Why Did I Become the Villainess?

 "Dame Csille, thank you for helping us. If not because of you, all the infected person will probably die. We owe you our lives."

 I smile at the woman who is the last patient being discharged from the isolation region. "I'm more than happy to help you and everyone else. So, don't thank me, and please don't say something like that. You own your life and no one else. Please, take care of yourself when you get home, and please follow the prescription the Doctors gave you. You can collect your centimes and the medicine in the plaza."

 The woman frowned when she heard what I had said. "Centimes? Dame Csille, what do you mean?"

 I take one of her hands and squeeze it. "I already think what will happen after all of you get discharged from the hospital. I know most of you need to work to make a living, so I decided to give out a weekly allowance so you can take a rest and won't need to worry about where you would get the money to eat. It's not a big money, but it's enough for one family to last for a week. You can also get a free meal and a free basket full of fruits in the plaza. It's free of charge, and you won't need to pay any centimes for it."

 The woman cried when she heard my explanation. She almost kneels in front of me. I just stopped her. "Thank you very much, Dame. It's the first time someone has really taken care of us. I was worried about leaving the hospital because I knew I would need to work again, but because of your consideration, I can now take a few days break from working." She bows her head ninety degrees. "Thank you very much, Dame Csille."

 I immediately help her stand up. "You don't need to thank me. I am only doing what I should do."

 The woman repeatedly thanked me again and again before she left the place.

 "It's done. We finally get rid of the infections disease in the western region, and it's because of you, Csille. I'm sure Aunt and Uncle are so proud of what you have done."

 I look back at Brother Pascal and shake my head. "No, Brother. I cannot do all of these without people supporting me. If not because of you, the Doctors, and the Nurses, I won't be able to do this. I should be the one thanking you."

 Brother Pascal gently caresses my head. "You really have matured, Csille. I'm proud of you."

 I smile at Brother Pascal. This version of Csille will not last long. Sooner, she will need to return to be the Villainess of the story.

 "Brother, is everything okay inside the isolation area? I still need to meet Mister Vulso and talk about the necessary preparation for the school opening."

 Brother Pascal sigh. "We haven't finished clearing things up, and we still don't know where we can put the beds and the medical equipment. I actually want to talk to you about this."

 "Don't worry, Brother, I already talk about this to Mister Vulso, and we will donate all of the beds and the medical equipments to the western region. I'm planning to talk to his majesty and Mister Vulso to open up a hospital in here so people won't need to suffer from illness."

 It's one thing that the western region needs. There is no hospital or clinic where you can go if you're sick. It's probably one of the reasons why most people are susceptible to sickness. 

 "Is Mister Vulso coming today?"

 I nod my head. "We will check each room and talk about the necessary changes that we will make. We are also going to talk about some details we haven't talked about."

 Brother Pascal nods his head. "I'll be with you then. I want to know your plan about the school."

 I just nod my head and let Brother Pascal do what he wants. It's actually a good thing he is with me. Two head is better than one. Maybe he can help us decide on things.

 "Will Prince Fraser come too?"

 Prince Fraser? He's too busy avoiding Princess Paislee and his feelings for her. How can he have time to be here?

 I shake my head. "His highness is busy with other things. Also, we have already talked to Mister Vulso. They already heard what they needed to hear. So, he won't come."

 After saying those words, I immediately enter the building. As much as possible, I don't want to talk about Prince Fraser. It only reminds me that things will soon change, and I don't like it. 

 I don't like how I realize that everything will be over soon. Sooner than what I wish for.

________________________________

 I stopped what I was reading when I heard Rufus sigh. I look at him and frown. "Is there something wrong, Rufus? You have been sighing for several times now. Are you okay?"

 Rufus and I decided to meet today to check on each other. We are both busy doing our own duties that we haven't met each other for days now.

 Rufus looks at me. I can clearly see the helplessness in his eyes. "Purplany, I think I'm in trouble."

 I raise my eyebrow at him. Rufus being in trouble? What's new about that? He always got himself in trouble when we were young. "Is that a new thing?"

 Rufus shakes his head. "You don't understand purplany. This is a different kind of trouble. I think..." he looked around first before he leaned on me. "I think I'm starting to like someone."

 My eyes widened when I heard what Rufus said. He's starting to like someone? Is he referring to Princess Paislee?

 "You're liking someone else?" I mumbled.

 I couldn't believe that he'll like Princess Paislee this fast. It's been almost a week since he talked to me about Princess Paislee's secret. Isn't this too fast? He already like Princess Paislee?

 Rufus slumps his body on his chair and nods his head. He looks so bothered. "I'm really in trouble." He then starts to mess his hair.

