The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!-Chapter 309: Right The Wrongs

Benedict’s carriage rolled to a stop in front of the palace gates. He stepped out, adjusting the collar of his coat, trying to keep the tension off his face. The guards at the gate straightened when they saw him, but didn’t move aside or open the gate for him.

"I’m here to see the First Prince," Benedict said, his tone steady, but there was a slight edge to it.

One of the guards stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "We’re sorry, Your Grace. But no one is allowed to enter the palace."

Benedict’s brows drew together. His patience, already worn thin, started to fray. "I need to see him. Now."

"The orders are strict," the guard repeated. "No one is an exception to the rule."

Benedict’s jaw tightened. He glanced past the guards to the familiar palace courtyard beyond. The place where he used to come and go freely, but now he was being restricted?

But something was off.

Why refuse him outright? What were they hiding?

His thoughts were interrupted by the quiet sound of boots behind him. Benedict turned slightly. A few more soldiers had come out, clearly watching him.

Whose doing is this? The Emperor’s?

He took a breath, then tried again, this time lowering his voice. "If I can’t see the First Prince, then may I speak to the Third Prince’s mother?"

That got their attention.

The guards exchanged glances. Benedict could see the confusion on their faces. It was understandable, he had publicly supported the First Prince. Then, out of nowhere, he swore loyalty to the Third. Declared it during a wedding, no less.

To them, this was a political switch—suspicious, if not outright alarming.

But Benedict wasn’t here for politics.

He was here to fix what had been broken.

Before the guards could give him another refusal, a voice called out from nearby.

"What’s the matter here?"

It was the Third Prince.

Dressed in a dark coat, looking composed and calm, he walked toward them with a few attendants trailing behind. He looked curious, but not surprised. His gaze landed on Benedict and stayed there.

The guards stepped aside quickly and bowed.

"Your Highness," one of them said, "The Northern Duke—he asked to speak with the First Prince, but we were instructed—"

"I heard," the Third Prince said calmly. "Let him in." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

He didn’t know a lot about what was happening, all he knew was that the Northern Duke was an ally. That was what grandfather said.

He also knew that things in the palace had a different atmosphere after his brother’s failed wedding. He tried his best to stay out of everyone’s way.

Benedict gave the Third Prince a short bow, more out of courtesy than obligation.

"Thank you, Your Highness," he said, already turning to go.

But the prince raised a brow. "Didn’t you ask to speak with my mother?"

Benedict paused mid-step, then shook his head. "No, that won’t be necessary. I only asked because the guards refused to let me in. Thank you again."

Marcus frowned, something was up, even he, a child could sense that. He wanted to tell his mother about what happened, as far as he knew... The palace was not closed off. But- But for some reason, he thought of keeping this to himself.

The Northern Duke was going to meet his brother? He bit his lip and contemplated, it should be fine, right? It was his brother. And despite everything everyone told him, he believed his brother.

Benedict didn’t waste another second. He strode forward, boots hitting the palace stone with purpose. He moved quickly through the halls, ignoring the curious glances from servants and nobles alike.

Benedict walked fast, almost running through the hallways of the palace. He didn’t care about the stares or the whispers. He needed to see Cassian. He needed to fix this.

He did not betray anyone, he was not that kind of person.

He reached Cassian’s wing and found another set of guards at the door. They stepped forward to stop him, but he didn’t wait for them to speak. He shoved past them without hesitation.

"Hey—!" one of them called, but it was too late.

The heavy doors slammed open as Benedict stormed into the room.

Cassian was seated near the window, holding a book in one hand, clearly enjoying the silence. He didn’t flinch at the noise. His cold eyes slowly lifted from the pages and landed on Benedict.

Cassian didn’t say a word. He didn’t look surprised either—just irritated.

"Cassian, please!" Benedict blurted, breathless. "Listen to me!" He knew he sounded like a madman, but he needed to clear his name.

Cassian closed his book calmly and leaned back in his seat. "The guards let you in? The palace was supposed to be closed off."

Benedict paused. "Your brother let me in."

At that, Cassian’s brows lowered slightly, his expression shifting just a little. So Marcus had interfered. Of course. The kid had a habit of doing things Cassian didn’t expect. Still, he couldn’t really blame him. Marcus reminded him a little too much of himself when he was younger self, so he let him act freely.

Cassian sighed. "Alright. You’re here now. Why?"

Benedict was still half-turned toward the door, expecting the guards to drag him out at any moment. Cassian gave them a glance and waved his hand, signalling them to leave. The doors shut behind him with a dull thud.

Benedict turned back to him. "I—I wasn’t in control," he said quickly. "Someone got inside my head. I don’t know how, but everything I said, everything I did—wasn’t me."

Cassian didn’t respond right away. His eyes narrowed slightly, watching Benedict closely as he spoke.

"I would never betray you, or Adeline," Benedict continued. "Never. We’ve been through too much. I was manipulated—I didn’t choose Annora. I pushed Adeline away because I wasn’t thinking straight. I allied myself with the third prince because I was being controlled. Please, you have to believe me."

He had to right the wrongs.