The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 123: Approval

Chapter 123: Approval

"Really?" She grinned but also tried to remain modest hoping that the Duchess would sing praises to assure her.

"Nope. I just said that to make you feel better but now I decided it isn’t nice to lie to children." She said casually as if she hadn’t just insulted Adeline. She was tying her hair up and didn’t see how Adeline’s smile wavered.

"..."

"Anyway, you should get ready." She put her feet on the ground and left to freshen up leaving a disheartened blob of pink behind. It was leaking sadness.

She didn’t move! She stayed right there! Once the Duchess washed her face, she stepped out of the room to find a deflated Adeline.

"Why are you still here?" She asked. It amusing to see the once bright and overly enthusiastic child so glum, it was very out of character.

Adeline didn’t know what to say to that. She shifted awkwardly, watching the Duchess’s curious face. Gathering her courage, she finally spoke. "Your Grace... Before I leave, may I ask you for a favour?"

The Duchess raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "A favour?" She repeated. "What is it?"

She didn’t like kids, they were fine from a distance. But this child seemed to be an exception. She liked Adeline. There was a first for everything, she thought.

Adeline clasped her hands tightly, her heart pounding. This was her chance, and she needed to make it count.

The room was quiet except for the rustles of the curtains moving with the wind. The Duchess adjusted her position on the sofa, her expression was thoughtful. Adeline stood nearby, her hands clasped tightly, trying to steady her nerves.

This was a conversation she had been mulling over for days, and now that the moment was here, the words seemed to lodge themselves in her throat. She cleared her throat and told herself to stop worrying!

Taking a deep breath, Adeline finally found her voice. "Your Grace... The favour I wanted to ask you is..." She shot an awkward smile. The Duchess looked as serious as ever which made her even more nervous!

"Ahem! My holy powers... They could become a problem. The temple... They might come after me. So, I hope you will back me up when the time comes." Adeline’s head drooped, she couldn’t even form a proper sentence! She carefully looked up at the Duchess. Maybe it wasn’t so bad.

The Duchess’s expression changed from serious to ultra-serious. Her eyes were narrowed and she didn’t move her gaze from Adeline.

Adeline gulped nervously.

The Duchess, who had been resting her chin on her hand, straightened up slightly, her gaze sharpening. "Go on," She said, her tone was calm but laced with interest.

"..." What do you mean ’go on’?! That was it! She just explained it! There’s nothing more to tell!

"Explain your plan, child." She shook her head and sighed. The maids entered, placed a tray with coffee and cookies on it and left immediately.

Oh... Okay... But I don’t have a plan! Yet...

"Well, I don’t have a one hehehe." She laughed nervously and put a cookie in her mouth. Even now she didn’t forget her love for food.

The Duchess gave her one long stare before talking. "This isn’t a difficult request," she said after a moment. "You’ve done so much already, Adeline Kendrick. You helped me expose that vile man for what he truly is. Returning the favour is only right."

Relief flooded Adeline’s face, but it was short-lived as the Duchess continued, her tone more serious. "That being said, this isn’t a simple matter. I’m not worried about whether I can help you. I decided long ago that I will."

She leaned back with the cup of coffee in her hand, taking a sip she continued, "What concerns me are the broader implications. If your powers are exposed, there could be... Complications."

Adeline nodded solemnly. She understood the risk. The Holy Temple’s influence was vast, and its reach was long. "I understand that you’re worried about the Eastern Duchy," She said, trying to reassure her. "But I promise, it won’t come to that."

To her surprise, the Duchess waved her off with a dismissive hand. "The Duchy?" she scoffed. "I’m not concerned about that. I’ll be damned if I ever rely on that greedy organization for anything. Whether they support us or not, we’ll be just fine."

Adeline was mildly surprised by her confidence. The Duchess was her role model from now on! She was absolutely amazing.

Before she could say anything, the Duchess continued, her voice softening. "What I’m worried about, child, is you."

The words caught Adeline off guard. She almost blushed. The stoic, cold Duchess of the East cared about her? She was honoured.

The Duchess gestured for Adeline to sit, and when the girl hesitated, she patted the spot beside her on the sofa. "Come here," she said, her tone gentler than before. "We need to talk this through properly."

Adeline sat down, folding her hands neatly in her lap as the Duchess leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees.

"Let me be clear," The Duchess began. "This isn’t about underestimating you or dismissing your abilities. I’ve seen what you’re capable of and, I know that you’re no ordinary child." Her chin lifted up and her tone was serious, "The Temple is no ordinary enemy."

Adeline nodded slowly. This wasn’t something she didn’t know. She heard about their deeds from Dimitri and she read about it in the story! Although it wasn’t completely detailed, she knew how corrupt the Temple was! At least until Annora cleansed and reformed it.

The Duchess wasn’t just offering her help, she was acknowledging Adeline as a partner, someone worth planning with. This was a stark contrast to the way most adults treated her, they only think of her as a child who does not understand the world.

"I’m not underestimating you," The Duchess repeated, her gaze steady, "I just want you to know how deep its influence runs."

Adeline’s heart was racing. She was feeling stressed again. She just wanted this problem to be solved so that she could rest in peace!

"Do you plan to hide your powers until they fade? It is no secret that only by associating with the Temple can one retain their powers. But I guess if that was the case you wouldn’t be needing to make allies." She smirked.

The Holy Temple had been an irreplaceable entity, their world had been plagued with monsters for as long as they could remember. Their numbers have been increasing and they have been growing stronger.

Without it, it was difficult to say how long humanity could have survived. The Lunaria Empire is what it is now only because of it.

The other two kingdoms didn’t have a holy temple or access to holy powers, they had been surviving only because the terrain was favourable to them. No monster could easily approach them.

Adeline drew in a quick breath, the Duchess was incredibly perceptive. She nodded slowly, "You are right. I am trying to make allies because my powers are infinite. I can do anything with them... And the thing that is on top of my list... Is to bring the Holy Temple to the ground."

The Duchess raised her head. There was a spark in her eyes. This child... She really liked her! She liked her fire, she liked her thinking. She liked her courage.