I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 120

Episode 120

Before even asking who it was, Permette answered first.

“The conservative noble is dead. However, they found a note at the scene.”

Let’s go back a few hours.

A deserted alley, an overturned carriage. The ground frozen after the snowfall, with traces of blood and three bodies riddled with bullets.

A conservative noble, a coachman, and a servant.

One note was found in the hand of the conservative noble.

[Witness the Change.]

It was a sentence cut and pieced together from various newspapers so that handwriting couldn’t be identified.

Was it a revenge murder, or was it not to be questioned as murder?

The newspapers immediately published the incident, and everything turned upside down.

[The Viscount’s body was found on the side of the road. Who did it?]

[It was reported that the viscount had an accident while dining with acquaintances. (Omitted) 

A note saying “Witness the Change” was found. The investigation concluded it was a premeditated crime, and no grudge was found.]

Rumors spread quickly among the nobles.

As soon as the newspapers were published and spread around, they started gossiping.

‘That viscount, wasn’t he quite famous? Wasn’t he busy every day asking for a meeting with the emperor and insisting that the former crown prince’s abdication be reversed?’

‘Isn’t it strange that he’s the only one who died when other nobles did the same?’

‘Perhaps others will become involved in the case……. Maybe His Highness the Crown Prince is setting an example.’

‘Shhh, be careful what you say, His Highness the current Crown Prince will be furious if he hears.’

Conversations among the nobles sounded similar.

It was a demonstration of Crown Prince Ceteran’s authority.

The commoners couldn’t make sense of it and were in a state of confusion.

The reformist nobles were carrying out the prince’s orders.

And Min-joo’s thoughts were the same.

Min-joo looked at Permette, who had told her the story.

“It could become a serial murder.”

Permette, sitting across from Min-joo, nodded. The chill from outside lingered in the robe he wore.

“Yes. I was just reporting to His Excellency.”

“What did Vehen say?”

“He said he wouldn’t rush to conclusions until the culprit was deduced.”

Min-joo slowly closed and opened her black eyes. There was suspicion in her eyes.

“Is Vehen an accomplice?”

“Well, I’m not sure either.”

Permette shrugged nonchalantly. It seemed like he knew something but was hiding it. Min-joo narrowed her eyes and pressed for answers.

“Is he an accomplice?”

“I don’t know. He just said he wouldn’t move without His Highness the Crown Prince’s instructions.”

Is he protesting? If he wants to resolve the case smoothly, he should bend and come in first.

Permette shrugged his shoulders as if he knew nothing. It seemed like he wouldn’t answer even if pressed further.

Min-joo tapped her fingers on her thigh like playing the piano.

Neriant couldn’t smile in the heavy atmosphere and just looked around cautiously.

Min-joo spoke up.

“If Vehen is an accomplice, there must be a reason. I’ll talk to him separately later. Do you think this will affect the revolution, Peril?”

Although the death was regrettable, it didn’t resonate much as a perfect stranger’s story. 

But what concerned Min-joo was whose deed it was. 

If it was Ceteran, it meant harboring tyrannical intentions. If it was among the reformists, it could be an individual extremist act or represent the entire faction’s intentions. 

If it was the intention of the entire reformist faction, it was a problem that even they couldn’t embrace. 

And truly, if it was the slaves who rose.

Min-joo believed that if the slaves dreamt of freedom and rose, it couldn’t be stopped.

“It should be fine for now. I actually anticipate a positive outcome.”

“Why do you think so?”

Min-joo asking for his opinion made Permette feel good. 

It felt like solving the case together from an equal position, rather than just receiving orders. 

Permette brushed his curly ash-colored hair aside.

“The message ‘Witness the Change’ seems to evoke a positive response. It’s been reported that people are starting to contemplate the meaning of change everywhere, mainly among the commoners.”

“It means the commoners have awakened to the idea of change. What worries me is that the message was delivered in a violent situation.”

Permette nodded as if understanding Min-joo’s words.

“Yes, there’s a possibility it could be distorted into a violent message. However, I don’t think you need to worry.”

Leaning forward, Permette sat crookedly. There was a rustling sound.

“If the palace doesn’t respond violently, the commoners won’t act aggressively either.”

“Does that mean it depends on the high-ranking officials?”

“Yes. In a situation where the situation has already been resolved peacefully through protests, there’s no need to resort to violence.”

Min-joo sighed quietly. Her pale face looked even darker.

Although Permette said there was no need to worry, the situation was extremely complicated. 

It felt like everywhere tensions were pulling tight, and if one side exerted a little more force, the fragile peace could collapse.

It felt like a situation on the brink of explosion.

“If the palace doesn’t blame the distant commoners as the culprits and doesn’t respond violently, the commoners will participate peacefully in the revolution. Otherwise, violent incidents might easily occur.”

“Yes, that’s what I expect.”

Min-joo said, pressing her throbbing head with her fingers.

“If there’s anything to discuss with Vehen, please let me know. Ask him to put pressure on the palace to resolve things peacefully. The nobles will demand the culprit be found, and someone might be influenced by the incident and commit copycat crimes. Please tell Vehen to think carefully and put pressure appropriately.”

“Understood.”

