I Became The Male Lead’s Female Friend

Author: Nikss

It’s been a few days since Rudrick awakened.

The doctor’s assurances that he was physically well, if only unconscious, were true, and he quickly scrambled to his feet.

The Duke’s sudden collapse sent Bouser into a frenzy. Especially Cassar and some division commanders, who had rushed to the capital in a panic as soon as they heard the news of Rudrick’s attack.

They gnashed their teeth, demanding that the culprit be caught at once. But Rudrick refused to speak until the end.

He kept his promise to me.

‘…So the spell was lifted by accident, and all was well. She stopped trying to seal it and left…’

When Rudrick awoke.

I quickly explained the situation, hoping to break the awkwardness that had set in after my off-the-cuff confession.

He had no memory since he’d been knocked unconscious when O’Neill had just activated the seal, and I knew he’d want to know what had happened while he was unconscious and how things had been resolved.

But I only gave him a vague description of the situation, not a detailed account of what happened in the ‘white space’.

How do I explain, ‘Actually, my regression was caused by your past self wishing to save me, and the spell was broken by stabbing you, the cause of the regression.’

“…Right.”

Rudrick nodded wordlessly at my awkward explanation. Judging by his lack of questioning, he didn’t even remember.

“Good.”

I added, patting my chest.

“Let’s keep this between us, even though things have gotten out of hand since he collapsed. Rudrick agreed, knowing the truth, even if only in fragments.”

It was only when I returned to Averine Manor that I saw that Rudrick had recovered.

I was greeted with the words, “A date has been set?”

“We have a date?!”

The news was that my departure date had been set.

Jeron, the bearer of the news, looked at me in disbelief and asked in confusion.

“You said that since you’ve been recognized by the vassals, you want to consolidate your position by studying abroad as soon as possible?”

“Huh?”

“I considered your opinion and scheduled it for the earliest possible date, but what’s with your reaction? Did things not go well?”

“Oh?”

“That you went to see Duke Bouser.”

Jeron, who had been blabbering on and on, finally hit a nail on the head.

“I thought you were going to tell him you were going to study abroad?”

My mouth dropped open.

‘That’s right!’

Oh, my goodness, I’d forgotten.

Jeron was right. The reason I came to him after the final meeting in the first place was to say thanks, but also to tell him about my decision.

Or, more accurately, I went to tell him my plans for the future after my confession, and to make a romantic gesture to see if he would be there for me…

‘I didn’t even think of that!’

Jeron said sullenly, noticing my shocked expression.

“You forgot, huh?”

“That’s right…”

“Then why the hell did you go to Bouser, and what were you doing there all this time? I mean, I heard that the Duke was injured, but what were you doing there, like you were just holed up there for a while and then suddenly freaked out…”

He pauses for a moment, as if he’s been scolding me for being ridiculous. Then, as if realizing something, he looked back at me with trembling eyes.

“You didn’t… confess to him…!”

“Hehe. Can’t we postpone the date?”

“Hey!”

Seeing my stupid grin, Jeron grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and shouted.

“Just say it now and come–!”

In the end, I had no choice but to go back to Bouser’s mansion, against Jeron’s wishes.

And as I retraced my steps the way I had come the day before, I had to think hard.

‘I have to say something.’

Although it was an impulsive confession, I was proud to say it at the time: I wanted to stay with him, I wanted to be with him, I wanted to see him every day.

And I even said something like, “Can we go on a date later?” before I returned.

This made the division commanders who were watching us gape and freak out…

‘We’re going to be in a long-distance relationship, not a date!’

But, as Jeron said, there’s no way to delay the schedule.

Still, I knew I had to tell him… but I didn’t know what to say or how to convince him.

I started to break out in a cold sweat, thinking, ‘Doesn’t it make a difference how many days after I confessed?’

Surprisingly, it was Rudrick who solved my problem.

“I see.”

His simple response to my difficult confession was a bit of a surprise. His reaction was rather embarrassing. I looked him over several times and stammered at his seemingly nonchalant demeanor.

“Is there… is there anything else you want to say?”

“Not much?”

“Not much, goodnight, I won’t see you for months, at most I’ll see you once or twice a year, and you have nothing to say? Really?”

“Because I was expecting it.”

“Expecting?”

At my bewildered look, Rudrick replied nonchalantly.

“You told me before that to become a vassal, you must study abroad, not to mention be accepted by the vassals.”

“Did I…?”

“When we were younger.”

My eyes widened.

“Now that the meeting is over, I’ve been thinking that you’d leave sooner or later.”

“…Still.”

Despite hearing Rudrick’s calm voice, I hesitated.

