I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 145

Episode 145

It’s mind-boggling and absurd.

After spending the night together, Min-joo thought things would improve, but they only got worse.

Suddenly showing up, barely saying a word, and then leaving after just seeing each other’s faces, or bringing piles of documents claiming it’s better to work together and sitting glued to the office desk.

Asking for her hand but then holding onto it all day, and at times, not even bothering to ask if it’s okay to let go once held.

So, it’s absurd. How did she ever put up with this person?

The most unjust thing is that she didn’t dislike it. She didn’t mind the aggressive physical affection and expressions of affection, like a bulldozer pushing forward.

“Really… it’s embarrassing, so let’s stop.”

“Just one more kiss.”

“No, are you a ghost unable to kiss properly? You’re a kissing ghost, indeed.”

“Fine, I won’t say that again.”

“Why say it at all?”

So, when Vehen asked if she didn’t dislike it, she couldn’t say she did. Despite feeling chills at becoming accustomed to Vehen like this, Min-joo also thought it wasn’t so bad.

Without a word, Min-joo closed her eyes and leaned in, offering her lips.

Bending down, Vehen kissed Min-joo’s lips and then stepped back.

Being in public didn’t bother them, and kissing on the courthouse steps felt rather fresh and exhilarating.

Perhaps because it was winter, Vehen’s lips felt cold when they touched.

“Your lips are cold. They might freeze soon.”

“Am I drooling like a dog or something?”

“It’s not that different, I suppose.”

At Min-joo’s firm response, Vehen let out a fake laugh.

Upon reflection, it wasn’t that different. Just like a dog eagerly wagging its tail when it sees Min-joo, it was almost no different than giving a hand when asked or giving kisses when asked.

Vehen pulled his arm from Min-joo’s grasp and changed the subject.

“Let’s go. It’s cold, isn’t it?”

“It’s not as cold as Korea. Feels like the peak of winter.”

“Do you have glaciers and penguins around in your hometown?”

“What nonsense. It’s not that extreme.”

They chatted aimlessly as they entered the courthouse. Today, they felt an unfounded confidence that things would go well.

The trial began swiftly.

The outcome was already evident as the nobles aggressively pursued their interests.

With the help of Permette, news of Marquess Trimidri’s misdeeds had spread, and the trial was conducted in private to prevent angry mobs from gathering.

Min-joo was allowed to attend as Vehen’s partner, and because of that, all eyes followed her every move.

“The trial shall commence.”

With the judge’s seat taken, the trial proceeded.

Based on evidence obtained from the military, it was undeniable that Marquess Trimidri, without authority, had ordered the excessive suppression of protesters, which in turn angered the commoners and led to attacks on nobles.

Furthermore, despite witnessing the aftermath, they resorted to violence again to quell subsequent protests, resulting in numerous casualties, leaving no room to avoid punishment.

Marquess Trimidri sat stoically.

“She was temporarily delegated to assist His Highness the Crown Prince with his heavy workload.”

The hired lawyer, paid a hefty sum, was already being criticized in society, determined to lead the trial to victory.

Documents bearing Ceteran’s signature stated that power was delegated to properly assist and support him in his duties.

The police officer handling the case refuted this.

Since it’s difficult to ascertain when the evidence was compiled, I don’t believe it can be deemed suitable evidence.”

The judge scanned the documents and placed them on the desk.

“It will be admitted as evidence.”

A grumbling voice echoed. Min-joo was suspicious whether this trial hadn’t been manipulated by Marquess Trimidri and Ceteran.

The judge, seemingly annoyed, swiftly proceeded with the trial.

When the police raised an issue, it was conveniently ignored.

“Are the witnesses present?”

Already looking for witnesses?

Min-joo furrowed her brow. Vehen held Min-joo’s hand and placed it on his thigh.

Turning her head, she saw Vehen also wearing a doubtful expression.

It seemed neither the police nor anyone else involved was adequately prepared for the hastily arranged trial.

“…What if everyone from the police to the judge is in cahoots?”

Min-joo whispered in Vehen’s ear. Vehen quietly responded in Min-joo’s ear.

“It’s possible. There were several of Marquess Trimidri’s people in the police as well. But there’s nothing we can do about it. Sadly.”

Vehen frowned nervously.

All they could do was raise objections after the trial.

Moreover, with the Crown Prince behind Marquess Trimidri, his power was not insignificant.

Ceteran sat on the witness stand.

His sharp features and intense red eyes felt fiercer than before.

After declaring he wouldn’t lie, Ceteran began his testimony.

“I was indeed delegated authority, and I used it appropriately. I’ve had ample discussions, and she’s a very loyal subordinate.”

His face lacked the passion it once had when he fervently argued for justice and the conviction of guilty parties for the sake of the people.

What had caused this change in him?

The weighty crown of the Crown Prince? His immense responsibility? Is reality crashing down on him?

For whatever reason, it was undeniable that Ceteran was fading away.

With a tired expression, Ceteran argued for Marquess Trimidri’s innocence.

“The reason Marquess Trimidri had no choice but to suppress the protest was because the first protest occurred during the coronation party attended by dignitaries. Many diplomats from other countries as well as numerous nobles were present, and they were terrified. The protesters were carrying torches and had even reached the front gates, threatening us. It was an unavoidable decision for safety.”

No, that wasn’t it.

