The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 241: Liked Her?

Chapter 241: Liked Her?

Adeline arrived at Benedict’s mansion in the capital, hoping to meet him before he left for the Northern Duchy. The place was bustling with activity, servants running to and fro, likely preparing for his departure.

The butler greeted her at the entrance, bowing politely. "The Duke is currently occupied, my lady. Please wait in the sitting room."

Adeline blinked in surprise. This was unusual. Benedict never made her wait before. He would ask her to come to his study even, not minding that there could be something confidential there.

Maybe it really was serious? So she decided to wait for him hoping that he would not take too long.

She was led to the sitting room, where she took a seat, folding her hands in her lap.

The minutes ticked by, and Adeline found herself glancing at the clock repeatedly. She had promised Dimitri she would meet him at the orphanage in about an hour.

She couldn’t be late- Dimitri had looked so serious earlier, and she didn’t want to keep him waiting. But this matter with Benedict was also important. Well, it was important to her at least. She sighed to herself.

Things related to Annora and her return were important but was she worth her ignoring her friends? Nope! She planned to have a small talk with Benedict before leaving. She had to stick it out for a little while longer.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the door to the sitting room opened. Benedict stepped in, and Adeline’s heart sank at the sight of him.

His usually polished appearance was dishevelled, his hair slightly messy, and his steps uneven. As he got closer, she caught a whiff of alcohol.

"Benedict?" she asked, rising from her seat. "What—what happened to you?"

He gave her a faint, bitter smile. "It’s nothing. Just stupid," he muttered, his voice unsteady.

Adeline frowned, concern etched on her face. She moved closer to him, reaching out instinctively to steady him as he swayed slightly. "Have you been drinking? You look... Rough."

"It doesn’t matter," Benedict said, waving her off, but his tone betrayed his frustration.

Adeline refused to let it go. Something was clearly wrong, and she wasn’t about to ignore it. Gently, she guided him to sit down on the couch, worried he might collapse otherwise.

"Sit," she ordered softly but firmly, and to her surprise, he didn’t resist. He sank into the couch, leaning back with a heavy sigh.

"Benedict," she said, sitting next to him. "Talk to me. What’s going on? You’re not yourself right now."

For a moment, he didn’t say anything, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. Then he laughed, but it was a hollow, bitter sound.

"I feel betrayed," he said finally, his voice low.

Adeline blinked, taken aback. "Betrayed? By who?"

Benedict didn’t answer right away. He sat up, running a hand through his hair in frustration. The smell of alcohol lingered in the air, making Adeline’s stomach twist with worry.

"Someone I thought was a friend," he said eventually, his words slurring slightly.

Adeline frowned. "A friend? What happened?"

"It’s... Complicated," he muttered, avoiding her gaze. "But let’s just say I misjudged them."

Adeline tilted her head, trying to piece together what he was saying. Benedict wasn’t usually this dramatic, and his vague answers only made her more confused.

"Benedict, you’re not making any sense," she said gently. "If you tell me what happened, maybe I can help."

He let out another bitter laugh, shaking his head. "No one can help with this."

Adeline sighed, realising she wasn’t going to get a straight answer out of him in his current state. She wanted to ask him about Cassian- what had happened at the celebratory lunch and what Annora was like- but it was clear that Benedict was in no condition to discuss anything serious.

Still, she couldn’t just leave him like this.

"Look," she said, placing a hand on his arm, "whatever happened, I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think. You’re upset right now, but you’ll feel better once you’ve had time to clear your head."

Benedict looked at her then, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and hurt. "You don’t understand," he said. "It’s not just about me. It’s... Cassian."

Adeline froze. "Cassian?" she echoed, her confusion deepening.

Benedict nodded, his jaw tightening. "He... Betrayed me," he said, his voice trembling slightly.

Adeline was now getting angry, she wanted to yell at him to get to the point, to stop beating around the bush and just tell her what happened!

Adeline, growing increasingly frustrated with Benedict’s vague answers and drunken state, decided she had had enough.

She grabbed his shoulders firmly, forcing him to sit up straight and meet her gaze. Her voice was sharp, leaving no room for evasion. "Benedict, tell me straight- how did Cassian betray you?"

Benedict looked up at her with wide eyes, clearly startled by her sudden directness. For a moment, he seemed taken aback, his mouth opening as if to speak but no words coming out. Slowly, his expression shifted, and the brightness in his eyes dimmed. He lowered his gaze, his face filled with something between hurt and bitterness.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Benedict spoke, his voice quiet and strained. "Cassian... And Annora," he began, hesitating before continuing. "It’s clear that he approached her just to infuriate me. He knew... He knew that I liked her."

Adeline froze, her hands still gripping his shoulders, but her mind felt as if it had ground to a halt. The weight of his words settled on her like a lead blanket. Time seemed to slow, her thoughts racing even as she sat in stunned silence.

What... What did he just say?

He liked Annora? And Cassian... Knew?

The realisation hit her like a bolt of lightning, sending a wave of panic and disbelief through her. She struggled to process what she had just heard. Benedict loved Annora? And Cassian, knowing this, had approached her anyway?

What the hell was he talking about? This was a joke, right? Her heartbeat quickened.