I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 125

Episode 125

She felt responsible for his death.

Pel’s image was still vivid in her mind.

He looked like he wanted to live like a human, with wounds all over his body and unable to even put on shoes.

She should have found him sooner and helped him somehow.

She shouldn’t have left him alone just because she was in a hurry.

Min-joo bit her lip and lowered her head.

She felt powerless and wanted to run away somewhere.

“The survivor is in my mansion. Would you like to meet her?”

Min-joo lifted her head at the calm voice of Permette, who had no ups and downs in his tone.

Her eyes were reddened, tightly biting her lips, as if she was sulking for no reason.

She rejected Permette’s confession with a cold shoulder but cried over the affairs of others.

It was cruel that Min-joo’s affection wasn’t limited to him alone.

Min-joo bit her lip and then closed her mouth.

‘…I’m scared to meet her.’

She was afraid of being criticized for giving her false hope.

She was afraid of being involved in her death and taking responsibility for it.

Permette silently watched Min-joo without a response, then turned his gaze away.

The night sky, filled with clouds, didn’t reveal any stars properly.

“If you don’t want to, I’ll take care of it myself.”

“…What?”

To take care of it.

She didn’t think Permette’s “take care of it” meant anything positive.

It seemed like it would either end with just getting information and being kicked out, or being used by Permette, or even being used for Fortis’ research data.

Min-joo clenched her fists tightly and shouted desperately.

“Oh, no! I’ll take her to the Hiltate building! Send her there when it’s daylight tomorrow.”

Permette thought she would come home with him, but he felt disappointed by Min-joo’s lack of consideration.

To confess and draw such a clear line.

He found it strange that his emotions weren’t under control when it came to matters related to Min-joo.

He also felt a subtle discomfort with his uncontrollable emotions.

“Does confessing change anything?”

Min-joo pressed her lips together and blinked.

Of course, confessing would change things, wouldn’t it? Was confessing a way of saying he still wanted to remain friends like before?

Min-joo asked cautiously, feeling puzzled.

“…So, Peril still wants to remain friends with me?”

“Nothing changes just because you confessed, right? I still like you, and I still feel friendly towards you.”

His words were not wrong.

It’s just embarrassing for the recipient of the confession.

Min-joo awkwardly smiled and slightly bowed her upper body.

“Um…, although nothing changes, Permette, are you okay? Even if nothing happened.”

“My purpose was to convey my feelings, so it doesn’t matter if nothing changed.”

Permette swallowed a bitter smile and acted as if nothing had happened.

He didn’t want to impose his feelings on Min-joo. He knew it was not right.

Finally, Min-joo seemed to understand why Permette confessed anxiously.

Because she would be leaving soon. If not now, he might never be able to express his feelings.

The time they spent together today must have been something he wanted to cherish.

‘But if you rejected the confession, wouldn’t it be right to draw a clear line without giving any room?’

That’s why Min-joo didn’t give Permette and Tedric any room for more than friends.

Moreover, from the perspective of the one who confessed, pretending as if there was no confession would have been very hurtful.

It would seem like ignoring the feelings.

Min-joo couldn’t tell if he didn’t care or if he was unaware.

She hesitated to dig deeper because it seemed like it might hurt.

“…I understand. Still, if it turns into more than friends, I’ll feel uncomfortable. Please… be considerate.”

“I’ll be considerate.”

Permette nodded expressionlessly as if he had no remaining emotions.

So Min-joo didn’t say anything further and kept quiet.

‘It’s better this way. Now that the relationship is clear.’

Since she couldn’t use the shield of friendship anymore, she could draw the line properly.

Her heart felt uncertain. Why couldn’t things go as she wished?

The sky was dark.

A cold breeze seeped in through the gaps in the carriage.

The next day, another murder case occurred.

Min-joo swallowed dry saliva as she read the newspaper brought by Chichen.

While Min-joo had seen scenarios in her dreams, the cover had changed to pink, but there was no revolutionary content.

Mostly light content and descriptions of Vehen, Permette, and Tedric’s emotions were included.

[Vehen puts down his coffee and thinks of Min-joo. Vehen smiles after putting down his coffee.]

[Permette quietly wipes away tears. The camera moves away. He looks lonely and desolate.]

[Tedric tidies up Terisha’s hair as she lies on the bed and murmurs.]

[Tedric: I miss you. Min-joo.]

‘About my feelings too.’

The scenarios in her dreams felt like they wanted Min-joo to follow along with romance comedy rather than idle thoughts.

As if telling her not to even dream of a revolution.

Like telling her to love according to the genre.

Min-joo looked at the article printed prominently on the front page of the newspaper.

[A Cruelly Murdered Noble. Who is the Culprit?]

It was similar to the murder case Permette had urgently informed her about last time.

A brutally murdered noble with a note saying the change couldn’t be stopped.

[The culprit, caught immediately after the incident, is being interrogated.]

The culprit was written to be a commoner.

The royal family stated they would thoroughly investigate and execute the culprit without mercy.

It was probably said to appease the conservative nobles.

Min-joo put the newspaper down on the table.

‘It’s good that they caught the culprit, but I’m worried about what happens next.…’

While nobles’ misfortunes decorate the front page of the newspaper, nobody cares about commoners dying on the streets.

That’s why Min-joo was determined to revolutionize.

Chichen cleared the newspaper and brought tea.

“Fortunately, they caught the culprit, isn’t it, Min-joo?”

“…Yes, it is.”

Genshtar interjected as he tidied up the kitchen.

“I’m too scared to go outside. They should pay for their sins so that something like this never happens again.”

Since he returned after leaving, he had gained quite a bit of weight.

It seemed like he was trying to adapt to Min-joo since he had to stick around her anyway.

Min-joo gave a vague response and looked at the remaining food.

