I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 155

Episode 155

When Min-joo saw that eerie smile, chills ran down her spine.

The Fortis she saw at the clothing store and the Fortis now seemed like completely different people.

Min-joo felt a strange sense of unease as she leaned toward Permette.

“Can you help me, Fortis?”

“I happen to be working on medication and research. An anesthetic.”

It was a comforting news.

Fortis twisted her hair around her fingers with a captivating smile.

“It’s quite a challenge to conduct experiments and treatments while sober. That’s why I decided to research.”

It was very characteristic of Fortis. She could see why Permette disliked Fortis with a passion.

She didn’t treat people as anything more or less than test subjects.

“It won’t be long. How long do you need, Min-joo?”

Fortis’ relaxed yet seductive smile remained. Even though they were both women, Min-joo felt a rising heat from that smile.

“As soon as possible would be great.”

“Don’t worry. It won’t be long.”

Min-joo nodded at Fortis’ assurance and looked around.

Wouldn’t it be difficult to live in a place like this? She had said that she was serving her rightful punishment, but seeing how she lived made her uneasy.

But justice must be served. After all, Fortis was someone who had tried to use Min-joo as an experiment.

Leaving a note saying she was counting on her, Min-joo walked out the door.

Since Permette didn’t follow, she thought about going first, but she couldn’t bring herself to take a step forward through the disgusting smell and the darkness that didn’t show anything ahead.

So she waited.

She heard Permette and Fortis’ voices from behind the firmly closed door.

“We need more test subjects. There’s a significant chance that some people won’t wake up from the anesthesia.”

“I’ll have them ready. How soon can it be done?”

“We’re nearing the end, so I think within 2 weeks.”

It felt like hearing something she shouldn’t have. With a creepy feeling on the back of her neck, Min-joo took a few steps forward.

Where was Permette planning to use the anesthetic?

She recalled the conversation she had with Permette a few days ago.

When she asked what the standard for a good person was.

‘Isn’t it about harming someone around me?’

It might be natural to have such thoughts. Permette was a born villain, a person who had lived as a tool.

If he was taking anesthesia to harm someone for work… He wouldn’t have asked Min-joo about it.

She felt like she should persuade him to stop, but at the same time, she hesitated to doubt him.

Permette was a born villain, but he was also someone who was gradually learning emotions and becoming a better person.

Was it right to suspect him solely based on his past actions and personality?

It might hurt Permette a lot. If someone he cherishes and follows doubts him.

“Min-joo, it’s dark out. How far did you go?”

With an unpleasant sound of the door, Permette approached holding a candle. With the candlelight, Permette looked as captivating as when they first met, like a devil come to enchant people.

Min-joo awkwardly smiled as she quietly watched Permette.

“It seemed like you wanted some space for conversation.”

“You’re quite observant.”

“I guess that’s just me.”

Permette came close to Min-joo. The polished stone path seemed like it could make one slip.

Min-joo looked down and left the basement.

The corridor was filled with people pleading for mercy amidst a strong stench from both sides.

Even being in the space felt torturous, like being in a nightmare.

As they quickly ascended the high stairs and left the basement, fresh air filled their lungs.

“Going to the basement is tough.”

The pouring light made her vision blurry, and she worried about the basement smell lingering on her body.

Permette playfully nudged Min-joo’s shoulder and sniffed the air.

“It doesn’t smell bad.”

Min-joo was startled by the sudden closeness and stepped back. Permette slightly furrowed his brows as if displeased with Min-joo’s reaction, but quickly changed his expression.

“Shall we go back now?”

“Yeah, we should. You’re busy, Peril.”

“That could be seen as true or not.”

“What do you mean?”

Min-joo frowned. Permette smiled gently and escorted Min-joo to the carriage.

It was almost like being dragged along.

“I’d like to accompany you, but I’m busy as you said. Please be careful on your way back.”

Permette smiled softly until Min-joo got into the carriage.

It was a warm and lovely smile, so comforting it could melt the cold winter.

Min-joo worried about Permette. If he was troubled about something, she couldn’t solve it, but she wanted to be there for him.

Leaning forward, Min-joo placed her hand on Permette’s head.

His curly hair felt soft under her fingers.

“Thank you, Peril. You’re kind and good to me. You know that?”

Permette’s eyes widened in surprise at the sudden praise, then blinked rapidly.

He looked like a startled cat. Permette’s face turned red.

“What, what are you saying? All of a sudden.”

“Just… you like compliments, right? So why not?”

Permette’s blushing lips looked embarrassed as he lowered his head.

His head felt quite warm as if he had a fever.

Min-joo continued to gently stroke Permette’s head and smiled softly.

“You like it, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Good Peril, kind Peril.”

“Are you making fun of me?”

Permette raised his eyebrows, perhaps feeling indignant at being treated like a child.

He looked like a twenty-year-old youth with a pout.

