Why Did I Become the Villainess?

 Princess Paislee led me to a lake where there were no people. I looked around. I couldn't help but admire the beauty of the lake. 

 I haven't gone to a lake ever since I wake up as the nineteen year old Csille Lauretré. It's the first time I have seen a lake again. 

 I close my eyes and feel the cold breeze touch my face. This is what I need serenity and peace. If I only knew there was a place like this in the western region. I would probably spend most of my time here.

 "Dame Csille..."

 I almost jumped when I suddenly heard Princess Paislee's voice. I almost forgot that she is here with me. I was so entranced with the peacefulness that I forgot I am with someone.

 I open my eyes look at Princess Paislee, who is currently looking at me intently. If I didn't know she is a woman in disguise, I would probably mistake her gaze as a man who likes a woman.

 I sigh. "Sir Farren, is there something you want to tell me? You wouldn't bring me here for nothing, right?"

 Princess Paislee stares at my eyes for a few seconds again before she kneels in front of me. I immediately stand up and try to stop her.

 "Sir Farren, what are you doing? Why are you kneeling in front of me? Please stand up."

 I tried to force her to stand up, but because Csille's body is weaker than Princess Paislee's, she couldn't even make her move. 

 I didn't expect she would do this. She's the Crown Princess of the Aeslaerean Kingdom. Why would she kneel in front of a Dame just to save the Crown Prince of the Vrawyth Kingdom? Isn't this too much for her?

 Princess Paisee looks at me. "Dame Csille, I know what Prince Fraser did is not the right thing, but you know Prince Fraser. He sometimes says or does things even though he doesn't mean it that way. I hope you won't take it against him. You know Prince Fraser cares for you, right? He was just worried about your health. That's why he got mad when he saw you trying to exhaust your body again. "

 I smile bitterly at myself. She's really trying to bend the truth even though everyone knows what Prince Fraser means. I look at Princess Paislee. I don't intend to argue with her, but I just couldn't help but feel irritated. 

 Yes, I am trying to save Prince Fraser, but it doesn't mean that I wasn't affected by what he said to me. So, hearing Princess Paislee say those words is quite disappointing. 

 Is my feeling not valid that she just wants to set it aside?

 "He cares about me? If he did, then why didn't he talk to me nicely? He even calls me selfish? Is that how he shows he cares? Because I don't feel an ounce of care in his words." I sigh. "Sir Farren, I understand you want to save Prince Fraser, but you shouldn't bend the truth just to save him. Or do you think my feelings are not valid, so you keep doing this? Cause if I will be honest, this is quite disappointing."

 Princess Paislee looks at me. I can see tears forming in her eyes. I take a step back because I was startled when I see this. It's the first time I have seen her cry.

 I made Princess Paislee as a strong independent woman that even if her Father forced her to marry someone she didn't like, she didn't shed any tear. But now, she is crying while defending Prince Fraser.

 Is she in love with him already? But isn't that too early for that?

 "Dame Csille, I apologize. I never meant to set aside your feelings. I would never do that. I just don't know what to do anymore. Prince Fraser is now devastated by what is happening. If you can only see him. You'll probably feel heartbroken too. I know I might be asking for too much, but you're the only one I know that can help. So, please help him, Dame

Csille."

 I knew this was the reason why she wanted to talk to me. I shake my head and help her stand up. This time, she didn't resist and just let me. 

 "Sir Farren, I'm sorry I couldn't do anything about it. I tried to save Prince Fraser by talking to Prince Rufus, but he was already decided, and no matter how much I convinced him, he wouldn't listen to me. I also tried to explain it to the people, but they won't listen to me. The news is already widespread around the western region, and even if I explain things, I don't think it would help. So, I'm sorry as much as I want to help him. There's nothing I can do now."

 Princess Paislee looks like all of her energy got drained. She then looks at me. I can see hopelessness and disappointment in her eyes. "Dame Csille, please. You're the only person I know that can help him. I tried talking to Prince Rufus or to Doctor Pascal, but they all won't agree to help me. You're our only hope, Dame Csille. Please don't leave us alone." I can hear Princess Paislee's voice tremble.

