I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 127

Episode 127

19. Sophisticated Party

Min-joo heard a lot from Andy.

That there was a community forming among the slaves, working hand in hand with the reformists leading the slave rights movement. 

And that the recent murder may have been committed by the reformists. 

So Min-joo could see that Vehen did not speak up, but waited for Ceteran to speak first.

‘He was supposed to meet with Marquess Trimidri, maybe that’s when this conversation happened. Did Vehen harm others?’

Looking back now, Vehen wasn’t any different. Min-joo had hoped otherwise, that’s why she didn’t act.

‘We were trying to resolve things peacefully. Why did Vehen…’

Is it because of political entanglements? No matter how many reasons she considered, she couldn’t understand it at all. Andy looked at Min-joo, who was confused.

“If you need help, I’ll help.”

Min-joo gripped her skirt.

Though she wanted to say something in response to Andy’s resolute attitude, there wasn’t much she could say.

“You’re already part of the reformists, Andy. How could I… use you?”

Andy smiled bitterly and replied softly.

“It’s been a conflict since I joined the reformists.”

Despite the weak voice, the determination and weight of the sentence were significant.

Andy turned his gaze to the table and continued.

“We can’t continue the atrocities caused by the Emperor’s tyranny. No matter how humble one’s status, they know what’s wrong. If there’s no power to protect loved ones, or means to protect oneself, we must create them.”

Andy clenched his fist. The bones stood out on the back of his hand, and his tightly clenched fist trembled.

“I hope the people of my generation won’t be manipulated anymore. They won’t be disposable commodities.”

His will felt more intense than anything else.

So, she thought revolution must happen, to enable them to protect themselves. To have choices.

Min-joo cautiously placed her hand on Andy’s fist.

“I’ll try my best. If you need anything, just let me know, and let’s face it together.”

At that moment, Andy felt miserable, realizing he was starting to hope for change.

Being in a position where he had to rely on others, the reality of having no power or ability to expect anything on his own was bleak indeed.

Yet, he felt foolish for hoping for change.

Min-joo is undoubtedly a savior. She saved the slaves without asking for anything in return, granting them freedom and a better life than commoners.

Without Min-joo, those living on the third floor would have lived a painful life, sold off somewhere.

She’s a grateful person, a benefactor.

But can this person help them with just a sense of justice, with mere empathy?

“But Andy, is there anyone here who’s good with herbs?”

Andy’s eyes widened at the absurd request.

Talking about changing the world and suddenly looking for an apothecary?

Seeing Andy’s puzzled expression, Min-joo awkwardly smiled.

“I need one. If you happen to know someone, could you introduce me?”

“…I know a few people.”

He knew some from Hitan.

Andy replied hesitantly.

Min-joo brightened her eyes and added a request to send them to the Rolfreme Mansion if there were people he knew.

What plan could involve finding an apothecary?

Andy couldn’t understand Min-joo.

Having received help in finding an apothecary and learning their stories, Min-joo strengthened her resolve and descended to the first floor.

While checking the theater situation, she entered the office to find Vehen sitting casually with a coffee as if it were his rightful place.

Wrapped in his clothes, arrogantly crossing his legs, it was unmistakably Vehen.

“What brings you here?”

Perfect timing. Since there’s something to discuss, might as well get everything out in the open.

Min-joo sat next to Vehen and stared intently. Vehen put down his coffee and spoke.

“I have something to discuss.”

“I also have something to discuss.”

Vehen nodded as if indicating for her to speak first. Min-joo didn’t hesitate and immediately spoke up.

“Is this incident related to you, Vehen?”

Vehen’s finger twitched.

Min-joo thought it was fortunate that he couldn’t lie because of his character.

At the same time, Vehen felt despicable. She felt a slight sense of betrayal.

Min-joo stiffened her face, leaned forward, and narrowed the distance between them.

“Did you conspire with Marquess Trimidri? We were trying to resolve things peacefully, remember? Before I misunderstand, tell me the truth quickly.”

If there was an unavoidable situation.

If they were in circumstances where they had to let things go, she tried to understand.

Vehen tried to hide his embarrassment and tapped his fingers.

“…I don’t know how to say this without making you angry.”

“Just be honest. Your words… sound like you’ve done something really wrong.”

There’s an intuition. A strong feeling that something is wrong.

While trying to ignore it, Min-joo pressed Vehen for an answer.

Vehen averted his gaze into thin air and struggled to speak.

“…It’s true that I conspired with Marquess Trimidri. But it was necessary. If we didn’t, everything we’ve done so far would have been in vain.”

“Vehen.”

She was disappointed. Vehen, who ultimately turned a blind eye to violence.

This situation made her feel like she was imposing her beliefs on others.

Without even having the composure to arrange her expression, Min-joo let out a bitter laugh.

“We promised to make a better world together. Even if I fail, let’s promise to meet again in the next life and continue building it together.”

“Listen to me. This was unavoidable.”

“What on earth? How could harming others be unavoidable? I can’t understand. Even if I try to understand, I can’t.”

