I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 3

Episode 3

Meanwhile, Vehen was already gone and nowhere to be found. Min-joo stood in the silent hallway, exhaling a sigh of frustration.

If she asks Leena, she might find out. Hoping she was still in the room, she prepared for the journey to find the room.

Thanks to Leena, who was diligently writing down notes, Min-joo could make coffee. Leena listened to Min-joo’s complaints and drew an interior map of the mansion, showcasing mediocre handwriting and drawing skills.

Better than nothing, Min-joo thought as she held the map, carrying coffee made possible by her experience as a cafe part-timer, and arrived at the office.

The office, filled with documents and books, emitted the scent of paper. Though Min-joo was too distracted to explore, the wooden furniture and calm-colored walls claimed to be Vehen’s.

Working at the cluttered desk, Vehen appeared naturally in the scene. Min-joo placed the coffee on the desk and sat on the edge. Considering her injured leg, she planned to rest briefly before Vehen returned.

The piled-up documents naturally drew her attention. Surprisingly, despite the different languages, conversation and even reading and writing were possible. If only English were this easy; job hunting would be less stressful.

“First-half revenue report…”

It was an elegant report. The handwriting was beautiful, and even the report on firearm sales profits rivaled modern ones. Someone familiar crossed Min-joo’s mind.

The head of the independent family, connected to Vehen’s family involved in the firearm business. The self-made character, Viscount Rolfreme, secures safety by handling dark matters even a duke couldn’t touch.

Does that character write so beautifully? Min-joo couldn’t help but doubt if the character was falling apart.

Rolfreme, with a volume of a supporting character and a bad personality, is a character even Min-joo, the author, doesn’t spare. Vehen, who used to be somewhat considerate when writing, was now unbearable to look at.

Min-joo looked over the documents and quickly scanned the next one. Seeing a report on the crown prince’s money laundering, it seemed like the original story was progressing.

As Min-joo pondered the development, she was about to turn the documents when a heavy voice pierced through her thoughts.

“I don’t recall giving you permission to look at it.”

Min-joo startled, stood up from the desk.

She had planned to leave before Vehen arrived but was absent-minded. Unable to find an excuse, Min-joo mumbled and looked at Vehen.

His usually neat hair was wet and drooped down into the water. Droplets ran down his sharp jawline, falling onto his chest and staining the white shirt. A few buttons were undone, revealing the man’s collarbone and well-defined muscles. He seemed to have just returned after a shower.

The disheveled appearance surprisingly suited him well. His usually immaculate appearance made the contrast even more noticeable.

“Sorry, your handwriting is so beautiful I couldn’t help it.”

“So, you stare at anything beautiful?”

“What?”

“I’ve been working hard on my face, you know?”

“What?”

“Even now.”

To regain her composure, Min-joo gestured into the air. Vehen, looking at her strangely, furrowed his brows, then leaned against the closed door, revealing his strong arms as he crossed them.

Min-joo finally found her wits and adjusted her hair as if she didn’t care. Blocking the door, Vehen tilted his head with his usual calm expression. 

She didn’t want to acknowledge his beauty, though she knew it was true.

“So, you’re calling yourself pretty now?”

“Can’t I?”

“Have you lost your mind?”

“I have.”

Approaching Vehen, Min-joo nonchalantly waved her hand as if to say, “Move aside.” Vehen responded with a loud fake laugh to her quite impolite behavior.

It seemed like the surprise Min-joo felt was Vehen’s surprise. His laughter belonged to someone who didn’t understand the situation.

“I’m curious about what’s going on in your head. How can you act so carefree in front of your master with such confidence?”

“I’m curious about everything. Oh, move quickly. I want to sleep too.”

Hearing the irritated tone, the thought of tucking him in nicely disappeared. It felt like a kind of frog in her throat.

Vehen lazily smiled, closing the distance. He looked like a mischievous youth but also seemed like someone with a mischievous and troublesome personality.

Min-joo, who didn’t want to be close to Vehen, began to step back.

“I’m not sleeping tonight.”

“Congratulations.”

“You won’t sleep either.”

The moment she finally found her composure, it slipped away again. Min-joo retorted with a haughty tone.

“Why? Whose decision is this? This is a violation of labor laws.”

“Master’s decision. If you don’t like it, leave the mansion.”

“I can stay up late. I’ve had nights without sleep even before coming here.”

Seizing on her vulnerability and using it to his advantage, Vehen’s cunning made Min-joo’s desire to put him to bed nicely disappear. It was a kind of treacherous wit.

With a mocking laugh, Vehen responded and slowly pushed Min-joo towards the desk.

“Get a chair and sit next to me.”

Frustrated by Min-joo’s reaction, Vehen chuckled satisfactorily and gave an order. After Min-joo sidestepped him, she dragged a guest chair from the corner of the office, responding with a sarcastic answer.

Already prepared to work, Vehen rolled up his sleeves and grabbed a pen. The prominent veins on his forearms and the back of his hands were impressive. Min-joo, sitting beside him, couldn’t help but admire it.

Although she had never set up this particular scene, she felt grateful for it.

Whether Vehen was aware of Min-joo’s gaze or not, he leisurely sipped his coffee when their proximity brought the scents of water and coffee together. Min-joo suspected she might grow tired of coffee in the future.

“How was it?”

“What do you mean?”

“The report. You must have had some thoughts after reading it.”

It was a satisfying taste of coffee. Vehen smiled lightly and looked down at his coffee.

Min-joo noticed that Vehen seemed to appreciate his coffee, and when he asked about the report’s impressions, she realized it was an opportunity to prove her usefulness.

Min-joo tapped the desk with her fingers like playing the piano.

