The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 7

Even in my dreams, I seemed to groan in pain as my fever burned on.

I thought I’d escaped ruin by running from the wealthy male lead, but now the alarming thought crossed my mind that this fever might actually be the end of me.

“Haa… haa…”

I gasped for air, bolting upright. Though the nightmare’s details were vague, it had been disturbing enough to bring tears streaming down my face.

I felt dizzy. Perhaps my fever had worsened, as the world seemed to spin even while I was sitting still.

Hoping a sip of water would help, I tried to rise slowly, but froze when I saw a familiar figure.

“Kyle…?”

His calm red eyes were filled with worry. It was not the expression of someone destined to throw the continent into war within two years.

“Kyle? How did you get here?”

With an enormous bouquet of roses in hand as if he’d come for a date, Kyle set it casually on a nearby stool, his gaze fixed on me with concern.

I was the one sick, yet he looked as if he were the one in pain. Had something terrible happened in his life?

“…Are you alright?”

Clearly restless, Kyle removed his jacket, draping it over me, and poured a glass of cool water, holding it out for me.

But with no strength in my hands, I ended up spilling it all over myself.

“Sorry… I think your jacket got wet…”

Muffling the irritation in my throat, I muttered an apology, trying to shake the water off his jacket. But Kyle, his face inexplicably flushed, stopped me and kept his gaze intently on my face, seeming unconcerned about the wet jacket.

His glances were strangely awkward, as though he were actively avoiding looking at something he shouldn’t.

When I met his gaze, Kyle covered his face with a hand, blushing as red as his eyes, and muttered, “Did you invite me into your room for… this?”

“For… what?”

“Patients need rest. Pushing yourself won’t help. I’ll stay until you’re better, so please, show some restraint.”

“What… what did I even do…”

“…You’re tempting me.”

Following his gaze, I looked down at myself and, after a few seconds, my eyes widened.

I suddenly remembered throwing myself onto the bed after peeling off the dress marked with a seizure sticker. Though I was still wearing the thin underdress beneath, it had gotten soaked and clung to my skin, making everything clearly visible.

…Not just faintly see-through, but fully stuck to my skin in a way that was more provocative.

Hastily, I wrapped Kyle’s jacket tightly around myself and apologized.

“I’m so sorry… I wasn’t in my right mind…”

“It’s fine. But how long have you been this sick? The Diane couple mentioned you’d been feeling unwell.”

“Ah, well…”

I hesitated, meeting Kyle’s eyes.

The male lead in the story was known for his harsh temperament. Having already attempted to escape him once, saying the wrong thing now could spell disaster. If I wanted to avoid ruin, I’d have to tread carefully.

“That day… I was undressing for a bath when I started coughing…”
Apparently, I wasn’t cut out for lying. Who would actually believe that I ran off in the middle of the night just because I felt a cold coming on?

“Did you leave to avoid passing your cold to me?”

Wait, he actually believed that?

“I had no idea… I thought you’d abandoned me,” Kyle said, his words closer to my own original intentions. I had hoped never to cross paths with him again, but Kyle only smiled softly and sat beside me.

“Does it hurt a lot?”

“A little…”

I feel like I’m at death’s door.

Kyle brushed back my hair gently and placed a lingering kiss on my forehead. His gesture was so natural that I sat there stunned, only realizing after a moment what had happened, and quickly pushed him away in surprise.

Naturally, Kyle looked disappointed by my reaction.

“…Do you dislike me?”

Don’t speak in that sad puppy-dog voice! It’s too much for my heart!

His already-handsome face with that vulnerable expression was practically unbearable. But this was still Kyle, the eventual destroyer. Pushing him away coldly would be dangerous, so I had to keep things amicable while subtly hinting why we couldn’t get any closer.

“I’m sorry, Kyle, but this kind of thing is for couples who are officially dating.”

“Hmm… is that so.”

Contrary to my expectations, Kyle didn’t argue. He simply smiled again, bending down to pick up my dress from the floor.

“I’ve called for a doctor. For now, your clothes…”

As he flipped the dress back over, his expression hardened at the sight of the seizure sticker on the chest.

Grinding his teeth, he called out, “Hild. What is this about?”
Hild, the ever-present head butler, flinched at the sticker and bowed his head respectfully.

