The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 84

“Rebuilding a family… My lady, you are truly remarkable.”

“Lady Diane, how do you feel right now?”

I had been exchanging greetings with my close acquaintances when Princess Nadia’s question made me pause. My feelings, she asked. I felt like I was going to die from nerves.

“What if I make a mistake? Everyone will be watching me.”

“His Majesty intends to bestow you with a title and honor, not devour you, so don’t worry.”

As if I didn’t already know that. When I pulled a distressed face, Lady Reina waved a finger and joked lightly.

“Just act like you don’t care—like, ‘What are they going to do if I mess up?’ Besides, Lady Diane, you have a trump card.”

Her gaze flickered as she looked past me. At the end of her stare, my trump card—dressed in formal attire—was approaching with a confident stride.

“Have you exchanged enough pleasantries?”

Chaeild pulled up my fur cloak, attempting to cover my exposed shoulders. Not that the dress was designed to be concealed so easily.

Moreover, judging by his pleased expression, he must have had quite an interesting conversation with the noble ladies. He even took the time to exchange greetings with my acquaintances.

I excused myself briefly and rose from my seat. I needed to find out why Chaeild looked so pleased.

“What kind of conversation has made our dear Duke so delighted?”

“Are you curious about what we talked about?”

Chaeild’s eyes crinkled playfully. I clutched my racing heart and shook my head.

“Does it even matter what you said when you’re smiling so beautifully? Dressed so impeccably, even if you were talking behind my back, I’d still say thank you. Do you even realize how sexy your throat looks when you talk?”

“…….”

“Of course, I don’t actually think you were gossiping about me. At most, you were probably saying things like, ‘I trust her, I love her, I want to marry her,’ right?”

“If you already know, then stop making me wait and just pick a date.”

“Stop teasing me while wearing something that looks like a wedding dress.”

“Even a hint about the season or location you want for the ceremony would be enough.”

“…Or maybe I should just take you somewhere private right now.”

“Oh, the ceremony is starting! I’ll go receive my medal now!”

I quickly walked away. At the very least, I wanted to preserve my lipstick.

A grand trumpet fanfare signaled the arrival of the Emperor. The hall, filled with dignitaries from various nations and nobles of the Heil Empire, bowed in unison.

Since the medal was being awarded in the name of the imperial family, the ceremony was conducted with the utmost formality.

Wearing the imperial crown and a ceremonial cape, Emperor Berd picked up the medal resting on a plush cushion and spoke solemnly.

“Amelia Diane. You volunteered as an envoy to reaffirm our alliance with Keltman, elevating the prestige of Heil and working diligently to restore the somewhat strained relationship between our nations.”

Most nobles already understood what the phrase ‘restoring relations between the two nations’ truly meant.

“They say Princess Lien of Keltman decided to marry the Emperor because of Lady Diane’s efforts.”

“Is this repayment for that infamous kick she landed last time?”

“Regardless, she’s incredible. To have faced Princess Lien and 46 Keltman warriors alone and emerged victorious…”

“With those odds, no wonder Princess Lien backed down. She really is Persh Diane’s daughter.”

As rumors often do, the story circulating among the nobility had been exaggerated.

Her legendary feat only made her shine even brighter, and the moment the Emperor awarded her the medal, thunderous applause erupted from all sides.

“Lady Diane, in gratitude, the imperial family bestows upon you the title of Countess, a fitting estate, a monetary reward, and an annual pension.”

Watching from afar, the Count and Countess Diane clasped hands, leaning into each other with emotion.

“My love, when did our Amel grow up so much?”

“Indeed… It feels like just yesterday that you invited me in for a cup of tea.”

“Oh, stop it, dear…”

After their bankruptcy due to loan guarantees, it had been nearly 15 years since they last set foot in the imperial hall. The fact that their return was to witness their daughter’s medal ceremony filled their eyes with tears of pride.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Amidst envious and admiring gazes, Amelia beamed.

Perhaps it was because of her pure white dress, but she looked just like a bride awaiting her wedding vows.

Chaeild wanted nothing more than to rush up to her and kiss her right then and there. However, the ever-composed Count Diane’s piercing gaze kept him firmly in place.

After a brief hesitation, Chaeild discreetly glanced at Berd. The Emperor, well-versed in his duke’s subtle requests, sighed at his own quick comprehension before speaking up.

“Duke Chaeild, in the name of the Emperor, I grant you permission to share in your fiancée’s honor. You may kiss her.”

“…….”

Chaeild, who usually paid no heed to imperial commands, immediately strode forward and wrapped an arm around Amelia’s waist—as if he had no other choice.

“The Emperor’s command—this time, don’t run away.”

Chaeild gently cupped her face with both hands and lowered his head, pressing his lips to hers. Fireworks erupted in the sky, and flower petals rained down around them.

