Why Did I Become the Villainess?

 "Purplany, stop swinging, or else you're going to break the swing!"

 I heard Rufus shout, but I didn't listen to him. I just want to drown myself in the wind. I just want the wind to take away the pain I am feeling right now. Although I know it's impossible.

 It's the price I need to pay for falling in love with the male lead. 

 "Csille!"

 I swing myself for a little more to dry the tears on my face. I stop swinging after making sure that there is no trace of tears on my face.

 Rufus immediately rushed to me and checked if I was hurt. "Purplany, are you okay? Why did you do that? What if you got hurt because of it?"

 I look at Rufus and smile at him. "I am hurting, Rufus."

 He anxiously looks at me. "Where are you hurt? Do you want me to call a Doctor?"

 I smile bitterly and shake my head. "No, it's the kind of pain that no doctor can heal."

 I heard Rufus sigh, and he gently messed my hair. "Don't scare me like that, Csille. I thought there's really something wrong with you." He then sits on the ground in front of me. "Is it because of Prince Fraser?"

 I looked up at the sky and didn't respond to Rufus' question because I knew that even if I didn't answer him, he already knew the answer.

 "Csille, you know my cousin. He can be rude and insensitive sometimes, but he doesn't really mean it."

 I raised my eyebrow at him. "Does he really not mean it? You and I both know he means it, Rufus. He's right, though. I was just a nuisance to him so, I understand if he'll be mad at me."

 Rufus didn't say anything. He probably doesn't know what to say too. I just smile at him. 

 "Rufus, can I give some advice to you?"

 He frowns at me for a few seconds before he nods his head. "What advice? Are you sure I am the one who needs advice?"

 I just smile at him. He really knows how to make someone feel better. It's probably one of the reasons why Rufus and Csille are good friends because he knows how to make Csille feel better.

 "Rufus, if you'll ever fall in love with someone else, can you promise me not to give you're all?"

 I'll try again. I'll try to warn him again. Rufus doesn't deserve to be heartbroken. He has already experienced a lot in his life, and I don't want to add to that. 

 "But isn't that how love works? When you love someone, you tend to give everything to that person."

 And it's the reason why both Rufus and Csille end up broken hearted because they give too much more than they received. They drained themselves just to make the person they love reciprocate their feelings. However, in the end, they were still left behind. Broken and ruined.

 I shake my head. "But there's a limit to what you can give. Look at me and Prince Fraser." I smile bitterly and look straight into his eyes. "So, Rufus, can you promise me not to lose yourself just to have the person you love? Don't love too much."

 Rufus nods his head. He then messes my hair. "Okay, I promise. I won't."

 However, I didn't expect that in the end, Rufus would choose to break his promise. If I only knew, I would have convinced him more...

________________________________

 "What can you say about the classrooms, Mister Vulso? Do you think the children will like the color? We also cleaned the outside, so you won't see any garbage around. I have already asked someone to fix the playground too so children can be safe when they play there."

 Mister Vulso looks around and nods his head. "Thank you, Dame Csille. If not for you, I don't know if I'll ever open up the school."

 I shake my head. "We're just starting. We haven't even opened up the school, so don't thank me yet. By the way, the tables and the chairs will arrive today. I have already asked someone to take care of it when it arrives. I just received His Majesty's letter this morning, and he said he'll sponsor books that will be needed for the school. So, you shouldn't worry about the books. His majesty is also starting to pick Teachers that will be assigned here."

 Mister Vulso looks at me. "I should send a letter of gratitude to His Majesty then. However, I don't think any Teachers wouldn't want to be assigned here. Everyone is afraid to be assigned here because of the harassment they are experiencing. Are you sure His Majesty can send teachers?"

 I smile reassuringly at Mister Vulso. He really cares about the people. The western region is blessed to have someone who is willing to serve them despite the situation here before. 

 "You shouldn't worry about that. I already discussed things with his majesty, and that includes sending a troupe of soldiers to maintain the quiet and peacefulness in the western region. Do you think with the troupe of soldiers, someone will dare to harass anyone here?"

 Mister Vulso sighed in relief. He then smiles widely at me. "Dame Csille, thank you for helping the western region. If not because of you, we would probably be living the same way we used to live before. But now, everything is starting to get better, and even the new officials are so eager to help the western region. Some are even using their own money just to help the people."

 I nod my head. Of course, they will. They are the most trusted people of his majesty, and they will do everything just to serve the Vrawyth people and his majesty.

 "About the hospital, I have mentioned to you before. I'm still trying to talk to his majesty about it. Since I don't think it's appropriate to talk about it through letters, it might take some time before we can do it. I'll talk to His Majesty about it once I've returned to the Capital."

 "Dame Csille, when are you planning to leave? I'm sure the people will be sad to know you're living."

