I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 47

Episode 47

7. There are no coincidences in the world.

Tedric remained consistently ambiguous in his attitude. 

Despite his arrogant demeanor, soft-spoken words, and an appearance of consideration, Min-joo thought Tedric was a challenging character who never aimed to incur any losses.

Tedric tilted his head slightly and spoke. The straight posture of his waist and neatly positioned knees indicated the thorough etiquette education he had received.

“The emperor will be Ceteran.”

“Why do you think so? It could be the Second Empress, couldn’t it?”

Tedric chuckled. The subtly raised corner of his mouth was so faint that, if not observed closely, it could be mistaken for a gently formed smile.

“She’s too clever to be the one to covet the Emperor, which the Empress has been coveting for a long time, so naturally, it will be Ceteran.”

Min-joo had received only a few pieces of information from Tedric, but she had deduced quite accurately.

By this point, Min-joo was convinced.

Tedric had given up his life as if presenting the imperial position to Ceteran. However, it was frustrating not to know the reason.

Tedric casually turned his head towards the window and continued speaking.

“Would you tell me more about my death?”

It wasn’t a question of seeking a way to avoid death due to fear. It seemed more like a curious inquiry.

While Min-joo struggled for survival, Tedric seemed to accept death on his terms. He might appear nonchalant and arrogant, never bowing his head to anyone, being the esteemed crown prince. But Min-joo couldn’t help but find it all pretentious.

Leaning back on the sofa, Min-joo bluntly remarked.

“It’s inevitable. Do you think all the sins you’ve committed so far will just disappear?”

“That’s true.”

Silently pondering, Tedric’s gaze moved around.

Min-joo noticed he was smiling with only his lips, his eyes dimmed, losing their light.

As the sun hid, darkness began to creep in. Tedric’s light blonde hair sparkled like moonlight every time it swayed. His pallid face had turned blue in the fading light.

“But that’s not enough. How do I believe that you know the future?” 

Tedric asked calmly.

Whether it was the hands neatly placed on his thigh, the slightly confused expression, or the faint smile on his face, everything seemed composed.

In a moment, the conversation that had taken place seemed like a jest.

If Tedric dismissed Min-joo’s claims as lies and falsehood, she would become a liar who deceived the crown prince.

Min-joo, with a sly grin, remarked.

“You know too, right? You expected your death. That’s why you accepted it so calmly. Now that you have certainty, how does it feel? Are you planning how to die?”

“Such insolence.”

“You’re not that easy either.”

“Merely tolerating your impoliteness is sufficient for my courtesy.”

“Some loyal subject should advise you that acting like that will lead to your death.”

Tedric chuckled softly, a laughter different from that with Vehen or Permette. It was a dense and heavy laughter, not plain, affectionate, or refreshing.

“I will kill DeVirté.”

His attitude was light and indifferent as if contemplating what to have for dinner. Min-joo thought he was asking for her opinion on what he should eat for the evening.

It was unbelievable. Could he easily kill the sub-male protagonist in the scenario?

Min-joo nodded casually.

“Yes, yes. Are you planning another attack like last time?”

“I cannot see how I will die in the future.”

“Can’t you see everything, like a vending machine when you press the buttons?”

“A vending machine?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

Tedric tilted his head and blinked his eyes slowly. Despite his gentle appearance, he felt like a retriever, doing such things.

His face was deceptive. If only the corners of his eyes lifted a bit, he would have seemed less kind.

“It’s fascinating to look at you. Which country are you from?”

“I’m from South Korea.”

“From the opposite side of the empire?”

“It’s from a different dimension.”

“Even if you’re making fun of me, remember to keep your manners.”

Even though it was real.

Min-joo sighed, adjusting her disheveled hair due to the swaying carriage. The accessories seemed more cumbersome than she thought, and she promised herself not to put too many on her head.

“If you don’t believe, just let it be, Your Highness.”

“Liar.”

“I don’t have that much audacity.”

Even amid mundane and trivial conversations with Min-joo, Tedric’s mind was spinning rapidly. Tedric closed his eyes slowly and then opened them.

The slender woman sitting in front of him, with her jet-black hair, seemed like a descendant of demons, and her ominous black bead-like eyes felt like a curse every time they turned towards him.

He had received many curses since ancient times, so it felt strangely familiar. From his stepmother to the demons lusting for power, to those underfoot hoping for a better life, curses had come from many, often.

Tedric grabbed the edge of his coat and pulled it, making a rustling sound as the fabric plunged into his chest.

‘It’s not certain that she is a prophet. If she’s not, DeVirté must know about the spy. If she is, she must be close to DeVirté and must have conveyed the information.’

Either way, he has to eliminate the spy at DeVirté’s residence for evidence destruction.

Even if the woman wasn’t a maid, it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious. Tedric swallowed his emotions, donning a smile that carried the scent of spring.

So, how should he deal with this woman?

Min-joo’s words were quite surprising. No one had ever dared to tell Tedric that he didn’t seem interested in becoming the emperor. It was astonishing even for Tedric, who was skilled in hiding his emotions.

It was absurd. He was exceptionally adept at concealing emotions.