＊＊＊

With the award ceremony concluded, the banquet began, reminiscent of a wedding reception. Naturally, all eyes gravitated toward the evening’s second main figures.

“Look at Count and Countess Diane. They must be incredibly proud.”

“When I heard they had gone bankrupt, I never thought I’d see them in the imperial palace again… But thanks to their daughter, they’re practically glowing.”

“Society was in an uproar when their engagement was announced, wasn’t it?”

Nobles of similar age to Count and Countess Diane exchanged nostalgic glances and nodded in our direction.

Father, once the youngest commander of the Knights Order, stood tall in his uniform, sword at his waist, exuding his former grandeur.

Mother, once the flower of high society, carried herself with the same poise and beauty as ever, effortlessly radiating elegance.

I settled between them, intending to bask in their warmth… but clinging to them any longer seemed impossible.

“Countess Diane, it has been far too long since we’ve seen you at an event like this.”

“Countess Burk…!”

“And Sir Diane! Both of you, come now—you must catch up properly!”

“Haha, well now…”

Their old friends were positively thrilled to celebrate their return to high society.

How could I possibly fathom the joy of reuniting after 15 years? Seeing them here, not struggling to make ends meet but enjoying themselves at a grand gathering, made my chest tighten with emotion.

…This is good. Now they’ll be able to visit the palace freely.

The land granted to me under the Diane name—I planned to entrust it to them. Unlike before, they were no longer unfamiliar with managing finances, so they would surely handle it well.

My gaze kept drifting to the medal pinned to my chest—the very thing that had made all this possible. How much had I endured in Keltman just to earn this small piece of decoration?

Now, I just need to avoid the villains. I’m so close to a happy ending.

If what Vanessa and Chaeild said was true, Itar was among the Keltman delegation. There was a chance he had already found some connection to me without my knowledge.

And with Marabas returning to Traihar, the likelihood of those two joining forces had significantly increased.

My head hurts. Seriously.

I pulled back the curtain and stepped onto the terrace, leaning against the railing. The cool night air was a welcome relief from the stifling heat inside, thick with the warmth of the gathered crowd.

“My lady, are you getting some fresh air?”

“Sorry, Vanessa. It must be difficult to guard me when I wander off like this.”

“It’s fine.”

Just as I turned to go back inside, an eerie sensation crept up my spine. It sounded like something out of a horror movie, but… a moment ago, the garden had been empty. Now, someone stood there.

An old woman? But she wasn’t there before…

She wasn’t hidden among the flowers or trees—she stood in the open, staring at me with an unsettling intensity. Vanessa’s expression tensed immediately.

“…Marabas.”

“What? But she just looks like an old woman…”

“My lady, go inside and stay close to Duke Chaeild.”

Vanessa drew her sword. The woman, who had been silently watching me, pulled something from her pocket and scattered it onto the ground.

A fine powder caught in the breeze, drifting toward us. As it neared, the particles seemed to grow larger. Not from perspective distortion—this was…

“Ma—monsters?”

“They appear to be alchemically created. We’ll handle them, my lady. Please go inside.”

“…‘We’?”

At Vanessa’s sharp nod, Chaeild’s hidden guards suddenly emerged from the shadows in overwhelming numbers. The sheer scale of my security detail was almost embarrassing.

Even the summoners of these creatures seemed momentarily stunned as Chaeild’s forces poured in from the rooftops, the moat, and behind the walls.

…Just how many guards did Chaeild assign to me?

The scene was mortifying. If anyone saw this, it would become palace gossip for years.

Worse yet, the more commotion there was, the greater the chance Itar would find me. Avoiding direct contact with him was my best bet.

I turned away, cheeks burning, hoping to slip out unnoticed. But just then, the summoned creatures surged forward along the alchemic magic circle, all of them charging directly at me.

“My lady!”

“I’m fine, but for heaven’s sake, stop yelling…!”

I didn’t need to look to know that every single person in the banquet hall was now staring at me. Chaeild was already at my side, drawing his sword in an instant.

“Ch—Chaeild, it’d be best to handle this as quietly as possible.”

“No. If someone dares to target you so openly, why should I stay quiet?”

“I have more guards than the Emperor himself, isn’t that a bit… Agh!”

But my frantic plea was in vain. A terrifying sword aura slashed through the air, instantly reducing the incoming creatures to dust.

KWOOM!

Not just one or two—all of them were obliterated at once. And yet, the lingering sword aura hovered, as if scanning for more threats.

Strangely enough… why did it smell like alcohol?

“If anyone lays a hand on my daughter, I’ll personally send them to meet the gods.”

Of course. That devastating strike had come from none other than the legendary former commander of the Knights Order—Persh Diane.

“My lady, please come this way.”

“My lady, take a moment to rest.”

“My daughter, just trust your father.”

The monsters were already dead, so why was everyone being so overprotective? Completely overwhelmed, I buried my burning face into my hands.

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