I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 28
Episode 28
Min-joo thought the world was truly strange.
What does social status or birth mean? Why is it so important, and what does one’s background even signify?
Ceteran nodded silently as he listened to Pel’s words, then turned to glance at Ziken.
His gaze, carefully suppressing the rising anger, was intense.
“The people standing on the empire’s land should be protected and not threatened with survival. This is the empire’s law. Viscount Ziken is a criminal against the law.”
Ceteran took a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Pel.
Pel accepted it cautiously and wiped away tears. The body underneath the tattered clothes was covered in bruises.
“Other victims have been transferred to the imperial hospital for treatment. Although the aftereffects are severe, they couldn’t attend as witnesses. Please review the documents detailing their testimonies.”
The judge frowned while reading the documents. The evidence was filled with instances of inhumane treatment, worse than that of animals. But this was a tragedy that only happened to humans; slaves were not considered people.
“Slaves are not citizens. Is there evidence that Viscount Ziken illegally purchased slaves?”
The defense attorney, who had been silent, spoke up.
“No. The slave papers were all drawn up according to the law, and the price was paid.”
The lawyer’s order to Permette was to make sure Viscount Ziken was fully punished for the gambling house.
There was no punishment for the slaves.
“Slaves are property of the owner. It is understood that the owner’s actions cannot be judged as right or wrong by law.”
The judge nodded. Min-joo doubted if this conversation was truly conducted in a human language.
“I acknowledge. Secretary, please delete any testimony and evidence related to the slaves.”
“Judge!”
Ceteran grabbed the desk and shouted. The judge sternly commanded.
“Quiet!”
It’s absurd. Min-joo covered her pale mouth with her hand, trying to stifle her breath. Pel, who didn’t understand the empire’s language, only glanced around awkwardly, following the instructions to leave the seat.
Unable to blend in with the audience, he stood at the edge of the space, unable to even put on shoes. Ceteran, who helplessly watched this, gritted his teeth and breathed carefully.
Emotional but not losing composure, Ceteran quickly regained his calm.
“…Evidence has been found that Viscount Ziken colluded with someone. The accomplice behind him is suspected of giving orders to the Viscount. Please issue a search warrant.”
As the documents were handed over, Viscount Ziken, who had been silently sitting, suddenly stood up and passionately protested.
“That’s not true! It’s a manipulation, the evidence is fabricated!”
“Is it true, Prince Ceteran?”
Ceteran raised the corner of his mouth, giving a fierce smile devoid of any gentleness. It was a perfect sneer, without a trace of mildness.
“No. The evidence was found in a separate office from the gambling den. The exact location is included in the documents.”
“I acknowledge. The search is permitted.”
Viscount Ziken screamed in despair.
The offices and gambling den records that Ceteran had ransacked had already been discovered, leaving only his home to be searched. If they searched there as well, evidence related to Tedric would undoubtedly be revealed.
Despite Viscount Ziken’s desperate pleas and objections, he was ignored. The judges began discussing themselves for the final verdict. The charges were acknowledged, but they couldn’t decide on the treatment of the slaves. Eventually, it was decided to consult the opinions of the jurors.
This was also why Min-joo was sitting as a juror. The prevailing opinion was that since Viscount Ziken had bought the slaves and was not bound to the family, they should be transferred to the family.
Is it right to treat people as property? Min-joo didn’t want to step forward, and receiving attention was uncomfortable. However, Pel, standing in the corner and only glancing around, caught her eye.
His battered feet and a body with no place left untreated struck her eyes.
“I think we should discard the slave documents.”
She spoke up. All eyes, from the jurors to the spectators and even the judge, turned towards Min-joo. With a pounding chest and a fluttering stomach, she felt the sensation strongly.
“Viscount Ziken deceived nobles by selling slaves, and it’s right to prevent him from owning slaves as a fitting punishment. Since the slaves he already has suffered near incapacitating damages, they will be discarded anyway, so it’s better to discard the slave documents…”
Is it reasonable to claim ownership over a person? Min-joo couldn’t believe she was saying these words and blurred out at the end.
Even though she tried to express her opinion, it was not accepted. It was the only dissenting opinion.
Eyes, whispers, and accusations pierced Min-joo’s words like daggers. She couldn’t say anything more.
Viscount Ziken avoided the death penalty but couldn’t escape imprisonment. He would spend the next twenty years in the chateau tower, contemplating his regrets.
He was ordered to compensate half of the damages to the nobles, and the decision was made for the slaves to be bound to the family.
Pel couldn’t stand up and wept.
“I’m sorry. It’s my weakness, I’m sorry.”
