I Became The Male Lead’s Female Friend Chapter 208 - Side Story 8 - Friends or Lovers

After having his palm licked off by me the last time he covered my mouth with his hand, Rudrick now covers my mouth with his lips.

 

Fluff—-

 

Luckily, the rug on the floor was fluffy, and Rudrick supported my back, so the impact wasn’t too bad. No, honestly, I didn’t even feel the shock.

 

It wasn’t until the soft lips that lightly covered my mouth that the real action began.

 

He tilted his head, and I opened my mouth naturally. 

 

His movements were rougher than before as if he were trying to bruise me, and I shook my head, out of breath as I clung to his shoulder and followed him urgently.

 

Noticing my trembling, Rudrick finally parted his lips. He gasped and looked down at me.

 

‘It’s crazy…’

 

It’s spectacular.

 

Rudrick looked more excited than ever.

 

The corners of his cold eyes flared red, and his blue pupils deepened. 

 

His normally pale lips were red and glossy, his jaw clenched tight, his throat throbbing, and down below…

 

Snap—

 

Rudrick’s eyes widened at that moment. I blinked, dumbfounded. I must have drooled or something… but somehow, my hand involuntarily went up to the dampness under my nose and swiped at it.

 

Rudrick let out a groan.

 

“Nosebleed…”

 

To make a long story short, I failed.

 

And not just any failure. I failed in a big, huge, epic way.

 

All because of me.

 

Because my nose bled and…

 

‘Oh, crap!’

 

And I still remember it. Rudrick’s face, the excitement drained out of him at that moment, replaced by panic and shock.

 

He then physically picked me up and searched for the panting doctor. I was laughing hysterically as I cried out of my nose in his arms.

 

When Rudrick saw my expression, he wondered if there was something wrong with me, and he tried to get the doctor to re-diagnose me several times, even though the doctor said there was nothing wrong…

 

After listening to him seriously, thinking that he was telling the truth, he finally informed me, “You just need to eat well, sleep well, and exercise hard.”

 

“I’m not doing anything until you get stronger.”

 

Instantly, I felt like a raccoon washing cotton candy and stared at Rudrick blankly.

 

No, I’m not asking you to sleep with me right now, and you’re putting up a wall like this?

 

“No, you can’t kiss me,” I said, incredulous, like I’d come here to flirt with a guy only to be informed that he’d never touch me.

 

“I can’t even kiss you?”

 

“No.”

 

I turned back, cursing this cruel world.

 

After that, it was just exercise.

 

“Huh, ugh, whew… I, uh, how many laps did I, uh, run, huh?”

 

“One lap.”

 

“Ha, one, one…?”

 

Upon returning to the Duchy, I worked out hard… for two or three days.

 

Aside from being overly stiff and unmotivated, once I worked myself up into a frenzy, I couldn’t get out of bed for the rest of the day. 

 

So I’d do it a few times and quit, claiming it didn’t work.

 

I didn’t think Rudrik would mind too much. If I worried about it now, wouldn’t it be gone by the next time he came over?

 

“You’ve rested enough, let’s go again.”

 

Nope. When I saw Rudrick again after a long two-month absence, instead of sharing a passionate reunion kiss with him, I followed him enthusiastically in circles in front of the entire room.

 

No, why would I?

 

Why on earth would I…?

 

Getting covered in dirt when I would normally be cuddling with Rudrick, I was soon running around the training grounds when I heard a loud crash. 

 

It was also partly because I had only run one lap after running so hard.

 

“I don’t want to do this…”

 

Yeah, I thought, we should just stick to our respective training routines. 

 

Even if I don’t, I’m still going to have to spend the first night of our marriage, so what’s he going to do?

 

‘Oh, so you’re going to propose right now…?’

 

Rudrick clicked his tongue slightly, as if he’d noticed me twirling my hair, and then said calmly.

 

“One more lap and I’ll kiss you.”

 

Rudrick looked at me in disbelief. Ha! Do I look like the kind of girl who would fall for that?

 

“One per lap!”

 

Yes, he was right.

 

As I jumped up and started running like a dog, I could feel Rudrick’s pitying gaze on the back of my head, but what the hell, a thirsty man digs a well?

 

And, truth be told, I needed to get in shape. 

 

Aside from not being able to make out with Rudrick… I realized.

 

That day, I was kissing Rudrick passionately and almost crossed the line. 

 

In his excitement, Rudrick had unwittingly leaned in close to me, and his thick thing had touched my thigh.

 

“Mmph, right, right!”

 

Ugh, if I’m going to take ‘that’, I’d better have the stamina to last the night, right?

 

With an unknown amount of determination, I ran two more laps down the hill before collapsing spectacularly. 

 

Not to mention, I was practically carried by Rudrick to my room and kissed him on both cheeks.

