The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 75

Meanwhile, Princess Lien of Keltman had taken refuge in the miners’ dormitory, situated right in the heart of the workers’ settlement.

“I couldn’t tell from the map, but it’s a lot closer to the mine than I thought.”

Originally, the dormitory was designed to significantly reduce commuting times and increase iron ore production. Now, however, it had become a rather dangerous place, far removed from its intended purpose.

Lien glanced out the window. Not far from the dormitory, miners were shouting angrily and striking the ground with their pickaxes in front of the mine.

“The deadline’s long past. Isn’t it time we take action against the White Sovereign Palace?”

“I heard the Chaield Duke is pulling out of the iron ore industry entirely…”

“And what about the wages we’re owed?”

“They say the White Sovereign will issue bonds to resolve the wage issue.”

“But if they wash their hands of it, we’ll be left with nothing. We need to act before that happens.”

The miners, who had been raising their voices, suddenly turned their attention to a single point.

Lien felt a bit awkward, realizing they were looking at her.

“Well, I guess it’s natural. Having the White Sovereign’s princess here must be throwing them off.”

But Lien wasn’t exactly comfortable in this place either.

The only reason she was staying at the miners’ dormitory—where she had no previous ties—was because of Kylian Chaield’s decision.

“I never expected him to offer me protection.”

It was, without a doubt, an unexpected gesture. The miners were enraged by the wage delays caused by the White Sovereign Palace, and if Chaield withdrew its capital and exited the iron ore industry entirely, these workers would find themselves homeless.

With Hail Empire’s envoys having cut their schedule short and returned home, the tense atmosphere between the two nations had escalated to the point where the miners were now planning an armed protest.

“So that’s why the pro-Chaield faction moved to villas near the mine…”

Lien pursed her lips tightly, trying to anticipate her father’s next move. No matter what clever strategy he employed, the victor seemed already decided.

A few days later, Kyle formally expressed his regret to Keltman. The tension in the White Sovereign Palace reached its peak.

“That cunning fox.”

Gidima scowled as he reread the freshly released statement.

“Chaield expresses regret to Keltman? Ha…”

The Chaield Duke, as if to assert who held the upper hand, exuded arrogance. His attitude conveyed the message that he could discard Keltman at any moment, grinding Gidima’s teeth in frustration.

To make matters worse, there was an unusual clause in the statement. All responses or counter-statements from Keltman would only be accepted if delivered through Princess Lien.

Speculations ran rampant, suggesting that the Chaield Duke might have taken a liking to Princess Lien. However, Gidima had a different theory.

“That cunning girl…”

The day of the hunting tournament had been marked by unfavorable weather. Despite this, the knights and rangers from Hail had located Kyle suspiciously quickly.

Later, Gidima learned that they had formed search teams and prioritized specific areas based on particular conditions. This meant someone had leaked information about the Gargoyle Count’s location.

“Lien. She worked her mind during that time.”

Perhaps it was because she realized Amelior Diane, the knight Amelia Diane so revered, was her father. Or perhaps Lien had struck a deal with the Duke merely to escape Keltman. Her betrayal had its reasons.

“It was Lien who secured the antidote to the Duke’s poison from the Tryha envoys, wasn’t it?”

In the end, the Chaield Duke, who might have succumbed to the strange power of the Gargoyle Count, survived thanks to the medicine Lien had provided.

“Why has she not been brought here yet? How much longer must I wait for her to be summoned?”

Gidima’s voice roared through the palace, and a servant scurried over, bowing low.

“Where is Lien? Have you still not found her?”

“Th-that is…”

“The White Sovereign Palace is not some back-alley street. Why is it taking so long to bring Lien here?”

“Apologies, Your Grace! After investigating, we discovered that the princess is not in the palace.”

Gidima was momentarily stunned by the unexpected response. The princess wasn’t in the palace?

“Has she run away? A grown woman, at that? No matter. She won’t get far. Deploy soldiers and bring her back immediately.”

“That may be difficult, Your Grace.”

“What, has she crossed the border already? Where on earth is she?”

“Well… the princess is currently at the Chaield Mines with her attendants.”

Gidima couldn’t believe his ears. The Chaield Mines, a site rich in iron ore deposits, lay not far from the White Sovereign Palace. Named after the Chaield family, which had financed its development, the mines were swarming with Chaield officials.

More recently, however, the mines had become infamous as the center of protests over unpaid wages.

“The princess of the royal family wouldn’t willingly go to such a place unless she had a death wish. Are you certain there’s no mistake?”

“There’s no mistake, Your Grace. We sent people to confirm it. The princess is staying in a villa near the mines and is reportedly under the protection of the mine officials.”

“Hah…”

So the Chaield Duke hadn’t made a reckless move after all. That family never played a losing hand.

While Gidima couldn’t discern the exact details of the Duke’s plan, he could tell one thing with certainty—the Duke’s target wasn’t Keltman, but him.

“If that’s the case, then I have no choice but to make a move myself.”

