I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 24

Episode 24

4. This isn’t right.

It had been a series of strange events from the moment she arrived in this world. 

Min-joo buried her face in both hands and let out a long sigh. The inexplicable situations continued incessantly, making her insides boil with frustration and her head feel tangled. 

In times like these, it’s best not to think about anything at all.

Min-joo quickly gave up and lifted her head. Vehen’s hand lingered near Min-joo’s back. 

“Do you like me?” 

His hesitant hand, the hidden affection beneath his worries, his tenderness—it seemed like he was shouting with his whole body that he liked her. 

Even when Neriant threatened to take Min-joo away, or when he previously prepared shoes only to break into laughter when someone else gave her a different pair—these were things he couldn’t easily do unless he liked someone.

So, Min-joo didn’t waste any time and bluntly spoke up. 

“No.”

It wasn’t unexpected, but Vehen quickly withdrew his hand, tilting his head lightly. Min-joo’s eyes narrowed. 

“Lies.”

“What do you believe, telling me such nonsense?”

“Because I trust you.”

“Don’t trust me from today. Believe in something else.”

Vehen stepped back, avoiding eye contact. Min-joo was convinced. 

He liked her, and because of that, things had changed between him and Neriant. No matter how charming he was, there was a limit. Min-joo swallowed the pretentious pride and straightened her shoulders.

“If I don’t trust you, then who will I trust? Would I trust Permette?”

“Nonsense is increasing.”

“Then how about trusting Vehen?”

Vehen, who had been sarcastically responding to each of Min-joo’s sentences, finally closed his mouth. His black eyes sparkled as he gazed, and the disheveled hair stuck to his cheek, the slender shoulders that stood upright against the sofa—all of it was captured in Min-joo’s eyes, sinking deep into her memory.

“Well, fine.”

“Oh, what should I believe in Vehen?”

“Insane. Are you having fun teasing me?”

“It’s so much fun.”

Min-joo let out a small laugh. Playfully rolling her legs, she inadvertently shook the tea in the cup on the table.

Vehen thought that the scene resembled him perfectly. Just like how he would sway and falter when touched absentmindedly.

“Do you really not like me, or am I mistaken?”

Just when he thought the conversation had shifted, it came back to square one. Vehen nervously scratched the sofa, keeping his gaze on the table. 

The sound of scraping leather echoed distractingly.

“I don’t like you. What part of me made you think otherwise?”

A nervy response came back. Min-joo looked at Vehen expressionlessly and nodded. That was all.

“Yeah, I guess it’s my misunderstanding. I’m sorry.”

It all seemed fake no matter where you looked.

Vehen scratched the sofa to hide the lie, avoided eye contact, and mumbled. If he didn’t want to talk, Min-joo decided not to push him awkwardly.

If he wanted to avoid emotions, that was fine; if he didn’t want to be caught, pretending not to know was okay too. However, the careful touch that passed the strands of hair told a different story.

The affectionate gaze that looked directly at her, the meticulous tenderness that remembered passing words and gave gifts—every action spoke of affection. He wasn’t someone who easily let others into his life or treated them warmly.

But why did it feel empty inside?

There was a faint sense of resentment as if she felt slighted. Even though she had no intention of accepting it in the first place. Min-joo guessed it was because she had embarrassed herself, and she dismissed it as a trivial matter.

“…I’m going to Neriant.”

Given the surprising events today, it seemed prudent to convey it properly. Min-joo glanced at Vehen, who still seemed likely to be upset, and cautiously murmured.

Vehen’s eyebrows furrowed. Min-joo continued, lightly tapping her toe on the floor.

“I had planned to go anyway. It’s not because of Se-yeon; I had that intention from the beginning.”

“Why?”

Vehen’s voice was low, a mixture of fierceness as if scratching against a wall. A chill ran down Min-joo’s spine, knowing it wouldn’t lead to harm. She looked straight at Vehen.

Min-joo’s black eyes glinted with determination.

