I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 163

Episode 163

It was a critical situation.

Initially, Ceteran intended to permit the constitutional monarchy, which was his goal, but it would be difficult if it seemed like he had no choice but to accept it.

If the world was going to change to a constitutional monarchy anyway, it was necessary to accept it first to maintain dignity. That way, respect for the royal family could be maintained, and many benefits could be obtained.

Although he hadn’t even gone through the coronation ceremony, there were things he had to uphold.

Ceteran swallowed his dry saliva and lifted his head firmly.

“I’ve also decided on that matter.”

He needs to take the lead.

His red eyes sparkled, and his straight legs showed strong determination.

“From now on, this empire will implement a constitutional monarchy. The procedures regarding this will be decided by a meeting of nobles and commoners representatives as soon as possible.”

The previously chaotic atmosphere quieted down in an instant.

Ceteran used his power in this way.

An emperor who relinquished power to the people. A weak and incompetent emperor recorded in history.

But it was okay. He had never desired the position of emperor in the first place. He had hoped to live a normal life, marry the person he loved, and face a peaceful death.

Even when thinking pragmatically, he didn’t think he could handle this power.

Thanks to Ceteran relinquishing power to the people, things were resolved peacefully in their own way. This way, he could maintain his position as emperor and freely express his opinions on policy decisions.

‘My mother would be ashamed of me.’

He had only received reports of her being safely protected and didn’t bother to go to Nelsie.

He couldn’t bring himself to see her. How would Nelsie, who had put him on the throne in such a haphazard way, react?

She might scoff at her pathetic son, scold him, or call him a useless child.

She might even tell him to ignore the people’s cries and trample them.

Ceteran didn’t want to do such things again.

“Let’s end the meeting here. Everyone may leave.”

With his guards, Ceteran ascended the stairs. The nobles parted to make way for him, looking bewildered.

His unwavering straight steps were silent, and his straightened posture and head were dignified.

Seeing Ceteran, the nobles murmured.

“He’s not as weak as we thought.”

“I don’t sense any incompetence.”

He was so dignified that they would feel compelled to look up to him, having lost their place under Marquess Trimidri and Nelsie’s influence.

The emperor deserves respect.

It was an established principle ingrained in people’s minds.

* * *

The revolution ended successfully.

There were many casualties, but it was not a unilateral massacre.

Soldiers laid down their guns and tended to the wounded, and they ensured safety by controlling the streets to prevent conflicts and maintain public order so that everyone could return safely.

The nobles gathered to converse just before their departure, astounded by the masses capable of storming the palace for the revolution. They feared that if they continued to side with the commoners, they might be pulled down next time instead of the emperor. 

So, they decided to cater to the commoners’ whims until the incident faded from memory and at least pretended to care.

Neriant would likely have gone straight to Ceteran, but she didn’t return until her work was done, remembering her status. Ceteran had duties to fulfill as the emperor. But before that, there was a need for a moment of hesitation.

“Your Majesty, are you alright?”

“Fetch the physician!”

“…No, forget it. I just want to be alone.”

Ceteran locked himself in the room. He didn’t emerge from the bedroom while the chaotic palace was being tidied up.

He must be thinking a lot and worrying too.

Min-joo and Vehen prepared to return once they confirmed the completion of their task.

“We should take Peril too.”

Min-joo, grabbing Vehen’s wrist as he prepared the carriage, widened her eyes.

He had gone to protect the empress, and now that the situation was over, it was time to return. If he didn’t come, they’d have to go get him, but Vehen adamantly shook his head.

“He can come by himself.”

“We went through this together, we should celebrate together.”

Celebrate. Vehen muttered softly, looking down at Min-joo.

“Stay with me today. We can celebrate later. It’s chaotic right now.”

Vehen held Min-joo’s hand tightly. Min-joo, looking at Vehen’s profile, glanced at the broken gate of the palace.

Traces of scattered blood and the remnants of the revolution’s fervent fight, still unresolved, caught her eye. There was hardly anyone who hadn’t lost someone. It was a good day, but also a painful one.

Min-joo nodded quietly. They could loosen up another day.

The carriage they had prepared approached quickly.

Vehen stood in front of the carriage and reached out his hand to Min-joo.

“Let’s go. Let’s spend today just the two of us.”

Min-joo held Vehen’s hand without saying a word.

May it have been a meaningful revolution. May this day have a positive impact on the future.

She leaned against the carriage, feeling her body relax as the tension eased, her hands trembling slightly.

Seems like scaling the walls was quite a big issue.

There wasn’t a part of her body that didn’t ache.

“…Where does it hurt?”

As Min-joo let out a small groan, Vehen, ghostlike, sensed it and examined her complexion.

Vehen himself wasn’t exactly in pristine condition either, probably since he had been helping Min-joo and Permette cross the wall, his neat appearance had been a mess.

Despite being together all this time, she hadn’t noticed due to her extreme tension.

