I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 153

Episode 153

Of course, marriage was also a matter that Ceteran was pondering. 

Marrying would solidify his influence and resolve succession issues. Moreover, it was only natural for Ceteran to desire marriage since he loves Neriant. 

Ceteran furrowed his brows, seeming frustrated with a reddened face.

“I’ll handle the marriage myself. I’m already working on convincing Lady Velirian.” 

Ceteran replied with a hint of annoyance.

Vehen chuckled playfully as if mocking.

“You seem quite determined.”

Ceteran, feeling irritated by Vehen’s teasing, closed his mouth at the sound of a knock on the door.

“Marquess Trimidri has requested a visit.” 

The butler who entered cautiously announced upon opening the door.

Marquess Trimidri seemed reluctant to pay the penalty.

Vehen glanced at Ceteran, wondering if he would accept the visit. Ceteran was contemplating. His furrowed brows and gaze fixed on the ground indicated deep thought.

“Are you considering going?” 

Vehen asked, puzzled. Ceteran sighed and rubbed his face with his hand.

“I’ll think about it and answer by tomorrow.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” 

The butler replied before closing the door and retreating.

Once the butler was gone, Vehen stood before Ceteran.

Seated on a lavish chair, Ceteran looked frail and exhausted, as if seeking refuge from a storm.

“It’s unnecessary to go. What will you do if rumors of a connection arise?”

“I have something to confirm.”

“What is it?”

Ceteran remained silent. Despite his serious demeanor, it seemed unlikely he was up to anything strange.

Vehen refrained from nagging or mocking as usual and handed over some documents.

After a while, Vehen stood up. It was pointless to stay longer, as it wouldn’t benefit Ceteran in his role as the prince.

“I’ll come again.”

Ceteran muttered a quiet farewell to Vehen as he left.

Seeing that reality struck Vehen.

Despite his repeated lives, Ceteran is a person, and he has a life of his own.

This is the first time Min-joo has ever responded so strongly to those who insulted her, and the first time Ceteran has ever been at the mercy of Marquess Trimidri and nearly destroyed the Empire.

Just because time repeats doesn’t mean everything is known.

Vehen felt arrogant, thinking he could control and plan everything.

“Yes, I’ll come again.”

Vehen smiled faintly as the door closed.

Wisdom and ignorance were just a thin line apart.

He realized it anew.

However, nothing changed.

Vehen had to accomplish what Min-joo desired and also needed to check on the recent whereabouts of Permette, whom he hadn’t been in touch with lately. There was much to be done. 

His mind was crowded with numerous thoughts that would gather intensely only to dissipate like waves. At such times, he would create mental shelves to organize his thoughts.

‘I miss her……’

As he neatly arranged the last book and placed it on the shelf, he suddenly longed for Min-joo. Even though he had seen her and seen her again, he still missed her.

The corridor with its large glass windows, basking in sunlight, had been a place visited hundreds, if not thousands, of times. There were times when it was lively, times when it was eerily dark, and times when it was as breathtakingly beautiful as it was now.

There was a moment when he had considered becoming emperor for Min-joo. He had thought it might be best to place Min-joo in the Empress’ position and rule the country together. However, neither of them had any desire to swallow up the country, and he felt that Min-joo, as a commoner, would only endure the palace’s intrigues, jealousy, and disrespect.

She had always kept silent about her affairs and had always run away from them.

‘So I thought I had to protect her. That’s how it is with personal matters. I thought I had to protect the country too.’

Min-joo was someone who didn’t know how to look at herself while loving others. There was no way for her to achieve something for herself. She did a lot for others, for the weak, for the people.

But on the day she emerged from the courtroom, he realized, seeing her confront them even to the point of madness when she would have just passed by as usual.

‘You’ve changed.’

She, alive, had changed, and developed, and he was amazed and entranced by it. Her appearance, unseen during many repeated lives, had grown overwhelmingly enough to be overwhelming even if she died right away.

At the same time, Vehen felt trapped in his own unchanged state.

Everything was changing, but he remained the same.

Vehen believed without a doubt that they would walk side by side, but he became afraid that she would surpass him.

Was it jealousy? Or obsession? But whatever it was, he couldn’t say it to her.

Because he wants to be someone Min-joo can always rely on. Because he promised to protect her, it has to be that way.

Even if he showed weakness, and shed tears, he ultimately has the strength to protect her.

He will protect her. Even if he can’t bear the burden of a grand plan and end up dying.

Only her.

“Your Excellency.”

Permette approached from the end of the corridor.

The direction Permette was coming from was usually where the Empress frequented.

Meeting the Empress was usually left to Ceteran and Vehen, and Permette rarely had reason to meet the Empress.

There wasn’t even a need to meet in the first place. After all, they had always worked by having Vehen receive instructions and relay them to Permette.

