The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 9

Three days had passed since Kyle had used Amelia Diane’s “recovery” as an excuse to bring her to the duchy. Every time he caught sight of her wandering in the garden, he found himself feeling strangely conflicted.

She doesn’t even glance in my direction.

Kyle was trying his best to follow Hild’s advice by keeping an indifferent attitude, yet Amelia showed no interest in him whatsoever. Instead, she spent her time exploring the estate, admiring the perfectly pruned hedges, the rose gardens, and the marble fountains multiple times a day.

Eventually, Kyle, growing impatient, called for Hild, directing his frustration at the one who had recommended this “push-and-pull” approach.

“Hild. Are you certain that push-and-pull is really effective?”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Hild replied without hesitation.

“Then why…”

Kyle let the words hang. Actually saying how he felt would make him seem pitiful.

Each time he heard that Amelia was out for a stroll, he’d quickly stand by the window, hoping to catch her eye. At first, he thought maybe she didn’t notice him because of his dark clothing.

But even when he shed his jacket and stood by the window in a brilliant white shirt—enough to catch the maids’ attention—Amelia still didn’t look his way.

“It seems to have no effect on her whatsoever.”

Hild was a bit taken aback by his master’s unusual display of irritation. Kyle, as a Chaield duke, had always prided himself on not showing frustration. Seeing this rare moment of vulnerability, Hild decided to tread carefully.

“Your Grace, it appears Lady Amelia feels comfortable here in the duchy. This is a good sign.”

“…She feels comfortable?”

A slight crease formed on Kyle’s brow. He had never thought of the duchy as a comforting place. To him, it was a territory where wolves cloaked in refinement waited to establish power.
Yet she found it comfortable?

“She seems to like the duchy, Your Grace. Someone forced here against their will wouldn’t act that way.”

“…Is that so.”

Seeing Amelia wandering around the estate as if it were her own home somehow lifted his spirits. Smiling faintly, he gave a quiet command, “Still, she shouldn’t forget I’m here. Bring me some paper and a pen.”

＊＊＊

I had to admit: the Chaield Duchy was top-notch.
Calling it a “duchy” almost didn’t do it justice. It had everything, like a luxury high-rise back in 21st-century South Korea.

A sauna to warm up and relax, a massive bathtub large enough to swim in, and a glass conservatory that was perfect for refreshing walks, sheltered from any chill.

And the food—everything was so delicious, I wanted to call for the chef personally just to thank him.

Top-notch facilities, five-star cuisine—it was no surprise my “cold” was completely gone after just a few days.

Of course, I’d faked being sick for a little longer, only claiming to be fully recovered two weeks after moving in.

During this time, I’d managed to avoid Kyle, using the excuse of my “contagious illness.”

Kyle, in turn, seemed content to let me roam the estate freely, as if he were confident I wouldn’t stray far.

Or perhaps he was simply bored after nearly three weeks without interaction. I had expected him to drop by my room once or twice, but he hadn’t come at all.

…This is promising. Let’s keep things going this way.

After spending the day reading the incredibly expensive books lying around the estate, I decided to unwind with a hot bath before bed and got up from my desk.

My room came with a massive bathtub, as large as my entire room back in the Diane estate. Soaking in a bath filled with petals here was enough to make me feel like royalty.

I was just about to head into the bathroom when I felt a gaze on me. Clearing my throat, I spoke up.

“I’d like to take a bath. Could you prepare the water?”

“Yes, my lady,” came the reply.

After living independently for so long, giving orders to servants didn’t come naturally to me. It was actually Kyle who helped me get comfortable speaking with the staff.

Despite being under the same roof, Kyle would send notes to me through the maids several times a day, mostly asking about how I was feeling or what I was up to.

I suppose he was curious, given that he had a sick guest roaming around his home.

“My lady, your bathwater is ready. Do you need anything else?”
“Hmm… I’d like to reread the notes the Duke sent.”

“Of course! I’ll bring them right away!”

As I settled into the warm bath, I took Kyle’s letters and read through them again, one by one.

Do you like the room? Let me know if it’s too hot or cold. Everything in the duchy is yours to use as you like.

Amel, wishing you a pleasant day.

I hear your cold is lingering. I’ve instructed the kitchen to pay special attention to your meals.

I miss you, my lady. I hope you feel better soon.

Sigh.

They were almost unbearably sweet. Who writes such charming notes these days? Rereading them, I found myself thinking that maybe Kyle wasn’t quite as unhinged as I’d initially thought.
Circumstances really do shape people.

