I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 133

Episode 133

“Now what are you saying…?” 

Vehen’s words trailed off as if in bewilderment.

Ceteran clung desperately. It must have been difficult for him to easily sever ties with his long-time friend.

“I know you made the wrong decision because of that prophesying woman. DeVirté, Vehen, I’ll forgive you, so let’s be together again.”

Min-joo remained silent. She looked like a shadow of her former self, having been turned into a scapegoat.

Who made the prince into what he is now? Without even properly understanding.

And who forgives whom? Even if they apologize to each other, it won’t be enough.

From the moment her story was mentioned, there was enough reason to intervene.

As Min-joo hesitated and grabbed the doorknob, the door creaked open.

Vehen was standing there.

“You…”

He must have sensed someone at the door, but he didn’t expect Min-joo to be there. Vehen looked down at Min-joo in surprise.

As Min-joo awkwardly smiled, Ceteran frowned at her.

“It’s not a story for you to hear. Leave.”

Ceteran glared menacingly.

Ceteran, who had been underestimated, seemed like a powerful figure now. He appeared lofty and intimidating, just like when they first met.

As Min-joo shrank back, Vehen blocked her way. It was a clear boundary and protection.

Vehen murmured.

“Our conversation wasn’t particularly remarkable, was it?”

“What do you mean? Our conversation wasn’t remarkable?”

Ceteran was angry.

He had every right to be angry. Min-joo felt she shouldn’t interfere and pressed her lips against the door.

“I don’t think I misunderstood what you did, and from the way you’re acting, you don’t look like you want to get back together.”

“That is not the case, and don’t you realize that the whole point of attending the party was to meet and speak with His Highness, haven’t you been told by the Marquess Trimidri?”

When Marquess Trimidri’s name was mentioned, Ceteran furrowed his brow as if to say, ‘What nonsense is this?’

“Why Marquess Trimidri? I came at the invitation of Lady Velirian.”

Surely he had asked Marquess Trimidri, who had promised to arrange a meeting at the party.

Realizing from Ceteran’s reaction that Marquess Trimidri hadn’t conveyed the message, she was glad she had sent a letter to Neriant.

Perhaps the letter convinced Ceteran to talk to Vehen as she had asked.

Vehen was furious that Marquess Trimidri had not kept her promise, even though she had negotiated with him.

“No, that’s not it. What I can say is that I apologize for acting recklessly without reporting to Your Highness and I hope for reconciliation.”

“What difference does it make now that you say that?”

Ceteran spat out the sentence.

He seemed both self-pitying and overwhelmed by sadness.

“I can’t understand it. Did I seem like an obstacle? Did I seem like someone who would rush to Empress to report?”

Unable to control his growing anger, Ceteran buried his face in his hands.

“I can’t trust you anymore. How could I? You’ve already done things behind my back. Are you trying to exploit my weaknesses now that you know them?”

Ceteran looked confused. The numerous trials he had faced in a short period had left him incomplete.

He seemed eager to maintain control of the conversation. Perhaps he didn’t want to appear weak.

“All right, have you found the sorcerer? I could have you sent to the gallows for conspiring with a sorcerer.”

Ceteran grimaced and lifted his head menacingly.

It was terrifying. Min-joo stiffened as she swallowed her dry spit.

She didn’t want to be falsely accused of being a sorcerer again, and if Min-joo were to be accused of being a sorcerer and faced the threat of execution, others would be as well.

Eventually, because of Min-joo, they would all be branded as villains who conspired with sorcerers.

How should she justify herself? No, there was no need to justify herself in the first place.

If he wanted to, not only Min-joo but others could have been sorcerers or villains as well.

The pressure from Ceteran was considerable. It felt like being a herbivore in front of a predator, reflexively shrinking away.

“What are you doing now?”

His voice was heavy with menace. It was so low and fierce that it sent shivers down the spine.

Yet, there was nothing to fear. It was a strange sensation.

Min-joo grabbed Vehen’s sleeve as if entranced.

