Why Did I Become the Villainess?

"Csille Lauretré!"

I almost jumped when I heard Prince Fraser shout my name. I immediately look at the closed door. Everyone has seen us enter this office, and now they are hearing Prince Fraser shout. I'm sure there will be another issue after this.

"You're highness. I really don't understand what you are saying."

"You know how grave crime it is to lie in front of a royalty, right? So, I'm asking you for the last time. Who will confess and to whom?" 

Can you please not pressure me? This matter involves the safety of everyone. How can you expect me to tell the truth? Prince Fraser, I know you hate Csille, but why do you need to be this mean? 

"Csille... I will not repeat my question. So, you better tell me the truth."

I inconspicuously look at the door behind me. If I run, will I be able to escape from him? However, if people see that I am running away from him after hearing him shout, I'm sure they'll misunderstand the situation. Some people are still skeptical of Prince Fraser after the issue before. If I do that, it'll surely make those people doubt him again. 

Great! Why am I always subjected to a situation where I don't have much of a choice? 

I couldn't answer him because it would definitely go against the script, but I couldn't also ignore his question because it's disrespecting him. What should I do then? 

I heave a sigh. "Your highness, I'm sorry, but I don't think it is okay for me to answer that question. It's too personal, and I don't think that someone will appreciate it. So, please forgive me, and can you please let me off?"

Prince Fraser stares into my eyes for a couple of seconds. "Is it Rufus, right? The only person you are close to within the capital is him, and you are in the building where his office can be found. Now it made sense." Prince Fraser chuckles. "So, whom will he confess to?"

Can you not ask me that question? If I told you that Rufus would confess to your beloved, what would your reaction will be? 

"I'm sorry, your highness, but I don't have any idea whom he will confess to. He didn't tell me any details about the—"

Prince Fraser chuckles. "So, it's really Rufus. Thank you for answering my question. You can go now."

I almost want to knock my head on the nearest wall. Why am I so dumb? I just indirectly confirm that it is Rufus who will confess. He already knows now that it is Rufus. 

But that's against the script, right? Does it mean another calamity will happen again? 

"I said get out. I need some time to think!"

I was startled when I heard Prince Fraser snap at me. So, I immediately excuse myself and leave the room.

This guy! After getting the information he wants, he just gets rid of me immediately. Can't he be thankful because if not because of me, he will not get the answers he wants? 

Forget it. What can I expect from Prince Fraser? I should be more worried about what I did. I have interfered with the storyline again. 

Great! What will happen this time? I really hope the fictional world will not notice the small changes. 

________________________________

I look at Rufus, who seems so preoccupied today. He hasn't touched his food, and he just stares blankly ahead. 

We agree to meet at lunchtime to talk about the finalization of our plan. But it seems like this guy here is still not prepared.

I poke his hand that is resting on the table with the handle of my fork. He wasn't even startled when I did that. He just blinks a couple of times before he looks at me. "What? Are you saying something?"

I sigh. "I am asking if everything is okay on your part? Have you talked to her?"

Rufus shakes his head. "I haven't."

I groan. "You haven't? Rufus, are you planning to confess today? Don't tell me you're planning to cancel it? I have already prepared things. Don't do that to me, Rufus. I even take a day off from work even if I have a lot of work to do just for you. So, please don't do this me."

"Purplany, it's not easy, okay. Ho—"

I roll my eyes at him. "How can it be difficult? All you need to do is ask her if she could have dinner with you? What's so hard about that? You wouldn't confess to her right at that moment. So, why are you hesitating? Grab the chance while you still have it, Rufus, or else you might regret it in the future."

Rufus looks at me. "You are right. But how can I make her come with me? Especially that guy is always with him."

I raise my eyebrow. That guy? Is he referring to Prince Fraser? 

"Then look for an opening. That guy can't be with her all day long, so look for a chance where she isn't with him and ask her."

Rufus shakes his head. "That is impossible. He is working with her. She will definitely not agree to live without him."

Of course, she will. She is the personal knight of Prince Fraser. How can she leave him behind? But he doesn't really need to worry a thing about that because he will have a chance to talk to her later.

"That will definitely be a problem. Why don't you tell me the name of the guy so I can help you?"

Rufus shakes his head. "I cannot tell you, purplany. Not that I don't trust you, but you will know her identity if I tell you."

I nodded my head and pretended that I understood him. Although I already know what he means. He cannot tell me the identity of the guy because there's a big chance that I will know Sir Farren's secret, and that is not what Rufus wants.

