I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 36

Episode 36

She’s familiar with hiding and running away. 

Min-joo has always been like that. This has been ingrained since a very young age. 

When scolded by her parents for not taking care of her younger sibling properly, when failing exams, or when having fights with friends, she would hide in a corner of the bed, curl up, and escape.

After a while of holding her breath, if she thought about something else, it was neatly forgotten. 

Occasionally, there are memories still deeply rooted in her mind, but once she runs away, things quickly get better.

Min-joo disliked arrogant judgments of herself, people like Vehen who judged without considering others’ perspectives, and those who easily spoke their minds without thinking. 

In her heart, she wanted to escape from here to a place where nobody knew her. Maybe a cave, deep in the mountains. Like a herbivore hiding from threats, she thought if she waited, everything would pass.

Being entertained, can one avoid getting hurt? Who could easily brush that off? Min-joo felt frustrated and angry, thinking that the actions she had taken here would seem vulgar and shameful to them. 

She couldn’t grip their heads, curse at them, or express anger. It was frustrating that Min-joo had to endure it alone without blaming Vehen. Even the effort seemed laughable.

Min-joo tried to hold back tears that seemed about to fall. She focused her eyes with the strength to resist them. The tears welled up in her eyes.

“I’ll take a week off. No, even just three days.”

“If you’re not here, I’ll have to find a new maid. It won’t be easy.”

Vehen hesitated for the last step. When his long legs stretched out, standing close to Min-joo, it happened in an instant. Min-joo avoided Vehen by stepping aside.

“Then I’ll quit. Should I ask if Permette needs a maid?”

Min-joo roughly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Moisture was left on the back of her hand. As Min-joo finished speaking and rolled her foot to leave the dressing room, Vehen grabbed Min-joo’s arm.

It wasn’t a particularly strong grip, and it wasn’t dragging her forcibly. So Min-joo easily could shake off Vehen’s hand.

“Will running away solve anything? It would have been better if you had torn that person’s head off as soon as you heard the story.”

It’s easy to say it’s not one’s own business. If Min-joo were also of noble status, she would have cursed without restraint. She would have fired the servants and hired new ones to her liking. 

Since she couldn’t do that, she felt miserable and frustrated. Min-joo didn’t want to talk more and stepped away from Vehen.

“I’m just a maid. As you said, I have no money, no status, and no ability. Please don’t say my attitude was wrong. I did my best to respond as humanely as possible within my limits.”

“Is pretending to be okay while hurting alone the right thing to do? Is it right to decide alone and inform me?”

Min-joo felt like everything was falling apart. The plans weren’t working out well, she heard unreasonable rumors, and now she was arguing with Vehen, making her feel like her head was about to explode.

In frustration, Min-joo buried her face in her hands nervously. Without breaking or throwing anything, she just covered her face with trembling hands. The warmth of her breath immediately reached her palms.

“What do you want from me? What should I have done differently? Are you upset because I’m not acting like your lover right now?”

“Are you upset just because you didn’t play the role of my lover?”

“Well, then what should I have done?”

Below the defiantly raised head, there was a tightly clenched fist.

Veins bulged on the back of the dry hand.

Vehen hesitated for a moment, considering whether to approach the woman who distanced herself from him or keep a distance.

From the beginning, Vehen had something to say to Min-joo. Being overly kind didn’t suit Vehen’s temperament, and his seemingly indifferent and straightforward consideration was his version of affection.

Approaching the desk, Vehen picked up the heated iron and opened the lid, pouring coal into the furnace. As the coal mixed, the room became noisy. Ignoring the noise, Vehen’s low voice flowed.

“Park Min-joo.”

He put down the iron and grabbed the robe. After putting on the black robe, he looked out of the wide-open window on the desk.

The man’s emerald green eyes shone brightly.

“Do what you want. What you desire.”

It was a phrase Min-joo had heard many times before. From Vehen.

Vehen calmly took a breath. The scent of perfume, the smell of burnt coal, and the thick dust smell mingled, creating a confusing atmosphere.

“I’m someone who can handle whatever you want to do.”

Min-joo stared at Vehen, dazed. 

Why did Vehen trust, love, and accept her? They hadn’t known each other for a long time, and they hadn’t spent deep and affectionate moments together. 

Most importantly, Vehen acted like he knew Min-joo well.

Why? 

Even though Vehen’s words that he can accept whatever she does feel good, that’s all there is to it. Min-joo doesn’t have deep feelings for Vehen. The seemingly blind emotions felt burdensome to her.

Min-joo nervously brushed her bangs with an edgy touch. The fabric covering her head got caught on her fingers and slipped out.

Holding onto the fabric, Min-joo stood against the wall.

Vehen spat out his words slowly as if savoring each one. 

“If you’re angry, express your anger. Throw things at those guys if you want. If you want to, run to me, ask me to scold them, or lean on power. …”

Vehen paused for a moment, then turned his head slowly. The bangs covering his forehead were disheveled.

“Working as a maid is just a formality. You’re a valuable talent who knows the future, and it would be inconvenient if you went to someone else.”

Min-joo couldn’t say she liked him, especially since she cherished him.

Vehen brought out the most fundamental and mundane words and put them in his mouth. Talking like this wouldn’t make Min-joo uncomfortable either. The man pushed a piece of glass that had been kicked aside with the tip of his shoe.

“You want a break? Take it. You can stay there until your mind clears up, whether at the villa or enjoying shopping in the name of the Duke DeVirté. Cravats or glass pieces on the floor can be cleaned up by another maid. You don’t need to iron properly or sprinkle perfume. You can talk to me once a day.”

Vehen walked past Min-joo toward the door.

