The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 78: To The Eastern Duchy

Chapter 78: To The Eastern Duchy

After much deliberation, Adeline finally came up with a plan. Her mission was to expose the Eastern Duke’s hidden secret... His illegitimate child. This was not going to be an easy task.

Not only that, Adeline had a big issue on her mind. Sure, the Duke sucks but what about that child... She didn’t know what would be their outcome if the plan was exposed.

The morality of the situation was a big burden on her.

The Duke had managed to keep this affair hidden from the Duchess for years, and if Adeline wanted to unravel his secrets, she would need to tread carefully.

Her plan came down to this, she needed to go to the Eastern Duchy to catch him red-handed, and for that to happen... She will go to the Duchess for etiquette lessons.

That was the only way she could go there undetected.

Now, she had to deal with another issue. How can she break the news to her father? After all they had gone through she doubted he would let her set a foot outside the manor.

But the more she thought about it, the more confident she became. And, of course, being close to the Duchess would provide her with insights into the Eastern Duchy’s inner workings and power dynamics.

Over the next few days, Adeline made preparations. She rehearsed the script she came up with numerous times.

She wanted her request to seem perfectly natural, something any noble lady would ask. "I wish to take my training in manners and etiquette more seriously."

Taking a deep breath she continued, "The Eastern Duchess is so highly regarded for this... I could learn a great deal from her guidance."

It sounded so unnatural, Adeline pouted. She sighed and walked towards his study. What’s the worst that could happen? He would say... No?

No, that wasn’t the worst. The worst that could happen is her getting separated from her family.

One of her skills is overthinking... A pretty useless skill.

"Dad?" She knocked on the door. "Huh-"

Her dad wore glasses? Since when? She had never seen him in glasses.

The Marquess knew that Adeline was up to something. He just didn’t know what. He saw her peek, he saw her frown, he saw her eye him up and down.

"What-"

"Why are you wearing those glasses?" She asked innocently.

The Marquess’ face darkened a little, his enthusiasm was crushed. He quickly took them off and folded them. "I was... Err, trying something out."

"Oh. I think they look nice." She remarked casually. In all honesty, she did not care about his glasses. She was too occupied by her own thoughts. She just wanted to make sure he was in a good mood before she told him her plan.

The Marquess didn’t seem to be convinced, "It’s fine. You don’t have to bring yourself to like it."

Adeline raised her eyebrows, just what was he talking about? Where was this conversation going? "I’m not. I think the glasses are nice."

The Marquess pouted slightly, he looked down at the glasses he folded and kept aside. He picked them up with much energy and put them on. "Why do I doubt myself? I look handsome." He muttered to himself.

Adeline narrowed her eyes. What a weird conversation. She never knew her father gave that much importance to his looks.

She had seen the portraits of her mother, only a handsome man could win her over, she thought. It all made sense.

Keeping the script in mind, she poured her little heart out.

"And... It could be like a vacation! Away from all the craziness." She ended.

"Yes, it seems you could use some etiquette lessons." He nodded in agreement.

"Uh-huh... Hey-" Did he just call her mannerless?

"It’s good that you came up with this idea... No one in this house can discipline you including me. But the Eastern Duchess is a strict and wise teacher. Some days with her will do you good."

He picked up a quill and started to draft a letter.

Adeline felt like... She felt like she dug herself a hole. If she was taking etiquette lessons all day, when would she be able to do the investigating?!

"W- Wait... Let’s not decide on anything yet." She slowly backtracked.

"Too late. I’ll send a request to the Duchess. It’ll be up to her if she’s willing to take on a student. But considering how we have an amicable relationship, she is most likely to agree."

Maybe the Duchess would be so strict that she wouldn’t even get a single moment to breathe, let alone investigate the Duke’s secrets. She frowned, imagining a day filled with endless lessons on the "proper" way to walk, sit, and speak.

In her mind, she could see the Duchess, tall and imposing, frowning down at her every mistake.

The Marquess folded the letter with a smirk. "Let’s hope you’re up for the challenge," he said, handing it off to a servant to deliver.

"Great..." Adeline muttered. Her head hung low, completely regretting her actions.

He grinned. He was entirely unbothered. "Just think of it as an adventure," he said with an almost teasing smile. "Besides, you’ve got enough spirit to handle a few etiquette lessons."

’The Duchess should experience what she’s missing out on.’ He laughed to himself. She was used to a childfree life. Now his daughter might just wreak havoc in her home.

It’s all because of that Goddess! Adeline needed someone to blame, and she certainly wasn’t going to blame herself.

*Achoo* "Hey, what did I do?!"

"You brought me into this world. Humph" Adeline declared.

"You ungrateful child."

"..."

"Are you ignoring me? The Goddess! The one who did you all those favours!"

"..."

Adeline wasn’t really mad at the Goddess, she just found it fun to leave her hanging for once. This was her revenge for all the times the Goddess left her hanging.

She sighed and resigned herself to fate. At least her father readily agreed for her to go to the Eastern Duchy. Very readily... She narrowed her eyes.

This man said he would love and protect her forever and now he just sends her off with no hint of sadness?

"Men are unreliable, Goddess." She sighed to herself again. She couldn’t believe her father was planning to ship her off. Was she really that naughty? If the Marquess heard her, he would say yes.

What she was most afraid of was the teaching methods of the Eastern Duchess. This was a world where physical punishment while teaching was standard.

In her home, no one would dare to touch her. But the Duchess was someone with equal standing and she heard that she was very strict! Who knows if she’d get beat up there?!

She wasn’t exactly the brightest lightbulb, she felt sure that she was going to get hit.

"Indeed they are..." Sighed the Goddess.

Was she sad? Adeline blinked, "I am assuming you got dumped." She simply wanted to joke around with her friend. Yes, the Goddess was her friend,

"...I am not going to answer that."

"So it’s true!" Adeline chuckled.

"N- No..." Yes, the Goddess was indeed dumped... ’It is not a topic to make fun of!’ She pouted.

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