I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 154

Episode 154

The worry was there, but Permette didn’t show any overt expression of it. 

It seemed like a form of restraint. 

The desperate arms and buried head, trembling thinly and swallowing dry saliva, all indicated a thirst for Min-joo, but Permette had to swallow emotions beyond that.

“Min-joo, I have something to ask.”

“What is it?”

Min-joo blinked slowly at Permette’s quiet voice and released her hold on his back. Permette didn’t let go of Min-joo, just stood there quietly, holding her.

“What do you mean by a good person?” 

Min-joo rolled her eyes and looked at Permette’s side profile. It wasn’t visible properly, but Min-joo sensed Permette’s subtle atmosphere. 

A starting point before making a decision. He came to Min-joo to find answers and directions.

Min-joo grabbed Permette’s forearm, but his firm grip didn’t falter. 

“A good person… has many meanings. Socially, it’s someone just and willing to sacrifice for others, but for me…”

Standing side by side, Min-joo tapped her toe, organizing her thoughts before speaking again. 

“The kind of person I want is someone who treats me well. Someone who doesn’t make me sad or angry.”

“If I make you sad or angry… does that make me a bad person?”

There wasn’t a sense of fear or worry in his question. He seemed certain.

Min-joo gently pushed Permette’s forearm away and stepped back. 

“I don’t know. What do you think?”

The Permette Min-joo knew lacked some humanity, having a mechanical aspect to him. Like inputting data and outputting results. Min-joo hoped he would contemplate and justify his actions. And perhaps, if Permette made her sad or angry, he would have reasons and could be forgiven.

They hadn’t been on good terms before, but she couldn’t ignore the affection she had invested.

“I’m not sure. I don’t know how much it takes to make you sad or angry.”

Permette’s unclear response trailed off. He seemed more like a machine than ever, even resembling a young child learning to walk.

His troubled face, with widened eyebrows, was beautiful yet reminiscent of a scared child.

Min-joo smiled as she lightly tapped Permette’s forearm. 

“Think from Peril’s perspective. What would make Peril angry with me?”

Permette had been angry with Min-joo several times before. When she returned silently to her original world when she didn’t look for him upon her return and laughed with Vehen… 

But… even then, he couldn’t bring himself to dislike Min-joo over such things.

Permette loved Min-joo. It wasn’t a fleeting emotion that could disappear over trivial matters.

“I don’t think I’d consider you a bad person even if you get angry.” 

His response felt like saying he would love her no matter what she did, so Min-joo smiled awkwardly.

His affectionate gaze resembled Vehen’s to the point of confusion.

What could she say to Permette, who was human yet didn’t understand humans, to make him easily comprehend? Perhaps, even if she explained in detail, he wouldn’t understand without experiencing it firsthand.

With a playful smile, Min-joo lightly tapped Permette’s toes. 

“Peril, I… I’m okay with getting hurt myself. But I don’t want the person I care about to get hurt or struggle. So, even if you do something that makes me struggle, it’s okay.”

Her affectionate yet self-deprecating statement stirred Permette’s thoughts. 

Was he sad? Angry? Scared? It was hard to pinpoint his emotions exactly, but one thing was certain. He would have to hurt Min-joo deeply in the future.

He didn’t want that. He wished he would get hurt instead, while Min-joo would be happy.

Despite knowing that a lovely smile, a kiss, affectionate gestures, and playful banter wouldn’t be directed towards him.

‘…I just want you to be happy.’

The sacrificial love is commonly found in books. Min-joo used to think it was cheesy and absurd. People are selfish creatures, so who sacrifices their lives and gives everything to someone else?

But now she might understand. What drove them to sacrifice? What made them decide and give themselves?

Permette wore the most beautiful smile Min-joo had ever seen. It was pure and lovely.

“Understood. Thank you for your kind answer.”

“I hope Peril becomes happy.”

Min-joo laughed bashfully, momentarily lost in Permette’s smile. She had nothing to offer him, and what he desired was something she couldn’t give. All she could do was wish for Permette’s happiness.

Permette smiled softly and stepped back. The window’s shadow drew a line between them.

He retreated as if avoiding that line.

“I hope the same for you.”

With a cheerful smile, Permette turned and disappeared, leaving Min-joo standing there silently, watching his retreating figure until he vanished from sight.

She didn’t know why he came here or what he was facing. But she hoped he would make the right choice, the good decision.

* * *

With the revolution on the horizon, the relationship between the nobility and the commoners had deteriorated to an extreme extent. 

