The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 59

Meanwhile, Kyle Chaield was restless for reasons entirely different from Amel’s. His expression had been grim from the moment he stepped out of the carriage and remained so as he greeted the guests.

“Does the White Palace not have any sense? Are they short on rooms?”

Through tireless efforts, it was now common knowledge among the continent’s nobility that Amelia Diane was Kyle Chaield’s fiancée. Keltman would be no exception.
Yet no one had thought of the simple courtesy of assigning them the same room. While suitors lined up, bearing gifts and seeking favors, none had managed this basic gesture.

“Your Grace, Duke Chaield, thank you for your arduous journey. This is a small token of appreciation from our count’s family.”

“Please, accept this honey, harvested exclusively in our lands.”

Kyle returned their pleasantries with a polite, business-like smile and sent them on their way.
Despite proper etiquette dictating that guests be given time to rest after arriving, Keltman’s nobles were relentless, requesting audiences one after another.

“It must mean Keltman’s political situation is precarious. What has the White Duke done now?”
Though Kyle had a general idea, it seemed the unpaid wages of the miners had caused a serious stir.

“Inviting emissaries from multiple nations must be their attempt to open negotiation channels.”
Despite the numerous visitors vying for his favor, the fact that he and his fiancée were assigned separate rooms was nothing short of torment.

After dismissing the last of the nobles, Kyle reclined lazily on the sofa. His head ached with longing to see his fiancée. It was severe, to the point of being debilitating.

Yet, he couldn’t simply barge into her room. He had no intention of being perceived as idle or frivolous.

Kyle’s crimson eyes scanned his room. The attendants unpacking his belongings suddenly moved with heightened urgency.

Soon, his loyal butler, Hild, exclaimed as if he had discovered a treasure.

“Your Grace! Your sister left her gloves in the carriage!”

“Well, I’ll have to return them to her, then.”
At last, an excuse to visit her.

Kyle rose from his seat, gloves in hand, his spirits lifted. He already knew where his fiancée had been lodged.

Draping a thick black cloak over his shoulders, he strode purposefully through the halls. Though he hadn’t visited the White Palace often, its layout was etched clearly in his mind.

“Your Grace, the corridors are said to be heavily guarded by Keltman soldiers.”

It wouldn’t do to give the impression of a duke with nothing better to do than follow his fiancée around.

“…The window is large enough for an adult man to fit through.”

Standing before the window, he hesitated. Amel’s room was on the second floor. As a nobleman, he had his pride.

Of course, if no one had been watching, he would’ve scaled the wall in seconds, tearing down vines along the way. But this was Keltman, and a duke’s dignity had to be preserved.

As Kyle furrowed his brow in deep contemplation, Amel noticed him from the window and waved.
Her light brown hair was damp, and a fragrant floral scent wafted from the shrubbery around her.

She had clearly just finished bathing.
“I’m going through the window.”

Reading the resolve in his master’s eyes, Kyle’s subordinates began forming a human ladder beneath the window.

Just as Kyle prepared to step onto the lowest man’s knee, a familiar voice called out.
“Your Grace, Duke Chaield?”

Kyle reluctantly released the vine he had gripped and turned toward the speaker. Princess Lien. Today, she had chosen to interfere with him.
The human ladder collapsed as if it had never existed. Kyle, wearing his signature cold expression, greeted her.

“A chance meeting, Your Highness.”

“…”

Lien suppressed a laugh. Despite being caught attempting to climb through a window into his fiancée’s room, the duke remained as shameless as ever.

She could’ve informed the guards, causing a minor commotion, but she chose not to. Witnessing the great Duke Chaield stoop to such undignified lengths was amusing enough.

“Were you planning to climb through the window to reach your fiancée’s room?”

“I was not. I merely stopped by to return something she left behind.”

“Then allow me. I will be meeting Lady Diane shortly and can deliver it to her myself.”

“I’ll handle it personally. But thank you for the offer.”

Kyle’s tone was icy despite the polite words. Moments ago, he had been burning with passion, but now that warmth was gone.

Lien couldn’t help but feel dejected. How was she supposed to seduce a man so deeply in love? She thought back to her father’s absurd demands.
“Even so, for a man of his stature to climb through a window…”

She had expected the Monster Duke to be cold and unfeeling, but it seemed he had a fiery side.

If only that passion had been directed at her, she might’ve already freed herself from her father’s schemes.

Deep in thought, Lien decided to keep her options open.

“May I have a private word with you?”

“This had better be important.”

At Kyle’s gesture, his subordinates withdrew. Lien stepped into the shadow of a pillar and began to speak.

“I’ll be honest with you. My father ordered me to seduce you. But seeing as you were willing to climb through a window for your fiancée, it seems like a futile endeavor.”

“You’re correct. There will be no breaking of engagements in Chaield.”

Before she could even attempt to seduce him, she already felt rejected. Lien forced a strained smile.

“…I was about to say that I’m not too thrilled about it myself. It’s my father’s order, but even I find it absurd.”

“It was a pleasure speaking with you.”

“W-wait! I’m just getting to the point.”

Lien barely managed to stop Kyle, who was about to turn and leave.

“Duke Chaield, are you interested in buying my information at a fair price?”

“Chaield always pays double for something truly rare. Whether the information you hold is valuable or not, we’ll have to see.”

