I Became The Male Lead’s Female Friend

 “…” 

Rudrick didn’t ask any more questions.

 

I could tell he was wondering what I was trying to say, if it had anything to do with last night’s behavior.

 

He just stared at me, still. He opened his mouth to say what he was thinking, but then he sighed and said one word.

 “Yeah.” 

He must have realized that he wouldn’t get a good answer if he asked.

 

Indeed, he was right, and I could only offer an apologetic smile. At that, Rudrick sighed heavily again.

 “By the way, Goldman was doing it…” 

After that, I continued to speak with Rudrick about various things, but mostly about the many things I had planned to do to screw over Duke Goldman.

 

Rudrick, who had been listening to me in silence, suddenly said,

“The gambling house. I’ve heard of it before, but I never thought it would be involved with…” “…You already knew about it? How?” “Before…” 

There was a moment of hesitation in Rudrick’s voice. 

 

For some reason, he paused, staring at me, and finally spoke after I gave him another urging glance.

 “The head maid.” 

‘The head maid?’

I pondered his words, then stiffened at his next words.

 “She’s dead.” 

Rudrick explained simply, “

So we tracked down the head maid fleeing, Mrs. Fedwick, and managed to find her, but she was already dead.” 

But she wasn’t wearing the ring, and Rudrick, suspicious, began to investigate.

 “The lady’s son had run up a huge debt at the Duke Goldman’s gambling house…” “That’s obvious. The real question was where the ring went.” 

I nodded at Rudrick’s words. It’s not that I feel sorry for Mrs. Fedwick, but she did betray us in the end.

 

And now the ring’s whereabouts were more of a problem. I blurted out slowly as the pieces began to come together.

 “Well, I’ve heard some things about it.” 

This time, I told him what I had talked to Lord River about.

 

As Rudrick had suspected so many times, Lord River was, after all, a spy sent by Duke Goldman.

 

In truth, he was too preoccupied with finding O’Neill’s whereabouts to listen to the Duke’s orders. Rudrick’s face twisted fiercely at the truth.

 “I knew it. How many times have I called him suspicious?” “No, I just thought it was because you were jealous of Lord River…” “What?” 

I deflected, trying to avoid Rudrick’s upward glare.

 “Oh, no! Anyway, according to the plan, Lord River was supposed to bring the ring, but he said he hadn’t gotten anything delivered.” “And he’s not lying about that, too?” “Now? He’s been too eager to help me with my plans for that?” “I’ve seen too many people who would do anything to be trusted, only to betray that trust at the end.” “On what grounds?” 

Seeing him frown, I blurted out,

“Could he betray me on something I’ve gotten myself into?” “What kind of nonsense…” “Because I think he’s something like that.” 

I added, smiling bitterly,

“At least he wouldn’t try to betray me.” 

In truth, it wasn’t Lord River I believed. It was his feelings for O’Neill.

 

Because from what I’ve seen of him so far, he’s lived up to his title of

‘pure man’

and has eyes only for O’Neill.

 

Perhaps after the last time, I brought O’Neill and Jeron with me, Lord River would try to see me more often, and his first words would be,

‘Why didn’t they accompany you today?’

 

‘Do I look like a failure?’

 

Eventually, I blurt out in annoyance, and he smiles apologetically and stops inquiring.

 

From the looks of it, his feelings for O’Neill ran pretty deep, and Rudrick must have sensed that, because he obediently shut up, but he still muttered under his breath.

 “That… piece of filth.” 

I pretended I hadn’t heard him and tried to deflect the comment.

 

Other than that, he and I talked about the whereabouts of the Ring and imperial conspiracies, but Rudrick only pestered me about Lord River, as if he had no interest in such things.

 

Whether I really need his help, or why bother meeting him if we’re just going to pretend to be engaged, or whether it’s better to keep the bastard off of me because he’d do anything for me.

 

Using all the force I could muster, I had to work hard to appease him.

 “Aye, Sir River is Sir River, and of course, I have a favor to ask of you.” “What is it?” “I mean, after taking down the Duke of Goldman…” 

In an attempt to distract Rudrick and fulfill my official duties, I rattled off my plan to him, and before I knew it, time had passed.

 

‘Oops.’

 

Realizing I’d lost more time than I’d intended, I jumped to my feet. 

 

My impulsive rush to chase after Rudrick up North had messed up my schedule from yesterday through today

 

Rudrik understood, and he didn’t bother to hold me back. He only said one last thing before I left the room

 “I’ll be waiting.” 

For what, I didn’t ask. I smiled at him, sheepishly, and replied.

 “I won’t be late.” 

And with that, I was out of his room.

 

It would be a lie if I said I didn’t have any regrets. I wish I could have stayed with him a little longer to clear up the misunderstanding, but I hadn’t finished what was important.

 

Most of all…

 Thud— 

Closing the door behind me, I glanced to the side, and there stood a figure I knew well.

 “How’d you finish your story?” 

It was O’Neill. The person who was arguably the biggest part of the

‘important things’

I needed to sort out.

