I Don't Want To Do a Romantic Comedy With a Villain! - Chapter 58

Episode 58

Min-joo couldn’t accept Vehen’s sudden proposal and decided to test his sincerity.

“Well, um, like in the basement, something like that…?”

“What are you talking about? Let’s date.”

“Two people who like each other spending time together, just like that?”

“Then what’s different?”

Faced with Min-joo’s puzzled attitude, Vehen casually scratched the back of his neck.

“No……, it’s called a basement date because Permette tortures…….”

“Don’t compare his vocabulary to mine. It’s a matter of pride.”

“I have a sudden question for you …….”

The wind rustled the branches, and looking at the sky, it seemed like rain was imminent.

Perhaps it was because of autumn, the sun had set early, and the sky, already a dark blue, felt stiflingly obscured by thick clouds.

Relying on the light of the candle, Min-joo scrutinized Vehen’s face.

“Since when did you like me?”

Sharp yet definitive green eyes, thick eyebrows that seemed honest, neatly combed hair that remained tidy even when slightly tousled, a person with a strong demeanor but a strangely gentle impression.

Someone who felt calm, refreshing, and warm, with a scent reminiscent of the crisp and refreshing fragrance of autumn leaves.

Filled with the beginning of spring in the eyes, yet a character signaling the end of the season like autumn.

Realizing it was too regrettable to leave Vehen as a mere supporting male character, Min-joo now revised the established setting for Vehen.

“Since when did you meet me, and since when did you like me? Have you never confessed to me?”

Vehen couldn’t easily answer.

The strength in their joined hands gradually weakened. Min-joo felt the hand that seemed about to slip away and waited for a response.

Finally, with a snap, Vehen released the hand, and Min-joo clenched the empty hand onto her thigh.

“Were you scared to confess because I died every time? Or that I died before you could confess.”

“…Let’s not talk about this anymore. Leave some time for tomorrow. Let’s go eat.”

“Are you scared? If I know, you’ll be too embarrassed to show your face?”

“Noisy. Let’s go quickly.”

His ears turned red. Mumbling quietly, Min-joo straightened up and stood.

Oh, there was something Min-joo didn’t say.

Min-joo looked down at Vehen. Despite his imposing figure, he seemed strangely small.

“There’s a maid named Chichen, a suspected spy, and she’s run away. I told Permette not to bother looking for her, she’ll die anyway.”

“Do you think the Crown Prince would kill her?”

“Yes. If she comes back, she’ll be tortured by Permette, and if she’s caught by Tedric, she won’t survive. It would be nice if she could run away and live well.”

Vehen looked up at Min-joo. Shadows were cast on his face, with his high and elegant nose as a reference.

“She might have leaked information and gotten us attacked.”

“So, you’re going after a kid for revenge? Ultimately, nothing happened to you, and you even have an excuse to annoy Tedric. Plus, later on, you could accuse him of attacking you and throw him in prison.”

Fundamentally, the imperial power was strong, but as the emperor’s mental illness persisted, the power of the nobility increased. As both powers strengthened, those beneath them in status continued to suffer, leading to the current state of affairs. 

Chichen becomes a spy due to lack of money and status, Tedric attacks the Duke, and the potential for Tedric to be accused of the attack—all these events were interconnected.

Min-joo looked down at Vehen with a fresh smile.

“Take care of your meals. You can’t even have a sandwich without me now.”

“…Do you really have to go?”

“I have to. I won’t die. We have to change the world. I don’t have any thoughts of passing on unknown responsibilities to my next life.”

Vehen loved Min-joo, who, despite being scared and cowering, eventually stood firm when the time came to face challenges.

So, even though he was afraid of losing Min-joo again this time, he couldn’t stop her.

“Just wait for me. I’ll persuade Tedric to step down from the throne and end it peacefully. You know my vocabulary, right?”

“It’s pathetic.”

“What are you saying? I got a 2nd grade in the national language section of the college entrance exam.”

“So what?”

“It means something. Eat your meal. I’m going to eat.”

Min-joo playfully shook hands with Vehen and left the office.

Standing alone in the corridor, Min-joo slowly looked around. The serene atmosphere of the corridor felt both neat and affluent.

There isn’t much time left here.

Her black shoes moved silently, stepping on the marble floor.

* * *

Feeling nervous just because it’s a date. 

So, Min-joo chose a dress that was casually elegant from the morning.

The remaining shoes for Min-joo were the high-heeled shoes Tedric gave her and the low-heeled shoes Vehen gave her. She didn’t want to wear high heels again, and since Vehen had given them as a gift, she chose the black shoes.

She wore a simple dress without patterns in a deep purple color. It was a reasonably satisfying outfit that made her look like a middle-class commoner.

Indeed, ordinary and comfortable are the best. Being flashy is unnecessary.

It’s starting to get chilly, so she should get a coat. When she receives the servant’s salary, she’ll buy one.

Min-joo left her long hair down without tying it and confidently walked down the corridor after roughly checking her appearance in the mirror.

“Come here!”

“Since you’re here, what do you want?”

Vehen’s usual spaces were the bedroom and the office. Besides these two places, he consistently showed a pattern of behavior that made it almost impossible to find him.

Min-joo opened the bedroom door and called for Vehen.

Seemingly already prepared, Vehen was in the process of putting on a coat. Min-joo casually approached and almost touched his cheek, but she forced herself to tighten her grip.

“I’ve retired, so barging into someone else’s room without notice is not polite.”

“Are we strangers, huh?”

“Then, are we lovers?”

No words. Min-joo glared at Vehen, who nonchalantly replied, holding back what she wanted to say.

Vehen casually put on his coat and nodded.

“Let’s solve the meal by going out. What do you want to eat?”

