I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 156

Episode 156

23. Originating From Power

Nelsie spoke as if expecting to be rewarded. 

Ceteran realized that she was expecting power from him.

All the actions of giving birth to and raising oneself were nothing but investments for the future.

It felt like standing on water. The ground was shaky as if one might fall through at any moment.

“Look at yourself! In a situation where you don’t know when you will pass away, you should firmly establish your position. Why are you like that? You may not know how much your mother works hard for you, but you shouldn’t disrespect her.”

Ceteran couldn’t hate Nelsie. It was no different from denying the life he had lived.

“And Lady Velirian suddenly behaves strangely. Did she become a soldier? Of course, it’s good to command the army and support you, but it’s not something an Empress should do. Why didn’t you stop her? Immediately discharge her and tell her to take Empress lessons.”

Ceteran stood up staggering although Nelsie hadn’t finished speaking. She asked where he was going, but he couldn’t stay there any longer.

He missed Neriant, and wanted to hide in the width of her skirts and escape the suffocating reality.

‘I’m a fool. I wanted to become stronger but couldn’t do anything, just a stupid human.’

Can he become an emperor like this?

To be honest, everything was burdensome.

There was not enough time to sleep due to the excessive workload, and it was tiring to confront those who only looked out for themselves and opposed every opinion.

He never earnestly wished to become an emperor. There was a time when he dreamed of the throne out of revenge, but it didn’t last long.

He walked out into the hallway to find Neriant. Of course, she would probably be in the army, but he walked aimlessly.

Everyone he met bowed their heads and greeted him warmly.

The hypocrisy and interest of those he didn’t feel when he was a prince felt painfully clear now.

Ceteran looked out the window. The sun had already set, and a familiar carriage was coming towards the palace entrance.

“…Lady Velirian.”

Neriant was coming.

It was a faster visit than usual. It was difficult to have dinner together as she usually came out late.

Neriant’s strange behavior that Nelsie mentioned crossed his mind.

Neriant was carving out her own life. She didn’t want to be tied down by a contractual marriage, she avoided him, and she became a soldier for her dreams.

So, it was clear why he liked her. People who pursue their dreams shine. They were different from him.

Ceteran hurried downstairs to greet Neriant.

“Your Highness? Coming all the way here.”

Without time to change, Neriant got off the carriage still in her military uniform.

Not expecting Ceteran to come out, she was wide-eyed.

“I was thinking about Lady Velirian and looking out the window, and strangely, I could see the carriage.”

It was a tickling remark. Neriant stood next to Ceteran, feeling her fingers tremble.

“I suppose it worked, Your Highness.”

“Yes, it seems so. Lady Velirian.”

The smell of sweat and nauseating earth pierced his nose.

It was unbelievable that it came from a noblewoman, but to Ceteran, it was strangely sweet.

Smelling Neriant’s scent calmed his heart, making him feel like he had everything in the world.

It’s fine. Even if he can’t become an emperor, it’s okay. As long as she’s by his side.

Ceteran hesitated to take Neriant’s hand, flashing a faint smile.

It would be nice if time stopped. He just wanted to walk together without any thoughts.

However, due to his piled-up schedule, he had to spend time in the office.

As soon as Neriant entered the office, she pushed Ceteran against the wall and held him between her arms against the wall.

“…What is it, Lady Velirian.”

“Tell me honestly.”

“What do you mean?”

With their faces so close, there was nowhere to look. Looking at Neriant’s firm face made him want to kiss her without even realizing it.

Neriant frowned and grabbed Ceteran’s chin with one hand. It felt like they were about to kiss.

“D-Don’t do this.”

“This cheek.”

Ceteran’s heart skipped a beat at Neriant’s low, intense voice.

Neriant was staring at him with a serious expression, examining Ceteran’s cheek.

Her blue eyes, usually downward, looked up at Ceteran.

It felt like his heart would stop under those eyes.

Worry, anger, and subtle affection mixed, playing tricks on Ceteran’s heart.

“Who did this to you?”

Neriant brushed Ceteran’s wounded cheek with her thumb.

The bleeding had stopped, but the still stinging wound made his shoulders slump. Then Neriant’s eyes narrowed even more.

“I asked who did this to you.”

“…M-My mother….”

Seeing the anger in her eyes, he didn’t even think about lying and answered honestly.

After hearing the answer, Neriant straightened her military uniform sleeves and walked past Ceteran.

“That crazy lunatic.”

“W-Wait! Lady Velirian!”

Realizing she looked like she was about to confront Nelsie, Ceteran panicked and grabbed Neriant’s arm.

He grabbed her arm in desperation, unable to control his strength, but Neriant didn’t seem to feel any pain.

She didn’t feel any pain at all, and she was too angry that she felt like she was going crazy, so she didn’t feel any excitement either.

“What is it?”

“It’s discipline. It’s what parents do to their children, discipline. Please don’t worry about the scolding I got from my mother.”

Nelsie looked at the changed Neriant with pity. If Neriant were to confront Nelsie in that situation, it would cause chaos, whether it’s marriage or whatever.

He didn’t want that.

Neriant was the only one in the palace who allowed him to breathe.

Seeing Ceteran’s desperate face, Neriant was at a loss for words.

She couldn’t understand why the victim had to cower before the perpetrator.

“Your Highness.”

“Oh, yes, yes…!” 

Ceteran stammered nervously, meeting Neriant’s gaze filled with strange compassion, pity, and worry.

