The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 132

I tasted Kyle’s mouth, hot enough to melt me.

He had started off responding passively, but when our lips parted, his breathing came in ragged pants.

“To show my wife such an indecent sight…”

“I like this sight,” I whispered.

“…What do I do? My body refuses to cool down.”

“It’s too soon to cool down, isn’t it?”

“I feel dizzy.”

“…I feel a little dizzy too.”

“I don’t hate it, but…”

“Then say you want it. Say you want me.”

I caught each of his unspoken thoughts, intertwining our fingers together.

From where our chests touched, I could feel the rapid pounding of his heart, nearly frantic.

“…I want you.”

His voice was quiet, his eyes avoiding mine, as if he were committing some grave mistake.

As if this was the only answer left for him.

Satisfied, I curved my lips into a slow, knowing smile.

“Kyle, the only reason you’re suffering is because you love me.”

“…That has always been the case.”

His answer was so immediate, so matter-of-fact, that I almost burst into laughter.

Still, I continued, my voice a gentle tease.

“The effect of the aphrodisiac is as strong as your feelings for me. There’s no reason for me to be upset or embarrassed about this. In fact, seeing you struggle like this is rather touching.”

“Don’t… say that with a smile… ngh.”

“Are you struggling to even stay upright?”

I trailed my fingers down the tense lines of his arms, where the muscles stood out from gripping the tub’s edge too tightly.

It almost felt as if I had tamed a wild beast with some forbidden spell.

But since I was the one who had—indirectly—caused this, I intended to make up for it however he wanted.

“Thank you for loving me this much, Kyle.”

“…”

He closed his eyes, as if resigning himself completely to the moment.

His damp hair clung to his forehead, and his long lashes fluttered briefly before settling.

His hands, gripping my waist, trembled slightly with every shift between us.

Berdrévan de Hail arrived at the Chaield duchy dressed in a modest outfit.

For once, he had no imperial duties scheduled for the day.

“What better time to visit a friend’s home?”

But truthfully, Berdré was growing impatient.

A child had been born at the Chaield estate, and he, the Emperor, had yet to see her even once.

Kyle’s excessive protectiveness was selective, it seemed—his closest aides had already met the child.

“They’re calling Eclit Chaield’s smile the ‘smile of an angel’ in the capital.”

To be granted an audience with Kyle’s treasured daughter meant one thing: true recognition as a close confidant of the Duke of Chaield.

It was essentially a guarantee of a peaceful life for the next hundred years.

Berdré wanted to see that angelic smile for himself.

Conveniently, he had an excuse—his wife, Empress Lienne, had been preparing a letter to congratulate Amel on her childbirth.

Berdré had volunteered to deliver it personally.

Of course, he hadn’t sent a formal notice ahead of time.

That left him lingering awkwardly in the front garden—until he spotted the head butler, Hild, conversing with a gardener.

“Hild, it’s been a while.”

“Y-Your Majesty?”

“I’m a busy man, but I’ve finally found time to visit a friend. Surely I can step inside?”

For a brief moment, Hild visibly flinched.

He looked like a man who had suddenly recalled something that must never be revealed.

It wasn’t as if Kyle had covered the estate walls in inappropriate artwork.

“Hild Wale. You wouldn’t turn away the Emperor, would you?”

“O-Of course not! Please, follow me.”

Despite his words, Hild led Berdré on the slowest possible stroll through the gardens.

He began narrating the estate’s entire history—without being asked.

“Buying time, are we?”

It was a wasted effort.

Hild should have anticipated this when the palace doctor had lifted Kyle’s abstinence order.

The loyal butler sighed internally at his own lack of foresight.

The Chaield couple’s affections were notorious.

And if it were just a matter of them being close, that would be fine.

But considering the noises that had continued until this very morning…

Yes. Multiple people had already heard things they could never unhear.

Hild cursed himself for not sending someone ahead to warn the couple.

His thoughts were interrupted by Berdré’s unimpressed voice.

“Hild. The Duke and Duchess of Chaield have yet to appear despite my arrival.”

