Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 303 – Reconciliation

 "Count. Countess." His majesty sighed. "You don't have to argue. We are here to talk and not to argue. So can we all calm down? This is not a good place to argue."

 Mother and Father immediately stop and look at his majesty apologetically.

 "Apologies, your majesty." Mother bows her head at his majesty. 

 While Father slowly sits down and looks at his majesty. "I apologize for arguing in front of you. I know it's rude for us to do that. But I wouldn't take my words, your majesty. If you will punish my daughter, please punish this Count too."

 His majesty shakes his head. "I think you're misunderstanding things here, Count. I did not call you here to punish Csille or you for what she did. Although, I do admit I was quite offended when she did something behind my back. However, I still feel grateful for her because despite what my son did to her, she still chose to clear his name."

 His majesty takes my hand that is resting on the table and hold it. He is now smiling warmly at me, unlike earlier. "Csille, thank you for helping us explain the issue to the public. Actually, we are still planning what to do with the issue. It's the reason why we couldn't release any statement. If you didn't step up and explain things, the situation would probably become worst. So, thank you, Csille."

 I shake my head at his majesty. 

 If it's not my only choice, I won't clear Prince Fraser's name. After what he did to me? Why would I save someone like him? I didn't even hear him apologize to me in person or at least send me a letter of apology. So, why would I save him? 

 However, I don't have a choice here. I need to do this, or else something might happen again. It's okay if it's only me. But what if it involves the whole people living in this world? I don't think I can bear to just watch on the sideline.

 I shake my head at his majesty and smile. "Your majesty, you shouldn't thank me. I am only doing what I think I should be doing. I am a Lauretré, and our family had pledged its loyalty to the Astalieus. How can I just watch the people criticize his highness? I know how the issue is greatly affecting his highness' reputation, and I also know that if the issue is still left unsolved, it might be difficult for people to trust Prince Fraser again. And that is not what I want. So, please forgive me for not asking for permission. I was just worried about how things are progressing."

 I heard his majesty sigh. "I really don't know how to thank you, Csille. You're not just helping the monarchy with your Foundation. You are also helping me clear Prince Fraser's name." Then he looks at Prince Fraser, who is casually drinking his tea. "Fraser, are you planning to just drink tea there? Don't you have anything to say?"

 Prince Fraser looks at us and raises his eyebrows. "Am I included with the conversation? I thought I was just here to listen." He shrugged his shoulders.

 His majesty slams the table because of Prince Fraser's words. "Fraser! Watch your words. Is this how you will treat the people who help you?"

 I smile bitterly while watching Prince Fraser. It looks like he doesn't appreciate what I did. But why? I am already saving him, but why does he seem angry? What did I do again?

 Prince Fraser looks at his majesty for a couple of minutes before he heaves a sigh. "Father, did you call me here just to embarrass me in front of the Count and the Countess?"

 His majesty's eyes widened when he heard what Prince Fraser said. "Fraser Astalieu! What is happening to you? How am I embarrassing you? You're the one who's embarrassing me in front of the Lauretrés."

 I feel Mother hold my hand tightly. It looks like she didn't like how Prince Fraser was acting. I understand her, though. Who would like to see the person who disrespected your daughter to act nonchalantly? It is as if he didn't do anything wrong.

 "Apologies, your majesty, but it seems like his highness, Prince Fraser, don't appreciate our presence here. I think it's better for us to leave. Please excuse us.." Father is about to stand up, but his majesty stops him.

 "Waltier, please stay. I called you here because I want to fix everything between us. I know you were still mad for what my son did to your daughter, and I understand that. However, we won't solve this problem if we will continue to delay it."

 Father looks at Prince Fraser, who is currently looking at me. I look at Prince Fraser in return. I want to know why he is acting like this. He isn't the type of person who disrespects other people. Especially it's Csille's Father. Prince Fraser and the Count have always been close ever since Prince Fraser was young. So, I don't understand why he is acting like this.

 What is happening, Prince Fraser? Why are you like this? 

 "But I don't think his highness doesn't want to talk to us. So, what's the use of solving this issue? After all, my daughter has already solved the issue for him. Do we have anything to talk about?"

 I anxiously look at Father. I don't think I like how the conversation is going. How can Father say something like that in front of his majesty? Isn't that a rude thing to say?

 I cling to my Father's arm. "Father, calm down. I'm sure his highness doesn't mean what he said. So, please don't take it by heart. His majesty is right. We need to fix the problem between our two families. Aren't our ancestors pledge their allegiance and loyalty to the Astalieus? Have you forgotten about that? I'm sure everything can be solved with a conversation. So, please, Father."

 Father looks at me before he sighs as a sign that he agrees. He then sits beside me. 

 Thank goodness. I thought Father would be stubborn. It's a good thing I manage to calm him down. I look at Mother, and she looks relieved too. 

 We all know how important the relationship between the Lauretré and the Astalieu Family is. If there is no Lauretré Family, then Prince Fraser will definitely find it difficult when he becomes the King of the Kingdom. And without the Astalieu, the standing of the Lauretré Family from the nobles will not be permanent.

