Why Did I Become the Villainess?

I was huffing when I arrived in front of the building where the Great Ruler is staying. I look at the maid and found her perfectly fine. It's as if she didn't run just now. Is she a superhuman? 

"Lady Csille, this is where the Great Ruler resides. Just wait here, and I'll just inform the Great Ruler about your arrival." The maid immediately went inside while I am anxiously waiting for the maid to come back. 

Please, don't send that letter. You cannot send that letter, Great Ruler, or else hell will break loose. 

The door open and I was shocked to see Ruler Laird standing in front of me with a worried face. "Csille, where did you go? I was informed by the guards that you arrived an hour, but I got worried when you didn't look for me. Is everything okay?" He extends his hand and hugs me tightly.

I nod my head at Great Ruler. I am overwhelmed by how he cared for me. I didn't know he will this be worried. "Something just happened, but I am okay." I break free from his hug and stare at him. "I heard from the maids that you're planning to send a letter to the Vrawyth residence. Did you send it already?"

Please, say no! Please, say no! The Vrawyth people cannot know that I am in the Illorian City residence. 

Ruler Laird looks at me from head to toe. He then sighs. "Let's talk about this inside. It's great that you are already here." Ruler Laird guides me to come inside his residence. 

However, he stopped and looked at the maid who showed me the way. "You, come with us. Explain to me what happened."

The maid followed us inside without complaint. Ruler Laird gestured his hand towards an empty seat. He then sat beside me. While the maid is standing at the side with her head down.

Ruler Laird holds my hand. "Csille, what happened? Can you tell me why you showed up just now? An hour after you arrived in our residence?"

I look at the maid who is standing at the side. How can I explain to Ruler Laird that one of his maids mistaken me for being a maid and lock me inside a storage room to peel vegetables? 

Ruler Laird looks at the maid. He probably realized I don't want to explain my side. "Can you explain to me where did you find her and what happened?"

"Great Ruler, we found Lady Csille inside the storage room peeling potatoes. We didn't ask her what happened because she immediately asks where she can find you," the maid said with a trembling voice. 

This is the reason why I don't want to say the reason why I was lock inside that storage room. I'm worried that the maid will be punished because of what happened. I also have a fault since I didn't explain to her that I am not a maid. 

Ruler Laird looks at me. "Csille, can you tell me what are you doing there inside the storage room?"

I avoid Ruler Laird's gaze. I don't want to sell the maid out. It's not her fault that she didn't recognize me. I also didn't introduce myself to her and even let her dragged me inside the storage room.

Ruler Laird got silent for a minute or two before he snaps his fingers. "I think I know what happened. Some maid probably mistakes you as a real maid and dragged you to the storage room. And you probably heard that we are planning to give food for the people living on the street, so you decided to help in peeling vegetables."

I almost clap my hand at Ruler Laird. Most of the things he said are correct. The only thing he didn't guess is I was lock inside the storage room, so I had no choice but to peel vegetables.

Ruler Laird suddenly takes my hand and inspects it, and he sighs when he notices how red my hands are now. I also have a few cuts on my fingers. 

I tried to take my hand away from Ruler Laird. "It's just a small wound. You don't have to worry about it. Also, I'm glad I help even just a little."

I also don't want to make the maid's life miserable. We often made mistakes, and I don't want to blame her for that. She's just a person capable of making mistakes. Also, their life being a maid is already difficult. I don't want to add on that. 

Ruler Laird shakes his head. "You are my Goddaughter. How can I let you peel vegetables like that? Look at your hands. How can I explain this to Prince Fraser about this? How can you compete to the Etiquette category if your hands have wounds?"

You don't have to explain. I'm sure he wouldn't care a bit about me. 

I sigh. "It's my choice to do that. I hope you won't blame the maids. Also, this is just a small cut. I assure you it wouldn't affect my training. Thank you for your concern, Ruler Laird. However, I have a question. Have you send the letter to the Vrawyth Kingdom?"

Ruler Laird takes a letter that is lying on the table. "I was about to send it to them. It's a good thing they already found you." 

I breathe a sigh of relief. Thank goodness. I thought things would get messier after this. It's a good thing that the timing is perfect, or else I don't think I can do something to resolve it. 

Ruler Laird stares at me and sighs. "How are you doing? Did you already recover from your fever? Are you sure it's okay for you to get out? Did you bring someone with you?"

I shake my head at Ruler Laird. "I already recovered from fever. The Doctors from the Vrawyth Kingdom assure me that I can do what I can do now. If you want, you can call a Doctor tonight and let him check me so you can be assured. About your last question, I didn't bring anyone with me. I'm afraid it will raise doubt from other people. I noticed that there are numerous people surrounding your residence, and I don't want them to be suspicious."

Ruler Laird nods his head. He then snaps his fingers to make the maid come closer to us. The maid immediately walks towards us while still bowing her head. "Yes, Ruler Laird?"

"You're dismissed."

