I Became The Male Lead’s Female Friend Chapter 204 - Side Story 4 - Friends or Lovers

To be sure, I looked over at Rudrick, but he was his usual sullen self.

 

‘Phew, thank goodness…’ 

 

Without thinking, I patted my chest. Then I scratched my head at a sudden question.

 

‘Thank goodness?’ 

 

Why was I wearing underwear at all, if I would hide it so tightly? I stared off into space, feeling increasingly confident.

 

“By the way, I, Rudrick…”

 

“Huh?”

 

“I… don’t I look any different?”

 

Rudrick was silent for a moment before answering.

 

“No.”

 

That was the beginning.

 

Appealing to Rudrick, after the initial failure.

 

The first thing I did upon arriving at the Bouser residence was, of course, strip down to my underwear.

 

Cecil was delighted to see me after a long absence and offered me a hand, but I declined. I couldn’t bring myself to do this before anyone, not even Rudrick.

 

‘Oh, crap, I can’t believe how beautiful I am.’ 

 

Even I didn’t realize I was such a small-hearted person, not physically, but psychologically.

 

‘I’m sorry, Rudrick. I guess I’m just a girl who can’t help it…!’

 

Staring at my unzipped underwear lying open on the bed, I shook my head in defeat.

 

Never again, not ever… No, actually, I should wear them again… but for now, they’re on hold. I’m saving this for a last-minute, last-ditch effort.

 

Still, I couldn’t afford to make the same mistake at that critical moment, so I decided to take a few minutes every morning to put on my underwear.

 

I figured if I did it often enough, I’d get used to it…

 

‘Woo-hoo, and that’s not all I have in store!’

 

As it turns out, it’s not just naughty underwear that I have in store.

 

It’s me, Dahlia Averine.

 

The woman who overcame the intrigues of the Duke of Goldman and the Marquis of Myers to win the favor of all the vassals in the succession contest.

 

Just when things were looking up, I had a plan B, a plan C, a plan D, and a plan E!

 

‘I’ve already done my research and rehearsals.’

 

In addition to buying Olivia and underwear, I had also done my research.

 

In the great library of the Duchy of Lorence, where all the knowledge of the continent was collected! 

 

In this vast cradle of knowledge, I drew on the experience and advice of the wise men of old to make up for my lack of experience.

 

And as a result of synthesizing all that knowledge, I was able to create my secret weapon.

 

I named it ‘The Effective Way to Defeat Rudrick.’

 

It’s a 12-step Iron Wall Breaking Technique!

 

And now, I was pulling out my weapon of choice to unleash the first of those Iron Wall Breakers, and it was…

 

Pheromone Perfume!

 

Iron Barrier Breaking Technique I.

 

I Olfactory Stimulation.

 

As one of the five senses, the sense of smell has a surprisingly high sensitivity, and even a slight change in scent could affect the other person’s perception of the scent, which the brain would take as a new stimulus!

 

…said the author of ‘The Art of Stimulating a Man’. I immediately headed to the perfume store at the sound of this statement.

 

The perfume shop owner said.

 

— “Ah~ So you want a scent that smells like a mature, seductive, sexy woman, but not too overpowering, not too strong, subtle, yet haunting? Well, I have just what you’re looking for~”

 

The perfume shop owner was unfazed by my specific request and immediately brought out an item.

 

— “Hee-hee, it’s a special perfume from a country far to the east.”

 

— “The East?”

 

— “Yes, it’s made by a famous gypsy from the east, and it’s a specialty that’s famous for its coveted scent that can make even a sluggish man horny for three days and three nights just by spraying it on! It’s called pheromone perfume.”

 

— “Oh…!”

 

I was speechless.

 

‘A desirable scent? Makes you feel hot for three days and three nights? Oops, that’s a bit of a stretch…’ 

 

I said sternly, lowering my soaring jester, “All right, I’ll settle for that.”

 

That’s how I got my secret weapon!

 

I smirked as I haphazardly sprayed the ‘pheromone perfume’ behind my ears and at the nape of my neck to make me even more bewitching.

 

‘Wait, Rudrick. I’m coming!’

 

And then it was time to go down to the dining room, where I lunched with Rudrick, walked in the gardens, had tea, and then played cards in the drawing room.

 

It was a very peaceful time, and I said to myself.

 

“But, Rudrick.”

 

“What?”

 

“I… don’t I look any different?”

 

Rudrick said, “No.”

 

I broke out in a cold sweat.

 

‘You perfume seller, give me a break.’ 

 

What, a request? To make a sluggish man aroused for three days and three nights? I should report this fraudulent bastard for false advertising right now.

 

But that wasn’t what mattered right now, not after I’d turned myself in and gone to bed. 

 

I continued coquettishly, hiding my inward embarrassment at Rudrick’s iron wall, which was more impenetrable than I’d expected.

 

‘Haha, it’s working. Not even a dream for a lethal pheromone perfume.’ 

 

But that’s just the beginning. Let me show you the next move I’ve prepared!

 

Iron Wall Breaking Technique II.

 

II Lethal Glare.

 

— Lock your gaze so that your opponent can feel you looking at them, the way you would look at your prey!

