The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 164: Lightning Powers

Chapter 164: Lightning Powers

"I won’t let him," Adeline replied firmly. "I’m not a pawn."

She hadn’t told the Emperor what her second ability was. She would want her lightning powers to be a surprise that would face-slap anyone who had mean intentions.

When the Northern Duke received a summon from the Emperor specifically asking him to bring along his heir, he was confused and alarmed. But he was in no place to question it.

He called Benedict into his study and informed him about the trip. They were to assemble at the palace immediately. Benedict wondered what could have happened, but the thought was immediately overshadowed by worry.

He didn’t want Anna to resume control while he was away. Who knows what she might do? She already had his father’s trust... He couldn’t do anything to her, he could only deal with her through small conflicts.

He wanted to kick her out of the house and out of their lives entirely but for now, he could only kick her out of his mother’s room. Because of her... He lost some of his mother’s possession, the urge to kill her started to surge within him.

He was a young boy, he shouldn’t be having these feelings, he shouldn’t have to experience any of this either, but with the cards Benedict was dealt... He fell prey to the original story’s setting.

His father looked at him with no expression. He gave up hope on his father, that is true. But it always hurt to face him like this... It was so cruel to give him hope and take it away immediately.

There was no room for negotiation, as his father said, it was an imperial summon. He wished to take this chance to tell everyone about his mother’s death... But what would that achieve? Her funeral was over... He didn’t know if anyone would even visit to honour her memory.

They probably would not even care that a random woman became the Duchess. His eyes narrowed with determination. The only people who would care about her death were the nobility in the Duchy.

He was sure that there were some people who were after power, and his mother’s death would give them the opportunity to take advantage of the chaos... Which did not exist because the Duke remarried without anyone else’s permission.

Benedict sighed, did he have to side with the enemy to gain power within his own house? For now, he stopped thinking about it. He was preparing for the journey.

Similarly, the Eastern Duchess and the Southern Duke received a summon. Accompanying the Duke would be Drogo, the heir.

Adeline travelled to the Holy Temple with her father and an entourage that included key figures from the Empire. The other Dukes and their heirs... Adeline was too preoccupied with her thoughts and anxiety that she did not notice that Benedict was acting differently.

Cassian and Alaric had accompanied her. Alaric was set to stay with the Marquess but after he got to know that Cassian was her escort, he forcibly inserted himself between them. He didn’t trust the Crown prince, not now and not ever.

As the grand gates of the Temple loomed ahead, Adeline felt the weight of what was to come. She had prepared meticulously, rehearsing her words and visualizing the moment she would unveil her dual abilities.

The stakes were high—not just for her reputation but for her life. The Temple wouldn’t take kindly to her plans.

"No matter what happens, remember, the royal family has your back." Cassian reached out to take Adeline’s hand and Alaric immediately placed his on her hands. Cassian now had Alaric’s hand in his hand.

"Thank you, your highness. I am feeling more confident now." Alaric smiled at him after pulling his back.

Cassian was not too amused but he kept his perfect diplomatic smile on.

The Temple’s High Priests welcomed her with ostentatious politeness, though their smiles didn’t reach their eyes. Edward stood beside the head priest who seemed oddly neutral, his usual unsettling presence muted as if waiting for something.

Edward on the other hand seemed very eager to meet Adeline. He greeted her with kindness that completely freaked her out. She couldn’t show it though. She had to act normal.

Adeline stepped into the grand hall, where a dais was prepared for the ritual. The audience sat in rows of gilded pews, their murmurs of anticipation a low hum that filled the vast space.

At the centre of the dais stood the Holy Orb, an artifact said to reveal the divine powers of those who touched it. It was usually used to check a child’s talents. Most of the time, it isn’t used.

If a child has powers but doesn’t awaken them, it simply isn’t meant to be. Those who can awaken their powers will do so. No point in testing them.

"Lady Adeline Kendrick," boomed the High Priest’s voice, "step forward and let the truth of your soul be revealed."

Adeline wasn’t worried, it would not show her holy powers, she was sure of it. At least that was what she told herself. Her heart was beating so fast that she felt like she was experiencing a panic attack.

Adeline approached the Orb, her heart pounding but her steps steady. She placed her hands on its cool, glowing surface. A wave of energy pulsed through her, and the Orb began to shine. The room fell silent, save for the faint hum of magic.

A light started to emerge, crackling and fierce. A storm of violet lightning spiralled around the Orb, mingling with the golden light. Gasps filled the hall, and the murmurs turned to cries of alarm.

"Lightning! She has lightning powers!" Screams began from the audience. The rare lightning attribute that was rumoured to be extinct was now possessed by Adeline!

Adeline’s pulse raced as she watched the growing unrest. She had hoped for controlled chaos, but the revelation had stirred something primal in the crowd.

Cassian’s jaw tightened as the realisation of what had just occurred sank in. Alaric, standing at Adeline’s side, subtly stepped closer, his hand resting near the hilt of his sword. The revelation had not only stunned the audience but had also painted a target on her back.

Benedict, seated among the gathered nobility, watched in silence. His expression remained unreadable, but his thoughts churned.

High above the hall, the Emperor observed the proceedings with keen interest. Hidden from view, he leaned forward in his seat, his expression betraying a mix of curiosity and ambition.

"How fascinating," he murmured. "Lightning... A weapon such as this could shift the balance of power."

They didn’t know why exactly they were asked to congregate here but with this, they understood that they were here to witness the historic moment... The first lightning wielder in years!

Edward’s reaction was harder to gauge. He stood motionless, his sharp eyes fixed on the glowing Orb. His ever-present smile had faded, replaced by a look of calculation.

How... Just how did this happen? He shot a look at the head priest who immediately stepped forward and yelled, "No... We can detect the presence of divinity in her! She has holy powers!" He has to salvage this!