“It’s safer. Being with Neriant is much safer than staying here.”

“I saved you. Several times, I saved you.”

“There shouldn’t be a need to be threatened. Since I came here, I have seen someone die for the first time. I can’t stand tossing and turning every night.”

Vehen would let Min-joo go. Min-joo believed this without a doubt. Even if he felt a significant disturbance, he was the kind of person who would step back without forcing his feelings for the sake of Neriant’s happiness.

Min-joo waited for Vehen’s response, lifting the teacup. The cooled tea made her fingertips feel chilly.

“Do you think she has the power to send you back home?”

Vehen’s sharp response was as chilling and precarious as the teacup. Min-joo sipped the tea, feeling the coldness.

“Original Lady Velirian doesn’t have that ability. But if she’s possessed, it’s even less likely. She’s probably too busy trying to find a way to survive. Do you think she’d have time to worry about you?”

“Well, do you? Vehen, do you have the ability to send me home?”

Vehen, who had been sharply pointing out reality, closed his mouth. Min-joo, feeling a boiling sensation inside, emptied the tea in one gulp. The aftertaste was strangely bitter, and the sweet aroma lingered in her mouth, making her stomach churn.

Min-joo turned to face Vehen.

Despite his intimidating size, he didn’t scare or intimidate her.

“You say you don’t need the ability to see the future. You say I’m incompetent. You say you have no feelings for me, so why do you want to keep me? I don’t understand.”

In response to her desperate cry, claiming ownership and declaring her as his, Vehen was silent.

If it’s just because she’s a maid, she’ll be disappointed. Min-joo stiffened her face and clenched the sofa. The leather scratched her, catching on her nails.

“Because the sandwich is delicious.”

“A sandwich?”

As if he was about to give some casual response, Min-joo felt the sensation of her blood pressure rising for the first time. Her throat felt tense.

What is wrong with him?

Min-joo scratched the sofa and clenched her fist. Thin veins showed on the back of her hand.

“Even if you order another maid to do that kind of thing, you could easily eat. Is that your answer?”

“What else should I say then?”

“If you say that, I don’t have anything to say either.”

The honest and objective Min-joo managed to calm down the rapidly rising anger and took a step back. No, but when she thought about it, her anger flared up again. Min-joo thudded her head against the backrest of the sofa, then straightened her upper body.

Vehen, who had been quietly watching, discreetly stepped back. He looked at Min-joo, who was performing an energetic one-person show as if observing a strange person.

“I’ll write down the sandwich recipe for you, so ask another maid to do it. I’m going to Neriant.”

Min-joo, who let out a deep sigh, regained composure and stood up from her seat. Vehen hurriedly shouted to her.

“I haven’t permitted you to get up. I didn’t say you could.”

“Hurry up and finish.”

An annoyed Min-joo, glaring at Vehen, sat back on the sofa, crossing her arms and legs arrogantly. There was no reason for Min-joo not to act up in a job she was about to quit anyway.

As if organizing his thoughts, Vehen remained silent for a while. Then, gripping the sofa, he approached Min-joo step by step. With a hands’ width between them, Vehen was finally able to say what he wanted.

“I am a duke, and that girl has no status. It’s more efficient for me to find information and do what you want under my command. Besides, Lady Velirian will marry the 3rd Prince. She’ll be busy with marriage preparations, so do you think she’ll have time to find a way to send you back?”

He knows how to turn the words upside down.

If there were group projects, Vehen would undoubtedly be in charge of the presentations. Vehen took a deep breath and continued, gripping the sofa.

“I can’t guarantee that there won’t be any danger around Lady Velirian. How can I ensure that the process involving the Crown Prince and the 3rd Prince will go smoothly? At least I… I will save you. Again and again, as I have been doing.”

Somehow, Min-joo found herself convinced. Perhaps she should be careful not only about the person buying the jade floor but also about the person selling it. 

Min-joo nodded in agreement with Vehen’s persuasive eloquence. If having thin ears was a crime, she was undoubtedly guilty.