The marble and the heels of the shoes made a dull sound.

Vehen held the door handle and turned to glance at Min-joo.

“It’s much more advantageous than getting into someone else’s hands. If holding you like this can keep you, it’s much more profitable.”

The door creaked open slightly.

Min-joo clenched the hood with both hands. When she thought of where to escape, only Permette came to mind.

“…I’ll visit Permette.”

Vehen stopped in response to Min-joo’s words.

Being with Permette, he could at least monitor her condition. And at least, she wouldn’t be exposed to dangerous situations.

Permette was Vehen’s person, a well-behaved but ill-tempered dog. That alone was enough to trust and entrust.

Vehen nodded slowly and opened the door. 

“Do that. When you’re ready, tell the coachman my name and take the carriage.”

Vehen left the room first. Beyond the door, Vehen’s voice instructing the cleaning was heard, and his heavy footsteps gradually faded.

Min-joo let out a long sigh and slumped down. Sitting on the floor, she untangled her completely disheveled hair, brushed it aside, and touched her forehead.

She acted emotionally. There was no reason to be angry with Vehen. 

In a way, Vehen might be more affected by the rumors than Min-joo. Though Min-joo was the one leaving, Vehen was a character who would continue to live here. If rumors spread that Duke DeVirté was a pitiful man, it would be embarrassing.

“Vehen is in a mess because of me. He should have just kept his boundaries.”

Who is she to tell him what to do? Min-joo splashed water on her face and stood up from her seat.

Knock, the sound of someone knocking on the door echoed. Startled, she answered, and the door opened halfway, revealing Chichen’s face peeking through.

It seemed like the short break was over, and Chichen was back to work. Chichen playfully smiled and stepped inside, closing the door, and looked down at the messy floor.

“What happened?”

“Oh, nothing at all.”

Min-joo casually smiled and shook her head. If thinking of it as acting, she could easily manage her expressions. After all, she had been doing it for a long time. 

Broken glass and the scattered aristocrat’s cravat lay on the floor.

Chichen slowly looked at Min-joo’s hair that she had untangled and the hood she held tightly in her hands. She momentarily stiffened her expression but soon broke into a wide grin. Her peach-like blushing cheeks were adorable.

“Really?”

“Why?”

“No, it just looks like a lie no matter where I look.”

It was quite a sharp tone. Min-joo tilted her head, feigning ignorance with a gentle smile.

As expected, Chichen had something in mind for Min-joo. Tired as she was, drained as she felt…

Behind the feigned smile, Min-joo continued with the lies to uncover Chichen’s true feelings.

“It sounds like you’re wishing for something to happen.”

“Did it sound like that? That wasn’t my intention.”

“I see. Okay then, I’ll go out first.”

If there’s a chance to be alone later, don’t miss it. Hold on. Speak if you have something to say. Min-joo exchanged familiar eye contact and passed by Chichen standing in the middle of the room.

Just three steps to the door. Min-joo continued at a steady pace without slowing down. As if there was nothing regrettable.

Until then, Chichen didn’t stop Min-joo.

She would leave the mansion in a few days. What if Chichen causes trouble because she’s leaving? Well, what does she care about this house?

When Min-joo finally stood in front of the door, grabbing the doorknob, Chichen spoke brightly.

“Min-joo, what’s your relationship with the Duke?”

As expected. It proceeds as planned, thrilling. Min-joo turned her head nonchalantly to face Chichen.

Chichen’s violet eyes were brightly colored without emotion.

“What answer would make Chichen happy?”

Min-joo replied playfully, deflecting the question to decipher the other’s intentions.

Chichen combed through her light blue hair with her fingers and spoke.

“You said you were close to the Duke?”

“I did.”

“Do you like the Duke?”

Min-joo couldn’t answer readily. Instead of answering, she was busy glancing around to figure out Chichen’s intentions.

The cute-looking girl was more sophisticated and adept at lying than Min-joo thought. She was skilled at dealing with people.

Min-joo let go of the doorknob and turned toward Chichen. 

“Would it be better if I did?”

“No.”

When Chichen smiled sweetly, her round cheeks, still baby-fat-filled, puffed up.

“I hope you don’t like the Duke, Min-joo.”

It was an attitude that didn’t match the sentence. It seemed as if she were confessing her love, shy and charming in her tone, and the way she spoke seemed endearing.

Her soft and cheerful voice felt unnatural.

“Why?”

“Min-joo, that’s not the answer. If I’ve shown you this much, you should show something in return, right?”

Chichen walked briskly, swaying the hem of her skirt. A pair of slightly worn-out shoes caught Min-joo’s eye. Above them, the well-made fabric of a maid’s dress hinted at Chichen’s status and wealth.

Min-joo loosely wrapped the hood around her head and smiled.

“I don’t dislike him that much. But I don’t like him either.”

It wasn’t a satisfying answer, and Chichen didn’t show any particular reaction.

Even if she was good at hiding emotions, the reaction when getting what one desires is not easy to conceal.

Min-joo thought for a moment about a response that might please Chichen, but then she turned her body as if covering the doorknob.

“If you offer me money, I might consider selling myself, even if only for a little.”

In that brief moment, Chichen’s violet eyes flickered. Now that she had given the desired information, it was time for her to receive something in return.

Min-joo blocked the door, presenting a friendly smile.

“But the timing is quite interesting, isn’t it? Chichen, who was curious about the relationship between me and the Duke, happened to be near the dressing room. Fortunately, she received the cleaning order from the Duke and had the chance to come in. Luckily, you had a conversation like this with someone close to the Duke.”

The radiant smile faded from Chichen’s face.

In contrast, a burst of laughter bloomed on Min-joo’s face.