The Young Male Protagonist Who is Destined for Ruin Fell for Me - Chapter 86

The grand hall where the party was still in full swing. Kyle’s gaze lingered on Amel’s bracelet once more. The color of the gemstone embedded in it had definitely changed.

He had witnessed the same phenomenon back in Keltman, but at that time, he had been too disoriented from Marabas’s Arete to ask about it.

“I think the color also changed when I first received the bracelet at Count Diane’s estate.”

It seemed that the bracelet, a gift from Count and Countess Diane to their daughter before her journey, possessed some special function.

Since it was crafted in Traiha, it was likely imbued with alchemical magic. Perhaps it could even aid in tracking down the old woman who had appeared out of nowhere, summoned a demonic beast, and vanished just as abruptly.

“It must be designed to change color under specific circumstances.”

Chaield’s sharp mind quickly put the pieces together. Kyle led Amel to the safest part of the imperial hall, ensuring she could rest comfortably, then posed his question.

“Does the gemstone in this bracelet change color when it detects danger?”

“Um…”

Amel hesitated, unable to answer right away. Did it change color in response to danger? That was only half true. After all, if someone harbored improper desires toward her, that, too, could be considered a form of danger.

And Amel knew exactly who had caused the bracelet to change color. But pretending not to know was the only choice she had.

“…He really does remind me of Iana.”

“I desire you, but I’ll retreat for now.”

When Itar had kissed the back of her hand, Amel had heard his thoughts. The way he addressed her with such wistful affection when he said “you” had been strikingly intimate.

Refusing to acknowledge reality, she focused harder, and soon, an image formed in her mind—her own face gradually overlapping with Iana’s.

“How did I end up becoming a walking disaster trigger?”

For some reason, Itar seemed to have set his sights on her. And that meant she absolutely couldn’t reveal the bracelet’s true function.

“If Kyle finds out that Itar harbored such thoughts about me, he’ll undoubtedly unleash his creativity in the most destructive ways imaginable.”

One day, she would have to reveal that she had glimpsed Itar’s true intentions. But now was not the time. If she said anything now, Kyle would undoubtedly hunt him down and challenge him to a duel on the spot.

Amel decided to act cunningly and slip away from disaster—one catastrophe at a time. She met Kyle’s eyes with a trembling expression, her face on the verge of tears. His heart lurched.

“Kyle… I just want to go back to the ducal estate and rest. Please, take me there, okay?”

“I’ve already summoned a carriage. It should arrive shortly. But we should wait for Count Diane to return so you can bid him farewell before we leave.”

As expected, Kyle naturally assumed they would return to the duchy together. Without protest, he nodded.

It was as if he couldn’t even tolerate the brief wait for the carriage. Determined to ensure her safety at all costs, he led Amel to the most secure spot in the hall.

“Someone will be arriving soon. It’s best if you stay somewhere safe. This way.”

The place Kyle brought her to was none other than the seat beside the Emperor, Berd. Vanessa and the elite Chaield guards formed a protective circle around her, their silent presence exuding a quiet yet unmistakable menace.

Even the imperial guards, who had been idly watching, seemed to make up their minds, subtly shifting their positions closer to Amel.

Feeling both embarrassed and self-conscious, Amel lowered her gaze. Why was this happening? Normally, Berd would scoff at such excessive precautions, but today, he seemed to be actively participating in the overprotection.

“Amelia Diane is the guest of honor tonight. Ensuring her safety is the right course of action. Since this happened within the imperial palace, it is the Emperor’s responsibility to see to it.”

“Ah… yes…”

A moment later, Amel understood the reason for Berd’s unusual behavior. His attention was entirely fixated on Princess Lienne, who was approaching in elegant strides.

“Lady Diane, are you all right? I came as soon as I heard about the attack.”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I didn’t realize you were attending tonight’s gathering.”

“The Duke of Chaield was kind enough to arrange it for me. By the way… where is Count Diane? I heard he wielded Excalibur’s aura earlier.”

“Ah…”

Amel glanced at Berd. She wasn’t sure when or how he had fallen for Lienne, but right now, he wore the expression of a man in despair, watching the woman he admired speak of another man.

“So, Princess Lienne’s greatest interest is still my father.”

Fortunately, her fascination seemed to be solely with Persh Diane’s swordsmanship. That was a relief.

Chatting casually with Lienne helped Amel gradually regain her composure. No matter how much she had anticipated the attack, it was still a surprise. Seeing a demonic beast up close for the first time had left her hands trembling. But conversation eased her nerves bit by bit.

“Ah, there he is!”

A short while later, Count Diane returned, accompanied by Chaield’s guards and Hilde, who had been pursuing the old woman.

“Father!”

“I’m sorry, Amel. She must have used alchemy—vanished without a trace. The knights of the imperial palace and Chaield’s men are conducting another sweep of the area.”

“At least she disappeared from here. That’s a relief. There are too many people at the banquet.”

