Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Days passed in a blink of an eye. All of us have been staying here for five days already, and throughout those days, all I can see is the little competition of Prince Fraser and Rufus to get Princess Paislee's attention.

Everyone probably sees it as a simple argument, but I know it's more than that. And it seems Princess Paislee is also clueless about what is happening. Every time she tried to calm those two, she didn't know that it was making the matter worst between the two Princes.

I look outside my tent and sigh. I can already hear the arguments of Prince Fraser and Rufus again. Even if I was the one who wrote this, I still feel tired of hearing their arguments every day. 

"Here they go again. It's just the start of the day, and they are already starting their arguments? Can they give me a break? I still need to do my work. How can I work if the only thing I could hear is their arguments? Can—"

I wasn't able to continue my words when someone suddenly chuckled. I look up and find Brother Pascal chuckling while staring at me.

"You're the only one who complains about it. No one has the guts to say something because they know they can't go against the two Princes. But look at you."

I put down the documents I am reading and sigh. "Brother, how can I not complain if all I can hear every day is their arguments? Seriously? They are already adults, but they keep arguing like children. It's quite annoying. Why can't they just talk calmly?"

Brother Pascal looked outside and chuckled again. "But why don't you say that to their faces? Don't you think complaining here will do something?"

I shake my head. "It's as if I can do that, Brother. You know that those two Princes have tempers. I guess it runs through their bloods."

Brother Pascal laughed and walked towards me. "By the way, I came here to give you this letter. I guess it's from your Foundation."

Foundation? Is it from Mairenn? Finally. I've been waiting for this day to arrive. If Mairenn found a temporary shelter for the villagers, that means I can now return to the capital. It also means I won't be able to hear those two Princes' arguments.

I immediately take the letter and read it.

"Is the letter from your employee? Does she find shelter for the villagers? They have been restless for days now. I'm sure if this continues, some of them might sneak out from here."

I put the letter down and smile widely at Brother Pascal. Finally! "I know, Brother. That's why I always ask for an update from Mairenn because I know how the villagers are starting to feel restless here. And yes, we already found a shelter."

I still haven't made a decision about the joint project Prince Fraser offered me. It's the reason why we haven't disclosed to the villagers the plan. 

I'm sure most of the villagers already want to go back to their normal lives. But Prince Fraser and I decided not to tell them unless I made a decision already. 

Brother Pascal sighs in relief. "Then you should talk to his highness about this, so we can all start preparing."

Most of the volunteers returned to the capital already after making sure that everyone was safe. There are only a few Doctors left who are here in case of emergencies. Most of the injured villagers are already sent to the hospital, and the Doctors are still taking care of them. So, there's really no need for many Doctors here.

While only volunteers left are those people who take care of our daily needs. The people who cook our meals, the people who take care of people, and the guards who make sure we are all safe.

I pick up the letter and walk out of my tent. While Brother Pascal follows behind me. 

What welcomes me outside is the non-sense argument of Prince Fraser and Prince Rufus. Princess Paislee is trying to stop their arguments, but it seems like the two Princes can't hear her or more like ignoring her.

I looked at Prince Fraser and Rufus and rolled my eyes at them. They look so childish right now. Arguing over a small matter.

"Prince Rufus, I already told you I can handle this. There's really no need for you to take what I am doing."

Rufus glared at Prince Fraser, but there was still a smile on his face. I don't know if it's a taunting smile or a smile that shows he is enjoying this. No matter what, it's one of the reasons why most people think that their arguments are not serious. Every time they will argue, one of them always has a smile on their face, and it's usually Rufus.

"Your highness, how can I let you do that? Let me handle this. I am more knowledgeable than you."

They are currently arguing about who is going to chop woods. The two Princes are helping the guards to chop woods, but it seems like Rufus wants to chop woods too.

I look at the two petty Princes and sigh before I walk towards them. "You always argue every day. Aren't you getting tired with the routine?" I look at the ax that both of them are holding. Then I grab it from their hands. "You're arguing how to chop woods, right? Then I'll do that for the both of you, so we can all be at peace. It's early in the morning, and all we can hear is your arguments."

After saying my complaints, I immediately start to chop off the woods. The woods will be used for cooking, and because we were cooking for more than fifty people, we needed to chop a couple of woods every day. 

Rufus tried to take the ax from my hand, but I just glared at him. I'm so done with them arguing. Not only my ears are hurting, but my heart also feels numb by thinking that Prince Fraser and Rufus are arguing because of Princess Paislee. It made me realize that I am the Villainess of the story. So, I would rather do this than see them argue again and again. 