Certainly, Vehen, with his high position, easily fulfilled what Min-joo desired. He brought her to parties, arranged meetings with Neriant, and even found a sorcerer for her. Moreover, if Neriant encountered a more precarious situation than Min-joo anticipated, there was nothing she could do about it. 

She could only talk about the ability to foresee the future, which she couldn’t.

‘I can’t say it. Absolutely not.’

Moreover, she couldn’t tell Neriant that this place was part of her assignment. It was too embarrassing. If she showed an awkward reaction, she would rather bury her head in a mouse hole and die.

Min-joo awkwardly nodded her head. 

“I’ll think about it more.”

“No need to think. Just stay by my side.”

“Like a proposal or something. Gives me the chills.”

“I want to peek into your mind. I can’t stand the curiosity about how messed up it is.”

“People’s minds are all the same.”

“But yours might have a little twist.”

This was all because of Permette. Even if Permette didn’t say he had a twist, Min-joo would have thought so. Frowning, Min-joo glared at Vehen arrogantly.

Vehen just shrugged his shoulder.

“Are you still pouting because I said I am going to Neriant?”

“Of course not.”

“But it looks like it.”

“I wouldn’t gain anything by sulking in front of a maid.”

He’s still upset. Min-joo laughed mockingly and gave Vehen a cold, stern look.

Talking more would only fuel Vehen’s petulance. Min-joo stood up, walking past the table and the sofa.

“Alright, I get it. I’ll decide later whether I’m going or not. Have a meal.”

“It’s annoying.”

“Eat. Don’t drive me crazy.”

“I don’t even know who the employer is.”

Vehen’s response was accompanied by laughter. Seeing him somewhat relieved, Min-joo thought that he wouldn’t assign unnecessary errands to her at night to vent his frustration.

Min-joo stood at the door, roughly bowed her head, and stepped away from the pouting Vehen. It was almost dinner time, and Min-joo rushed towards it like a hungry beast, showcasing a remarkable primal instinct.

After finishing her meal and completing her chores, Min-joo lay down on the bed with slightly damp hair. Since it would dry completely by morning, she decided to let go of what she couldn’t control for the sake of her mental health.

With her head resting on the soft pillow, Min-joo melted into the bed like cotton candy, not wanting to get up at all.

She covered herself with the blanket up to her neck and breathed evenly.

“Today was hectic…”

Although she thought that she wouldn’t be able to sleep due to her busy thoughts and tangled mind, she began to snore not even 10 seconds later.

Min-joo usually didn’t dream. She slept so deeply that she couldn’t even remember her dreams. Having a sense of self in a dream was a luxury she couldn’t afford.

But tonight, she dreamt. She had a sense of self.

In a dark space, Min-joo stood alone, unable to distinguish between dream and reality. Was this a lucid dream or something else? Min-joo wandered in a space where nothing could be seen in front of her.

A light, whether it existed from the beginning or suddenly appeared, illuminated the surroundings. The theatrical light, like a spotlight, pointed to a book lying on the floor.

Min-joo, as if possessed, picked up the book. It was a familiar weight and a familiar cover. Urgently, Min-joo sat down and opened the book.

[Tedric: Ominous rumors are circulating about the gambling den. (Casually)

Viscount Ziken: Yes, I would like to open the doors to the common folk and expand it into their culture. The footsteps of the nobility are slowing down, you see. If Your Highness permits… (Ziken glances at Tedric.)

Tedric: Viscount, why do I need to give permission? Isn’t it your gambling den? Ah, didn’t you recently buy a large ship? (Laughs while shaking his cup.)

Viscount Ziken: Are you referring to me? I never bought a ship… (Confused)

Tedric: Didn’t you buy a ship with the money earned from the gambling den? (Seems like a threat, still laughing.)]

The content has changed. Min-joo screamed silently, gripping the book with force.

In the dream, she can see the assignment. 

The future of this world. Even the changing future.