I Decided to Kidnap the Male Lead

Side Story 1: The Present That Will Not Return (I)

I still dont know.

Catherine murmured as she touched the lace carefully woven by the best craftsman stitch by stitch.

Iris nodded in deep sympathy, and Ophelia laughed.

Still?

Yes, I really dont know. What the hell are the three of us doing now?

Catherine, who spat with eyes wide open, indeed lived up to her reputation as a beehive of society, but the way she touched Ophelia and held the lace was gentle.

Thats not it, try this.

Beside her, Iris very naturally turned over a different style of lace and followed Catherines earlier unexpected remarks.

Yes, how did this happen?

Are you both going to keep doing this? If youre going to be like this, tell me properly that youre my friend.

As Ophelia lightly rubbed her cheek against the hand holding the lace, Catherine cried out as her cheeks turned red.

Friend! Friend! Ah, really! How did we become friends, really!

Thanks to Ophelia?

Iris responded as she placed a white rose and a yellow rose on Ophelias lap. Her eyes were completely softened, which didnt match her nickname of an aide who doesnt bleed even when stabbed.

I know that! So why, Ophelia

As Catherines voice, which had risen to its fullest, died away before it finished the sentence, Iris closed her mouth and looked at Ophelia.

Receiving their questioning gazes, Ophelia smiled brighter than the sun.

I like you two so much!

It was sincerity, nothing more or less.

Catherine and Iris choked in front of such an Ophelia.

It was like that from the beginning.

Catherine!

What, what is it? Even before, arent you too close? I want you to keep the line.

When it comes to keeping the line, the lady should uphold it first. Youve been told several times not to go in and out of the aides office like its your own.

Catherine went in and out of the aides office as she pleased, even after the day she and Ophelia first met.

But she wasnt slamming open the door to the aides office with the pomp and combativeness she had then.

Very unlike the beehive of the society, she sneaked in and glanced at Ophelia for no reason, and when the latter greeted her very loudly, only then did she clear her throat and react in a cold-hearted way.

At first, bewilderment, astonishment, shock, and absurdity dominated. Then another day, and another day.

Before anyone knew it, crown prince was erased from Catherines mind while she went to the aides office, and she was looking forward to meeting Ophelia.

Time passed like that, and the three of them became friends. Even Iris, who was at odds with Catherine

There was no special event, and there was no great occasion.

It was just that the time they met, talked about small things, and drank a cup of tea after bickering It all accumulated little by little.

So you dont like it?

As Ophelias shoulders drooped and she exaggerated a sad expression, Catherine shook her hand in haste.

No, it cant be!

Calm down, Cathy. Shes making fun of you. She does it all the time, but you fall for it every time.

As Iris said so while pulling the ribbon that swayed frantically from Catherines hand, Ophelia raised her head and laughed.

Ophelia looked at Catherine, who grumbled that she had been tricked again, and Iris, who tied the ribbon neatly around Catherines wrist.

In those many regressions, she became friends with them, despite knowing they would forget her.

A trivial daily life that would be forgotten when it was over, a trivial time that would disappear when it passed.

All that time remained only for her.

It was not that the memory of being alone was not sad.

It was not that new beginnings were not unnerving.

Nevertheless, Ophelia couldnt bear it the moment she saw Catherine storming into the aides office and Iris standing in front of her to stop her.

My friends.

As Ophelia spread her arms wide, Catherine and Iris glanced at each other, then allowed the embrace.

Ophelia whispered, holding them both in her arms.

Thank you.

Since the two of them were by her side now, even if they could not get back the lost time, they would be able to gradually build up the present that would never come back.

So Hopefully the day would come when she could laugh and release all the past that she remembered alone, just as though it was a passing story.

She looked forward to that moment when they would quietly watch the fireplace one night, or gather in the shade of a tree to avoid the scorching sunlight during the day.

The two ladies who were hugged by Ophelia glanced at each other again.

Ophelia would sometimes, no often, thank the two of them like this.

They didnt do or say anything that they were particularly grateful for, so they were bound to ask What?, but the two always kept their mouths shut without asking anything.

The tears in her voice were so clear that they couldnt ask anything.

So the two agreed with a glance. To wait for Ophelia to bring it up first.

And the moment the first agreement was reached, the two were pleasantly surprised that the other had common sense in this regard, and after that, they matched well in more unexpected parts, which never ceased to surprise them again.

One day, in the aides office, when they shared a snack that Catherine had picked up on the way

Iris likes that too.

Of the various baked goods, Ophelia eyed the financiers filled with cashew nuts, laughed heartily and handed over her share.

Really, Iris? Really?

Cooper, who was eating whatever he could get his hands on, tilted his head, and Ophelia answered, turning her head towards Catherine.

Catherine likes that the most. It seems you two fit really well.

No, do not!

No, thats not it.

Sure, whatever you say. Cooper, if youre not eating that, why dont you concede to Catherine?

Both of them sharply denied it, but Ophelia smiled brightly, and Cooper obediently yielded to Catherine.

Of course, Catherines share of financiers with cashew nuts had already disappeared.

With such trivial preferences in sweets and stationery overlapping one by one, denying it now had become ridiculous.

And these days, their daily life was one that they couldnt imagine in the past, such as giving gifts or recommending items that they had used well.

Ophelia, who let them out of her embrace, began to softly hum, as if she was in a good mood, and Catherine and Iris burst into laughter at the strange tone.

Even if I listen to it every time, I dont know how it is so messed up every time.

Is it the same song?

Its a different song!

Then its even weirder. It sounds like the same song. Right, Cathy?

Right, Riri. Its the same song.

No! This part is different.

Knowing that the two of them were making fun of her, Ophelia did her best to express that they were different, but in the end she joined in the laughter.

When the laughter subsided and a languid silence came.

Catherine suddenly uttered.

I guess its really the person of destiny.

Huh?

What?

These were words that came out of nowhere, but as always, Ophelia and Iris perked up their ears, and Catherine hesitated.

The truth that came out without realization was childish even when she thought about it.

I should just keep my mouth shut and claim its nothing, but

Catherine stared straight into the twinkling eyes of her friends for a moment. Then she parted her lips.

The story that started like that, ended soon because it wasnt long, and Catherine, who was at a loss as to how to finish the story, managed to say one more thing.

I think the two of you, my friends, are the people of my destiny.

Catherine, whose face was so red that it could explode at any moment, sighed and tightly shut her eyes.

To say something like a child at this age, I should just keep it in my heart! But I got into the mood

Unable to bear the embarrassment and shame, Catherine tried to reverse her words, her eyes still closed.

Ah, I told a strange story

Before she could finish her words, Ophelia raised her hand and shouted.

Me too! I think so too! Its destiny!

Not only she, but Iris too. Although blushing to the tips of her ears like she was embarrassed, she quietly raised her hand to her chest and said,

Well, I think so too. If not fate, how can I be friends with the beehive of society or a Bolsheik at the same time.

You mean, the aide who doesnt bleed even when stabbed?

Iris shrugged at Ophelias playful addition and nodded.

The moment Catherine put her hands together, about to say something with her eyes welling with tears

Tok tok.

Ophelia.

Along with a short knock, Richards somewhat cool voice rang.

Ame: Im not used to this peace hahahaha but even in peace, I still need tissues?

Dea: I love them, they deserve nothing but the best T^T