Vehen urgently grabbed Min-joo’s arm, but she quickly pulled away.

Vehen grabbed Min-joo again.

“The conservative nobles are clamoring to put Marquis Sienna back on the throne as the Crown Prince. Ceteran can’t grasp the situation and is being swayed by the nobles. Even the long-awaited coronation ceremony has barely set a date. If we let this continue, not only will the revolution be impossible, but reform will be just a dream.”

Min-joo met Vehen’s gaze with fiery eyes.

“…Are you crying?”

Vehen asked with a stern face.

His tone and voice showed concern. But Min-joo thought the conversation they were having now was more important than that.

“It’s nothing. So?”

With Min-joo’s sharp response, Vehen couldn’t ask further and returned to the original topic.

Although he was worried, it didn’t seem like she would answer him even if he pushed her.

“The Emperor’s health is also not good. We don’t know when he’ll abdicate. He’s already comparing the abilities of Ceteran and Marquis Sienna, even eyeing the support of conservative nobles. If we leave this situation as it is, not only will revolution be impossible, but even reform is just a dream.”

“There must be better ways.”

Min-joo understood too.

If they did nothing and left it as it was, they would eventually cater to the desires of the conservative noble majority.

Then, policies benefiting only the nobles would continue.

The reformist nobles would be pressured and would shrink back.

If a revolution were to occur in such a state, it would undoubtedly turn violent.

Peace was definitely out of reach.

Or if the conservative nobles gained more strength, Ceteran would be ousted from the Crown Prince position, and Tedric would reclaim his place. But Min-joo couldn’t imagine Tedric, despite being a good person to her, being a good ruler.

Creating fear in the conservative nobles to prevent them from daring to oppose was indeed a convenient and simple method.

“If we had thought a little longer, there might have been a more peaceful way….”

“We don’t have much time. If we had more time to think, and more time to proceed with the plan, we would have done that. Choosing the easy way is true, but we can’t afford to miss the opportunity.”

Min-joo recalled Robert’s words.

‘What will change if we pursue peace?’

Was she wrong? Is pursuing peace just an ideal?

Min-joo bit her lip and bowed her head. Her black hair poured down.

Her head was spinning.

Too many thoughts were coming to her, scattering.

A feeling of not wanting to think at all. Just wanting to escape.

Min-joo murmured.

“Am I dreaming too big?”

Vehen’s shoulder touched her cheek.

She felt the warmth surrounding her body, and the arms that supported her back were firm to keep her from falling apart.

Vehen bent down and embraced Min-joo.

The strong scents of coffee, water, and Vehen himself enveloped them.

As Min-joo clutched Vehen’s back, his large hand swept over her back.

“You’re not wrong. Why would I go along with your plan?”

Min-joo couldn’t answer.

If he followed her plan because he truly loved her, it would be pathetic.

Speaking as if he could read her mind, Vehen lowered his voice and whispered.

“Because you’re right. Apart from love, your dream is right for me too. But we can’t always chase ideals. That’s why the world is chaotic, and those who pursue ideals become fools.”

“Am I a fool?”

“The world needs fools. Especially to me.”

Vehen needed Min-joo.

Min-joo lifted her face from his shoulder and faced Vehen.

The subtle tenderness amidst the rough impression felt exceptionally sweet.

Someone who needed her. Someone who supported her, saying she wasn’t wrong.

But also someone who made rational judgments.

Vehen rested his forehead against Min-joo’s.

She felt his breath and the green hue filling her vision, making her dizzy.

“You’re my guide. To lead me not astray but onto the right path.”

It felt like being a deity.

Her heart fluttered, overwhelmed with a sense of accomplishment.

Then, was Vehen her shepherd?

No, they were each other’s shepherds.

Guiding each other to avoid the wrong path, comforting each other’s hesitant steps.

They were precious to each other, like lambs.

Together, equally, they shared opinions and sought the right path.

Min-joo scrutinized Vehen’s face.

His thick eyebrows, sharp yet neat eyes, straight nose, and lips neither too thin nor too thick.

A rugged yet deeply affectionate man.

Efficient yet ultimately just.

“Vehen, you lift me. When I wander, you help me find the way forward together. I, that…”

Min-joo wrapped her arms around Vehen’s cheeks.

“That’s really nice.”

Vehen is pragmatic yet childish, blunt yet deeply caring. She liked this man.

If she were to love, it would be him.

Pouring out her heart, suffocating in the overflow of affection.

“Good, I do.”

Min-joo kissed Vehen’s cheek.

It was an awkward kiss, not skilled or relaxed.

It was like stamping a seal, a clumsy kiss.

Her soft lips touched his cheek lightly.

Thud, thud, thud. Her heart pounded wildly as if it would burst.

Their faces blushed so deeply they couldn’t even rebuke each other, their mouths sealed as if they had swallowed an apology.

Their breaths sounded loud, their minds in disarray. Their fingertips tightened involuntarily.

Their gazes met.

Silence settled.