I Became The Male Lead’s Female Friend

 

When O’Neill said she left the portal open.

 

The first place I thought of was Rudrick’s office.

 

Although I don’t know how wizards usually open portals, I figured they’d probably open them to places they had visited often.

 

‘I hope it’s in his office.’

 

That’s what I thought, blithely.

 

Actually, it didn’t matter if it was outside the Oval Office. Or the drawing room, or the entrance to the ducal residence, or even the courtyard.

 

As long as it was somewhere I could find Rudrick, I hoped I could find him quickly. 

 

The sooner I could confront him and do something about it, the better.

 

But I wasn’t expecting this, was I?

 “Huh?” 

As the light that had washed over my vision faded, I cautiously opened my eyes. I blinked in disbelief at what I saw.

 

‘I don’t recognize this ceiling.’

 

But that wasn’t the problem: my body, which had been standing on the floor until O’Neill worked her magic, was now lying on its back.

 

And the cushions against my back and the soft fabric in her hands were unmistakably…

 

‘Is this a bed?’

 “Yikes!” 

I gasped as realization hit me. 

 

No, surely O’Neill was supposed to take me to where Rudrick was, so why am I lying in a bed in the middle of nowhere?

 

Surely I’m not imagining things?

 

My mind flashed back to every X-rated novel I’d ever read. I quickly scanned the bed. 

 

Okay, no one’s here. Next, I looked at my outfit. Good, I’m not wearing a nightgown.

 

‘Phew…!’

 

What, maybe I just landed in the wrong place?

 

Wiping the sweat from my brow, I finally lifted my head and scanned the room. 

 

Apparently, I had fallen into one of the Ducal bedrooms, and at a time like this, I needed to find Rudrick as soon as possible…

 ‘…?

’

 

But it didn’t take me long to realize that O’Neill had sent me to the right place.

 

For in this unfamiliar place that I hadn’t been to in a while, but one that I remembered being in at least once, there was one person who was all too familiar. 

 

That was the one I’d been looking for.

 “Rudrick?” 

It was definitely Rudrick, with his unusually disheveled black hair, pale white skin, and sculpted features, even with his eyes closed.

 

But his condition was somehow strange.

 

Normally, I would have expected him to flinch at the sound of my voice, but he hadn’t budged yet, just slumped on the couch with his eyes closed, looking like he was sick…

 

Gasping at the sudden ominous thought, I leaned in closer to him and breathed a sigh of relief.

 

‘That’s not it.’

 

To my relief, he reeked of alcohol.

 

‘Are you drunk?’

 

I eyed him curiously, unexpectedly.

 

It was the first time I’d ever seen Rudrick drunk.

 

In the first place, he never drank when he was younger. I’d tried to sneak him a drink, but he’d been stubborn and refused.

 

Even as an adult, I never saw him touch a liquor to his lips.

 

Come to think of it, neither did I at most parties. 

 

Only I, who was a fairly strong drinker, had wine in my mouth, and he didn’t even bother to look at it.

 

‘But being drunk now means…’

 

Should I say that he was truly a male lead or not…

 

At first glance, his appearance resembled that of a novel, where the male protagonist fought with the female protagonist and gulped down alcohol like water.

 

However, the situation on the table was completely different, instead of countless bottles of liquor lying around, there was only one bottle of liquor standing upright.

 

‘He’s surprisingly weak on alcohol?’

 

I giggled to myself, thinking that was just like Rudrick, but then, suddenly, I made eye contact with him.

 ‘….!’ 

I couldn’t help but scream, my eyes widening. I don’t know when he woke up, but he was watching me with his eyes wide open

. 

He didn’t look sober at all, so I cautiously examined him.

 “Ru, Rudrick?” “…” 

But there was no answer from him, and as I stared at him, puzzled, I suddenly realized.

 

‘His eyes are open, aren’t they?’

 

Realizing he was still drunk.

 

And there was further evidence that he was drunk. He stared at me through those wide-open eyes, and suddenly he spoke.

 “Dahlia?” 

I flinched and shivered at the strangely languid sound of his voice.

 “Huh?” “Dahlia…?” “Yes?” 

Uh, did I just sound weird?

 

I glanced over at him uneasily, and Rudrick’s eyes locked with mine for a moment, he smirked slightly, and I swallowed dryly, convinced by the lasciviousness of it all.

 

‘You’re completely out of it.’

 

Better get him to bed now.

 

He wouldn’t be able to have a decent conversation in his state anyway, so I’d better get him to bed and then talk to him tomorrow when he’s awake.

 

With that resolve, I would have helped him to his feet immediately, if he hadn’t insisted on talking to me.

 “Why are you here?” “Huh?” “Why are you here… When you shouldn’t be…” “What the hell are you talking about…” 

I frowned at the constant babbling, then paused. I thought about it for a moment, and then I asked him sweetly.

 “Can’t I stay here?” “Yes…” “Why? Why shouldn’t I be here?” “That’s because…” 

Blinking drowsily and slowly, Rudrick spoke up.

 “Because… I said I’m not going to see you anymore.” “Huh?” “Because I left… so you can’t be here.” “….” 

I glared at him, then burst out laughing and said bitterly.

