I Decided to Kidnap the Male Lead

Chapter 18: A Good Friend (III)

Ophelia reflexively grabbed the large, dry hand that covered her mouth, then gently peel it off.

The moment her soft fingertips brushed past his rough and thick knuckles, Richard opened his mouth, saying,

I fully understand what youre talking about, so thats enough.

With eyes widened like a rabbits, Ophelia nodded her head and tapped the back of his hand.

When Richard took his hand away, Ophelia smiled and shrugged her shoulders in embarrassment.

Anyway, I want to stop having conflicts with Iris and build a good relationship with her. In that sense, may I go now?

The beginning and end of your words dont match.

Dont worry about the little things. Ill take my leave now.

Although Richard did not give her permission to leave, Ophelia calmly walked towards the door.

Just as she grabbed the doorknob, Richard stopped her.

By the way, Ophelia.

Yes?

What about Cooper?

When he didnt get an answer right away, a deep, very deep line formed on Richards forehead.

Ophelia stood still, pondered for a moment, then turned around.

I think its fine.

What do you mean by its fine?

Its okay, its fine.

There was nothing to explain.

Literally. Since Ophelia and Cooper got along just fine.

He didnt care about Ophelia as much as Iris, but he didnt dislike her outrightly either.

He just treated her like a co-worker.

Oh, but weve been seeing hell together for the past few days when Iris was away, so weve gotten a little closer. Well, this is the spirit

Iris must come back.

Ophelia was puzzled by the words that went out of the context from the conversation, but there was no room to deny that part, so she nodded her head.

Thats right isnt it?

Richard added indifferently.

Didnt you say you saw hell?

Yes I still have to crawl back to that hell.

She was sure that when she died, the words Dont put off todays work until tomorrow would be engraved on the tombstone.

At least there would be no need to do the final bits of these particular documents, so the amount would be slightly reduced.

Thanks for the finishing touches, Cooper and I will be able to take a breather. Thank you very much, Your Highness.

Along with the lifeless voice, the hand that pulled the doorknob had no strength, and although her face was dead, Ophelia quickly went out the door with heavy legs.

Even after the door closed silently, Richard did not take his gaze away for a long time.

Then his lips, which were firmly pressed into a straight line, slowly opened.

I didnt say I would do Coopers share

The words that came out of his mouth were too childish for even himself to hear, so he couldnt finish his words.

Richard pressed his back deep into his chair and tilted his head.

Why the hell am I so agitated about Cooper?

He was most definitely a loyal and capable aide. Its not like hes plotting to stab him in the back.

But it gnawed at his nerves. Especially, whenever Ophelia put his name in her mouth.

Richard tapped the armrest, and again, then lightly clicked his tongue.

Its useless.

There was no answer, and it wasnt a very important question, so he threw away the thought and grabbed his pen.

The seed that had been imprinted like a tiny dot deep in Richards chest squirmed and stretched.

But it was still so small and insignificant enough to just let it go without realization.

.

Around the time Ophelia was facing Richard with drooping shoulders.

Iris, who was unable to enter the palace due to health reasons, was moving at a busy pace, the hood of her cloak pressed deeply.

It was unusual for her to walk quietly instead of riding a carriage.

She went all the way down one street and then suddenly returned the way she came. She also wandered around an alley and deliberately entered a dead end.

It was such a strange movement that it could be said that she was roaming aimlessly rather than going somewhere.

How much did she move around like that?

Eventually, Iris stopped in front of a house, extremely wary of her surroundings.

No, it was in front of a very small side door where foreign merchants came in and out, not employees.

Iris sighed involuntarily, carefully opened the door, and stepped inside.

After passing the dark, narrow, musty-smelling warehouse, Iris took off her cloak and set foot into the living room.

Iris!

As soon as she showed up, a lady, who was about one head shorter than her, ran towards her.

Hermia.

The area around Iris chest that had been hit by Hermias head hurt, but the former only patted the young girl on the back.

Hermia, who was held in Iriss arms, soon began to shed tears, and Iris consciously swallowed that sigh that was about to surface again.