“…My father has recently taken in a mysterious advisor. They’re plotting something together. If you want more details, you’ll have to come to my room.”

Her gesture was alluring, but Kyle stood firmly in place as he replied.

“I had high hopes, given your claim that the information was rare, but I’m disappointed.

That’s something Chaield’s intelligence network has already uncovered. It’s also a well-known rumor in the Hail Empire.”

“…”

“It’s no secret that your father has been using clever tactics to pressure the Hail Empire lately, largely thanks to the help of that advisor—or rather, the Gargoyle Count. Your information is worth next to nothing.”

Before leaving for Keltman, the Chaield intelligence unit had already been operating at full capacity.

It was only natural they knew more than Lien, who was treated like an afterthought in the White Palace.

“It seems barging into my fiancée’s room isn’t going to happen.”

As Kyle turned to leave, he heard Lien grinding her teeth. He stopped and spoke in a low voice, just loud enough for her to hear.

“While your information is worthless, I’ll share something important with you: If you value your life, don’t meddle with my fiancée. Either propose a better deal or stay out of my way.”

“…”

“And remember, only one person has the right to make use of Chaield.”

Kyle glanced wistfully at the window where Amel had briefly appeared, then turned and walked away. If Princess Lien reacted this strongly, there was only one explanation.

“It’s certain—the Gargoyle Count is inside the White Palace.”

For the emissaries from the Hail Empire, there wasn’t much in the way of official duties.
Their main role was to spend a pleasant and comfortable time in Keltman, demonstrating to the world that “our relationship is still strong.”
Today’s event, a tea time, was the first step in fulfilling that role.

“Vanessa, how do I look today?”

“My lady, you’re always beautiful. Why ask now? Are you hoping I’ll shower you with endless praise like the Chaield siblings?”

“No, I’m asking if I look suitable for attending Keltman’s tea time. This isn’t the Hail Empire.”

As someone living inside a book, even tea times in the Hail Empire hadn’t been entirely comfortable for me. But attending one in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people made me even more nervous.

“I mustn’t make any mistakes in observing Keltman’s etiquette.”

After confidently boasting to Verd, I needed to perform well. If my mistakes tarnished the reputation of the delegation’s women, I’d never be able to show my face again.

“It could hurt my wealth and honor. That cannot happen.”

I thought about the imperial lily medal I had been promised and gave my outfit another once-over. The Keltman-style attire, with fur embellishments, leather boots, and a long tail-feathered decoration, was striking.

“It’s practical and comfortable, at least.”
The outfit was sorted. Now it was just a matter of conversation and etiquette. I had perfected etiquette through special training with Claire, so that wasn’t an issue.

As long as I didn’t make any major blunders in conversation, I’d be fine.
“Shall we go, Vanessa?”

Taking a deep breath, I headed to the tea time venue. Along the way, I noticed Lady Gretel and Princess Nadia looking visibly tense.

“Lady Diane, Lady Gretel, have you heard anything about Princess Lien?”

Princess Nadia asked, looking anxious. Heard of her? Vanessa had gone on endlessly about her last night while gossiping with other Chaield staff.
“My lady, Princess Lien is no joke. They say she’s obsessed with swordsmanship. And apparently, she doesn’t get along well with her father, the White Duke.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. They say her personality is peculiar, too. Once she’s fixated on something, she becomes unstoppable. Just be careful.”

In the original story, Princess Lien’s unusual nature was briefly mentioned. She was a lively and skilled fighter, the quintessential “proactive princess.”

“…But her character is far more nuanced than that.”

Her actions in the story had been chilling. After Kyle ordered Keltman’s destruction, the White Duke marked densely populated areas on a map, saying, “Whoever eradicates these regions will get what they desire.”

Days later, Lien obliterated those areas.
The description of her smiling serenely as she wiped out entire populations was particularly haunting.

“If I’d known we’d meet like this, I would’ve read that section more carefully.”

Her reward, as I vaguely recalled, was to study martial arts abroad. Though I couldn’t remember the destination, her actions spoke of desperation.

In the end, she left Keltman after showcasing her skills. However, the knight she had wanted as her mentor had already died. That was the last mention of her in the story.

“Oh, there she is.”

Lady Gretel pointed my attention ahead.

Sure enough, Princess Lien and several noblewomen from Keltman were seated, dressed elegantly and waiting for us.

“It’s an honor to spend this afternoon filled with the vitality of nature with all of you from the Hail Empire,” Princess Lien greeted.
Unlike her mention in the original story, she exuded grace and poise.
Rising with deliberate elegance, she personally greeted each member of our group, shaking hands one by one. I was no exception.

“I’ve heard much about you, Lady Diane. I understand you’re skilled in swordsmanship. I hope to see your abilities sometime.”

“You flatter me, Your Highness. I’d be embarrassed to display my skills in front of someone like you.”

While responding modestly, I tried to glean her inner thoughts. What I caught was unexpected.
“That ring on her hand… That’s Chaield’s engagement ring. And I’m supposed to claim it?”

“No. If the Monster Duke was willing to climb through her window, I stand no chance.”

“But still… I can’t give up. As long as that man remains behind my father’s screen, leaving this place is my only option.”

“That man.” I instantly knew who she meant.