The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 133 (Side Story 17)

Chaield was bustling with preparations. In just a week, their beloved Eclit Chaield would turn one year old.

In truth, the Empire didn’t place much importance on young children. Nobles only truly celebrated birthdays once they made their debut into society, and commoners were recognized as individuals only after their coming-of-age ceremonies.

But Kylean Chaield, a man who had no concept of moderation when it came to his wife and child, had no intention of following such customs.

“The decorations should be grander than the Emperor’s birthday banquet. Eclit’s birth is the second-greatest glory of Chaield.”

No one questioned what the first greatest glory was. It was too obvious.

Naturally, the servants’ gazes drifted toward Amel.

She calmly cut into her steak and took a bite, utterly unfazed. She had long grown accustomed to being revered like a hero in Chaield.

As she savored the tender meat, something came to mind. She lifted a hand.

“Actually, there’s something I’d like to do for Eclit’s first birthday.”

“My lady, what is it you wish for?”

“Whatever it is, just give the order.”

“Chaield is always ready to carry out Lady Amel’s commands!”

Ahem.

Kyle cleared his throat, silencing them, before speaking in the most eager voice of all.

“Nuna, shouldn’t you tell your husband first?”

“Hmm…”

Amel paused, choosing her words carefully.

In truth, she wanted to hold a doljabi—a Korean tradition where an infant picks an item symbolizing their future.

She still remembered the lively scene from her cousin’s doljabi, where uncles had jostled to get the child to pick their preferred item.

“I’d love to see what our daughter chooses.”

But she couldn’t exactly call it a doljabi here.

At a loss, she improvised.

“Eclit doesn’t understand much yet, right? This might be our only chance to glimpse her innate tendencies before she starts learning from her surroundings.”

“Innate tendencies?”

“We’ll set out a variety of objects on a large table and watch what she chooses. Doesn’t that sound fun? It’ll make for a great story later on.”

Kyle envisioned tiny Eclit toddling across a table, reaching out with her chubby hands.

He wasn’t sure what she’d pick, but surely, it would be adorable.

“Sounds good. I’ll make sure it’s prepared.”

With no idea of what chaos was to come, Amel simply beamed.

On the Day of the Doljabi

Amel and Kyle were overcome with emotion.

“Kyle… look at her…”

“Nuna, this is too much…”

Eclit, dressed in a specially designed white dress with tiny angel wings, looked like an actual fairy.

The wings, crafted through Arete, were weightless and completely comfortable for the baby, while still adding to the magic of the day.

Every time Eclit moved, the delicate wings fluttered—and her parents had to physically hold themselves back from collapsing from sheer adoration.

“Ma-ma! Pa-pa!”

With her cheeks tinged the soft pink of strawberry milk, Eclit called out for them, and the two clutched their hearts in agony.

By now, she was almost ready.

A delicate tiara was placed atop her soft, jet-black hair, completing the picture of perfection.

“Nuna, our little Eclit is so precious, I don’t even want to show her to the guests,” Kyle muttered.

“She has your eyes, Kyle. She’s too cute… Should we have a second child?”

“…!”

Kyle forgot how to breathe.

Meanwhile, Amel, completely unbothered by his mental short-circuiting, casually picked up their daughter and started heading downstairs.

“Alright, Eclit. Let’s go greet our guests. They’re waiting for you.”

At this point, training Kylean Chaield was second nature to her.

And honestly? The idea of a second child was starting to sound appealing.

The Banquet Hall

“Our granddaughter is as precious as ever. Come to Grandfather, little one!”

“Amel, you must have worked hard preparing this celebration.”

“Lady Chaield, in the Emperor’s name, I offer my congratulations on your daughter’s first birthday.”

“My lady! Thank you for inviting me!”

Family, close friends, and even the Emperor and Empress had gathered.

Vanessa, who had once again taken up the role of an Arete artist, had also returned.

The grand hall of Chaield was overflowing with guests.

At the center of it all, Amel presented Eclit, whose tiny wings flapped excitedly.

Gasps of delight echoed throughout the room.

“Eclit, would you like to greet our guests?”

Overwhelmed by the sudden sea of faces, Eclit simply grinned shyly.

Chaield’s brilliant red eyes crinkled in an angelic smile.

The meal proceeded in a lively atmosphere.

The grand birthday cake was cut and shared, and soon enough, the long-awaited moment arrived—

The doljabi.

Several massive wooden tables were brought out—so large that several adults could comfortably lie across them.

The guests looked at each other in bewilderment.

Amel set Eclit down on the table and officially introduced the event.

“For Eclit’s first birthday, I thought it would be fun to see what she’s naturally drawn to. If you’d like, please place an item of yours on the table. We’ll return it shortly after.”

She had merely suggested it.

But Kyle’s intense gaze subtly hinted that everyone should contribute.

One item each.

“Or else.”

“…Sounds fun. I’ll place a book.”

The Emperor casually set down a thick tome.

Others quickly followed suit.

The tables were soon covered with an eclectic mix of items—

A quill from the royal scribe.

A miniature sword from the head knight.