 

With an intense, predatory gaze, Rudrick looked in my direction. For a moment, our eyes locked.

 

“What?”

 

Here we go!

 

Iron Wall Breaking Technique III.

 

III. Deadly Smile.

 

— Smile when you make eye contact, but not so wide that your teeth show, just a subtle upturned smile!

 

“Are you tired?”

 

‘Ha, how about this!’

 

Iron Wall Breaking Technique IV.

 

IV Fatal Strike

 

— When you’re in good spirits with your target, wink at him, and his heart will burn!

 

“If you’re exhausted, do you want to go inside and rest?”

 

But it’s all a miss.

 

All of my tricks had gone awry, and before I knew it, Rudrick was staring at me with a puzzled expression. I broke out in a cold sweat at the unexpected result.

 

‘As expected, Master Swordsman Bouser. You defeated my carefully prepared techniques with such ease… but that only makes me more competitive.’

 

I chuckled as I looked at Rudrick, who sat there with a blank, innocent look on his face.

 

What would it be like to take him down?

 

‘Huh, I wasn’t going to use this method today…’

 

It just so happened that Rudrick and I were sitting across from each other playing cards, and I happened to be wearing a dress with plunging necklines.

 

I leaned forward slightly.

 

“No, I’m not tired, I’m just…”

 

Haha, this time it’s going to be a little more powerful?

 

Iron Wall Breaking Technique VI.

 

VI Sensual Exposure.

 

“It’s a little hot.”

 

I flapped my clothes and pretended to expose myself. I pretended not to, crossing my arms to bring my breasts together. 

 

Not only that, but I turned to Rudrick and flashed him a wicked grin.

 

‘How’s that, Rudrick? Are you feeling a little more conscious now?!’

 

Sure enough, Rudrick’s body twitched and shuddered, as if the technique had had a profound effect. 

 

My smile widened as I caught the subtle reaction.

 

‘Now, come on. I’m already ready!’

 

At the same time, Rudrick moved. He stood up and stretched. Then he extended his hand toward me. 

 

My heart leaped in my chest. The moment his big hand was close to mine…!

 

Click—

 

‘What?’

 

I opened my closed eyes. Rudrick was ringing the bell.

 

Soon the butler came into the reception room.

 

“You’ve called, Your Grace.”

 

“It’s hot, please turn down the heat.”

 

“Very well, Your Grace. Is there anything else you would like me to do?”

 

Suddenly, Rudrick looked in my direction, and I realized what he had done. 

 

Oh, no. This guy?

 

“Uh, there’s nothing…”

 

“Go.”

 

The butler bowed his head at Rudrick’s gesture and left the room. I stared after him, dumbfounded. 

 

He put the bell down and sat back down on the couch, tilting his head to look at me, frozen.

 

“You said it was hot?”

 

I said… I said it was hot…

 

‘Thank you, you sincere bastard.’

 

Somehow, I thought to myself through my tears, my future flirtations would not be so smooth.

 

After that, my tearful endeavors never stopped.

 

For what seemed like an eternity, I demonstrated all the skills I’d been practicing.

 

X  Limitless Praise, which means saying positive things to win the other person’s favor. 

 

XI Closeness, staying close to the other person to increase intimacy. Touching the other person naturally and making them feel excited.

 

But Bouser, the Sword Master.

 

The genius of the century, he dodged and ducked my every move, and sometimes even countered back for more damage.

 

The result of those fierce and desperate days…

 

I had written a legend.

 

11-0, 11-0!

 

The legend of the undefeated streak.

 

That would be me, Dahlia Averine.

 

‘I’m screwed.’

 

As I sobbed to myself, time slipped away like a river, and the day of reckoning loomed.

 

I felt a genuine sense of crisis.

 

‘What have I done?’

 

I’ve done a lot of things. Putting on naughty underwear every morning just to get used to it, flirting with Rudrick only to be ignored, playing mindlessly with Rudrick, and pulling my hair right before bed.

 

Looking back, it was a completely unproductive day. I didn’t even get to kiss him, let alone make any progress.

 

So I had a bad feeling about it.

 

Like, if I don’t take this chance now, it might be the rest of my life, and I won’t be able to make any progress until I get married…

 

‘Now, it’s time to make a move.’

 

I’m going to have to do it.

 

With trembling hands, I pulled out the suitcase I’d hidden so tightly. 

 

I flicked open the clasp, which I’d locked to prevent anyone from accidentally opening it. I opened it wide and out popped a trick I hadn’t thought to try until now.

 

The gorgeous underwear that Olivia had hand-picked for me, the lustful, naughty underwear…

 

Holding up one of the most… if not the most… naughty, then at least moderately naughty pair of underwear, I picked it up. 

 

A black slip, all mesh, with nothing covering it…!

 

Not even this slip, underneath!

 

‘I’ll admit it, Rudrick. You’re a worthy opponent, and I’m going to take you seriously.’

 

Here we go, one last duel at full strength.

 

Lesson XII of the Iron Wall Breaking Technique.

 

The final blow.

 

“Rudrick, will you drink with me?”

 

XII Drunken Confession.