“Rolfreme, what brings you here?”

The sunlight sprawled on the floor like a net. Permette standing on it looked like a beautiful mermaid caught in a net, hiding his fierce expression behind his beautiful appearance. Permette responded casually with a nonchalant smile.

“Her Majesty has issued instructions regarding work.”

“Her Majesty?”

“Yes.”

Why would Nelsie summon Permette? Even if she did, she would usually go through Vehen or Ceteran. Something seemed off, but without certainty, it couldn’t be easily mentioned.

“So, what instructions did you receive?”

“It’s confidential.”

What could be the confidential matter that Nelsie instructed Permette about? Perhaps something harmful to someone. But it wasn’t something that even Vehen was unaware of. No, perhaps it had been kept confidential from the start, hence the unawareness.

Thinking like that made him uneasy, but he shrugged it off. Vehen stood beside Permette and spoke.

“Let’s go back together.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

A subtle sense of discomfort rose from his toes.

* * *

Min-joo visited Hiltate and encountered the staff. 

It hadn’t been that long, but many people had changed. It felt good to see them finding their own lives, but it also felt bittersweet.

Andy still managed the third floor, and she handed him a well-organized chart that made it easy to understand the building’s flow.

Initially, there wasn’t much for Min-joo to do. She had assigned necessary staff such as lawyers and financial managers, so occasionally coming to check was enough.

“The café seems to be doing well?”

“Desserts sell well. The newly developed drinks are popular too.”

The café manager explained, and Min-joo nodded, flipping to the next page. The theater on the first floor had the highest sales.

The theater had always been exclusive to the nobles and the wealthy middle class, but after drastically lowering the prices, commoners who wanted to enjoy entertainment started visiting frequently. Moreover, thanks to Vehen’s help, even high-ranking nobles visited, resulting in significant profits.

“Is there anything else needed for the theater?”

“No. There’s a permanent theater troupe, and there’s no shortage of costumes or props. The upcoming play we’re preparing for is already gaining attention.”

Is it okay for things to go so smoothly? Min-joo nodded with mixed feelings.

The script Min-joo and Tedric had reviewed together had already completed the contract, and preparations for the play were underway. Perhaps with multiple plays, profits would increase even more. Feeling momentarily scared of sitting on a huge fortune, she felt that everyone wanted to avoid reality somehow, even in chaotic times.

So, her mood was uncertain. After finishing all the checks, Min-joo called Andy separately.

“How’s it going?”

Seating Andy, who had been called to the office separately, she cautiously asked.

Andy had noticeably gained weight compared to before, giving a plump appearance. Fidgeting with a coffee cup, Andy began to talk about the situation.

“Lady Meghini is leading the reformist group well. There are occasional dissatisfactions expressed based on social status, but I believe Lady Meghini will handle the issue. She’s not as shaky as expected.”

She looked much stronger and more cautious than when they met at the café.

Having clear goals was important, but the most crucial thing was being a good person. Someone who didn’t consider sacrificing others for their goals as natural.

That was enough. Min-joo thought that someone who led reforms like Marquess Trimidri but sacrificed commoners shouldn’t become a leader.

“That’s fortunate. How about the preparations for the protests?”

“Everyone is passionate, but the return of Her Majesty the Empress has made things chaotic this time.”

They talked about the revolution. Min-joo thought Andy was capable, with good situational awareness and quick judgment. Moreover, being a trustworthy person, others trusted and followed Andy.

Having a good person by her side was fortunate, but sometimes it felt burdensome. She wasn’t such a good person herself.

After finishing the conversation with Andy, she left the office. Andy went straight up to the third floor, and Min-joo planned to buy snacks and return home.

She saw Permette approaching from a distance.

Seeing Permette after quite a while, Min-joo’s face brightened.

“Peril!”

Permette approached with a lovely smile. He was dressed up unusually, wearing a neat suit.

Min-joo quickly walked over and stood in front of Permette. Permette spread his arms with a gentle smile.

“Can I hug you?”

“Of course!”

Although it hadn’t been so long since they last met, Min-joo felt genuinely happy, probably because they used to see each other so often.

Min-joo immediately hugged Permette’s waist and patted his back.

Permette hugged Min-joo’s back tightly and took a deep breath.

“Why haven’t you visited often? Were you busy?”

“Yes, a bit busy. How have you been?”

The soft voice and warm tone. The subtle smell of gunpowder was nowhere to be found.

Min-joo was hidden behind Permette’s large frame.

“I missed you….”

The quiet sentence felt poignant.

Like a paper soaked in water about to tear, as if trying to suppress emotions somehow.

Min-joo wondered if treating Permette as a friend was the right thing.

But he had asked to be treated as a friend and said he didn’t want to drift apart.

Was this really the right choice for them?

Min-joo wanted to ask Permette.