Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 296 – : Letters

 It's been days, but I haven't done much in this house. Aside from writing the progress on Grandmother Ulla's condition and writing letters to Lilla so she can prepare everything for our stay here, I haven't done much.

 Brother Pascal reminded me not to talk to anyone, even with Louisa, because we were supposed to be isolated from everyone, including the people inside the house.

 In fact, Brother Pascal made a schedule when each one of us was allowed to go out of our room. In that period of time, that person can do everything they want to do. But of course, we cannot go to the third floor.

 I was busy staring blankly at the ceiling when I heard someone knocks on my door. I look at the clock and realize that it is Gisbert's time to go out. He is probably the one who is knocking on my door.

 "Dame Csille, this is Gisbert. There are letters from the capital, and it is named after you. I will just put it in front of your door."

 I wait for Gisbert to walk away from my room before I open the door. I look down and find a couple of letters. I immediately picked it up and checked the name of the senders. I smile when I see the names of my parents, the king, and Rufus. 

 However, my smile got frozen when I realized something. Prince Fraser didn't send me a letter.

 "I already apologize to you even if I didn't hear any apologies coming from you. Is this how you really treat me, Fraser? Am I really nothing to you?"

 I want to shout at him and question him why he is doing all of this? What did I do to deserve this kind of treatment from him? 

 I check each letter again, and my eyes widen when I see another letter that I didn't see the first time. And based on its envelope, it is from the Palace.

 Prince Fraser! 

 I immediately checked the sender's name, but I was disappointed when I saw that it was from Princess Paislee.

 "Why does Princess Paislee send me a letter? What does she want this tim—"

 "Princess Paislee? The crown princess of the Aeslaerean Kingdom? Why do you have a connection with the long lost Princess of our nemesis Kingdom? Do you know how this can cause a war, Csille?"

 I was startled when I heard Brother Pascal's voice. I even dropped the letters on the floor in panic. I immediately try to pick the letters, but Brother Pascal tries to also take some. 

 I inconspicuously glance at the sender's name of the letter he is holding. It's a good thing he didn't pick up Princess Paislee's letter.

 Brother Pascal checks each letter on his hand. "This is from his highness, Prince Rufus, and Aunt. Where is the letter from Princess Paislee? I need to read that Csille. Do you know how much you are endangering the whole Kingdom? You know we cannot go against other Kingdoms, Csille."

 I immediately try to hide the letters. How can I explain to Brother Pascal what he heard? I cannot tell him Princess Paislee's secret because if I do, I'm sure he will tell it to my parents. If that happens, my parents will definitely discuss it with his majesty. 

 I cannot let anyone knows about Princess Paislee's secret. Not now that her love story with Prince Fraser is just starting. I cannot let anything ruin that.

 I laugh at Brother Pascal. "Brother, what are you saying? How can I have connections with Princess Paislee? I do admit I used to be friends with her when we were young. However, after she ran away from the Aeslaerean Kingdom, I didn't hear anything from her. So, I don't understand what you are saying."

 I'm just going to deny everything until he believes that I am telling the truth. 

 Brother Pascal frowns. "I know what I heard, Csille. You definitely mentioned Princess Paislee's name. Be honest with me, what did you know about her? Do you know where she is now? Does anyone know about your connection with Princess Paislee? Do you know that you can be imprisoned for doing that? Hiding the whereabouts of a royalty."

 I sigh. I know it's a big crime to hide the whereabouts of a royalty, especially if the royalty runaway, like Princess Paislee. But I don't have a choice. If I expose Princess Paislee, then how can she ends up with Prince Fraser? 

 "Brother Pascal, what are you talking about? I know the consequences of hiding a royalty. Do you think I would risk my life for someone who came from our nemesis Kingdom? I am not dumb to do that, Brother. Also, I really don't understand how you came up with the idea that I know where Princess Paislee is."

 Brother Pascal stares straight into my eyes as if he is trying to see if I am lying. 

 I'm sorry, Brother. I don't have any other choice but to lie. I need to do this to save everyone, so please forgive me.

 A moment after, I heard him sigh. "Are you telling the truth, Csille? Don't you dare lie to me."

 I look at him as if I was hurt by his accusations. "Brother, what are you talking about? Do you think I would lie to you? I wouldn't do that, especially if it's something serious like this. I don't know where Princess Paislee is, and if I do, I would definitely not keep it as a secret. So, you don't have to worry. I am not doing anything that would endanger me or the Lauretré Family."

 I look at the letters in his hands and my hands. "Look at this," I give him all the letters in my hand. "Can you see a letter that came from Princess Paislee? There's none, right? Because I don't know where she is. Also, how can she even know where I am living. You have seen the letters I sent the other day, right? And there's no letter for Princess Paislee, so it's really impossible."

 Brother Pascal sighed and gently caressed my head. "I only hope you are telling the truth. I don't want anything bad to happen to you, Csille. So, please don't do anything that could harm you."

