Why Did I Become the Villainess?

352 : A Familiar Royalty

I feel a hand gently caress my back. I look at my side where Prince Fraser is standing and frown at him. What is this guy doing? Touching my back in front of the guards? Is this some sort of a show? To make everyone believe that the Crown Prince of the Vrawyth Kingdom and his fiancé are doing good? I smile bitterly. It's the only thing I can think of why he is doing all of this. From the kiss on my forehead to the compliments I received from him. All of it is definitely part of his plan. A plan of making everyone believe that my relationship with him is okay.

"Why are you smiling like that? Is there something wrong?" Prince Fraser frowns and stares into my eyes.

I stare back at his eyes and shake my head. "No, your highness. Nothing is wrong. I just remembered something sad that I couldn't help but smile like that. Apologies, I'll try to focus more on my smile."

We are now waiting for the arrival of the guests. But instead of waiting outside in the blazing sun, Prince Fraser decided to stay inside the carriage. We will only get off the carriage if we see the carriage of the guests arrives at the gate. The guards still need to check their identity before they can allow them to enter. Giving us enough time to get off the carriage.

He stares into my eyes, probably trying to read if what I am saying is true or not. He then heaves a sigh. "May I know what is this sad memory you remember?"

I frown. How would I know? That was just my alibi to tell you. Also, I don't understand why do you act like that. There aren't people around besides the coachman who wouldn't tell anyone what is happening between us. So, why are you acting like this, Prince Fraser? What are you doing?

I shake my head. "Your highness, it was nothing. It was a bad memory that I don't want to remember anymore. So, I hope you can forgive me if I wouldn't tell you what it is." Please, don't ask me questions anymore, or else I might tell you things I shouldn't say to you. I almost jump when I feel something cold hold my hand. I look down and find Prince Fraser holding my hands. "Csille, don't be sad anymore. I don't want to see you smiling like that."

I avoid looking into his eyes and take my hand away from him. I don't know why he is doing all of this. All I know is I need to protect my heart from hoping. I couldn't afford to fall for him even more. After all, no matter what I do, he wouldn't choose me over Princess Paislee.

So, I will just distance myself for now. I look outside the window and pretend like I didn't hear anything from Prince Fraser. I'll just need to pretend that he doesn't exist until the guests arrive. That's an easy thing to do, right?

I heard Prince Fraser heaves a sigh beside me. "Csille, are you mad at me?"

I raised my eyebrow at his question. Mad at him? Mad is an overstatement. I am not mad at him. I am frustrated with what he is doing. He knows Csille has feelings for him, right? So, how can he do these things knowing that Csille will might misunderstand things? Or he really doesn't care about Csille that he didn't mind if she got hurt with what he is doing?

I remain looking outside the window. Pretending I didn't hear anything. It is better this way. Than to hear his sweet empty words. "Csille, please talk to me. I wan—"

Prince Fraser wasn't able to finish his words when a guard said something outside. "Your highness, the guards who are assigned to the entrance just informed us that a carriage from the Aeslaerean Kingdom arrived. They are now confirming their identities."

I look at Prince Fraser. Does he really need to emphasize the words 'my fiancée'? Although I want to complain to Prince Fraser, it will be rude not to welcome Prince Christofre. Also, how can I complain to Prince Fraser if what he said is true? That I am his current fiancée.

I smile politely at Prince Christofre and bow my head at him. I originally planned to do a curtsy, but since Prince Fraser had already introduced me as his fiancée, it would not be right to do a curtsy anymore because Prince Fraser's introduction makes me his equal. "Greetings, your highness, Prince Christofre." I didn't say much and just greeted him because I was afraid I might say something I shouldn't say. After all, this Prince Christofre is a royalty from our nemesis Kingdom. Any wrong words can be used as an excuse for a war. Prince Christofre looks at me. "Lady Csill—"

"It's Dame Csille, Prince Christofre. My fiancée is already a Dame now." Prince Fraser corrects him.

I look at Prince Fraser and frown. I thought we were here to welcome the guests, but why does he talk to Prince Christofre like that? Cold and aloof. Prince Christofre laughs and nods his head. "Thank you for the correction, Prince Fraser." He then stares at me. "Dame Csille, I now understand why his highness, Prince Fraser, doesn't want us to see you with the dress. Your beauty is really breathtaking. It will b—"

Prince Christofre isn't able to finish what he wants to say because Prince Fraser cuts him off. "I'm sure you are all tired because of the long journey. Please come inside, and we will show you where you will all be staying." This guy! Doesn't he know that it's rude to cut someone off? What will Prince Christofre will say? I look at Prince Christofre and bow my head as an apology for Prince Fraser's action. However, this moody Prince stop me from bowing to Prince Christofre again. It's a good thing, Prince Christofre doesn't seem to mind what happened. He just looked at Prince Fraser and me while smiling. As if he is watching a very interesting thing. "Please show us the way, your highness."

Prince Fraser didn't respond to Prince Christofre and just asked the guards to open the gates for the Aeslaerean Kingdom. Then he guides me to our carriage.

After settling inside the carriage, he just asked the entourage of the Aeslaerean Kingdom to follow us. I look at Prince Fraser, who is now frowning while looking outside the window. I actually planned to just remain quiet the whole ride, but I couldn't stop myself from asking Prince Fraser.

"Your highness, is it really okay for you to act like that in front of the Aeslaerean people? What if they use it as an excuse to go against... us?"

My words halted for a couple of seconds because Prince Fraser suddenly inched his face closer to mine. "He was flirting with you, Csille. How can you expect me to welcome them warmly after hearing what he said to you? Am I nothing in his eyes to even say that in front of me?"

I frown. Flirting with me? When did that happen? Why can't I remember such a thing?

"Your highness, what are you saying? I don't under—"

"He told you that your beauty is breathtaking. Isn't that flirting?" He snaps at me.

How did it become flirting? He just told me I'm beautiful. I shake my head and avoid my face from his. I couldn't think straight if we were this close. However, I wasn't even able to calm myself when Prince Fraser made me face him again. "Do you like him, Csille? Tell me. Do you like that Prince Christofre?"