The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 117: Ruins

Chapter 117: Ruins

Yes, the Duchess gave utmost importance to status and lineage. But seeing Dimitri’s courage she was proved wrong, he was a true noble...

He gently guided Adeline toward the waiting carriage, glancing back at the Duchess with a look of gratitude.

Once Adeline was safely on her way, the Duchess turned her full attention to the mansion. Her knights had already stormed inside, and moments later, they emerged dragging the Duke out.

His once-proud figure was dishevelled, his clothes torn and bloodied from his earlier struggles. But it wasn’t just his physical state that was unsettling... It was his demeanour, his behaviour.

The Duke’s face twisted with a mix of rage and desperation. His wild eyes darted around, and he shouted incoherently as he thrashed against the knights’ grip.

"I am the Duke!" he bellowed, his voice hoarse with fury. "I am the head of this Duchy! Unhand me this instant, or you’ll all regret it!"

The Duchess stood motionless, her cold gaze fixed on him. She felt no pity for the man who had betrayed her trust and brought shame to their household.

His descent into madness was of his own making, and she intended to see him pay for every sin he had committed.

Starting with all the innocent lives he had taken, his infidelity towards her was nothing compared to those crimes.

As the knights dragged him closer, his eyes locked onto the Duchess. "You can’t do this to me!" He screamed. "I am the Duke! The Duchy mine! You’re nothing without me!"

The Duchess’s lips curled into a faint, icy smile. "And yet, here you are," she replied calmly. "A pitiful man clinging to power he no longer deserves."

The Duke lunged toward her, but the knights held him back. His struggles were futile, his shouts growing more incoherent with each passing moment.

The Duchess watched him silently, her expression was complicated, as he was forced to his knees. One mistake of hers has brought about so much tragedy. One wrong judgement of character...

Handing someone like him a bit of authority caused all this, she blamed herself. She could finally put an end to everything. She held her head with her hand, she was exhausted.

His incoherent shouts annoyed every fibre of her being. She glanced at him and yelled, "Shut up!"

The Duke was momentarily stunned, his wife was known for her calmness... This was the first time he saw her lose her temper.

"You’ll suffer for this," she finally said, her tone as cold as the winter winds of the East. "Not just for what you’ve done to the reputation of the righteous Eastern Duchy, but for every life you’ve ruined in your selfish pursuit of power."

She stepped closer, and with every inch, her fury became clear, "I will make sure of it... I will personally deliver your punishment."

With a flick of her hand, the knights started dragging him away. His knees got scraped against every rock and rubble on the ground causing him intense pain.

"Make sure he suffers," She said to the Captain of the knights, her voice firm with no hint of lingering feelings, her heart turned cold years ago. "He will rot in prison, and I will personally see to it that his every breath is filled with regret."

Adeline sat on the edge of her bed, the comfortable cushions around her gave her a sense of peace. She was in her warm bed, everything was going to be okay... She kept telling herself that.

Why wouldn’t it be okay? She had the evidence, she would testify in court against him... He will be gone for good. She was safe now... Why was she still worrying? Her heart was racing beyond her control.

She had a hard time breathing.

Calm down, Adeline... Calm down...

She realised that she was having a panic attack. She gripped the pillows next to her as tightly as she could in an effort to calm herself. Whatever happened earlier shook her to her soul.

Yes, there were laws to protect human life but, in a world where magic and powers exist, who knows what could happen?

She had Dimitri to save her now, but where was the guarantee that something like this wouldn’t happen again? How could she become stronger? Her holy powers don’t harm the attacker in the slightest!

"You should rest." A voice sounded from above. Adeline didn’t have the energy to be mad at the Goddess. She was trying not to let the panic completely overwhelm her.

"Use the powers on yourself..." The voice insisted in a pleading tone.

Though Adeline felt like voices were consuming her, she could hear the Goddess loud and clear. Without much thought she brought her glowing hands to her face, hoping for the loud noises to calm down.

Soon enough, they did. Her heart rate slowly returned to normal and the colour returned to her face. She lay down on the bed and let out a deep sigh.

Hearing nothing from Adeline, the Goddess spoke again, "I’m sorry..."

Adeline’s eyes widened. The Goddess sounded genuine? She didn’t say anything, she just let her continue.

"It is my fault that you were in a dangerous position, I pulled you into the world, and I gave you holy powers which were a double-edged sword... I couldn’t do anything when the Duke attacked you..."

Maybe, Adeline was just a kind person, or maybe the Goddess’s apology sounded very genuine, she didn’t feel angry anymore.

At least not at the Goddess... Angry at the circumstances, yes. Aside from not having the internet, Adeline liked this world, she loved her family, she liked her friends... And Holy powers seem to give her a purpose in life.

It wasn’t anyone’s fault. It was her own fault, she came to the Eastern Duchy with a half-cooked scheme... She couldn’t do anything right.

"It’s not your fault..." She uttered while turning to the side, what she wanted to do right now was just to rest. It had been a tiring day. A pain-filled day...

"I really wish I could give you powers Adeline... But I don’t have the ability to do so..." The Goddess became quieter as she reached the end of the sentence.

"It’s fine... Don’t worry about it." Adeline’s weak voice rang out.

The Goddess wasn’t satisfied with this though, "But there was an ancient ruin... A ruin from the past civilisations! A ruin that is guarded by the Mage Tower... I can tell you the location! Maybe you’ll be able to stumble on something there!"

Adeline tossed and turned but didn’t reply. Great! Another side quest. She thought.

The Goddess meant well, she didn’t want to reveal too much information! She was trying the best she could! "Please, just trust me one more time! I would never want to hurt you! You’re my friend..."

Adeline pushed the pillow aside and opened her eyes. She stared at the ceiling with furrowed eyebrows... "Fine... Let the court matter get settled first. I’ll check out the ruins you mentioned later."

She was able to hear a high-pitched squeal that almost didn’t register. Was the Goddess really that happy? She grew more and more curious about the ancient ruins she mentioned.

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