The maid immediately leaves the premises. After making sure there is no one around, he then looks at me. "Csille, how's the situation of the Vrawyth Kingdom? I learned from the letter sent to me that the Vrawyth Kingdom is in a perilous condition. Do you want me to help?"

I shake my head at Ruler Laird. Although I didn't expect him to offer some help to the Vrawyth Kingdom, I am still grateful for his offer. But this problem is needed to be fixed by us, the people of the Vrawyth Kingdom.

"I appreciate the offer, Godfather. However, I don't want to involve the Illorian City in this. I know that throughout this year, you are avoiding every Kingdom because you don't want to be involved in the Kingdom feuds. I don't want to risk the life of the Illorian people just for us."

Ruler Laird holds my hand. "Csille, you are my Goddaughter. Of course, I would like to be involved. The Illorian City has been enjoying the peace for years now that most of the Illorian men decided to move to a Kingdom to work as a high ranking soldier or a general. It's because they know the Kingdoms often have little war against each other, and that's what they want. They have been dying to experience war, Csille. The Illorians are born to be war soldiers, but because of the peace, they have no choice but to live a simple life. So I'm sure the Illorians will be happy to help. Aside from that, the Vrawyth was known for having the best reputation among the Kingdoms. It's probably one of the reasons why most Illorians want to become a soldier of the Vrawyth Kingdom."

I smile shyly at Ruler Laird. "I appreciate your offer, Godfather. However, what about the women and children? In every war, the most people affected are women and children. Having used for peace for years now, I couldn't bear to expose them to a war environment. I know that Illorian women are strong too, but they are still women, Godfather. I don't want to see them fighting for a Kingdom that they are not part of."

Ruler Laird sigh. "Okay, I respect your decision. However, if you need any help, remember that the Illorian City and this old Godfather of yours will always lend a hand for you."

This. I don't know what to feel. I'm actually touched by what he said, but I also feel guilty. I was the cause why his real daughter disappeared from this world, but now he is offering his help for me? 

I nod my head at him. Ruler Laird smiled at me. He seems satisfied with my answer. "Now tell me, what really happened? I only learned that some Kingdom is planning to go against the Vrawyth Kingdom. However, I don't know who is this Kingdom is. Their Ruler must be insane to go against the Vrawyth Kingdom."

I smile awkwardly at Ruler Laird. Can I tell him who our real foe is? Not that I don't trust him. But I just don't want to involve the Illorian in this. War will happen between the Kingdoms, and I don't want the Illorian City to be part of that war. 

"Csille, you know that the pill has great importance to the Illorian City. Throughout this year, we did our best not to let other Kingdoms know about its existence. I want to help you, yes, but I need to know what and who will you use this pill?"

I understand Ruler Laird's concern. Giving us a pill and the antidote will definitely endanger the secret about the pill. 

"You probably know that there are two sides among the seven Kingdom. The Aeslaerean side and the Vrawyth side. Each side has two allies. The Aeslaerean have the Ouqeaseon Kingdom and the Stozeterra Kingdom. While the Vrawyth is allying with the Yesian Kingdom and the Saiven Kingdom. Just by the allies, you can already see who will lose the battle. However, the war against Vrawyth and Aeslaerean was put on hold because of the peace treaty that was made between the two Kingdoms. But peace is just a pretense. Throughout these years, there might be no war among the Kingdoms, but the tension never disappears."

Ruler Laird nods his head. "It really fascinates me how these Kingdoms are always fighting against each other when they could just be united." The Illorian City has been independent right from the start. So, it's understandable if Ruler Laird doesn't understand why all of these are happening.

I smile bitterly at him. That's what I've been thinking too, but what can you expect for the Rulers of each Kingdoms who enjoy power. They want more power. They become greedy that even if they know that they cannot gamble, they will risk. Just like those corrupt politicians in the real world. 

Power is really the fruit of evil.

"The only thing that maintains the peace among Kingdoms is the neutral Kingdom. The Wrezatia Kingdom. However, these days one of the Wrezatia people is starting to associate themselves to the two allies of the Vrawyth Kingdom."

"And if the neutral Kingdom starts to take a side, then I am sure the Aeslaerean Kingdom will not like it. This can be the start of a war. And if war will happen," Ruler Laird looks at me with horror in his eyes. "The Vrawyth Kingdom will definitely be in danger."

I nod my head at him. "But that's not the only problem, Godfather. We recently realized something we overlook before. The Wrezatia doesn't really want to ally with us. Rather, they want to ally with the Aeslaerean Kingdom."

Great Ruler frowns. "What do you mean?"

"If the Wrezatia ally with us. The Aeslaerean Kingdom will definitely wage war against the Vrawyth Kingdom. Even if the Vrawyth is the strongest Kingdom among all the Kingdoms, the Wrezatia, Yesian, and Saiven Kingdoms are not dumb to continue their alliance with us."

Ruler Laird's eyes widen. "That means their true purpose is to take the Vrawyth Kingdom down."