“T-That is because… His Grace worked late into the night reviewing state affairs and only just retired this morning! And—Her Grace went out for a walk! Perhaps it would be best to enjoy some tea in the gardens while we wait…”

“Unnecessary. I’ll go see Kyle myself.”

And that was Hild’s critical mistake.

Unlike most visitors, Berdré was well-acquainted with the layout of the Chaield estate.

Having visited the former Duke often, he knew exactly where to go.

He strode directly toward Kyle’s bedroom without hesitation.

Vanessa, having caught wind of the situation far too late, burst into the couple’s bedroom and immediately panicked.

They weren’t there.

Which meant—

They were still in the bath.

“I’ve doomed us all!”

Even before this, the Duke and Duchess had been relentless.

Lending them the Cup of Love had only fueled the fire.

She had to stop this.

There was absolutely no way the Emperor could be allowed to witness this.

But she also had no desire to see Kyle completely exposed.

In the end, she chose the fastest solution—sending a light message into the bathroom.

A sudden flash of light made Kyle’s already sensitive body jolt awake.

Despite the complete exhaustion weighing him down, Vanessa’s urgent warning registered instantly.

“Ugh…”

The problem?

His body refused to move.

Not because Amel was still sleeping soundly atop him, wrapped in her robe.

No.

The issue was last night itself.

The entire night.

They had thoroughly explored every inch of the very large Chaield estate bathroom.

By the time the morning birds started chirping, neither of them had enough strength left to crawl to the bed.

So they had simply… stayed in the bath.

Now, every single muscle in Kyle’s body ached.

“If Amel wakes up and scolds me, I’ll have to take it.”

But more than that—keeping her hidden from the Emperor took priority.

Kyle reached up and gently shook her awake.

“Mmnh…”

Amel groaned softly.

She, too, was clearly not in a condition to be moving just yet.

For a while, they simply lay there, groaning in shared pain—before making eye contact and bursting into exhausted laughter.

“…I don’t think I can face our staff for a while,” Amel muttered.

Kyle, despite everything, managed to look completely satisfied.

“As long as I know you still want me, I have no regrets.”

His entire body ached, but it was worth it.

Amel covered her face with one hand.

Kyle, despite barely being able to move, stubbornly stood up, wrapping a towel around himself.

If the Emperor was here, then—

“I have no choice. I will protect my wife’s dignity, even if it costs me my last shred of strength.”

At that moment, with a sharp cry from Hild, the door was flung open.

It was Berdré.

“Kyle, you were here all along, so why didn’t you— huh.”

The Emperor abruptly fell silent, his mouth snapping shut like a clam.

His gaze, sharper than light, scanned Kyle in an instant.

Whatever kind of sleep the Duke had gotten, his hair was an absolute disaster—a tangled mess that looked like a bird’s nest.

And yet, despite the disheveled state, the way he absentmindedly ruffled the back of his head while meeting Berdré’s gaze carried an undeniable sensuality.

And his body—

Berdré had watched countless knights train in the sparring grounds, but this physique?

This was a beast’s body.

Layer upon layer of muscle, carved as if by stone, his skin taut over every ripple.

It was enough to make a man want to reach out and touch.

But that wasn’t the issue here.

“Uh… Kyle. Maybe you should… put on a shirt.”

“…”

The Duke’s torso was covered in evidence.

Marks left by a woman’s hands, faint scratches, and other red imprints of suspicious origin.

It was clear that in his haste to wrap a towel around his lower half, this particular detail had been overlooked.

“My apologies for this unseemly display,” Kyle muttered, uncharacteristically flustered, as he picked up a shirt from the floor and slipped it on.

Berdré’s gaze naturally drifted toward the bathroom.

“…Perhaps I shouldn’t look in that direction?”

“That… would be best.”

“Alright then,” the Emperor conceded, clearing his throat. “Can I at least see your child?”

Kyle, still struggling with his sore muscles, managed a nod.

Tilting his head sent a fresh wave of pain through his strained neck.

“Lady Claire! His Majesty is coming to see Eclit—”

“And?”

“Well… last night was the night that, um… their seal was broken…”

“…”

Claire, upon receiving Vanessa’s hurried report, immediately set off toward Eclit’s room.