“Your Highness. Did you say it’s okay to be hit because you talked back?”

“…Yes?”

“Or are you saying you’re someone who deserves to be hit?”

Ceteran’s face contorted at Neriant’s pointed question.

There’s no way, right? Who deserves to be hit no matter what?

“What are you talking about?”

“If it’s not like that, then why did you get hit? Do you think there’s a reason to be hit?”

Neriant pushed aside the arm holding her and grabbed Ceteran’s shoulders.

He was momentarily stunned by her strong grip. She looked genuinely angry.

“You, Your Highness, are the crown prince. You’re going to be the emperor, not someone who deserves to be hit. So, do not pass this off as a mistake.”

There was concern in her authoritative tone.

Ceteran clenched his trembling chest and swallowed hard. Neriant’s face came closer, narrowing the distance.

“You’re my man. I can’t stand seeing my man being beaten up. If you don’t want me to turn the palace upside down, don’t let it happen. If you’re hit, you better make them pay back tenfold. Otherwise, I’ll go and blow their heads off.”

It was crude and rude, but intense.

Who else would say something like this for him? Who else would express their anger like this on his behalf?

He felt like he couldn’t live without her.

Ceteran, as if possessed, placed his hand over hers, which was gripping his shoulder.

“Let’s get married. The sooner, the better.”

Neriant seemed taken aback, unable to speak after venting her anger and then being proposed to.

Before, when she easily took people’s lives, she never thought about marriage. But the sight of Ceteran with a slap on the cheek was enough to turn her away. One shouldn’t hurt Ceteran, scold him, or corner him unless it was her.

It was clear that Neriant had a crush on Ceteran, given how angry she was.

“I won’t wear a dress.”

“A suit would suit you very well.”

It was still too cautious to kiss, so holding hands was the most they could do.

* * *

The curtain fluttered in through the open window.

The night sky was adorned with stars, mocking Permette’s empty sky.

Look at his position. Look at himself.

Permette, wearing a neatly tied scarf to keep his hair from falling, leaned out of the window.

“…Uhh.”

A groan echoed from below. Permette loosened his robe and clenched his fist.

In the spot illuminated by his yellow eyes, there was a magnificent bed.

With silk red bedding and jewels adorning the bed, lying on it was the emperor.

“Your Majesty, it’s been a while.”

Permette greeted in a very small voice, draping his robe with a bottle of liquid he took from his bosom. The heavy, thick robe in his hand fell.

“It’ll be over in the blink of an eye. Don’t worry.” 

Permette said with a smile, closing his eyes.

Being a good person, it’s not as easy as it sounds.

Permette had shed a lot of blood to become a good person, hurting many in the process. He knew it was too late to repent and that the winds of Min-joo were just a dream.

Hurting others and acting on someone else’s orders were the foundation of Permette. A foundation that wouldn’t change.

His hands tightly gripping the robe, he approached the emperor.

“All of this is according to Her Majesty’s will.”

Tightly clenched hands. Permette’s robes caught on the fiercely swinging fingertips.

* * *

Min-joo stayed up all night because of Vehen.

Her waist was sore, and her thigh muscles felt like they were screaming.

Min-joo, who barely slept with a nap, crawled out of bed with a tired, shadowy face.

“Is Vehen a beast?”

Her questioning gaze was filled with resentment.

Even walking was difficult, and all she could do was hope the blanket wouldn’t slip off as she lay on the bed.

“You made it that way. Blaming others.”

Vehen came out after washing, arrogantly tilting his head while brushing his wet hair.

The things Vehen accumulated over the nights they spent together gradually resembled Min-joo’s belongings.

There were two toothbrushes, several shower gowns, and even Vehen’s suits hidden in Min-joo’s closet.

It was no different from living together. Someone might say it would be much better for Min-joo to go to Vehen’s mansion, but Min-joo didn’t want that.

The unpleasant memories from there made Min-joo hesitate and haunt her in nightmares.

“Isn’t that your fault? What did I do?”

“You look pretty.”

“Are you seriously saying that’s the cause?”

It was absurd.

Min-joo grimaced, but Vehen just shrugged his shoulders bluntly.

God, she wants to hit him. She can’t even get out of bed because of someone.

With a groan, Min-joo crawled to the edge of the bed.

“If you’re not feeling well, then rest.”

“I have a lot to do. I’m busy. Who’s to blame?”

“It doesn’t seem like it’s my fault.”

She’s so annoyed, what should she do with this guy? Ugh! Letting out a bitter laugh, Vehen pulled Min-joo into his arms.

Last night, they were chatting on the sofa in the living room when Vehen, who had gone crazy, hugged Min-joo, and hell began.

It’s good, but it’s hard, she wants to stop and sleep, but this hell doesn’t even give her a chance to rest.

Min-joo gasped and pushed Vehen’s cheek with her palm.

“Go wash. I’m helping because you can’t walk.”

“I don’t trust Vehen because he’s a habitual criminal.”

“I’m a criminal?”

“You’re an asshole for what you do.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

Vehen covered Min-joo with a blanket. It was warm, but she felt unfairly treated.

When Min-joo pressed Vehen’s cheek firmly, her door suddenly burst open.

“Min-joo! It’s urgent, urgent!”

Chichen, who opened the door wide, shouted desperately.

At that moment, what landed on Vehen’s arms seemed to be a bundle of blankets, presumably Min-joo.