The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 47: Warning (1)

Chapter 47: Warning (1)

"Don’t you need a female companion? I understand that the Duchess is unwell, but for appearances-"

"I already told you it will be fine. This banquet is for the second prince, the children will be the main focus, not me."

Anna tried her best to convince him to take her. She wanted to make her presence known in the society, what better occasion than the royal banquet where all the of the nobility congregate? There was resentment building up in her, he was being absolutely unreasonable. She was doing this for him, if he came to the banquet without a proper partner, the Emperor would be offended...

As if this wasn’t enough, she had to worry about that brat telling his father everything. She had been keeping them apart successfully until now. Who knows what they would talk about when she wasn’t there?

Everything about the Duchess was kept a secret. She wished she had more information on hand but the Duke had a way of controlling the disseminating of information. She couldn’t get anything on her.

She passed on the message to one of her servants to send Benedict a message asking him to meet her in the gardens. She might not be able to extend her influence over the Duchess but she was still able to contact Benedict.

Benedict heard from the servants that Anna wanted to meet him. He didn’t have the motivation to meet anyone. It had been a while since he visited his mother.

Still, Anna is the only one who seems to advise him and guide him. Though reluctant, he decided to go and meet her.

"Benedict. It’s been a while. How have you been?"

"Oh- I’ve been well." He hung his head low, in shyness or guilt he couldn’t tell.

"How is the Duchess?"

She carefully observed the expression on his face. He was just a dumb child, he would be able to give her information, right?

Benedict was struggling with two distinct voices in his head, he remembered his orders to not tell anyone... But Anna has been with him throughout the ordeal when his own father couldn’t care less.

He wanted to tell her, he wanted to cry. He had been keeping everything in for a long time... Even Adeline, who he thought was his friend stopped writing to him.

He was completely unaware of Anna’s manipulation, he didn’t know she threw Adeline’s letters away either.

"My- My mother..."

"It’s okay Benedict. Breathe..." He started crying the moment he got to the ’good part’ she had to stop herself from scowling.

"She might not live..." He completely broke down. And Anna got the information she wanted.

So the Duchess is on her deathbed. And he didn’t want anyone, including her to know about this information. She put the pieces together quickly. No wonder he desperately invited those priests from the Temple.

After getting the information she wanted she made sure Benedict would tell no one.

"Thanks for trusting me. Don’t worry I won’t tell anyone."

The last part was true, she didn’t need any more competitors to the position of the Duchess. What she needed to do was act quietly. She needed to ensure that the priests couldn’t heal her.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You’re here early." The Empress wasn’t pleased with his presence. She knew she was surrounded by enemies. She couldn’t trust anyone, including this crafty nephew of hers.

"I wanted to see my aunt. Such a grand celebration for the Second Prince, the Emperor must really love his son." The smirk on his face was displeasing, she wanted to throw her fan at Drogo’s face.

She clenched the closed fan and uttered with great difficulty, "Are you here to provoke me?"

"Of course not. I’m just concerned for you. Cassian doesn’t have powers, it’s only a matter of time before he is replaced." He leaned back in his chair and relaxed.

Aggravating people around him was definitely his speciality. Drogo didn’t care if Cassian lived or died. What he needed was for the Empress to have her position. If the heirs produced were useless duds, the next in line for the throne was naturally him.

"What are you getting at, Drogo?"

"Nothing. I’m just saying..." He shrugged and leaned forward. "No one would blame you if you selected another heir."

He was simply here to gauge her reaction. If she secretly lent her support to him, his scheme would be considered a success. If she didn’t, it would be nothing but a minor setback.

"Drogo Walter, mind your tongue. Get out of here."

"I get it. You’re angry. But do consider my offer."

There were many vying for that throne. The pinnacle of power.

Once Drogo left the room he encountered Cassian. He had his head hung low. There was no doubt that he overheard the conversation.

Drogo was taken aback for a second but quickly gained his composure. "Cousin." He simply acknowledged his existence and started to walk away.

"Why don’t we talk."

There was no fear in Cassian’s eyes. There was no emotion. But his voice was full of feeling. Drogo chalked it up to a young boy’s nervousness. He wouldn’t mind having a discussion with the ’competition’.

Cassian smiled and led him into the garden.

"No offence, Cassian. The crown is a heavy burden to bear. I am just looking out for you."

"I understand cousin." There was a faint smile on Cassian’s face. Drogo thought that he was taking the news better than expected.

"Good. There is no point in getting engaged to someone with a powerful background either..."

Cassian stopped in place when he said that. He looked at Drogo who kept on walking and uttering nonsense, "As your brother, once I sit on that throne, I’d give you the complete freedom to do what you want. With me here, who will question your lack of magic."

Drogo had to stifle a laugh when he said, even though he didn’t believe what he said.

"Anyway, Adeline Kendrick, right? The one your mother wants you to get engaged to. Her idea is not bad... She would be a useful pawn indeed..."

If only he turned to witness the darkness brewing in Cassian’s eyes.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.