 I nod my head at him. Brother Pascal returns the letter to me. "I'm just checking how you are doing. If you feel sick, come and find me. I need to observe if you'll have symptoms of tuberculosis." 

 Brother Pascal reminds me of the do's and dont's again before he leaves me alone. I look at his back and sigh in relief.

 I'm sorry for lying, Brother.

________________________________

 I look at the letters lying on my table and sigh. I haven't read any letters because I am still thinking about what to read first. I looked at the name of the senders and decided to choose the letter from my parents. 

 I just hope they are not mad at me for ditching the party.

To our darling daughter,

 Dear, we have received your letter about why you ditched Prince Fraser's welcoming banquet. Is everything okay there? We were so worried about you and Pascal. Are you sure it's okay for you to stay with someone who has tuberculosis? Do you want your Mother to come there and help you? Just send us a letter, and your Mother will definitely go there immediately.

 Don't worry about us here. We understand why you need to ditch the banquet. However, you could have told us what happened before you went there. We were worried about you when we didn't see you at the banquet. Also, don't forget to send a letter to his majesty and his highness. You should explain things to them so it won't create misunderstandings.

 Please take care of yourself, Csille. Also, please don't forget to remind your Brother Pascal not to overwork himself. 

From your Mother & Father

 I sighed in relief when I realized that they were not mad with what I had done. They are even worried about us. I'm really thankful for having parents that are so understanding. 

 However, bringing Mother here? I don't think that's a good idea. Mother is the one who takes care of the businesses of the Lauretré Family. If she comes here, then the responsibility will be passed to Father. But Father is already busy with his monarch duties. I don't think Father can handle that.

 I'll probably just send them a response later. I'll just read the other letters. I looked at the letters and decided to read his majesty's letter.

 I don't know if his majesty is angry with me, but I hope I didn't offend him with what I did. Although, I'm prepared for whatever consequences of my action.

Dear Csille,

 Thank you for sending me a letter of explanation why you didn't attend Prince Fraser's welcoming banquet. I was worried that something happened to you, but I'm glad it's not the case.

 Don't worry about me. I understand why you did that, and I'm not mad at you for helping the old woman. I just hope you could have personally asked permission from me when you leave the capital so I can explain to people why you couldn't attend. But I understand that it is also an urgent matter. So, I'm not blaming you.

 Take care of yourself while you are staying there and send me a letter if you need some help. I'll gladly help you. Don't forget to also update me from time to time on how your condition there. Let's meet once you return to the capital.

King Simmond,

 I anxiously read the letter, and I sigh when I read that his majesty isn't mad at me. 

 "Thank goodness. I thought I needed to face punishment for not attending the banquet. I'll definitely visit his majesty once I return to the capital. So, I can personally ask for his forgiveness and explain things to him. What matters now is I know he isn't offended with what I did."

 I look at the remaining letters on my table. All that is left now are the letters from Rufus and Princess Paislee. 

 I took Rufus' letter and read it first. I'm sure he is just going to ask how I am doing. 

To Purplany,

 I heard what happened from his majesty. Are you out of your mind? You are staying with someone who has tuberculosis? Are you sure this is okay for you to do? What if you got infected with it? I'm worried about you. Send me a letter when you receive this. Do you know that I was disappointed when you didn't even send me a letter to explain why you ditched the banquet? That hurts me, Csille.

 By the way, please take care of yourself and send me an update on what is happening there. I'm waiting for your return. Please take care of yourself, purplany.

Rufus,

 I chuckled when I read Rufus' letter. I could even imagine his face while he was writing this. I'm sure he is making those pitiful face of him again. 

 Rufus really knows how to make me feel better. That guy and his antics. 

 However, my smile vanished when I saw the letter from Princess Paislee. I don't understand why I feel nervous when I see the letter. I think I prefer to have Prince Fraser's letter than her letter.

 As much as I don't want to read her letter, it would be rude of me if I didn't respond to it. 

Dear Dame Csille,

 You are probably wondering why I would write you a letter. I didn't initially plan to send you one, but I couldn't help it. I know our last conversation didn't end well, and I wanted to apologize for what I said. I was just worried about Prince Fraser. I hope you can understand me. If not, I am willing to face the consequences of my action.

 I didn't send this letter to just ask for forgiveness. By the time you are reading this, I'm sure you already realized that his highness didn't send you a letter. That is because he was disappointed that you didn't attend his welcoming banquet. Do you know how much he is waiting for this banquet? He wanted to take this time to—

 I didn't finish the letter and closed it. I don't feel the need to finish reading it because I know what Princess Paislee saying is not true. 

 "If he really wants to talk to me, why didn't he send me a letter? What's so hard writing a letter?"

 I heave a sigh and look at the letter from Princess Paislee. "Does she really think I would fall her lies? I already realized that Prince Fraser doesn't care about me.. I just don't understand why she always makes me hope for something that wouldn't happen. What do you want, Princess Paislee?"