“Yes… Ah, I already asked Steward Hilde to summon a carriage for you. Amel, this gathering is in your honor, but it would be best for you to head back now.”

“I’ll do that.”

Kyle noticed something strange about Count Diane as he nodded at Amel’s words. Normally, even out of politeness, the count would have invited him to stay the night at the Diane estate.

Yet now, he stood frozen, as if he had witnessed something shocking.

“Is something the matter?”

“Well… Your Grace, I would like to speak with you privately for a moment.”

Kyle followed him to a secluded balcony. Count Diane hesitated briefly before placing a few small, translucent orbs into Kyle’s palm.

“Your Grace, please take these. They contain the demonic beast that was trapped during the battle. They should be useful for investigation.”

“…Trapped using sword aura?”

“Yes. I shaped my sword aura into a thin membrane to seal the beast inside. Since it appeared through an alchemical magic circle, studying it may yield valuable information.”

“Thank you.”

Though he spoke calmly, Kyle was inwardly surprised. Just how advanced did one’s swordsmanship need to be to contain a demonic beast without harming it?

Inside the spherical aura Count Diane handed him, something resembling pulsating green mold writhed continuously. It almost seemed to be pleading to be released, leaving an unsettling feeling.

“I will mobilize all available forces to capture the old woman. Do not worry.”

“Your Grace… did you see her face?”

“I remember it clearly. Some of my men saw her as well, so it won’t take long to track her down.”

“Have you ever heard the name Cordelia?”

“This is my first time hearing it. Is that her name?”

“…Yes, it is. And I have a request regarding this matter.”

Rather than relieved, Count Diane looked even more troubled. Kyle couldn’t decipher the reason.

A personal acquaintance?

No, if it were someone he knew who had harmed his daughter, his reaction would be anger or disbelief, not this eerie stillness. But the fact that he knew the name meant they weren’t strangers.

“Your Grace, please ensure that she is not harmed during the investigation.”

“I would like to hear your reasoning for this request.”

Count Diane hesitated for a moment. Should he keep it private, since it was Hilde’s personal matter?

No. The person he had chosen to follow now was the Duke of Chaield. And if Cordelia were to be injured or killed during the investigation, Hilde would suffer immensely—far beyond mere grief.

If he kept the truth hidden under the guise of consideration, it could lead to an even more troublesome situation later. After careful thought, Persh Diane made his decision.

“She bears an uncanny resemblance to Hilde’s wife, Cordelia Weill.”

“…The one who went missing?”

“You’ve heard about it?”

“I’ve overheard Lady Claire mention it, but it happened before I was born, so I don’t know the details.”

“In that case, it would be best to speak with Lady Claire once she returns. Please do inform me.”

“I will. And rest assured, I will keep this conversation confidential from the steward.”

“…”

Count Diane remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the railing below.

He had long realized that the widespread fear of the Duke of Chaield was mostly an illusion. If anything, Kyle valued his people more than most nobles with sterling reputations.

“…Your Grace.”

“Please, speak freely.”

“If you are delaying your marriage because of this stubborn old man, I want to tell you that there is no need to do so any longer.”

Kyle, who had been deep in thought, suddenly widened his eyes like a startled maiden receiving an unexpected love confession.

Ever since that fateful meeting when the contents of his desk drawer had exposed his barely restrained desires, he had been tense, afraid that his father-in-law-to-be would refuse to hand over his daughter to such a scheming son-in-law.

But now, Count Diane was openly expressing his trust. Kyle wanted to prove that he was deserving of it.

Ensuring Amel’s safety and capturing Cordelia alive would help put the count at ease. And conveniently, he had another topic to bring up.

“I’ve been meaning to ask—what exactly is the function of my fiancée’s bracelet? Depending on the alchemical magic used, it may be useful in this situation.”

“Ahem… That is…”

The count had refrained from mentioning it out of consideration for the duke’s pride, but now, it seemed unavoidable. After brief contemplation, he decided to reveal the truth.

“The bracelet Amel wears changes color when someone harbors impure thoughts toward the wearer.”

“…!”

Kyle’s expression stiffened, like a sailor suddenly spotting a storm on what had seemed to be a clear sea.

So that was why the atmosphere had turned tense when he first received the bracelet.

A cold sweat trickled down his back. Impure thoughts? Of course, he had them. He had just been keeping them well-hidden, thinking that as long as he didn’t act on them in public, it wouldn’t be a problem.

But he had never expected the bracelet to have such a function.

“My apologies. It’s just that the white dress she wore for the Lily Medal ceremony… it reminded me of a wedding gown…”

“…?”

“But I swear, I didn’t do anything in front of others.”

“Your Grace…”

“Since you already know, I’ll be honest. I solemnly swear I didn’t do anything in a place where it would be noticeable. Besides, she had a fur shawl draped over her shoulders, so no one could have seen anything.”

“…?”

Why does he automatically assume he was the culprit?

Count Diane found himself waiting in silence until the Duke of Chaield finished his elaborate defense.

Support