The Male Lead isn't Following the Script! -
Chapter 157: New Duchess
Chapter 157: New Duchess
Benedict shook his head vehemently. "You’re lying! She was getting better! How could her heart just-" His words faltered as he noticed something different about his father.
The man who once carried himself with authority now seemed diminished, his shoulders hunched, his gaze hollow.
Before his father could respond, the head maid stepped forward, her face lined with grief and anger. "She placed the Holy Sword on the mantle before she passed away," she said, her voice trembling but resolute. "The doctors claim it was her heart, but—"
"That’s enough," The Duke snapped, his glare silencing her. He didn’t want the matter of the sword to get out. The maids were gathered here, who knows who will spread the word?
Whatever happened in the past shall remain a secret, what they needed to think of is how to move forward. If any of them dare to speak of things they should not...
But Benedict turned to the maid, desperation in his eyes. "What are you saying? What does the sword have to do with this?" Was it the Holy Temple? They were after the sword! Did they do something? Or was it someone else who was after it?
The maid hesitated, glancing between Benedict and the Duke. She decided to stay silent. Knowing that he wouldn’t get information out of her angered him. He was sad, he was angry, he hated everything!
Why... Why did this have to happen? They were finally happy... Why did she have to be taken away from him?! He still needed her... He was just a child... Mom... Please, come back...
He had many things he wished to tell her. He wanted to tell her he loved her... He said it when she woke up but he wished to say it a hundred more times... I love you.
"Don’t worry, Benedict," The Duke said, his tone shifting to something almost dismissive. "Anna will take over as Duchess."
The words hit Benedict like a physical blow. He stared at his father, disbelief and rage boiling within him. "Anna?" He spat, his voice rising. "My mother’s body isn’t even cold, and you’re already replacing her?"
His father’s face darkened. "Watch your tone."
"Did you do this?" Benedict demanded, his voice trembling with fury. "Did you kill her so you could install her as the Duchess?"
Before anyone could react, Benedict lunged at his father. His fists connected with the Duke’s face, years of suppressed anger and grief exploding in a violent torrent. The Duke staggered under the assault but quickly recovered, grabbing Benedict’s wrists and forcing him back.
He didn’t look angry, he looked disappointed which only made Benedict angrier. Disappointed in him... What right did he have to be disappointed in him?!
With a swift motion, he slapped Benedict across the face, the sound echoing through the room.
Benedict stumbled but refused to back down. "You’re a monster," he hissed, his voice thick with emotion. "She trusted you, and you betrayed her. You let Anna worm her way into our lives, and now—"
"That’s enough!" the Duke roared, his composure shattering. He shoved Benedict aside and stormed out of the room, his footsteps echoing down the hall.
Benedict stood there, his chest heaving, his cheek stinging from the slap. The room was silent except for the muffled sobs of the maids.
After the Duke stormed out of the room, leaving Benedict reeling with grief and rage, Anna stepped in, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor.
She moved with an air of authority, her silken gown trailing behind her like a banner of conquest. The maids exchanged uneasy glances but quickly resumed their tasks, unwilling to draw attention.
As much as they hated this woman, their master was still the Duke. They had to follow his orders and he clearly treasured this vile woman. Knowing how the previous only recently died, she showed no decorum!
She rushed to take her place and wore colourful clothing as if celebrating the event.
Anna’s expression was carefully composed, a delicate mask of pity and self-assured triumph. "Benedict," she said, her voice sympathetic and laced with false concern. "I know this is a difficult time for you, but you must understand- your mother would have wanted the household to remain stable."
Benedict turned to face her, his eyes blazing with fury. "Stable?" He spat. "You think parading around in her place, dressing like a Duchess, is what she would have wanted?"
Anna’s smile tightened, but she maintained her calm. "Your father asked me to step in," She said smoothly. "This family needs a steady hand during such turbulent times. The staff looks to me for guidance now."
The staff in question despised her. Her antics only made them hate her more.
Benedict took a step toward her, his fists clenched at his sides. "You mean you’re the one they look to now that you’ve wormed your way into his good graces. How long have you been planning this, Anna? How long have you been waiting for my mother to-" His voice broke, and he struggled to continue.
Anna tilted her head, her eyes glinting with something unreadable. "You wound me, Benedict. I cared for your mother deeply. I would never wish for her passing."
Her words were perfectly calculated to sound innocent, but the slight upward quirk of her lips told a different story. She was enjoying this, savouring his pain and the power she now held.
"Get out," Benedict growled. "Get out of her room. You don’t belong here."
Anna didn’t move. Instead, she took a step closer, lowering her voice to a whisper meant only for him. "You should be careful where you point your anger. Your father has been under so much pressure, and yet he’s still thinking of what’s best for this family. Perhaps you should try doing the same."
The words hung in the air, and for a moment, Benedict faltered. Anna’s tone, the subtle emphasis on pressure, made him question what she was insinuating. Was she implying that his father’s decisions were justified? Or was it a veiled warning that challenging her would have consequences?
"Your mother was a remarkable woman," Anna continued, her voice softening almost genuinely. "But she was also fragile. It’s not your fault that you couldn’t protect her."
Benedict’s breath hitched, guilt cutting through his rage. How dare she say such a thing? But before he could respond, Anna turned on her heel, her gown sweeping the floor as she made her exit.
As she passed the doorway, she paused and glanced back over her shoulder. "Do take care of yourself, Benedict. The family needs you strong... Now more than ever."
Left alone with his thoughts, Benedict replayed Anna’s words in his mind, searching for hidden meanings. Her presence in the household, her newfound status, the way she spoke of his mother- it all felt calculated.
Darkness brewed in him. Adeline wanted to change the plot, but this time she could only delay the inevitable. Benedict would never be the same again. But Adeline didn’t know any of this yet.
She was planning to go to the Capital again to meet her father. She was going to propose her crazy idea to him.
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