I Decided to Kidnap the Male Lead

Episode 87: In the Name of Self-Interest (IX)

Richard had no interest in everything in the world. Or to be exact, in everything except Ophelia.

Externally, however, the kind of tea, alcohol, or food he enjoyed circulated as open information.

That was what Richard intended.

“It’s annoying to have people keep watching me and observing what I eat and drink, so just circulate what I like.”

Since his intentions worked exactly, there was little who didn’t know about the food or drinks he enjoyed.

Chamomile was certainly not part of the type of tea he enjoyed.

This time as well, Catherine answered refreshingly.

“Of course I know.”

“Then why?”

Ophelia’s gaze took the place of the omitted keyword, and Catherine smiled shyly and answered in a single breath.

“It’s what you like. The scent might be mixed with another tea, so I prepared it this way on purpose.”

—Who cares about the crown prince, you are the best! 

Without needing to ask further, Ophelia recognized Catherine’s sincerity.

Ophelia glanced down at the teacup with an indescribable expression and then put strength in the hand that held Catherine’s.

And naturally, Iris came to mind.

“I’m sorry, it’s a personal thing.”

“What are you talking about? You did all you had to do.”

“I haven’t done everything…”

“You’re done. So don’t worry and go.”

Even as the shadow under her eyes spread black, Iris gently pushed Ophelia’s back.

Riri and Cathy. Cathy and Riri.

‘I thought there would be such relationships.’

How many times had Ophelia gone back to the beginning, passing through countless hours?

Even if she built a relationship with someone, there were many cases where nothing was left when she looked back at some point.

But before she knew it, it was like this.

Iris and Catherine had become the people she wanted to reach out to and build a relationship with, no matter how much time passed and no matter how much she went back to the beginning.

“Thank you.”

“Of course.”

Seeing Ophelia and Catherine exuding such a warm and fuzzy air, Lawrence took a deep breath.

He had to make a decision now.

Originally, he planned to do so gradually, beginning with the investment, then proposing to her by persuading her as a way to quit being an aide.

However, this was the same as before. It was useless to spin words against His Highness the Crown Prince.

So it was a head-on breakthrough. 

‘Investing is important, but isn’t she the person my sister cherishes very much?’

‘I can’t let her continue to suffer and tremble in fear under the crown prince.’

With a determined expression, Lawrence jumped up and announced his true purpose in a solemn voice.

“Please let go of Lady Bolsheik.”

The problem was in the words that expressed the real purpose.

Asking him to let go, without context or explanation.

What did it mean?

What was going on?

It sounded like Lawrence had feelings for Ophelia.

Even Catherine, who knew the real reason Lawrence had invited Ophelia today and the purpose of the marriage proposal, opened her eyes wide, to the point like they were going to pop out. She unknowingly made that expression.

Of course, Ophelia was stunned by Lawrence’s out-of-the-blue remark.

“……What?”

The three of them could clearly hear the empty laughter and absurd voices that leaked almost like a spinal cord reflex.

And that, Lawrence realized, was the only reason his own neck was still attached.

“Ugh… heuk! Uhhh, ugh!”

Slumping to the floor and exhaling unsteadily, Lawrence had to constantly touch his neck.

He had to make sure it was attached properly.

With the same attitude and expression that was not at all different from when he came here, Richard slowly asked.

“You want me to let her go?”

There was no one in this room who did not notice the rumble in that low voice.

Murderous intent, wanting to rip off Lawrence’s neck right away and see blood, climbed up Lawrence’s legs and settled on his back.

Until a few seconds ago, it was just uncomfortable, not so terrifyingly frightening like now.

Catherine’s lips moved in confusion at the sudden change of mood.

However, all that came out of her parted lips was a quick exhale.

Things were worse on Lawrence’s side.

His neck was definitely attached, but he couldn’t even raise his head because of the suffocating sense of death that weighed down his entire body.

How much time had passed where one second felt like a thousand years?

‘This is a familiar sight…’

The first day of the festival. It was similar to when they ran into a cloaked Lawrence after escaping from the warehouse and before regressing.

Ophelia patted the back of the bewildered Catherine’s hand, and immediately said,

“Richard.”

It was something she did at the festival as his name suddenly popped into her mind, but not now.