 “Please, save that for tomorrow when you’re sober.” “…?” “Come on, let’s go. Go get a good night’s sleep, and then we can talk about everything we didn’t get to…” “Go?” 

Straight away, I grabbed his arm and was about to drag him along, but what I didn’t notice was the sudden change in his eyes at the strange words.

 

Instead of pulling away, he grabbed my hand, his eyes flashing dangerously.

 “Where?” “Huh?” “To the Goldman’s?” 

‘What the hell was that supposed to mean?’

 

What the hell was wrong with you?

 

With a look of incredulity, I tried to pull his arm away again.

 “Ahh!” 

Suddenly, he yanks my hand first, and then my arm…

 Pull— 

And before I knew it, I was in his arms. I gaped in confusion.

 

‘Wha—Zee, Zee, what the hell!’

 

No, I knew he was drunk and out of it, but I didn’t expect him to change like this. 

 

Gone was the shy, meek cat, and in front of me was an aggressive beast.

 

‘I wonder if this was his drink of choice?’

 

Something I should’ve known from the way he’s been sneakily lashing out, suddenly affectionate, and subtly spewing desire…

 “Don’t go.” “Huh?” 

I asked, dumbfounded by the voice that came out of nowhere. But instead of responding to my words, he hugged me tightly, burying his face in my shoulder.

 

His humid breath on my skin gave me goosebumps.

 “No, just let this go and let us talk…” “Don’t go.” “Okay, fine, get your face off…” “Don’t go.” “No, I’m not going, I’m not leaving! Just pull yourself together!” “Really?” 

He lifted his head slightly and looked up at me. It was strangely touching to see him stare at me with his unusually moist eyes, and I twitched at the corners of my mouth, thinking, 

‘Don’t look up at me like that, or I’ll kiss you….’

 

Of course, I had to resist the urge, because if I did, Rudrick would probably avoid me forever after he sobered up.

 

But I also felt a little disappointed, so I cleared my throat.

 

‘

What the hell

, am I going to start drinking too?’

 

Whether or not he realized the intense conflict in my mind, Rudrick, who had been staring at me, suddenly hugged me hard again. As if that weren’t enough, he threw me down on the couch.

 “Ugh!” 

I let out a short gasp.

 

Hey, you demanding beast! You’re going to take advantage of my weakness and sneak up on me? Isn’t this actually a drunken seduction? Huh?!

 

No, and we shouldn’t be doing this. We’re still friends, after all. What do you think would happen if things like this happen before I even confess?

 

Of course, Rudrik would be the one to blame… although babies that look like him would be pretty…

 

‘Why don’t we just do it today……?!’

 

When I had already imagined my grandchildren and prepared myself in less than three seconds. 

 

Suddenly, I heard a low whisper from somewhere above me.

 “Don’t meet him.” “Uh, yeah?” “Don’t meet Goldman and…” “Huh?” 

I stammered, and Rudrick squeezed my hand. Before I could do anything, he’d crush me to the bone, so I shouted urgently.

 “I’m not seeing him, I won’t!” “… Don’t.” “What else…” “Don’t get engaged.” “Ha…” “….” “No! I won’t! Please stop! Hey, I’m dying!” 

I cringed as I watched him slowly unclench his hands after hearing my response.

 

Trust me, Rudrick take pity on me.

 “Okay, I’ll do everything you say. What else do you want me to do, huh? I’ll do it all for you, so why don’t you go to sleep tonight? Maybe I’ll think of something for you tomorrow…” “Don’t do it.” “Yeah, sure, what else?” 

Hesitant to speak, Rudrick’s head fell back into his hands. After a long moment of silence, he muttered, his voice cracking.

 “…Don’t like him.” 

I clamped my mouth shut.

 

Rudrick spoke again, his voice husky,

“Don’t like him, please.” “…” “Dahlia, I can’t stand to watch you… become that way anymore.” “…” “It’s driving me crazy just thinking about it. I’ve tried to give up, but I can’t. You’ll end up crying, and I don’t know how… I can…” “…” “What am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to do to make you stop? What am I supposed to do to… you…” 

Rudrick’s voice faded away.

 

Soon, silence descended.

 

We didn’t speak for a while. Rudrick stayed where he was, head down, and I stared up at the ceiling for a moment.

 

Suddenly, I reached out and lifted his face. His uncovered face was still gaunt, but his eyes were unusually red, and I smiled weakly as I dabbed at the corners of his eyes.

 “You’re still a crybaby as ever.” “…” “Why do you keep trying to do something, ever since you were a kid.” “…” “You don’t have to.” “But…” 

I said, pinching his cheek.

 “You don’t want me to like him?” “…” “Then who do you want me to like?” “….” “You can’t tell me, and neither can I.” 

Rudrick looked at me, still not sure about what I was saying. I turned to face him and laughed with a sigh.

 “I’ve been saying it for a while, let’s do this together.” “…” “You don’t have to do it alone. We can do it together.” “…” “Let’s do things together. Let’s be a little more courageous and take small steps, and we’ll both be happy.” “…” “So…” 

I wiped the tears that were rolling down his cheeks.

 “Don’t cry.” 

At the same time, I pulled his face closer.

 

Then I kissed his exposed forehead lightly. I murmured, a little wistfully, as if to say.

 “If you cry like this, I don’t know what to do anymore.”