 

‘Woohoo, it was a good time…’

 

Although tears welled up in my eyes at the thought of settling for nothing more than a kiss… I looked up at Rudrick as I lay on his thigh, feeling pretty comfortable.

 

“Ah, that’s right, Rudrick, are you free next month?”

 

“Next month?”

 

“Uh, you know, the hotel we’re building in Veloa. It’s almost finished, and we’re putting the finishing touches on it. I need to make a list of people to invite to the grand opening soon… will you come?”

 

Rudrick nodded as if it were a given.

 

“Yeah.”

 

I smiled broadly.

 

“Oh, by all means!”

 

At my reaction, which was more enthusiastic than I thought it would be, Rudrick shook his head, but I quickly changed the subject. 

 

Of course, he should be there, but he shouldn’t know the reason.

 

Without realizing it, I let out a sinister laugh.

 

The preparations are… done!

 

💫

 

“Here we go. One, two, three, and I’ll cut. One! Two…!”

 

Three!

 

Snap—-

 

The sharp blade cut through the ribbon as the hand that held the scissors gave it a firm effort.

 

A thunderous applause erupted.

 

I held up the cut ribbon and stared ahead in disbelief. Beyond the crowd, the azure sea glistened.

 

The hotel was complete.

 

Even before it was completed, the story of the great hotel in the center of Veloa was well known.

 

The family had intentionally spread the rumor to various places as a publicity stunt, but the slogan, “A budget hotel that can be used by nobles and commoners alike,” had attracted attention.

 

“All rooms are single occupancy, right?”

 

“How is that different from a traditional inn? There are plenty of single rooms there, too.”

 

“No, all the rooms are suites, like a nobleman’s mansion.”

 

“Is that possible?”

 

They were disbelieving.

 

The rates are the same as a regular inn, but the rooms are more luxurious. 

 

For a modest fee, commoners could stay in luxurious rooms and be served by bellboys and maids, just like servants and maids.

 

Of course, it wasn’t completely discriminatory.

 

On the top floor, premium rooms were reserved for the nobility. They had their separate floor, so they could stay quietly, and they had a great view of the ocean.

 

‘Well, it wasn’t without its challenges, but…’

 

As a hotel service business, nothing was easy, from creating a guide to distributing furniture and fixtures at the right price for a value-accommodating hotel.

 

But when it came to distribution, we were able to get it delivered safely to the bosses connected to Averine, and the power source was…

 

‘Woo-hoo, that’s great!’

 

With the help of Rudrick, I’ve already refined quite a bit of magic ore.

 

The vassals’ expectations of me are more about the effectiveness of the new power source than the hotel.

 

Once the hotel proves to be a success, I plan to expand the use of magic ore in other places that need it.

 

The benefits to us in the future would be priceless.

 

‘Sooner or later, we’ll have to adjust the profit ratio between Bouser and the magic ore.’ 

 

Here’s the plan. Following my father, the Duke of Averine, the King of Hessen was on the podium, delivering a toast.

 

As expected, the invitees to the celebration were all prominent figures.

 

From my parents, the Duke, and Duchess of Averine, to the leading vassals of Averine, to the most prominent families of the continent, to the various High Lords, the Lords of Rebeauvel, Veloa, and even the King of Hessen…

 

To King of Hessen’s credit, I extended an invitation as a courtesy, and he was surprisingly willing to participate. 

 

And he was laughing happily with his daughter, who was now fully recovered.

 

‘How fortunate.’

 

I chuckled and applauded the father and daughter as they made their way down the podium.

 

“Next, we’ll have the representative speeches.”

 

People turned to look at me.

 

Straightening my back, I stepped forward. The surrounding crowd parted to make way for me.

 

“This is our hotel representative, Ms. Dahlia Avery. Please give her a round of applause!”

 

A wave of applause followed.

 

As I stepped onto the stairs, I glanced back. One person stood out among the crowd. My lover, dressed to shine tonight.

 

With a satisfied smile, I stood in front of the podium.

 

“Good to see you, everyone.”

 

Then, calmly, Dahlia began her speech.

 

“My name is Dahlia Avery, a minor duchess of the Duke of Averine and owner of the Loverty Hotel, and I would like to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to all of you for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend our grand opening celebration…”

 

It wasn’t hard to recite the speech. 

 

I made eye contact with everyone and calmly recited my thanks to the people involved, my founding philosophy, and my expectations and ambitions for the future.

 

And when I reached the end of my speech.

 

“Thank you for your attention and support, and please enjoy the celebration… before it ends.”

 

And I chuckled.

 

“I have some important news to share.”

 

The crowd roared. Even the officiant looked dumbfounded, let alone my parents. 

 

No wonder. They hadn’t even listened to me in the first place, let alone put me in the order of service.

 

Finally, I called out to the one person who hadn’t taken his eyes off me.

 

“Duke Bouser, would you please step forward?”

 

All eyes turned in unison. Rudrick’s eyes widened as he was suddenly singled out.