I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 33

Episode 33

Min-joo reconsidered the meaning of a lover. 

No matter how much she thought about it, there was no subtle connection between Vehen and Min-joo. While it seemed like Vehen had one-sided feelings for Min-joo, he didn’t show it overtly, and their relationship was more of a fictional growling affair, making it impossible for Min-joo to see him as a lover.

Min-joo extracted the knowledge from her mind, a knowledge that existed only in her imagination. A lover of a noble, in other words, a woman who entertains nobles. The moment she realized what a lover meant, memories flooded Min-joo’s mind, causing a headache.

Min-joo’s room was near Vehen’s bedroom. Vehen wouldn’t ask her to do risky or difficult tasks, choosing to bring her in as a personal maid after wandering outside for a month. On a day when they went out together with Permette, he bought a lot of expensive clothes. 

There was also the matter of Chichen asking about the relationship with Permette.

Realizing why her colleagues at work were keeping their distance, Min-joo couldn’t believe it. They saw her not as a coworker but as the boss’s lover. 

“This is crazy.”

Moreover, since Min-joo didn’t live in the building where the servants resided, it probably looked even worse to outsiders. Feeling unjust, disgusted, and dirty, Min-joo couldn’t bear it. 

Clenching her fists, she looked at Chichen. 

“No, it’s not like that. I’m just working here because of circumstances, not because of any relationship.”

Although it might seem like an excuse or a lie, Min-joo’s face was full of anger. She was irritated by the misunderstanding itself. Seeing Min-joo’s serious disdain, Chichen didn’t need to ask any more questions. Tilted her eyebrows, Chichen patted Min-joo’s shoulders.

“Was all of this just a misunderstanding?”

“Yes, it’s an unbelievable story.”

“Don’t get too angry. Everyone needs a topic of conversation, that’s all.”

Was it acceptable to easily break a person for fun and amusement? Min-joo thought Chichen’s words were absurd. Even if these people were living as if they were confined in the mansion due to a lack of free time, was it right to chew on an innocent person like a bone? 

Min-joo couldn’t understand.

Then, Min-joo remembered a fellow student from the university who had taken a leave of absence due to various rumors circulating. After breaking up with a male friend from the same department, the words he uttered inflated into a scandal, and the rumors targeted the classmate. 

Despite offers of help from the people around him, the rumors had grown uncontrollable, leading the person to take a leave of absence without hesitation. Min-joo didn’t intervene or participate in the gossip because they weren’t particularly close. She simply observed from a distance, pretending not to know.

‘At that time, I didn’t realize that even that was disgusting indifference.’

She knew what it felt like to be talked about behind one’s back because she had experienced it herself.

It felt terrible, and she felt powerless as there was nothing she could do. If Chichen hadn’t spoken up, Min-joo might not have known until she returned home. She was unaware of the gossip and discussions happening behind her back, and it made her boil inside.

Though inexperienced in dealing with such situations, Min-joo had tried her best not to harm others. Yet, she felt a sense of helplessness and disappointment. If Chichen hadn’t explained, she might have remained oblivious until she reached home. She didn’t know what was being said behind her back. The anger and frustration were overwhelming.

Chichen grabbed Min-joo’s wrist. When Min-joo nervously looked back, Chichen held her wrist tenderly, unsure of what to do. 

“I’ll explain everything. I’ll say that we’re not like that. So don’t get angry, okay?” 

Chichen reassured her.

“Should I believe what you say?”

“I’ll keep explaining until you believe. Min-joo, I know how hard you work.”

Though her mood didn’t completely improve, Min-joo appreciated Chichen’s effort. She had been observing her. Min-joo nodded, still feeling uneasy, and took a bite of the croissant.

Being upset and being hungry were separate matters. Being angry on a full stomach was better for mental health than being angry on an empty one. Chichen, watching Min-joo consume the food voraciously, burst into a burst of cheerful laughter.

Her smiling face was cute, making Min-joo briefly contemplate whether she could pat Chichen’s head.

“So, things aren’t good between you and the Duke and the Viscount?”

Min-joo considered their relationship while stealing a piece of bread from the corner of her mouth with her tongue. Although there was some bickering between Vehen and her, they were somewhat close. After today’s conversation, she felt quite close to Permette too.

So, she casually tilted her head.

“No, I think we’re quite close. At least, that’s how I feel.”

She’s not sure what Vehen and Permette think, but as Min-joo responded, Chichen nodded, as if she was thinking about something. Her light blue hair swayed along with the movement.

“I see. Well then, you talk a lot, right?”

Min-joo felt that Chichen’s question was somewhat strange. It was a casual question, but she realized it wasn’t an easy topic to bring up right after they started talking. 

At that moment, Min-joo suspected that Chichen’s intention for talking to her was related to Vehen and Permette.

“Why? Are you curious about what we talk about?”

“Yeah, a bit. Not that much, though. Just curious! They’re nobles!”

Chichen laughed cheerfully and shook Min-joo’s wrist, which she had been holding. Min-joo didn’t pull her wrist back, feeling content as if Chichen were waving a magic wand. Despite dismissing it as mere curiosity, there seemed to be a deliberate attempt to obfuscate and conclude the conversation.

There must be an intention behind it. 

Vehen and Permette were attractive, and as nobles, it could be understood if a common girl felt admiration or affection for them. However, whether a girl who had worked in a noble mansion for a long time would feel romantic and be curious about their conversations was questionable. Moreover, given the information about Min-joo that Chichen had shared and her offer to help, it made the question even more suspicious.

Though Min-joo had no intention of clinging to uncertain thoughts, she finished her meal with a calm smile. Shortly after filling her stomach, dinner time arrived. Chichen eventually clarified the rumors about Min-joo. Even though not everyone believed it, Min-joo knew it was challenging to correct already widespread gossip.