Are you sure… you’re okay? This is the first time we’ve been apart for a long time… I wonder if it’ll be hard…”

“It’s not like you’re not returning at all, is it?”

“Yeah, but…”

“Then it doesn’t matter, it’s not like we won’t see each other forever, and I thought I told you that before.”

Rudrick said calmly, “Do what you have to do.”

Suddenly, I remembered what he had said before.

‘Because I like you best when you walk the path ahead.’

Rudrick said no more, but I could tell by the words he didn’t say.

Staring at him through clenched teeth, I finally gave in and hugged him. I could feel his body stiffen against mine, but he only tightened his arms around me and said, “Don’t keep saying nice things. Stop it, I’m falling for you again.”

“…”

“Thanks.”

Then I looked up at him and smiled sheepishly.

Rudrick stared down at me, dumbfounded.

Suddenly, our eyes met. As we stared at each other wordlessly, a strange atmosphere passed between us, and I naturally sighed and closed my eyes, thinking, ‘This atmosphere, this timing.’

‘It’s a kiss.’

A kiss. I put on my prettiest smile, not forgetting to pout my lips to match. After a moment of silence, I heard Rudrick’s questioning voice.

“What are you doing?”

“…”

Snapping my eyes open with a grimace. Then I replied with a hint of irritation.

“Can’t you read the mood?”

“What?”

“Well, the mood was right there for a kiss! That’s why it’s called a vibe…”

“Hah…”

Rudrick burst out laughing, but I didn’t care.

“Now, do it again.”

“Dahlia.

“Hurry!”

He stared at me in bewilderment, then turned to the air when I persisted.

For a moment, he stood still, as if pondering something, and then he lowered his gaze. Then he slowly lowered his head.

Smooch—

He kissed me on the cheek. Rolling my eyes, I quickly checked Rudrick’s face: the tips of his ears were bright red.

“Now go.”

“I don’t want to go.”

“Go.”

“Do you want to go to bed?”

Watching him, now starting to blush, I giggled.

The more he tried to push me away, the more I clung to him, and there we were, squirming and shedding pink streams.

Jeron, watching it all from afar, muttered, “You’re a total disaster…”

💫

Time flew by quickly.

My study abroad departure date was closer than I thought, and a myriad of things had happened in that short time.

On the outside, there was the news that the Marquis of Myers was getting a divorce.

How my father had managed to roast my aunt was beyond me, and the Marchioness Myers herself had filed the divorce papers.

When I was surprised to hear the news, the maid added in a whisper.

‘She caught him having an affair.’

“Really?”

“Yes. He had a child with his mistress and was maintaining two houses.”

I’ve always known he was a douche, but never this dirty.

Despite clicking my tongue, I was inwardly grateful. The Marquis was to blame for the divorce, and now Averine could cut off his support for Myers.

But as if that weren’t enough, Father muttered darkly to himself as he looked over the papers.

“This is just the beginning…”

Afraid to ask what the beginning was, I eventually turned out as usual.

Other than that, Imperial politics was business as usual.

Rumor had it that the Emperor’s health had deteriorated, though I never found out if that was true. But only time would tell if that was true.

And back to personal matters.

“Oh my gosh!”

My parents found out about our relationship.

Lately, I’d been hanging out with Rudrick a bit, and inevitably, rumors started to circulate among the staff.

My parents were curious, even though I pretended not to be, and they kept asking me about it, sneaking in when we were together.

After a moment’s hesitation, I eventually held his hand and said, “That’s the way it is. Then, shyly, I blurted out.”

“I’m going to give you a beautiful grandson.”

“Oh, my!”

“Dahlia…!”

But Rudrick’s frightened voice made my mother’s eyes widen.

“Mommy wants a granddaughter who looks like you, too.”

Rudrick closed his eyes tightly, unable to say anything, and Father could only stare at him with a pitying look.

“It’s all in the eye of the beholder,” he added.

“It’s all worth it once you learn to live with it.”

To what consolation, I don’t know.

After that, my parents continued to fuss. They asked when we became such a couple, why didn’t we get engaged sooner rather than later, and where should we live.

Rudrick was distracted by all the excitement.

It seemed a little strange to him. But he didn’t seem to hate it, that’s for sure.

“It was kind of nice, wasn’t it?”

Just as he was finally freed from the clutches of my parents, I asked.

“Well, kind of…”

“Should we get together again later?

“…”

Watching him slowly turn his head away, I let out a wry smile.

“Okay. Maybe later…”

“…?”

“Let’s go talk to your mother together.”

Rudrick stared at me for a moment, his expression uncertain, then finally smiled weakly.