I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 169

Episode 169

Epilogue: Last Chapter (4)

Feeling the gaze of Min-joo, Vehen awkwardly cleared his throat and handed her the phone.

Min-joo, who had carefully hidden the phone in her bag, hooked her arm with Vehen’s and spoke to Neriant.

“Neriant, how are you feeling?”

“Not bad. I guess getting married early makes me feel a bit restless.”

Neriant scratched her neatly arranged hair with her fingers and spoke nonchalantly.

She worried about her hair getting messed up, but surprisingly, it was fine.

“Ceteran seems like he can’t do without me. I feel concerned and lonely without that person.”

It might sound mean to others, but Min-joo knew that was Neriant’s best expression of affection.

Min-joo hoped Neriant would be happy. She wished her younger sister, who tragically lost her life at an early age, would be happy for a long time.

“You have to be happy.”

“You too, Sister.”

It was a sincere statement. Neriant had experienced intense loneliness being trapped here alone.

Having someone by Neriant’s side, without anyone to trust or know, was a very joyful thing.

She hoped for a happy future with that person. Neriant wouldn’t feel any differently from Min-joo.

“Now, let’s go meet His Majesty the Emperor. Congratulations on your marriage.”

“Thank you. Sister, you’ll be next soon, right?”

“Huh?”

“Uh?”

“Huh?”

They exchanged meaningless questions. Vehen urged Min-joo to stop talking nonsense and they left.

There were many items depicting gods in Ceteran’s waiting room. In the sacred atmosphere, Min-joo wondered if she should pray absentmindedly.

Ceteran, dressed in formal attire, paced around the room, biting his nails anxiously.

It wasn’t something a groom should do, so flustered Vehen reprimanded Ceteran.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m anxious. What if I ruin the wedding? What if Lady Velirian is disappointed in me and runs away?”

What kind of worries were these? Wasn’t it a bit too much to have no confidence at all?

Ceteran couldn’t leave his messed-up nails alone and kept biting them several times.

Min-joo frowned, trying to stop him from doing that.

“What are you talking about? His Majesty, Neriant agreed to the marriage.”

“Well… yes. But what if she was forced to marry me because of my status? What if Neriant changes her mind again? I don’t have the courage to hold on. What should I do?”

It was unbelievable. Ceteran acted as if Neriant reluctantly promised to marry him because of his power.

If Neriant truly hated it, she would have slapped Ceteran and left for a foreign country.

Min-joo sighed in disappointment and handed Ceteran’s wrist to Vehen. Vehen firmly grabbed Ceteran’s wrist.

“Your Majesty, think about it carefully. Who would force Neriant to marry against her will?”

“Well… maybe.”

“It’s absurd, really. If Neriant truly didn’t want to get married, would she sit quietly in the bride’s waiting room? She would have run away immediately!”

… That made sense.

If she hated it, she would have jumped out of the window just like she did when they first met. Thinking about it that way made him feel much better. Ceteran blushed and looked at Min-joo. His desolate face seemed slightly repulsive.

“I guess…? I won’t be disliked, right?”

“It depends on your future actions, Your Majesty. For now, Neriant also likes you.”

“She likes me? Lady Velirian?”

He seemed pleased. Seeing his face brighten up so quickly made Min-joo wonder if this was what a man in love looked like.

Would Vehen ever be like this? As Min-joo casually glanced at Vehen, she realized Vehen was staring at Ceteran like an idiot.

Hmm, hard to say. It was beyond her imagination.

Min-joo lightly tapped Ceteran’s shoulder.

“You’re getting married because she likes you. Neriant looked really pretty today, don’t you think you might fall for her again?”

It was a playful remark to ease the tension, but Ceteran’s face turned beet red.

Love was such a disease, indeed. Min-joo, feeling awkward, stepped back. Vehen had the same expression.

“Anyway, don’t worry too much. Everything will be fine.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It’ll be fine.”

Ceteran took several deep breaths. His already stern face stiffened even more.

Knock knock? the sound of someone knocking on the door echoed. It was a brief and indifferent knock.

As Ceteran responded, Permette entered. He was dressed in a neat dark suit, perhaps his version of formal attire. He still looked as handsome as ever.

“…Peril?”

It was Permette, whom Min-joo hadn’t seen in a long time. He had been using busyness as an excuse, barely showing his face and only exchanging occasional letters.

Seeing Permette, Min-joo approached him with visible delight, but Permette grinned and stepped back to avoid her.

“Long time no see, Min-joo. How have you been?”

She felt it. Permette was avoiding her.

Unable to hide her bewildered feelings, Min-joo approached him again, and Permette stepped back with a smiling face.

“What’s wrong?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Why are you avoiding me?”

“I’m just covering my face.”

What nonsense. Permette covering his face? Min-joo knew his sociability very well; it was an absurd excuse.

Moreover… it was strange that after spending so much time together, he would suddenly cover his face.

Min-joo looked at Permette with a puzzled expression. Permette simply smiled casually.

“Have you been to the bride’s waiting room, Min-joo?”

“…Yes, I have.”

“Have you found your seat?”

Permette laughed, saying there were not many guest seats left.

Min-joo knew that laughter. It was a smile that didn’t reach the eyes, completely insincere.

Was he drawing a line?

