The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 92: Provocation

Chapter 92: Provocation

Everett sneered, stepping closer until there were only a few feet between them. "You must think you’re so special. Wielding magic, training, and gaining the Duchess’ favour. But let me tell you something,"

His voice dropped a bit, almost like a whisper, it felt like the hiss of a snake. "You don’t belong here." It was dripping with venom. He emphasised each word.

Maybe a few days ago this would have bothered him, but now those words didn’t faze him. He knew if he belonged or not...

And even if he didn’t, he would make sure to carve himself a place out for himself next to Adeline.

Ignoring Everett’s words, he began to walk away. He didn’t need to waste time on a person like this.

"Running away like a coward..." Everett gritted his teeth.

Dimitri stopped, Everett thought he got to him but he was wrong.

He remembered Adeline’s plans and part of it was provoking the father and son. If he was able to stir up Everett’s insecurities making him vulnerable to making mistakes... Wouldn’t that be advantageous to their goal?

One big slip-up was all they needed.

He slowly turned around and smirked. Determined, he said with a mocking tone.

"I’m here because I was chosen. Can’t say the same for you..."

"You!" He stepped forward to grab Dimitri. He attempted to reach for his collar but Dimitri dodged making him stumble.

How dare he dodge me?! Everett scowled in his heart. He hated being treated this way, he was of noble birth! That’s what his father always told him, and even then he had to be treated like a lowly commoner in that orphanage.

How dare people group him with those orphans? He was a noble!

Everett’s face twisted with anger. "You think you’re safe here? That you’re untouchable because the Duchess favours you?" He scoffed. "She won’t be around forever. And when she’s gone who do you think will be in charge."

"I know who won’t be in charge, and that is you." Dimitri crossed his arms and tried his best to provoke him.

Everett’s hand clenched, and for a moment, Dimitri wondered if he might lash out. But the boy simply scowled, his face darkening as he absorbed Dimitri’s words.

He hated how composed Dimitri remained. It was infuriating to see the boy stay so calm in the face of his insults.

"Don’t speak to me like we’re equals," Everett spat. "You’re nothing here. And I’ll make sure everyone knows it."

With that, Everett turned on his heel and stormed away, leaving Dimitri alone in the garden. Dimitri was unaffected by his insults. He could try to harm him, but Dimitri knew who would come up on top.

The Captain told him that his powers were incredible, they were so strong and that he was a prodigy. Perhaps his confidence came from this, he wondered.

Only power can protect you. Only power can help you protect the people you love. He looked up at the windows, he didn’t know why he thought he would see Adeline there.

He glanced down at his training sword, the cool metal glinting in the fading sunlight. He’d come a long way, but it was clear he still had much further to go if he wanted to hold his own in this world.

Taking a steadying breath, he returned to his practice with renewed determination.

After a couple of days confined to her room, Adeline was finally feeling well enough to take action. Her mind was buzzing with unanswered questions.

Just where was the Duchess? It had been a whole week! She hadn’t heard anything from her father either. She suspected that the damned Duke was hiding those letters.

One crisis at a time, she thought to herself. She felt sure that the Duke was hiding something, he would always dodge her questions when she asked about the Duchess.

He was spending more and more time in his study... So Adeline decided to search his study. He had to have been hiding something in there! She was so sure of it.

Adeline was determined to find it, even if it meant sneaking in when he wasn’t there.

She came up with a plan and pulled Dimitri aside, explaining what she needed him to do. She felt a little guilty for asking him to create a scene, but she couldn’t risk entering the study unless the Duke was truly distracted.

Dimitri didn’t mind at all, in fact, he was excited. He always wanted to do kid things like causing mischief and getting into trouble. Helping her was a bonus!

Dimitri’s chosen distraction was Everett. He was going to pick a fight with the Duke’s son. That ought to get him out of that study.

With calculated confidence, he strode up to Everett and, after exchanging a few pointed words, managed to provoke him. Soon enough, an argument erupted, escalating into a fight that drew servants.

Considering how the Duke brought in this child, they understood that he was very important, but they could also not ignore Dimitri, who was like the representative of the West.

They couldn’t afford to offend either side. So, one of the servants rushed off to inform the Duke, just as Adeline had hoped.

In the hall, just before the study, there was a table. It was covered by a tablecloth and had a simple vase on it. This would be where she would be hiding and waiting for the Duke to leave.

Taking a deep breath, Adeline waited until she saw the Duke hurry down the hall. Once he was gone, she quickly slipped out from under the table, heart pounding as she crept toward the study.

She looked around to make sure there was no one nearby. And once she was sure of it, she quietly slipped into the room. She left the door slightly open so that she could hear if anyone was approaching.

She would’ve used her butterfly to keep watch but she was still exhausted after the last time.

The study was richly decorated, every piece of furniture an over-the-top display of wealth. She couldn’t help but smirk at the blatant overcompensation in the room’s grandeur.

In her mind, it was a reflection of the Duke himself—constantly striving to be seen as more than he was.

Wasting no time, Adeline began to rifle through the items on his desk. There was nothing worth noting on the desk. Just some random letters, invitations and reports.

Adeline was annoyed but she persisted in her search. Since there was nothing on the desk, she shifted her attention towards the drawers but there was nothing in them either.

She thought she heard something outside so she quickly started closing the drawers, prepared to leave.

As she made sure everything was right where they were, she kept looking at the door hoping that no one would enter the room.

She quickly sprinted, trying to make her way to the door as fast as possible. And when she did, she unfortunately tripped on the bump on the carpet.

She wanted to curse so bad but she stopped herself from doing so. She looked at the door again, there was no sound this time. She breathed a sigh of relief and looked at what tripped her.