The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!-Chapter 322: Beyond The Border

Adeline perched behind Layla, clinging to her waist as their horse trotted after Aaron’s. The ride had started off fine—until Adeline spat out a stray strand of hair that had flown right into her mouth.

"Pttuh! Your hair is in my face!" she sputtered dramatically, scrunching her nose as another lock whipped against her cheek. It kept going into her mouth!

Layla glanced back briefly, smirking as her loose waves danced in the wind. "Oh, sorry."

"I will bite it off, leaving you with uneven hair." Adeline threatened.

"Alright, alright, let’s not take any violent decisions!" Layla backtracked with a laugh.

The tension that had been gnawing at her since Aaron announced their plan seemed to unravel a little with each laugh. She had been nervous, she admitted that. Usually, she is not that worried about... Anything.

Before she was adopted by her mother, she had nothing, but now she had everything. She had so much to lose. And though she was known for her positivity and optimism, she just couldn’t stay positive in this situation, but Adeline assured her... And that meant something to her.

Both siblings accompanied her, and both of them were willing to fight for her. She took a deep breath. She should stay strong, she had to prove that she was worth fighting for.

By the time the dim glow of lanterns flickered in the distance. She tugged on the reins, slowing the horse until the others matched her pace.

The air grew heavier as the outlines of encampments came into view. Rows of tents stretched along the border, soldiers moving like shadows between them.

Torches and lanterns cast long, watchful beams across the patrol paths, catching the gleam of polished weapons. The murmur of boots against gravel and the occasional barked order echoed faintly in the night.

Aaron swung off his horse, landing without a sound. Layla followed, and Adeline dismounted a little less gracefully, brushing dust off her skirt with a huff.

"This is as far as we go with them," Aaron murmured, tightening the strap of his sword before handing the reins to a waiting stable boy. "Beyond the border we go on foot."

Adeline remembered how those people tried to kill Layla, asserted control over her dear friends, and ruined the lives of so many innocent people. These people threatened her and her family. In order to set the story on course... They have resorted to taking lives.

She inhaled deeply, exhaling through parted lips as sparks pricked faintly along her fingertips. Her voice was calm but carried a quiet steel when she said, "You know, I’ve been holding back until now. But when I face them..." She tilted her head toward Aaron, eyes glinting under the lantern light. "...I won’t be holding back at all."

The power within her was bound only by imagination. Shapes, weapons, barriers, storms—whatever she could think of, she could summon with the crackle of her lightning. For so long, she had felt powerless, cornered, at the mercy of others. But not anymore.

Aaron moved with the kind of confidence only a man of high rank could muster. His stride was casual yet commanding, the weight of authority clinging to him like a second cloak. Layla and Adeline, however, weren’t so lucky.

"Keep your heads low," he ordered softly, pulling a hood over Layla’s now black hair and nudging Adeline’s hood further down over her face. They both nodded, ready to follow his lead—until Adeline heard the metallic click of shackles closing around her wrists.

Her head snapped up. "Aaron—what the hell?" she hissed, rattling the chains like she was seconds away from throwing them back in his face.

"Shhh," Aaron muttered without even looking at her, as though this were the most natural thing in the world. "Look, the border is restricted. Even I can’t take two random young ladies with me beyond the border on a whim. But prisoners?" He smirked faintly, tugging the chain so they’d follow him. "That, they’ll allow."

Layla gave him an incredulous look from beneath her hood, but before she could speak, Aaron added quickly, "I have a plan. Just go with it."

Adeline narrowed her eyes but bit back her retort.

Aaron marched them forward, gripping the chain that bound their wrists together as if they were the most troublesome criminals he’d ever handled. The looming border gates came into view, tall iron bars glinting under the torchlight.

Guards patrolled the walls with sharp eyes, and stationed at the front was a man whose presence made the others straighten instantly—the Captain.

The moment he spotted Aaron, his posture snapped rigid. "Sir!" he barked, immediately saluting. "We weren’t expecting you here..." His voice trailed off as his eyes flickered toward the hooded figures trailing behind Aaron.

Adeline kept her gaze down, seething silently as Aaron gave the chains an unnecessary tug, jerking her forward so hard she nearly tripped. Oh, he is enjoying this way too much. Wait till all of this is over, I will pull out all of his hair!

"At ease," Aaron said smoothly, waving off the salute with the casual authority of someone born to command. "This wasn’t planned. I happened to catch these two on my way through." He gave the chains another sharp pull, making Adeline stumble again. He was clearly targeting her!

She clenched her jaw, resisting the urge to kick him then and there.

"They refuse to open their mouths," Aaron continued, his tone cool, calculated. "But don’t worry. I know how to loosen tongues. One encounter with those monsters beyond the border, and they’ll be begging to confess. Open the gates."

The Captain’s brows furrowed, clearly conflicted. His gaze swept over the supposed prisoners. Adeline deliberately kept her head bowed, though she wanted to stomp on Aaron’s foot.

Layla, at least, looked the part of a silent criminal, her posture calm, hood shadowing her features.

The Captain hesitated, then glanced back at Aaron. This was Master Aaron. And if he is dealing with them personally... They must have done something heinous.

The Captain’s shoulders dropped with a resigned sigh. "As you command, sir." He turned sharply and barked to his men, "Open the gates!"