When she wished for it, he didn’t do it, but when she didn’t want it, he drew the line.

Like a stubborn child who doesn’t listen.

Feeling disappointed, Min-joo lowered her head.

“The groom’s side has some seats left, so please sit there. I knew this would happen and prepared a seat for you.”

Even in this situation, Permette was competent. Min-joo watched as Permette approached Ceteran, surpassing her.

He didn’t even glance at her. The distance she felt right now might be the correct answer, but it was always bittersweet when a close person drifted away.

“Your Majesty, here’s the schedule after the wedding. Please check for any changes.”

“I just want to rest at night.”

“But you’ll have plenty of time to rest. Can’t you work for just one day?”

Permette still had Ceteran under his thumb. Min-joo watched Permette’s retreating figure from a distance.

Wrapping an arm around Min-joo’s shoulder, Vehen asked quietly.

“Feeling disappointed?”

It was as if he knew everything.

Permette’s confession, their estranged relationship, Min-joo’s sense of disappointment – it was all as if Vehen knew everything.

She nodded. Vehen comforted Min-joo by patting her shoulder gently.

“Just give it some time. He also needs time to sort things out.”

“I know, but… I still feel this way.”

She knew why Permette was distancing himself. That’s why she didn’t confront him.

Vehen’s emerald eyes stared intently at Min-joo. It wasn’t jealousy, but a subtle possessiveness that flickered.

“Rolfreme, are you busy after the wedding?”

Vehen called out to Permette. Permette, who had been preoccupied with Ceteran, looked at Vehen.

“I am, Your Excellency. Don’t you have anything to do?”

“You’re being a jerk.”

“People change suddenly, don’t they?”

Permette shrugged bluntly. Min-joo detected a subtle change in his attitude.

He seemed happy. Whether it was because he found satisfaction in his work or enjoyed teasing Ceteran while working, Min-joo wasn’t sure.

He looked happy. Perhaps he had found something he wanted to do as an adjutant.

She observed Permette nervously, and it was a subtle change she wouldn’t have noticed if she hadn’t been paying attention.

It was a bit disheartening to see everyone leaving her and seeming to become happier.

Shouldn’t she be happy being with them? Was this what it felt like to see a baby bird leaving its nest?

“You have to leave.”

Permette checked the time and urged Ceteran.

Ceteran, who had relaxed for a moment, stiffened up again as if he had never relaxed.

“If you make a mistake during the wedding, it’ll be talked about for the rest of your life.”

“Am I really insane? To have you as my aide.”

Despite everything, Ceteran responded calmly, indicating that he was somewhat relieved from the tension.

“Do we have time for this? Your Majesty, please leave quickly.”

Vehen also urged Ceteran, echoing Permette’s sentiment.

It was heartwarming to see the three long-time friends together.

Despite all the turmoil and misunderstandings, they were still friends.

Permette followed Ceteran as he left.

Min-joo, who had agreed to be a maid of honor, moved to the bride’s waiting room, and Vehen also took a seat arranged by Permette.

It was the most splendid and majestic wedding she had ever seen.

The Pope officiated the ceremony, and foreign diplomats were also present.

“Sister, why are you more nervous than me?”

Min-joo, who was guarding Neriant’s front in front of the closed door, trembled and took a deep breath.

Neriant laughed while holding a bouquet. Next to Neriant stood Count Velirian.

“…Neriant.”

The Count hesitated for a moment, looking into the void before speaking to Neriant.

“Be happy.”

Even without explicitly asking, it was evident that there was much meaning behind his words.

Min-joo knew that the Count did not acknowledge Neriant as his daughter. Therefore, she didn’t expect any congratulations.

Perhaps it was because she unexpectedly stepped forward to someone she hadn’t anticipated, but Neriant also showed a subtle expression.

Before Min-joo could ask if she was okay, the door opened.

Without waiting to see Neriant’s expression, Min-joo put on a casual expression and walked ahead.

As she walked on the red carpet, she could feel the eyes on her.

‘It feels a bit unsettling…’

Although she thought she had become accustomed to the attention, it didn’t seem so certain now.

Even though she knew she couldn’t escape or hide anywhere, she still felt a shiver down her spine—standing there was still unnerving.

Awkwardly taking steps, she looked around. It seemed like she would feel better if she saw a familiar face.

‘…Vehen.’

Vehen was sitting and looking at Min-joo. Her affectionate emerald eyes showed concern for Min-joo’s tension.

As soon as she met Vehen’s gaze, she felt relieved. She didn’t care about others’ gazes.

She casually imagined her future with Vehen.

Walking along a long path, smiling and waiting for her as if in a dream.

After imagining it, her chest felt ticklish, and she didn’t know what to do.

Standing as a maid of honor at Neriant’s wedding, she was thinking about such fantasies. It was unfitting for a maid of honor.

Upon reaching the officiator, Min-joo stepped back and stood behind Neriant. Count Velirian had already returned to his seat.

Neriant’s shoulders looked sturdy from behind. It must have been the result of exercise. Her neatly slicked-back hair resembled that of a soldier.

She glanced at the guests. While she recognized a few familiar faces, she spotted a surprising one among them.

‘…Tedric?’

Tedric was sitting there, keeping to a corner to avoid people’s gazes.