I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 20

Episode 20

Without readily coming up with an appropriate response, Min-joo nodded hesitantly.

“But can I really just call you by your name? You didn’t seem to like it much either.”

He wasn’t a character who easily formed attachments. It was strange. As Min-joo avoided eye contact and removed her robe, Permette covered half of his face with his hand and spoke.

Due to his blocked hand, it felt muffled when he spoke.

“I don’t know, I don’t.”

Permette truly didn’t know what emotions he had towards Min-joo. What Min-joo’s feelings were. What the curiosity, odd jealousy, and the desire for Min-joo to recognize his true nature meant.

“What?”

Min-joo, who tossed her robe carelessly onto the front sofa, frowned.

“If you don’t know, who would? Have you developed any affection for me?”

“I’m not sure, I don’t know.”

Permette didn’t know.

What his feelings were for Min-joo. What it meant to desire curiosity and a recognition of one’s essence.

“Excuse me?”

Min-joo, with her disheveled hair, released a low breath as she gathered it with her hands. Permette leaned slightly forward, gazing at her with depth, even to the upper body.

“Is this emotion affection?”

It was a question born out of ignorance. Because it couldn’t be known, couldn’t be understood, after much consideration and deliberation.

Feeling uncomfortable under the persistent gaze, Min-joo looked at Permette without tying her hair and retorted.

For a moment, she was a little taken aback. The gaze with shining golden eyes and the tilting of his elegant jaw, like a puppy, pierced through her heart.

Even if it were called a statue sculpted by a god, there was no argument against it. Beyond a perfect handsome man, he was divine.

Min-joo coughed and tied her hair to finish.

“So, what do you think then?”

“I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking.”

“Let’s say it’s affection. If it turns out to be something else later, I’ll correct it.”

Permette brought up the most curious emotion. Among a hundred, the one fact he wanted to reveal the most.

“Do you not want to be hated? Is that affection?”

“Yes.”

Exhausted by the persistent questioning, Min-joo responded nonchalantly. In a way, not wanting to be hated could also be considered liking or affection.

Min-joo suggested they leave, tapping Permette’s arm casually. However, Permette, deeply engrossed in his thoughts, didn’t respond to Min-joo’s request and stiffened his expression seriously.

Min-joo didn’t back down and continued to tap his arm persistently. Suddenly, unable to control his anger, Permette reflexively grabbed Min-joo’s wrist with a failed attempt at moderating his strength.

Before he realized it, the weakly resisted wrist felt like it had tensed up.

“Let’s go.”

Belatedly recognizing his actions, Permette released Min-joo’s wrist. It was embarrassing for him, as it was the first time he moved on his own. Min-joo’s reddened wrist caught his attention.

“Yes, are we returning to His Excellency?”

“We should. I left my work behind, and if we go back now, I’ll probably catch an earful.”

“Understood. I’m sure he’ll give you a hard time when you return.”

“That’s annoyingly true. It’s just my luck.”

“Yes, indeed. If it weren’t for your status, you would have been scolded thoroughly.”

For the first time, the conversation flowed smoothly. Min-joo couldn’t hide her surprise and delight. Her complexion brightened, and her body turned towards Permette.

Permette, who played along calmly, formed a faint smile.

She enjoys this type of conversation, Min-joo thought. She believed that the only intersection she and Permette had was their shared interest in conversations that tore others down.

Tapping the carriage wall to signal the departure, the carriage began to move slowly.

“Even though you didn’t eat, there’s no need to criticize the sandwiches I painstakingly made, is there?”

“They tasted good, but I don’t understand what’s so dissatisfying.”

“That’s exactly it! You’re so stingy with your compliments. It wouldn’t hurt to say well done or thank you once in a while.”

“I’ve never heard a single word of praise from His Excellency.”

“Humans can be truly mean. Permette is good at his job. If it were me, I would have taken care of you so well that you wouldn’t even think of leaving.”

Min-joo mentioned various misdeeds of Vehen, piled up over time, to Permette.

Permette, astonished, opened his eyes wide and closed his mouth in surprise. Min-joo shook her hand in front of Permette’s puzzled eyes.

“Why? Is it really for a new job or some kind of spy mission?”

“…No.”

