I Became The Male Lead’s Female Friend

 

For a moment, Rudrick was dazed. He couldn’t understand what he had just heard.

 

‘You still love her?’

 

Who, who?

 

And the answer came soon after. While he was still dazed, the argument in front of him continued.

 “I don’t know, I don’t understand what you’re saying.” “You’re just frustrated with me, I get it, but just hear me out for once. I want you to…” “I’m a little busy right now. If you’re going to keep talking to yourself, will you please step aside?” “O’Neill, please…” 

To be precise, it was a situation where River Goldman was clinging to a woman desperately.

 

After watching the scene in fascination for a few moments, Rudrick felt his mind snap back to reality at Goldman’s next words.

 “I have never forgotten you even for a moment since then. From the moment we first met, you were all I had, and when you disappeared like that, how desperate I felt as if the sky had fallen…” 

It was a desperate confession of love.

 

He had even kneeled to his knees in front of her. His face was quite mournful as he got down on one knee and gently took her hand.

 

To someone who doesn’t know him, he looked like a man madly in love.

 

But knowing another side of him, Rudrick’s expression began to harden.

 “Of course, I know I don’t deserve to see you again. But I wanted to see your face one more time, and I came all the way here to find you…” “Then, Your Excellency, I will see you another time.” “O’Neill, wait…!” 

Unfortunately, Goldman’s nasty confession didn’t last long.

 

The woman, who had been looking somewhere else with an annoyed look for a while, finally shook off his hand.

 

She walked away without looking back, and Goldman, embarrassed, quickly stood up to follow her.

 

But he was soon blocked by someone else. Before he knew it, Rudrick with his blazing eyes grabbed him by the shoulders.

 “I need to talk to you.” “…” 

It was only then that Goldman, who noticed his presence, hardened, but the emotion that came to mind before him was nervousness.

 

He kept looking in the direction where the woman disappeared and muttered urgently.

 “I’m sorry, but I’m busy right now, so if you’re interested, maybe another time…” “What? Do you want to grab a woman who doesn’t like you and hang on to her like that? You’ve learned such great chivalry, haven’t you?” 

Instead of answering his words, Goldman twisted and tried to get out of his grasp.

 

But Rudrick was also confident. For a while, there was a fierce atmosphere between the two men. The airflow was broken by Rudrick’s murmuring, like he was talking to himself.

 “You love her?” 

When Goldman heard that, there was a momentary sign of frustration on his face.

 

He quickly composed himself, but Rudrick, who had seen everything up to that point, gritted his teeth.

 “What about Dahlia?” “…” “Are you admitting to me now that you’ve been caught with both red-handed?” 

When asked about the ‘red-handed’ comment, Goldman hastily denied it.

 “That’s not it.” “Then what is this situation?” 

Rudrick growled,

“You’re not going to pretend you don’t know, I thought you were more deserving of the little comfort I gave you.” “…” “It’s true that you approached her on purpose, under the Duke’s instruction, but didn’t you say that you are purely fond of her now?” “How can you…” “Just answer me.” “…” 

Suddenly, Goldman kept his mouth shut. The way he lowered his head and bit his lips seemed like he had a lot to say.

 

However, after being silent for a long time, there was only one thing he brought up.

 “…There is no room for excuses.” 

Rudrick’s mouth became stiff. But his words did not end there.

 “I’ll admit, I was attracted to her, because she reminded me of… O’Neill and that’s why I kept seeing her.” “…” “It is not that I treated the Princess with lies. It’s lame, but I was sincere at that time. But I ended up…” “…” “I know what a terrible thing I did. And I know there’s no excuse for it, but I’m begging you…” 

Having said this, Goldman raised his head and looked at Rudrick, and then, in a tone that was almost pleading, he said,

“Would you mind not talking about it right now?” “What?” 

Rudrick crumpled his brows.

 “Since it is my fault, I want to tell her directly I have to explain it myself so that the Princess can make an easier decision…” “…” “Rather, wouldn’t it hurt her more if she heard it through someone else?” “Hah.” 

Rudrick burst into laughter. Then asked with a grim face.

 “Are you threatening me now?” “I’m only stating the facts.” “Dahlia’s heart is broken, and now you’re so shameless as to lose your dignity?” “…” 

Rudrick face twisted. Blood rushed to his head, and wild emotions raged within him. He felt like he couldn’t leave without cutting the man in front of him… but he just clenched his fist.

 “You…” 

He glared at Goldman, who couldn’t make eye contact with him, and then whispered in a low voice.

 “Don’t you ever show your face in front of me again?” 

Then, unable to control his anger, he turned and walked away.

