I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 165

Episode 165

Nelsie didn’t love him, that was a fact Ceteran already knew. 

How could he not? 

He never once saw himself as lovable. Occasionally, her affectionate voice and actions felt genuine only when there were tangible results. He believed that was love, or at least something close to it, without doubting. 

The realization that it wasn’t love came thanks to Neriant’s gaze. The affectionate look she gave and the rough yet gentle touch, the cautious attitude—those were all love. Things he’d never received from Nelsie. 

And so, he knew. It was time to let go of Nelsie. She, who seemed so imposing and unyielding, now appeared small.

“I tried to be loved. I lived diligently. Why should I be treated as unnecessary, not even receiving my mother’s love despite my efforts?”

He couldn’t understand. It was heartbreaking. Resentful and hateful. It felt like life had been unjust, and the effort put into it had been in vain. 

Where did it all go wrong? Was it all his fault? A miserable sense of helplessness overwhelmed him. Yet, amid this, Ceteran vaguely understood it wasn’t entirely his fault. 

Neriant would surely look at Ceteran as if he were a strange person and cheerfully say, 

‘Your Highness, you must maintain a certain level of dignity to avoid appearing pitiful. Why dig yourself into a hole when you’ve done nothing wrong? Instead of doing that, why not try being cute?’

Even without looking, Ceteran knew. Neriant would hold his hand and laugh heartily while saying such things. A constant in his life. Forever someone who would accept him, love him. Just knowing there was someone to support him, Ceteran could let go of Nelsie.

His crimson eyes gazed directly at Nelsie. The slightly uneasy look struggled to remain steadfast.

“I’m not someone who should listen to those words from my mother. If you desired power so much, you should have ascended the throne yourself. I never wanted to be an emperor!”

It was the first time. The first time he responded emotionally. Nelsie couldn’t hide her surprise at her son’s newfound rebellion and was deeply shaken.

“All this was meant for your own good, how could this happen!”

“And you… how could you do this to me? If you’re really my mother, you should have at least given me some recognition. I’m your son!”

“So that’s why the revolution happened because you were like this!”

Silence fell after Nelsie’s outburst. She continued to stare coldly.

Ceteran felt like his heart was being torn apart. It seemed like he was the only one struggling.

“It was a doomed country anyway. Do you know how frustrating it was to be a crown prince? The nobles were corrupt and only concerned with filling their own pockets. It was a doomed country no matter what I did!”

“That’s insulting the late Emperor!”

“You know, you already knew everything. Yet you still tried to make me Emperor. Do you think I’m a fool? Do you think I’m just a puppet who blindly follows orders without thinking for myself?”

Ceteran stood up and looked down at Nelsie. Feeling overwhelmed by his towering height, Nelsie stepped back.

Nelsie’s mind raced. If she didn’t appease Ceteran now, she would be doomed.

How had she lived all this time, enduring only for the sake of power? It couldn’t go on like this.

Nelsie awkwardly smiled, suppressing her emotions. 

“Emotions got the better of me due to recent events. Don’t be too angry, my dear. Let’s think about it calmly. Which emperor would willingly give up power? What’s the problem? Let Mother handle it. There’s nothing you can’t solve by trusting and following Mother.”

“You never truly regarded me as your son, did you?” 

Sighing at Nelsie’s persistent attempt to persuade him in a pleading tone, Ceteran felt ashamed of Nelsie’s desperate pursuit of power until the end.

Ceteran turned away from Nelsie. He didn’t want to face her anymore. 

“There’s nothing more to say. Leave.”

“Is it okay for you to treat your Mother like this?”

“I’ve lived my whole life like this.”

Despite granting him status, wealth, and the power to do anything, she didn’t give him love.

Ceteran couldn’t forgive Nelsie for clinging to him like a monster obsessed with power.

“Viscount Rolfreme harmed me. Aren’t you worried about your Mother?” 

When Ceteran’s expression hardened, Nelsie brightened up and she reached out for his hand.

With a snap, Ceteran turned away mercilessly. 

“I will seek out Viscount Rolfreme separately. Leave.”

“What? Is that all you have to say when your Mother is drugged to sleep? My own offspring turned out to be a beast!”

Ceteran called for the guards waiting outside and ordered them to take Nelsie away.

As soon as the guards entered, Nelsie immediately put on a calm facade. It was truly chilling to witness.

Facing Nelsie’s resentful gaze, Ceteran held back his tears.

This day will never be forgotten. Not in a lifetime.

* * *

There was no contact with Tedric. Permette had also been quiet lately, occasionally exchanging letters.

According to Vehen and Baroness Meghini, Tedric was busy with investments and business ventures. He didn’t involve himself much in politics.

Permette was the same. He had spoken with Ceteran before, but since then, he only frequented the palace without any separate meetings.

Everyone seemed busy. It couldn’t be helped, especially after the recent events.

Marquess Trimidri was executed. It was a pitiful death, receiving no attention from anyone.

