I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 130

Episode 130

Min-joo’s face flushed red at his reaction.

Kissing could be awkward. It could feel weird because it’s too stimulating.

She suppressed the urge to punch his shoulder out of embarrassment.

Min-joo cleared her throat pretending nothing happened.

“That’s not important, do you have something to say?”

Vehen suppressed a laugh and raised an eyebrow.

He seemed to understand she was trying to avoid this awkward situation, so he appeared willing to let it slide.

Min-joo was extremely annoyed by Vehen’s nonchalant attitude but decided to be grateful. Vehen spoke again.

“Have you heard the news that the culprit of the serial murder case has been caught?”

“Yeah, I heard.”

Still, she focused on the matter at hand.

“Marquess Trimidri is involved. Probably with His Highness Ceteran at her back.”

Min-joo frowned, pressing her red cheek with the back of her hand.

Vehen brushed his disheveled hair back and continued.

“The culprit died during interrogation after being forced to confess aggressively. The cause of death was suffocation.”

Min-joo’s red face turned white in an instant.

Vehen’s green eyes sparkled emotionlessly.

“The culprit… was not the culprit.”

So they caught an innocent person and framed them?

Min-joo still pressed her heated face with the back of her hand while shaking her head.

Black hair cascaded over her shoulders.

“…So it was a setup? Are you sure about this? They could’ve denied the crime.”

Min-joo’s doubt was valid, but Vehen nodded confidently.

“No, I’m sure. I went to the station to urge for a peaceful resolution, but Marquess Trimidri showed up.”

Vehen recalled the moment, then continued.

He explained to the chief, who claimed that accessing information beyond their jurisdiction was impossible.

The chief showed only very limited parts of the information.

Marquess Trimidri silenced him, and Vehen tried to get information, so it must have been the chief’s effort to survive.

“Here’s the report on the scene, and the culprit was a commoner wandering nearby.”

The scene report was detailed, but the report on the culprit was brief.

Moreover, they didn’t show previous incident reports, making it difficult to compare and almost no information about the culprit seemed to have been nearby.

“We don’t have much data.”

“Well, that’s all we can disclose….”

“There’s nothing more to disclose?”

The chief awkwardly chuckled.

Seeing sweat dripping down his forehead, cheeks, and neck, he was convinced he was lying.

Vehen was checking documents in front of the investigation room when there was a commotion in the adjacent room.

A thick iron door creaked open, and it seemed like people were rushing out with someone in their arms.

“Hey, stop it! Can’t you be more considerate?”

“Hey, quickly call the medical officer!”

“Instead of reporting right away, sort out the situation first!”

The collapsed figure was a young man, barely in his twenties, his body marked with brutal traces as if he had suffered cruel treatment.

Looking at the bewildered face of the chief, who alternated between himself and them, Vehen could be certain.

That young man had been singled out as the culprit of this case.

There was no need for further confirmation. The culprit was already dead, and even if the palace found out, they would simply bury the matter.

So Vehen went through the documents again, memorizing the personal information of the culprit and the investigation results of the scene.

Vehen let out a heavy sigh as he recounted the chaotic situation at the time.

“There were no signs of struggle on the victim found at the scene. He was shot dead with a single shot.”

Was it a wrong choice to collaborate with Marquess Trimidri?

If he had worked with her at least once, he might have known, but it seemed like a futile attempt.

Vehen pushed away the self-blame that surged like waves and decided to focus on the situation at hand.

“The culprit is the son of a small merchant who never even owned a firearm. It’s an absurd accusation. The police will probably try to pin the blame on him, possibly brushing it aside. The palace and the nobles will pay even more attention to such a case.”

If it becomes known that the culprit of a case being closely watched by the empire died during harsh interrogation…

Furthermore, if it’s revealed that an innocent person unrelated to the case was framed as the culprit, the department in charge will lose their jobs.

So they will likely try to shift the blame onto the weak, onto someone who’s already gone from this world.