Ceteran wrapped his arms around Pel’s shoulders, comforting him. The face, mingled with empathy, apologies, and agony, was for the sake of the victim.
Looking at Ceteran, Min-joo recalled his warm disposition. Yes, a heart like the spring sky, sincerely caring for the weak and regarding all beings as precious.
She thought of the Ceteran she envisioned and wrote about.
“Now that Viscount Ziken has been found guilty, we just need to find proof of his connection to the Crown Prince.”
Vehen, who was in the spectator seat, approached. Min-joo reflexively looked at Vehen.
Crossing the fence with long legs, Vehen came over to the jurors’ seats, straightening his jacket and offering a faint smile. Seeing him in the courtroom, Min-joo thought it would be suitable for a legal drama.
A lawyer or prosecutor like him punishing villains…
“Did you cry?”
Vehen reached out with a frowning expression. His large hand gently brushed Min-joo’s eyes.
“Yes, a bit…”
“The verdict turned out that way, but, fortunately, we found him not too late. If he had been left alone, we might not have found him. The fact that opinions on protecting slaves were raised in the trial itself was unprecedented. It’s just the beginning now.”
Vehen, lowering his upper body to meet Min-joo’s gaze, spoke softly.
It seemed like he was expressing regret or maybe feeling guilty.
Min-joo was convinced that he was a kind person. She believed there was a small spark, like a warm fire, nestled in the ice.
Then suddenly, a thought brushed through her mind. Min-joo grasped Vehen’s hand against her face.
Vehen’s eyes widened at the sudden contact.
“I had a dream, but I wasn’t sure, so I couldn’t say anything.”
“A dream? If it was a dream about a golden pig, tell me later.”
“No, it’s about the future. But I feel like I need to say something. In my dream today, Tedric told Mir… not Mirukbul, not Matis… No, not Mirkbul.”
“Count Mirtese?”
“Yes, that’s it! Mir, something! I saw him telling him not to leave evidence with that person. I’m not sure exactly what he told him, but when the verdict against Viscount Ziken is passed, and the search warrant is issued, what if he tells him to get rid of the evidence?”
Vehen’s complexion darkened at Min-joo’s words.
Min-joo looked at Vehen, unsure if her words were convincing, but Vehen was seriously contemplating her prophecy.
To discuss the details, Min-joo stood up from her seat and grasped the railing. Vehen, holding onto Min-joo’s arm, supported her. It was an unconscious action.
As Min-joo looked at Vehen’s arm, she leaned on it as they descended the stairs.
Vehen still solemnly pondered the prophecy.
“Vehen, it’s just my thoughts, but isn’t this destroying evidence?”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
“What are you thinking? Is it about me by any chance?”
Permette, who had hopped over the fence, warmly smiled and draped his arm over Min-joo’s shoulder. Vehen’s eyebrows twitched.
Naturally, Permette leaned over Min-joo’s head, taking away the arm that Vehen was holding and placing it on top of her head. Permette’s act of controlling Min-joo’s arm to pat her head could be considered somewhat grotesque.
“Praise me since I’ve been working hard since yesterday, Min-joo.”
“Wow, impressive. Very commendable.”
What if she gave language abilities to the first machine ever created?
Min-joo casually praised Permette in a stiff tone, and Permette laughed happily, patting her head. It felt good, with soft hair sticking to her hand.
Min-joo forcefully pushed Permette’s hand away and clenched her fist.
The determination not to let anyone take away her arm was evident. Witnessing this, Vehen instinctively placed his hand on Permette’s face and pushed him away.
Permette, who was pushed back by the seemingly gentle but strong force, separated from Min-joo.
“We should immediately order a search of Viscount Ziken’s residence. Rolfreme, go and inform His Highness.”
“So be it, Min-joo.”
“Why are you making me do it? Hurry up and go, Permette.”
Power is indeed frightening. Min-joo didn’t want to be overpowered, but she succumbed to the authority. Permette walked away with a sulky expression.
Ceteran, who had finished talking with Pel and was discussing with the lawyer, frowned when he saw Permette. Though Vehen couldn’t hear the conversation between Ceteran and Permette, seeing Permette becoming more cheerful and Ceteran becoming gloomier, he understood.
It seemed quite bothersome.
Vehen casually observed them before standing in front of Min-joo, bowing his upper body.
Looking at the handsome potato—no, Vehen—around her chest level, she felt a bit stifled.
“Other than that dream, have you had any other dreams?”
“Yes? Uh, well. Tedric telling Viscount Zikento to buy a ship…”
“A ship?”
