The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 118: The Offer Stands

Chapter 118: The Offer Stands

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.

The Goddess felt a great amount of relief. She wasn’t feeling the best and hadn’t monitored the situation that was happening. Her dear friend got hurt! She barely made it in time!

She needed to do something to make it up to her friend, she remembered the plot well, she wrote it! It would be a shame if she didn’t. She remembered the ruins of the Sun Goddess... The Goddess of this world, a character she made up.

She sighed deeply and was lost in thought. She wondered if the Sun Goddess was real and had powers of her own... All the characters of this world came to life. Would the Goddess too? But the thing was... She was not really a character much less a legend that was simply mentioned.

She had no dialogues or appearance. So many she was not awake.

At the same time, Everett sat in his room, staring at the piece of paper the Duchess had handed him earlier. It wasn’t the birth certificate—it was a letter written by his mother, Alice.

The letter described her love for Everett, and that he deserved a better life than she could ever provide. It was the letter she wrote when she planned to leave Everett under the Duke’s care... Before she changed her mind.

Everett’s hands trembled as he read the words again.

"It may seem like she abandoned you... But she didn’t... She came back for you, she loved you..." The Duchess tried her best to comfort the child. He wasn’t a bad child... He was a troubled child.

"And it got her killed..." He couldn’t help but say... She died because she decided to not abandon him, and that infuriated his father. It was his fault...

His father, the man who had taken so much from him, was now in chains. Everett didn’t know what future awaited him. Where would he even go? He was sure that the Duchess wouldn’t be raising her husband’s affair child...

"Am I going back to the orphanage?" He asked with a hint of worry. He could live comfortably there only because his father gave them large funds. The headmaster treated him with respect because he was a cash cow.

If he went back now, who knows how he would get treated? He didn’t exactly exhibit nice behaviour towards the rest of the orphans. He regretted everything.

"No..."

Everett looked at her with hope thinking she was going to take him in, but the next words she uttered were like a cold bucket of ice.

"Your mother’s father had a title... Since he had no heir, it was passed onto the next of kin, but you are here now. You will inherit that title and the house." The Duchess thought this was a wonderful idea.

He would have a place to live comfortably, he would have a title, what more could he need? The Duchess proved time and again that she wasn’t good with kids.

Everett stayed silent for a long time before thanking her politely. Once she left the room, he burst into tears.

The Duchess walked to her study and sighed along the way. The truth was, she never wanted kids. She never wanted to be a mother. It just wasn’t what she wanted.

She wasn’t completely barren... She was infertile though, making the chance of conceiving a child much lower. But this benefited her, she never wanted children! Ever!

She was not prepared to take on a child, affair child or not, she would never want to raise children. But she wasn’t a heartless person, she wanted to ensure that Everett would have a stable life.

Thus, she decided to give him the title he deserved.

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The next morning, the estate was abuzz with news of the Duke’s arrest. Servants whispered in the hallways as the rumours flew! The Duke killed someone! The Duke was cheating on the Duchess!

No one knew the full extent of the truth but the speculations seemed to be far more worse than the real truth! The Duchess could feel a headache coming. She needed to address this matter with her servants.

She was sipping tea in the hall very casually. Whatever the situation might be, the Duchess would always remain calm and unaffected.

Why should she lose her sanity because of a man, a selfish, disgusting pig of a man?! She was angrily calm, she was a living oxymoron.

Adeline entered the room, limping slightly, the Duchess’s sharp eyes softened immediately. "You should still be resting," She said.

"I’ve rested enough," Adeline replied, sitting down carefully. "I need to know what happens next. What will happen to the Duke?"

The Duchess set her cup down and folded her hands. "He will face trial, though it’s mostly a formality. The evidence you found is damning enough to secure his conviction, but I plan to ensure he is thoroughly disgraced before then."

Adeline hesitated, then asked, "And Everett? What will happen to him?"

As if summoned by her words, Everett appeared in the doorway. His expression was guarded, but his voice was steady. "That’s what I came here to discuss."

The Duchess and Adeline were surprised to see him here. They were curious as to what he had to say, especially the Duchess. He didn’t look too happy when she handed him the title.

The Duchess gestured for him to join them, and he took a seat across from Adeline. He glanced at her bruised face and looked away quickly, guilt flashing in his eyes.

"Thank you," He said quietly. "For everything you’ve done. For my mother." He would have lived his entire life in the dark if his father got the power he wanted. He would have never been brought to justice for the murder of his mother.

Adeline shook her head. "I did not do it just for you. The Duke needed to be stopped. But... What will you do now?"

Everett’s jaw tightened. "I am not sure. My entire life, I’ve been tied to him, whether I liked it or not. But now... I have choices." He turned to face the Duchess, "I am grateful for your help, your Grace. But, I do not want that title."

He looked down with a sense of guilt... Maybe shame? He felt bad for refusing the offer, anyone would have been grateful for this way out. He lifted his head and mustered up some confidence.

"I will be leaving the estate. You don’t have to worry about me. I have my own plans which I will not reveal. I don’t want a part of the Duchy or the title of my... Grandfather."

The Duchess and Adeline looked at each other in confusion. Just what did this boy plan to do? How would he survive? He was not going back to the orphanage, that was sure.

Everett didn’t leave room for any questioning, he was firm in his decision. And the Duchess accepted it. If he was so sure about it, she wouldn’t involve herself.

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