The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!-Chapter 320: Wingwoman

Aaron adjusted the strap of his sword and gave his sister a sharp nod. "Then, let’s go."

Adeline blinked. "Go? As in... home? Alaric must be worried."

Aaron tilted his head at her like she’d just sprouted two heads. "What? No. We’re going to attack their base right now."

Adeline froze, mid-step. "...Right now?"

"Yes," Aaron said firmly. "It’s night. You already told Alaric you were stepping out for air, so we won’t be questioned. This is the perfect time."

Adeline gawked at him, then turned to Layla, who was clearly not dressed for the occasion.

Layla shared the same sentiment, she pointed at herself and said, "Um—hello? Do you see me right now?" she exclaimed. "Do you seriously expect me to storm a monster-infested den looking like... Like this?!" She gestured to her glittering necklaces, the heavy gown stitched with gold thread, and the hairpins gleaming under the moonlight. "I could blow our cover being so shiny like this, it will draw unnecessary attention!"

Aaron blinked at her, completely straight-faced. "Then I guess you can’t come with us—"

"OW!" Aaron staggered, clutching his arm where Layla had punched him. "What was that for?!"

"That was for being an idiot," Layla shot back, glaring at him.

Adeline, watching the scene unfold like the world’s best theatre play, put both hands on her cheeks. "Oh, oh. I get it now."

Layla turned back to Aaron, crossing her arms. "Give me your clothes."

"W-what?!" Aaron nearly choked.

"You heard me." She pointed at his pack. "You always carry spares. Now hand them over."

Adeline’s eyes went wide. She really got it now. These two... There was definitely something between them.

Aaron’s ears turned bright red. "I—I wasn’t suggesting anything like that! I just—" He stopped himself, fumbling with his bag before muttering, "They’ll probably be too loose for you anyway."

Layla smirked, "I can work with that, what I can’t work with is this!" She pointed to her outfit and snatched the clothes Aaron handed.

Layla slipped away to one of the knights’ changing rooms while Adeline and Aaron waited outside. The hallway was quiet, lit only by the faint glow of lanterns hanging on iron hooks. Adeline paced like an eager child, practically bouncing with anticipation, while Aaron leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, he was trying his best to hold it in together.

"This is ridiculous," he muttered under his breath.

"Chill out, bro," Adeline smirked.

Before Aaron could retort, the door creaked open. Layla stepped out, her ball gown abandoned for a much simpler—though clearly oversized—ensemble. She had managed to make Aaron’s spare tunic and trousers work surprisingly well.

The ribbons from her dress now cinched the fabric neatly at her waist and wrists, keeping the clothes from swallowing her whole. The boots looked a size too big, but with the hem tied up, she somehow gave the impression of someone effortlessly stylish despite the situation.

"Well," Layla said, smoothing the tunic across her frame. "Thankfully, your clothes smell nice."

Aaron nearly forgot how to breathe. His mind exploded into static as the words sank in, and all the coherent responses he could have given scattered into dust. Smell nice? She noticed that? Why would she notice that? Does this mean I smell nice? Did she assume I wasn’t going to smell nice?

"Uh... Huh," he managed weakly, his throat suddenly dry.

Layla didn’t notice his inner turmoil. She rolled her shoulders, testing the fit, and gave a confident nod. "Alright, let’s get going."

Adeline immediately elbowed her brother in the ribs, smirking at how dazed he looked. "Stop acting dumb and focus, Aaron. We’ve got bigger things to worry about."

Aaron coughed into his fist, trying to gather the shards of his dignity. "Right. Focus. We’ll take the teleportation circle to a nearby town. From there, we’ll need horses to reach their base. It’s... Well hidden."

Adeline checked the time. It wasn’t too late. If they moved quickly, they’d reach the outskirts, finish the job and come back in five hours. But wait, they couldn’t use the teleportation circle back just yet. So it was going to be a sleepover. She did feel the faint grumble of hunger in her stomach, but kept it to herself. No point slowing them down over food.

Layla and Adeline both nodded, and the three of them began their walk toward the nearest teleportation circle.

The capital quite a few scattered teleportation circles, it was just that vast.

The faint blue glow of the nearest one shimmered at the end of the street, guarded by two knights who gave them a quick once-over but asked no questions.

"Hide that pink hair of yours, Adeline," Aaron said suddenly. His voice had shifted back into command mode. "It draws too much attention."

Adeline pouted, tugging her hood up reluctantly.

Aaron turned to Layla then, reaching into his pack. He pulled out a small vial of temporary hair dye, a muted brown shade often used by knights for covert missions. He held it out without hesitation.

Layla blinked at the gesture, caught off guard. "Oh—thank you."

Aaron didn’t flinch. "You were the target of their assassination. It would be best if no one recognises you."

Layla stared at him for a moment longer than necessary, as though searching for something in his expression, before accepting the vial. "You think ahead, don’t you?"

Aaron shrugged. "Habit."

"Aww, so considerate," Adeline teased. She was not blind to what was happening, fine, she would be the best wingwoman.

"Adeline," Aaron said, he added nothing.

"What?" Adeline was offended, she was helping!

Adeline huffed, no one appreciated her help. She skipped ahead toward the teleportation circle, humming under her breath.

Layla gave Aaron a small smile before walking after Adeline, leaving him trailing behind with his thoughts in complete disarray.

The teleportation circle flared to life as they stepped into its glowing centre. Adeline mouthed a quick prayer for safety, "Let there be no nausea, please."

Travelling by magic always felt like being stretched and snapped back into place. Her stomach twisted, but she forced a smile when the world reassembled itself into the shape of a quiet cobblestone town square.

Hungry? Not anymore.