The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 63

The early morning sunlight rested lightly on Amel’s eyelids. As she debated whether to sleep a little longer, she felt strong arms gently encircle her. She opened her eyes to find Kyle holding her close.

Feigning sleep, she kept her eyes playfully closed, sneaking a glance at his well-defined features. His lips, slightly curved in a soft smile, and his sharp nose created a face so striking that even half-asleep, it captivated her.

Somehow, Kyle was already awake, washed, and dressed neatly enough to step out at any moment. Amel glanced at the time and murmured, “Kyle, are you leaving?”

“I think I should head back to my room before everyone wakes up.”

“Stay a little longer.”

“If we were married, there’d be no need for such unnecessary sneaking around.”

Though frustrated by Keltman’s insistence on separate rooms, Kyle merely smiled brightly. Since the ball was later that evening, he figured he could endure until then.

“Well, I’ll head out now before too many people are up.”

“They’re probably already awake…”

Amel gave him a light kiss on the forehead and watched as Kyle left the room. Just before stepping out, he paused as if remembering something.

“Tonight’s ball is supposed to include fireworks. I hope you’ll stay by my side for them.”

His tone, though polite, carried an almost sly undertone, as if he had something in mind beyond simply watching fireworks together.

“Milady, so why did Princess Nadia visit last night?”

As the ball approached, Vanessa was tending to Amel’s hair and casually asked the question. Amel briefly recalled her conversation with Nadia from the previous night.

“She didn’t seem to have a specific reason. I think she’s just feeling unsettled. It’s her first time performing an official role abroad, even though she’s a member of the imperial family.”

“Do you think she’s relying on you?”
“Well, it’s better to have her lean on me than view me with suspicion.”
Vanessa’s movements slowed as if she were lost in thought. Curious, Amel focused her mind and read her inner thoughts.

“Why visit so late at night? Is she trying to curry favor with Milady to secure a connection to Chaield?”

“Then again, she probably had no idea Kyle was hiding in the wardrobe, grinding his teeth in frustration.”

“What rotten timing… Now she’s earned herself some animosity. Tsk, tsk.”

The mental image of Vanessa and Kyle huddled together in the wardrobe made Amel chuckle softly. She hoped the two wouldn’t grow to hate each other too much.

Deciding not to comment, Amel allowed Vanessa to finish her work and turned her attention to her reflection in the mirror.
The staff of Chaield worked deftly, applying subtle makeup and spritzing a light perfume over her.
“Milady, you really suit your hair loose rather than braided up.”

“But didn’t we decide yesterday to go with an updo to match the dress?”

“Well…”

Vanessa glanced away awkwardly, avoiding Amel’s gaze. Through Vanessa’s thoughts, Amel caught her true feelings.

“Damn that Duke Chaield… Did he smear honey on Milady’s neck? What a mess!”

It seemed she might need to keep herself bundled in fur for the evening.

At the ball, Amel had two main objectives: to ensure Princess Nadia’s safety, as promised to Verd, and to confirm whether Ithar de Traiha had arrived in Keltman.

“Why does it have to be a masquerade ball of all things?”
Though the staff and Butler Hild assured her Ithar wasn’t attending, she had an uneasy feeling.

If he was the type to enjoy grand gatherings, there was no way he’d miss tonight. Seeing for herself would be faster than relying on rumors.
As promised, envoys from various countries gathered in the hall, sipping champagne and engaging in conversation. Each delegation’s attire followed a slightly different dress code, making it easy to distinguish their origins at a glance.

“Milady, are you looking for someone?”
Amel raised her hand to her lips and spoke softly. “Vanessa, you said you’ve seen Traiha’s Third Prince before. Do you remember his face?”
“I never forget a face. The masks might be a little annoying, but I can try to spot him for you.”

“Please, but only if it doesn’t distract you from your duties.”

“Oh, Milady, have some faith in me.”
Vanessa winked and began scanning the crowd with sharp eyes. Meanwhile, from across the room, a group approached: the White Duke, his two sons, and Princess Lien.

Lien stood out the most among them. Always exuding a unique charm, tonight she appeared even more striking, her mature elegance at odds with her youthful age.

“She’s targeting Kyle, no doubt.”
There was no way Amel would let her have him. Still, she could understand how fiercely Lien might desire the opportunity to train in martial arts abroad.

“May the White Duke’s palace be forever graced with sunlight,” greeted the envoys, bowing politely in the Keltman fashion. Amel, like the others, curtsied, holding the hem of her dress.

When she looked up, the White Duke’s party was directly before her. He spoke to her with a kind smile.

“Lady Diane, of all the times I’ve seen you in the White Duke’s palace, you look most serene today.”

“…Thank you.”

“People are always at ease when wearing clothes that suit them best. If someone of modest stature dons overly fine garments, they end up disgracing themselves and damaging their pride. The same principle applies not just to clothing, but to all things.”