After chopping a couple of woods, I drop the ax on the ground and stare at Prince Fraser and Rufus. "Now that you don't have anything to argue. Can I talk to the two of you? I have something important I need to talk about."

Prince Fraser and Rufus look at each other for a couple of seconds before they nod their heads. 

"What do you want to talk about?"

"Is it something serious, purplany?"

The two of them ask me at the same time. I didn't respond to them and just raised my eyebrow before walking towards my tent again. I didn't say anything, but I knew they would follow me inside. 

I sit on my chair and look at the two Princes standing in the doorway. I heave a sigh and gesture my hand on the vacant chairs in front of my table. "Sit. This will be a long conversation."

The two of them immediately sit down and ask me questions at the same time.

"Csille, what is this important thing you want to talk about? Is it something about the temporary shelter?"

"Purplany, is there something wrong? You wouldn't call us here if it's not something important."

The two Princes stop talking and look at each other for a couple of seconds. I take the letter of Mairenn and push it towards them. I better be straight to the point, or else they might end up arguing again.

Rufus is about to read the letter when Prince Fraser grabs it and reads it on his own. Rufus is about to say something again, but I hold his hand that is resting on the table and shakes my head at him. He then heave a sigh and let Prince Fraser read it on his own.

A moment after, Prince Fraser put down the letter and looked at me. "Now that you already found a temporary shelter. Don't you think it's time for me to hear your decision about the joint project I offer you?"

I was about to say something, but Rufus immediately cut me off. "Joint project? Purplany, what is this joint project Prince Fraser is talking about? Why I haven't heard about it?"

Do these two Princes think I can answer their questions at the same time? 

I sigh and look at Rufus. "I haven't mentioned this about you because you're busy. Have you forgotten? Also, I have been busy with things here that it slipped my mind."

Then I look at Prince Fraser. "About your question, can you still give me time? I want to know first how much funds we have for this month. As you know, housing projects take up a lot of money to finish, and I want to know what are the adjustments I need to do after I agree with the project."

Prince Fraser and I got startled when Rufus suddenly slammed the table. "Wait. Csille, you're planning to do housing projects? Are you planning to build the villagers' houses? Csille, do you know much it will cost you? It'll definitely empty the funds of the Foundation. Are you—"

I heave a sigh. I understand Rufus' concerns. It's the reason why I haven't made my decision about it. "Rufus, are you even listening to what I am saying? I still haven't decided yet. There is still fifty percent that I would agree and fifty percent that I would not. So, can you please calm down? Also, what do you want me to do? Watch them live on tents forever?"

Rufus shakes his head. "That's not what I meant, Csille. Didn't you say just now that you already found a temporary shelter for them? Isn't that enough for you to do?"

I was able to respond when Prince Fraser, who had been watching Rufus and me argue, suddenly spoke. "He is just wondering why is the monarchy is passing its responsibilities to the Hope Foundation." 

Prince Fraser then looks at Rufus, who looks back at him. "I know you already have an idea what is the current situation of the Vrawyth Kingdom. Because of the infectious disease, we closed our borders to anyone, which resulted in a limited source of funds. You also probably know that the monarch spends a lot of money in the northern region. If the monarch still funds this housing project, do you think we will be able to survive? We had a lot of enemies, Rufus, and they were just waiting for us to show weakness. If we depleted our funds, do you think they will not take this chance to make a move against us?"

Prince Fraser pushes the letter of Mairenn to Rufus. "Hope Foundation is our only hope for the housing projects. So, even if it's too much thing to ask, we don't have a choice but to ask help from them."

I sigh. If the landslide didn't happen this year and happened last year, I'm sure the monarch wouldn't hesitate to do the farmer's village. But because we are in a tight spot, his majesty didn't have a choice but to do this.

Rufus heaves a sigh after getting silent for a couple of seconds. He then looks at Prince Fraser. "But what about the Hope Foundation? Are we planning to deplete their funds just to give these people a village?"

I look at Rufus, and I'm grateful because he is also concerned about the Foundation. I can now be assured that aside from Brother Pascal and my employees, there is someone who can take care of the Foundation once I turn my back on the whole Kingdom.

"Rufus, that's okay. I have already talked about this with his highness. His majesty also sends an outline of the joint project. Although I still don't know what my decision will be, you can rest assured that I will not decide on something I am not sure about. By the way, I also invite you here to say that I will be returning to the capital this evening."

I look at the two Princes and wait for their reactions. But Rufus is the only one who reacted. Prince Fraser just looks at me as if saying he doesn't really care where I go. I should have known this would happen. How can he care about me? I bet the only person he cares about now is Princess Paislee. 

So, how can he still think of me? The villainess.