The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 176: Daughter

Chapter 176: Daughter

"I’ll become stronger," he whispered, clutching the charm tightly. "For her. For myself. I’ll prove that I can protect what matters without losing who I am." Dimitri was confident when he said this.

His fists clenched, even if he had to stay away from her. He wanted to help, this life he had was all because of her. He did not know where he would be if she did not take him in.

He closed his eyes, his heart raced as he thought about the past. They were recent events but they were still tinged with nostalgia.

---

Cassian sat in the ornate study, sunlight filtering through the tall windows. A servant brought in a sealed letter on a silver tray, and Cassian immediately recognised the seal. His pulse quickened as he dismissed the servant with a curt nod.

It was from Adeline.

So he was finally hearing from her... He wondered what he should do to get her attention, to get her to care. But now she sent him a letter. He smiled lightly.

As he unfolded the letter and began to read, his expression shifted. The smile that had begun to tug at his lips faltered, replaced by a frown. The letter was not what he had hoped it would be.

Adeline’s words were polite and thoughtful, as always, but the subject of her letter was Benedict—the Northern Duke.

She wrote to him about a favour. She wanted him to temporarily house Benedict.

Cassian’s grip on the letter tightened. Before he realised it, the fine parchment crumpled under the force of his hand. A sharp exhale escaped him, and he set the letter down with deliberate care. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, willing his composure to return.

For a moment, jealousy burned in his chest. Why Benedict? Why did her thoughts linger on someone else? But another thought cooled the flames of his envy: Adeline had written to him. She had trusted him to fulfil her request.

"If this is what it takes to have her visit more often," he murmured to himself, "then so be it."

Cassian didn’t waste time. Straightening his tunic, he strode through the palace halls, his footsteps echoing against the marble floors.

He passed courtiers and officials who bowed in deference, though their eyes lingered curiously on the Crown Prince’s determined expression. It was rare for Cassian to personally seek an audience with his father, the Emperor.

The Emperor was in his private study, poring over a mountain of documents. The Holy Temple’s recent betrayal had left the empire in turmoil, and he had been working tirelessly to restore order.

The former captain of the Imperial Knights had been a puppet of Edward’s mind control, an event that had shaken the empire to its core.

To prevent such treachery from recurring, the Emperor had appointed a new head priest and bolstered the temple’s security with loyal guards. The entire empire was under heightened vigilance.

As the doors to the study opened, the Emperor looked up, surprised to see Cassian enter. His son was not one to make unprompted visits. Setting his quill aside, the Emperor leaned back in his chair, studying the Crown Prince with a mixture of curiosity and scrutiny.

Taking a deep breath, Cassian steadied himself. The injuries from his mother’s last outburst had not fully healed, but by now he was used to it. It was a regular occurrence after all.

"Father," Cassian began, his voice steady but firm. This was not a request though he claimed it as such, it was a demand. He handed Adeline’s letter to the Emperor. "I have a request."

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, taking the letter. As he read through it, his amusement grew. The request was not unreasonable, but it was the manner in which Cassian presented it that intrigued him.

This was not the quiet, detached son he had grown accustomed to. There was a fire in Cassian’s gaze, a resoluteness that was both refreshing and unexpected.

The Emperor chuckled, a deep, resonant sound that filled the room. "Now this," he said, gesturing to Cassian, "is how a Crown Prince should act."

With a wave of his hand, he signalled his approval. "Consider it done.

Housing a child was not difficult. His son requested it, the least he could do as a father was to get it done. From the letter it was clear that Adeline requested this, his son was going above and beyond for this girl.

It was not a bad thing according to the Emperor. He was smart, was he not? He did not have powers, so he chose a girl who had incredible powers.

Adeline Kendrick... Lightning and healing powers, hah. His friend would have kept her hidden forever from him if not for the troubling situation that forced his hand.

Why was Cassian the crown prince? Because he was his firstborn? No. The Emperor closed his eyes and recalled the situation. Since his concubine had influence within the capital, he could not give her additional powers.

Though the Empress was the daughter of a Duke, because of their geographical location, they did not have the upper hand, to bring balance, giving Cassian the title was appropriate.

There was backlash sure, giving the title to a boy who barely had powers... But he was the Emperor. What he said was final. His eyes narrowed at the closing door.

He was interested in how things would develop.

Was he hoping that one day Adeline would join their family? That was also true. He was a selfish man, very selfish. And although he was sure that his friend would never dare to eye the empire... It would be favourable for him to make sure it would never be even a possibility.

And how would he make sure of it? By having leverage. If the Marquess’ daughter was married to his son, the Marquess would think twice.

He leaned back into his chair. Falling deep in thought. He was saying all this just to act tough. In reality, he did want a daughter... He knew he jokingly said that when he talked to his friend... But, deep down... Maybe he meant it. He was never good with sons...

He was not a good father, he was aware of it. One would tell him to take care of his children rather than thinking about the possibility of another. His imperial concubine was pregnant again... He... Hoped it would be a daughter.

Ahh, Emperor... You are an Emperor. These are foolish wishes. If the imperial concubine has another son, the scales will tip in her favour. That is the only reason I want a daughter. Right.

He got up, making a screeching noise and started to pace the room. He knew what his wives were doing, but he did not stop. If they were going to be the future emperor, they had to endure... They will have to endure more.

His eyes narrowed while he stared outside the window. He faced a lot worse. This will only strengthen them. Although a small voice told him that his experiences caused him a lot of pain, he ignored it. That voice was a weakling.