Min-joo felt suffocated by their selfishness. It wasn’t right for the weak to be crushed by the gestures of the powerful.

Min-joo tapped her skirt with her fingers.

“…I hate myself for trying to exploit this case.”

She felt disgusted with herself for trying to use the incident for revolution.

The fact that she couldn’t just accept the sad and unjust events, but instead pondered how they could be utilized, made her feel like trash.

“It’s too sad and unjust, and the fact that I’m thinking of using it is just… appalling to me.”

She truly despised the various ways her mind briefly entertained to exploit the situation.

Vehen quietly hugged Min-joo as he watched her, burying her face in his chest.

His familiar scent seemed to somewhat calm her heart.

Lowering his voice, Vehen spoke earnestly as he gently stroked Min-joo’s swollen eyes with his finger.

“Now is not the time to cry, but to address the grievances of the youth. Sitting still and grieving won’t change the world. I will also step forward to atone for my mistakes.”

Each time Vehen’s fingers touched her, Min-joo closed and opened her eyes.

Vehen was right. Mere sympathy won’t change the world.

It’s time to inform, raise awareness, and take action.

Vehen had to atone for turning a blind eye to Marquess Trimidri’s misdeeds, even if it meant.

Min-joo had to step forward.

She had to do something. If she didn’t, the world wouldn’t change.

Min-joo took a deep breath.

Among the various ideas that came to mind, she chose the most peaceful and effective one.

Her black eyes sparkled. Her tightly closed grim lips softened.

“I have an idea. It may require force if things go wrong, but it’s the most peaceful way.”

Vehen and Min-joo’s eyes met. A glance born of trust exchanged between them.

* * *

Reporters stared at the chief as if pressing him.

Many questions poured out, and the sound of writing on paper echoed throughout.

“So how did the culprit die? Did he confess?”

The chief recited prepared sentences without missing a beat.

“The culprit was unable to cope with the pressure during his statement and took his own life, and I can tell you that we did everything in our power to stop him.”

A reporter, jotting down notes in a small notebook, raised his hand to ask a question.

“How did he confess? With ample manpower, why couldn’t you stop it?”

“It happened in an instant, and we couldn’t suppress it. Although there was no confession, all evidence pointed to the culprit, and considering there were no other suspects, we decided to conclude the investigation.”

After finishing his words, the chief stood up from his seat.

“Explain why it happened so suddenly!”

“Is it true there were signs of assault?!”

Reporters stood up one after another, bombarding him with various questions, but the chief remained silent.

Soon, the newspaper was published and spread everywhere.

[Perpetrator of noble serial murder case dies during investigation.]

The newspaper was folded and placed on the table. Laments were heard all around.

“It must be because His Highness Ceteran is playing politics that this mess is happening.”

“It’s unacceptable to wield tyranny just because you serve another Highness.”

A group of older nobles gathered and murmured. Then, their eyes rolled in the direction of one person, as if assessing their reaction.

“Indeed, we believe it’s right for His Highness to regain his position.”

“I cannot tolerate such exaggerated statements.”

Tedric smiled softly, gently turning his eyes. His slightly tilted head looked elegant and dignified.

“Hmph, Your Highness, we are aware of that. That Ceteran used the power of the press to bring you down, and that he made it look like you deliberately betrayed us.”

A nobleman lowered his voice, laughing awkwardly.

After discussing with Min-joo about the revolution, Tedric naturally encountered conservative nobles.

Although he didn’t actively seek them out, once he dipped his toe into social circles, they inevitably flocked to him like bees to honey.

It was truly irritating and deserving of retribution that they reported him for his crimes, but they were quick calculators.

There was no point in defying them now; aligning with Ceteran wouldn’t bring them the benefits the reformists were receiving.

They aimed to persuade and sway Tedric to reclaim the throne.