“That’s not a weakness. Rather, it seems Your Highness is not interested in reconciliation.”

Vehen frowned and faced Ceteran. He seemed quite upset by Ceteran’s attempt to grab hold of weaknesses and threaten.

“I haven’t found or met any sorcerer.”

“Then what did I hear? That you were looking for a sorcerer and even trying to find their whereabouts!”

“Do you have any evidence?”

His composed face contorted into a fierce expression, akin to a beast growling.

Ceteran laughed bitterly. Then, without suppressing his growing anger, he snapped.

“What should I believe then? Even if you claim to have acted for my benefit, it’s no different from betrayal! What if I trust you and end up betrayed for real? How can I be sure?”

Ceteran’s trust had already been shattered. Vehen was furious at Ceteran’s attitude.

As if he were the only pitiable one. Despite eventually standing there with the help of everyone.

Using him to stand there!

Vehen’s sleek black shoe twisted on the ground as if pressing it down.

“You won’t listen to anything I say, will you?”

His voice resonated like a beast’s cry. The scratching sound was harsh and sharp.

It was clear anger. Ceteran laughed bitterly, seemingly desperate, at Vehen’s attitude.

“What… don’t make it seem like I’m the one at fault. Turning me into a bad person who can’t even trust his friends, while you act innocent!”

“Your Highness, I was trying to explain. It was you who refused my explanation. Why are you blaming me?”

“The entire palace is full of enemies. I don’t know who to trust and who to push away!”

Ceteran looked unstable. He seemed extremely confused and appeared anxious as if cornered.

Min-joo thought he looked uneasy. He may have been inexperienced in his expressions before, but it was okay.

Does the palace make people miserable? If even the highest ranks live miserable lives, and the lowest ranks too, then who in this country is happy?

Min-joo stepped away from Vehen’s side and faced Ceteran.

Their emotions had already been damaged beyond repair. If left as they were, there would surely be a deep rift between them.

There was no point in further conversation. Since their positions were already firm, what was needed now was mediation.

“I had no choice but to think so. Vehen couldn’t be trusted either. He has been in a very mentally tormented state.”

Ceteran’s eyebrows twitched. Min-joo found his stern face frightening but managed to look away and speak.

“But Vehen has been by Your Highness’ side for a long time. He even dispelled the reputation of being Your Highness’ dog in society. Why don’t you trust him?”

“How can I trust him then? Even if it was for my benefit…”

Min-joo’s voice faltered. She seemed to know what he wanted to say.

“Your Highness, even if you don’t trust us, you should still be a righteous ruler. You shouldn’t wield tyranny.”

If he also wielded tyranny, peace would be lost. Ceteran grimaced and swallowed hard.

Now he doesn’t know what’s right or wrong. Min-joo’s words sounded like the whispers of a demon.

“Don’t waver. You are a just person. I won’t forget Your Highness apologizing to Pel in court.”

Ceteran firmly shut his mouth.

What he wanted to do. What he wanted to do after he ascended to the throne.

Ceteran opened his mouth as if he were about to cry. He spoke before he could even spit out the words.

“Apologize to the falsely accused victim who died!”

It was a resounding echo that couldn’t be drowned out even by music.

Silence fell in an instant.

The loud proclamation reverberated throughout the palace again.

“Forced confessions and cruel acts by the police, apologize!”

Ceteran looked around with a bewildered expression at the unintelligible sounds.

“What… what’s going on?”

Min-joo and Vehen looked at each other without needing to say anything as they witnessed his confusion.

A voice calling for Ceteran outside the break room was heard. Ceteran hurriedly rushed out.

Min-joo and Vehen stood silently for a while.

“Was the conversation well concluded?”

“Well, it seems like the relationship has been completely shattered.”

Vehen tried to respond nonchalantly. He seemed angry and upset but was trying his best not to show it.

Min-joo was worried about him.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

Vehen sighed, running a hand through his chestnut hair as it softly cascaded down.

