Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Rufus looks at me. "You'll be returning to the capital this evening? Why so sudden? And you even want to return in the evening? Isn't it safer to return tomorrow morning?"

I shake my head. I need to return to the capital now so I can prepare things for the temporary shelter. I also need to see the place first to ensure it'll be a good place for the villagers to stay. Aside from that, I just want to escape from seeing the two of you argue non-stop for Princess Paislee. 

Although I was the one who wrote this, I still couldn't stop myself from being jealous of her. So, I'll just escape from here. 

"Rufus, I still need to prepare things before the villagers can move to the shelter. I also want to see how the place looks first. Although it's a temporary shelter, I still want to make them feel comfortable in it. And to do that, I need to return to the capital this evening because a day wouldn't be enough to prepare the things necessary for moving the villagers to the temporary shelter."

Rufus frowns. "But wouldn't that be dangerous for you to travel back to the capital at night? Although the journey isn't that long, it is still a journey, Csille. What if someone tries to ambush you on your way to the capital? I think it's best if I come home with you. I'll be more at ease if I am with you."

If I do that, wouldn't he miss his shot with Princess Paislee? Although I didn't specifically write this scene, I still need to make sure that the tension among the three leads is still alive. This tension will make them realize the feelings they have.

I smile reassuringly at Rufus. I know he's the one who'll say that. I couldn't expect something from Prince Fraser because I knew he would never see Csille again. In his eyes, Csille is his annoying fiancée, who likes to force herself on him.

"No, Rufus. You are needed here. Don't worry about me. I will just send a letter to Father asking for a carriage and a couple of guards to fetch me here. So, there's really nothing you should be worried about. Do you really think my Father will let me travel alone without Brother Pascal beside me?"

I'm sure Father will not let me go home alone. I'll just need to send him a letter after my conversation with these two Princes. 

Rufus looks like he is about to say something, but Prince Fraser suddenly speaks up. "Good riddance then, but apologies, I still have things to take care of. If that is the only important matter you want to talk about, can I now take my leave?"

I smile bitterly. I know Prince Fraser will not care about me but to do this in front of me is a blatant slap on my face. How can Prince Fraser be this heartless? He knows Csille has feelings for him, but why does he do it to her? 

I thought after the conversation I had with him about the joint project last time. He would be at least good to me. But I guess I was wrong. I am totally wrong at all.

I feel Rufus suddenly tense up when he hears what Prince Fraser says, he then glares at Prince Fraser, but it seems like Prince Fraser doesn't mind at all. He just looks at me as if asking if he can leave already.

I look at Rufus, who is about to snap at Prince Fraser, and sigh. "Yes, please forgive me if I took up too much of your time."

Prince Fraser immediately stands up. Rufus stood up too and was about to pull Prince Fraser's hands, but I stopped him in time. Rufus looks at me as if asking why I am letting Prince Fraser say something like that? I just shake my head at him.

Prince Fraser doesn't get fazed with what is happening. He just looks at my hand, holding Rufus' arms before he looks at me. "Remember Csille. You are still considered the Prince Royal fiancée. Don't touch any man of your own will, or it'll ruin my image." After saying those words, he immediately left.

I just look at his back with mixed feelings. I couldn't believe he had just said that to me. At the same time, I am furious with what he said. How can he say something like that to me? Does he think Csille is an easy woman? Just because she is into him, it doesn't give him any right to insult Csille like that. 

I couldn't believe I just wrote a character like this. Now I understand why most of my novel doesn't work on my editor. It's because my characters are like this. 

Prince Fraser is the male lead but look how he is treating a lady? Even if she is mean, I don't think that's enough reason for him to be this rude to Csille.

"Csille, why did you let my cousin do that to you? If you didn't stop me, I would have punched his face already. How can he say something like that to you?"

I look at Rufus and smile bitterly at him. I am angry at Prince Fraser right now, but I also don't want to ruin the storyline. So even if I want to punch Prince Fraser on his face too, I know I can not do that.

"Thank you for trying, but it will make things worst. You know how people are still in doubt about Prince Fraser about the last incident. If they heard you punch Prince Fraser for disrespecting me again, I'm sure it will be difficult to clear his name."

Rufus looks at me for a couple of seconds before he messes my hair. "I don't really understand why that guy doesn't see you. If I were him, I would take care of you properly."

If he is Prince Fraser, will he take care of me properly? That's impossible. You are also in love with Princess Paislee. How can you do that? 

Forget it. It's inevitable if people love Princess Paislee. She is, after all, the female lead.

________________________________

I lean on my chair and close my eyes. My head is still hurting because of those two. I thought Prince Fraser was the only one who could give me a headache, but I didn't know that two Astalieu's can make my head feel like it's about to split. 

Although Rufus is only concerned about me, I still couldn't help but worry about what he would do if I returned to the capital. I hope Rufus will not take everything that happened today against Prince Fraser because I'm sure it will not be a simple arguments. That will definitely become a huge fight, and I couldn't let that happen. Not now.

I was busy calming myself when I heard someone walk inside my tent.

"Csille, are you okay? Does your head hurt? Did you sleep late against last night? Haven't I told you not to do that anymore? Why aren't you listening? If you really want to help people, you should learn how to take care of yourself first. If Aunt and Uncle are here, I'm sure they will scold you again for neglecting yourself."