Kyle’s distaste for money had led him to start a war in the original story, after realizing that everyone around him cared only about his wealth.

People like the crown prince in the story, for instance.
For now, Kyle seemed stable, likely because he hadn’t yet discovered that people valued him only for his fortune.

Honestly, if people only saw something superficial in me instead of who I really was as Amelia Diane, I’d be pretty angry, too.
…But then why did he let me stay, even after I admitted it was about the money?

I felt conflicted.

In two years, Kyle was supposed to start a war. That was the original storyline. But maybe, with my knowledge from 21st-century Earth, I could change the future?

No, let’s be realistic. I’m not exactly a bold leader. What could I really do here?

If I truly cared about Kyle’s happiness, I’d be wishing for the story’s female protagonist, his true love, to enter his life.
Ah… it’s all so complicated.

After my bath, I felt a strong craving for a drink. I wasn’t sure if they had beer in this ancient estate, but I knew they had alcohol.

Everywhere in the mansion, there were tables with amber bottles and glasses ready for use. Conveniently, one of these tables was near my room.

Most of the guests had retired for the evening, and for some reason, the staff near my room were all women.

Perfect. Just one drink, and back to my room.

I quickly towel-dried my hair and made my way into the hallway, finding the drink station with ease.

The setup was extravagant—a bottle of golden liquor on an elegant wooden table, with thick glasses ready. I poured myself a sip, savoring it, then poured a second glass to bring back to my room.

It took a bit longer to get back, as I looped around to avoid running into anyone, but I almost made it undetected.
That is, until I reached my door… and found myself face-to-face with Kyleian Chaield.

Kyle stopped, clearly on his way somewhere, freezing in place as he noticed me. Despite me being the one drinking, it was his face that flushed red. He looked at me with a warm, almost longing expression and said, “I missed you, my lady.”

“Ah…”

Two weeks without a visit, and now he missed me? It felt oddly ironic.

Yet his face, so sincere and yearning, made it hard to doubt his words.

I slipped into my room, discreetly setting down the glass, and joked with him.

“Were you just avoiding me because you didn’t want to catch my cold?”

“Please. Do you really think I’d avoid you just to protect my health?”

The nerve of him. This younger guy had confidence. I couldn’t resist poking at him a little.

“Kyle, are you upset with me?”

“…That wasn’t my intention, but if it felt that way, I apologize.”

“Just teasing. But really, was there a reason you didn’t come by? I actually thought you’d visit at least once.”
Time for the “clingy” approach.

I’d read somewhere that whether it’s a man or a woman, people naturally feel a little turned off when someone becomes clingy or demanding.

With a smile, I waited for his answer. His face turned red, and he glanced away, mumbling softly.

“…You were sick, and it was hard to resist…”

With that adorably flustered look, he was practically begging to be teased further.

“What’s hard to resist?”

“…It’s hard to resist doing what I want.”

“I didn’t quite hear that.”

“…I want to tell you something.”

Not do something, but say something? What exactly was he trying to tell me?

I watched him closely, noting the red flush up to his ears. With his fair skin, the blush was strikingly beautiful.

What was he holding back so earnestly? Did he have some secret, unusual desire?

“Kyle, what is it you want to tell me?”

He closed his eyes briefly, as if gathering his courage, and finally spoke.

“I thought about it a lot during the week you were away and the two weeks you were ill.”

Right. He was probably about to say that I, Amelia Diane, don’t belong in the grand Chaield estate.

That would be perfectly understandable. I’d learned long ago that people are happiest among their own kind.

I met his gaze, signaling him to continue, and he finally spoke.
“At first, I thought it was just simple curiosity. You intrigued me. But now I know. I… I love you, my lady…”

“Ahh!”

Reflexively, I yelped, cutting off his confession.

Love? Love? This wasn’t something I was prepared to hear!

“No, Kyle. Don’t say it.”

“…Why not?”

“It’s just… I’d rather not hear it…”

I was afraid that if I let him say it all, I’d fall for him myself. How could I not? This incredible man was telling me he loved me.

Seeing me shake my head, Kyle’s brow furrowed, but then he smiled, as if realizing something.

“I see, my lady. You don’t want to hear me say I love you, is that it?”

Yes! That’s it! You’re not supposed to love me.

But Kyle leaned in, brushed a soft kiss on my lips, and said, “In that case, I’ll show you instead. In a way you might prefer.”

With that, he tugged his tie loose, his fingers moving to unbutton his shirt.