“It seems like Marquess Trimidri has roasted Ceteran well.”

“Marquess Trimidri seems suspicious.”

Although necessary for the plan, joining hands with her felt strangely suspicious. Perhaps it was because there was never any trust in the relationship from the start.

Vehen glanced around. The atmosphere wasn’t suitable for a party. Moreover, with the protests happening, it was unlikely the party would continue.

“Let’s go back. We’ve done what we needed to.”

“Sure.”

They slowly exited the hall. Nobles were poking their heads out like meerkats, surveying the situation outside.

The air was cold, and the darkness looming in the sky was pitch black. As they stepped out from indoors, the cries outside seemed even more enormous.

“Apologize to the victims! Apologize!”

It was already time. Vehen lifted his head and looked towards the distant entrance of the palace.

The red torches lined up in front of the palace looked like a fallen Milky Way on the ground.

It was Andy’s request for the protest. At this moment, when most nobles were gathered, it was an opportunity to convey the situation peacefully and clearly.

It was a place and situation where Ceteran couldn’t respond forcefully. If he resorted to violence, it would only increase rumors of imperial tyranny and decrease support.

The small-scale protest during Ceteran’s coronation march was planned, but the current protest was organized by Andy himself. Furthermore, Permette threatened the newspapers to record the situation from a distance. Tomorrow, the news would be buzzing.

Vehen smiled.

“Min-joo, look over there. Your plan succeeded.”

His black pupils sparkled amidst the numerous lights.

The sight of possibly a hundred people shouting in unison, and the candles swaying along with the chants, was impressive.

“It’s amazing.”

Her heart swelled. Even amid winter, the sight of those at the lowest rungs coming together to convey their intentions to those at the highest was heartwarming.

More beautiful than the many light bulbs illuminating the night sky, the candles lit with purpose looked even more beautiful.

Min-joo quietly pulled at Vehen’s sleeve and spoke.

“The entrance might be blocked because of the protest, so we should go back. We also need to pressure the newspapers.”

“I’ll try to find a carriage. Do you want to go together, or wait here?”

“I’ll go with you.”

As they turned to go behind the building to call for a carriage, people began to peer out from windows and doorways.

“Is that okay? What if they start throwing things?”

“But what did the police do? Are they accusing the suspect of the noble serial murders?”

“If that’s true, then there’s a problem with the royal family too. They’re trying to cover it up before catching the culprit.”

Min-joo and Vehen, hiding in the corner, eavesdropped on the conversation of the nobles.

Things were going according to Min-joo’s plan.

Now, with the reinvestigation starting, there would be growing distrust toward the royal family.

Both conservative and reformist nobles would likely act rationally.

It would be good if the police apologized and compensated the victim’s family, but Min-joo didn’t even hope for that.

It would have been enough if they could prove that the one who unfairly lost their life was innocent.

And the voice of the common people needed to reach the royal palace again.

“It would be good if the nobles pressured Ceteran to come forward.”

Min-joo muttered quietly. Vehen nodded in agreement.

As they were about to step away, numerous footsteps echoed simultaneously.

Beyond the building where the party was held, armed guards and soldiers were rushing towards a massive iron gate, forming a line to guard it.

“What…?”

Min-joo muttered under her breath. That posture… it was as if…

Reacting instinctively, Vehen hid Min-joo behind him and held his breath. His heart started pounding.

Anxiety crept up, and the word ‘No way’ flashed through his mind.

The candlelight that illuminated the darkness began to extinguish one by one.

“Aaah!”

A scream pierced through. Soldiers from outside were suppressing the protesters.

Instead of guns and knives, they wielded batons to disperse the protesters.

The metal batons made sharp sounds as they cut through the air, and the candles that lit the night flickered and went out one by one.

Soldiers and guards standing in front of the door of the palace brandished their guns and threatened.

They didn’t fire, but the sight of armed individuals aiming their guns created terror.

“…Ceteran would go this far?”

Min-joo couldn’t believe the scene unfolding before her eyes.