Min-joo liked Vehen’s disheveled appearance. It felt precious compared to his usual neatness. If she honestly admitted to being in pain, surely Vehen would worry.

There’s no need to call a physician, it’s just muscle pain, surely tomorrow her whole body will be screaming, declaring a strike. It’s not painful enough to cause concern.

“I must have overexerted myself. I’m sure I’ll have muscle pain tomorrow.”

“I think I will too.”

“Even Vehen?”

Rarely, Vehen nodded vigorously.

“See? My hands are shaking.”

It seemed he exerted quite a bit of force holding onto the rope.

Vehen’s swollen hands were trembling less. Min-joo grabbed Vehen’s hand and playfully smiled.

“Don’t you feel like it won’t shake as much if we shake together?”

“It feels even better.”

“Then don’t hold on.”

He could just let her words pass without adding on and stealing her thunder.

As Min-joo tried to pull her hand away, Vehen urgently clasped their fingers and shook his head.

“No, that’s a different issue.”

“What’s the different issue?”

“I want to hold your hand.”

Embarrassment was nowhere to be found. Perhaps now holding hands wasn’t even considered an act of intimacy.

Vehen widened his eyes and said without hesitation. Then, as if not letting go, he squeezed Min-joo’s hand tighter.

“You want to hold hands too.”

The emerald eyes narrowed. Seeing Vehen smiling mischievously like a fox made it seem like he wasn’t tired at all.

Min-joo quietly looked down at their joined hands.

It felt fresh once again.

Many things experienced here flashed through her mind like a film.

So much has changed since coming here.

The empire, relationships with characters, and even Min-joo herself.

Min-joo, who had been avoiding problems and trying to escape, had returned. Back to this place where she just wanted to escape.

Everything felt like it wasn’t hers, everything felt fake.

“When we get home, let’s eat something delicious.”

Vehen said gently. His affectionate yet heavy voice brought comfort every time she heard it.

Like being snugly wrapped in a warm blanket on a warm afternoon.

He’s real, the carriage is real, and everything here is real.

Thoughts raced through Min-joo’s mind.

Where does she belong?

Is Korea, with all she’s accomplished, the place she belongs?

Can she leave without looking back, without regrets?

“There’s no answer, why.”

“No, it’s okay. Let’s all eat together. Something delicious.”

Chichen and Genshtar at home, Robert who she couldn’t stand to see, and cute Hin.

A relationship that’s too strange to call family, yet too weird to call strangers.

Is this place good for her?

It seems good. No, it is good.

From a world that keeps frustrating her no matter how hard she tries, this place returns the same amount of results.

From Vehen’s relationship to the relationships built here, even to the events of Hiltate and the empire.

“Should I go back?”

Min-joo asked quietly. She wasn’t asking out of curiosity. It was a question that was almost like talking to herself, and Vehen tilted his head in response.

“What?”

The carriage creaked as it swayed. The streets were frozen, causing the carriage to slide quite roughly.

Unable to control her body, Min-joo swayed along with the carriage, and Vehen reached out to grab her hand.

Naturally, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Their faces were close.

Vehen looked down at Min-joo’s face and spoke as calmly as usual.

“If it’s not home, where else would we go?”

He was probably talking about this place’s home, but his words felt like they were holding onto Min-joo.

It sounded like he was saying, ‘This place is your home.’

She wanted to accept it like that.

Having completed what needed to be done, now she hoped for the world to progress in a good direction with Vehen and this place.

So that they could dream of a happy future together.

Min-joo looked at Vehen. His tired face, disheveled hair, and wrinkled clothes from rough movements.

His clean face. The face of someone she liked.

“Yes. Let’s go home.”

Where she should go. Where she belongs.

She realized it was here.

She didn’t realize it getting soaked and stayed, but only realized it after being thoroughly soaked. She liked this place. She simply couldn’t leave behind the people who mattered to her, and everything she had accomplished.

Min-joo leaned her head on Vehen’s shoulder.

Vehen naturally supported her head.

“It’s going to be hectic for a while.”

“Isn’t it over now?”

“What are you talking about? I’m a duke.”

Ah. Min-joo sighed. Her foolish expression was a masterpiece.

If only Vehen could capture this foolish yet adorable expression of Min-joo in a painting, he would cherish it.

Whenever he felt gloomy, looking at it would naturally bring a smile to his face.

Vehen playfully leaned his head. His hair pleasantly tousled on his forehead.

“Help me out a bit. Do you know how much I’ve helped you all this time?”

“You did it because you wanted to.”

“I’ll pay you.”

“I have plenty of money now?”

“You should learn some skills in advance. To be a duke’s wife.”

It was so natural that she almost overlooked it.

Isn’t this a proposal right now?

As Min-joo looked at Vehen in astonishment, Vehen frowned at her strangely.

“Why? If you’re not going to marry me, what are you going to do?”

It was so absurd that she had nothing to say.