“Yes. An incredibly large ship. Floating on the water.”
Min-joo gestured kindly while explaining, causing Vehen’s face to contort. Min-joo briefly regretted not speaking sooner, even though it wasn’t certain, but she said it.
Vehen tapped Min-joo’s shoulder twice.
“Yeah, got it. I’ll check.”
“What if it’s just a random dream? Why suddenly believe it?”
“Because you know the future. You said so yourself.”
His response was so natural that it choked her. How long had it been since they met, and why was he suddenly trusting her words in such an important matter? It wasn’t certain.
Min-joo lowered her gaze and mumbled softly.
“Now, shall we…”
“Go to pass the checkpoint.”
“So soon?”
Of course, thanks to the lawyer’s revisions, the preparations were ready, but she didn’t expect the plan to be executed immediately.
Min-joo widened her eyes in surprise and grabbed Vehen’s clothes.
“So when are we doing this? We have to do it now to turn the message into a hero.”
“It’s true, but it’s too sudden…”
“People’s attention fades quickly. It should be done when the public is still interested.”
Vehen tapped Min-joo’s shoulder twice and offered a faint smile.
As he rarely smiled, Min-joo felt a momentary flutter in her chest.
“Go back with Rolfreme. I’ll finish up and join you soon.”
After carefully releasing her grip on his clothes, Vehen left Min-joo behind and walked toward Ceteran. The surroundings instantly quieted down, the hushed conversations of people gathering, and the thick air of the courtroom lingered in Min-joo’s nose.
The natural scene of Ceteran, Vehen, and Permette coming together and exchanging stories caught Min-joo’s eye. Then, suddenly, a thought struck her.
‘I’m a foreigner.’
Such a thought emerged a realization that despite being intertwined, she was a stranger and someone who would drift away.
And Neriant came to mind.
The only person who knew the real Min-joo, not the one in this place. She longed to see Se-yeon, who had possessed Neriant. Only now did she understand why Neriant had searched for her and clung to her, crying.
Loneliness.
This place left behind alone, felt too desolate and depressing.
Min-joo finished the conversation and looked at the approaching Permette. Although she hadn’t concluded things with Vehen, Min-joo felt that going to Neriant was the right thing to do. That’s what she had to do.
As she met eyes with Min-joo, Permette smiled brightly, and Min-joo couldn’t help feeling a strange sense of discomfort.
‘I want to go home.’
That was the only thought on her mind.
* * *
A mesmerizing blonde with a crimson hue, blue eyes that seemed to hold the enchanting essence of the ocean, and a delicate body with fair skin—these were not characteristics of Se-yeon.
It was a day marked by celebrating the end of midterms and drowning sorrows with classmates over ruined grades, reminiscent of the language of cherry blossoms.
In an inebriated state, attempting to pluck a tree on the roadside with spirits high, an accident occurred. It was as if fate had been waiting, and in that moment, it was instinctively sensed that she wouldn’t open her eyes again.
Passing headlights were the last glimpse, and thoughts of a will did not cross her mind. It was just a fleeting impression of becoming a pine nut.
Se-yeon had undoubtedly died, and yet, she opened her eyes. She had become a spirit bound to Neriant’s body.
Having never tried physical activity in her lifetime, only a spoonful of muscles remained. There were no exercise machines in this unfamiliar world. Nevertheless, Neriant did not yield.
Starting from scratch with exercise was oddly satisfying. Systematically training muscles to create a perfect and firm body was rewarding.
Moreover, Neriant’s body easily developed muscles, and the bones were sturdy.
‘Daring to have such a precious body and not exercising.’
Se-yeon had studied security at the university she attended in her previous life.
Although Se-yeon had recently been particularly focused on her fitness, she had originally familiarized herself with basic martial arts. So, as soon as she opened her eyes to Neriant’s body, she applied her skills to Count Velirian, who had rushed towards her.
Despite the lack of muscles, it was fine. Se-yeon, a natural fighter trained in disciplines such as Taekwondo, Kendo, Jiu-Jitsu, grabbed the Count’s wrist, bent her body, and attempted to break his arm by hooking her leg around his forearm.
Indeed, one should learn techniques. You never know when and where you might need them.
For instance, waking up in someone else’s body and immediately facing a threat or dealing with an unfamiliar man charging at you—it’s impossible to just stand still. You simply apply your skills.
After that, Count Velirian began to suspect Neriant. The reason was valid.
‘My daughter used to detest exercise, but now she seems to have developed a keen interest in it.’
It was hard for the fitness-fanatic Count Velirian not to notice the change in his daughter’s disposition.