“Stop sending messengers so early in the morning. And no more correspondence after sunset, either.”

Verd shook his head in disbelief at Kyle’s unabashed complaints.

“Weren’t you once awake even at dawn? Or is it because you’re no longer sleeping alone? And let’s not forget, the Duke has been ignoring my summons for several days now.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“Busy? Even so, the Emperor summons you, and…”

“My apologies.”

“Don’t apologize with such an unapologetic face and tone.”

Kyle smirked. After days of sending messengers away, Verd was understandably exasperated.

“I read the statement you released in this morning’s paper. Could you, perhaps, seek my approval before publishing such things?”

“I submitted a report. Perhaps you didn’t see it?”

“I saw the report—that’s why I’ve been desperately calling for you. The way you left things hanging was like something out of a serialized novel. Did you really bring back the Gargoyle Count?”

“Yes. He’s alive for now, but he’s lost his ability to speak. Neither testimony nor written communication is possible.”

“What do you plan to do?”

When it came to the Gargoyle Count, even Kyle had to admit defeat. Not even Director Paul, renowned for reviving the near-dead, had been able to offer hope for his condition.

“He’s a useless piece, so I’ll dispose of him accordingly.”

“Fine. But now, tell me your grand plan to resolve this situation. Surely, you know my bl00d pressure is through the roof thanks to you.”

“I intended to discuss that, but I’ve been busy. My apologies.”

“You expect me to believe that…”

Verd didn’t need to guess why Kyle had been avoiding a face-to-face meeting. Sure, Kyle had been working—he was undoubtedly busy trying to clean up the chaos he’d caused. But the real reason he’d delayed reporting to the Emperor was likely Lady Diane.

“This is too much. You’re going to give me a stroke. You’ll go on to have children who look just like your fiancée and live happily ever after for generations, but what about me?”

Kyle simply raised his eyebrows, as if inviting Verd to continue.

“…I’m alone!” Verd finally exclaimed.

“Do you need a companion, Your Majesty?”

“How could I possibly marry anyone when you treat me like this? Huh? And don’t forget, your fiancée once kicked me! My confidence is already in the gutter!”

Kyle, who always clammed up whenever the “Doom of the Hail Imperial Family” incident involving Amel was mentioned, seemed different today.

“Since you’ve opened the door, I’ll say this: there will be a wedding next year.”

“I know. It’s written all over your face. If you don’t get married, you’ll die of lovesickness. The mighty Duke of Chaield, dead from unrequited love—it would be laughable.”

“The bride will be Princess Lien.”

Verd nearly choked on his tea.

“Cough—what? Princess Lien?”

“Yes. She’s close to my age, and this marriage is highly beneficial in the current situation.”

“And what about Lady Diane? I understand you’re exceptionally handsome and capable, but jumping from one woman to another like this…”

Kyle’s expression darkened, and Verd quickly closed his mouth. He decided to steer the conversation elsewhere.

“Princess Lien, huh. They say she’s the most beautiful and strongest woman in Keltman. Congratulations.”

Kyle smiled faintly, and that’s when Verd realized the Duke was withholding something.

“Wait a moment… You’re not…”

“The wedding won’t be next year. It’ll happen this year. Once the dowry arrangements are complete, the ceremony will proceed.”

“Then Princess Lien’s groom is…”

“Congratulations on your marriage, Your Majesty.”

“…”

Verd froze, his disbelief so profound that he could only gasp, his body jerking as if struggling for air.

Leaving the stunned Emperor behind, Kyle recalled his secret conversation with Lien. The beginning and end of this entire situation had been decided on the night of the ball, during a single waltz.

“Duke Chaield, I’ll be direct. Get me out of Keltman.”

“Why should I release you from your cage?”

“I’m not asking you to free me. I’m asking you to move me to a bigger cage.”

“What’s in it for me if I assist in your betrayal?”

Lien spun gracefully, her movements smooth and unhurried. She spoke as if it were of no importance.

“Entertainment, perhaps. After all, the one who called you a monster is now asking to become one.”

“Judging by how you’re weighing your homeland against yourself, I’d say you’ve already become one.”

“…”

“This is the most interesting proposal I’ve had in a while. I’ll send someone for you soon.”

As the waltz ended, so did their agreement. With Princess Lien in his grasp, the relationship between Keltman and Hail could spiral into chaos and still be salvaged.

“Duke Chaield, do you truly have no regard for my wishes? Do you not consider that I, too, have emotions and preferences?” Verd’s voice rose, but Kyle remained unmoved, a faintly mocking smile on his lips.

Emotions and preferences? If only the Emperor had considered such things while exploiting Chaield’s resources.

“Was it not Your Majesty who endangered my love by refusing my rejection? And yet, you expected me to allow you to hold sway over my affections?”

“…”

“Your Majesty seems to have a fondness for monsters. I hope you’ll enjoy this one as well.”

Kyle had little interest in the Emperor’s opinions or preferences.