“I don’t have any particular preference.”

“Then, we’ll go out first. I’ll have a carriage waiting.”

“Do I have to pay for the food?”

“Just add the extra fee to your salary.”

It’s a different story if there’s money involved. Min-joo nodded confidently and left the room.

While passing through the corridor and heading outside, she encountered the servants. They sneered and ridiculed Min-joo, who responded with a defiant look.

It’s too late now to pull hair and curse. It’s also a waste of time.

Min-joo reached the stable and sat in the carriage, successfully settling in naturally, thanks to the coachman who had prepared the carriage when she left for her vacation at Permette’s mansion.

“So, are you quitting soon?”

“Yes, I found a place to stay. I’ll find a job separately.”

“People don’t seem to know that you’re quitting. Am I the only one who knows?”

“Probably. I’m not that close with the people here.”

“You should be thankful to Chichen. She helped explain your situation.”

The familiar coachman, who had become acquainted, spoke to Min-joo. She replied casually, ‘Oh, really?’ showing an indifferent attitude.

She was right. Chichen was a spy. When did that seemingly twenty-year-old girl start living as a spy?

“Anyway, you’re not on good terms with the Duke?”

“I’m quitting my job, and I might as well sell my story or my talents.”

“Haha, that’s nonsense.”

“Haha, maybe.”

Since she denied it, there wouldn’t be any more words. Min-joo looked out of the carriage window casually.

After a night of rain, the sky was clear and refreshing, as if someone had added sky-blue paint to clear water.

Hopefully, things will go smoothly without any incidents for a while. It’s been almost a month since she came to Vehen’s house, and too much has happened.

As the carriage stopped in front of the gate, Vehen opened the carriage door not long after.

Perhaps thinking she would be inside, Vehen’s face was lightly tinged with welcome.

“Wait inside.”

“But I’m already inside.”

“Anyway, just stay quiet.”

Vehen sat facing Min-joo. His long legs folded, rising amusingly above.

At Vehen’s command through the window, the carriage wheels began to turn.

The sound of hooves hitting the dirt, occasional horse whinnies and whip cracks, and the noise of the wheels rolling.

Peaceful. Min-joo rested her chin on her hand, looking out of the window, lost in thought.

Watching Vehen in a more relaxed manner than usual, Min-joo observed as he adjusted his tie and subtly spoke.

“I heard that you’re lacking necessities.”

“Yeah, Permette probably mentioned it.”

“Yes, he must have told me because you refused.”

“If you give me the servant’s salary, I’ll manage on my own. Don’t worry about it.”

“I’ll manage to buy everything you need for the new house, so you should relax too.”

Min-joo turned her head to face Vehen. Vehen shrugged casually.

“I’ll manage on my own? Like I know what I need.”

“Then, tell me what you need. Make a list, and I’ll carefully select and send you the best.”

“It’s a charity donation for the unfortunate neighbors, right? I’m good.”

“Do you need permission to do this for someone you like?”

Vehen rested his chin and looked at Min-joo intently.

Since confessing once, Vehen’s expressiveness of affection was embarrassing, like a racehorse running at full speed. Moreover, he threw it off nonchalantly with an indifferent face, leaving the embarrassment to Min-joo.

Min-joo answered, casually rubbing her arms, which had goosebumps.

“I just said it’s fine, and I’m going to live on my own, so don’t try to do anything for me. It’s embarrassing.”

“You’ll still take it if I give it to you.”

“I’ll really reject this. It’s a precarious issue involving human dignity.”

How can you graciously accept necessities, be it underwear, socks, towels, or anything else, when a man who likes you offers to buy them for you?

It would be easier to contemplate if it were jeweled earrings or dazzling shoes.

There was a small restaurant on the way to Paital.

Min-joo, always curious about slightly shabby-looking restaurants, took Vehen to have breakfast there. The taste was just okay.

If she had gone where she planned, she could have had a proper meal. Despite Vehen complaining about why she did that, Min-joo ignored him and arrived in the central district of Paital, the capital city.

It was still bustling with people.

It felt like the entire population of the empire had gathered in Paital. Well, with the palace, the best facilities, and plenty of job opportunities, where else would people go?

Vehen held Min-joo’s hand and got out of the carriage. Despite resisting, he forcefully held her hand and dragged her out.

“Make the time we spend together more precious than the time with Permette.”

“Wow, ridiculous. Are you jealous?”

“Can I help it? You’ve been wandering around alone since the last time I sent you to buy clothes.”

She thought he wasn’t paying attention.

Vehen seemed to be preparing to spend money, not just one or two instances of jealousy. His hefty wallet and the opulent ring on his index finger with the emblem of the DeVirté family displayed the sweet taste of power and wealth. 

Min-joo observed the ring on his index finger and then looked up at the building standing tall right in front of them.

It didn’t seem like a place where nobles frequented, looking more shabby and meager than an opera house.

“Is this a theater?”

“You like plays, don’t you?”

“I never said that.”

“Not in this life.”

Even without saying it, he already knew everything. Probably, he would create the best date with the information he already had. It was pleasing, yet somehow not refreshing. 

Min-joo glanced at Vehen’s side profile.

His nonchalant demeanor revealed a well-defined side profile, incredibly handsome. If a genius sculptor of the century were to idealize a hero, this face might be the result.

Vehen bent his arm towards Min-joo.

“Shall we? You won’t be disappointed with this play.”

“…If I am, be ready for a scolding.”

“If you’re satisfied, will you give me a scolding?”

“Well, maybe.”

“Take care of your forehead.”

As if her standards were low. She’d already assimilated plays and movies in the modern world. 

Three hours later, Min-joo walked out of the theater with swollen eyes.