During the meal, they all gathered and chatted about the mansion’s affairs and the workings of the world. As the conversation progressed, they became more favorable towards Min-joo. Everyone understood that having a bad relationship with someone you work with was not ideal.

Deciding to act amicably without causing any trouble, Min-joo smiled calmly. After finishing the lively dinner, as it was time for the maids to rest, Chichen spoke up.

“I’m going to rest now, Min-joo, hang in there!”

“I envy you so much.”

After the bustling dinner, the maids who had finished their duties shook hands with Min-joo. Amused by Min-joo’s way of speaking, the maids chuckled at her words. So, Min-joo felt secretly proud.

“What do you all do when your duties are done?”

Min-joo asked the maids who were about to move to the servants’ quarters. Chichen, with her arm around another maid’s shoulder, tilted her head.

“Maybe sewing clothes or writing letters to family? Personal time isn’t that long!”

Was this how everyone lived? Enduring by sewing worn-out clothes and barely managing to inquire about their families when there wasn’t much personal time. Moreover, they didn’t even receive high wages.

Min-joo recalled her life back then. Compared to that time, she felt like she was neither more nor less than a laborer now. There was no time or energy to seek happiness.

Min-joo briefly pondered whether this life was right but decided not to dwell on it further. What difference would it make?

Alone, Min-joo grabbed a nightgown for Vehen, who hadn’t returned yet.

“In the beginning, I used to burn his clothes like this.”

Min-joo murmured as she looked down at Vehen’s gown, made of luxurious fabric. Indeed, for several weeks, Min-joo burned Vehen’s clothes, enduring all sorts of complaints from him. Although laundry wasn’t Min-joo’s responsibility, taking care of Vehen’s clothes fell under her duties.

She unfolded Vehen’s gown on a table covered with cloth. Putting water in her mouth and wetting the iron heated with burning coal, Min-joo thought.

‘Damn Vehen. Wear clothes stained with my saliva.”

Despite having a separate sprayer, Min-joo personally wet the iron and sprayed water to get back at Vehen. It gave her satisfaction to think of Vehen sleeping peacefully, unaware of wearing spit-stained sleepwear. And it was more convenient this way.

Thinking that before the development of sprayers, everyone might have lived like this, Min-joo had no issue with it. 

As Min-joo sprayed water over the clothes again, a low voice came from behind.

“You’ve been handling clothes like this all along.”

“Puh-ew!”

Startled, Min-joo accidentally sprayed the remaining water on the floor. Droplets covered the marble floor. Feeling the familiar voice, Min-joo turned around, wiping her mouth, and saw Vehen.

“Do it again. It’s too dirty to wear.”

Vehen, his face contorted in displeasure, stood arrogantly with his arms crossed. Leaning against the door, he looked a bit exhausted.

Min-joo quickly placed the iron on its stand and wiped her mouth as water dripped down.

Seeing Min-joo in such a state, Vehen furrowed his brow even more seriously.

“Oh, when did you come?”

“Just now. As soon as I got home, I witnessed an unbearable sight.”

“Forget it.”

“Forget what? I saw everything. Did you treat the clothes I’m wearing now the same way?”

Vehen glanced at the clothes he was wearing and then glared at Min-joo. His gaze was hot and stern as if he could scorch someone with his eyes.

Awkwardly, Min-joo smiled, lifting the neatly ironed gown. 

“Did I do a good job?”

“Answer my question.”

“If I did, what are you going to do? Strip right here?”

“If I could, I’d love to.”

Min-joo frowned at Vehen’s response. Just the thought of it was enough to make her annoyed. Vehen, stripped bare, revealing those tempting and toned muscles.

“I really hate it.”

“Don’t say that again.”

“If I hate it, what can I do? Should I say I like it? Do you want that?”

Hearing her sarcastic tone, Vehen’s thick eyebrows twitched, signaling a movement. At that moment, Min-joo realized she had made a mistake.

It meant she had touched a nerve with Vehen.

Standing quietly in front of the door, Vehen halted his steps. The sound of leather men’s shoes echoed heavily and smoothly. Trying to evade the approaching Vehen, Min-joo took a step back but bumped into the desk. There was no more space to retreat.

Min-joo hastily extended her arm and clenched her fist.

If he came closer, she would swing her fist at least.

Seeing the terrified Min-joo breathing heavily, Vehen, feeling that she was genuinely repulsed, stopped in his tracks.

“Why do you hate being naked? So disgusting.”

“Well, what would you say if you saw me naked? Saying it’s good is just as perverted.”

“I’d rather that than hurt your pride.”

“I don’t want to say it, but let’s just say I don’t like it.”

“Why would I say anything to you?”

Vehen let out a sigh without much force. Normally, he would have countered and kept on, but this time, he withdrew too easily.

Min-joo lowered the fist she had clenched in confusion.

“Why? What’s wrong? You seem off.”

“You’re quite cheeky with your words.”

“Whether you grill me or not, anyway, what’s bothering you? Did the bill not pass?”

Min-joo took a step back from the desk and stood in front of Vehen. If she swung her arm, it would barely reach the tip of his fingers.

Without moving any closer, Min-joo reached for Vehen’s gown.

Tap, the sound of coal burning echoed in the room. The fragrance to be sprayed on the clothes subtly filled the space, and the night sky at nine o’clock hung outside the window.

Min-joo gazed at Vehen’s face, which was gradually tinted by the night sky, without getting any closer.

“Ziken’s house caught fire. And the bill didn’t pass.”

The gown hanging on Min-joo’s arm swayed and fluttered to the floor.

With the wet floor, the gown became damp.