I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 135

Episode 135

Vehen cautiously took Min-joo’s hand. 

Holding her plump hand somewhat calmed his heart.

A crooked branch swayed in the wind.

The winter night sky was transparent yet dark, resembling the sea. Deep and vast, as if the depths were unknowable, like the distant sea.

As winter deepened, the carriage couldn’t escape the cold.

Faint breaths escaped with each exhale.

“Will Ceteran eventually wield tyranny?”

Min-joo murmured.

Vehen pulled Min-joo’s shoulder closer.

“Well, I’m not sure what this will result in, but we need to prepare before His Majesty the Emperor abdicates. It’ll be easier to incite a revolution before His Highness Ceteran becomes emperor and consolidates power.”

Min-joo nodded silently.

Their clasped hands were warm, but the fingertips were cold.

“I didn’t think Ceteran would behave violently. He wasn’t like that before becoming the crown prince.”

“Even I agree. He has never behaved that way before. Perhaps he’s been influenced by Marquess Trimidri.”

Many things had changed for Vehen in this lifetime. So it wasn’t strange if Marquess Trimidri stuck by Ceteran and influenced him.

Marquess Trimidri had no connection with Ceteran, and Vehen had always been by his side.

If Vehen left Ceteran, he would have to live defeated by Tedric or oppressed under Nelsie.

‘Marquess Trimidri’s actions are suspicious.’

Vehen tapped Min-joo’s hand with his finger. Min-joo reciprocated, tapping his hand like playing a piano.

“Isn’t it a good idea to withdraw the reformist faction?”

Min-joo asked subtly. Vehen furrowed his brows, unable to understand his question.

“What?”

“If Marquess Trimidri is the leader. So, withdrawing the reformist faction, and bringing activists, what do you think?”

“Are you implying how long it would take?”

Convincing most of the factions takes a lot of time and effort. Success couldn’t be achieved until Min-joo returned.

When Vehen sarcastically replied, Min-joo awkwardly smiled.

“Of course, it’s like that.”

“Indeed.”

Min-joo leaned his head on Vehen’s shoulder.

After a few gestures of affection, they felt quite comfortable.

“I’ve been thinking.”

“What absurd idea have you come up with now?”

“Is it really bad luck?”

Vehen playfully laughed and firmly hugged Min-joo’s shoulder. Min-joo, understanding his attempt to lighten the mood, closed and opened his eyes slowly.

“Perhaps many things will change because of this protest.”

“They will. Taxes are rising, and the common people are not happy about it.”

Min-joo chose her words while looking out the window.

Vehen waited for Min-joo to continue without interruption.

His black eyes scanned the buildings.

It was difficult to buy even a single candle to withstand the night with just one moonlight.

“Did I do something unnecessary? I feel like I unnecessarily got involved and stirred things up.”

It was a heavy statement. Having always believed in doing the right thing, in doing good, seeing people fall made her doubt.

“I don’t regret preparing for the revolution. But I’m not sure if it’s right to claim peace by using the weak as a shield.”

“I didn’t expect violence at the coronation celebration. With so many eyes watching and considering social decorum.”

“Most don’t use it.”

“I should have considered the possibility, but I was careless.”

Min-joo lazily closed and opened her eyes. Her nose felt numb as if frozen.

“We need to check Marquess Trimidri. What about contacting the newspapers about this incident and having it featured on the front page? And it would be good if Fortis could treat the protesters.”

Vehen nodded. Marquess Trimidri was a nuisance not only to Min-joo.

* * *

Despite contacting many newspapers and pressuring them, only a few published articles that night.

However, the fact that the perpetrator of the aristocratic murder died under false charges and the brutal suppression of the protest demanding an investigation became a major topic.

Fortis went to Hiltate in a wheelchair to treat them. The apothecaries sent by Andy were assisting Fortis.

There were two apothecaries Andy selected, one of whom was brought by Min-joo.

“So, why this person?”

Tedric smiled, hiding his awkward feelings.

Having visited Min-joo’s house because of the incident, Tedric glanced at the woman sitting opposite him with caution.

“She’s an apothecary from Hitan. I thought she could assist in Princess Terisha’s treatment.”

Min-joo introduced the woman beside her, stirring the tea.

Whether to believe this or to doubt it.

From the moment he had this dilemma, it was evidence that Tedric was overly trusting of Min-joo.

The woman had short hair and seemed very quiet.

Her face was scarred in various places, and her plump body seemed stronger than expected.

Her deep purple eyes were so intense that it was hard to know what she was thinking.

“My name is Zera. I’m not fluent in the empire’s language, but I can communicate.”

Min-joo tried to persuade Tedric with a serious face.

Her heavy atmosphere gave a strange sense of trust, and even Tedric listened attentively to Min-joo’s words.

“In this country, mental health treatment hasn’t progressed, you know.”

Tedric said after swallowing clear water.

“We’ve tried various methods. We even brought several doctors from Hitan. Of course, from other countries as well. But there were no results.”