“I’ll find out who’s responsible for this immediately. Once we identify them, what would you like done?”

“Execut… no, dismiss them.”

Kyle seemed to change his answer, catching my reaction.
Once Hild exited, an attendant came in with a dress for me. Soft and cozy, it was perfect for a patient, warm and comfortable, with a loose fit. The only drawback was, like most dresses, it was impossible to put on alone.

After a brief hesitation, I looked at Kyle and asked, “Um, Kyle… would you mind calling back the attendant who left? This dress is hard to put on by myself.”

“I’m right here, aren’t I?”

“Thanks, but it’s a lady’s dress, so it’d be better if—”

“It’s no different from taking it off in reverse. I’ve already done that before.”

His gaze had changed considerably in the week we were apart. He looked as if he’d been holding back—and was just barely managing to keep it together.

With a gentle hand brushing over my shoulder strap, Kyle asked in an overly innocent voice, “Are you planning to put the new dress over your wet one? It’ll get soaked.”

“…Kyle. Don’t get any ideas; go stand by the wall.”

Disappointed he couldn’t help, Kyle nodded, replying in a voice filled with charm, “Yes, ma’am.”

＊＊＊

Once I had changed, the Diane Count and Countess entered, along with an entire medical team that looked capable of reviving the dead.

Kyle had gathered them all, each with unreadable expressions as he watched them proudly, waiting for acknowledgment.
…Well, this was better than seeing a second-rate doctor. Smiling awkwardly, I thanked him.

“Thank you, Kyle.”

“Amel, is ‘thank you’ all I’m getting?”

I was about to respond, but Kyle leaned down close, his face just inches from mine.

What on earth had happened over this past week? In the original story, he had hints of a possessive streak, but he’d never been this openly needy.

“Not here. How can I kiss you with everyone watching?” I whispered, just loud enough for him to hear.

Kyle looked disappointed but quickly answered, “Then I’ll handle it.”

Before I could respond, he leaned in and kissed my cheek, looking reluctant as he pulled away.

…Did someone sprinkle me with honey or something? Why is he so eager to touch me?

As Kyle kissed me, the doctors and attendants, who had tactfully looked away, began introducing themselves at Kyle’s signal.

“Greetings, Lady Diane. I am Paul Lemian, director of Chaield Hospital, the premier hospital of the empire,” the elderly man announced with authority.

Since when does the hospital director come to treat a cold?
Kyle’s assembled medical team was indeed the empire’s best. They efficiently assessed my condition while I caught sight of the Diane Count and Countess over the doctors’ shoulders.
They wore expressions that said, How did our Amel get mixed up with the Duke of Chaield?

Good question. I have no idea myself.

A moment later, the examination concluded, and the doctors looked at me with concern. The director seemed ready to deliver heavy news.

Kyle, who had politely stepped aside, returned, crossing his arms as he waited, then nodded at the director to continue. Taking the cue, the director spoke in a serious tone.

“Her condition is quite concerning. How did things get this bad…?”

The Diane Count and Countess gasped, making the sign of the cross, as the director went on.

“She must receive the highest quality care and rest in a place suited for her recovery—not in the Diane estate.”

He was right. Staying here might make things worse.

My mother seemed ready to sell her hair, and my father looked about to offer his corneas to cover my care costs.

In the midst of this somber moment, Kyle spoke with his usual smirk.

“Director, where would you suggest she stay?”

“Well, ideally, a place with an on-site medical team and the best facilities on the continent, like… the Duke of Chaield’s estate.”

…Wait, what?

Of course, the director was loyal to Kyleian Chaield, seeing him as his guiding light. Naturally, his allegiance lay with Kyle.
The director praised the Duke’s estate as if it were a miracle sanctuary, and the Diane Count and Countess seemed completely convinced.

Kyle, as the final touch, looked at me with an apologetic smile and said, “But, of course, it might be uncomfortable for a noble lady like you to stay at someone else’s residence.”

Funny, since when did you start calling me a noble lady?

Seeing my irritated look, Kyle flashed a satisfied grin as if everything were going according to plan and offered me the roses he’d brought.

“Given the situation, the only option is for us to start officially dating.”