“Then do you think Vehen is a good superior?”

“That’s not the case.”

Why did he answer so quickly? There wasn’t even time to take a breath. Min-joo hesitated and stammered.

“Uh, well…”

As she spoke, she slowly lowered the hand that had been fluttering in front of Permette’s eyes like a Parisian. 

“Do I… do well at my job?”

“What? You’re good. You handle things confidently when asked.”

If she were a modern person, the reward for calling would likely be a salary. Min-joo shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.

“Do you want to take care of me to that extent?”

“If I don’t, it’s a loss for my superior… Of course.”

As they got a bit closer, narrowing the distance, Min-joo pressed against the wall, avoiding Permette.

Permette, without yielding, brought his face closer to Min-joo’s.

This person had no sense of personal space as if he had just devoured a bag of fish and chips. Looking pleased with her, he seemed so carefree that it annoyed Min-joo.

Permette was very pleased. If he had known that praise could feel this good, he would have made those around him praise him sooner.

He realized it too late.

He felt like groaning, regretting his belated understanding.

No one else would praise Permette except Min-joo. Not the family he had, not Vehen, not Ceteran. No one would show kindness to Permette.

Permette was the villain everyone avoided, a person too light to get close to. Except for Min-joo.

Permette genuinely felt sorry and furrowed his eyebrows.

“If Min-joo were my superior, it would have been nice.”

“I don’t have the skills to be anyone’s superior. Besides, we’re too close, aren’t we?”

Min-joo pushed Permette’s shoulders. Even without applying force, Permette naturally stepped back. But for a moment, he held Min-joo’s shoulders against the wall.

There was no way to escape the overpowering strength.

An uncomfortable and feeble sense of anxiety surged. If anyone, regardless of gender, had their shoulders grabbed and pushed against a wall by a much larger person, it would undoubtedly cause anxiety.

“What are you doing?”

Min-joo, with a displeased expression, sharply retorted.

“I’ve never received praise… Every time you praise me, my heart flutters. The ground becomes soft, and it feels scary to step on.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Praise me, please.”

“Are you crazy?”

There was no reason to praise, and her shoulders pressed by the grip were hurting. Even if she tried to push them down, she couldn’t overcome the strength.

Moreover, Permette’s eyes seemed slightly unfocused, and it felt like he wouldn’t let go unless he received praise. Whether it was because he craved praise or for some other reason, Min-joo didn’t know.

If it weren’t for the face, he would have punched him in the throat.

Min-joo pushed Permette’s hands away and frowned.

“You’re trying to break my shoulder, and that’s what you’re good at?”

“Yes, I’m quite strong.”

“Praise? No need for that. I told you to let go; my shoulder is about to break! Hey, Permette!”

As the pain intensified, Min-joo hastily swatted away Permette’s hand. The sound was sharp, and his rough, bony hand felt rigid.

Even though Permette didn’t exert much force, Min-joo felt too fragile. Her wrists easily reddened, and her frailty seemed to yield to any pressure.

Permette released her, fearing that he might cause Min-joo’s hand to swell. As soon as he let go, Min-joo slipped away like a water strider and moved to the opposite sofa.

“You’re flexible. And your shoulders… I thought they were made of soft dough.”

“If you know that, handle it with care! It’s called being considerate.”

She didn’t want to get hurt here. In a world where bones break if a cavity appears, one must recover through willpower and determination.

Just the thought of it was dreadful.

“I don’t know if I’m going to scream myself to death because of you.”

“I’ll be careful.”

Permette casually clenched and unclenched his hand, smiling. The tendons on the back of his hand bulged with each movement, and his thick skeletal structure flexed.

Min-joo was thankful that the fist wasn’t directed at her.

They had seemed to make progress in their conversation, but now it felt like they were back to square one.

Ignoring Permette, who was starting to beg for praise, Min-joo looked out the carriage window. She didn’t know what to say out of fear.

As the sun began to set, casting an orange hue in the sky, they arrived at the mansion.

Min-joo went straight to Vehen without changing her clothes. It was to show Vehen, who could barely manage two meals a day, what proper food was. Of course, Permette followed for the sake of the report.

After a light knock, Min-joo opened the door and found Ceteran leaning on the sofa.

