The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 125

Following the tteokbokki incident, Amel frequently visited the head chef with neatly written recipes of her favorite Korean dishes.

The head chef of House Chaeild skillfully recreated her desired meals using ingredients from the Amelia Botanical Garden only in a far more luxurious version than what she had known.

Wanting fried squid and soondae (Korean blood sausage), Amel instead found herself eating tteokbokki accompanied by deep-fried oysters, shrimp tempura, and foie gras. But as long as it tasted good, that was all that mattered.

With her activity level decreasing while her food intake increased, weight gain was inevitable. Since gaining weight during pregnancy was natural, Amel hadn’t given it much thought until now, when she frowned at what she was reading.

[He confessed that the reason for his infidelity was his wife’s sluggishness and weight gain during pregnancy.]

She was reading an old issue of a sensational tabloid popular among commoners, obtained through the servants. As expected, the magazine was filled with absurd stories that made her want to clutch the back of her neck.

“There really are men in this world who aren’t even worth existing.”

Clicking her tongue in disapproval, Amel set the magazine aside. Kyle, who had been resting his hand on her belly, feeling the baby’s movements, reacted.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just read the most ridiculous excuse. Do you want to see?”

Kyle took the magazine and scanned the part about the man who cheated on his pregnant wife. His expression subtly changed.

“How could someone even consider another woman when their wife is carrying their child? Betraying her at a time when she needs the most care and support—what kind of excuse is that?”

“This magazine is bad for prenatal care. Maybe I should have it banned.”

“Besides… what’s wrong with a wife gaining weight?”

“…She’s beautiful.”

At five months pregnant, it was only natural that Amel had gained weight. The once firm feel of her body had gradually softened. Compared to when she had been sickly thin from morning sickness, it was a relief to see her looking healthier.

Not long ago, Kyle had watched as Amel emerged from the bath, slipping into a light, flowy nightgown.

The silk cascaded over her soft, fair skin, making him swallow dryly. The fuller curves of her body, now even softer than before, left him lightheaded.

There was a reason why goddesses in various religions were depicted as voluptuous. Then again, no matter what form Amel took, she would always be his ideal type.

That night, lying together in bed, she had curled up and nestled against him. Just naturally seeking his warmth had been enough to send his blood rushing.

“Why are you looking at me like that, Kyle?”

“…Sister. I read that after the fifth month, it’s safe as long as we’re not too rough—”

“But you never know when to stop—ah!”

Kyle, lost in his heated memories, was suddenly pulled back to reality.

A small movement beneath his palm made him freeze. He had just felt the baby kick.

“Looks like the baby noticed Daddy having inappropriate thoughts. Stop thinking about my thighs, Kyle.”

“….”

For the first time in his life, he felt truly caught.

Flustered, Kyle tried to change the subject by pulling Amel into a hug. It pained him to think that soon, he would have to send her off to the palace.

“Wouldn’t it be better for you to rest at the ducal residence instead?”

“I can’t. Princess Nadia personally invited me. The gathering is meant for unmarried young ladies, so normally, I wouldn’t even be able to attend. Once the baby is born, I’ll have even fewer chances to interact with them.”

Kyle was this close to grumbling that she should just spend time with her husband instead—but he held back. The baby was watching, after all.

“I’ll be in the main palace for a meeting. If anything happens, send word to me immediately.”

“It’s just a tea party with the ladies. What could possibly happen? It’s not like this is Princess Nadia’s first time hosting one. We should get going soon.”

Kyle sighed in defeat but stood up.

Once outside, he called for Hylde and gave two low-toned orders.

“Summon the servants assisting my wife’s departure. And… have that wretched tabloid shut down immediately.”

Since this was the first official gathering the Duchess of Chaeild would be attending after announcing her pregnancy, Princess Nadia had meticulously prepared for the occasion.

Amel’s seat was arranged with caffeine-free tea, and her chair was replaced with a more comfortable one. The tea food was also carefully curated to match her preferences.

Above all, Princess Nadia had worked hard to keep certain men away—particularly those who loitered around tea parties, trying to flirt with young noblewomen.

If any of them so much as approached the Duchess of Chaeild by mistake, there would be blood.

“Thank you for the consideration, Your Highness.”

“It’s nothing. I hope you enjoy yourself today.”

Princess Nadia genuinely wished for Amel’s comfort. If anything happened to her, the Duke of Chaeild would not remain quiet.

Amel mingled with the young noblewomen, genuinely enjoying herself.

The still-unmarried ladies chattered in airy, cheerful voices, discussing their latest romantic prospects.

Naturally, Amel, having talked more than usual, felt parched and reached for several glasses of cool lemonade.

The result was obvious.

“I need to step out for a moment.”

Excusing herself, she left to find the restroom.

She was familiar with the palace layout, so she took a shortcut.

As she returned, she overheard a conversation.

“Lady Gretel is great and all, but she should wear dresses with lower necklines. Why does she keep hiding such a pretty collarbone…?”

“The princess should set an example and encourage more revealing fashion among noblewomen.”

Disgusting laughter followed.

Amel frowned and turned toward the source of the voices.

They were middle-aged noble bachelors—the very ones who had been hovering around the tea party earlier, eyeing the young ladies.

“Not only are they shamelessly loitering around girls young enough to be their daughters, but now they’re openly objectifying them?”

She committed their faces and names to memory.

She would find a way to punish them—but then, something else made her stop cold.

“Speaking of which, Lady Diane has put on quite a bit of weight lately, hasn’t she? Her chest and hips have gotten fuller. Not that it’s a bad thing, but—”

“What do you mean, ‘not a bad thing’? A woman should have a well-defined waist.”

