I Became The Male Lead’s Female Friend - Chapter 96

Rudrick knew that the Emperor would call for him soon.

 

‘Because he wants to connect Rudrick with the Princess.’

 

It was just a matter of the way it was.

 

The Emperor for sure would personally hand him an invitation and invite him to the Imperial Family.

 

The Emperor seemed to have chosen the latter method, looking at Rudrick’s behavior, it seems inevitable.

 

Even if the Emperor issued an invitation and surreptitiously contacted him, it appeared that he would openly disregard it because it was Rudrick. So the only option was to call him at some place where he couldn’t overtly refuse.

 

And, to some extent, my hypothesis appeared to be correct. Despite the fact that the servant did not say much, Rudrick’s face appeared twisted.

 

“Did you already get an invitation?”

 

Perhaps the Emperor’s plan to have a civil affair with the Princess before the conferment ceremony was included.

 

To go even farther, wouldn’t the Emperor have intended to assign the Princess’ escort to Rudrick from the start? It was to demonstrate openly that he had designated Rudrick as his son-in-law.

 

But Rudrick was stronger than he thought, and he must have been nervous by now.

 

‘Wow, it’s a blessing not to apply for a partner position with Rudrick.’

 

I shuddered at the thought of being shot by the Emperor if I did something wrong. I’m wiping away the cold sweat quietly.

 

Soon after, the servant talked in a businesslike tone.

 

“Your Excellency Duke Bouser, the Emperor is calling for you.”

 

“Say I’m busy,” answered Rudrick.

 

“He told me to bring you this time. He said he would wait for you to come…”

 

“It’s none of my business, even if he stays up all night waiting for me,” added Rudrick.

 

And as I thought, Rudrick was stubborn.

 

No, more than I thought. His side face with his teeth clenched looked very upset. Like a man who shouldn’t do even if the Emperor begs him, he glares at the servant all the time, but glances at me…

 

“What?”

 

‘Why are you looking at me?’

 

I blinked, wondering if I was wrong since I was sleepy, but nothing had changed. No, it was the constant sight that convinced me.

 

“His Majesty says he won’t bother you anymore if you come just once.”

 

“I’m still annoyed enough, but I’m stumped.”

 

“… If you really don’t like it, he’ll come directly to this place.”

 

At that moment, I looked away. Rudrick’s face hardened with embarrassment.

 

Just by looking at his appearance, one could think, ‘He probably doesn’t want to meet the Princess’, but what was strange was Rudrick’s actions that followed.

 

He was glancing at me without making it obvious until a while ago, but now he’s looking back on me.

 

“No way…”

 

Contrary to usual, I stared at him as if puzzled by the nervousness in his shaky pupils, and noticed it belatedly.

 

“You think I care?”

 

About Rudrick meeting the Princess? Come to think of it, since the other day, whenever the Princess was mentioned, he used to react exceptionally sensitively.

 

But he doesn’t seem to know anything about the Princess, and he didn’t lie to me, so why was he staring at me like that? He’s agitated because he’s terrified of upsetting me if he meets the Princess…

 

“What?”

 

“Are you threatening me? I’m a war hero. I did everything, but you’re going to drag me out like livestock?”

 

“Rudrick!”

 

Before I could think deeply about something uneasy, I heard Rudrick’s angry voice.

 

People were immediately swarming around us, and I grabbed his arm since he had turned into an actor in the banquet hall.

 

“You should go, even if you don’t want to, so go!”

 

I don’t know what the heck it was, but I told him for now. There’s nothing good about disobeying the Emperor’s orders, no matter how stubborn.

 

However, Rudrick’s subsequent answer was even stranger.

 

“… Are you okay with it?”

 

‘There’s no reason why I shouldn’t be okay with it!’ 

 

But instead of shouting, I forced a smile and said, “Yeah! I’m good.”

 

But my smile must have been odd because Rudrick’s attitude turned even more serious as he glanced at me.

 

He bit his lip, as if witnessing someone forcing an answer he didn’t like, then gripped my shoulder and whispered genuinely.

 

“It’ll be just a moment. It won’t take that long.”

 

“Uh, huh?”

 

“Uhm, I don’t know what to say. Don’t get me wrong… I…”

 

Rudrick, unable to speak, stared at me for a long time with a troubled gaze before ending his remarks with a deep sigh.

 

“I’ll be back, so wait.”

 

Then, even before the servant guided him, he stroked and turned his body first and walked quickly.

 

The servant who had come to his senses then hurriedly followed behind Rudrick, leaving me staring stunned as they got further and further away.

 

Dazed for a while, I scratched my nape.

