I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 119

Episode 119

Marquess Trimidri formally suspected for his actions was sufficiently explained.

“How can you be sure, Duke?”

“I believe my actions have been clear enough. I must ask you, Marquess.”

Yes, Vehen’s actions were no different from the reformers’.

He assisted Ceteran in overturning the slave gambling den and tried to enact slave protection laws.

Not only that, but he also invested in a play depicting a love story between a slave and a noble, and staged it in his theater.

Afterward, he repaired buildings, granted freedom to slaves, and provided them with residences and workplaces.

So, there is no need to question the grants now.

The anonymous donor who occasionally sent large grants tried not to interfere in internal affairs.

It fit Vehen perfectly. His temperament and wealth were sufficient.

Marquess Trimidri smiled softly and nodded her head.

The strands of white hair interspersed among her black hair hinted at her age.

“Speak, Duke.”

“Are you determined to betray His Highness Ceteran?”

Pfft, laughter burst out uncontrollably.

Marquess Trimidri covered her mouth to stifle the sound but eventually shook her head with a smirk.

“It sounds like a thought from a child’s mind, how cute.”

In terms of mental age, Vehen was overwhelmingly elderly, but there was no need to scrutinize his every thought.

Vehen frowned at Marquess Trimidri’s laughter, finding it unpleasant.

“I find your rudeness discomforting.”

“Duke, you know the nobility so well, why ask such a question.”

Marquess Trimidri chuckled softly, stroking her chin. Her cheek was pressed against her wrinkled hand.

“We merely joined hands momentarily for mutual benefit. It’s not as if our relationship is so deep and affectionate as to warrant betrayal.”

“So, what is your plan then?”

“What do you mean?”

“How do you plan to gain power from His Highness Ceteran?”

Andy wanted desperately to leave the stifling conversation. Conversations among such high-ranking individuals were toxic to the heart.

Marquess Trimidri, standing quietly in the corner and pretending not to listen, ran her finger across her own cheek.

“First, we will eliminate the conservative faction. There are still many nobles who cannot forget His Highness Tedric, or rather, the Marquis. Despite being branded as a villain, he cared a lot for the nobility, didn’t he? They submit petitions to His Imperial Majesty every day and there’s no shortage of those requesting an allegiance.”

“It’s understandable given that His Highness Ceteran’s policies do not benefit the nobility.”

Dividing taxes meant for the nobility to dispatch administrative officials to various regions and even keeping track of the number of slaves would be quite irritating for the conservative nobles.

Although he was rudely referred to as a child, Vehen possessed a maturity and uniqueness that could not come from his age group.

Without unnecessarily circling the conversation, his words were neat and devoid of clutter.

It was enjoyable enough to converse. Marquess Trimidri wiped her wrinkled eye with her index finger as she spoke.

“Some of the most unruly ones, once hunted down, wouldn’t they quiet down? After that, things will flow smoothly.”

Vehen chuckled, twisting one corner of his mouth upward.

His smile was like that of a beast finding its prey and being pleased.

So ferocious that Marquess Trimidri once again realized Vehen was the Empress’ hound.

“I understand. You mean to silence the nobles through violence. But have you considered that this might put His Highness Ceteran in a difficult position?”

“Don’t worry. A little bit of force creates good tension.”

It was an attitude of indifference towards humans.

It felt eerie as if observing and corralling wild animals.

In his mind, the harsh treatment of conservative nobles passed sequentially.

A little intimidation and the nobles would cower without wagging their tails.

Despite their resistance, they would seek remnants of the old regime from Ceteran.

And it seemed very easy to conclude that way.

If Min-joo intervened, they planned to meticulously oppose it.

Forcing someone into submission wasn’t the kind of thing Min-joo would approve of.

But a cleaner and more efficient method didn’t come to mind.

Would Min-joo have come up with a better way if she were here?

But what can he do?

Sometimes, you have to give up a lot for the greater good.

It was something he had learned over many years.

If you try to hold onto too much, it’ll slip away.

“When will I be able to meet His Highness Ceteran?”

Marquess Trimidri smiled graciously, like a kind and gentle middle-aged woman.

“The coronation ceremony will be held soon. We’ll arrange for you to meet him at the party afterward.”

With another promise to meet, Vehen left the room.

He passed through the tilting corridor and opened the creaking old door.

The sun was still high in the sky.

It felt like having a conversation with the devil.

18. Of Course, Forgotten

“Neriant, are you okay?”

“It’s too good to be true, isn’t it?”

Neriant, who had suddenly enlisted, had a big argument with Count Velirian.

Even if her soul had changed, her body belonged to his daughter, so his father wouldn’t have been able to stand it even if she trained her muscles, let alone enlisted.

After receiving a promise not to go to war, she was able to enlist smoothly, and as a prospective Empress, she could commute, unlike other soldiers.

How surprised she must have been when she heard the news.

Min-joo was on the verge of collapse, and it was amazing that Neriant had willingly accepted the marriage.

“You’re saying the military is suitable for you… But why did you suddenly decide to get married when you didn’t want to?”

Neriant’s roughened skin hinted at the rigorous training she had undergone.

Moreover, her hair was cut short, almost like a buzz cut, making her look like a soldier from the beginning.

