Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 340  : Escape

 I didn't go home last night because I was busy myself working at the Foundation. Although there isn't much work left because Mister Bertrand did an excellent job. He even left notes to make sure I knew what he did and some suggestions for improving the processes in the Foundation.

 If not because of him, I would probably need to work for a few days just to finish all the documents he worked on yesterday.  I look at the remaining documents around my office and smile widely. There are only a few left. After the conversation I had with Prince Fraser and Rufus, I just buried myself with work the whole evening. I only stop when I feel sleepy.

 I was busy reading a document when someone knocked on my door. I look up and find Lilla anxiously peeking her head behind my door. "Dame Csille..."

 I frown. Lilla isn't the type who gets easily overwhelmed with things. She only feels anxious if it's something related to the royals or nobles.  Don't tell me. They come here again? After what happened yesterday? They still want me to join their tour?  "Lilla? Why are you anxious? Did something happen?"

 Lilla looks behind her back before she answers me. "Dame Csille, Mister Bertrand is here. He said he was here to work again. But..." She looks at me.

 I heave a sigh and stand up. "Lilla, let Mister Bertrand. I want to talk to him and please brew us some tea and prepare some pudding. Thank you."  Lilla brings Mister Bertrand in and immediately excuses herself to prepare us snacks. Leaving Mister Bertrand and I alone in my office.

 Mister Bertrand look at me with his expressionless face. Just like how Prince Fraser looks like. He is really working under Prince Fraser because even his expression is similar to Prince Fraser.  "Good morning, Dame Csille. I hope I am not interrupting you. I came here as per his highness' order. I will be working in your stead again. I hope you don't mind me working here."

 I gestured my hand to the vacant sofa. "Please sit first, Mister Bertrand." Mister Bertrand nods his head and sits on the sofa in front of me.  "Mister Bertrand, I really appreciate the help I got from you yesterday. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be able to finish working on those documents in one day. So, I thank you for that. I also appreciate the suggestions you have written for improving the processes here. Don't worry. I will talk about this with my employees and see what we can do after. As per the order that was given to you by his highness', I don't think it is still valid for today. I won't be taking a leave for today. So, you can—"

 I wasn't able to finish my words when Mister Bertrand cut me off. "I apologize for my interruption. However, his highness, Prince Fraser, talked to me early this morning and asked me to come here to the Foundation and work. So, I don't think it is possible for me to leave the Foundation for today."

 I immediately frowned when I heard what he said. Prince Fraser ask him to still work on my behalf? Does it mean I still need to join them for the tour today?

 After what happened last night? He still wants me to join them? He still wants to use me even after knowing that I am already aware of his purpose? I don't know if he is really cruel or if he just doesn't care about me.  I tried my best not to smile bitterly or to scoff at Mister Bertrand. I don't want to give him any idea that I don't have a good relationship with Prince Fraser?

 I nod my head. Trying my best to look like I understand what is happening. "I see. Maybe Prince Fraser and I had a miscommunication last night. Does he say I need to join them for the tour today?"

 Mister Bertrand nods his head. "Yes, he is Dame Csille. He told me I need to work in the Foundation again because you will be joining them in touring Prince Joachim."

 I was about to say something when Lilla knocked on the door and delivered the tea and the pudding to us. "Apologies for my intrusion, but here is the tea and the pudding you ask me, Dame Csille." She then put it on the table. She even asks Mister Bertrand if he wants her to pour him some tea which the latter accepts.

 After Lilla poured Mister Bertrand tea, she immediately excused herself and left us alone. And because Mister Bertrand was busy with his tea, I decided to drink tea too to calm down my nerves. I can even feel my hands shaking because of anger.  I just couldn't believe that Prince Fraser could do that to me. To disregard my feelings for his own good.  I thought I was the Villainess here, but why does Prince Fraser the cruel one?

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 Lilla anxiously looks around. "Dame Csille, are you sure you want to leave? But didn't Mister Bertrand tell you that his highness, Prince Fraser, will come here to fetch you? I don't think this is a good idea."

 I heave a sigh. I know this isn't a good idea, but this is better than joining them and letting Prince Fraser use me to make Rufus furious.  I'm done. I don't want to be used by that Prince Fraser anymore. So, instead of giving in to his plan, I would rather go against his plan. He wants to use me? Then he needs to find where I am first.  That is if he will see me.

 I look at Lilla and smile reassuringly at her. "Don't worry, Lilla. I already made a letter for him." I took something from my purse and gave it to Lilla. "You don't need to explain anything to him. You just need to give it to him, and that's it."

