I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 49

Episode 49

Permette seized one of the spies he had been keeping an eye on and interrogated him all night in the underground chamber. 

It meant torture. 

The spy, who had vowed not to reveal the mastermind even if he died and did not disclose his colleagues, poured out tears after spending a peaceful time with Permette, confessing everything according to his conscience.

Vehen looked down at the basement, straightened his coat, and stepped outside. A carriage with the emblem of the noble family was engraved, waiting for its owner. 

Being one of the few nobles in the empire, the nephew of the empress, and a friend of the third prince, Ceteran, Vehen had easy access to the imperial palace.

Although there had been no meetings with Tedric, no one dared to question Vehen as he went to find him. 

Vehen gave Tedric at least the courtesy of finishing his morning meal. Thanks to this, Tedric, who ate well and dressed neatly, entered the reception room.

Tedric, wearing a suit adorned with colorful jewels and a long coat fluttering as he walked, smiled gently at Vehen. His presence exuded authority with each step, radiating a sense of great ease and beauty.

Seated on the throne, Tedric amiably spoke.

“How have you been? This is the first time we’ve met alone, DeVirté.”

“Yes, Your Highness. May you be the brilliant hope of the empire.”

“Such grand greetings. I’m tired of these formal and tedious traditions.”

Even though he said that, if Vehen didn’t make grand greetings, it would be considered rude, so he retorted with sarcasm. Vehen faced Tedric without smiling, and the Crown Prince seemed unpleasant no matter how you looked at him.

Behind his friendly and likable smile, it was impossible to know what was boiling inside him.

“I heard Your Highness has something of mine.”

“Straight to the point? Refreshing, DeVirté.”

The sarcasm was extraordinary. Vehen, feeling a strong aversion to Tedric’s personality, fiddled with the cravat around his neck. The more he spoke, the sharper his nerves became.

“If I’ve said this much, you should know what it is, Your Highness.”

“What is it? I have most things that DeVirté has. Would I steal something by prying it away?”

Vehen, with an indifferent expression, coldly touched his thigh with his fingers. 

Tock, tock, a consistent sensation was felt.

“Your Highness.”

“DeVirté, I’m sorry, but I find it awkward that you’ve come so suddenly and caused a commotion. When did I become the person to indulge your temper tantrums?”

“If you return it, I’ll leave quietly. I’ve come only to rightfully reclaim what belongs to me.”

“What on earth?”

Tedric tilted his head as if he knew nothing. Sitting in the morning sunlight pouring through the wide-open windows in the cozy reception room, he looked very much like a saint.

Warm, kind-hearted, and ruling with righteous politics like a sovereign.

Vehen tried to gauge Tedric’s intentions. It seemed like Tedric was playing word games to elicit an invitation to bring her, and Vehen knew he was joking to gain some certainty. 

Vehen had no intention of guessing what Tedric might have said to ensure Min-joo’s safety. This might be an opportunity to play a prank to prevent Min-joo from falling into someone else’s hands.

“She’s my lover. I heard Your Highness is soon preparing for an engagement, and involving the government in it will surely affect one’s reputation.”

“DeVirté has a lover?”

Tedric, saying so, didn’t seem genuinely surprised. He appeared to be contemplating how to use this information. Tipping his head in a feigned surprised manner, the light blonde hair shimmered brightly.

His pink eyes, like melting snow, softened. Tedric’s warmly smiling face was repulsive to Vehen.

“I plan to propose.”

“I’ve never heard that DeVirté had a lover before. You rarely participate in social events, so one must hear the news.”

“Do we need unnecessary conversations? I request the return of my lover, Your Highness.”

Vehen sternly fixed his face and clenched his fist. The Crown Prince, with a cold demeanor, lacked any warmth or smile, reminiscent of the last remaining late autumn leaves.

He wouldn’t back down. What Vehen desired was Min-joo’s safety by his side. Even if it was considered a possessive desire, he didn’t mind. He had missed out on many things until now. So, this time.

Knock. The sound of someone knocking on the door echoed. Vehen and Tedric reflexively turned their heads toward the door. Both responded in unison to enter.

The wooden door opened, and with a thud as the low heels of marble met, a slippery sound followed. Seeing the face brought into view, Vehen couldn’t maintain his composure.

“Min-joo.”

“Vehen!”

Even though it had been only two days since he last saw her, he couldn’t be happier. The world turned gray until he saw Min-joo, and suddenly, the colors returned, overwhelming his eyes.

Min-joo was wearing a dress. Whether it was the attire of the second princess or a newly purchased one, Vehen couldn’t tell, but the dress adorned with various jewels and fabrics shimmered like clouds as she walked.

Even her lightly decorated hair and the long gloves that reached her arms were unfamiliar. Even the shoes were not the brown ones Permette had gifted. 

Min-joo, who had left Vehen’s hand and received someone else’s touch, looked strange, and Vehen felt a lump in his throat as if he would cry or express his anger.

“Min-joo, did you have to get up already after sleeping so little?”

Tedric, pretending to be close, spoke gently and sweetly. Vehen alternated between looking at Min-joo and Tedric. Many thoughts crossed his mind for a moment, but he managed to act composed.

Min-joo brushed off her flowing skirt with her palm as she walked confidently.

She seemed more like the mistress of the palace than the owner of the palace.

“What are you saying? We already had breakfast together.”

“I thought you’d eat and go back to sleep. Come here, Min-joo.”

“Why should I? I’ll sit next to someone I know.”