 

Shifting his feet aimlessly, Rudrick chewed his lip until it bled.

 “Don’t tell me”? 

The taste of blood slowly spread in his mouth.

 “Because it might hurt?” 

‘Is that what a man is going to say?’

 

If I knew my mistake, I would run to her and beg on my knees.

 

My stomach churned as I watched him bend his knees in front of her and ask for more time.

 

It was enough to make me want to go back and beat the crap out of him right now, just in case he was going to tell her off.

 

But I didn’t… because he wasn’t wrong about anything.

 “Darn it!” 

It would have hurt Dahlia even more if it had come from Rudrick instead of him.

 

Of course, it would be better than confronting her in such an unexpected place, but it would be similar to having someone else tell her the truth without knowing anything about it.

 

At least Dahlia hadn’t doubted Goldman’s sincerity.

 “But now that I haven’t forgotten…” 

Since when did they start to be like that?

 

If you think about it, there was a hint.

 

For example, he has been glued to the Duke’s residence ever since the woman appeared, couldn’t take his eyes off somewhere, and was constantly wandering around in the Duke’s residence looking for someone.

 

I wish I had realized it sooner, so I could have warned Dahlia.

 

I finally felt regrets, but the biggest problem was now.

 “What should I do now?” 

What could I do to make her feel less hurt?

 

It was inevitable for Dahlia to be hurt one way or another. Eventually, Goldman would betray her trust.

 

If that was the case, as he said, it might be better to report the facts as late as possible.

 

I think if I take her time and give a hint so that she gradually notices it, it’d be less of a shock when she finds out.

 

Otherwise, it would be better…

 “What if I don’t make her feel anything?” 

At the same time, a voice echoed in Rudrick’s ears.

 — “May I help you?”

 

Rudrick froze in his tracks, staring straight ahead, lost in thought for a moment, then shook his head.

 

‘It’s still suspicious.’

 

But that didn’t mean there was a good solution. My subordinates already had a record of failure, and there was no one else I could ask for advice.

 

Of course, he didn’t have the confidence to go out on his own and change Dahlia’s mind.

 

Rudrick was once again immersed in worry.

 

‘A little suspicious person…’

 

In fact, from the moment he made that comparison, the answer was almost certain.

 

Rudrick, who decided in a short period of time, immediately turned around. Unlike when he walked aimlessly in anger, his steps had a clear purpose.

 

And when he finally ran into the person he was looking for.

 “Is the offer still valid?”  

Have you ever experienced going back and forth between heaven and hell in one day?

 

That’s exactly what I was like right now, so to speak.

 “Surely there was nothing wrong.” 

After returning to the capital, I was spending each day peacefully, unlike in the north.

 

However, the mansion was briefly turned upside down when I told my mother the real reason for my father’s collapse.

 

Only after a long storm of tears, pleas, and apologies had passed, I was able to return to my daily life.

 

Of course, there was no problem at all.

 

There was no telling when the remaining bacteria in my father’s body might break out again, and I still hadn’t figured out what Myers Confucius was up to.

 

However, as I sat in the flower garden and basked in the warm sunlight, I felt like all my worries disappeared.

 

For the first time in a long time, I felt like I could finally breathe in the lively atmosphere of the Averine Mansion.

 

So for now, let’s enjoy this leisure time and heal our tired bodies and minds…

 

‘But why am I so upset!’

 

And the reason wasn’t even a big deal.

 

It was because Rudrick and O’Neill hadn’t been seen since they left.

 

Not even once!

 “If Rudrick can’t come, surely O’Neill can?” 

Rudrick had a lot of work to do in the North, like family affairs and slaying, so I could understand.

 

But what could O’Neill possibly have to do in the North? Could she be offering to help with the slaughter?

 “It could be so.” 

If that’s the case, are they together now?

 

Studying maps together, plotting plans, riding side by side, slaying demons, and the more time they spend together, the more feelings slowly blossom…

 

‘Don’t, Stop~!’

 

I even imagined the scene of two people embracing passionately, and I let out a silent cry while tearing my head out.

 

This happened several times a day.

 

As time passed, my anxiety grew as I sent someone to Bouser’s mansion just in case, only to receive a

‘no show’

message every time.

 

I even started to think,

‘Will I ever go up north again?’

 

‘But they say that if you wait and believe, an opportunity will come someday.’

 

As if it was worthwhile sending people out several times a day, I finally heard the news that Rudrick had returned.

 

As if I had been waiting, I quickly headed to Bouser’s mansion.

 

When I came face to face with Rudrick after such a long time…

 “If you’ve finished your business, why don’t you go back immediately?”