A gold coin pouch from the royal treasurer.

A brush from an artist.

And from the renowned strategist, a folded map.

Amel surveyed the collection, pleased.

This will be fun.

She gently patted Eclit’s back.

“Alright, sweetheart. Go ahead and choose.”

Eclit, her tiny wings fluttering, curiously scanned the objects before her.

And then—

She reached out.

A hush fell over the crowd.

Everyone held their breath, watching as—

Eclit, with all the gravity of an emperor selecting their heir, firmly grabbed her choice.

And in that moment of silence, the realization dawned on everyone.

Chaield’s youngest had chosen—

Her father’s dagger.

“…!”

Gasps filled the room.

Kyle, stunned, stared at his daughter—

Before his lips curled into a proud, beaming smile.

“Nuna,” he murmured, voice thick with emotion.

“I knew it. Our daughter is destined for greatness.”

Meanwhile, Amel—who had very much been hoping for something like a brush or a book—

Simply buried her face in her hands.

“Oh, dear god.”

“I was hoping she’d choose my pearl necklace.”

“If she’s truly a Chaield, maybe she’ll go for the wallet?”

The servants carefully disinfected each item with a magic tool before placing them on the platform.

Alongside the silk thread Amel had prepared, a variety of objects surrounded Eclit on the table. There were common choices like pens and books, but also more unusual items—such as a ladle.

Meanwhile, some guests were deeply troubled about what to contribute.

“If I’d known, I would’ve brought something.”

Emperor Bernd, for instance, found himself empty-handed. He was so accustomed to his attendants carrying everything for him that he had nothing personal on him—except for the imperial emblem on his coat.

He stole a glance at Kyle. The man looked fully prepared to gift his daughter whatever she picked.

“But what if Eclit chooses the imperial emblem?”

The emperor grimly placed the emblem on the table, half-resigned to fate.

He wasn’t the only one feeling the weight of this moment.

“If Lady Eclit picks gold, the Duke will undoubtedly acquire more gold mines.”

“If she picks the building model, the construction industry will boom.”

“I should’ve put down a diamond… I just invested in related stocks!”

Completely unaware of how many people were watching with bated breath, Eclit simply blinked, her expression curious.

Amel tickled her daughter gently, coaxing her in a soft voice.

“Eclit, which one do you like best?”

“Uuung…”

Bright red eyes scanned the table.

For a moment, her focused expression resembled the one Kyle or Claire wore when assessing real estate investments.

Kyle was glued to the platform’s edge, resting his chin on his hands, determined not to miss a single second of her choice.

Finally, Eclit moved.

With each tiny shift of her hands and feet, her little wings fluttered.

“Oh…?”

Bernd swallowed hard.

Eclit was heading straight for the imperial emblem.

Kyle, noticing this, met the emperor’s gaze with an expression that seemed to say:

“Our Eclit wants to be Emperor? Overthrowing the imperial family wouldn’t even cost that much.”

A single bead of sweat trickled down Bernd’s spine.

At the last moment—Eclit abruptly changed direction.

Every time she redirected her course, the crowd let out a mix of sighs and gasps.

It was no exaggeration to say that her decision could shift the empire’s political and economic landscape.

But Eclit, blissfully oblivious, continued to wander, showing no urgency to choose.

Amel glanced around, taking in the ever-changing expressions of the guests.

“At this rate, someone’s going to pass out from sheer suspense.”

She coaxed again.

“Eclit, just pick the one you like most.”

“Dada!”

Answering in agreement, Eclit crawled decisively toward a particular spot.

Bernd paled as her tiny hand reached once more for the imperial emblem.

“No! Please, anything but that—!”

But to his immense relief, Eclit shoved the emblem aside as if it were in her way.

And then—she launched herself into Kyle’s arms, clinging tightly to his face.

“Papa!”

“…!”

Watching from a distance, Amel was overcome with joy and rushed over.

A cute child choosing her cute father—

What could be better?

“I should’ve recorded this… what a tragic loss.”

The guests, meanwhile, took in the scene with various reactions.

“My, it seems the young lady loves her father most.”

“Thank goodness… Duke Chaield, your face is still…”

“Our granddaughter has outgrown rattles, I see.”

“Well, at least Hail’s economy won’t be shaken today.”

As the crowd settled, Amel peeked into Kyle’s thoughts.

It was exactly as she expected.

“Our baby… picked me?”

“Out of all those choices, she chose me, Kylean Chaield?”

“Eclit…!”

“She takes after Nuna, always making the most endearing choices.”

“Well, there’s only one thing to do, then.”

Kyle lifted Eclit high and kissed both her cheeks before solemnly declaring:

“From this moment on, in the name of Kylean Chaield, I officially declare Eclit Chaield as the heir to Chaield.”

Gasps spread across the hall.

That statement meant one thing—

The official successor to the wealthiest noble house had just been decided.

And with that, the entire empire’s economy would shift overnight.

The guests’ expressions turned calculating as they mentally tallied just how much wealth Eclit had just inherited.

“W-what? Heir?”

Amel, previously basking in the heartwarming father-daughter moment, froze in place.

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