“Yesterday’s conversation made me think we had become quite familiar. Was I mistaken?”

Min-joo, as if not feeling the need to respond, sat beside Vehen, displaying a shiver of disinterest under her one-sided act of familiarity.

Vehen sat following Min-joo, gazing at him as if entranced. Reluctantly, Min-joo, untouched by Vehen’s traces, was remarkably beautiful.

“Why, Vehen? Am I too pretty?”

“You’re talking nonsense. Am I supposed to believe that?”

“Yes. They even cook well. Much tastier than at Vehen’s house.”

Puff.

Tedric, who had been silently observing, let out a small laugh. Vehen witnessed Tedric laughing audibly for the first time. It was oddly unfamiliar, almost repulsive.

He felt an urge to ask Min-joo how many people she had enchanted. While it wasn’t certain that Tedric harbored affection for Min-joo, Min-joo… had a certain charm. 

Yes, he didn’t want to admit it, but Min-joo was charming, seemingly knowing inherently how to win people over.

Tedric covered his mouth with the back of his hand, suppressing his laughter.

“Min-joo, go back to the room. I’ll be back soon too.”

Vehen turned to look at Min-joo. The mix of astonishment and reprimand on his confused face made him seem almost desperate.

Min-joo read Vehen’s expression and smiled gently. That smile, resembling Tedric’s, sent shivers down Vehen’s spine.

“Why are you looking like that? Do I look screwed even to Vehen?”

It was just a forced laugh that came out of ruin. Vehen sighed with relief only now.

But screwed? He couldn’t precisely understand the meaning, so Vehen grabbed Min-joo’s wrist.

The slender wrist was so fragile that it seemed it would break even with a gentle touch.

“I am his master, understand? Regardless of the circumstances, I think it’s right for us to talk.”

“Is Min-joo going to be your slave?”

Tedric faced the hostile Vehen without flinching, even seeming to enjoy it.

He crossed his legs and neatly raised both hands. His straightened waist indicated his high and firm status.

“I heard that DeVirté is going to propose to you, Min-joo, did you know that?”

Oh, this crazy Crown Prince. What if he spills everything?

Vehen wanted to block Tedric’s mouth, who was smiling pleasantly.

Min-joo looked at Vehen as if in disbelief, as Vehen faced her with an indifferent face, but his ears were burning red.

“Why are you proposing to me…?”

“DeVirté told me you were his lover. Isn’t that true?”

Tedric looked pleased, Vehen wanted to punch Tedric, who was smiling gently, and Min-joo thought these two were insane.

Perhaps Vehen had lied about being her lover to get her back. Being a prophet, she couldn’t gossip around the neighborhood. However, Min-joo had already blabbered about it to Tedric.

So, she awkwardly mumbled her response.

“Oh, well… Anyway, that’s not important.”

Min-joo glanced between Tedric and Vehen.

The gentle and fair-haired dog trader Tedric, and the stubborn wolf-like figure with thick, dark brown hair, Vehen, focused on Min-joo. Though the two had impressive faces, Min-joo decided to speak.

“Vehen, I told the Crown Prince that I can prophesy. I also mentioned something about the spy, and he said it was up to him to kill or spare him.”

“What?”

Wait, Vehen, showing an unusual look of confusion, pulled Min-joo’s wrist lightly.

Min-joo’s elegant face peeked above her long neck. It was a dog-like expression as if checking for any signs of an accident and watching carefully.

“You, explain properly. What exactly happened?”

“DeVirté, the way you treat your lover seems wrong.”

Vehen finally understood why Tedric was ignorant. He must have been watching to see if Min-joo, who he already knew was a prophet, would say anything and if she would be taken away.

A guy like Permette. Observing, analyzing, and scrutinizing people unpleasantly.

Even though he wanted to punch Tedric, who kept provoking and taking Min-joo away, Vehen endured. Despite his anger, he could still distinguish between the front and back.

“Don’t work as a servant without confinement. I’ll give you status and a house, so live there.”

Min-joo cautiously coaxed, watching Vehen’s anger beyond his impassive expression.

This crazy Crown Prince. Vehen’s blood vessels swelled above his neck.

He’s taking Min-joo away again. How much more does he need to take before he’s satisfied?

The Prince, with his greedy desires, sticks his nose into everything. Repulsive and disgusting.

When Vehen’s emerald eyes shone with rage, Tedric innocently blinked his eyes.

“Isn’t it a good offer from DeVirté? If the woman you marry has status and property. I’m not telling you not to meet Min-joo. Your house is too dangerous, so I’m just providing a safe place.”

No matter how much they talked, Tedric already knew everything. Vehen hired Min-joo as a servant to protect her and kept her by his side all day long.

Did Min-joo mention that? No, she wouldn’t talk about such trivial things. Tedric probably figured it out on his own.

And the reason Vehen’s house was dangerous was because of Tedric. From spies to attacks to poisonings, most of it was Tedric’s doing.

The reason for moving Min-joo’s residence was likely similar. To completely get rid of Vehen and take possession of Min-joo.

Vehen stared fiercely at Tedric, grinding his teeth. As Vehen’s emerald eyes glowed, Tedric blinked nonchalantly.

“DeVirté, this isn’t a proposal. It’s a notification. You know I’m not seeking your permission, right?”

Tedric showed no signs of tension. On the contrary, he smiled arrogantly, as if he would forcibly take her away if Vehen didn’t step back.

He thoroughly overwhelmed Vehen with power and status. 

Crushing with power, plundering – these were Tedric’s hobbies and specialties.