Min-joo looked at Zera. Zera glanced at Min-joo and nodded.

Zera, who appeared to be in her thirties, even had a mature voice.

“I have experience treating in Hitan.”

At those words, Tedric widened his eyes and set down his cup.

“…I’d like to hear that story properly.”

Min-joo nodded. Since Zera wasn’t proficient in the language, Min-joo took charge of explaining.

Min-joo awkwardly smiled and began her explanation.

“Well, Tedric mentioned that you distributed drugs. But from there, some people with illnesses improved. So a few apothecaries started researching. Clues were found, and when mixed with other ingredients and experimented with, although not completely cured, taking the medicine regularly could be integrated into society. It was announced very recently.”

Tedric was speechless.

The drug that was spread to prevent rebellion turned into a remedy.

Princess Terisha probably didn’t know or order it, but the situation had turned incredibly strange.

The apothecary who sold the drugs in Hitan, where the market was vast, was recognized by the resourceful Andy.

Knowing Tedric’s level of distrust, Min-joo smiled bitterly.

“You can thoroughly check and even appoint her as a doctor. You can take her to the fief received with the title and focus solely on treatment.”

He stayed in the capital to find a doctor who would quit within a week and to get medicine that wouldn’t work.

Princess Terisha couldn’t withstand the Paital.

She trembled at the sight of the palace beyond the window and resisted several times against Nelsie’s attempts to harm her.

Although it was a barren land, crops grew in the autumn, and there weren’t many people in the fief to worry about.

If Terisha’s condition improved, she could manage the fief and gain experience.

As long as he could trust that person, as they used to cherish each other in the past.

“We need to verify the remedy first. I need to see the ingredients, the mixture, and the manufacturing process myself. There will be a lot to confirm, such as social status.”

Although he didn’t show it, Tedric seemed very excited at first glance.

It seemed as if he couldn’t believe it and thought it was a dream.

How happy he must be. How much he must have longed for it.

Even if it was said to be impossible to completely cure, the hope of improvement would be very sweet.

Min-joo held Tedric’s hand and smiled.

“It’s a good thing. Really.”

“…I…I’m late. Thank you, Min-joo. I mean it.”

It would have been known only to those who knew Hitan’s language, as it was announced recently. So the empire’s doctors couldn’t have known.

The fact that there was a possibility of treatment was very joyful, and he felt so overwhelmed that he felt like crying.

Tedric lightly kissed Min-joo’s hand with a smile.

“You always give me help.”

“Because you’re mine.”

Her person. Tedric chewed on the words and swallowed tears. He looked at Min-joo, who was smiling softly.

There had been times when he considered this woman to be the descendant of a devil. There were times when he thought facing those black pupils was like being cursed.

She’s his hope. Because of her, he pushes through the darkness. She’s his beacon.

“I’m fortunate to be your person.”

He’s fortunate to have met Min-joo.

To love her is as natural as the coming of spring and the melting of snow.

Love swelled up, choking him. As he swallowed his dry saliva, love stirred in his throat.

* * *

Incidents always occur unexpectedly.

An excited individual who read the article set fire to a noble’s carriage, leading to a voluntary incident being highlighted.

It happened in the middle of the city.

Inside the carriage were members of a family, and they poured oil and set it ablaze. There were many people around.

“People are starving to death because of increased taxes!”

“A peasant family died after spending all their wealth on oil.”

It was an imitative crime. Observing this, fictionalized individuals began to attack the nobles.

They forcibly stopped noble carriages on the street, dragged them out, and exercised violence.

“You pigs who only stuff your bellies!”

“We’re the ones starving to death because of you!”

“Die! Just die already!”

The nobles died.

Following the incident, security was tightened, and there was an increase in the arbitrary apprehension and search of commoners.

Incidents even occurred where nobles were found dead in their bedrooms. Beside the corpse, written in red, was the phrase, ‘Witness the change.’

It all happened within just a week.

Nelsie, covering the newspapers, chuckled softly.

“It’s such a good thing that my actions don’t give away anything.”

The noble murdered while sleeping in his bedroom was Nelsie’s doing.

Count Mirtese. He was Tedric’s closest ally and the one who betrayed him.

Although he was betrayed, his wealth remained intact, and his social status didn’t change much.

So if Tedric were to take the throne again, he could be a great asset.

He also kept Marquess Trimidri in check, so she was someone who needed to be dealt with.

“Your Majesty, if you continue like this, the people will riot. It’s better to be cautious.”

Marquess Trimidri placed many newspapers on the table and spoke.

Nelsie raised an eyebrow with a nonchalant attitude.

“Wasn’t the reform you desired supposed to include progress? These insignificant people can be eliminated. Dealing with the conservatives should also be beneficial to you.”

Nelsie had no interest in anything other than securing Ceteran’s throne.

Marquess Trimidri looked at Nelsie with narrowed eyes, but Nelsie didn’t pay any attention and muttered to herself.

“I wonder when His Majesty the Emperor will ascend the throne.”

At those words, Marquess Trimidri clenched her fist.