Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Days passed, and I still couldn't speak. Doctor Pascal, Mother, and Father tried to do everything they could to help me, but everything was useless because I am still mute.

Throughout those days, only my family knew that I couldn't speak. Mother and Father didn't let me go outside the house, let alone my room. They are afraid that I'll feel frustrated if people know that I am mute. So, I was left alone in my room for days. 

I slumped my body on my bed. It's been days now, but I still couldn't find a way to fix this. Everyone is already asking when I will show myself to the public. I always received letters from Rufus and Lilla asking how I was doing. They even tried to visit me here, but because I wasn't allowed to accept visitors, the two of them left without even seeing me.

Even his majesty had already sent a couple of invitations to go to the palace, but Mother and Father politely declined, saying I was traumatized by the hurricane. 

Everyone knows that I almost lose my life because of the hurricane. That's why no one questions why I haven't shown myself to the public.

I roll on my bed out of frustration. I thought after I returned to the capital, I could now go out. But because of that hurricane, I have no choice but to isolate myself again.

Great! How great is it to be stuck inside a room the whole day? Why is my life like this? 

I am trying my best to do good to the people of the Vrawyth Kingdom, so I can at least pay back to what will Csille do in the future. But why is this happening to me? 

Why am I mute now? How can I be the villainess if I am mute? 

I abruptly stand up and walk to my door. I'm done. I will be insane if I continue to stay in my room. I need to go out. I'll just go to the garden to relax. 

But when I opened the door, I was startled when I saw a maid holding a tray of food in front of my door. "Miss? Where are you going?"

I hold on tightly to the doorknob. How can I answer her question? I originally planned to avoid the maids and the butler so they wouldn't know I couldn't speak. 

But why am I unfortunate? I only wanted to relax, but the moment I opened the door, I was immediately welcomed by the maid? Great! This is really great!

I look at the maid, smile at her, and take the tray from her hand before I slam the door. I know it's rude to do that, but I don't have a choice here. My parents don't want other people to know about my condition. They want to keep it as much as possible because they know if the news about my muteness were revealed, it would greatly affect my image. So, they remind me to keep it as a secret as much as I can.

I look at the tray of food and sigh. How can I have the appetite to eat? All I want to do now is go out and get some fresh air. I am already tired of my room. I want a change of environment.

But... 

I look at the door. How can I go out if there's a big chance I will bump into someone in the house? I don't want to act like I didn't hear or see them because it's rude, and I'm sure that even if I am resting in the garden, one of them will come up to me and ask me questions.

I guess I'll have to give up the idea to go out today. I'll probably just sleep again or try to read something.

________________________________

"My dear?"

I was busy reading a book when I heard Mother's voice. I look back and find her standing in the doorway.

She immediately smiles at me. "How are you doing?" She makes sure to close the door before she walks towards me. 

I take a notebook and a pen. I usually have this besides me, so it'll be easier to communicate with them.

 'Good evening, Mother. I'm currently reading a book.'

Mother read the note before she looks at the book I am reading. "You're reading this book? This is actually a good one. Are you enjoying reading it?"

I look at the book and shake my head. I take the notebook again and write my explanation.

 'The book is really great, but I have been reading the whole day, Mother. It made me tired. I was only reading it because I didn't have anything to do. Mother, can't I really go out of my room? I'm so bored staying inside my room the whole day. I don't think I can bear to stay here for another whole day.'

I heard Mother sigh before she gently caressed my head. "My poor baby. I'm sorry. I know you are bored here, but I just don't want other people to know about your illness. Don't get me wrong, Csille. I will never be embarrassed by you. I just don't want other people to look down on you because you become mute. You know how people see disabled people, right? I don't want you to experience that. You're my precious daughter. How can I let other people look down on you? No, I cannot let that happen."

Although Mother tries to stop herself from crying, I can still see the tears she secretly wipes. She knows I feel broken when I see her crying because of what happened to me. That's why she never let me see how she is hurting.

 'I know, Mother, and I understand why you don't want other people to see me. But you cannot keep me forever. I still have a Foundation I need to manage. I heard the casualties in the nearby town are severe. I need to help them, Mother. Lilla cannot do a thing without my signature, and the monarch cannot handle it on their own. You know how the monarch is lacking funds now. They need our help, Mother.'

I heard Mother sigh. She then shakes her head. "I know you are worried about them. However, Csille, it's time for you to get worried about yourself too. If you want, I can help you communicate with Lilla. So, you wouldn't have to worry about those people. Also, I thought you still want to keep your engagement with Prince Fraser?"

I frowned when I heard Mother mention my engagement with Prince Fraser. How did my engagement with Prince Fraser get involved here? 