It felt like even a slight change could throw things off.

A few days ago, she wanted to resolve things peacefully with Robert. She couldn’t afford to feel embarrassed about facing her now.

Min-joo looked at Permette and asked.

“Is the plan progressing well?”

“Yes. We’re planning a small protest in a few days.”

“Please make it noticeable to the public. Try to avoid violence if possible. It would be even better if we could cover up the murder case.”

“Understood.”

Permette nodded mechanically and looked at Min-joo.

“So, when can you spare some time?”

“Pardon?”

“You said you’d spend time with me.”

“Um, how about tomorrow?”

Caught off guard by the sudden invitation, Min-joo awkwardly tapped her fingers.

Having overheard their conversation, Neriant frowned. Is he flirting with her now?

“Okay, I’ll come pick you up tomorrow.”

Whether he said that or not, Permette smiled brightly. It seemed like he genuinely liked Min-joo, Neriant thought. Therefore, it became ambiguous to restrain him. If it was just teasing, she would have pulled out all his hair.

Neriant sighed.

“If I hear anything from Ceteran, I’ll let you know. And I’ll emphasize again that my sister has nothing to do with anything.”

“No, don’t talk about me. It might provoke suspicion for no reason.”

“I heard they’re preparing for the coronation ceremony. Maybe there will be a party after the coronation, and they might use it to consolidate their power.”

Min-joo thought it wouldn’t be bad to attend the party to check things out, even though she was a fake commoner. She smiled and stroked Neriant’s hand.

“Neriant, if you also attend, could you give me some information? Just the overall atmosphere will be fine. Can you observe for me?”

“Of course. I may not be good at thinking, but I’ll try.”

She sighed. Min-joo frowned in suspicion at the oddly flowing situation. It felt like something was hindering her.

Permette stood up from his seat, having finished his purpose.

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow, Min-joo.”

“Are you leaving already? Have a drink before you go.”

“I’m busy, so I’ll be too occupied to free up time tomorrow.”

Permette laughed it off, saying he didn’t mean to burden her.

As Min-joo nodded in disappointment, Permette left first. His robe swayed with his movements.

Chichen followed to see him off, but Permette brushed it off and got into the waiting carriage.

Then, Permette took out a bundle of papers.

‘Who could have sent this?’

The note, which had evaded the gatekeeper, continued.

They strengthened their defenses, paying newspaper boys to deliver notes and tying notes to rocks to throw into the courtyard.

Their testimonies only included the common phrase that the culprit, who was paid off, was a woman.

Permette now read through the rather thick bundle of papers.

[Be the tallest mountain touching the sky.]

[Who would climb the low mountain hidden behind the tall mountain?]

[Be the first to greet the sun.]

[If you desire, take it.]

[Days when the sun rises do not come easily; go forth and conquer.]

Permette clenched the bundle of papers in his hand, squeezing them tightly. By now, he understood all too well.

‘It’s a message telling me to kill His Excellency and become a duke.’

When a duke without an heir died, a relative would take his place. However, there were several ways to counteract this.

One could sweep away the succession or demonstrate one’s worth to the emperor to seize the position. Pleading with Ceteran was easier than anything else. If you could appease him and follow his lead, that was it.

As with all those in power, it was just a matter of proving one’s usefulness.

‘The timing couldn’t be more perfect.’

The Empress died, and Ceteran became the Crown Prince. And the relationship between Ceteran and Vehen had grown distant.

Ceteran urgently needed nobles to support him in this situation.

If one flattered him and showed their usefulness, they could become his confidant.

It all seemed to fit together too well like someone had planned it all out. As if the note knew this, it made a fuss about putting away Vehen and sitting in the duke’s seat.

‘Who sent this?’

Permette ran his fingers over his lips, squinting his eyes.

He couldn’t find anyone whose handwriting matched.

The paper was cheap and easily obtainable from the Paital, as was the ink. It couldn’t be pinpointed.

Of course, it was undoubtedly from a noble. The exceptional metaphors and elegant handwriting couldn’t be explained by anything else.

‘Is it Marquess Trimidri?’

No, her handwriting was different from the note, and there was no need for her to push Vehen aside to make himself a duke.

‘Is it Ceteran?’

His handwriting was a bit rounder and quaint. Plus, it was more advantageous for him to bring in a successor who would listen to him rather than make himself a duke.

‘Someone else? Then who could it be?’

No one came to mind except the Empress, who was already dead. But if you thought a little broader, it could have been a scheme she planned before her death.

He couldn’t be sure. It required more observation.

Permette looked at the crumpled note in his hand.

He felt uneasy as if unnecessary greed was creeping in.

* * *

“Why are you taking matters into your own hands like this!”

A low voice suddenly rose sharply.

The woman’s voice was usually low and solemn, but when she raised her voice, it was sharp.

Marquess Trimidri, dressed in robes, glared silently at a woman.

After staring at Marquess Trimidri for a while, the woman smiled.

“Aren’t you showing any respect just because I’m dead?”

Nelsie, dressed in commoner’s clothes, combed her brown hair and narrowed her eyes sharply.

Her green eyes contained clear anger as she looked at Marquess Trimidri.