The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 174: Assessment

Chapter 174: Assessment

She had failed. She had failed to save the Duchess, and now Benedict was left to endure this unbearable pain. She couldn’t bear it anymore.

"I’m trying my best to be strong... But I can’t do it anymore... Please come back..." He begged so earnestly.

Who was going to pick him up when he fell down? Who was going to brush his hair and tell him everything was going to be alright? He felt so lost without her... His father was untrustworthy... He had nowhere to turn to.

Closing her eyes, Adeline focused all her energy, her mind filled with the memory of the Duchess. She thought of her smile, her warmth, the motherly kindness she had shown despite her illness.

With a deep breath, she willed the butterfly to dissolve, its light transforming into a fine mist. The mist swirled and reformed, taking on the translucent shape of the Duchess.

Benedict’s eyes widened in shock as the ethereal figure appeared before him. For a moment, he was frozen, his breath catching in his throat. "Mom?" he whispered, his voice trembling with disbelief.

He pushed himself to his feet, his hands reaching out instinctively, but then he hesitated. He was afraid to move closer, afraid that the image would vanish like a fragile dream.

Adeline, her hands trembling with effort, made the image smile gently and extend its arms as if beckoning for a hug. The simple gesture broke through Benedict’s hesitation. With a cry, he rushed forward, his arms outstretched.

He collided with the image, but instead of the warm embrace he yearned for, his hands grasped only air. The illusion remained, untouchable and insubstantial, a cruel reminder of what had been lost.

Benedict fell to his knees, his face buried in his hands as he sobbed uncontrollably. The image of the Duchess lingered for a moment longer before dissolving into light, leaving the room dim and quiet once more.

On her end, Adeline collapsed to her knees. When she made her image open her arms, she did it too subconsciously... Only to realise now that she was hugging air.

Her hands clenched the fabric of her dress as tears streamed down her face. This is my fault, she thought bitterly. If only I had done more... If only I had been stronger...

But wallowing in guilt wouldn’t help Benedict. He couldn’t stay in that desolate estate, surrounded by reminders of his loss. He needed to leave, to find a way to heal. Adeline wiped her tears, her mind racing as she considered her options.

And then, a crazy idea struck her.

Her connection to the Crown Prince, Cassian, could be the key. If she could convince him to take Benedict under his protection, it might give him the time and space he needed to recover. It wasn’t a perfect solution, but it was a start.

Adeline rose to her feet, her determination renewed. She summoned parchment and a quill, her hand steady as she began to write. The words flowed from her heart, each one carrying the weight of her resolve.

She could be there for him if he was in the Capital. She didn’t know who else she could turn to. She didn’t know if bringing Benedict to her place would be appropriate.

Anywhere else would be further away, plus it would help if Cassian and Benedict became friends... In the original story they did not get along too well, maybe by doing this, there is a chance for them to bond.

Why did she turn to Cassian? She did not know, his name was the first to pop up in her mind. He was not someone who was very helpful by nature... And on top of that, he was suffering too! His mother was a monster...

She wished she could help both of them, it make things easier if they were in the same place. Easy way to monitor things. She could not keep sending butterflies out to the Northern Duchy...

And who knows when the Goddess would go offline again. She could not rely on her for information. To her, the best possible way to keep tabs on them was to do this.

She sealed the letter with her personal crest, her heart pounding as she handed it off to a messenger. Watching the courier ride off toward the palace, Adeline prayed silently for the Crown Prince’s swift response.

Returning to her chambers, she sat by the window, her gaze fixed on the horizon. She knew she couldn’t undo the past, but she could still fight for a better future. For Benedict, for the Northern Duchy, and for herself.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the world in hues of gold and crimson, Adeline vowed to not let Benedict’s story end in despair.

The more she thought the more it made sense for Benedict to stay in the palace. He was the son of a Duke! He should not be placed anywhere lower than the Duke’s position. There was no rule about it, but there were societal norms.

Dimitri stepped into the grand hall of the Mage Tower, his eyes darting to every intricate detail—the glowing runes on the walls, the shifting staircases, and the crystalline chandeliers that pulsed with an otherworldly light.

He was excited and nervous. He made it through the trial which meant that he was worthy, right? But he almost died in the process. Without Adeline healing him, he did not know if he could make it.

The elders who led him in were pleasantly surprised, they did not think a child who was not even ten years of age successfully passed the trial.

The first rule of the Mage Tower was clear: no outside communication. Letters, magical or physical, were strictly forbidden. Dimitri learned this almost immediately when he attempted to send a letter to Adeline. A stern-faced mage intercepted him before he could even write a single word.

"You are here to focus, not to maintain ties to the outside world," the mage said sharply. "Any distractions will only hinder your progress."

Dimitri clenched his fists, frustration bubbling inside him. He thought of Adeline, of how she had always been his guiding star. But now, it seemed, he would have to navigate this new world on his own. With a heavy heart, he nodded and walked away.

Dimitri was brought into the testing room, where they would assess his potential and assign a master accordingly.

They were astonished to see the orb burn so brightly! It was clear that he possessed wind magic, but the potential... It was infinite. This boy was a rare talent that would come by once in a century!

When he heard his assessment he was overjoyed, but the first thought that came to his mind was Adeline. He was selfish, but he wished that she joined him there. She had lightning powers, she would easily be selected!

And they could learn side by side... Just my wishful thinking...

He immediately discarded the thought. She would be miserable if she had to be away from her family, was that not the reason why she was fighting against the Holy Temple in the first place?