I Became The Male Lead’s Female Friend

 

With Hestia, we set out for the king’s palace.

 

In theory, the king only summoned Hestia, but my plan would not be finalized until I met him in person.

 

However, I could hardly go there pretending to be Hestia, whose reputation was already well-established.

 

She introduced me as her assistant and insisted that I must come with her to facilitate the treatment.

 

Surprisingly, they were easily persuaded.

 

We secretly headed to the palace in the middle of the night in a carriage sent by the king, and the next thing I knew, I was in front of the palace.

 

The king was already present inside, and the courtier stopped us at the door. He called out a message to the guard within, and when permission was granted, he opened the gates.

 

We bowed our heads, stepped inside, and took a bow. Overhead, we heard the king’s commanding voice.

 “Raise your heads.” 

At his command, I raised my head. And was a tad startled.

 

On the throne sat an old king.

 

Judging by the age of the princess and prince, the king was barely middle-aged at best. He was reported to be about that age.

 

But the king looked older than his years. With his deep wrinkles and graying hair, he looked like an old man at first glance.

 

Yet, the king of a country has a certain authority in his eyes. He stared down at us and slowly began to speak.

 “So, you say you’re a skilled healer?” “You are quite flattering. Your Highness.” “Rumor has it that you are called the ‘Hand of the Gods’ because anyone who touches your hand is healed.” “Yes…” “I assume you know the reasons behind your summons?” 

Hestia clamped her mouth shut.

 

She glanced at me in a cold sweat, apparently unsure of how to answer from here.

 

I stepped forward on her behalf. 

 “I will speak to you about that, Your Highness.” “Impolite! How dare you stand in front of the king…!” “Be still.” 

The king gazed at me inquisitively.

 “Speak.” 

I immediately knelt in front of the king. I heard a gasp of surprise from everyone around me, even Hestia.

 

With my head bowed, I continued,

“First, I must apologize to Your Majesty for something.” “For what?” “I’m not actually her assistant, and I committed the rudeness of concealing my identity like this because I had something to say to Your Highness, and I sincerely apologize for it.” “…” 

For a brief moment, I felt the king’s gaze bore down on me, followed by his low voice.

 “Then who are you?” 

Without further ado, I removed the hood that covered my face down to around below the tip of my nose and locked eyes with the king, who was now standing over me.

 “Allow me to greet you once again, I am Dahlia Averine, the only daughter of the Duke of Averine of the Empire of Hyperonia.” “Averine’s…” 

The king’s eyes widened slightly as he gazed at me, but otherwise showed no surprise.

 

In a way, it was to be expected. He’d already known about Hestia’s connection to Averine when he brought her here.

 

They just didn’t expect Averine’s direct descendant to be here.

 

The King stared at me for a moment, then finally spoke.

 “Okay. At least you’ve identified yourself now, so that’s good. Please rise.” “Thank you for your generosity.” “So what does the Princess of Averine want with me?” 

The question came out without hesitation.

 “The same reason the king summoned the healer.” “…” “I have a medicine that can cure the princess.” Thump! 

In an instant, the King jumped to his feet. The king stared at us for a moment with a disheveled expression, then slumped back into his chair and said weakly.

 “How many people have said that before? Do you know?” “I do,”

I said.

 “And I’ve heard that hundreds of times.” “I know it’s hard to believe, but I…” “I’m sick of it.” 

He cut me off firmly, his dark eyes weary. I watched him for a moment, then spoke again.

 “Then I’ll say something else.” “That’s enough of this, go back…” “Half of what the top of the Averine’s profits are going to Hessen.” 

Again, the King glared at me.

 “If what I say is untrue, I will pay you half of the profits.” “…” “Every year, as a tax.” 

In truth, it was a gamble.

 

Considering how much money Averine was making in Hessen, offering not even a fraction of it, but half of it, and every year.

 

It must sound absurd, and as usual, the king’s gaze darted to me, narrowing.

 “Is the Princess in a position to take on such a responsibility?” “I am the Princess and Averine’s next in line for the title, and I am well within my rights.” “How am I to believe you, Princess?” “Please prepare the document. I’ll put my seal on it myself.” 

At my confident demeanor, King’s eyes flickered. I smiled inwardly.

 

Although I had boldly staked the odds against me, my words were bound to turn against me in the end.

 

For I had known of the princess’s illness all along, and the medicine I had concocted would surely work.

 

The King was lost in thought for a moment, then spoke up.

 “Then what does the Princess want from me?” “I don’t expect much in return…” 

And yet, here’s the truth.

 “Just a little… I hope you will consider transferring the business of Beloa to me.” “I like your honesty.” 

The King chuckled softly. I followed suit and smiled softly. Suddenly, the tension in the room softened.

 

We talked for a while longer.

 

The conversation centered around the Princess, what caused her illness, how to cure her, and where to find the ingredients for the medicine.

 

The king listened to us, perhaps because it was about his daughter, and in the process seemed to gain some trust.

 “So…” 

The conversation seemed to be coming to an end, and finally, the King stood up. 

 

He glanced at me and said, “Let’s start with the documentation.”

 

At that, I was delighted.

  

Hestia took out the medicine she had prepared beforehand. Then, in front of the King, she slowly administered the medicine to the Princess.

 

The Princess’s throat rumbled, and the medicine slipped down. The King held his daughter’s hand tightly.

 

After a few days had passed.

 

The Princess awakened.