Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 337  : Unexpected Guests (2)

 I blink a couple of times. Still trying to process what is currently happening.  Is the person in front of me really Prince Fraser? Where is that Prince who is always mad at Csille? He should be shouting at me by now. So, I don't understand why does he sound so... concerned?  I heave a sigh. Prince Fraser concerned about Csille? That is impossible. There's no way it can be true. How can the male lead be concerned about the villainess? It doesn't make sense at all. I'm sure I'm just assuming things again. It's all in my mind.

 "Csille?"

  I look up at Prince Fraser and shake my head. "Apologies, your highness, I wasn't able to inform my employee about what I will do this morning. That's why she couldn't answer your question. I was out the whole day helping some old couple bringing their son to the hospital."

  Prince Fraser frowns. "If you went out to do some charity, why does your employee doesn't know about that? Doesn't she handle all the documents regarding each case you do? She could have read about this. Why isn't she aware that you are doing something today?"

 I guess I was wrong earlier when I thought that Prince Fraser was concerned about me. He isn't concerned. He was doubting if I really did something this morning. I should have known better.

  Prince Fraser will never be concerned about Csille. I should print that on my mind so I could stop myself from assuming things again and again.   I heave a sigh. "Your highness, may I remind you that there is a thing called emergency. I got out this morning to order a meal for my employees as a reward for doing an excellent job in my absence. However, on my way to the restaurant, I bump into two old couples begging passersby to help their son. What do you expect me to do? To return to the Foundation and prepare their papers before I help them?

  I paused and stared at him. I want him to see the disappointment in my eyes. Although I already know that he wouldn't care about me because that's how he should be.   Cold, snob, and heartless when it comes to Csille Lauretré.

  "Your highness, I know you don't trust me, but I hope you wouldn't involve my work here." I shake my head and walk past him. "The reason why my employee didn't know where I went is because I was planning to surprise them. But I didn't expect I would be the one who would be surprised."   I look at Prince Joachim and bow my head. Although I still couldn't forget how his guard used his authority over my employee, I still need to pay respect to him. "Greetings, your highness, Prince Joachim. I hope you forgive me for wasting half an hour of your time."

 Prince Joachim shakes his head and is about to reply to me when Prince Fraser cuts him off. "What do you mean by your words, Csille?"

  I heave a sigh and look at him. What does this guy want? I already avoided the topic because I didn't want to argue anymore. I'm tired. He could be disappointed in me or doubt me all he wants. I wouldn't mind. I just want some peace. Can't this Prince give it to me?   "Your highness, I didn't mean anything, and if you got insulted or offended by what I said, then I apologize. It is not my intention to do that. However, may I know what's the purpose of your visit here? You should have told me in advance so I wouldn't have done something this morning."

  Prince Fraser opens his mouth to say something but changes his mind. He shakes his head and sits on the chair near Princess Paisee, who was unmoving at the back. "We came here to bring you to our tour. Prince Joachim thinks it will be best if we bring you with us."

  Wait, what? Bring me to the tour? What tour? Don't tell me...

  I look at Prince Joachim, and he looks at me in return. He then smiles at me widely. It seems like he is really happy right now. "Apologies, I know you already said you were busy with your work, but I think it will be more fun to have you on our tour. People love you, Dame Csille, and I think it will be an advantage for the tour."

  I almost made a face when I heard what Prince Joachim said. I already refused to tour him before. What made him think that I would like to join their tour? And what's with his reason? What's the connection of me being loved by people to their tour? Doesn't Prince Fraser and Rufus were loved by Vrawyth people too? What changes if they bring me with them?

  I smile awkwardly at them. "I hate to break this, but I don't think I can join you all today. As you can see, I'm quite busy with my work at the Foundation, and I don't think I have time for touring today. Also, haven't I told you before that I don't have time for this? So, I don't understand why you are all here. I apologize if my question might sound offensive to all of you, but I just thought everything was all clear about the tour. I'm sorry, but I cannot join you today." I bow my head at them before I look up and sigh. "I'll be taking my leave now. I'll let my employee lead you out."

 I didn't wait for them to react or to say something and just excuse myself. I better get out of here as fast as I can before they can force me to join them. I would rather work until morning than to join them for the tour.   A tour with Prince Fraser, Princess Paislee, and Prince Joachim? That will be a nightmare. I'm sure Prince Fraser will ignore me and would rather talk to Princess Paislee. While Rufus and I will be left on the sideline and I also need to stop him in case he gets jealous seeing Princess Paislee with Prince Fraser. I also need to take care about Prince Joachim, whom I think I just offended.

 So, why would I want to subject myself to that kind of torture? I am not a masochist.