While the Empress’ safe return and restoration to her position were positive developments, Nelsie was in chaos as Ceteran recklessly manipulated the stable state finances and policies. 

The cost of maintaining Nelsie’s dignity was exorbitant, and the extravagant parties held to showcase their influence incurred immense expenses.

Thanks to Permette’s groundwork, Andy’s assistance, and the efforts of the reformists, even commoners uninvolved in the revolution were persuaded.

“Is it worth participating in the revolution?”

“Even if we do, the nobles are the ones who decide the laws anyway. We can’t do much.”

People had mixed feelings about constitutional monarchy, but the most crucial point was that the country wouldn’t be unstable solely under the rule of one emperor anymore. That alone was reason enough to push for constitutional monarchy.

“We’re planning to use firearms.”

Andy conveyed the situation to Min-joo, explaining how the protests would proceed. Min-joo was hesitant about using guns and worried about the potential for injuries.

After some deliberation, she wondered if using something like sleeping pills or muscle relaxants would be better. So, she asked Robert.

“Sleeping pills? Muscle relaxants? Isn’t it easier to just put everyone to sleep with magic instead of shooting them one by one? It’s distasteful, really distasteful.”

Robert responded, showing no interest in doing something that others might find distasteful.

“Still, it would be better if we could put them to sleep.”

“To put them to sleep, you have to put everyone to sleep. There’s no picking and choosing.”

Min-joo couldn’t argue further after Robert expressed her disdain, even though she thought meticulous control would be challenging, even for a genius.

Then she thought of Fortis. Fortis and the apothecary helping her might have the answer.

So, three days after meeting him, she asked Permette to visit the mansion.

Permette greeted Min-joo casually, acting as if nothing was amiss.

“Is it okay to meet Fortis?”

Her tone was uncharacteristically cautious, full of worry.

Min-joo awkwardly smiled, not knowing how Fortis might have changed since the cannibal incident.

“Is it dangerous?”

“She’s insane.”

If Permette, who wasn’t easily impressed, said that, then Fortis must have truly gone mad. After all, she wouldn’t have experimented on innocent people if she wasn’t insane in the first place.

Min-joo hesitantly descended into the basement with a mix of anticipation and worry. Permette followed her in to protect her.

“It’s dark down here.”

“Watch your step.”

The stairs stretched far into the darkness, emitting a foul odor that grew stronger with each step downward. Min-joo cautiously descended, gripping Permette’s arm with one hand while the other held onto the wall. The stone stairs echoed loudly with each footfall.

As they neared the basement, a pungent stench of blood and filth filled the air. Despite attempts at ventilation, being underground made it difficult. Min-joo felt nauseated.

Following Permette’s guidance, Min-joo walked towards the room at the end of the basement. Through the barred windows, she could see indistinguishable figures writhing and making noises.

“What’s going on?”

“It’s a secret. Just look ahead.”

They were probably Permette’s underground dating partners. Min-joo was reminded once again that Permette was always submissive to her. That was just how he was.

Even if you hide your claws and teeth, a fierce tiger cannot become a docile cat.

As they passed through the eerie sounds and foul smells, they finally reached their destination, and it grew fainter. Permette opened the door.

Inside, the room was larger than expected, filled with various tools.

“…An interrogation room?”

“A treatment room.”

Permette whispered to Min-joo and gently pushed her inside.

Caught off guard, Min-joo looked around the room.

The strong smell of alcohol, candles lining the walls for illumination, knives, needles, threads, and various harsh-looking medical instruments filled the room.

“Visitor. Come out.”

Permette shook a bell fixed to the wall, and an unpleasant squeaking noise came from the curtained side room.

“…Min-joo?”

Pushing a wheelchair with both hands, Fortis appeared. She looked relatively neat, but the shadows under her eyes showed exhaustion. Her skin was pallid and her hair and lips dry, as if she hadn’t seen light for a lifetime.

But her eyes sparkled with energy. This must have been true happiness for her.

“Fortis.”

“Have you been well? Your bangs have grown a lot. It’s time for a trim.”

Fortis acted nonchalantly like she did when running a clothing store. She casually rolled closer to Min-joo.

Permette guided Min-joo to a chair.

“So, what brings Min-joo here? You don’t seem injured.”

“I have a request.”

“What is it?”

Min-joo voiced her request.

“Please make sleeping pills or muscle relaxants.”

Upon hearing this, a bright smile spread across Fortis’ lips.

It was a grin filled with madness, a strange smile.