“First, the revenue report is neat and well-organized, and the handwriting is beautiful. As for the crown prince’s money laundering… It’s indeed an illegal underground gambling den using slaves, but it involves several nobles, so uprooting it will be difficult. The nobles who lost a lot of money won’t stay silent, and there’s still no alternative entertainment to replace gambling.”

Listening silently without interrupting Min-joo’s words, Vehen picked out the report and casually tossed it in front of her. Leaning back with his chin in his hand, he looked at Min-joo askance.

“Read this and give me your thoughts.”

“Why should I?”

“Or leave.”

Damn it. Swearing internally, Min-joo picked up the report and slowly started reading. Even though she had decided it was worth reading, she felt pressured.

The report contained information Min-joo already knew. Since she planned and set up the events, no one knew them better than her. Min-joo skimmed through the documents quickly. Probably, Rolfreme, the character she created, gathered this information.

Feeling Vehen’s movement as he stamped the documents, Min-joo put down the report. Vehen had rested his chin on his hand and turned his head slightly, watching Min-joo.

“Utilize rumors. Spread stories about the gambling den. Like saying the win rates are rigged or they’re not paying out the full amount.”

For a change, Vehen leaned against the back of the chair, and his tiredness was evident in his expression.

Min-joo recalled the story she had written. As a result of this incident, the Crown Prince and the Third Prince would completely sever ties, and Vehen would meet the female protagonist, starting a doomed love affair.

The female protagonist’s family, a count’s household that wielded influence in the aristocracy while maintaining neutrality, had to meet despite their dislike.

“Also, the office is at B-7, not D-1.”

Min-joo confidently stated, pushing a stack of documents in front of Vehen. His expression brightened noticeably. It seemed like he was pleased, whether it was because of the talented individual or finding someone to exploit was unclear.

Resting his chin on his hand, Vehen covered his mouth with his fingers and gave Min-joo a subtle smile. It was languid yet pointed, like a finely honed blade.

“What’s your name?”

Min-joo instinctively realized something—that she could be a valuable presence to Vehen. And that she had already halfway succeeded.

Closing her eyes slightly, Min-joo, who had been smiling, stopped tapping her fingers on the desk and clenched her fist. The shadow of her long eyelashes fell on her cheek.

“I’m Park Min-joo. And you?”

Vehen chuckled at Min-joo’s response. He found Min-joo’s audacity quite amusing.

Leaning forward, Vehen looked directly at Min-joo. There was a peculiar delight in his eyes.

A prophecy wasn’t necessary, but there was no reason not to hold on to it. Vehen’s tired voice, mixed with laughter, flowed as he spoke.

“I am Vehen Jegnis DeVirté, the Duke.”

It was a barely achieved introduction.

Just as Vehen was smiling satisfactorily, Min-joo, tapping her desk with her fingers, urgently spoke up. It seemed like the opportune moment to negotiate her position.

“Can you help me get to that house?”

“Where is it?”

“In another dimension.”

Even though the answer was shocking enough to make anyone fall, Vehen didn’t show a trace of surprise. At this point, Min-joo was curious about what was going on in Vehen’s mind.

Vehen turned his gaze abstractedly into the air. 

“Alright… well, let’s give it a try.”

Thinking it was the sound of a neighboring dog barking, Min-joo instantly understood Vehen’s indifferent attitude. Right as she was about to open her mouth to present evidence that would convince Vehen, a scream echoed from outside. Both Vehen and Min-joo stood up and looked beyond the door.

Chilling gunshots, screams, and rapidly moving footsteps were distinctly audible, spreading eerie and grotesque echoes. Min-joo hesitated, retreating and standing against the wall. Vehen casually opened a drawer, took out a revolver, and tossed it to Min-joo.

In surprise, Min-joo caught the revolver. It was loaded with six bullets.

“W-what’s happening now?”

“Shh, don’t make a sound.”

Vehen, holding his breath, swiftly grabbed the shotgun hanging on the wall. He efficiently loaded bullets from the drawer, deftly rotating the gun to chamber a round.

Min-joo couldn’t comprehend what was happening. This scenario had never been part of any story she had written. The fear stemming from ignorance overwhelmed her.

Vehen grabbed Min-joo’s arm and pulled her forcefully. Min-joo, weakly being dragged, stood in front of Vehen, her hand trembling as she held the gun.

The rough footsteps outside were getting closer.

“Hide. When you think the situation has calmed down, run immediately. Don’t look back.”

“What about you? Aren’t you coming?”

Vehen didn’t respond. His actions, preparing for an assault, seemed well-trained as if he had experienced such situations more than once.

Min-joo, pale, was pushed under the desk, crumpling into a frightened heap. Since she started teleporting, nothing had gone smoothly. Was it okay to be this unlucky?

Vehen took a deep breath, and positioned himself behind the desk, aiming the gun toward the door. His movements were disciplined, like a well-trained soldier preparing for an attack. This wasn’t the first time he had faced such a situation.

Trembling, Min-joo lay under the desk, contemplating her unfortunate circumstances. She wished she could undo all the chaos she had caused.

Exhaling heavily, Vehen took a stable stance, pointing the gun at the door. The intense gaze of a predator persisted beyond the door.

Min-joo, hiding beneath the desk, looked up at the man ready to face the attackers. Though she despised him, there was a strange sense of admiration for his preparedness.

“Vehen, don’t die. Don’t get hurt.”

Feeling the tug on her pants, Min-joo’s hand was pushed away with a firm shove as Vehen forced her further into the corner. His lips, strangely curled, carried the weight of weariness.

“Don’t call my name so casually.”

Bang! A bullet pierced through the door.