Min-joo’s visit was interesting, and the fact that DeVirté, the Empress’ dog had let go of a prophet was also intriguing.

Did she release it, or did she miss it?

Tedric thought he needed to know more about Min-joo. He couldn’t readily trust her.

As he was planning to bring her to the prince’s residence and investigate, Min-joo subtly asked.

“Is becoming the emperor more important than your life?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I want to make a deal.”

Tedric raised an eyebrow and chuckled.

An unknown woman dared to negotiate with the crown prince. It was so audacious that it wasn’t even funny.

Before Tedric could respond, Min-joo added.

“My home is in a different dimension. If you send me back, I’ll help you become the emperor. Or I can help you not to die.”

“Such baseless words again. I told you not to cross the line.”

“I don’t find it difficult to believe. Just trust me once.”

“I can’t believe you’re a prophet.”

“Why don’t you believe many things? Don’t you believe that the Earth is round either?”

“What’s Earth?”

“Never mind.”

Every time they had such conversations, Min-joo keenly felt that this place was from a different world. When she confided in Permette, even though she didn’t understand, she at least nodded vaguely. Not knowing where to buy necessities and not being able to obtain even underwear.

It might have been better if she had possessed the body of a noble. With a clear origin, and someone to help nearby.

Min-joo looked at Tedric. The man in front of her calmly smiled, observing Min-joo’s reaction.

Observing closely. Thoroughly.

Could she return alive? Would it have been better to stay at Vehen’s house?

Where had things gone wrong to end up in such a tiresome situation?

With a clatter, the carriage was heading towards the palace.

* * *

Permette went straight to Vehen. 

Vehen was in deep contemplation, torn between whether to step forward and correct the rumors about money circulating within the mansion himself, risking stirring up more gossip or remaining silent.

It would be a perplexing situation for anyone. If a CEO were to personally step forward and explain to his secretary that there was no relationship between them, who would just accept it and say, ‘Oh, I see!’? It would likely only fuel more suspicions.

Even if someone were instructed to eliminate the rumors, it was impossible to issue orders without knowing who the spy was or how many there were. The spies needed to be cleared out first.

Vehen was once again grappling with a significant dilemma, trying to devise a method to deduce the hidden spy. Should he use the same method as last time, or would it still be effective?

If Min-joo were here, she would have offered various opinions. If he was lucky, he could have borrowed the power of prophecy.

Vehen absentmindedly sipped the tasteless coffee while ruffling his dark brown hair. As always, the coffee made by Min-joo was the most delicious. He wished she would come back soon and make sandwiches and coffee for him.

After Min-joo left, he couldn’t manage a proper meal. Even before Min-joo took care of every meal, he had lived like this, but after she took over, he easily felt hungry.

“You’ve ruined me. No, maybe ‘tamed’ is a more accurate term.”

Because of the fear that the spy might have poisoned the food, he couldn’t eat properly. Since the incident where he almost ingested poison without suspicion, he couldn’t touch the food within the mansion.

So, he either procured food from outside or went hungry.

Without Min-joo, who used to chit-chat, hum, and occasionally nap on the sofa next to him, it became quiet and desolate. Her absence made the mansion feel like a deserted and dusty old house.

Even though it had only been a day, Min-joo’s absence was enormous.

“Your Excellency.”

Permette informed Vehen that Min-joo had been abruptly kidnapped by Tedric. As an added note, he mentioned that her necessities were running critically low.

Vehen ran his pen across the desk, the wooden surface punctured deeply as the ink pooled.

“We should go find her as soon as it’s daylight. If it’s not just any individual but the crown prince, it’s even more dangerous.”

Considering he had failed to protect her multiple times already.

Vehen suppressed his frustration and lifted his head. Anger flickered in his emerald green eyes.

“The crown prince easily kills and manipulates people. The longer it takes to find Min-joo, the less certain we are about her safety.”

“Your Excellency, then let me take care of the crown prince’s spy within the mansion.”

“What?”

It seemed Min-joo had already informed Permette about it.

Vehen nodded without blaming the Min-joo, not thinking of holding her accountable. 

He had already thought of giving orders, knowing that she had confided in secrecy, unable to keep her mouth shut. Min-joo was just faster. 

Vehen dipped the pen nib in ink as he added.

“Handle it quietly. And turn one of your guild members into a double agent, feeding false information to the Crown Prince.”

“Min-joo said she would handle that.”

“What?”

Making the same lines twice. This troublesome lackey always causes trouble when not being watched. Vehen sighed, tilting his head. The bridge of his nose pressed against his fingers, leaving a red mark.

“If Min-joo was kidnapped, she’s either dead or betrayed. She might ask to be sent back to her hometown, claiming she can make the Crown Prince an Emperor in return. We need to be prepared for many possibilities.”

Permette was about to say it was impossible but clenched his mouth shut. Why did he trust Min-joo so much? Was it because he liked her? Just with those feelings? Is love a type of trust?

Vehen observed Permette’s reaction – a rookie-like confusion, not knowing what to do. And finally, the reddening around his neck.

Vehen frowned.

The cool, low voice and the force in the hand holding the pen were authoritative.

“You’ve developed feelings for Min-joo.”

He was angry.

The reason, he knew very well.