I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 16

Episode 16

Ceteran was the first child born to the second empress. 

The first empress, weak in health, gave birth to two children and passed away early. Among them, the firstborn is the current crown prince.

The second child, mentally weak, inherited the first empress’ forces and suffered from frequent illnesses. Because of this, smoothly, the first son, Tedric Friedre Sienna, became the crown prince.

Since before the prince’s birth, the current empress, Nelsie, worked tirelessly to make Ceteran the crown prince. However, due to opposition and pressure from the traditionalists who prioritize tradition, Tedric became the crown prince.

As a result, Tedric and Ceteran couldn’t have a good relationship. They have been in conflict for power for a long time.

Nevertheless, Ceteran was a good person regardless of power struggles. If he had been a character with a bad nature, it would have been difficult for him to become a romance protagonist.

Min-joo’s gaze was so intense that it seemed as if lasers were shooting out of her eyes, piercing through Ceteran. It was a very blatant stare.

“When the work is done, you can leave.”

Due to Ceteran’s annoyingly piercing gaze, Min-joo couldn’t help but focus on him. Ceteran straightened his wrinkled forehead and lifted the corner of his mouth. Min-joo, unsure if she should leave, gave a signal to Vehen.

“You should listen with me, you’re needed for this.”

Vehen gestured for Min-joo to stay behind. Min-joo stood behind Vehen, tiptoeing slightly.

Ceteran’s gaze, full of irritation, was uncomfortable.

When Vehen spoke, Ceteran, who had doubts, sighed and leaned against the wall. His thick blonde hair scattered in the air.

“Start from the report.”

“The demand for the gambling den has decreased. The impact of the rumors is significant. The nobles who use it have depleted their fortunes to the extent of recovering, and there is a growing sympathy for slaves. The perception that those who exploit them are vulgar is spreading.”

A report written by Permette was placed on the table. The writing was always neat and refined, more resembling a face than a character. Ceteran began reading the report while holding it, comparing it with Vehen’s words.

“So, are you saying we should create legislation regarding slaves?”

“Yes. If you announce plans to raid the gambling den and arrest people while simultaneously enacting laws to protect slaves, support will undoubtedly arise.”

“What about the opposition from the nobles?”

After flipping through the last page, Ceteran stared at Vehen. Min-joo felt as if he were being evaluated by a professor.

Vehen responded with the same composed attitude, showing no signs of tension or surprise.

“They are already aware of the situation. If we protest about the treatment of slaves in the streets, any opposition will likely be short-lived.”

“Will the nobles accept this? I’m not convinced.”

“It will happen that way.”

Unable to stand the circular nature of the conversation, Min-joo opened her mouth. All eyes turned to her.

The handsome potato and the lion-like professor with red eyes both looked at her simultaneously, creating a strange tension.

“After spreading the fact that the crown prince manipulated the odds and operated a cruel illegal gambling den, we can distract attention and swiftly pass the bill.”

“Are you perhaps suggesting a cunning plan?”

“About a teaspoon’s worth?”

A perplexed Ceteran laughed and asked. Min-joo shrugged nonchalantly.

Vehen cleared his throat to draw attention and then responded to Min-joo’s opinion.

“Since public opinion has already formed, it would be wise to prepare the bill from now on if we want to pass it quickly. Everything can go awry if we miss the timing.”

“…Duke, are you also a cunning strategist?”

“About half a teaspoon.”

“Whether it’s a teaspoon or whatever, you’re just cunning, all of you.”

Frustrated, Ceteran tapped the table with the palm of his hand. Vehen instinctively shielded the wobbling sandwich. As the meal gradually took shape, Ceteran finally realized the preciousness of food.

Ceteran twisted his lips in bewilderment. 

“You want to protect the food in the meantime?”

“Yes, it’s my meal.”

“Don’t fill your stomach with that. It looks like someone made it with their feet.”

With Ceteran’s sarcastic comment about Min-joo’s cooking, Vehen turned to her with a look that seemed to say did she make it with her feet or something?

It was unfair. She had put some effort into making it.

“I made it.”

“Did you wash your feet before making it?”

“I made it with my hands.”

“Why did you do that?”

“What do you mean?”

“It wouldn’t have been embarrassing if you had made it with your feet.”

Although it was their first meeting, she wanted to grab him by the collar.

Min-joo bit her lip, trying to suppress her boiling anger and embarrassment. Vehen, whether offering comfort or defending her, placed the sandwich on the quiet table.

“It used to look even weirder before. It has improved a lot now.”

“Why did you do that for real? You could have applauded for the evolving foot.”

The two engaged in banter, and Min-joo wanted to shake Ceteran by the collar. It was frustrating not to have any culinary skills.

Seeing Min-joo’s trembling fist, Vehen smiled faintly and picked up the sandwich that now held together well.

“Well, it still tastes good. Since you’ve given such a harsh review, I’ll go ahead and finish it myself.”

“Sure, do as you please. I’ll fill my stomach with the chef’s creations.”

See, it tastes good, doesn’t it?

Min-joo felt an overwhelming desire to pat Vehen’s head as he ate and chewed so well that his cheeks puffed up. Although she might never get the chance to make him a sandwich, Min-joo vowed never to make one for Ceteran.

Ceteran, who seemed ready to leave, remembered something and sat back down. Min-joo’s hope of him leaving quickly faded.

“I need the support of Count Velirian. If a neutral count steps forward to support me, those who object to my actions will likely decrease. However, I heard that Tedric wants to proceed with the engagement with that woman. The count, who was previously against me, seems to have a favorable response.”