This was because she had already learned that the only way to stop Richard from spitting out murderous intent against Lawrence was to call him by his name.

And like a lie…

The violent murder that made Lawrence’s whole body shiver disappeared as if it had been washed away.

Ophelia looked at Richard, and Richard had only Ophelia in his eyes.

He didn’t question it like before. A smile slowly spread across his lips.

The extremely languid smile was like that of a predator who had been starving then became full after a long time.

At that moment, Ophelia couldn’t close her eyes, and neither could she take her eyes off him.

An alarm rang loudly through her body, saying that it must be so, but Ophelia couldn’t.

And two pairs of eyes looking at two people who only see each other.

Catherine’s eyes widened as if they were about to pop out, and Lawrence heard Ophelia’s voice clearly even amidst a state of exhaustion.

Then the siblings’ eyes met for an instant.

Seeing his astonished sister, Lawrence barely choked out.

“You… You just said the name.”

At that moment, his voice cracked. 

“T-The name of His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Ophelia’s mouth became stiff at his expression of surprise, bewilderment, and disbelief.

‘You’ve heard it before.’

‘Me calling Richard by name.’

‘But you won’t remember because it didn’t happen.’

A sense of déjà vu couldn’t even be expected.

Rather than not remembering, he wouldn’t have remembered.

It was a well-expected reaction, but understanding and accepting were different, even if Ophelia knew, it was bittersweet.

It was good that she could barely take her eyes off Richard.

First of all, since the name of the crown prince was publicly called out like this, she had to explain somehow.

And the explanation was quick, simple, and clear.

“His Highness has allowed it.”

The end.

Catherine was immediately convinced.

It didn’t matter if it fit common sense or if there were even the slightest doubt. 

Because Ophelia said so.

Lawrence, of course, couldn’t allay his doubts.

He already knew that the crown prince cared for her.

He thought that was why he was keeping her as an aide.

But, even… the name?

Those who were qualified to call the name of the crown prince were extremely limited.

Even if they were siblings of the same blood, they could not recklessly mention the name of the crown prince.

There were only three cases in which the name of the next emperor of the empire could be freely called.

The emperor and empress, the crown princess, who was the spouse, and…

Only those who were allowed by the crown prince.

If Ophelia had called Richard by name, it must have been because he had given permission.

And she said so herself.

But Lawrence couldn’t help thinking Ophelia was somehow the second case.

And his idea that saving her would be much, much more difficult than he expected.

But he didn’t talk about that anymore.

It would be more accurate to say that he couldn’t open his mouth.

He wasn’t an idiot with poor learning ability and sense that he would talk about it in front of Richard, who was staring at him.

But who was Lawrence?

Catherine’s older brother who did not know the meaning of giving up, like a true Sheffield, who persistently dug for what he wanted.

As Lawrence’s lips parted again, Catherine pretty much panicked and cried out first.

“Precisely! Precisely! Don’t speak vaguely! Say it all out properly!”

At that, Ophelia’s eyes became like a rabbit’s.

“Precisely?”

Richard tilted his head.

But even that was threatening, so Lawrence pushed dry saliva down his sore throat.

“Precisely.”

After Richard’s vague words similar to permission fell, Lawrence spoke up.

Unlike before, it was a very precise and specific statement.

“Please allow Lady Bolsheik to quit the aide position.”

It was more specific than the previous ‘Let her go’, but it was still abrupt and incomprehensible.

“Was that what you mean by ‘let go’?”

“…Yes.”

Just as Lawrence was about to get a little comfortable with the relief that he had barely cleared up the misunderstanding, he was blocked again by Richard’s subsequent call.

“By the way, Lord Lawrence.”

“Yes. Your Highness.”

“Sit down for now.”

Lawrence, who was sitting on the floor because his legs loosened, sat down in his original seat with a pale complexion.

Richard patted the armrest again slowly, and uttered;

Ame: DEATH FLAGS for Lawrence and Lawrence alone EVERYWHERE! Dramarama aside, any bets on how this is going to connect us to the fake saint and cult?

Dea: i have a theory! The fake saint is going to be the one to marry lawrence and everyone is happy haha…i’m joking of course, she is a bit of a weird character, i can’t figure out what her motivations are, hopefully we find out soon