The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 56: Enough to Keep her on the Hook

Chapter 56: Enough to Keep her on the Hook

"She is nothing like you."

He saw Adeline sitting and talking to Victoria. Victoria didn’t talk much but appreciated that Adeline didn’t force her. She liked listening. She had a soft smile on her face and leaned against Adeline.

She was older than Adeline, but she was just as tall. Her head rested on her shoulder.

Seeing Dimitri approaching, Adeline’s face lit up. She patted the spot next to her, insisting he sit.

He thought of Annora’s words and looked at Adeline. What she said and the person before him didn’t match. Adeline would never do that. He couldn’t let himself be swayed by Annora’s words.

Her eyes kept searching for Cassian, but he was nowhere to be seen.

As the night progressed, the festivities slowly faded. The Banquet came to an end.

The radiant hall now stood mostly empty. She didn’t move. Her brothers gave into her whims and stayed back. They assumed she was rattled by what happened and let her calm down.

"Shall we?"

When she raised her head she saw an extended hand. It was Cassian’s. But the moment she saw his face, she frowned. She could see redness on one of his cheeks... He was slapped...

Cassian’s steps were quiet as he escorted her through the dimly lit garden outside the banquet hall. The cool night breeze ruffled the strands of his pitch-black hair. His face remained emotionless, his blue eyes cold and distant.

She was worried about what kind of retaliation the Empress had in store for him. Adeline couldn’t bear to see him hurt again. She had witnessed his suffering, the way his mother manipulated and controlled him, moulding him into the perfect Crown Prince, no matter the cost.

Cassian had pushed back for the first time. He refused to let the Empress force her into the engagement. He publicly defended her, but it came at a terrible price.

She would be the reason why he would get tortured.

"Cassian," she said softly, breaking the silence as they walked. Her heart pounded in her chest, "You can stop her."

Cassian stopped for a second before he continued walking.

"You shouldn’t have to endure any of this!" She almost yelled. He was just a child... He shouldn’t have to go through any of this.

"Are you worried about me, Adeline?" He was almost smiling.

Adeline didn’t understand him.

"Of course, I am! Didn’t I tell you that you are my friend? I can’t see you getting hurt like this..." Her voice trailed off quietly. "You can put an end to this." She whispered.

His eyes darkened. "And how do you suggest I do that?"

Adeline hesitated. She knew this was risky, if Cassian asked how she knew about his powers, she wouldn’t have an answer. But after what had happened tonight, she couldn’t think of any other way. "Cassian," she said slowly, "I know about your power."

"What are you talking about?" His eyes narrowed.

"I know you have powerful ice magic. Use it! Threaten your mother!"

His ice magic was so strong it could paralyse armies!

Cassian looked at her with dead eyes and asked, "Threaten the Empress, my mother."

He would do that. He would love to do that. Why did he hide his powers? Because his mother would try to use that to her advantage as well. He didn’t want to get used, that was why he hid it.

He found it funny how Adeline suggested he threaten his mother. It was something he would have never expected for her to say.

Inside, he was elated. Every bruise, every harsh word from his mother, was another step toward drawing Adeline closer. She didn’t know it yet, but she was becoming more and more emotionally entangled.

He would play the part of the tragic prince, the one who bore his mother’s abuse with quiet dignity. And Adeline would be the one to save him... Or so she would think.

"Please don’t worry, Adeline," he said softly, reaching out to hold her hand. "As long as I have you by my side, I can endure anything."

Adeline’s heart ached at his words. She squeezed his hand, feeling helpless but more determined than ever to protect him.

With a mother like that, no wonder he turned out the way that he did, she thought.

The only way to ensure his mother wouldn’t abuse him was to make her think they were getting close enough to get engaged without actually getting engaged. He could let her think he was following her plan.

"Cassian..." Her head bowed with sadness. She missed the confident smile he always used to have.

Whatever his mother would try wouldn’t be anything he hadn’t seen before. Besides, he was playing the long con. The look on her face when she realises he has powers... That would be too sweet to ruin so soon.

As Adeline left the gardens that evening, her mind was filled with thoughts of how to help Cassian.

But little did she know, Cassian was already two steps ahead, playing a game that she had yet to realize she was a part of.

The thought brought him an odd sense of peace. It was like orchestrating a perfect symphony... Every note, every movement, calculated to produce the desired effect. And the final crescendo would be her complete devotion.

Seeing that Adeline left, Cassian allowed himself to revel in the feeling. It was a rare thing... Someone genuinely concerned for him. Not because of his position, not because of the power he wielded as the Crown Prince, but because she cared.

’What if she learns the truth?’

He brushed it off as soon as he thought it. No, Adeline would never know. She would continue to care for him, to try to save him. And he would keep manipulating her concern, keep pushing her closer to him until there was no escape.

As much as he enjoyed manipulating her emotions, the truth was that Adeline was the only one who had ever made him feel something other than cold detachment.

"Interesting..."

How did she know about his powers?