I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 131

Episode 131

After conversing with nobles, Tedric left the tavern. 

Taverns located in the area where the upper-class gathers are naturally frequented by nobles, and they were able to converse comfortably as the space was separated. 

Thanks to that, the gathered nobles chattered about politics or indulged in debauchery. 

Tedric wrinkled his nose at the stench mixing the distinctive alcohol odor of the tavern and the strong scent of perfume. 

‘It’s all for their own gain.’

That’s how it is. Those who say they cannot leave the secular world and must stay to change the world, and those who manipulate accordingly. 

All for their own gain. 

Even as Tedric boarded the carriage, he couldn’t shake off his thoughts. 

‘Fear politics don’t suit Ceteran, so why did he make such a choice?’

Is it because he’s cornered? 

Was it a result of struggling alone, unable to trust anyone, and being left in a precarious position? 

But it’s none of Tedric’s concern. He doesn’t even want to understand him. 

He’s just curious about how Ceteran’s actions will spread among the public. Perhaps Min-joo will stir things up unexpectedly. Surely it will. 

‘Will Min-joo intervene again to achieve something?’

Suddenly, he missed Min-joo.

* * *

The news of the death of the culprit who cruelly harmed the nobles spread widely. 

Paital soon regained peace, and his family sought justice by visiting officials, seeking lawyers, and attending court. 

No one listened to their pleas. 

They were driven away, subjected to violence, and ignored. 

There were very few journalists who occasionally visited, but their stories were not published in the newspapers. 

This was because even the newspapers were cautious of the royal family’s influence. 

And as if on cue, protests erupted. It was scheduled. 

The crowd numbered no more than fifty and gathered in the square, protesting for the emancipation of slaves and policy improvements for commoners. 

It was quite a peaceful protest. 

There were no weapons, just people gathering and chatting among themselves. 

Not a very grand, not very impressive protest. 

Until the military blocked them. 

At the same time, the coronation ceremony took place. 

The protesters disrupting the coronation procession were pushed aside by the military, and the road was cleared. 

Ceteran, riding an expensive carriage, looked down on the people. 

Flower petals were scattered on the road, and the people, quietly clearing the space previously occupied by the protesters, cheered for the new crown prince. 

The coronation proceeded smoothly. Through the ceremony held in the reformist-dominated auditorium and temple, he officially became the crown prince. 

“The schedule is only left with the party.” 

Marquess Trimidri, standing behind Ceteran, quietly spoke as he changed his clothes. 

Ceteran, dressing up, furrowed his brow lightly. 

“I still can’t understand. The arrested culprit died during questioning.” 

Upon hearing the news, Ceteran immediately became angry.

Surely he asked for a peaceful resolution, but it didn’t turn out that way at all. 

He hoped for a peaceful resolution all along. 

Yet he gladly accepted the silence of the conservative nobles that followed the consecutive incidents. 

During the meetings, he tolerated their silence and even sided with the reformists more than once. 

Marquess Trimidri suppressed a laugh and smiled emotionlessly. 

“So, Your Highness, were you uncomfortable?” 

“…What?” 

“I asked if you were uncomfortable.” 

Sensing the conversation might drag on, Marquess Trimidri ushered out the bystanders. 

Once the door was closed, Marquess Trimidri slowly approached Ceteran. 

“The silence of the conservatives didn’t make you comfortable, did it? Despite watching them tiptoeing around, eventually, you ascended to the throne entirely.” 

Marquess Trimidri stood in front of Ceteran. Though she was still modestly dressed, the imposing presence she exuded was remarkable. 

Ceteran couldn’t refute Marquess Trimidri despite knowing she was wrong. 

It was truly delightful. 

To see some of them who fiercely opposed the coronation ceremony and policies benefiting the commoners suddenly fall silent and tiptoe away was quite satisfying. 

As if reading Ceteran’s mind, Marquess Trimidri smiled and adjusted the brooch on his jacket. 

“I deeply sympathize with the occasional need for a stern punishment, Your Highness.” 

Is there no way to embrace everyone? Is it impossible to gain everyone’s support? 

Ceteran nodded in response. 

It’s now ambiguous what’s right and what’s wrong. 

Feeling rushed to solidify his position, to not disappoint his mother, he felt like a horse with blinders, focusing only on what was in front of him like a carrot dangling in front of him. 

Was this what the position of authority was about, what he wanted? 

“There are rumors that Duke DeVirté intervened in this incident. Seeing the agenda to increase taxes on the commoners, he might consider supporting Your Highness the former crown prince.” 

Ceteran chewed on his lips. 

It seemed like Vehen betrayed him too. 

Sending people to investigate Min-joo hadn’t yielded much. There were also rumors of her starting a small business with Vehen to help slaves and prepare for reforms. 

Moreover, whether due to cheap money or genuine interest, there were even guards accompanying Min-joo. 

Because of the guards’ persistent interference, they couldn’t recognize anything, but there wasn’t anything notably unusual. 

It might have been a needless worry, but it still made him uneasy. 

“Now you should start preparing slowly. This party will be a very high-profile one.” 

The coronation and party were influenced by Marquess Trimidri’s breath. 

It was a fact that she was the closest aide to the crown prince. 

So if the party ended well, Marquess Trimidri’s position would be proven. Ceteran knew that but couldn’t stop it. 

If it weren’t for Marquess Trimidri, he would have had to put in effort to gain the support of the reformists.