 

I stood tall and faced her, smiled meaningfully, and spoke,

“We have a lot to talk about, don’t we?”  

O’Neill and I returned to the capital by that same route.

 

The journey back didn’t take long. With O’Neill at my side, I didn’t need to use a carriage, and with a wave of her hand, the landscape changed in an instant.

 

Upon arriving back at Averine Mansion, I dismissed everyone, claiming exhaustion, and headed to my room with only O’Neill by my side.

 

Before I knew it, we were sitting across from each other.

 

‘Where do I start…’

 

As we sat there, I glanced over at O’Neill, who was leisurely sipping tea in front of me.

 

It’s not the first time I’ve been alone with her, and I’ve been through worse, but why am I so nervous today?

 

‘Okay, that’s the first thing I’m going to ask.’

 

And then I lifted my head again, faced her, and spoke,

“About the time you and Rudrick pretended to be lovers.” “What?” “Did you two conspire together?”

I asked, phrasing it as a question, but also half convinced.

 

In truth, I’d been suspicious of them for quite some time.

 

Ever since O’Neill started actively helping me with my plans, to be exact.

 

It seems like only yesterday that they were inseparable, but somehow, O’Neill had stopped bothering to visit Rudrick.

 

And it wasn’t until I heard her say,

‘I don’t think we need it anymore,’

that I realized for sure

 

‘Something’s wrong.’

 

I’d always dismissed it as an assumption without proof, but this time I was certain.

 

O’Neill’s unconditional willingness to place me by Rudrick’s side, and Rudrick’s desperate clinging to me as if he still had feelings for me.

 

All of it, in fact…

 “Right.” 

Looking at O’Neill’s mild acceptance, my eyes rounded.

 “…Right?” “It’s just like you said, we made a little arrangement for our purposes, but only in front of the Princess.” “An arrangement…? And that means the time you mentioned you were interested in Rudrick….?” 

O’Neill replied brightly,

“It’s all lies!” 

And my mouth fell open. I thought there was a chance of at least a crush, but it was all an act from the beginning?

 “What the hell… What’s wrong with you?” “What?” “Why would O’Neill do that? Even if Rudrick had a purpose, O’Neill doesn’t, does she?” “What are you talking about? Of course, I have a reason.” 

O’Neill ruefully lowered her eyebrows, then continued,

“I told you once before, I only want you to be happy.” “…Was that all you wanted?” “What more do you need?” 

I couldn’t help myself.

 

All along, I knew she was strangely obsessed with my well-being. I still didn’t understand why, but I figured it had something to do with the fact that she’d taken the initiative to help me with my work so far.

 

But wasn’t that a little weird, the heroine trying to hook me up with the male lead for my happiness?

 “No, it’s necessary, I need rest, and it’s weird… Okay, firstly, why do I need to be connected to Rudrick to be happy, like it’s a given…”

asked Dahlia.

 “What? It’s obvious, right?” “What?” “It’s fate.” 

Fa– fate? 

 

Whether I blinked or not, O’Neill continued,

“I thought it was weird from the beginning, because you two should be attracted to each other by now, but you keep going in weird directions…” “What?” “Imagine my frustration when you kept trying to deny your destiny, when it was obvious that if you went down that path, you’d be unhappy. So I thought I’d take matters into my own hands. Luckily, the two of you just needed a little push…” “What? No, O’Neill, that’s some weird thing you’re saying…” 

Preordained destiny? That following that path would lead to misery?

 

No, I think it’s Rudrick and O’Neill who are predestined, so what makes her so sure that she knows? It’s as if she already knows the future…

 

Finished with my thoughts, I looked up sharply and said slowly, my voice trembling.

 “O’Neill.” “What?” “You already knew me… Didn’t you?” 

O’Neill nodded mildly and answered,

“Yes.” “Since when?” “What? Since when…?” 

O’Neill rolled her eyes in thought for a moment. Then she smiled wryly and answered.

 “Since a long time ago.” “Not just a few years, right?” 

O’Neill smiled wordlessly, but I knew instantly that her silence was affirmative. I smirked and raised my eyebrows.

 “No, this can’t be… this can’t be.” “Princess?” “O’Neill, maybe…” 

I asked, swallowing dryly,

“Have you regressed?” 

At the same time, I froze completely.

 

The woman in front of me wore an expression I’d never seen before in my life. She was smiling as if she’d just heard the best news in the world, and her eyes were glistening with joy…

 “Oh my goodness, you finally remembered?” “What?” “I was confused as to when you remembered, because you seemed to know me, but you didn’t seem to remember everything.” “Like…?” “Oh, or maybe you didn’t remember all of it yet, and if so, where did you get to? Did you get to the end of…?” “Okay, wait. O’Neill. Wait!” 

I exclaimed, panting,

“What do you mean, remember? How am I supposed to remember that? It was O’Neill who regressed…” “What?” 

O’Neill said, stunned,

“Did you really think I was the only one who regressed?”