Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 378 : The Aftermath (2)

I heave a deep sigh before I walk inside the Foundation. I think I already heard enough for today.

Lilla, who is about to say something, immediately rushes toward me when she sees me walk inside the Foundation. "Dame Csille! You are here!" She tried to touch my hand but hesitated at the end. "May I know what you are doing here?"

I frown at her question. "Why are you asking me that question? Of course, I will be here. Have you forgotten that I am the Founder of this Foundation?"

Lilla looks back at my other employees before she shakes her head. "Dame Csille, that is not what I mean." She paused and looked hesitantly at me.

I heave a sigh and smile reassuringly at her. "Just because things don't work the way we expected, it means my world would stop spinning. I still have other things to do. Like running this Foundation."

Lilla stares at me with her teary eyes. I look around and find all my employees are looking at me like how Lilla is staring at me. I just smile at them. I am grateful for their concern, but right now, nothing can stop Csille from doing what she will do after. "I know you are all worried about me. But I wouldn't be here if I am still not okay. So, can we all work now? Life doesn't stop just because someone doesn't like you."

I look at Lilla, who is still staring at me with teary eyes. "Lilla, how is the condition of the patient who got stabbed? Is he doing okay now?"

Lilla nods her head after. "Yes, Dame Csille. He is doing okay now. In fact, he just got released from here and is now working again. He also told me to extend his deepest gratitude for saving his life. He heard that you gave him your blood, and he is now willing to serve you with his life."

Serve me with his life? I shake my head. I will already endanger everyone in the near future. How can I bear to watch an innocent person sacrifice his life for me? "Can you please tell that man that I don't need his life? Only he can own his life and no one else, and if he really wants to thank me, he should live his life happily. That is all I am asking for."

"Dame Csille..."

I just smile at Lilla and gently caress her head. "I will be working for today. So, give me all the documents I need to work on. Also, if anyone sees me aside from my family, please tell them I am not here."

Lilla's eyes widened when she heard what I said. "Dame Csille, I almost forgot. The Count and the Countess with Doctor Pascal came here at midnight. They were looking for you—"

I nod my head. "I know. I dropped by our house before I came here. So, don't worry. Also, I have some guards with me. Please treat them with care too."

Lilla nods her head. I was about to walk into my office when she suddenly stopped me. "Dame Csille, about you said just now that you won't receive any guests aside from your family. Does it include anyone from the Astalieu family?"

I heard Mother sob when she heard what I said. She then gently caress my back. "My poor baby. Why are you thinking about the embarrassment we experienced? Do you think it is more important to us than your feelings?"

I didn't respond to her question and just hugged her. I will definitely cherish these moments where I can still freely hug them. When I can still make them feel how important they are to me because I know once I cross to the other side, I won't be able to hug them or make them feel how much I love them.

"Csille, what are you talking about? Who cares if we become the laughingstock of the whole Vrawyth Kingdom? As long as you are safe and happy, we don't care about those things."

I break from Mother's hug and look at Brother Pascal, who speak just now. I smile reassuringly at him. "Now that you are here, I am more than happy."

Brother Pascal heaves a sigh and hugs me too. Then he flicks my forehead. "Don't disappear again. Do you know how you made us worried?" I nod my head and smile at him. Although I know, I won't be able to stick with my words in the future. Because I wii disappear soon. Again.

Mother hugs Brother Pascal and me for a couple of seconds before she stares at us lovingly. She is about to say something when Father suddenly says something.

"I should probably resign from the Monarchy."

My eyes widened when I heard what Father said. Mother and Brother Pascal was also shocked by Father's sudden remarks.

I break from the hug and rush to Father's side. I cannot let him resign from the Monarchy. It is the only thing that could keep them safe once I turn against the Vrawyth Kingdom, so I cannot let him do that. "Father, why are you suddenly being impulsive? Have you forgotten how our ancestors pledged their life to the royal family? Are you planning to throw away their sacrifices?"

Father stares at me, and that is when I realize that his eyes are starting to moisten too. He's probably just forcing himself not to cry. "And what? Let you suffer? I respected his high despite what he did to you before, but how can he embarrass you in front of everyone else? I would understand it if he likes someone else, but to announce that in public while everyone is expecting the announcement of your engagement with him? That is a total slap on your face, and as your Father, how can I let this pass? Even if he is part of the royal family, he doesn't have the right to do that to you." Father looked at me softly and caressed my head. "We have loved you dearly ever since you were born. How can I let anyone hurt you like that?"

I hug Father while shaking my head. I need to stop him from doing something he will regret in the future. "Father, can you calm down first? Getting angry wouldn't solve anything, and do you think by giving up your position in the monarchy, everything will change? Nothing will change, Father. In fact, it will only worsen our situation. If you give up your position, then our standing with the nobles will weaken. That means those people who have held grudges onto us all their years will have a chance to strike against us. You will only be putting all of us in a difficult situation."

I break from the hug and look at Father, who seems like he is in pain. "But what can I do? I don't want to sit still and watch things progress like this. How can I let my daughter suffer? Can I even still consider your Father if I do that?"

I smile bitterly. I am really grateful for the love they are giving me. If we were only in a different situation, I would never allow myself to endanger this family I always long for, but I know the more I try to save them, the more I am endangering them. I hold Father's hand and smile reassuringly at him. "Father, don't throw away everything just for me. Remember, no matter what happens, I am still your daughter. So, why do you need to bother by those things or by what will the other people say?" I look at the three of them and smile. "As long as we are okay. Does it matter?"

I walk towards my chair and sit on it. "Also, my life doesn't stop just because Prince Fraser doesn't want me." I gesture my hand at my surroundings. "I still have you. I still have the Hope Foundation, and I still have myself. So, don't worry. I am okay, and I will be okay."

That was a lie because no matter how much I convinced myself, the real Csille would be the one who would decide what she wanted to do. Her decision? That is something everyone will never expect.