The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 97: Hidden Motives

Chapter 97: Hidden Motives

The Duchess took a deep breath and looked down for a second. She looked up at Adeline, then smiled.

"You are right. I do owe you this favour."

The Duchess smirked and turned towards the servant, "Prepare a bath, it is time to make an entrance."

"An entrance, Your Grace?" Adeline asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"Yes, Adeline," the Duchess replied with a slight smile as she moved towards her wardrobe.

Going through her dresses she spoke as a manner of fact, "If we’re going to make this adoption believable, then we’ll have to do it properly. There’s nothing like a touch of spectacle to make people talk, to spread the story without question. After all, a noble family’s reputation is built on perception."

Adeline smirked, she likes this Duchess. She was extra... She liked it.

She began selecting a gown from her wardrobe- a rich, dark velvet gown embroidered with intricate golden patterns, befitting her high status. It was the kind of dress meant for occasions that demanded attention.

Adeline couldn’t help but marvel at the Duchess’s transformation from someone at death’s door to a determined, strategic noblewoman ready to reclaim her place.

She was almost sure that the Duchess knew her husband was up to something. The Duchess was known for her intelligence, not just her perfectionism.

Maybe the letters that she found would help her case.

The servant returned shortly, bowing as she announced the bath was ready.

The Duchess swept towards the bathroom, her posture regal and filled with purpose, leaving Adeline to wait just outside.

It wasn’t long before the Duchess emerged, radiant and refreshed.

Her hair had been elegantly styled, her gown perfectly tailored.

They were about to make quite the entrance. The only person missing was Dimitri.

Adeline quickly sent a butterfly to inform Dimitri that it was time for him to make an entrance. The light butterfly entered his room through his window. He was simply lying on his bed, taking in the moment of peace when he heard a voice.

"Get up!"

He was startled awake. He quickly sat up and looked around to see where this voice came from. The voice was very familiar but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

"God?" He asked in confusion. Was this a divine intervention?

Adeline smiled evilly, she wanted to mess with him for a bit, "Yes, it is I, the Goddess..."

He finally was able to find the source of the voice, it was coming from... A butterfly?

The butterfly was talking! "How are you doing this?!" Dimitri stepped closer to observe the butterfly in front of him.

It fluttered in the wind so beautifully, such delicate wings...

"I dunno I just can. Now get ready and meet us downstairs in ten minutes." She ordered. With Dimitri there, they can finally give that nasty Duke a shock.

It was his first time seeing a butterfly made of light, he wilted when it disappeared into white mist. But, he followed his lady’s orders. He washed himself up and dressed himself in the best clothes he had.

The Duke and Everett were very much oblivious to their plan. They didn’t care about what Dimitri did anyway, so when he got all dressed up and skipped down the stairs, they just ignored him.

Everett glanced at him before leaving while the Duke didn’t even do that. He went to his study.

As he walked on the carpet he realised something... Where was that bump? His heartbeat started to race. He quickly knelt on the ground and pulled up the carpet to find the letters missing.

His fists were clenched. Who... Dared to?

As his mind raced he fixated on two people... Either Adeline or Dimitri... Who else could it be? That insolent brat acted so arrogantly in front of him, showing off her father’s powers... It had to be her.

He had it out for Adeline the moment she stepped into the mansion, for a man who was always insecure about his standing, he couldn’t stand that a young girl like her could be above him.

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"Now," the Duchess said, meeting Adeline’s gaze with resolve. "Let us go and give our guests something to talk about."

Together, they left the room making their way to the mansion. At first, there were barely any servants around. As they drew closer, they were able to witness many just hurrying about to finish their tasks.

Once they saw their Duchess approach they looked completely incredulous. The Duke told them that she would be away for a while. They didn’t know she would arrive this very day! They needed to tidy up!

They quickly ran back to inform others. The Duchess smiled. She didn’t intend to stop them. Let them create a little fuss. As much as she wanted to give her wonderful husband a surprise, a little fuss was exactly what she needed.

As the Duchess and Adeline walked through the hallways, the servants couldn’t hide their surprise. They were delighted and pleasantly surprised.

Some of the servants told them that the Duchess was back but seeing her in person was a different feeling.

The Duchess held herself with such grace that it was hard to believe she’d been bedridden just days ago. Adeline admired her, the woman moved with confidence, each step sending a clear message... She was still in charge.

As they neared the main gathering hall, word spread quickly, and more servants hurried to inform others. The entire estate was buzzing, almost as if they were preparing for a royal arrival.

The word of her arrival slowly but surely made it to the ears of Everett. He grew nervous. He ran out of his room and towards the main hall. He was still on the second floor. He stood behind the railing and stared at the Duchess.

Down stood Dimitri... Did he know? Was that why he was all dressed up? His fists were clenched. Did his father know about this? He quickly ran over to inform his father.

Meanwhile, in another part of the mansion, the Duke sat in his study, unaware of the commotion building in the halls. He had dismissed the servants’ murmurs as mere gossip, unimportant to him. But his thoughts were interrupted by a nagging worry.

Back in the main hall, the servants and a few visitors had gathered, unsure of what to expect. The Duchess stood tall, her presence radiating authority, as she addressed them.

"I know everyone was worried about my abrupt disappearance..." She was here to reclaim her position as the Duchess. She looked above to see her dear husband and a young boy standing, gripping the railing and watching her...

She knew her husband well, she could see the shock in his eyes.