The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 168: Great Things

Chapter 168: Great Things

She would make Anna pay. Adeline had renewed confidence since dealing with the Holy Temple. She could act, she could do something about it. With dual powers in her arsenal and a family that supported her she believed that she could truly change the plot.

Anna was... A slippery one. It had been days but there was nothing they could find on her. Either she was good at hiding it, or they were laying low... Benedict told her that their plan was to wait and see. However impatient she might be, she had to wait. She could not rush this.

Adeline felt the weight of exhaustion settling over her, though her posture remained composed, a practised smile still on her lips.

Her eyes scanned the thinning crowd one last time, hoping to catch a glimpse of Benedict. He hadn’t come to her, despite the countless opportunities. The realisation hit her harder than she expected. He was here... He saw her... Yet he did not approach her.

"Why didn’t he approach me?" she wondered, her brow furrowing. "Was I so unreliable that he could not even confide in me?"

The thought stung, and she found herself clenching her fists to push back the frustration. Something was wrong—she could feel it,

But there was no time to dwell on it now; everyone was preparing to leave, scattering in different directions like petals in the wind.

Before she could retreat to her chambers to gather her things, a soft voice called her name.

"Adeline," the Eastern Duchess said, stepping out of the shadows of a nearby archway. Her presence was as commanding as ever, her sharp eyes glinting with a mixture of pride and amusement.

"Your Grace," Adeline replied, inclining her head respectfully. The Duchess had always been an enigma to her—both stern and kind, a woman of few words but immense power.

The Duchess smiled faintly, her expression softer than Adeline had ever seen it. "You have many tricks up your sleeves, young lady," she said, her tone carrying a note of approval. "Lightning powers... Truly impressive. The Kendricks are bound to make their mark on history."

Adeline blinked, caught off guard by the compliment. "Thank you, Your Grace. I only hope to use my abilities wisely." She really did. Knowing how powerful lightning magic is and knowing how rare... She was worried.

The Duchess nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "I believe you will. Which is why I have something for you." She held out a folded parchment, sealed with the sigil of the Eastern Duchy.

Adeline hesitated before taking it, her fingers brushing against the fine paper. Breaking the seal, she unfolded it to reveal a land deed. Her eyes widened as she read the details—a manor, nestled in a tranquil part of the Eastern Duchy.

"This..." she began, looking up at the Duchess in surprise. "This is—"

"A gift," the Duchess interrupted, her tone firm but warm. "From an elder to her junior. Consider it an invitation to visit the Eastern Duchy more often."

Adeline’s heart felt very warm. She truly treasured this gift, especially after learning the meaning behind it. She would love to visit the Duchess more often... Even though she was on the other side of the Empire, she would make the trip!

"Thank you," she said softly, her voice tinged with emotion.

The Duchess’s lips quirked upward in a rare smile. She reached out and gently ruffled Adeline’s hair, her touch surprisingly tender. "Take care of yourself, Adeline. The world will expect great things from you." And so did she. She was not fond of kids... This much she knew, but Adeline was special to her.

She remembered the time Adeline had spent with her. So much has changed. She now possessed both lightning powers and holy powers. She was a woman of tact. Dual powers were not rare, they were impossible.

She was worried for her but also wanted to witness the things this little one could achieve.

With that, she turned and strode away, her presence as commanding in departure as it was in arrival. Adeline stood there for a moment, clutching the deed in her hands, a small smile playing on her lips.

The gesture felt like more than just a gift—it was a sign of trust, of acknowledgement. And it meant more to her than she could put into words.

She did not have a good mother in her past life... And in this life, her mother was gone before she noticed. The closest thing she had to a motherly figure seemed like the Duchess... And also Alaric.

She chuckled to herself. Getting her approval meant so much to her. She watched as the Duchess waved goodbye.

As she joined her father and brother at the entrance, the carriage awaited them, its polished frame glinting under the moonlight. The Eastern Duchess had already departed, and there was no sign of Benedict. The thought nagged at her, a persistent itch she couldn’t ignore.

Cassian was among the last to bid her farewell. He approached with his usual calm demeanour, his presence commanding attention despite the simplicity of his movements. Taking her hand in his, he bowed slightly and pressed a kiss to the back of it.

"I hope to see you again, Lady Adeline," he said, his voice low and sincere.

Her ears turned red at the gesture, though she hoped it didn’t show. She offered him a polite smile, masking the flutter of nerves in her chest. "I hope so too," she replied.

As he straightened, their eyes met for a brief moment, and something unspoken passed between them—a promise, perhaps, or a shared understanding. Then he stepped back, allowing her to take her leave.

Throughout this whole ordeal, she realised that Cassian stayed by her side. Sometimes holding her hand, sometimes telling her that she was brave.

She had been experiencing major guilt for changing the plot these past few days, but now, she didn’t feel like it was wrong of her to do so. She made many friends this way, and created better endings for some of them...

The carriage ride was quiet, the rhythmic clatter of wheels on cobblestones filling the silence. The sound made her feel very sleepy. Adeline leaned back against the plush seat, her body heavy with exhaustion. Her father sat beside her, his presence a comforting anchor.

"You’ve had a long day," he said softly, his voice carrying a rare note of gentleness.

She nodded, her eyelids drooping. "It’s finally over," she murmured. "At least for now."

Her father placed a hand on her head, brushing her hair in soothing strokes. He also pulled her closer and placed her head on his lap. He could tell that she was slowly drifting to sleep.

The steady motion of the carriage and the warmth of her father’s touch lulled her into a deep sleep. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt at peace.

The weight of the recent events—the confrontation with the Holy Temple, the uncertainty of Benedict’s absence—faded into the background.

She knew the peace wouldn’t last, that the Holy Temple wouldn’t give up so easily. But for now, she allowed herself to believe that things would be okay.

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