Min-joo returned to her seat, crossing her arms.

“Peril is my friend. Thank you so much for helping. Don’t push yourself too hard today, and make sure to get enough rest.”

It felt like taking care of a younger sibling. Permette nodded hesitantly, feeling somewhat uneasy about Min-joo’s concern.

Min-joo promptly left in the carriage.

Permette stood there, watching until Min-joo disappeared into the distance and became a mere dot.

As Min-joo vanished from sight, Permette raised his hand and placed it on his head.

It still felt like Min-joo’s hand was there, gently caressing and comforting.

‘Why are you doing this to me?’

He couldn’t push away her feelings. Being affectionate. Why?

Permette felt like crying.

He couldn’t exactly identify what emotion this was, but it felt like sinking deep into the ocean, unable to surface.

* * *

Amidst the heavy silence, only the sound of the clock ticking was heard, enveloped in thick silence like being buried under heavy cloth.

The room covered in golden ornaments sparkled with no empty spaces, while the interior decorated with red cloth added a luxurious touch.

Every time he came here, it wasn’t easy to shake off the heavy pressure weighing on his shoulders.

He held his breath in the silence for a while. Even the sound of swallowing dry saliva echoed loudly.

Sitting half-leaning on the sofa, Nelsie looked ponderous.

“Why has the baby become so talkative?”

It was an emotionless voice, every aspect of Nelsie – her gaze, voice, demeanor – adding to the weight.

Ceteran fixed his gaze on the floor and clenched his fists on his knees.

“I’m expressing what I believe is right, Mother.”

“Then are you saying Mother is wrong?”

There was no hint of emotion in her tone or gaze. It felt like she expected nothing from him, adopting a nonchalant attitude as if she had no expectations.

It felt suffocating. Every night after work, the words Nelsie had said to him while leaning on his shoulder came back to him.

‘I trust you. And because I trust you, I will criticize if you make wrong decisions and support you if you make the right ones.’

Honestly, he didn’t quite understand the difference between the two.

No one had ever explained it to him. Neither his Mother nor his brother looked at the unaware Ceteran with anything but pity.

‘The essence of my words is that I will stand by your side, regardless of your choices.’

When he thought Nelsie had died and he had protected the palace alone, he realized something.

He needed to become a strong ruler. He needed unwavering strength to protect Nelsie, the people, and the country from any threat.

He knew he had to remain in his current weak state if he couldn’t surpass his Mother.

He understood that he would live a life of being unable to move forward, being swayed by others, and being betrayed if he couldn’t surpass her.

‘Mother can’t do anything good for me. I have to push Mother away.’

Wasn’t it Neriant who supported him by his side? Didn’t Neriant console him when he was crumbling and help him?

Ceteran clenched his fist tighter and raised his head. His stern red eyes met Nelsie’s gaze.

“Yes, you were wrong. Mother, your decisions were wrong.”

“Hah! Looks like you’ve become insolent. Who’s been teaching you? Marquess Trimidri?”

Nelsie, who was half-lying down, sat up.

Marquess Trimidri. He didn’t trust her, but he had no choice but to rely on her.

He was afraid when Marquess Trimidri tried to manipulate him with sweet words.

She seemed like a giant snake swallowing him from head to toe.

But during the trial in court, Marquess Trimidri seemed insignificant. She looked pitiful.

He cried and thought for a long time during the trial.

I was blinded by something so insignificant.’

It was pointless. He didn’t need to be swayed around like that, pushed and pulled.

“But that’s not important, Mother.”

And so, Ceteran hoped that Nelsie wasn’t such a towering figure.

“Adding interest to taxes is no different from taking away the people’s livelihoods. I will oppose it to the end.”

Ceteran wanted to stand on his own and make an effort to do so.

Until Nelsie slapped Ceteran’s cheek.

With a jerk, Nelsie struck Ceteran’s cheek with a hand adorned with a large jeweled ring.

The forceful blow caused his cheek to swell and bruise.

Ceteran slowly closed his eyes, unable to believe whether his mother had struck him or not.

His cheek felt numb and throbbing. It felt like his head was spinning, not his cheek.

“Right now, you…”

Ceteran wrapped his hand around his bruised cheek. He vaguely knew he wasn’t loved. But he had never been directly hit like this before.

Nelsie, despite her noble position, never resorted to violence impulsively.

The tremendous shock left Ceteran’s mind in disarray.

He had loved her because she was his mother, despite not being loved in return, and he had tried to repay her despite being treated poorly.

But now, Ceteran realized.

‘I’m just Mother’s puppet.’

A puppet with bound limbs, manipulated as she pleased. That was him.

Words couldn’t come out. He couldn’t do anything. His cheek throbbed, and his head spun.

“How dare you! How did I raise you? What did I do for you!”

With Nelsie’s thunderous roar, Ceteran felt like his body was sinking into the ground as if he would be buried deep.