I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 113
Episode 113
Revolution. Various scenes passed through each person’s mind.
For Vehen, it was the guillotine; for Tedric, it was the protest of that day; for Permette, it was the battlefield where bullets flew.
Vehen and Tedric exchanged reflective glances and nodded their heads, while Permette shrugged lightly and said.
“What kind of revolution is this all of a sudden? Doesn’t His Highness seem displeased?”
It seemed more like he just wanted to hear the reasons rather than argue.
Min-joo thought of Permette’s temper and nodded.
“Yes. His Highness’s actions against Vehen and Tedric, and Tedric losing power, can’t just be ignored. His Highness will surely not remain silent. And I dislike this unfair power structure.”
Three men, benefiting from the unfair power structure since birth, looked at Min-joo.
Min-joo tried not to be intimidated by their gazes and boldly spoke up.
“Nobles live in well-managed streets, even the flower beds are taken care of, while commoners live in poor conditions. At least basic rights should be respected, shouldn’t they?”
Neriant nodded beside her. She was right. The rundown street they saw when they went to buy slaves with Min-joo was quite shocking. It was absurd that that street was the ground for people’s lives.
Min-joo clenched her fists tightly and straightened her back. She had to show a convincing attitude. If she could convince them well, the revolution didn’t seem so difficult.
“If I just complain about returning to my hometown, I’ll acknowledge it. But I have to live here. Wouldn’t it be better for each other to make a better world and a better country?”
Vehen and Permette exchanged glances. It was an instinctive exchange due to a long association.
When Vehen and Permette couldn’t easily answer, Tedric crossed his legs first and tilted his head. It was an attitude that seemed to handle administrative tasks without any personal bias.
“Will that be solved by a revolution? Fundamental change is needed. If you plan to change the emperor, you should also think about who to put in his place. But there’s no suitable person among the nobles I know.”
This was the former crown prince. Min-joo looked at Tedric, who distinguished between public and private affairs and smiled faintly.
She had gone to great lengths to install the crown prince herself, but she had no intention of pulling him down.
As Min-joo turned her head to reply, Vehen spoke first.
“Yeah, changing the emperor carries a huge risk. It’ll be like war with sparks flying to other nobles. And nobles will line up for the guillotine. Fundamental change is needed.”
Vehen was still as skeptical when Neriant spoke of revolution.
After all, if commoners raised arms to overthrow the rulers, after the emperor and nobles, Vehen would be the next to suffer.
It wasn’t that he didn’t understand.
“I think it’s good.”
Permette said, raising his hand calmly and smiling broadly.
He’s a Viscount, so there’s no pressure on him, and he’s not the kind of guy who would care who the emperor was anyway. He would have said it was good because it looked interesting and intriguing.
Min-joo recalled Permette’s disposition once again and nodded her head.
Vehen and Tedric looked at Permette with expressions that conveyed their disbelief.
Permette didn’t care about their looks and continued speaking.
“Changing the emperor is fine, and I’m also in favor of abolishing the monarchy altogether. If Min-joo wishes for it, I’m willing to do anything.”
It was truly radical. To hear someone from the empire’s aristocracy, which had upheld the monarchy until now, say that they were fine with abolishing it altogether was shocking. Moreover, openly expressing affection for the cause was absurd. It made one wonder if it was genuine.
Belatedly, Vehen added to curry favor with Min-joo.
“I’m opposing it because I’m worried about you getting into danger. Whoever becomes emperor is none of my concern.”
“Min-joo is diligent, isn’t she? Not only did she change the crown prince, but she was also thinking of changing the country itself. Shouldn’t it be Min-joo who sits on the throne… Of course, I have no intention of changing sides in a vulgar manner.”
Tedric then spoke gently.
It was a statement that seemed to take a jab at Vehen, who added his comments belatedly, as Tedric ignored Vehen’s glaring eyes with a fresh smile.
“Indeed. Revolution is not an easy task. You have to be prepared to be labeled a traitor and face execution. What Min-joo truly desires is to return to her hometown, isn’t it? Moreover, the sorcerer is researching to send Min-joo back. There’s no guarantee that a revolution will be possible within that.”
Tedric’s pragmatic words hit hard, like a blow to the bones.
Vehen, as usual, didn’t agree with Tedric’s words and didn’t engage in a back-and-forth.
“Just the fact that I’m involved in leading the revolution could be seen as treason. There’s a lot to be done. If we gather together and storm the palace, it will be seen as treason. Convincing other nobles to join will involve various expenses and significant risks. I don’t know what plans you have made or how much of the future you have foreseen… Min-joo, I don’t see this as a good judgment.”
Tedric’s gaze as the successor to the throne was so realistic that it was almost harsh. It was also pessimistic and full of criticism.
There was no other way.
Having dealt with many duties as a crown prince, Tedric knew how unrealistic a revolution was from the perspective of those in power.
Min-joo closed her eyes slowly, then let go of her grip on her skirt.
“I have no intention of changing the emperor. We’re going to change the system. From an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy.”
Absolute monarchy is a system where the emperor holds the sole power to govern the country, and the prosperity or decline of the country is determined by the emperor. However, if the power to govern the country is held by the cabinet, limiting the emperor’s authority, then things will inevitably change.
Everyone fell silent at Min-joo’s statement, each seeming to organize their thoughts.
Min-joo added to strengthen her opinion.
“I want to reduce the emperor’s authority and divide power, constantly checking each other so that it doesn’t tilt in one direction. And it will be the common people who will make it happen.”