All they had were torches, and the most they could do was shout behind the huge iron gate.

Ceteran was craftily lying.

“The second reason was that the protesters were carrying weapons. Considering the large number of people and the suspicion of rebellion, we had to suppress them. During the suppression, there were numerous casualties even within the military.”

A queasy feeling settled in Min-joo’s stomach. She couldn’t understand the purpose of this trial anymore.

Why couldn’t Ceteran reject Marquess Trimidri, knowing it contradicted his beliefs?

Why did he desperately gaze at Vehen and Min-joo?

“Thanks to Marquess Trimidri, we were able to abolish the slave system. Additionally, after the coronation, laws were enacted with Marquess Trimidri’s assistance for the convenience of the people in the provinces. I don’t believe someone trying to oppress the commoners and incite rebellion would do such things.”

With Ceteran, the Crown Prince’s testimony, the trial tilted heavily in one direction.

It was a perfect defeat.

Although the police tried to present the surviving family of the accused in the murder of the noble with a false charge, it was rejected for not being valid witnesses.

The reason was the lack of evidence directly linked to Marquess Trimidri.

Desperate, they tried presenting other nobles as witnesses, but no one was willing to stand against Marquess Trimidri, especially with the Crown Prince supporting her.

Therefore, the police finally brought up the last witness they had postponed.

“…No information about the identity is provided.”

The witness’s identity was not accurately documented. Although legally not an issue, witnesses with unclear identities were generally not accepted due to decreased credibility.

The judge, seemingly not expecting the last witness to have a significant impact, readily accepted.

It seemed like a move to maintain the appearance of fairness if all witnesses were rejected.

“Who is the witness?”

Min-joo whispered to Vehen’s ear, and Vehen shrugged his shoulders. It was beyond his knowledge.

Even someone deeply involved in the trial like Vehen seemed clueless, suggesting that this person might not have any influence on the trial.

As the witness was called, a person rose from the seat.

Clad in a long hooded cloak that obscured her features, she seemed like a woman.

The witness stood on the witness stand and, after listening to the judge’s scolding, finally removed her hood.

“…Empress?”

Nelsie, dressed simply, stood on the witness stand.

A bewildering voice filled the room.

Nelsie, as if expecting such a reaction, casually removed her robe and let it fall to the floor.

“…Why is the Empress here!”

Marquess Trimidri, who had been sitting calmly, stood up in shock.

It was a spectacle.

In this chaos, Nelsie was the only one who remained composed.

Nelsie looked at the judge with an indifferent expression, and only after he repeatedly shouted for silence did the courtroom quiet down.

Nelsie, with an impassive face, gazed into the air and began her testimony.

“I am the deceased Empress. The Empress killed by Marquess Trimidri.”

Audible gasps echoed throughout the room.

The police seemed to have quickly gathered the paperwork for questioning, but they appeared tense.

Min-joo and Vehen were also bewildered.

They had attended her funeral, and Min-joo had even opposed Ceteran and destroyed evidence related to the death.

Nelsie spoke with a steady, monotone voice, her vivid green eyes shining.

“Marquess Trimidri drugged me, abducted me while I was unconscious, and staged my death. It was a scheme to overthrow my son, Prince Tedric. Marquess Trimidri, being a reformist, fiercely opposed the conservative Prince Tedric. You can confirm this with the testimonies of other nobles and records from the palace.”

Marquess Trimidri’s face turned pale.

She had tried to kill her. She had even investigated how to do it.

Nelsie continued, her calm demeanor slowly boiling into anger.

“Marquess Trimidri imprisoned me and persuaded my son, Prince Ceteran, to seize power. Furthermore, to achieve her goals, she murdered conservative nobles and framed commoners. I couldn’t rebel against Marquess Trimidri out of fear, but I managed to escape with the help of a maid and stand here.”

The flat tone of her voice gradually rose with anger.

“Isn’t it clear that Marquess Trimidri, who is accused of regicide and the murder of nobles, could harm commoners too?”

Her enraged green eyes bore fiercely into Marquess Trimidri.

Though her actions seemed insignificant, her imposing presence made the onlookers swallow nervously, feeling the tension in the air.

“I witnessed Marquess Trimidri’s atrocities with trembling fear!”

“Lies! Didn’t Your Majesty willingly take the potion and hide your body? You also harmed conservative nobles!”

Marquess Trimidri screamed in desperation. But from the moment the supposedly deceased Empress returned, there was no hope for Marquess Trimidri.

Min-joo turned pale and looked at Ceteran, who sat far away, while Nelsie’s face, filled with countless emotions, turned toward Marquess Trimidri.

“…Mother.”

The softly murmured words could be inferred from his quivering lips.

“Why did I stand in court without even confirming my son’s safety? Because I would surely face great danger if I were discovered by Marquess Trimidri! I might even lose my life without seeing my son’s face!”

Nelsie, with a distorted face, pointed a finger at Ceteran.

Then, Ceteran, as if possessed, stood up and faced Nelsie.

“Your Highness! Please calm down!”

“Your Highness, please compose yourself!”

The nobles and guards watching intervened to stop Ceteran, but he only struggled weakly with a lifeless face.

“…Mother, Mother! Ahh, ahh!”

Ceteran wailed as he was held back by the guards.

Anger. Sorrow. Joy. Fear. Terror. And then anger again.

Ceteran’s cries were filled with these emotions.