The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 177: By Hook or By Crook

Chapter 177: By Hook or By Crook

What the Emperor needed to be worried more about would be the Southern Duchy. He knew they were eyeing his throne but he was sure of his capabilities to thwart their attempts.

Their ambitions were no secret. He knew they were watching him, waiting for the right moment to act. They regarded themselves as the lifeline of the Empire because of their industry and businesses...

Hah... Overconfident. They really overestimated themselves, hadn’t they?

Yet, he was confident in his ability to outmanoeuvre them. His network of spies and loyalists ensured he remained several steps ahead, even against foes as cunning as the Southern Duke.

Especially with his most trusted advisor by his side. He knew that the Marquess valued the stability of the Empire more than anyone. Perhaps this was why he strengthened the military so much.

He had three beloved children and he hoped they would live and grow in a wonderful empire, and not one filled with hatred, schemes and power struggles.

He was amused by this friend of his time and again. What is it that made him this way? The Emperor did not understand the value of a family, maybe because he never experienced it. It could make a man so desperate? Hmm.

He was not like this before, was he? No, he was always like this, he just started to show it better. He started to be more open with his feelings. What brought out this change? It had to be that young daughter of his.

He rubbed his forehead. His ambitions were slowly dying down, he was not as young as he used to be. He used to live for this empire, he destroyed his siblings for this land... And yet, he was not satisfied.

What drove his friend? He wished he could understand so he could find a drive for himself. His study never seemed to empty before... He walked towards the window to observe.

In her private chambers, the Empress sat at her ornate writing desk, her expression a mask of cold determination.

The news of Cassian’s growing independence had reached her ears, and it unsettled her more than she cared to admit. For years, she had moulded him into the perfect heir, a flawless extension of her own ambitions. But now, cracks were beginning to show in her control.

She clenched her pen tightly, her mind racing. The Imperial concubine and her unborn child posed an immediate threat to her plans. The concubine had gained favour within the court, her son’s modest magical abilities sparking whispers of potential. It was intolerable.

Her thoughts turned to the Southern Duchy. They were ambitious, ruthless, and utterly untrustworthy. But for now, they could serve her purposes.

If she aligned with them, even temporarily, she could use their resources and influence to eliminate the Imperial concubine and her unborn child. Drogo, her nephew was just as bad as them all. He was a child, but he was just as ruthless.

Just looking at his arrogant attitude made her want to scratch that smug smile off of his face. But for now, she had to relent and join hands with them.

The Empress knew he would never truly support her or her son. But that was precisely why she felt confident in dealing with him. She was going to just use him. He thought she was some helpless woman, didn’t he?

Someone who has no one to rely on, Cassian being powerless and her being isolated in the grand capital city... No... She will not take this lying down.

She planned to offer him just enough to keep him invested in her schemes—an alliance against the Imperial concubine and her supporters, as well as a promise to weaken the influence of the Northern Duchy.

But she would ensure that Drogo never gained enough power to challenge her son’s claim to the throne.

As she sealed the letter with her insignia, the Empress allowed herself a moment of satisfaction. The pieces were falling into place. She would eliminate her rivals, and secure her son’s position, she would also make sure Drogo never gets engaged to anyone powerful enough to cause her trouble...

She would watch him like a hawk. She clenched her fists as she paced, her gown swishing with every step.

As for Cassian who started to rebel against her lately, she would nip that attitude in the bud. She had already started... She refused to let her flesh and blood ruin everything she planned, every meticulous action, every scheme... No, she would not let him ruin it.

The boy who had once clung to her skirts now sought to defy her, blind to the danger his insolence invited. How could he not see that she had shaped his world with her own two hands? That his path to power was paved with the shards of her own ambitions, her own soul?

This was all for them. She was doing this for them! How could he not see it? No one will love or respect him if he was not seated on the throne. The power he has as the Crown prince is not his... It was a mere charity by her husband.

His power existed as long as the Emperor’s interest existed. And she will not leave her and her son’s life to fate.

That crown and that throne will be Cassian’s, she will make sure of it.

This was not just about ambition. It was about survival.

Her mind wandered briefly to the Imperial Concubine and her unborn child. A rival to her son’s claim. The court had taken a dangerous interest in that unborn life, whispering about its potential powers, however insignificant.

The concubine’s influence was spreading like an insidious disease, infecting the court, and turning eyes and ears away from the Crown Prince.

A mere concubine trying to take the attention away from the Crown prince? The Empress started to laugh... She was perhaps losing her sanity. Her eyes were red with anger, how dare she... There was murderous intent in her eyes.

She will awaken her son’s powers. She knew he had them. He was the Emperor’s son! He had to have them! She will never accept that her son was powerless.

Her fists clenched. Her nails dug deep into her palms making her bleed. This pain was nothing, she was willing to endure anything to ensure her and her son’s future.

She looked down at her palm, looking at the red blood dripping on the ground, she had an idea. An insane idea which will work. She didn’t care that if she was found out, this would spell doom for everyone associated with her.

It was her last resort.

It was not her fault. She was trying her best to survive...