“The crown prince should marry a princess from another country.”

If it was Velirian’s woman, it would be Neriant. It was a device to meet Ceteran in the early stages. There was a scene where Ceteran, meeting Count Velirian to interfere with the marriage, fell in love with Neriant.

Setting where characters fall in love at first sight may be cliché and uninteresting, but since it’s a task, isn’t it acceptable to be a bit careless? It had been several years since the characters had started dating. Shouldn’t they have fallen in love at first sight or at least had an unexpected encounter while grabbing each other by the collar?

“I also don’t understand my brother’s mind. There is a princess from another country involved in the engagement, but I wonder if he is trying to gain the support of the nobility.”

Ceteran ruffled his nervously thick blonde hair. The strands covering his eyebrows made his red eyes even fiercer.

“…It’s because of a hereditary disease.”

Unable to hold back her knowledge, Min-joo spoke. She knew it, and it was frustrating to keep her mouth shut.

Again, all eyes turned to Min-joo at her words.

“In this country, the Emperor of the Syrite Empire is also genetically afflicted with a mental illness. The princess of the Hitan Nation is no different. They were looking for other partners, but then turned their eyes to Velirian.”

“Are you not a tactless person but a prophet?”

“Just stating the obvious.”

Even if Permette were here, she would have expected him to say the same.

Vehen’s nonsense irritated her, and Ceteran’s reaction was no different. They looked at her as if she were crazy.

Vehen, responsible for Min-joo’s backup, sighed and put down the sandwich he was eating.

“She’s a prophet. I picked her up on the way.”

“In this era, you find a sorcerer on the way? Like picking up a fallen newspaper on the street?”

“She’s not a sorcerer.”

“Then is she from the temple?”

“Not that either.”

Ceteran was on the verge of turning away. He turned half a circle at the mention of picking up a prophet, and then another half-circle at the mention of not being a sorcerer or from the temple.

Vehen couldn’t come up with a good explanation either. 

If he brought up dimensional travel, it would take time to explain, and explaining Min-joo’s identity and situation would also be draining.

So Vehen said,

“She’s just a wanderer.” 

He decided to quote Min-joo.

“It seems there isn’t a single sane person here. Well, no, there’s a wanderer, so should I consider that a presence?”

“Please consider me a human wanderer.”

Min-joo interjected calmly, raising her hand to object.

Ceteran wanted to smash his head on the table and faint.

“…Okay, okay. Whether it’s a prophet or a wanderer, it doesn’t matter. Duke, are all the people you associate with such oddities?”

“Rolfreme is a bit strange, I suppose.”

“Including you, human wanderer.”

Ceteran, who had given up thinking, stood up from his seat. Just as Min-joo was debating whether to see him off, Ceteran sighed.

“Anyway, I need to meet Count Velirian and pass the bill, so I’ll be back. Please be in your right mind when that happens.”

Ceteran, who gestured that the farewell was unnecessary, pushed the door and left. Min-joo felt the need to seriously contemplate the characteristics of the male protagonist.

Vehen, who had emptied his sandwich while she was distracted, cleared his throat.

“…About the shoes.”

“Wow! Our esteemed duke finally spoke to us. Come on, focus~!”

Vehen, who had been muttering “heh” and “huh” until now, was the first to speak. Min-joo couldn’t stay silent.

Min-joo gathered both hands and brought them to her ears, leaning her upper body slightly and maintaining a charming posture of attentive listening. Of course, the well-practiced Vehen remained unaffected, irritating her even more.

“Don’t mock me. I’m not that childish.”

“Our esteemed duke, you realized it on your own, right? You’re so amazing!”

“Do you want to leave?”

“I’m listening attentively, Duke. Please speak.”

Min-joo clapped her hands together and bowed meekly under Vehen’s icy gaze. Seeing Vehen’s nonchalant gaze, she obediently gathered her hands and lowered her head.

Just wait and see, once Neriant starts teasing him, people like him are done for, finished!

Internally shouting loud enough to shake the capital, Min-joo displayed a lovely smile. Frowning at Vehen’s easily changing attitude, he pointed resolutely at the desk in the office.

“Open the bottom drawer.” 

“Our esteemed duke, you give us a meager salary, and yet you assign us so many dirty tasks.”

“Do you want to leave?”

“Wow, I wonder what’s in the last drawer.”

With a smiling face, Min-joo approached Vehen, mentally cursing him, and went to the desk. The largest space, the bottom drawer, opened easily.

“What’s this?”

Inside the drawer, there was a box. Wondering if he was trying to send her on another errand, she picked up the wide and thin box and approached Vehen.

Without looking at her, Vehen waved his hand in the air.

“Open it.”

“It’s not a bomb or something, is it?”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

With a smirk, Min-joo opened the box. It wasn’t heavy, so she wondered what could be inside. There were shoes—women’s shoes.

“What’s this?”

“Can’t you see?”

“I’m asking because I can’t believe it even if I see it.”

Vehen’s tone was the most irritating. Min-joo maintained a forced smile as she alternated between looking at Vehen and the shoes.

The black shoes were intricately stitched and well-crafted, neat and elegant. Min-joo looked down at the shoes Permette had given her. They were brown, slightly rugged-looking shoes.

Holding the box, Min-joo felt a strange sensation and looked at Vehen.

“What is this, a gift for me?”

“Your feet hurt.”

“You remembered?”

Vehen didn’t reply, but his reddened ear tips and his blunt reaction were answer enough.