Previously, there were meetings attended by the Emperor, nobles, and commoners. There was a conference regarding a constitutional monarchy, but the nobles openly disregarded the commoners, causing a commotion.

Since then, the transition to a constitutional monarchy has been progressing smoothly. Ceteran’s coronation ceremony yesterday also ended without incident.

It couldn’t be delayed any longer, and there was a need to inform other countries that despite the significant events, there was nothing wrong with the Empire.

Once the constitutional monarchy was established, Neriant and Ceteran were said to have their wedding ceremony.

Robert and Hin had also gotten a new house, courtesy of Vehen. Hin must have convinced Robert to come to Min-joo and ask for a job because she was hired to do stage effects for the theater.

Since starting work, Robert had become quite docile. She spoke carefully and acted calmly. Perhaps Hin’s influence had a significant impact.

“Everyone’s leaving.” 

Min-joo mumbled.

It was mid-winter, just after the New Year. During this time, Min-joo had visited Korea several times.

Repeatedly returning with a laptop and various household items, she had become so accustomed to this place that it had become like a second home.

Luckily, electronic devices worked here too, so watching movies stored on her laptop in bed became a pleasure of life.

“So, is he the villain?” 

“No, he’s an accomplice. He doesn’t play villain roles.”

“That’s strange. It looks suspicious no matter how you look at it.”

That was Vehen.

At first, he was wary and scared of accepting modern customs, but he quickly adapted.

“Can’t you just watch quietly? You talk too much.”

“I’m curious. What’s that?”

“It’s a helicopter. If you keep asking questions like that, I’ll throw it away! Stop looking!”

Unable to concentrate on the movie due to the continuous questioning, Min-joo closed her laptop.

Shocked by Min-joo’s sudden action while immersed in the movie, Vehen froze in place. Min-joo put the laptop in the bedside drawer and lay down.

Her long hair scattered over the bed.

“I’ll be quiet.”

After finishing the fruit, Vehen, as if deliberately, nestled up beside Min-joo.

Glancing sideways at Vehen, Min-joo grabbed his cheek nervously. His cheek was pressed, and his lips protruded.

“Why are you pretending to be cute?”

“Aren’t you seeing me like that?”

“It’s ridiculous.”

“Adore me. Treat me nicely.”

The sight of the palm meeting lips was so absurd that Min-joo was speechless and her mouth hung open.

Then Vehen playfully smiled and raised his head.

Their lips met. The insistent kiss pushed their heads back, and Vehen’s hand grabbed the back of her head, pulling her closer.

It was a breathless kiss. Entwined legs and rumpled sheets, their heavy breaths were evident.

Min-joo pushed Vehen away and breathed heavily. Her lips were moist, resembling a panting dog.

“A dog? You said you’d get permission and now you’re lying.”

“Oh, right.”

“Oh, right~?”

It was unbelievable. Min-joo playfully pinched Vehen’s cheek, teasingly squeezing it back and forth. Since he didn’t say to stop, it was clear that he was enjoying it too.

“Does that mean I can kiss you then?”

Ignoring her flushed cheek, Vehen, with a silly grin, pulled Min-joo’s head back to his eye level.

With his intense emerald eyes seemingly unwilling to let go, Min-joo couldn’t help but meet his gaze and mumble.

“You’re annoying, Vehen.”

“I told you to be nice.”

Embarrassed, Min-joo playfully swatted him away, but Vehen closed his eyes and leaned in for a kiss.

“I love you.”

Amidst the countless kisses, Min-joo couldn’t even utter a word.

“Um, I, love, you, too, Vehen! Can we talk for a moment?”

It’s one thing to say I love you, but it’s another to keep kissing. Irritated, Min-joo blocked Vehen’s lips with her hand, and Vehen blinked innocently.

Meanwhile, he looked so cute that it made her even more annoyed.

“I love you too.”

“Yeah, I know.”

Vehen lazily smiled and pulled Min-joo’s waist closer. Then, he kissed her forehead.

Much had changed. Since coming here, there wasn’t anything that hadn’t changed.

Had there ever been a time when she recklessly rushed into something, sacrificing everything else? There hadn’t.

Vehen… This man made Min-joo a better person. It was so overwhelmingly good.

Even after a long time, they would rely on and support each other, exchanging many things.

No, that was for sure. Min-joo had a feeling.

With Vehen, she could dream of a better and happier future.

After kissing Vehen’s nose and cheek, Min-joo laughed playfully.

“Shall we get married? Before Neriant’s wedding.”

“That’s a sound I’ve been waiting to hear.”

“Does that mean I haven’t said anything pleasing?”

“You catch on quickly.”

“Vehen, you’re really annoying. You know that?”

“I do. Is there anything I don’t know?”

Even if there were arguments and disagreements, they would eventually resolve them and overcome them.

She likes this person. She thinks she’ll be happy with this person.

Min-joo hoped that her choices would lead her to a better future. She wished for everyone she loved to be happy.

Despite the cold winter, it was warm because they were together.