 I wasn't able to take a step when someone caught my arms. I look back, expecting it will be Rufus or Prince Joachim because they are the only two who like me to be on this tour. But I was shocked when I saw Prince Fraser holding my arm while frowning at me.

  "You're busy? But don't you have Lilla and Mairenn with you? I'm sure they can take care of the Foundation in your absence. So, I don't understand why you cannot make us some time?"

  Wait. What is happening? Why does Prince Fraser holding my arm right now instead of Rufus or Prince Joachim?   I look at Rufus and Prince Joachim, who is still sitting in their seat watching Prince Fraser and me.  I was hoping not to see one of them. That the Prince Fraser in front of me is really not Prince Fraser, and I was just imagining things. However, that was just a hopeless wish because I can definitely see that Prince Joachim and Rufus are still sitting. That means the person in front of me is actually Prince Fraser.

 I heave a sigh and look at Prince Fraser. "Although Mairenn and Lilla can take care of things on my behalf, there are still things that only I can do. I had been out of the capital for almost a month already, and I still hadn't finished all those documents when I was away. I don't think having another day off will help me. My employees were already overwhelmed with the work. I don't think it is right for me to—"

  Prince Joachim snaps his fingers, and Princess Paislee immediately stands up behind Prince Fraser. "Your highness?"

 "Sir Farren, I want you to invite Mister Bertrand to the Foundation. Tell him I need him to work on behalf of Dame Csille Lauretré. He will take care of everything in Dame Csille's absence."

  My eyes widened when I heard what he said. He invited Mister Bertrand? Isn't he one of the trusted aides of Prince Fraser? He is a lawmaker and a lawyer who has been working for the Astalieus for years now. And he is saying he wants Mister Bertrand, who has dealt  with important matters in the monarch, to work on behalf of me? Is he even serious?

 It's as if saying hiring a world renowned lawyer for a simple case of stealing a bun.  How can he do that? Mister Bertrand is someone who is well respected in the monarchy, and now he wants to put him in charge of a small Foundation?  I shake my head repeatedly. I didn't expect he would do that just for me to come with them. What's with this tour that he is willing to do something big as this?  "Your highness, how can I even do that? Everyone knows who is Mister Bertrand is. I don't think it will be right for you to just let him work here. Our Foundation is only small. Wouldn't that be an insult to him?"

  No matter what, I need to find an excuse to drive them away. There is no way I would join them on their tour. They can go stroll around the capital for the whole month, and I wouldn't care. Just leave me alone from it. I don't want anything to do with their tour.   Prince Fraser's frown deepened. "Why would he? He is working under me, and as long as I don't force him to do anything illegal, he will do it for me. So, you shouldn't worry about that. I'm sure he would gladly work in here. He already mentioned before that he would like to work here even for a day because he likes what you are doing. Also, I'm sure if you let him work here, he could help you with improving how you handle things."

  I almost made a face when I heard what he said. If we were in a different situation, I would gladly accept the help. I know the Foundation needs to change some of its policies and its processes. But, I just couldn't find anyone who could help me with.  However, things are different now. Who cares about if he can help me improve the Foundation? All I want now is to get away from all of you.   I need to find an excuse as much as possible, or else I wouldn't have a choice but to come with them, and that is not what I want.

  "Csille..."

  I look at Prince Fraser, who looks like he is already getting impatient for my answer.   Out of panic, I just blurt out the first thing that comes into my mind. "Thank you for the help. However, I don't think I could accept that. How can I let someone who isn't even related with me to work through the confidential documents of the Foundation? Don't get me wrong, your highness. I know Mister Bertrand is a trusted person. However, I don't think it will be right for me to do that. So, I'm sorry, I'm going to decline your offe—"

 "He is working under me. Isn't that enough reason for you to trust him? Also, you already said he is a trusted person, so why can't you trust him?"   It's because I cannot do that. If I do, then I wouldn't have a choice but to join all of you. So, no. Even if Mister Bertrand will do good for the Foundation, I will not accept it.   I heave a sigh. "It is because I am not related to him. He might be working on you, but I need to know who is the person I am letting into my Foundation. And because I don't have any relation with him, why would I do that?"

 "But you have a relationship with me. We can now be considered as one person. You have what I have, and that includes Mister Bertrand. He is working on me. That means he is also working on you."

  Wait. Why does the conversation end up like this? We can now be considered as one person? What the heck is he even saying? Does he forget that Princess Paislee is here with us?

 I looked at Rufus, hoping he could save me from my misery, but the guy just avoided my eyes.  No! No! This cannot be happening. There is no way I would join them. No!Nôv(el)B\\jnn