 "Next week. I still have other things to finish here before I can leave. But don't worry, I will return again to continue what I have started here."

 I need to return to the capital next week because something important will happen. It's something important that I cannot miss.

________________________________

 I frowned when I heard the voices of Prince Fraser and Rufus arguing. We agreed to meet today to talk about everything we have done in the western region and to talk about the things that still need improvements.

 However, I wasn't even in our meeting area I could already hear their voices. It seems like the two princes are arguing again, and I'm sure it's because of Princess Paislee again.

 Ever since Rufus realizes Princess Paislee's secrets, he starts to be protective of Princess Paislee, which makes Prince Fraser irritated. So, they always argue even with the simplest thing. 

 I sigh and push the door open. The two arguing princes immediately look at me. I look at them and look at Princess Paislee sitting on the opposite corner. It seems like Princess Paislee is starting to get irritated with the two princes.

 "Are you starting without me? I can hear your voices even outside. Do you want people to hear what we are going to talk about?"

 I see Princess Paislee sigh in relief when she sees me. She immediately stands up. "Dame Csille, you are finally here."

 I am about to respond, but Prince Fraser cuts me off. "You should have told us you'll be late, so we would have moved the time instead of waiting. Do you know how much work we can do with that time?"

 I smile bitterly at Prince Fraser. Instead of asking why I am late, he immediately criticizes me. "I apologize for making you wait, your highness. However, an emergency came up. While I was on my way here, I happened to pass by a pregnant woman who was in labor, so I sent her first to Brother Pascal. I apologize for making all of you wait." I bow my head. 

 "Csille! Why are you apologizing?" I heard Rufus ask. He then makes me stand up straight. "Fraser, do you need to be this mean to Csille? We only waited for a few minutes and not an hour. Do you need to scold her? Also, aren't you even worried about why Csille is late? You know that she doesn't do that. Instead of asking why she was late, the first thing you did was scold her? Is she even your fiancée? You're so good with other people, but you cannot even treat your fiancé right."

 I hold Rufus' arm and tug it. I don't want to make a big deal about it. I was at fault here. I was late, so I understand why he is mad.

 Prince Fraser look coldly at Rufus. "Why do you always interfere, Rufus? As you said, Csille is my fiancée. So, what does it have to do with you?"

 Rufus takes a step forward and glares at Prince Fraser. "Fraser! I can deal with everything you do but not the way how you treat Csille. She is your fiancée, but you cannot even treat her like one. How can you expect me not to care? She is my friend," Rufus scoffs. "She sometimes acts like my family more than you can do."

 My eyes widened when I heard what Rufus said. It's the first time I heard him say that to Prince Fraser. I know he has hidden displeasure towards Prince Fraser, but he never once said it to Prince Fraser.

 "Rufus..." I tug his arms again. I don't want to ruin their relationship because of me. Well, technically, I am the reason why their relationship will be ruined in the future. But I don't want to see it for now. Not for now.

 Rufus looks at me. "No, Csille. Why are you stopping me? I couldn't bear to watch how he is treating you. I know you have done something wrong before, but that is history. You already changed now, and everyone could see that. I don't understand how your fiancé is the only one who cannot see it."

 Rufus looks at Prince Fraser. "Fraser, you are Csille's fiancé. You are supposed to be the first person who will believe in her, but why does it looks like you're the first one who is criticizing her? Can't you see how much she is trying? How much she is trying to be a good person, but you won't even acknowledge what she is doing? Is this how you see people? That because she was once a bad person, you will always paint her as one? Is th—"

 I let go of Rufus' arms. "We're not engaged, okay?!" I snap. I'm so tired of hearing this argument between Prince Fraser and Rufus. It just reminds me that Prince Fraser doesn't care about me at all.

 The three of them look at me. Rufus tried to say something to me, but I just raised my hand to stop him.

 I shake my head. "Let's stop this argument. Prince Fraser is not engaged with me, so he doesn't have any responsibility to me. He has every right to think what he wants to think about me, so please stop taking it against him." 

 Rufus held my arms. "Csille, what are you talking about? Why are you saying you're not engaged with Prince Fraser?"

 I look at Prince Fraser first before I look at Rufus. "I am just saying the truth, Rufus. As long as his majesty doesn't officially announce our engagement, we cannot be considered engaged."

 Rufus shakes his head. "Csille, what are you saying? The engagement has long been decided since we were young. His majesty and your parents have always been decided about this engagement. The only thing missing is the announcement of it. So, why would you say that you're not engaged?"

 I shake my head. "It's just a verbal agreement, Rufus. As long as his majesty doesn't announce it. We will remain single and not committed to anyone. So—"

 "Dame Csille, please don't say that. Do you know that Prince Fraser already talks to his majesty to move your engagement with him?"

 I look at Princess Paislee. What is she saying? Prince Fraser talk to his majesty about our engagement?