I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 112

Episode 112

It doesn’t matter what happens to this country.

The economic disparity stemming from the corruption of the nobility and the class differences would eventually ruin the country.

It was a country that would eventually collapse if left untouched.

But Vehen’s discomfort stemmed from the fact that a different situation had unfolded compared to before.

The development of a situation that couldn’t be predicted or inferred from experience was a major stress.

So the goal was to prepare before an uncontrollable situation arose.

‘First, it would be good to meet Marquess Trimidri. We need to gather information to prepare.’

Vehen sat back down and picked up the pen again.

It would be nice if Min-joo could see the future more often.

Though the lengthy letters from the nobles were tedious, they were necessary to keep up appearances.

After briefly writing a sentence suggesting a meeting, he called for the maid again.

He added that the letter should also be delivered quietly and carefully.

“Lady Park Min-joo has sent word to come and see you. When should the carriage be prepared?”

“Prepare it immediately.”

Looking out the window, Genshtar stood holding the reins.

It was unusual for Min-joo to seek him out first, indicating that something significant had happened.

Vehen put on his jacket and draped his coat over his arm hastily.

As the maid hurriedly relayed Vehen’s message to Genshtar, he nodded and immediately mounted the horse to return.

The carriage was quickly prepared. Fearing that something life-threatening might happen, Vehen clenched his fists tightly.

* * *

The splendid office, adorned with gold, was once used by Tedric.

Did he sit at this desk contemplating how to harm many people?

Or did he sit on that sofa, giving orders to harm someone?

Did all those books piled on that shelf become his knowledge?

Tedric’s traces were still present, making it difficult to hold the pen.

Though Ceteran filled the Crown Prince’s palace with his belongings, it angered him that it was still a place where Tedric stayed.

Tedric, who gracefully abdicated and retreated.

Not being able to understand what kind of person he was, he tossed and turned every night.

Ceteran frowned and furrowed his brow.

Due to the overwhelming amount of work piled up for the Crown Prince to handle, even focusing on it was not enough time.

“Your Highness, do you understand my words?”

Ceteran looked up and glanced at Marquess Trimidri, who was sitting on the sofa.

The monotonous expression and restrained movements resembled Nelsie.

Ceteran smiled subtly.

“Please repeat your words.”

“I expressed my willingness to assist. As conservative nobles are still searching for the former crown prince, isn’t it time for Your Highness to solidify your position?”

Marquess Trimidri didn’t like repeating the same thing, but she pretended to hold up her teacup with dignity, though inwardly annoyed.

Ceteran sat on the throne and leaned back, resting his back against it.

“So, what is it that you want?”

“For you to be crowned as Emperor.”

A lie. Ceteran couldn’t trust anyone, even if they brought false evidence supposedly left by Nelsie.

He couldn’t even fathom what kind of relationship Marquess Trimidri had with the Empress in the first place.

The Marquess Trimidri Ceteran knew had broad influence and was an eccentric noble who mingled in social circles and showed a keen interest in commoners.

Even if she said she would help, Ceteran thought it was merely about persuading nobles in social circles.

Ceteran nodded tiredly and opened his fierce red eyes.

“There’s no need to beat around the bush. You’re not offering to help me just because you want to, right?”

“Do you want an honest answer?”

“Yes.”

After taking a sip of her tea, Marquess Trimidri quietly set the cup down. Not even a sound echoed as the cup touched the saucer.

“I want reform. I hope for endless and positive progress during your reign.”

She was a member of the reformists. Ceteran had heard that even during the tumultuous times surrounding Tedric’s abdication, Marquess Trimidri staunchly stood for reform.

He didn’t find it trustworthy that Marquess Trimidri would take his side for the public good.

If it were for personal gain, he could have trusted her to come under his wing.

Ceteran frowned, trying to read Marquess Trimidri’s intentions. His stern face twisted fiercely.

“Is that all?”

“Yes, that’s all.”

“What benefit do you stand to gain from this?”

“Your Highness may not know yet.”

Marquess Trimidri smiled with her eyes closed, but it didn’t seem like a genuine smile.

Marquess Trimidri placed both hands on her knees and spoke softly as if teaching a child.

“The nobles live off the profits of the commoners. If the commoners don’t live well, the nobles will eventually fall as well. We can only thrive if they thrive. A one-sided relationship will soon collapse.”

Marquess Trimidri’s brown eyes looked at Ceteran. Her demeanor was both gentle and authoritative, embodying power itself.

“If they learn knowledge and skills and contribute to society, it will benefit us in the end. The more they learn, the easier it is for them to be deceived as a group. No, the more they learn, the easier they are to control.”

Ceteran couldn’t understand. The Marquess, who stood up for them, was looking down on them.

Her desire to dominate everyone but herself seemed reminiscent of Nelsie.

Different faces, but similar people.

Ceteran thought of his formidable mother and lightly furrowed his brow.

Did this person often have conversations like this with his mother before she died?

Ceteran pondered Marquess Trimidri’s words, chewing on the inside of his cheek.

He wondered how much information only his mother knew when it was he who would be emperor.

In the end, if Nelsie were alive, would he be nothing but a puppet? He momentarily felt doubtful.

“You don’t think that your smart self, filled with knowledge, could be manipulated. With plausible excuses, manipulation is easy. So, we must strive for progress without worrying too much. We must break down the barriers of learning and make them believe they’re living independent lives.”

