The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 240: A Visit

Chapter 240: A Visit

When Alaric returned, Adeline was acting like she just happened to be there... And that she did not want information about Cassian but if her dear older brother wished to tell her about it she would gladly listen.

She was just casually existing right there, she was not waiting for Alaric’s return! Of course not!

Alaric, however, wasn’t fooled. He gave her a quick glance and walked past her without a word. Adeline blinked in disbelief as he strolled away to his study.

She wasn’t sure what she had expected, but it wasn’t this. Her lips twitched in frustration as she followed him.

She saw a servant exiting, he just served her brother tea and was leaving. She pouted and entered his study.

Alaric sat at the table, his usual smug air about him as he sipped his tea. Adeline sat across from him, her hands folded neatly, though her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her dress.

She waited for him to say something, anything, about the lunch. But he didn’t. He just drank the tea, calm and composed.

"So... How was the celebration lunch?" she asked, her tone light and casual, as though the question had only just occurred to her.

"It went well," Alaric replied, not even looking up from the documents sprawled across his desk.

Adeline frowned. "Well? That’s it?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"What else is there to say?" he replied with a small shrug, his lips curling in amusement.

Adeline clenched her fists under the table. Fine. If he wanted to be difficult, she would press on. "What did they serve?" she asked, her voice carefully polite.

"Food." He replied with a word. He knew what she was up to. And that lunch was nothing but a chore to him, he was tired and he needed a break. And the best way to relax was to tease his little sister.

Her eye twitched. She took a deep breath to keep herself calm. "What kind of food?"

"Edible food," he said with a straight face, though there was a glint of mischief in his eyes.

Adeline’s patience snapped. "Alaric Timothy Kendrick! You’re doing this on purpose!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in frustration.

Alaric looked at her, feigning innocence. "What? I’m just answering your questions, Adeline Elizabeth Kendrick."

She glared at him, her cheeks puffing out in a pout as she pushed her chair back. "Fine, forget it!" She stood up and stormed out, slamming the door behind her. He should be aware that she’s angry.

But as she walked down the hall, she slowed her steps, waiting. Surely, he would call her back any second now, right?

Seconds ticked by. The call never came.

Her resolve cracked. Gritting her teeth, she turned back and opened the door just a crack, peeking inside. Alaric was sitting at his desk, calmly reading a letter as though he hadn’t noticed her dramatic exit. She glared at him, her eyes practically boring holes into his face.

When he didn’t react, she pushed the door open further, huffing loudly.

Alaric finally looked up, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Take a seat, Linny. You’ve turned all red."

Adeline stomped into the room, her face indeed flushed with irritation. "And whose fault is that?!" she snapped, dropping into the chair across from him with a dramatic huff. She crossed her arms, glaring at him.

Alaric smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Fine," he said, waving a hand lazily. "I’ll tell you. I saw Cassian. He looked well."

Adeline’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Cassian’s name, but she quickly forced her expression into one of indifference. "Oh," she said, looking away as though the information was barely worth her time.

Alaric wasn’t fooled. He scoffed, picking up an eraser from his desk and tossing it at her.

"Ow!" Adeline yelped, rubbing her arm where the eraser hit her. "What was that for?!"

"Pay attention," Alaric said with a smirk. "There’s more. Annora was there too."

Adeline froze, her stomach twisting uncomfortably. "Annora?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Yes," Alaric said, leaning forward slightly. "She was the guest of honour, invited personally by the Emperor. And Cassian..." He paused, watching her reaction carefully. "Cassian seemed to try to get close to her."

"What?" Adeline blurted out before she could stop herself. Her fists clenched on her lap, and she quickly averted her gaze. "Why would he do that?"

Alaric shrugged, his expression unreadable. "Who knows? Maybe he has his own motives. But whatever they are, Linny, stop asking me about him. And stay away from him."

Adeline frowned, her mind racing. Cassian, trying to get close to Annora? That didn’t sound like him. But then again, she didn’t know what had changed during his time away. Alaric was not a reliable narrator since he hated Cassian.

As soon as Alaric dismissed her, Adeline decided to find Benedict. He had come to the capital for the celebration lunch and was planning to return to the North soon. If anyone could give her more insight, it was him.

Adeline was heading toward Benedict’s manor when Dimitri appeared in front of her. His expression was more serious than usual, and his amber eyes were sad.

"Adeline," he said softly, "can you come with me to the orphanage? The one where we first met."

Adeline blinked, momentarily caught off guard. The orphanage? She hadn’t expected this. Dimitri’s tone was calm, but there was a weight to his words as if something important was on his mind.

"Right now?" she asked hesitantly.

He nodded, his gaze steady. "It’s important."

Adeline felt torn. She wanted to go with him, she really did! But Benedict was leaving for the North today, if she did not ask him now, then she would have to make the long trip to the Northern Duchy.

Still, seeing how serious Dimitri looked, she couldn’t bring herself to ask if they could go there another day.

"I’ll meet you there in an hour," she finally said, offering him a small smile. "There’s something I need to do first, but I won’t keep you waiting long."