagement ring off her finger.

She blinked in confusion. It was the first time Kyle had ever taken her ring away. Perhaps her request had gone too far.

When she met his gaze, silently asking for an explanation, Kyle looked away awkwardly.

“Just take it off for a moment.”

“Is this punishment for taking advantage of you?”
“…No. It’s because I might have inappropriate thoughts.”

From the moment she said she wanted to stand by his side, impure thoughts had flooded his mind. Taking the ring off, even temporarily, felt like a wise move.

Kyle felt his throat go dry for entirely different reasons than before.

He wondered if she realized she’d just pulled him out of despair and into euphoria with a single sentence. He didn’t dare ask.

“She said she wants to stand beside me.”

The more he replayed her words, the better he felt. With bright eyes fixed on Amel, Kyle spoke with newfound energy.

“I’ll gladly help you achieve wealth and honor.

Tell me what you need—attendants, supplies, anything.”

“Really?”

“But I’m coming with you.”

“That’s strange. I thought I just told you I wouldn’t depend on you completely.”

Kyle twirled a lock of her hair around his fingers and replied shamelessly.

“I just happen to have some business in Keltman. I need to inspect Chaield’s projects there. I’m not so idle as to follow you around aimlessly.”

“Kyle, if you’re so busy, you don’t have to come—”

“I’m not that busy. Preparations will begin tomorrow.”

Kyle grinned like a child receiving a gift box of sweets. In his mind, he was already planning the trip—or rather, their honeymoon—to Keltman.