It seemed that his condition, with half of his face swollen and aching, wasn’t as good as it appeared.

“Why are you so late? I told you to come back before sunset.”

Vehen, sitting across from Ceteran, greeted her with a sarcastic comment.

Vehen’s skin was as glowing as ever as if he’d been frying Ceteran for some time.

Min-joo dared to imagine what might have happened to turn Ceteran into a withered cactus and shook her head.

“I arrived before sunset. It was just that the sun had set on the way here.”

“If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable.”

“You catch on quickly.”

When Min-joo stuck out her tongue, Vehen frowned disapprovingly. Permette, who had quietly taken a seat next to Ceteran, was poking and prodding to confirm whether he was dead or alive.

“What about the sorcerer business?” 

Vehen, gesturing for Min-joo to leave, turned his attention to Permette. Annoyed by the casual hand gestures, Min-joo clenched her fist and held her ground. Since she was used to hearing only what she wanted, Vehen gave up on reprimanding her and focused on Permette.

As Permette attempted to poke Ceteran’s side, Ceteran swatted his hand away sharply. Smiling, Permette answered while tickling Ceteran’s side, and Ceteran seemed pleased with the affectionate touch.

“Mireille wasn’t a sorcerer. It turns out, a close acquaintance she had known for a long time was the sorcerer.”

“What happened to him?”

“I didn’t hear. I killed her suddenly during the attack.”

Even if there was an attack, given Permette’s skills, he could have easily subdued and captured the assailant. Vehen, dissatisfied with Permette’s response, tapped his chin and drummed his fingers.

“Why? You didn’t need to do that.”

“She wielded a dagger toward Min-joo. It was a defensive response to protect her.”

“What?”

Vehen, who had been listening indifferently, looked at Min-joo in surprise. Startled, she shivered and averted her gaze.

Vehen grabbed Min-joo, pulling her forward. His scrutinizing gaze was thorough and persistent.

“Any injuries?”

“None… really.”

“Your state of mind?”

“I have it.”

“What are you talking about? You didn’t have any from the start.”

“No, this person is messing with me.”

Vehen, who had been inspecting Min-joo by holding her wrist, sighed in relief upon confirming that she had no injuries. Then, he turned his head slightly to glance at Permette, who was hidden from Min-joo’s view.

A mischievous expression appeared on Vehen’s face. 

“I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but why do you call this girl by her name?”

“I got permission from Min-joo?”

“Don’t.”

“Even though she says it’s fine?”

“If I say not to, then don’t.”

Vehen couldn’t quite understand why he felt this way, but he believed that calling him by his name was a hundred, no, a thousand times better than using titles like “Your Excellency” or whatever.

Permette couldn’t comprehend why Vehen insisted on correcting the form of address, but he found it amusing to see Vehen stubbornly holding his ground.

Whether Vehen got angry or gave up, it didn’t matter. If it was fun, that was enough.

“Min-joo, do you dislike me calling you by your name?”

“No, not really.”

“You don’t mind, right? Why is Your Excellency getting upset? I don’t understand.”

Watching him tilt his head innocently with disgustingly pretty eyes blinking, Vehen couldn’t stand it. 

Unable to contain his frustration, Vehen grabbed Min-joo’s hand. As Min-joo wobbled, she ended up kneeling beside Vehen.

“She’s mine. Call her Park.”

“Master, I prefer that even less.”

“……, then call her by her full name.”

“Seriously, what’s wrong with you, calling me by my first name?”

As Vehen attempted to pull MIn-joo closer, she turned and sat beside him. Vehen’s hand awkwardly lingered in the air.

“Fine, I’ll call you by your name too. You can call me by my name instead of ‘master.'”

“Why are you like this? Seriously, did your brain stop working because you haven’t eaten?”

“You’re unlucky.”

“Let it be. His name is much better than his title, so call him by his name.”

MIn-joo, who had made a sarcastic comment, turned to look at Ceteran, who was pale and barely breathing under the bombardment of itching. 

Although Vehen’s ears turned oddly red, no one except Permette seemed to notice.

“But why are you like this? Did the Duke drain your soul or something?”

Finally receiving attention, Ceteran, delighted, furrowed his brow in a somewhat annoyed manner.