Amel’s expression darkened.

“Hah! You should be calling her the Duchess of Chaeild now. She’s carrying their heir, which means she’ll be living off that house for the rest of her life, leeching off their wealth.”

“If she ever returned as Lady Diane, I’d definitely find a way to have my turn with her.”

Amel clenched her fist tightly as she listened to the disgusting laughter of the men who had just insulted her to her face. Rage made her hands tremble violently.

Vanessa gritted her teeth and hissed,

“My lady, I’ll assassinate them quietly. I’m quite good at it now.”

But Amel shook her head.

During a break, Kyle hurried over to the window. He was too distracted to focus on work, constantly worried about his wife.

Berd watched in utter disbelief as the mighty Duke of Chaeild behaved like an anxious puppy waiting for its owner.

“Why are you so concerned about your wife? Unlike most noblewomen, she can fight pretty well. And she’s in the imperial palace, where the guards are everywhere.”

“Try imagining your pregnant wife in this jungle of a palace.”

“That only makes your reaction more confusing. You are the jungle’s apex predator.”

Just as Kyle narrowed his eyes, something caught his attention.

A Chaeild servant was riding a white horse at full speed toward the conference hall.

Everyone in House Chaeild froze, their eyes immediately locking onto the doors.

The servant rushed in, gasping for breath.

“What happened?”

“Huff, huff… My lady, my lady—”

“What about my wife?”

“She… she is very upset!”

“…!”

At those words, everyone in Chaeild bolted from the conference hall.

Berd blinked in disbelief.

“They’re completely insane when it comes to Amel.”

Kyle pushed his horse to its limits, galloping at full speed.

His sister was upset?

What had happened?

Had she been deeply hurt?

The thought of Amel with a downcast expression made him spur the horse even faster.

But when he finally spotted her in the palace corridors, she looked anything but dejected.

Vanessa was using her Arethe to suspend five men in the air.

Meanwhile, Amel stood with a sword in her hand, repeatedly jabbing them with the scabbard.

“Go on, say it again. If I return as Lady Diane, what exactly would you ‘do’ to me?”

“P-please, forgive us…! Spare our lives…!”

“Considering you prey on young noble ladies, you seem to have no sense of judgment. But since your lives depend on it, I suggest you think very carefully. Say the wrong thing, and I’ll cut out your tongues.”

“Hiiik!”

“And to think, we’re in such a secluded corridor, with no one around to hear you scream… oh?”

Amel paused when she noticed Kyle and his men.

The suspended nobles brightened.

“Even if she’s Amel Diane, she’ll surely behave in front of the Duke of Chaeild!”

“Chaeild must be disgusted by his wife’s unruly behavior!”

“Maybe he’ll even scold her and apologize on our behalf!”

To their relief, Kyle approached Amel with a firm expression and grabbed her wrist. His voice was stern.

“Sister. What are you doing?”

Yes!

The nobles internally cheered.

But then Kyle spoke again, and his next words turned them to ice.

“I understand you need to relieve stress, but witnessing such cruel scenes might scare our baby.”

Kyle’s voice was gentle, but firm.

“I just want our child to see beautiful things. Please consider my feelings as well.”

“…Kyle.”

“I’ll handle them myself, so give me the sword. Holding heavy objects too often is bad for your wrists during pregnancy. Go have some tea and relax. I’ll join you soon.”

“…Alright. I’ll leave Vanessa here, then.”

Amel handed over the sword.

Kyle watched her go until she was completely out of sight.

Then, he turned to the suspended men with a chilling gaze.

Two of them, still hanging upside down, wet themselves.

Kyle grimaced at the stench but spoke in an icy tone.

“Vanessa. What exactly did they say to my wife?”

“The one on the far left was the one who said that if my lady ever returned as Lady Diane, he’d ‘do something to her.’”

Squelch.

Kyle’s sword sank in without hesitation.

Thanks to Vanessa’s light barrier, not a drop of blood spilled onto the floor.

“Ah. My mistake. It was actually the one second from the right.”

She shrugged. “But honestly, what’s the difference?”

“P-please, please… spare me! I’ll dedicate the rest of my life to atoning for insulting the duchess…!”

Their heavy bodies trembled violently in midair.

Kyle listened to their desperate pleas, his face void of emotion.

He retrieved his sword and stepped back.

For a moment, they believed they were spared.

But a few days later, they encountered the Duke of Chaeild again.

This time, it was at their own estates.

Kyle Chaeild, bearing the Emperor’s seal, stormed through multiple noble estates near the capital.

The official charge? Conspiracy to commit treason.

Every document in their patriarchs’ offices was seized for investigation.

“Your Majesty,” Kyle spoke smoothly, “I’ve received reports that certain nobles are showing signs of disloyalty. As your loyal servant, I would be happy to take care of this on your behalf.”

The Emperor, eying the burning estates, sighed.

“Didn’t you once call your military forces ‘peacekeepers’?”

Kyle smiled.

“My peacekeepers exist to protect the peace of Amelia Chaeild.”

The air was thick with smoke, gunpowder, and the stench of blood.

Nobles who had been bound and gagged looked at their family heads in horror, silently pleading for salvation.

“Y-your Grace! What is the meaning of this? If this is about the insult to your wife, I thought we had settled this!”

Kyle’s voice was cold.

“You heard the official reason. Treason.”

Then, he paused.

His expression darkened.

“And as for your insult to my wife…”

The noble gasped.

Kyle raised his sword.

“Apologizing isn’t enough.”

A blade sliced clean through.

Kyle watched dispassionately before adding,

“Our baby heard it, too.”

His sword swung again, tracing a perfect arc.

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