Ceteran understood Marquess Trimidri’s words.

Though it was spoken for the benefit of the nobility, in essence, it was about caring for the welfare of the commoners.

To ensure they learn, progress, and live better.

“If we stop progressing, we’ll regress and decline. We have many countries under our feet. We must lead the era and be far superior to other countries. I believe Your Highness also understands this.”

Ceteran raised an eyebrow and waited for Marquess Trimidri to finish speaking.

When Marquess Trimidri paused for a moment, Ceteran quickly interrupted the flow of conversation.

“Do you mean to say that you’re ultimately advocating for the nobles to share their privileges with the commoners and reduce the gap?”

“As expected of Your Highness.”

Ceteran also wished for that.

He hoped that starving people wouldn’t die on the streets and that beggars wouldn’t cling to noble carriages as they passed by.

He hoped for a country where people received fair rewards for their knowledge and work and lived abundantly.

Their intentions were the same… but Ceteran doubted whether he could trust Marquess Trimidri completely.

If only Vehen were by his side, as long as he didn’t betray him.

“I share the same desire. The nobles enjoy too many benefits now, while the lower classes starve. But I can’t fully trust you.”

“There have been rumors recently about disregarding Duke DeVirté. Is there any connection?”

Marquess Trimidri casually tapped her fingers on her knee and smiled.

Her nonchalant demeanor, as if she knew everything about Ceteran’s situation, was unsettling.

Ceteran’s gaze became fiercer. He pushed the teacup away and furrowed his brow.

“I don’t want to have a private conversation.”

“Why would that be a private conversation? The House DeVirté is a threatening presence just by its existence. If you’ve overlooked them, it’s right to break their momentum. And if not, you should make use of them properly.”

Marquess Trimidri turned towards Ceteran.

Her atmosphere was strangely reminiscent of Vehen and Nelsie.

Arrogant yet noble, like someone who had lived their whole life like that.

Someone who wields power and looks down on others seems like a natural race.

Marquess Trimidri smiled, her wrinkled eyes narrowing.

“I lead the reformists and have activists under my command. I’ve intervened in protests before and am gradually expanding our influence. If Your Highness were to emancipate the slaves, my people would support you.”

There are countless slaves in the empire. Perhaps as many as there are commoners, or maybe fewer. The only certainty is that there are a significant number of them.

If they support Ceteran, it would be a considerable force.

And if he grants them freedom, the activists and reformist nobles would naturally fall under his command.

But in that case, the power in Ceteran’s hands would be the same as Marquess Trimidri’s.

‘If I want the support of other nobles, I can’t rely solely on the aftereffects. My side can’t just be comprised of the marquess’ people.’

For a moment, Vehen came to mind. No, it wouldn’t be bad to align himself with an equally powerful figure.

If he just dealt with Vehen and placed his relative in the dukedom.

The time spent with him flashed through his mind, making him shiver at Vehen’s betrayal.

He couldn’t understand why Vehen would destroy evidence when his mother, his aunt, was dead.

‘It’ll be tough, but let’s deal with it. If I can persuade the conservative nobles, I can make them my allies. After all, I’m the only heir to the throne left.’

If he just gets rid of Tedric and Vehen, it’ll be smooth sailing.

It was painful to think about harming his admired and revered brother, and his friend with whom he had spent the most time and shared many emotions and plans.

Ceteran swallowed his troubled feelings and raised his head.

“I can’t immediately emancipate the slaves. The grudges of other nobles will be significant, so it’s best to first gain their support and proceed slowly. The coronation ceremony for the crown prince will be held soon. We should plan carefully from then on.”

To Ceteran’s unexpected response, Marquess Trimidri smiled without emotion.

Ceteran would accept Marquess Trimidri. There was no other way.

But he seemed to have more backbone and goals than she thought, making it difficult to control him as she pleased.

‘I need to prepare a contingency plan.’

Marquess Trimidri thought she did well to contact Vehen.

* * *

Soon, people gathered at Min-joo’s house.

From the hastily arriving Vehen and Permette, to the tired-looking Tedric who had given up sleep.

The study was bustling, and Chichen and Genshtar were busy preparing tea and snacks.

It was the first time such a large number of people had gathered, including Min-joo and Neriant.

Permette, Tedric, and Vehen couldn’t understand the situation and only looked at Min-joo.

‘Why did they come immediately when I called?’

Although she had hastily gathered them, she had never dreamed they would assemble so quickly.

As they sat tightly together on the crowded sofa, there was no shortage of food.

Min-joo opened her mouth, turning away from those who only looked at her without sharing any thoughts.

“I called you because I have something to say.”

“What is it?”

Vehen spoke, followed by Permette and Tedric.

“What happened?”

“Do we have something else to do?”

The intense gaze directed at her was quite burdensome.

Min-joo leaned forward on the edge of the sofa and tightly gripped the edge of her skirt.

Neriant shook her leg as if waiting for Min-joo to speak first.

Perhaps it wasn’t an overreaction. Was it necessary to involve oneself in this world and create unnecessary history?

Suddenly feeling anxious, Min-joo looked at them and was met with trusting gazes.

Although she wanted to escape from the uncomfortable stares.

Min-joo clenched her skirt tightly and spoke decisively.

“Let’s start a revolution.”

Hoping that those who believed in her would continue to believe this time.