Amel held a composed smile, elegant and demure, refusing to let her displeasure show. Losing her composure would be unwise.

Still, it stung. How could it not? The veiled remark suggested she was better off without Kyle and implied she was unsuited for her current position. And “clothes that don’t fit”?
“You mean that clothing reflects the dignity of its wearer?”

“Exactly. That’s what most people here would think.”

“I’ve always thought clothes are entirely the owner’s possession, so if they don’t fit, they can simply be altered. But it seems the White Duke sees a deeper meaning even in a single piece of clothing.”

“Altered?”

“With a little help and some adjustments, there’s no outfit in the world that can’t be worn—no matter who the wearer is.”

I maintained a soft, practiced social smile as I glanced at myself in the mirror. After all, Gidima likely saw me as a woman who had lucked into wealth by finding the right man.

I didn’t feel the need to explain how or why things had come to be as they were. There was no point.

“What are you two discussing?”

And yet, it wasn’t Gidima’s thick, muscular arm resting on my shoulder now—it was Kyleian Chaield’s.

In other words, the clothes Gidima spoke of wanting were already on me.

“The White Duke was offering me some guidance. It’s a shame you didn’t hear it, Your Grace.”
“Perhaps the Duke could share some wisdom with me as well?”

Kyle’s gaze turned toward Gidima, who gave a half-hearted excuse and quickly stepped away. It was a moment that highlighted the sheer influence of Chaield.

Only the two princes and Princess Lien remained. Lien exchanged a long look with Kyle, her eyes filled with unspoken intent—like a seasoned businessperson negotiating a deal.
As I watched them, a hand suddenly extended toward me.

“Lady Diane. I am Lijin, the second son of Duke Gidima. Would you honor me with a dance? For the sake of Hail and Keltman, what do you say?”
Why was he looking to Kyle for approval while asking me to dance? It was a public invitation, making it difficult to refuse.
A quick glance showed Kyle wearing a businesslike smile, watching the extended hand in front of me. Meanwhile, Lien had also stepped forward and asked Kyle for a dance.

“Duke Chaield, would you do me the honor of a dance?”

“Please make it brief, so my fiancée doesn’t have to wait too long.”
For some reason, Kyle’s gaze shifted to the sharp, calculating look he often wore during negotiations.

After meeting countless connections Kyleian Chaield had cultivated across nations, the ball was nearing its end. As he left briefly to fetch champagne, I turned to Vanessa.

“Vanessa, did you find him?”
“No… I don’t think he’s here. I’ve been watching carefully, but keeping an eye on those approaching Princess Nadia made it hard to focus.”
“Who’s approaching her?”

“A lot of older men. Princess Nadia seems uncomfortable, but they keep coming.”
“Keep an eye on her. I’m fine with Kyle or Butler Hild nearby.”

From a distance, I saw Kyle returning. Vanessa squeezed my hand as though leaving me with her final words.

“Got it, but you should take care of yourself too, Milady. Don’t starve yourself with all that dieting nonsense. You’ve been more active lately, haven’t you?”

“What?”
Vanessa simply smiled, but her thoughts were clear to me.

“The Duke seems to be going all out today.”
“There’s no way I’d ever deal with a young, overly energetic man. How does he have so much stamina…?”

When Kyle arrived with the champagne, Vanessa made way, leaving the balcony to the two of us.
The murmurs of the crowd faded into the background, blending with the ball’s music. Ever since coming to Keltman as part of the envoy, the constant tension had made moments like this feel rare and precious.

Especially now, after learning that Count Gargoyle was hiding in the heart of the White Duke’s palace, my nerves had been on edge.

Leaning sideways, I rested my face against Kyle’s chest, his arm loosely draped around me. The fireworks the White Duke had arranged to welcome the envoys began, painting the sky with vibrant colors.

The scene was breathtakingly beautiful, the atmosphere surprisingly romantic. Sipping my champagne, I let out a lighthearted laugh.

“I hope we can come up with a plan to capture Count Gargoyle soon. It’d be nice to spend the rest of this trip like this.”

Kyle responded with a small chuckle, as if silently assuring me that it would all work out. Just as I was about to ask him about that confidence, it happened.

Boom!

The loud noise reverberated through the night, yet no fireworks lit up the sky. Instead, flames began rising from the central part of the White Duke’s palace.

Then came the frantic shouts of the crowd.
“Fire, there’s a fire…!”

“It’s the direction of the Duke’s office! Send someone to put it out immediately!”

“An accident on such an important day…”

Could it be a coincidence? A soldier from Keltman had accidentally fired a firework into the Duke’s office—the very place where Count Gargoyle was rumored to be hiding.

I turned to Kyle with a serious expression.
“…Kyle.”

“Fortunately, there seem to be no casualties,” he said calmly.

As expected, his crimson eyes shifted subtly to the side, evading mine.