I immediately take the notebook and write my response.

 'Mother, thank you. You don't know how much this will help not just the Foundation but also those people who are in need to help. I really appreciate that. Also, what about my engagement with Prince Fraser? Why did you suddenly mention it?'

Mother takes my hand and holds it. "If that will make you at ease, then I will help. If I can only help you manage the Foundation, I would also do it. But you know I'm also busy with our businesses, right?" Mother sigh. "And about your engagement with Prince Fraser. You know that the person who will be engaged with the Crown Prince will also be the future Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom. Do you think you'll be qualified to be a Queen if the people know that you become mute?"

I was taken aback by what Mother said. She is right, though. No one in the history of the Kingdoms has taken a Queen who has a disability. 

If the people know about my muteness, I'm sure they will doubt if I can be a perfect Queen for the Kingdom. I'm also sure that Prince Fraser will definitely use this as a reason to cancel my engagement with him.

Although I know that my engagement with Prince Fraser will end up being canceled too, it is still against the storyline. If I let things progress like that, I'm afraid we'll not just experience a hurricane. It will be something worst than that.

I look at mother and shake my head. No! I cannot let that happen. 

Mother gently caresses my hand. "Don't worry, Csille. We will do our best to help you. I will make sure that your engagement with Prince Fraser will not be canceled. I promise you that."

But what can they do? They have been looking for a cure for a few days now, but we still haven't found anything that could help me. I don't think they can convince his majesty to wait for me. Sooner or later, I will need to face his majesty and his highness. Sooner or later, they will realize what had happened to me.

Does it also mean, sooner or later, this whole world will start to destroy itself again? What if it's not a simple hurricane only? What if it totally destroys itself?

________________________________

I paced back and forth around my room. Trying to find ways how to end all of these things that are happening.

Csille is not meant to be mute. Also, I cannot let my muteness be known to everyone, or else I really need to give up my title as the fiancée of Prince Fraser. 

However, those are all against the storyline I have written. I already learned my lesson when I didn't save Prince Fraser from all the accusations. I couldn't bear to make another mistake again.

But how can I solve this if I can't speak? What can I do to return everything to its rightful places? I need to hurry now because things are starting to progress between the three characters, Prince Fraser, Princess Paislee, and Prince Rufus. 

Wait, the root of my problem started when I didn't help Prince Fraser clear his name to the public. If I do something now, will my voice return too? 

I look at the paper lying on my table. I guess there is no harm in trying it. After all, this is the only thing I can think of. 

I lock my door first before I start my letter. I decided not to ask permission from his majesty because it might take time before he could give me an answer. And I'm sure he'll invite me to the palace to talk about it. So, I cannot risk it. 

I just decided to write a letter to Lilla and ask her to release the letter I want the public to see. 

It took me an hour or two before I finished the letter for Lilla and the letter for the public. I look at the letter of explanation I made for the people and reread it. I need to make sure that I explain things properly.

Dearest people of the Vrawyth Kingdom,

 It has come to my knowledge how things are progressing in the capital. I apologize if I cannot talk about this in person, but as you all know, I am currently recuperating from what I have experienced with the hurricane. 

 I know all of you are wondering what really happened between me and his highness, Prince Fraser. I know you already heard what happened in the western region, and you are all probably wondering if that is true or not. It is actually true. What you have heard is true.

 But please give me time to explain things before you judge Prince Fraser. That day, we were exhausted and tired because we were working almost all day just to help the western region. We couldn't get enough sleep that sometimes we end up being annoyed with little things. That morning, Prince Fraser had only slept for an hour, and I have made him wait because I did something else. It's the reason why he said rude things to me. 

 But please take in mind that this is a rare case. He isn't always like that. Some of you probably know that he could never do that. He was just exhausted that day, so he exploded. I know this is not enough reason to be rude to someone. But I just want to remind everyone that Prince Fraser is also a person. A person who makes mistakes and has a tendency to get exhausted. So, I please you won't take this against him.

 I have known Prince Fraser ever since I was young. Do you think my parents will marry me off to someone like that? 

 And about the issue that Prince Fraser didn't care about me when I decided to help treat a person with tuberculosis. That is actually a false assumption. The reason why he acts nonchalant is because I always update him with what is happening to me. So, there is no reason for him to act anxiously. 

 I hope this all clear every issue about us. Prince Fraser and I are okay. And there is no reason for us not to be okay. So, I hope you won't just believe those false rumors. Thank you for listening to my explanation.

Csille Lauretré

I look at the letter on my table and nod my head satisfied with what I have written.

I jut hope that my voice will return after this.