 

Somehow, starting with the story of the Princess last time and ending with what happened today, it overlapped, giving me a strange feeling. Besides, Rudrick just… I thought it over, then laughed awkwardly and muttered.

 

“It’s not like that, right?”

 

✿

 

I wanted to listen to Rudrick once I felt better after sending him away in an uncertain mindset.

 

I wonder if he was worried about me, and I was curious about his intention when he said, “I’ll be back, so wait.”

 

And I stood in the hall for a while because I had nothing to do.

 

But I couldn’t stay standing in the corridor because I had been in poor physical condition when I arrived.

 

“Oh, no, I think I’m going to get sick.”

 

Perhaps it was too much, since my body was heavy, and my eyes had become dizzy before I realized it. If I continue to stand and doze off, I may collapse unexpectedly.

 

That shouldn’t happen, even though my parents are here.

 

If I collapsed here, my parents would be surprised and make a fuss, and tomorrow, an article like ‘Princess Averine’s time-limited’ might appear in the social news.

 

‘If this is the case, I should have stayed at home like Jeron said.’

 

I later regretted it, but there was nothing I could do about it.

 

I’d rather have a conversation with someone like I did with Rudrick earlier. Unfortunately, no one was around to talk to at this time.

 

Just a little while ago, everyone saw Rudrick, me, and the servant arguing with each other.

 

If this happens, a scandal may spread in the social world even if there’s no news about it in society. A subsection like ‘the intense love triangle between Duke Bouser, Princess Averine, and the Royal Princess…’

 

“I’m at my limit.”

 

I shook my head and moved my body.

 

Sorry, Rudrick, but I had to depart swiftly, so the Emperor couldn’t grasp on to him and let go, and I’m sure it would take longer than he expected.

 

So maybe for the time, I could get some sleep too?

 

“I’m going to get some fresh air.”

 

After making up my decision, I quickly put my plan into action. I heard that the flowers in the Imperial Garden were blooming, and I wondered if I would wake up looking at the blossoms while being blown by the chilly wind there.

 

And my idea was half right.

 

“I felt a little better.”

 

I was distracted by the refreshing breeze that made my shoulders tremble when I came out to the garden in a dress.

 

Even yet, I couldn’t stop myself from drowsiness. I started off carefully, viewing the flowers in full bloom, but after a while, I was walking in a daze as my feet met the grass.

 

And when I came to my senses, I was in the depths of the garden.

 

“Where am I?”

 

Unlike the garden’s entrance, where the view was clear, inside the garden plants growing taller and denser.

 

Just like, the Imperial Palace ladies-in-waiting described it as a ‘good place to have a tryst.’

 

‘No, it might really be a place like that.’

 

I rushed in to wake up and turned around, expecting to leave after seeing something I shouldn’t see. It’s been a while, but I believe Rudrick has returned.

 

I was trying to make my way to…

 

Rustle—

 

I heard a sign of movement right in front of me. Surprised, I covered my mouth without realizing it.

 

I listened again, wondering whether it was a small animal, such as a squirrel, but the sound was consistent and persistent.

 

It was an odd sound. The sound of flowing water was the loudest, but there were other sounds mixed throughout.

 

“Is that a fragmented sound?”

 

It’s not really a tryst, was it? Fortunately, I didn’t hear a single word, let alone the trivial sound I was worried about.

 

After a bit of relief, I moved back. Anyway, I had to go down that road to go back to the palace, so I decided not to blush a little whatever others were doing.

 

“…”

 

I approached the patio slowly. I walked through a pretty dark hallway and turned to face a location where the dazzling moonlight shone. Then, dazed as my mouth gaped, looking at the blue scenery pouring down.

 

There was a fountain in the middle of the open garden.

 

A cool trickle of water poured from the statue of a baby angel gazing up at the sky and blowing a trumpet, and the water droplets that dispersed in all directions glistened like pearls in the moonlight.

 

A man stood in front of the fountain.

 

Blonde hair with a seductive sheen from being wet, emerald eyes sitting deep beneath it, and a moonlit white face…

 

And… And…!!

 

A naked upper body!

 

“What?”

 

I stared blankly at him. Then, without realizing it, I slowly lowered my eyes.

 

A hollow collarbone pierces a quivering throat.

 

And, in contrast to the innocent face, he who asserts himself with a broad deltoid muscle and a strong aspect…

 

Below that, the well-knit abs and triceps with a half-naked shirt barely hanging over it…

 

Something weird happened to me when I was remembering muscle names and learning about the human body. Something spilled from my nose.

 

I raised my hand and wiped my nose unknowingly. Then I felt something lukewarm and checked what I was gripping.

 

A voice called out to me.

 

“Nosebleed…!”