The Male Lead isn� Chapter 321: A Better Friend

Chapter 321: A Better Friend

Once they stepped out of the teleportation circle, Aaron looked absolutely fine—steady on his feet, his breathing even, like he hadn’t just been ripped through space itself.

Adeline, on the other hand, staggered forward, her stomach lurching. "How the hell are you all okay?" she groaned, pressing her hand against the nearest wall like it was the only thing keeping her upright.

Aaron barely spared her a glance. "I’m just used to teleporting," he said with a shrug, as if that explained everything.

Adeline tried not to vomit. "Oh, you’re used to it. anwhile, my insides are still trying to figure out what dinsion they’re in!"

Layla, hiding a laugh, reached over to gently rub Adeline’s back. "Alright, Adeline. Let’s get you sothing to drink before you collapse in the middle of the street."

"I’m not collapsing," Adeline mumbled, then swayed slightly. "Okay, maybe just a little collapsing."

Layla steered her toward a small restaurant on the corner. The lanterns outside flickered warmly, and the sll of grilled at and citrus filled the air. Inside, it was cozy, with the low murmur of locals chatting over late als. Layla flagged down a server and ordered quickly.

"Lemonade. Or soda. Sothing cold."

A glass of lemonade was brought out, beads of condensation running down its sides. Adeline grabbed it with both hands as though it were holy water itself and gulped half of it down in one go.

She set the glass down with a satisfied gasp. "Hah... I feel better"

Layla smirked. "Glad to know a little sugar and lemon can fix you."

Then her smile softened into sothing more thoughtful. "Are you nervous?" she asked suddenly.

Adeline blinked, caught off guard. "Hm?"

Layla’s tone was serious now, her eyes wavering a little. "We’re walking into their base, Adeline. Not waiting to be attacked—this ti, we’re confronting them head-on. I don’t know, I guess I am afraid... I will die."

For a heartbeat, Adeline just stared at her. Then, slowly, she shook her head.

"Surprisingly no," she admitted.

Layla’s brows furrowed. "No? Not even a little?"

Adeline leaned back in her chair, twirling her glass idly. "I used to live in fear every day, Layla. Fear that sothing would happen to . To my family. That I’d be powerless to stop it. That kind of fear—it eats you alive."

She lifted her hand, and faint sparks of lightning flickered between her fingers, dancing in the dim light of the restaurant. Then she pressed that hand to her chest, her expression firm. "But now? I don’t feel afraid because, for the first ti in a while, I feel confident in myself. On my watch, you will not die."

There was no arrogance in her tone—just certainty.

Layla studied her, conflicted. They went to the sa classes... More or less, but she turned out so much more confident. She was only human, she feared death as much as everyone else. But Adeline’s confidence made her believe that everything would be alright.

As they stepped out of the little restaurant, the cool night air greeted them, it made Adeline feel better. Aaron was already waiting by the entrance of the town, handing a pouch of coins to a scruffy-looking man. The man took the pouch before hurrying off, and Aaron turned toward them, reins in hand.

Two reins. Two horses.

Adeline’s eyes widened, and her brain imdiately began sprinting down a very specific track. Only two? Oh, this was fate handing her the perfect opportunity. Two horses ant sobody had to share. And that sobody was going to be Layla and Aaron.

Adeline’s grin was almost suspicious.

Layla glanced at the animals, brows slightly furrowed. "Oh, only... Two."

Aaron exhaled like he had expected the comnt. "That’s all they had."

Adeline was already bubbling with excitent. This was it. She was going to play Cupid, right here in the middle of a dirt road. The universe was begging for it.

"So when do we have to return the horses?" Adeline asked casually, as if she wasn’t scheming in broad daylight... Broad moonlight?

Aaron shot her a look. "Return? No, I didn’t rent them. I bought them."

Adeline blinked. Right. Of course. They were rich. She kept forgetting sotis that her family wasn’t exactly short on cash.

Still, she barely registered the thought, because she was too busy setting the stage.

"Okay, so I’ll take one horse, and you and Layla can sha—" Aaron suggested.

"Nuh uh," Adeline snapped, stomping her foot for emphasis. "Did you just lump us together because we’re won? Wow, Aaron. Wow. I didn’t expect this from you."

Aaron blinked at her, utterly baffled. His expression scread: What is she even talking about?

Fine, whatever, he can co up with a different solution. "Alright, fine, then. You sit behind

and Layla can-"

She cut herself off dramatically and shook her head. No. No, that wouldn’t work. Her reputation as a professional wingwoman was at stake here.

"Nah," she said firmly, lifting her chin like she was declaring war. "I don’t like sharing. I’m very spoiled. I take a horse. You two share."

The silence that followed was thick with confusion. Layla and Aaron exchanged a look, both raising their eyebrows.

Layla tilted her head and muttered under her breath, "Did they mix sothing in that lemonade?"

Adeline’s face heated instantly. Oh no. Oh no. She hadn’t realised how ridiculous she sounded until she heard it echoed back like that. Her cheeks turned pink, and she flailed for a second, searching for dignity and finding none.

She was sacrificing her own sanity to give these two dense idiots so ti together. That was noble. That was heroic. That was... Worth the embarrassnt. Probably.

They’d better na their future child after .

Adeline was doing so much, she deserved that much for her efforts in bringing them together.

"Anyway, I am taking a horse. You two can share!" Adeline declared. Just as she was about to get on one, Aaron placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Take a look at Layla once." He said.

Adeline turned to see Layla looking a bit nervous and uncomfortable.

She sighed. Maybe she should just share. She did not want Layla to be uncomfortable. Adeline thought to herself, she was a good wingwoman, but she was definitely going to be a better friend.

"I guess- I don’t mind sharing with Layla."