It's Brother Pascal! I didn't immediately answer him because I still wanted to rest. I feel like I got drained from talking with the two Princes. I am also thinking of a way how to break it to Brother Pascal that I will be returning to the capital this evening. Brother Pascal is still needed here, so he can't come home with me, and I know he'll be disappointed about it.

A moment after, I open my eyes and look at Brother Pascal, who is now looking at me worriedly.

"Csille, are you okay? Are you sleeping when I enter your tent? Are you okay? You look s—"

I sit up straight and smile reassuringly at him. "No, Brother. I wasn't sleeping. I was just taking a rest. I was preparing myself because this day will definitely be a busy day for me."

Brother Pascal frowns. "Busy day? But I thought you were just planning to talk to the villagers the whole day? Is that the busy day you are talking about?"

I shake my head. "No, Brother. Haven't I received a letter from Mairenn?" 

Brother Pascal nods his head. "Yes, what about it?"

I heave a sigh. "I'm planning to return to the capital this evening, and the reason why I'll be busy today is because I'll be saying goodbyes to the villagers. I also need to brief my employees who will be left here." I look around my tent. There are documents everywhere. "There are documents that I also need to organize and bring to the Foundation."

Brother Pascal stares at me for a couple of seconds before he nods his head. "Okay. You should have told me so I can also prepare on my side. When did you say we will lea—"

I shake my head. "No, Brother. I am the only one who will leave."

Brother Pascal looks at me as if what I said is something impossible. "No, no. How can I let you return to the capital alone? What will Aunt and Uncle say if I let you do th—"

"You don't have to worry about that, Brother. I'm planning to send a letter to Father and ask him if he can prepare a carriage and a few guards to fetch me."

However, Brother doesn't look at ease at all. "No, I still won't let you. What if someone sneaks into the group of guards and harms you while you're on your way? That I couldn't happen."

"Brother, do you really think someone will make an effort and do that? I am a simple, noble lady. Why would someone try to har—"

"Csille, have you forgotten? Aside from you being the only daughter of the Count, you are also the fiancée of Prince Fraser. You know that there are people who are against Uncle or Prince Fraser, right? Do you think they will not take this chance to do something to you?"

I understand Brother Pascal's concern, but there's really nothing to worry about. Csille hasn't even started her Villainess path. How can something happen to her? 

"But Brother, you are still needed here. How can I let you come with me?"

I know I cannot use the excuse that no one will do something to me because what he said is right, though. Someone might use me to threaten or hurt my Father. I know it won't work on Prince Fraser because he doesn't even care about me. But I'm worried about Father. If something really happened, I know Mother and Father will be both devastated.

Brother Pascal shrugs his shoulder. "The distance between the capital and here is just an hour journey. It wouldn't hurt me to return the next day. I also need to report to the Director of the Holycross Hospital about what happened here. So, I think it's not a bad idea."

I look at him and sigh. I guess I need to compromise with this. I know Brother Pascal wouldn't agree if I return to the capital alone. He's also a stubborn guy. He definitely wouldn't agree with this. 

"Okay, Brother. I know you wouldn't agree with this. I should have known that." 

Brother Pascal gently caresses my head. "I'll be leaving now. I still need to talk to my colleagues about my departure today."

I nod my head and watch Brother Pascal walk out of my tent. I was about to start organizing the documents when someone entered my tent.

"Dame Csille? Can I talk to you?"

Princess Paislee? What is she doing here? She said she wanted to talk about something? What is this something she wants to talk about?

Since I still have time to prepare. I don't think it wouldn't hurt if I talked to her. I gesture my hand to the vacant chair in front of my table. 

"Sure, what do you want to talk about?"

Princess Paislee immediately sits on the chair and looks at me. "Dame Csille, aren't you bothered?"

I raised my eyebrow at her. "Bothered? Why would I be bothered?"

Princess Paislee heaves a sigh before she answers me. "Dame Csille, aren't you bothered with how Prince Fraser is close to me?"

Wait, what? Did I really hear Princess Paislee ask that question? "Why would I? It's Prince Fraser's choice who he wants to be close to. I don't think I can have a say on it."

"But Dame Csille, when we were youn—"

"Sir Farren, that was before. I was still young and immature back then. But now that I grew up, do you think I would be bothered by the fact that Princess Paislee is close with you?" I laugh. "Sir Farren, are you just here to talk about that? Because if that's the case, you shouldn't worry because I wouldn't do anything towards you again."

Princess Paislee looks at me for a couple of seconds. It's as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing. Then she shakes her head. "No, Dame. I am here to ask a favor. Can you please tell Prince Fraser to stop being too close to me?"

I raised my eyebrow at her. I think I know now why she is here. She isn't worried that I will do something to her. Instead, she is worried because Prince Fraser is getting close to her. That means there's a big chance her secret will be exposed.

I heave a sigh. "I'm sorry, Sir Farren. I already told you. I don't interfere with whom Prince Fraser wants to be close with. I think it's better if you talk to him instead."

Princess Paislee is about to refute, but I cut her first. "Sir Farren, is that the only thing you want to talk about? Because I still have things to do."

Having no choice, Princess Paislee excused herself and left.. I look at her back and sigh.