Why Did I Become the Villainess?

 "Csille, maybe you should rest first. You look exhausted."

 I look back at Brother Pascal and shake my head. We are currently in the isolation area, cleaning the rooms to prepare it for the incoming school year.

 "I'll just finish this, Brother. I'm almost done." I continue brushing the windows. Trying to take off the stains. There were some bloodstains and some unidentified things. 

 I heard Brother Pascal sigh. He then takes the brush away from my hand and squints his eyes at me. "Csille Lauretré! When will you learn to listen? Look at you. You look so exhausted already, yet you won't rest. Are you planning to worry everyone here? I know you're just eager to help, but if this continues, you'll be the one needing help." He then shakes his head. "Go get some rest first. I'll handle everything here."

 I tried to refute to Brother Pascal, but he just glared at me. In the end, I just followed his orders. I also think my body couldn't take it anymore. It's begging me to take a rest.

 I was passing by one of the rooms when I heard voices, and it looked like they were arguing. I walk close to the room and found Prince Fraser and Rufus arguing.

 "Rufus, I think Sir Farren can handle that already. You don't need to take his chores from him." Prince Fraser said in a controlled voice. 

 Although he isn't glaring at Rufus, I can still sense anger in his eyes. He keeps looking at Rufus' hand that is now currently on top of Princess Paislee's hand. It seems like Rufus is trying to take the broom for Princess Paislee.

 Rufus frowns at Prince Fraser. "I know, Prince Fraser. However, can't you see how exhausted he is? Don't you think he needs some rest? He's been working since the morning. He probably hasn't eaten his breakfast. I'm just concerned about his health. Is there something wrong with that?"

 Prince Fraser clenched his jaw. He tried his best not to glare at Rufus, but his eyes were selling him out. "As far as I know, Sir Farren is my personal knight and not yours. Why are you interfering in this? Don't you have other things to do, Prince Rufus?"

 Prince Fraser intentionally emphasizes the word Prince because he knows how this infuriates Rufus, and as expected, Rufus glares at Prince Fraser.

 "Yes, he is your personal knight, but you don't own him, Fraser. Can't you see how exhausted he is? Are you planning to overwork him?"

 Prince Fraser is about to refute, but Princess Paislee, who's been silent the whole time, suddenly lets go of the groom and looks at the two cousins. 

 "Your highness, Prince Rufus, I'm grateful for the concern, but I'm okay. You don't have to argue with his highness, Prince Fraser, about me." She then looks at Prince Fraser. "And Prince Fraser, please don't get offended, but I think Prince Rufus is right too. We have been working the whole morning now. I think the three of us need to take a break first."

 Prince Fraser and Rufus look at each other. As if challenging each other before they look at Princess Paislee, and they both nod their heads. 

 I look at three of them and smile bitterly at myself. It's starting. The competition between Prince Fraser and Prince Rufus. The competition for Princess Paislee's heart.

 I look at the three of them for the last time before I walk out of the building. I didn't go to the resting lounge. Instead, I went to the playground at the back of the school building.

 Mister Vulso put up a playground here to help the students have fun while studying. However, because the school hasn't opened up, the playground looks abandoned.

 I sit on the swing and gently swing myself. I'm trying to calm myself and my emotions. I don't know what to feel anymore. 

 I want to be happy because after a long time, we have already arrived at the climax of the story. That means it'll only take some time before I leave this place. 

 I should be happy, right? Because I can almost return to my own world. However, I couldn't help but feel sad and heartbroken. I don't know if I'm ready for the heartache of watching Prince Fraser fall in love with Princess Paislee.

 I don't know anymore. I thought I had already prepared myself for this, but I guess I will never be ready no matter how much I prepare. The more I become closer to the end, the more I can feel the pain.

 I look up at the sky and stop when I feel tears starting to roll down my cheeks. I touch my cheeks, and it's really tears. I laugh at myself. I didn't even realize that I was crying.

 I am about to wipe my tears when a handkerchief suddenly comes out behind me. I look back and find Rufus looking at me.

 "Rufus..."

 Rufus sighed when I didn't take the handkerchief he was offering. He then kneels in front of me and gently wipes the tears on my face. "Why are you crying? Do you know you look ugly when you cry? How will people label you as the most beautiful lady among the Kingdom if you're like this? Ugly." I can even hear the disgust in his voice.

 I couldn't help but laugh at Rufus' remarks. I know he only said that to make me feel better, and it's working. I look at him and shake my head. "You and your antics." I look around, trying to see if there are other people around. "What are you doing here?"

 Rufus wipes the remaining tears on my face before he sits on the swing beside me. "I was planning to take some breather, but then I see you crying. Are you okay, purplany? Is there something wrong? Why are you crying?"

 I smile at myself. I can clearly hear Rufus' concern about me. How I wish I could also hear Prince Fraser's concern about me. 