The power of the reformists had yet to solidify, and with Ceteran being a new prince without much influence, a swift move to reinstate Tedric was possible.

Tedric was aware of their intentions but decided to use them. Since they were using him, there was no reason he couldn’t do the same.

“I’m more concerned about how Ceteran would wield power once he ascends the throne. It’s not just about the worry of repeating past mistakes.”

“Yes, indeed. He’s already shown us several examples. We can’t afford to repeat the same mistakes.”

The precedents they mentioned referred to the current emperor’s repeated acts of initiating wars and forcibly conscripting nobles, leading to the destruction of opposing noble families.

They were afraid, yet they didn’t want to repeat those times, so they sought to reinstate Tedric.

At least Tedric ended the wars and provided conveniences to the nobles.

He wouldn’t harm the nobles.

Tedric suppressed a laugh as he could see through their intentions, but his expression was filled with concern.

“There’s a way I cannot set foot in the palace. I don’t have the support of the people.”

“Your Highness, there is surely a way to overcome that. Just trust us and leave it to us.”

Tedric squinted and covered his mouth with his finger.

There was a delicate yet gentle pressure.

“I can’t take the throne. Ceteran may have a way, but I don’t. I know my position very well.”

Was he going to refuse again? The conservative nobles blinked, trying to gauge Tedric’s reaction.

Tedric smiled softly, warmly.

“So I’d like to make a different proposal. Instead of the royal family, let the nobles have the power.”

“…Excuse me?”

The nobles were agitated by Tedric’s bombshell statement.

Perhaps it was because Tedric, who knew the power of the royal family better than anyone else, made the statement, making it even less believable.

“Your Highness, how can you say such a thing?”

“I thought about it for a long time after my position was taken away. I was heartbroken that you all tried to support me and prevent my dethronement, but were unable to carry out your wishes due to His Majesty’s arbitrariness.”

There was a gulp, an audible swallowing of saliva.

Anyway, they were greedy and astute, quick to grasp opportunities for their own benefit.

Tedric would have to tiptoe around to use them. He bowed his head as if truly apologetic.

“I thought you all betrayed me. That’s why I wanted to seek revenge. I’m sorry, I was ignorant of your intentions because of my shortcomings. Please forgive me?”

In a way, it was a righteous act.

For a powerful figure who doesn’t need to admit wrongdoing, admitting it and seeking forgiveness.

They won’t be impressed by Tedric. But if Tedric bends first, he’ll appear more approachable and easier to manipulate.

The nobles glanced at Tedric with disdain.

“No need to apologize, Your Highness. It’s because we didn’t supervise enough, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. Just seeing you again like this is a delight.”

Tedric quietly suppressed a laugh and raised his cup. Although he didn’t drink, the tea in the cup rippled in waves.

“Thank you. I’m fortunate to have you on my side.”

The nobles laughed heartily and applauded. Seeing them flatter him made him realize how easily people change.

“So that’s the conclusion you’ve reached. What if your power had been stronger? You wonder. If His Majesty didn’t have absolute power, you wouldn’t have to suffer like this.”

Tedric pretended to sip from his cup before setting it down.

His lips moistened, and he wiped them with a handkerchief.

“I wish I had realized when I was still the crown prince, but my insight was limited, and I didn’t know despite your help. I want to move forward with you as equals. What do you say?”

Dividing the imperial power among the nobles. No longer need to be at the mercy of the emperor’s decisions.

Not having to fear losing family or the disappearance of their lineage.

Moreover, a ruler who admits his shortcomings and proposes to move forward together is as ideal as a dream.

Along with Tedric’s demonstrated conservative political leanings, if the former crown prince enters the power struggle, he could overwhelmingly dominate.

Most of the conservative nobles will follow Tedric.

So, as long as it changes to a constitutional monarchy.

“…We will follow Your Highness’ will.”

Everyone nodded, pledging loyalty to Tedric.

Tedric let out a dry smile and set down the handkerchief.