There was no way she was leaving this tiny, precious child alone to face the Emperor.

With unwavering determination, she reached the nursery—

Only to halt in place the moment she laid eyes on Eclit.

“…Adorable.”

Eclit, with a smile so much like Amel’s, was a child that radiated warmth.

When she beamed, all sunshine and innocence, Claire found herself hesitating to even hold her.

“Can I really…?”

“Hello, little one,” Claire murmured.

“Kyah—!”

“You’re so beautiful.”

Her fingers hovered just above the cradle, hesitant.

With these very hands, she had committed so much.

Amel had once held Eclit out to her, saying, ‘We’re family, it’s fine. Try holding her.’

But those words had terrified Claire more than anything else.

Because she still remembered.

Vividly.

The family members who had shared her blood—only for her to be the one to take their lives.

She had reasons, of course. Justifications.

The separate palace had been a prison.

If she hadn’t killed, she would have been killed.

“But since I survived, I have no proof that they ever truly intended to murder me, do I?”

Perhaps, in the end, she had just wanted to believe that.

Because it was easier.

If she had truly wished to claim Chaield’s throne, she should have buried such thoughts.

She should have remained cold. Unfeeling.

But here she was, questioning herself again.

The first time had been Amelia Diane.

The girl who, despite everything, kept inviting her to tea.

Kept asking her to share meals.

Claire had been tempted, over and over, to confess.

But she hadn’t.

“If I start talking about dark things, Amel will realize I’m not the person she thinks I am.”

And she didn’t want that.

Shortly after, the Emperor arrived.

Claire let him see Eclit for just a moment, ensuring it was brief before swiftly sending him on his way.

Then, instead of leaving immediately, she sat by the cradle, watching as the baby’s bright eyes fixed on her.

Those clear, intelligent eyes…

For some reason, her chest ached.

“Eclit,” Claire murmured, “your name means ‘light,’ doesn’t it?”

Light was an inherently good thing.

It illuminated. It brought warmth.

And Claire…

Claire envied her for it.

This child would never have to struggle with where she belonged.

She would always be surrounded by people who loved her.

She would never have to question who she was, because she would always be welcomed.

“It suits you.”

“Abuu…”

Summoning her courage, Claire hesitantly reached out, brushing a gentle finger over Eclit’s soft cheek.

And in an instant—

Eclit grasped her finger in a tiny, unyielding grip.

Claire froze.

This tiny, fragile hold…

She couldn’t bring herself to pull away.

How long had she been standing there, lost in thought?

The door swung open.

Amel entered, looking slightly exhausted, but undeniably radiant.

“Oh, Claire, I’m so glad you’re here,” Amel sighed in relief. “Every time Kyle and I— ehem, make reckless decisions, you always clean up after us.”

“…”

“Seriously, I was so relieved when I heard you were showing Eclit to His Majesty. It would’ve felt weird to just send him away, but there was no way I was handing over my daughter to the Emperor alone.”

“…Glad to be of service.”

Amel stepped closer, the corners of her lips tugging into a warm, affectionate smile.

Claire suddenly realized—

Amel’s smile…

It was exactly the same as Eclit’s.

“If you hadn’t been here…” Amel trailed off, shaking her head. “Ugh. I don’t even want to think about it. Even Vanessa kept saying that we needed you today.”

“…”

“You don’t just help me, Claire. You’re like a ray of light in my life. I hope you’ll continue to— Claire?”

Amel’s words cut off.

Because—for the first time ever—

Claire Chaield looked like she was about to cry.

No.

Her eyes were already brimming with unshed tears.

But what startled Amel most was that—despite the tears—

Claire looked… happy.

“Why is Claire— oh.”

That was when she finally noticed.

Eclit, still clinging onto Claire’s finger.

A precious sight.

Without hesitation, Amel placed her own hand over both of theirs, covering them gently.

And in that moment—

Claire’s thoughts drifted into Amel’s mind, full of quiet realization.

“…That’s right. My name means ‘light’ too.”

And for the first time, Claire allowed herself to believe it.