If Vehen had looked closely, it would have been clear that it was related to the reformist nobles, but a commoner was apprehended.

For some reason, Min-joo felt an inexplicable discomfort and fiddled with her teacup.

She would have to meet Vehen and ask him about it.

* * *

Ragged breaths came out in succession.

The space, made of dark stone walls, echoed with the sound of breathing.

The floor was damp, and the sound of water splashing and footsteps echoed, mixed with coughs.

“Ha,… won’t admit it.”

The voice of a coarse man sounded impatient.

Bubbles rose in a large tub filled with water.

As he pulled out the man who was dunking his face in the water, wet coughs erupted one after another as he gasped for breath in fear. He twisted his body in response to indiscriminate violence.

The officer, holding the wet man’s throat as he helplessly knelt with his knees, lowered his head.

“Let’s make it easy, okay? If you confess, it’ll be easier for you.”

The hoarse, low voice sounded grim.

The man continued to shake his head and twist his body in fear, but the officer forcefully pushed him.

“I didn’t do it, I really didn’t. I was just passing by on an errand. I really didn’t do it.”

“Then who’s the culprit? Do you think you can walk out of here unscathed? Your identity has already been exposed in the newspapers. Even if you leave, you’ll get stoned and die. Who else could have done it, huh?”

Water dripped from the wet hair. The officer looked at the man pitifully.

“If you confess, we’ll take it into account for your sentence. It’s not easy to live outside either, it’s no different from prison. If it’s not you, then who did it, huh?”

“No, I didn’t do it. I really didn’t. It’s unfair!”

There was a loud bang, and a fierce sound was heard.

Even beyond the closed door, a loud noise could be heard.

Marquess Trimidri licked her lips as she looked silently at the closed door.

The culprit was the empress. Not that pitiful commoner.

But if it was revealed that the empress had ordered the deed, it would ruin everything they had built up until now.

Ceteran relentlessly badgered the officers to find the culprit, and Marquess Trimidri was worried that if the empress got caught, it would be a disaster.

Then they were lucky to have caught an innocent person as a suspect.

Marquess Trimidri called in the responsible officer and handed him some money.

‘What people want is for the culprit to pay for their sins. They won’t really care if it’s actually the culprit.’

‘But…’

‘His Highness the Prince is concerned about this matter. Other nobles are also paying attention. If we don’t find the culprit, it will tarnish our reputation, and people will start questioning our existence… It’s not good for any of us. If we brush off any subsequent incidents as copycat crimes, that’ll be the end of it.’

Due to the Empress’s actions, unnecessary expenses were incurred, and issues arose.

However, it’s fortunate that things are flowing in a not-so-bad direction.

Ceteran focused on capturing the culprit, and in this situation where public opinion wavers, holding the coronation ceremony immediately would solidify their position.

It was necessary to advise the Empress not to act recklessly anymore.

If Nelsie acts further, it will cause unrest among the nobles.

‘We might need to take a tougher stance.’

Even if Ceteran were to become authoritarian from Marquess Trimidri’s perspective, it wouldn’t matter as long as Marquess Trimidri held power over him.

When the conservative nobles are silenced and subdued by fear, they can use Ceteran to change the laws and change the world.

If Nelsie becomes uncontrollable, it’s a matter that can be quietly dealt with.

‘Since the coronation ceremony is proceeding, please find the culprit. Violence will not be tolerated during the process.’

Ceteran’s words came to mind through clenched teeth.

Whether it’s idealistic or thoughtless.

It’s puzzling how a son born between the Emperor and the Empress can only pursue hope like this.

Sacrifices are inevitable in carrying out major tasks.

Marquess Trimidri stepped out through the door.

As she turned her head to find her carriage in front, Vehen was ascending the stairs.

“What brings you here, Duke?”

Demonstrating his character, Vehen was dressed in a dark vest, jacket, and even a coat.

Marquess Trimidri casually smiled at Vehen, feigning ignorance.

Vehen furrowed his brow with suspicion and bowed slightly.

“I have matters to confirm. What business does the Marquess have here?”

“I have a business to attend to as well, though I doubt the Duke will need to see to it if you enter.”

Vehen frowned at the suggestive remark.

The two stood facing each other on a single step, observing each other’s reactions like a silent duel.

“Seems like the hunt has caused quite a stir, Marquees.”

“Indeed? It’s only natural for things to get noisy when a big prey is caught.”

“Unnecessary sacrifices as well.”

Vehen blurted out without hesitation.

Knowing Vehen to be aware of Marquess Trimidri’s actions, he knew the commoner wasn’t the culprit.

There was no need to frame him.

Moreover, to cause such a big commotion.

Isn’t it different from the plan they discussed before?

Every time he opened his mouth, hot breath escaped.

Marquess Trimidri’s wrinkled face, arrogantly smiling in front of Vehen, was obscured by the breath.

Marquess Trimidri adjusted her coat and replied.

“Some sacrifices are inevitable. Duke needs to see not the tree but the mountain.”

“What do you mean?”

“The one I serve desires a swift resolution.”

Marquess Trimidri looked at Vehen, who was roughly at eye level and chuckled. Without placing her hand on the man’s shoulder, she brushed off nonexistent dust.

“If you just wait quietly, I will take care of everything. What’s the rush?”

Vehen swatted Marquess Trimidri’s hand away, revealing a posture akin to a growling beast.

“Is His Highness expecting such violent measures?”

“Now that His Highness is also a ruler, it’s time to know what appropriate measures are. So please don’t be too hasty. What if His Highness’ feelings are hurt?”

It was a threat. A threat that if this matter is interfered with, not even a chance to meet Ceteran would be given, let alone maintain the relationship.

Vehen hardened his face and stared at Marquess Trimidri.