 So, it will definitely cause a rift if the Lauretrés and the Astalieus decide to break their connection.

 His majesty looks at Prince Fraser and clears his throat. "Fraser, are you just going to sit there and do nothing? What you did is rude. I didn't teach you to be a disrespectful person."

 Prince Fraser looks at his majesty for a couple of seconds before he sighs. "I apologize. I didn't mean to disrespect you, Count and Countess. I was just having a bad day that I didn't realize I was being rude already. I hope you can forgive me." Prince Fraser stands up and bows his head.

 My eyes widen when I see Prince Fraser bow. Aside from his majesty, Great Ruler, and Principal Germund, no one had ever made him bow his head like that. It's because the Vrawyth Kingdom holds the highest power among the Kingdoms and the small Cities. So, Prince Fraser doesn't need to bow down to other people because he is the Crown Prince of the Vrawyth Kingdom.

 I look around, and it seems like it's not only me who was shocked by what happened. All of us look at Prince Fraser dumbfounded with what is happening. Even his majesty looks at his son in disbelief.

 A moment after, Father shakes his head. "Your highness, you don't need to bow at me. Yes, I am disappointed with what you did, but I don't think it's okay for you to bow to me. I am just a small Count of the Kingdom. How can I let the Crown Prince of the Kingdom to bo—"

 Prince Fraser stands up straight and looks at Father. "No, Count. It is just right. After what I did to Csille? I think it is only right for me to bow to you. I apologize. I didn't mean to disrespect Csille. I know no matter what reason I say, it is still not enough reason to disrespect your daughter. So, I understand if you will cancel my engagement with Dame Csille."

 I immediately look at Prince Fraser. Does he really want to get rid of me? Why does he need to mention it to my Father? 

 I anxiously wait for my Father's response. As much as I want to cut their conversation, I know it will be rude to do that.

 A moment after, I heard Father sigh. "I'm already okay that you admit your mistakes. So, I won't cancel your engagement with my daughter. However, your highness, I hope you can take care properly of her from now on. You know how precious Csille is to our family."

 I sighed softly when I heard what Father said. Thank goodness. I thought Father would agree with what Prince Fraser said. I'm really glad Father is considering what I want, or else it will be difficult to turn the table then.

 I look at Prince Fraser, who is still standing and just looking at Father. He nods his head and sits on his chair.

 Then the conversation starts again with a light atmosphere. And because our parents already agree that the engagement will continue, they decided to talk about when they will announce our engagement. 

 In the Vrawyth Kingdom, the King should officially announce our engagement before we can be considered engaged. And because the Vrawyth Kingdom has traditions, the engaged couple will need to be engaged for a year before they can get married.

 I look at my parents and his majesty, who is currently busy talking about the preparation for the engagement. They agreed to do the engagement two months from now. Enough for them to prepare everything. They also think it's not the right time to do the engagement this month or next month because we have just recovered from an infectious disease. So, they are delaying it for two months.

 Two months? I smile bitterly at myself. I only have two months before I fully become the Villainess of the story. 

 His majesty noticed that Prince Fraser and I became quiet. "Csille, Fraser, do you have any suggestions you like to add for your engagement?"

 Prince Fraser and I both shake our heads. What's the use of planning the engagement that will never happen? I would rather do other things than talk about it.

 His majesty nods his head. "If that's the case, then why don't the two of you spend some time together. It's been a long time since you saw each other, right? I'm sure you have many things to catch up with."

 Many things to catch up with? If Prince Fraser really wanted to know what was happening in my life, he would have send me a letter. But he never sends one. So, what would we talk about if he didn't even care about me?

 But I didn't voice out my opinion and just waited for Prince Fraser's response. I don't want to force him anymore. If he wants to talk to me, then that's good, and if he doesn't, then that's okay too.

 A moment after, Prince Fraser stands up from his seat and offers his hand to me. "Csille?"

 I look up and stare into his eyes. I want to know if he really wants to do this or if he is forced only. But I couldn't read him. It's as if he is blocking me out because he knows I'll be reading him.

 I heave a sigh and just accept his hand. He then helps me stand up. "We will be taking our leave first. Please excuse us, Count, Countess, Father."

 I said my goodbyes to them first before we walked out of the tea room holding hands. The moment we left the tea room, Prince Fraser immediately let go of my hand. He stops walking and looks at me with his usual serious face. 

 "Why are you doing this, Csille?"

 I frown. What does he mean by his question? "Pardon, your highness. But I don't seem to understand what you mean."

 Prince Fraser chuckles. "You don't understand what I mean? Really? And you expect me to believe that? Do you really think by saving me, you will get my affection?"

 What does this guy mean? Does he think I am doing this because of my feelings for him? Isn't he too egotistical?

 "I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean, Prince Fraser."

 His expression becomes grim, and he takes a step forward. "Don't think that I don't know why you are doing this. Are you that desperate to become the Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom?" He chuckles. "You cannot fool me, Csille." He then left without even waiting for me to explain my side.

 I just look at Prince Fraser.. Disbelief is clearly written on my face. Does he really think the world revolves around him only?