 "Purplany?"

 I shake my head and smile at him. "I'm okay. I was just reminiscing about the past. Don't you think time flies so fast, Rufus? I miss the old days."

 Rufus got silent, so I thought he wanted some peace. That's why I keep quiet too. However, a moment after, I heard him say, "But those days bring you pain, right? Why would you miss something that broke you?"

 He's right, though. Csille Lauretré got heartbroken a couple of times because of Prince Fraser and Rufus have seen that. But I only said those because I could not tell him that I was scared of what will happen next. That I'm in pain because of it.

 I didn't say anything and just continued to swing myself. I would rather keep silent because I'm afraid that I might say things that I shouldn't say. 

 "Purplany, is there something wrong? Why do I have a feeling that there's something you are keeping from me? Is everything okay, purplany? You know you can trust me, right? I promise you. I won't judge you or say this to other people. So, can you now tell me what is the reason why you are crying?"

 I smile bitterly. How I wish I could tell Rufus everything. How I wish I could warn him about what will happen in the future, but I know I cannot.

 I shake my head. "I already told you the truth. I was just reminiscing about the past. Even though it was sad but I still have happy memories in it. Yes, I have sad memories in the past, but it doesn't mean I would forget all those happy memories. Remember when we used to play together? Prince Fraser, you and I? We were so happy back then. But look at us now," I sigh. "We have too many problems."

 "But we're still the same, purplany. We are still the Rufus and Fraser, you know—"

 I shake my head. How I wish everything is the same so I don't have anything to worry about, but it's not that easy. It will never be that easy. 

 "You're wrong, Rufus. Prince Fraser is different now because he doesn't have any choice but to be different. He's not the playful Fraser before. He had become cold already. Sometimes I would even ask myself if the Prince Fraser now is the same Prince Fraser we used to know."

 I heard Rufus sigh. "You are right. He really changed already. He's not the Prince Fraser I know."

 I look at Rufus. He seems so conflicted right now. "Rufus, are you okay? You seem bothered. Is it about her?"

 Although I already know the answer, I still want to ask him because I want him to feel that there is someone who is concerned about him.

 Rufus shakes his head. "No, it's not about her, Csille. It's about me."

 I frown. "About you? What do you mean?"

 I thought he would agree to my question. I thought he was thinking about Princess Paislee. How come it becomes himself?

 Rufus swings himself a couple of times before he answers me. "I'm conflicted with my emotions. I already knew I shouldn't like her, but I couldn't help but like her as the day passed, and now someone was getting closer to her. I want to be jealous, but I know to myself that I don't have the right to be jealous." Rufus groans. "I don't know anymore."

 I stop swinging myself and walk in front of him. I kneel and try to look straight into his eyes, and I can really see how conflicted he is right now.

 He knows that it will be difficult to like Princess Paislee because she is the personal knight of Prince Fraser. When it comes to Prince Fraser, he knows he cannot go against his own cousin, and that conflicted him. He doesn't know if he should continue liking Princess Paislee or just forget about it.

 "Rufus, if you like her, why don't you woo her? You wouldn't know what happened unless you made a move. Do you want to live with what ifs?"

 Rufus looks at me for a couple of seconds before he shakes his head. "It's not that simple, Purplany. There are things that I need to consider if I want to woo her, and I don't think I can do that... not for now."

 And this is the reason why he lost to Prince Fraser because Rufus didn't grab the chance when he still had it. He didn't woo her. Instead, he waits for the right time. However, he forgot that love doesn't know the right time. You are the one who makes the time right. 

 When he realizes it, it is already too late. Prince Fraser is already madly in love with her, and because Rufus knows he cannot compete with his cousin, he gives way. Even if he loves Princess Paislee the way Prince Fraser does. 

 I smile sadly at him and hold his hands. "If it's not now, then when are you planning to do it? Aren't you afraid someone might take this chance and win her instead?"

 Rufus shakes his head. "That's impossible. So, don't worry, I know what I am doing." He then gently mess my hair. 

 I tried to warn you for the last time, but you didn't listen. I'm sorry, Rufus. I tried, but I guess there's really nothing we can do when it comes to destiny. In this world, we are only the side characters, and both of us don't have happy endings. 

 "Okay, if that's what you want but remember I am just here whenever you need someone to talk, okay? Also, I'm really curious about this girl you like. Is she from the western region? Do I know her?"

 Rufus smiled at me. This time it's a genuine smile. "You always told me that I am the nosy one here, but look who's being nosy now?"

 I laugh at his joke. Although deep inside, I couldn't help but blame myself for what is happening. 

 Rufus... I'm sorry. As much as I want to help you win Princess Paislee, I couldn't do anything. Please forgive me for letting Prince Fraser takes away the one you love.. I'm sorry for breaking your heart.