The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 163: Dual Powers

Chapter 163: Dual Powers

This was his house now. And he would let no one—not Anna, not even his father—take it from him. For the first time in days, he let out all his grief... He did not know how long he cried, but he huddled up in the bed, hugging one of her dresses.

He wishes it was all a dream but every time his eyes opened, the reality hit him. He was alone in this world.

The death of the Northern Duchess was a closely guarded secret within the Northern Duchy. Letters meant to announce her passing had been delayed by orders from the Duke himself.

The capital remained unaware, and so did Adeline, who continued her plans without the knowledge of her close friend’s loss. For now, her attention was focused on the pressing matter of her audience with the Emperor.

Adeline stood once more in the grand halls of the imperial palace. The towering marble columns and golden chandeliers that adorned the throne room never failed to remind her of the power the Emperor wielded.

At her side, her father, the Marquess, looked stoic, but she could sense his unease. The Emperor was not a man to be trusted lightly.

Adeline had spent the journey to the palace carefully planning her words. She needed the Emperor’s approval to carry out her plan to expose the Holy Temple.

When the Marquess had told her that the Emperor would listen, she doubted it. Yet, here she was, standing before the most powerful man in the Empire.

"Your Majesty," Adeline began, bowing gracefully. "Thank you for granting us this audience."

The Emperor, seated on his ornate golden throne, gave her an appraising look. His sharp features and piercing eyes made it clear that he was not a man easily swayed. "Speak, Lady Adeline. I hear you have devised a plan that involves the Holy Temple."

The Marquess thought that Adeline was taking the Emperor too seriously. She did not have to. He simply crossed his hands and waited for her to speak. It was his daughter’s moment to shine, so he will let her.

Adeline nodded, her hands folded neatly in front of her. "Indeed, Your Majesty. The Temple has long held unchecked power. It manipulates the faithful and hides behind its veil of divinity. I intend to challenge this by revealing their hypocrisy and corruption."

The Emperor’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Bold words for someone so young. And how do you plan to achieve this?"

Adeline smiled, she wasn’t scared by the Emperor, "The Holy Temple thinks that I have holy powers-"

"But you do indeed have them." The Emperor interjected. Just what was this girl talking about?

The Marquess shot him a look telling him to shut up. The casual relationship between them was something Adeline seemed to find out just now. Ignoring that she continued.

"They plan to use me as an excuse for the war. That the empire hid me on purpose and violated the contract in the first place. But if I expose that they carelessly started a whole war based on wrong information, they would have to hang their heads in shame." She thought of the plan, she needed a bit of help to implement it.

Adeline was confident, for the first time ever, things were going her way. She was going to face Edward face to face and humiliate him. Her eyes narrowed with determination.

"But it is not wrong information. You have holy powers." The Emperor interjected again.

"For the love of God, just hear her out! Stop interrupting, and listen!" The Marquess yelled. Adeline’s eyes widened in surprise. What was this bromance? She felt out of place. They looked like they wanted to kill each other but she could feel the love or whatever.

Adeline took a deep breath. "With a public display, Your Majesty. I have agreed to undergo the Holy Temple’s sacred test of power. They believe I possess only holy abilities, but I intend to reveal my dual powers during the ceremony, exposing their lies."

The Emperor leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Dual powers, you say? I was not aware the esteemed Marquess’s daughter possessed such a rare gift."

His mind raced with possibilities, now how to get this child over to his side.

Her father stiffened beside her, his jaw clenching. He clearly disliked the Emperor’s sudden interest in her abilities. "Your Majesty," the Marquess interjected, "My daughter’s powers are not the topic of this discussion. She has come to seek your approval for her plan, not to showcase her talents."

The Emperor ignored him, his gaze fixed on Adeline. "Say, Lady Adeline," he said, his tone almost casual. "Would you be willing to get engaged to my son?"

The question caught her off guard, and she instinctively stepped back. Her mind raced. Was he serious? She had vowed never to involve herself romantically with any of the male leads, and the Crown Prince was no exception.

No way, she thought fiercely. Never going to happen.

Before she could respond, her father stepped forward, his voice cold and menacing. "Your Majesty, I feel like you think I would not raise my sword against you."

The tension in the room was palpable. The Emperor raised his hands in mock surrender, a sly smile playing on his lips. "I was only kidding, Alistair."

But both men knew the truth. He was not kidding. If Adeline had shown the slightest hint of agreement, the engagement would have been sealed on the spot.

The Emperor shifted his focus back to Adeline, his expression unreadable. "Very well," he said. "You have my approval for your plan. I will ensure the ceremony is attended by the Empire’s most influential figures. The Dukes and their heirs will be present. The Temple’s downfall will be witnessed by all."

As they left the palace, Adeline felt a mix of triumph and unease. Her father’s silence was deafening, and she could feel his disapproval radiating off him. Once they were seated in the carriage, he finally spoke.

"Adeline," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Do you realise what you have done?"

She met his gaze, her expression resolute. "I’ve set the stage for justice."

"You have exposed yourself to the Emperor," he snapped. "He is a viper, always looking for ways to strengthen his power. Your dual abilities are a weapon he will try to wield."

"I won’t let him," Adeline replied firmly. "I am not a pawn." She has had enough of the games, the schemes, the innocent lives lost in the process... This was something she had to do. She did not regret it.

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