Min-joo rested her cheek on Neriant’s shoulder, rubbing it with her chin. It wasn’t as soft as before.

“Because Ceteran is cute.”

“What?”

She thought she misheard. How could that stern and ominous face be considered cute? Is it seeing the cuteness within?

Expressing affection while being gruff might be considered cute in a way, but with that face, it only sends shivers down one’s spine.

“He says things like, ‘I can’t live without you,’ while choking up. I want to torment him so that he cries.”

“…Uh, yikes…”

This was the kind of sister she didn’t want to know.

Furrowing her brow in disdain, Min-joo withdrew from Neriant.

Shifting back and forth, Neriant grabbed Min-joo’s shoulder with a jolt, pulling her towards her.

“Plus, if we’re married, I can share all sorts of news with you, isn’t that nice?”

“…If the Crown Prince’s wife is a spy, the country will be turned upside down.”

“It’s going to be turned upside down anyway, so why not let it?”

Neriant replied with a smirk as she tapped her cheek against Min-joo’s.

The roughened skin made her feel prickly.

Min-joo gently pushed her cheek away and glanced around.

“But you’ll be busy. Preparing for the wedding, being a soldier… If I go, you’ll have to run things in my absence.”

“Ah.”

“Ah?”

Why answer as if she forgot?

Min-joo narrowed her eyes and glanced at Neriant.

Neriant conspicuously rolled her eyes around.

Understood. She must have forgotten.

“You forgot, didn’t you?”

“Nah~ I’ve been busy lately, you know. And things seem to run just fine even when I’m not around, don’t they?”

Min-joo sighed deeply at her shameless and nonchalant attitude.

“Of course. I made sure things ran smoothly even without me. You just have to come by occasionally to make sure everything’s running smoothly. If there’s a shortage of staff at the inn, bring them in on time and give them freedom.”

Neriant probably wouldn’t know much about theater. They could assign someone suitable for that later.

Min-joo pushed Neriant, who showed no sign of backing off.

“Vehen will take care of a lot of things for you. After all, it’s his building. I’ll be leaving soon… Please take care.”

It was known to everyone that Min-joo would be leaving soon. She had sent letters to everyone.

They all seemed a little doubtful and not very pleased with her decision, so Min-joo could tell how disappointed they must be.

Min-joo was also secretly disappointed and left some lingering regrets. She had given them love, but not enough.

Still, perhaps it’s fortunate that their relationship hasn’t progressed to lovers.

“Will we never see each other again? Never ever?”

“……”

Her throat felt blocked, unable to utter a word.

Like swallowing a heavy stone, like something pressing against her throat.

Min-joo couldn’t respond and forced a smile. Not even empty words came out.

After a long pause, Neriant swallowed back her tears as she licked her lips.

Her face, distorted messily with disappointment, was ugly, and Min-joo wanted to tease her about it, but she couldn’t.

“Vehen recently met with Marquess Trimidri. Their intentions seem similar, so they decided to join forces.”

“…Yeah.”

She tried to liven up the mood, but there was no improvement.

Min-joo scratched her back awkwardly and spoke.

“Marquess Trimidri said she’ll help arrange a meeting with Ceteran. Judging by what Vehen said, it seems like it might mess things up, so I think I should at least write a script and give it to him.”

“He’ll handle it. He’s good at negotiating. But I’m worried about you, Sister.”

Neriant furrowed her brows, tears pooling in her big, blue eyes.

“What if you go back and it’s like going back to the past? What if it’s not the time when my sister lived? What if you go to another country and can’t return to Korea?”

Sobbing, tears streamed down her white cheeks. Neriant struggled to hold back her tears, pinching her face.

With every word, every sentence, Min-joo felt a pang of affection spreading inside her chest.

“I’m really worried about you.”

“Thanks for worrying. But don’t worry. I trust Robert, she’ll take good care of me.”

The sunlight sparkled through the glass window. Min-joo’s eyes stung, so she closed them quietly.

Neriant hugged Min-joo with a strange, mournful wail.

Her muscles tensed, and Min-joo felt suffocated. She urgently tapped Neriant’s back.

“Stop crying, silly. You’re being too nice to me…”

“I’m only nice to Sister, not to anyone else.”

Min-joo playfully smiled and brushed Neriant’s eyes. They were moist with tears.

It’ll be okay. She decided not to worry.

Thinking too much was exhausting, and she’d tire herself out if she kept thinking.

Everything will be fine, she thought vaguely.

She heard heavy footsteps beyond the closed door.

It wasn’t like Genshtar’s, it was rougher and more haphazard.

Min-joo brushed Neriant’s cheek and looked at the door.

Knock knock, the door suddenly opened with a formal knock.

“…Peril?”

Permette’s attire seemed common as if he had rushed over while working.

A loose black shirt and a loosely draped robe.

Even his pretty face was tense.

He was always calm unless it was something interesting. This was the first time she had seen him so tense.

Min-joo swallowed a breath to avoid being flustered.

“What’s wrong?”

Permette panted, glanced around, and then looked straight at Min-joo.

“He’s dead.”

Her heart sank in an instant. The thumping of her heart reverberated in her ears.

Her stomach churned, and the ground swayed like waves.

Who? Who died?