"But what will you going to do then? Don't tell me you are going to cancel everything? Let me remind you that I already prepared things, Rufus."

Rufus shakes his head. "I know, Csille. So, don't worry, I will not cancel this. Just give me some time because it will definitely be difficult to ask her for dinner."

I nod my head. "Okay, do you want to go with me to check the progress on the garden restaurant? So, you can see if you didn't like a thing. You can also see if the menu I choose for you will suit your preferences."

Rufus shakes his head. "No need. I know your preferences are way better than mine."

I nod my head. "If you say so. By the way, have you prepared the confession speech I ask you to prepare? That is important, Rufus. If you want to win her heart, you need to show her how sincere you are."

Rufus avoids my eyes while I squint my eyes on him. "Don't tell me you didn't prepare a speech? Haven't I told you to prepare it in advance? How can you—"

"Relax, purplany. I know what I am doing. Didn't you tell me to show how sincere I am? I didn't prepare a speech because I don't want her to think that what I am saying is scripted. I want to say what I genuinely feel at that moment." 

I nod my head. It made sense, though. If I were the woman, I would like to hear a guy do that to me than to hear him say his prepared speech. It's definitely more genuine. 

"You're right. Okay, if that's the case, all that is left to do is invite her for the dinner. Should I wait for the two of you in the restaurant?"

Rufus shakes his head. "Please no. I want to do this in private. You know that she has secrets, right? I cannot let her secrets be known to other people. Also, can you tell the people in the restaurant to leave us alone? Just prepare the food on the table, and we'll take care of ourselves."

"Understood. I'll remind them when I check the restaurant. Do you have other instructions?"

I really like how Rufus is concerned about Princess Paislee's secrets. That he is helping her to keep her secrets from others even if he knows that her identity is still unknown. That proves how much he feels for her.

Too bad Princess Paislee won't reciprocate that feeling. I really don't understand why she would choose Prince Fraser over Rufus. If I were Princess Paislee, I would rather choose Rufus.

Really, Ysavel? Aren't you the like Princess Paislee too? Have you forgotten that you also fall for Prince Fraser rather than Rufus? Aren't you a hypocrite?

I almost smashed my head on the table when I heard my conscience ask that question. 

Yeah, how can I forget that? I guess I am really a hypocrite.

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Since I had nothing left to do, I decided to tail Princess Paislee. I want to know what will happen after. I want to see how things progress, although I already know what will happen.

"Miss, is it really okay for us to do this? Also, don't you think they will not notice our carriage?"

I look at the coachman and sigh. He is right, though. We have been following Prince Fraser's carriage for an hour already, and I'm sure his highness already noticed that we're tailing them. But I already have an alibi, so there's really nothing to worry about.

"Don't worry. I will tell him I am here to visit my Father, and it just happened that we end up behind their carriage."

The coachman didn't say anything and just nodded his head. He is probably worried that Prince Fraser wouldn't appreciate what I am doing. However, I am not here for Prince Fraser. Why would I even care about him? He doesn't even care about me. So, why would I?

The carriage stops in front of the office where the higher noble officials are working, and that includes Prince Fraser's office. I made sure to go out of the carriage first before Prince Fraser and Princess Paislee could go out. 

Prince Fraser frowns at me when he sees me walking towards him. Although I'm really not walking towards him, it just happened that they are blocking the way to the entrance.

"What are you doing here, Csille? Are you follo—"

Prince Fraser couldn't finish his words because I had just walked past him. The guard who is guarding the entrance looks at Prince Fraser and me. 

"Da-dame Csille? Wha—"

I smile at the guard. "I am here for Count Lauretré, my Father. Is he here?"

The guard looks at Prince Fraser before he nods his head. "Yes, Dame. However, if I am not mistaken, he is currently having a meeting with the other officials. But if you want, you can still wait for him in his office. Do you want me to show you—"

I shake my head and smile at him. "No, thank you. I just find my way in. I know you still have work, and I don't want to interrupt that. I hope you have a good day."

I didn't wait for the guard to reply. I just walk inside the building. I was lying when I said I was here for my Father. I just need to have an alibi, so this egoistical Prince will not think I am here for him.

Does Prince Fraser really think my world revolves around him? Dream on! I still have things I need to take care of.

I decided to go to the restroom first before finding a way to tail Princess Paislee.

I look at the reflection in my mirror and sigh. I bet that Prince Charming is already thinking that I am here for him. 

How does it feel to have your expectations ruined? That is it hurts?

I smile at my reflection before I walk out of the restroom. I still need to find a way how to tail Princess Paislee without her noticing it.

"Csille...."