 Lilla holds the letter with care, but I can still see the hesitation in her eyes. It looks like she is still not convinced that it will solve everything. Although I understand her concern, though. I know this letter will definitely enrage Prince Fraser. But I don't care anymore. I don't want to be used by him.  Lilla holds on to my arm tightly. It's as if she doesn't want to let go of me. "Dame Csille, may I know where are you going? So, I can still be at ease."

 A carriage stops in front of us. It is the carriage I hired. I didn't call for our coachman because I'm sure Mother and Father wouldn't like it if they knew that I did something that could offend Prince Fraser. So, to avoid failing my plan, I would rather go alone.

 "Don't worry. I won't go somewhere far. So, you can assure that everything will be okay. If anyone asks where I am aside from Prince Fraser, tell them that I will be out the whole day and that they can return tomorrow."  The coachman of the carriage gets down and opens the door for me. He gestured one of his hands inside the carriage while offering his other hand. It is to help me get inside the carriage. "Dame Csille..."

 I look at Lilla and smile reassuringly at her. "I'll be going now, Lilla. Take care of everything while I am away, okay?"

 After I said those words, I immediately got inside the carriage. I better get out of here now, or else it will be too late for me to leave. I cannot let Prince Fraser see me.  The coachman closes the door, gets inside the carriage, and maneuvers the carriage away from the Foundation.  I only breathed properly when we managed to get far away from the Foundation. Now I can be sure that Prince Fraser won't be able to use me for today.  Not today, Prince Fraser. After what you did to me last night? No, I won't let that happen. No, you won't be able to use me for your benefit. You want to make Rufus furious? Then find a way to do that.

 "Dame Csille, may I know where are we going?" Nôv(el)B\\jnn

 I look at the coachman and sigh. That is something I haven't thought about. I cannot stay in the capital, or else there will be a huge possibility that I might bump into Prince Fraser.  But where would I go?  "Dame Csille?"

 I look at the coachman and outside the window of the carriage, hoping I can find an answer to his question. My eyes widen when I see the Holycross Hospital.

 I think I know where I will be going!

 I look at the coachman. "You can drop me off at the Holycross Hospital. But can you wait for me? I just need to fetch my Brother Pascal in the Hospital."

 I remember that today was Brother Pascal's schedule to visit Grandmother Ulla and Louisa, her grandchild. I can use the excuse that I want to check on them too.  The carriage stops in front of the Hospital, and I immediately get off it to look for Brother Pascal. I was about to get inside when I bumped into Brother Pascal.  "Csille? What are you doing here?" He frowns. "I thought you're touring Prince Joachim around the capital? What brings you here?"

 I smile at him. Trying to hide the anxiety inside of me. If he knows that I escape from that tour, I'm sure he'll be mad at me.  I shake my head. "No, Brother. I decided to take a rest for today. I was exhausted yesterday, and I don't think I can tour with them. That's why I excused myself."

 That's a lie. I'm sure if I ask Prince Fraser to let me rest for today, he won't agree. But I cannot let Brother Pascal knows what really happened.

 Brother Pascal frowns and stares at me for a few minutes. He's probably trying to see if what I am saying is true or not. He then nods his head after. "I see. If that is the case, what brings you here? Shouldn't you head home now? Aunt and Uncle got worried about you because you didn't return home last night. I'm sure they will be happy to know you will come home today."

 I cling to Brother Pascal's arm and pout at him. "Brother, can you just let me join you? If I'm not mistaken, you will be checking Grandmother Ulla and her granddaughter today, right? I also want to know how they are doing. It's been a long time since I have seen them. I'm sure Louisa will be happy to see me."

 Brother Pascal frowns at me. "But I thought you were exhausted? You should just rest in our home. If his highness, Prince Fraser, knows that you don't take a rest, I'm sure he'll be mad at you again."

 To hell with his anger! I am also mad at him! Also, if I return home, there's a big chance that he'll check on me there, and I cannot let him find me.  I look up and use my puppy face at Brother Pascal. He usually couldn't resist my charm every time I did this. "But Brother, I just want to know how they are doing. I was the one who helped them, but I couldn't even visit them even once. Is that even right? So, please let me join you. After this, I promise I will take a rest. Is that enough for you?"

 Brother Pascal stares at me for a couple of seconds before he sighs in defeat. "Okay, okay. I will let you come with me. But you need to promise me that when we return home, you will take some rest. Aunt and Uncle will be mad at me if they know I let you do what you want." He then shakes his head.  I just smile at him in return. "Thank you, Brother."

 Takes some rest after? I'm sorry, Brother, but I will be breaking my promise. I will make sure that if we return home, it will be at night already. So, Prince Fraser wouldn't have a chance to talk to me.

 Good luck with finding a reason to infuriate Rufus because I will make sure that you won't be able to see me today.