If it weren’t for Marquess Trimidri, Ceteran would still be floundering and under the sway of the conservatives. 

Marquess Trimidri, who casually patted Ceteran’s shoulder, wore the smile of a victor. 

“Well, come out after dressing up, Your Highness.” 

The footsteps passing by the distant man were light. The sound of heels echoed on the marble floor. 

Thud, the door closed, and Ceteran clenched his fists silently. 

His shoulders felt heavy.

* * *

Min-joo was tightly controlled due to Vehen’s sudden interference from noon. 

As soon as the door was opened, Vehen’s people pushed their way in and dragged Min-joo into the dressing room. 

Unable to understand the situation, Min-joo screamed as Vehen leisurely followed her upstairs. 

“What’s going on?! Shouldn’t you explain the situation?!” 

Whether they were servants or separately hired individuals, about three people checked Min-joo’s hair and examined her skin condition. 

Min-joo, looking bewildered at those measuring her size, yelled at Vehen standing beyond the door. 

“What is this, seriously?!” 

“You like parties. I’m taking you.” 

“What kind of party? Well, I do like parties!” 

With a swish, her outerwear was removed, and Vehen quickly turned around. There was a thud from behind. 

Vehen subtly shifted sideways, leaning against the wall and gazing into the air. 

“Coronation party. Instead of leaving it to Lady Velirian, you can go there yourself and see.” 

“Ah! Stop undressing me! I’ll do it, I’ll go!” 

Sounds of rustling followed. They were probably choosing clothes. 

What would she appear like? A dress billowing behind her according to the trend would be pretty, or a neat dress as usual would be nice too. 

No matter what she wore, it would surely be beautiful, and just the thought of it made her excited. 

Min-joo’s distracted responses ended the conversation. 

That was inevitable. 

After abruptly undressing her and measuring her body size in her confusion, they laid out several dazzling dresses in front of her. 

“Your skin is so fair, so red would suit you very well, don’t you think?” 

“The Duke’s outfit is blue, so how about matching it? Are you not in a romantic relationship?”  

Whether they were designers’ employees or not, they held up dresses to Min-joo’s body and sought opinions. 

As Min-joo nervously checked the dresses, the question about being in a romantic relationship made her freeze. 

A lover. Clothes that felt like they were worn to match a lover. A partner for the party. 

The words were so unfamiliar that they didn’t evoke any thoughts. 

At the same time, her chest felt hot as if a fire had ignited inside, and she felt as if she were swaying like ripples on a lake.

“Are you not a lover?”

“Oh, we’ve been too pushy, haven’t we? I’m sorry.” 

The two looked at each other awkwardly, exchanging glances as they chuckled. 

“No, we’re lovers….” 

Min-joo glanced through the mirror at Vehen behind the wall and pursed her lips. 

She felt like her face would burst from embarrassment. Was this what being in a relationship was like? 

Then one of the staff members hesitantly picked up a dress. 

“Right?! How about this purple dress? It’s adorned with exquisite decorations, yet not too flashy, so it will suit you well.” 

The purple dress was very extravagant. It didn’t have loud patterns, but it was adorned with unnecessary lace all over. 

It was a dress adorned with jewels, very luxurious, seemingly tailored to Vehen’s lineage. 

As if it were specifically made to match his side. 

If she were to wear this and enter the party together, would they look like lovers wherever they went? 

Would it be any different from pretending to be lovers with Permette? 

‘I don’t want to embarrass Vehen. I don’t want to be ashamed.’ 

She didn’t know noble etiquette or how to speak like a noble. She might become a laughingstock. 

Did she worry about such things when she went to the party with Permette? Did she worry about embarrassing him? 

No. She felt awkward and anxious. 

The reason Min-joo hesitated to go to the party now was that she didn’t want to harm someone she liked. 

‘Even if we lightly started dating, a lover is still a lover.’ 

The thought didn’t last long because changing clothes was painful. 

She struggled with the corset, puffed up the skirt with panniers, and assembled the dress. 

It was her first time. The most complex and cumbersome outfit Min-joo had worn was a dress she wore to a friend’s wedding. 

‘Did everyone buy these things and wear them?’ 

Eating, snacking, walking, breathing in such clothes? 

The puffed sleeves rustled, and the bare shoulders were self-explanatory. 

It was hard to breathe, and her head spun. 

She couldn’t bend her waist, and at the same time, touching her hair felt like it was pulling her scalp tightly. 

“Wait, wait… hold on! Is this right?!” 

“Yes? Oh, would you prefer something delicate after all? But don’t worry, dresses like this are in fashion now!” 

“No, I’d rather wear that one! Take this off, I want to wear that one!” 

If it was something delicate, it would be the type of dress that Neriant wore at Count Velirian’s house. 

Except for the slightly pointed front and the tightness around the lower chest, there wouldn’t be such a comfortable dress of that style. 

And Min-joo’s guess was correct. 

After removing the corset and panniers, Min-joo could barely wear the blue dress. 

She didn’t need to wear long, itchy gloves, and she was prepared for the cold with a shawl. 

Min-joo looked at herself in the mirror. 

‘It seems presentable even to me.’

As a partner to Vehen, not embarrassing. 

After a fierce battle, Min-joo sighed and staggered out. 

Feeling her presence, Vehen stepped away from the wall and approached the door. 

“….” 

Vehen looked at Min-joo. His face turned red in an instant.