The day the servant came to the aides office.

Iris hurriedly left the palace to find her only friend.

in the mansion of

And the friend she found was in a mess.

She cried so much that her eyes were puffed up and closed, and her voice was half hoarse.

Seeing that there was no blood on her, it looked like there was no injury.

Hermia!

Ah I-Iris Hes dead

Hugging the gasping Hermia, Iris quickly looked around and grasped the situation.

Calm down.

How How can I calm down? How? How could this oh, heuk.

Confusion and awkwardness spread across Iris face as she caressed the back of her sobbing friend even as she yelled at her.

That too.

Just a few steps away was her friends fianc. He couldnt even close his eyes, and was lying on the floor, cold.

The chest of the corpse was soaked in blood. Perhaps because of that, the floor, as well as the walls and the ceiling were splattered with blood in all directions.

Among them Only Hermia was not stained, not even a single drop of blood.

What the hell is this what happened Hermia?

I dont know! I heard hes back, s-so I came to find him, but this heuk! This

Are you hurt anywhere?

Heuk, euk! Uh-huh! Why, why like this

It was difficult to understand properly because of the mixture of weeping and wailing.

First, I need to check his breathing

Hes dead! Hes dead!

After struggling to keep up with the screams, Iris finally learned that Hermias fianc had been brutally murdered by someone.

Recalling the tragedy of the day, Iris returned to reality when a hand waved in front of eyes.

ris. Iris?

Yes. Im here.

What did you ask for?

Not yet

Still? Whats the matter with you, damn it!

Hermia suddenly became angry, but soon lowered her eyebrows and smiled awkwardly.

Im sorry, I should know.

Normally, Iris would have said no to that, but she kept her mouth shut.

It might be because she was a little tired because she paid too much attention to the terrible things Hermia went through.

Are you mad?

No.

Im sorry if youre angry. You know I dont normally do this, right?

Iris asked Hermia, who was holding her hand like a child whining.

Do you have any more memories of that day?

Again, about that? As I said yesterday and the day before yesterday, I didnt see anything. All I saw was the room you saw.

Iris was seated next to Hermia on the sofa. The latter had her head turned to the corner.

You wanted this to be over quickly. You have to work hard.

Her stern voice made Hermia chew her lips roughly, but when she turned to Iris, she showed no such ferocious sign.

Its a question Ive been asking over and over, but does anyone have a grudge against your fianc?

Hes not the kind of person anyone can have a grudge against. You know that. Hes kind.

Iris didnt answer this time either.

Hermias fianc was more shy than nice, and when she tried to pull him out of his addiction, he turned violent.

However

After hesitating for a while, Hermia added in a small voice.

He did get into debt while gambling.

I suppose so.

Whats the point of saying it?

Her dead fianc was a gambling addict, on top of that, he had a terribly serious dependency to alcohol.

What started as fun soon became an addiction, and by the time the family realized he was odd, it was already too late.

However, if its a debt, he can pay it back by borrowing from the count, so its probably not because of the debt.

The count said he would not repay it.

Yes he just said that. He was so worried because he was the only son and the next count.

Hermia bowed her head as she told the story.

Her expression was not visible because of the thick shadows, but judging from the way her voice got smaller and smaller, she seemed unsure.

The investigators are also aware of the debt, so lets wait a little longer.

When is that little longer?

When Iris paused at the sharp voice, Hermia burst into tears.

Its so hard to hide like this.

It was Hermia herself who said that it was burdensome and didnt want to attract public attention, thus asking for a place to hide until this case was resolved.

Iris soothed Hermia without bringing up that fact.

Yes. I know its hard. Be a little more patient

Hermia cut off Iris words and brought up something unexpected.

Cant you use your power? Just say word.

What?

I dont mean to make an unreasonable request just tell them to solve it sooner, if not, then end it. Since youre the Crown Princes aide, you can do it. Those people will listen to you too.

I cant.

When Iris resolutely refused, Hermia wept and turned her head.

Hermia

You you can do everything!

Ame: In short, she wants to use Iris, am I right?