Originally, if the common people were to step forward and create a constitutional monarchy, the nobles would have no choice but to heed the commoners. The common people had to realize their power, and the nobles had to fear their power.
Currently, the empire doesn’t realize the power it holds among the common people. But the experience of changing the crown prince would serve as motivation for them. With unity, they could achieve it with confidence and passion.
“I understand, but it’s too burdensome to conduct a public opinion campaign as before. Nobles may like the idea of sharing power, but how will you convince the common people?”
Vehen asked, tapping his temple anxiously.
It was fine to depose the crown prince. The timing was right, and Tedric had cooperated with the operation in a friendly manner.
But a revolution wasn’t easy.
There was no expectation that Ceteran would relinquish power, nor was there any expectation that the people would unite again. Nobles might think that Ceteran would be the end of it all. There were too many factors to consider and too many variables.
“I haven’t thought about it in detail yet, but I’ll use the anger.”
Min-joo said firmly. Her determined face seemed as straight as an unbroken tree.
Neriant, who had only thought of inciting and fighting with people without deep thought, opened her eyes wide. Neriant had only spoken of inciting a revolution, without considering how to do it or what results it would bring. She hadn’t even discussed it with Min-joo. But seeing her words flow out as if she had thought about it in advance, Min-joo seemed to have a vague dream of a revolution.
The words she blurted out seemed to be gradually becoming a reality, making her heart beat faster and her spirits rise. She thought she could really make a mark on history.
Neriant nodded with each of Min-joo’s words.
“Vehen, use heavy taxation to provoke them. Make the people angry. If they feel they can’t live in this country anymore, they’ll rise.”
Vehen squinted and pondered Min-joo’s words. It didn’t seem like something Min-joo would say.
“In that case, people will starve to death.”
Vehen said, knowing that Min-joo wasn’t someone who only considered the outcome, subtly posing her doubts.
But Min-joo shook her head firmly, showing that she wasn’t just focused on the results.
“Don’t worry. The revolution will happen before that.”
Min-joo said confidently, as if she had no hesitation whatsoever about what she was planning.
Seeing her so resolute and assertive, it was clear that even if she hadn’t thought it through in detail, she was formulating plans in her mind, or perhaps she had seen something in a dream.
Vehen nodded vaguely and leaned back on the sofa. Then Min-joo turned to Permette.
“Peril, manipulate people into anger. It’s time to show your strength again, gently scratch their itch. And subtly incite them about what a constitutional monarchy is and why it’s needed.”
Permette’s specialty was mingling with commoners, and it was easier for him to manipulate people.
“Understood. It shouldn’t be too difficult.”
Permette replied confidently.
“Wait a minute. Peril? What did you just say?”
Vehen interjected with a puzzled expression.
He couldn’t understand why Min-joo was using Permette’s nickname. It felt like jealousy and resentment were creeping in.
As Vehen’s lips started to pout, indicating he was about to throw a tantrum, Min-joo smiled soullessly.
“I’ve decided to shorten names for convenience.”
“We decided to do that while we were alone together.”
Permette chimed in immediately after Min-joo’s words.
Permette smiled innocently and lovingly, seemingly unaware of everything, but he was actually keeping Vehen and Tedric in check.
While Vehen frowned sternly, Tedric smiled without saying anything.
“I’ll also use a nickname. Hurry up and decide, what’s my nickname?”
Tedric said with a playful tone.
“What? How else can you shorten your name?”
Vehen grumbled jealously. He seemed like a naive young master throwing a tantrum.
Min-joo gritted her teeth in frustration. But then, Tedric, who had been quietly smiling, casually interrupted their conversation.
“Calling each other by nicknames signifies a close friendship. It’s a deep bond where no other emotions can interfere. It’s impressive.”
Upon Tedric’s words, which solidified their friendship, Vehen immediately closed his mouth.
Permette narrowed his eyes and glared at Tedric, but Tedric smiled warmly as if he hadn’t been affected at all.
“Showing off friendship is important, but there’s something even more important, right? Min-joo, what can I do?”
Tedric shifted the focus to himself.
Vehen and Permette realized that there was a more troublesome opponent next to them than they had thought, and they furrowed their brows.
Min-joo was getting a headache from their unnecessary scrutiny. She couldn’t appreciate enough how Tedric had changed the topic of conversation.
Ignoring Vehen and Permette’s glances, Min-joo responded seriously.
“Tedric, you should make yourself known in social circles. No one among us has connections with the nobility. If Neriant steps forward, it will surely raise suspicion, so it has to be you.”
Tedric’s eyes widened. He had considered showing his face in social circles, but he hadn’t mentioned it out loud. He felt like Min-joo had seen through him.
Neriant shouldn’t do anything to provoke suspicion, especially considering her impending marriage to Ceteran. That left only Tedric.
“I understand, but what exactly do you want me to do?”
Tedric asked, pretending to be casual with a gentle smile.
“Please advocate for a constitutional monarchy. It would be even better if you could form a faction. It’s a bit worrying because it seems like they’re already leaning towards Ceteran’s side, so it might be difficult to sway them.”
Tedric had betrayed the conservative aristocrats who supported him. Therefore, it would be difficult to form a faction.
The reformists would have turned their backs on Tedric due to his political actions. Tedric felt it wouldn’t be easy.
“I’ve arranged to meet with the leader of the reformists. I’ll be the one to persuade them.”
Vehen said, covering his chin and lips with his fingers.