 I look at frustrated Rufus. It seems like he never expected to like her, just like how I have written it. After Rufus realizes that Sir Farren is a woman, he starts to observe her every move, and because of this, he begins to see how wonderful Princess Paislee is. It was already too late when he realized he likes her.

 I sigh. He is definitely in trouble. He just fell in love with his cousin's future wife. 

 "Rufus, why do you need to overreact like that? You just like her. It's not as if you were forced to marry her. So, relax. It's normal for people to like someone else."

 Rufus looks at me before he shakes his head and slumps his head on the table. "You don't understand, purplany. It's complicated. Out of all people I will like, why her? I can't like her."

 Of course, you cannot because it's Prince Fraser's beloved, and you know that you cannot compete with Prince Fraser. Even in love. 

 I take a sip of my tea. I'm trying to act nonchalantly because I cannot let Rufus know that I know something. That I know he likes Sir Farren.

 "And why can't you? Is there a rule that Prince Rufus Astalieu cannot like anyone? The Duke is already eager for you to get married. Maybe this is the right time. Who knows, maybe you'll end up with her." I moved my eyebrows up and down while smiling at him.

 Rufus shakes his head. "You don't understand, purplany. I would be happy if it's someone else. But this person..." He heaves a sigh. "I'm not even sure if she doesn't mean any harm. How can I like someone who is hiding something?"

 He's right, though. No one in the right mind would like someone who has the potential to harm anyone. I smile sadly. "But love doesn't use rationale, Rufus. Once you like someone, that's it. Also, everyone is hiding something, Rufus. Aren't you hiding something too?"

 Rufus frown as he looks at me. "I'm not hiding anything, purplany."

 I scoff. "Really? You're not hiding the fact that sometimes..." I lean towards him. "You become jealous of Prince Fraser? That sometimes, you wish you were not born as his cousin because as long as he lives, you will always be his shadow. Even if you're older than him."

 I look at Rufus' eyes, and I can see him panic inside. I can also see him tremble a little. I sit up straight and look at him. "Rufus, I'm not saying this to warn you. I know you never plan to hurt Prince Fraser or to take away the right to the throne. I also understand why you feel like that. I just want you to see that everyone has their own secrets that they like to keep to themselves, but it doesn't make them a bad person. Why don't you give her a chance." 

 I sigh and put my hand on his hand that is resting on the table. "But Rufus, don't you think it's time for you to let yourself be happy. You always give way to other people. Why don't you try to look for your own happiness? Who knows, maybe she's the one you're looking for?"

 Rufus sigh. He then smiles at me and holds my hand. "Thank you, purplany. But I'll just observe things first, and from then on, I'll decide what I can do."

 I nod my head. I don't want to force him to like Princess Paislee, but I still need to make sure that he'll do that. Rufus is a very important character in the story. It is because of Rufus that Prince Fraser will realize his feelings for Princess Paislee. So I need to make sure that he'll have feelings for Princess Paislee.

 I'm sorry, Rufus. I'm sorry for pushing you to your heartbreak. I'm sorry that because of me you will lose the one you love the most. I'm really sorry. I know you don't deserve all of this, but it is what suppose to happen, and even if I am the writer, I don't have the control of what is happening. So, forgive me for breaking you and your heart in the future.

 "If that's what you want, I'll support you. But I want you to remember this, Rufus. You deserve to be happy and if she's your happiness, then go for it. Why do you need to care about other people?"

 Rufus gently caresses my head. "Have you forgotten that I am the son of the Duke? Everything I do will reflect on the Astalieu family, and that includes who I choose to be a wife."

 Wife? Will he even have a wife? After he got heartbroken because of Princess Paislee, he didn't give any chance to anyone. Although I haven't written the ending, I think I already know Rufus' ending. 

 I sigh. "But you are your own person, Rufus. You're not the Future King, so why would you restrict yourself from marrying someone you love?"

 Rufus smiled bitterly. "And repeat the same mistake my Father did? Have you forgotten what I have been through because my Father decided to follow his heart and marry the one he loves? The three of us struggled a lot, Csille, and I don't want to put the woman I love and my future children in the same pain."

 Rufus... I felt my heart aches when I heard what Rufus's said. It is true. Because the Duke decided to marry a commoner, people criticized him until he decided to give up his responsibilities in the monarchy. And all of this happened because of me. 

 "But, Rufus you..."

 Rufus shakes his head and smiles at me. "Csille, the moment I realized the situation of my Family in the monarchy, I already said to myself that I would not repeat my Father's mistake. And I don't think I'll change my mind."

 I didn't say anything, and the two of us did our own thing in silence.

 I'm sorry, Rufus....