The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 266: Convincing

Chapter 266: Convincing

The morning sun bathed the grand halls of the palace in a golden hue, but to Annora, the warmth felt artificial. It was a new day, and she was eager to move things along. She had no time to bask in the beauty of the imperial palace—her plans demanded progress, and she had no patience to waste.

The hooded man’s influence clung to her like an invisible chain, forcing her to walk the same path she had taken in her past life. She needed to follow through, to ensure history played out the way it was supposed to—at least for now.

After she reached the point that he instructed her to, she could do what she wanted, she could perhaps negoitiate with Edward and get him to destroy the base...

Neither Edward nor the hooded man were her allies. She was truly alone.

She needed to marry Cassian.

Annora’s fingers curled tightly around the folds of her dress as she strode toward the palace gates. She was fully aware of the seeds she had already planted in Benedict’s mind, how her careful words and feigned vulnerability had begun to take root.

She had ensured that his growing hatred for Cassian would bloom into something greater, something she could use.

But all of this would only take effect once Cassian was reinstated as the Crown Prince and she was named his Crown Princess.

Crushing him when he was at the peak of his power—there was no sweeter revenge.

She had no intention of allowing him to become Emperor. If she let him reach that throne, he would become untouchable, a force she could never hope to bring down.

No, she had to let him taste victory first. She had to make him believe he was on the cusp of claiming it all, only to rip it away from him when he least expected it.

That was the only way to make him suffer.

Annora’s footsteps echoed down the long corridors as she was led to the main hall. She didn’t need to look around—she knew every inch of this palace. It had once been her home, the place she had ruled beside Cassian before he abandoned her.

The throne room doors swung open, and Annora was greeted with warmth. Too much warmth.

The Empress stood at the far end of the hall, wearing a carefully curated smile, but her eyes—oh, her eyes—betrayed her desperation. Annora almost found it amusing.

Some things never change... huh.

Even after everything, after the tides had shifted so dramatically in this life, the Empress still regarded her with veiled disdain. It was subtle, hidden behind the pleasantries and the warmth she forced into her expression, but Annora could see it. She had seen it in her past life too, the way the Empress had always viewed her as lesser. A tool to be used and discarded, a means to an end.

It was almost laughable that she thought herself in control even now.

The Empress was trying so hard to cling to the power slipping through her fingers, but it was pointless. Cassian had already outgrown her.

He was no longer the boy who would bend to her will, no longer the perfect son she had shaped so carefully. He had become something far more dangerous.

And she feared him.

Annora could see it in the stiffness of her posture, in the way her hands remained delicately clasped yet tense, as if bracing for an unseen strike. She was not just wary—she was terrified.

Who cares?

The woman was doomed anyway.

Things have changed... For the Worst. I cannot believe I have to please this girl.

The once proud and untouchable Empress, who had controlled every aspect of Cassian’s life, was now reduced to this—a woman eager to please, eager to hold on to what little influence she had left.

Annora didn’t even have to guess why.

Cassian.

He had become an unstoppable force, a war hero celebrated by the Empire. His victories on the battlefield had earned him admiration, making it impossible for the court to ignore him any longer. His presence alone was enough to send the Empress into a state of fear.

She wasn’t just failing to regain his favour—she was terrified that he would have her executed.

Annora nearly smiled.

The irony was too delicious.

The Empress, who had once torn Annora apart with mere words, who had humiliated her, cast her aside like a used rag... Was now in the palm of Annora’s hand.

Even in her past life she never was this desperate to curry favour.

"I’m glad you came," the Empress said, stepping forward with a graceful yet stiff movement. "You must be tired from your journey. Please, sit."

Annora obliged, lowering herself onto one of the ornate chairs. A servant quickly poured her tea, but she ignored it, her attention solely on the Empress.

"You must know why I have requested this meeting," the Empress continued, her tone measured, though Annora could hear the underlying anxiety.

"Of course," Annora replied, keeping her voice soft, and pleasant. "It’s about Cassian."

The Empress stiffened, just slightly.

"Yes."

There was a long pause.

Annora tilted her head, waiting, watching. The Empress had always been a woman who commanded conversations and dictated how things would go. But now? Now, she was hesitant.

She’s afraid of saying the wrong thing.

She was walking on a delicate thread, and she knew it.

Annora decided to break the silence.

"I assume you wish to discuss our potential marriage."

The Empress let out a breath, as if relieved that Annora had said it for her.

"Yes," she admitted. "Cassian has... Distanced himself from the court. He refuses to meet with me, and refuses to acknowledge his position. He has earned too much support—more than I anticipated. If we do not act quickly, he may take the throne for himself without any guidance."

Guidance.

Annora nearly laughed. The Empress still thought she could control Cassian, even after all that had happened.

"I see," Annora said smoothly. "And you believe that if he marries me, he will be more willing to... Listen?"

Listen... No, this haughty lady wanted her to be her pawn... An inside woman, a mole...

The Empress hesitated. "You are close to him. He trusts you." She was worried she had to plead with that arrogant Adeline, but luckily she was simply a commoner, as much as annoying it was to deal with Annora, her being a commoner worked in her favour.

She could use desperation to get her loyalty, after all, she was probably looking for an ally within the palace.

Annora’s fingers tightened around her dress.

Trusts.

He had once loved her, but love had meant nothing when he cast her aside.

Still, she maintained her composed expression.

"Yes," she agreed, "Cassian and I are close... But do you really think he would listen to me?" Some of her old resentment poured out. She was never really given power in her past life. Only some, only what he allowed. That distrustful man...

The Empress leaned forward slightly. "Do you not wish to claim your place beside him?"

Annora did not answer immediately. Instead, she looked down at her tea, finally picking up the cup and taking a slow sip. She let the silence stretch just enough to make the Empress uneasy before placing the cup back down.

"I do," she said at last, her voice barely above a whisper. "But Cassian will not be easy to persuade."

The Empress let out a small breath. "That is why I called you here. We must work together."

Annora let her lips curl into a small smile. "And what do you propose?"

The Empress’s gaze sharpened.

"Convince him."

Annora resisted the urge to scoff. As if it would be that simple.

Cassian was no longer the man he used to be. The battlefield had changed him. He had returned colder, more detached, more unpredictable. She could not afford to underestimate him.

Still, she had been prepared for this.

"I will do my best," she said instead.

The Empress’s shoulders relaxed ever so slightly.

Good.

Annora had given her hope, just enough to keep her satisfied.

But in truth, she had no intention of simply ’convincing’ Cassian to fight for the title.

He needed to marry her, yes. But not for the reason the Empress thought.

She needed him to believe that he was on the verge of achieving everything. She needed him to feel as if the world was finally bending to his will.

And then she would take it all away.

"Very well," the Empress said. "I will arrange for a meeting between the two of you."

Annora nodded, rising to her feet. "I appreciate your cooperation, Your Majesty."

The Empress gave her a tight smile, clearly still wary.

As she was led out of the palace, Annora felt something stir inside her.

Excitement.

The pieces were falling into place.

Cassian would reclaim his title.

Benedict would rise against him.

And when the time came, she would be the one to watch Cassian fall.

This time, he would not survive it.