 Is she that desperate to help Prince Fraser?

 I shake my head. "I'm sorry, Sir Farren, as I said, I cannot do anything about it anymore." I look at my time watch. "I apologize, Sir Farren, but I need to go now. It's getting late already. You should go home already."

 I look at her for the last time before I leave.

 I'm sorry, Princess Paislee, but I can't do anything for now. But don't worry, I will do my best to find a way to help him. Please stay with him because you're the only person that will make him feel better.

________________________________

 I woke up with fluffy eyes. I couldn't sleep last night because I was crying. I was frustrated and devastated by what was happening that I ended up crying. 

 I look at my window and sigh. There are still dark clouds everywhere. It seems like it will soon rain in the western region.

 I heard someone knocks on my door and a smiling Mairenn walk inside my room. "Good morning, Dame Csille. I hope I didn't disturb your sleep."

 I smile in return to Mairenn. Mairenn did a lot of things while I was busy avoiding Prince Fraser and Rufus back then. The projects of the Foundation wouldn't continue if it weren't for her. So, I'm really grateful for her.

 "Good morning too. How's everything? I apologize if I wasn't able to help you yesterday. I—

 Mairenn, who is busy opening the curtains to let the sunlight pass through, looks at me and smiles. "Dame Csille, it's my responsibility to help you and the Foundation. So, you shouldn't thank me. I should be the one thanking you for giving me an opportunity to work under your Foundation and for letting my daughter stay with me. If it weren't for you, I would probably die back then."

 I shake my head. "I'm glad to help, and you shouldn't think you owe me your life. I am

only doing what I think I should do, and you're already helping me with my Foundation. That is enough for me."

 I get up and stretch my arms. 

 Mairenn walks towards me and hands me a scroll. I frown. "What's this?" 

 Mairenn didn't answer me, so I just took the scroll and read its content. My eyes widen when the first thing I see is the Lauretré family symbol.

 It's from Mother and Father!

 I immediately read its content, and I slumped my body on my bed when I finished reading it.

 "Dame Csille? Are you okay? May I know where does this letter comes from?"

 I handed over the letter to Mairenn, and I heard her gasp after. "It's from the Count and the Countess. You're..."

 Mairenn wasn't able to finish her words when someone burst inside my room holding a letter in his hand too.

 "Csille, I have recei—"

 Brother Pascal's words stop when he sees the letter in Mairenn's hand. "So, you received one too?" He sighs and sits beside me. "I'm sorry, Csille. I know you don't want Aunt and Uncle to know what happened."

 I smile bitterly and shake my head. "That's okay, Brother. I know it'll soon reach the capital. I just didn't expect this will be so soon." I sigh. 

 I didn't expect Mother and Father will send me a letter to ask me to return to the capital immediately. They didn't specify the reason why they wanted me to return to the capital. But based on the tone of how they write the letter, I'm sure they are mad.

 Brother Pascal gently caresses my head. "I'm sorry, Csille. As much as I want to help you but you know I couldn't do anything when it comes to this. I cannot let Prince Fraser treat you like that. He's the Crown Princess and your fiancé, but it doesn't give him any right to treat you like that. So, I'm sorry."

 I shake my head. "That's okay, Brother. I understand you, and I don't blame you either. So, don't worry. Shouldn't you go and talk to your colleagues? Is it really okay for you to leave the western region without them?"

 "And what? Let you return to the capital alone? That won't happen. Also, Aunt specifically writes that I need to be with you when you return to the capital. I don't want to disobey them. Don't worry about my colleagues. They already know what they will do. Also, they will leave in a few days. There's really nothing you should worry about." He stands up. "I'll be leaving first. I still need to talk to my colleagues. I'll see you later, okay?"

 I nod my head at him. I look at Mairenn. "Mairenn, can you call your colleagues? I also need to talk to them right now. Tell them we will have a meeting an hour later."

 Mairenn nods her head, and she immediately rushes to look for her colleagues.

 I look at the window outside and sigh. I didn't expect things to turn out like this. Now, I was forced to leave the western region. 

 How can I even solve this if I am now returning to the capital?