Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 347  : Letter

 Rufus opens the carriage for me and smiles. Although I could see that his smile didn't reach his eyes. He was probably devastated by what happened tonight.  I get off the carriage and face him before I gently caress his head. Even though It is quite difficult for me to do it because he is way taller than me. But I just want to make him feel better.  I know what he heard tonight hurts him. How would you react if you heard the person who had taken everything away from you ever since you were young wish to live your life? It probably feels like an insult to what he had been through.  Rufus looks down at me and smiles. He then takes my hand, that is caressing his head. "I am okay, Csille. You don't have to worry about me. Also, I should be the one who is comforting you, not the other way around. You just heard your—"

 Rufus doesn't finish his words and shakes his head. He probably realizes that I might get hurt if he continues his words. He then heaves a sigh. "I'm sorry."

 I just smile reassuringly at him. I'm okay. Although it hurts, I already knew it was coming. Unlike him, who doesn't have any idea that it will come. "You don't have to say sorry, Rufus, and even if you tell me it is okay, I know it is not. It is not wrong to admit you were hurting, Rufus. Don't worry. I won't tell any...one."

 I was shocked when Rufus hugged me tightly and started to cry. Although I couldn't hear any sounds from him, I knew he was crying because I could feel my clothes getting wet from his tears.  I gently caress his back and let him cry as long as he wants. I know what Rufus is going through right now is not easy, and I just want to be here with him.  We remain hugging each other for a couple of minutes before he lets me go. He turned his back on me while he was wiping his tears with the sleeves of his long sleeves.

 I heave a sigh and offer him my handkerchief, which he gladly accepts. After wiping his tears, he clears his throat before looking at me. I can see his flushed face. He was probably embarrassed about what happened because he kept looking away from me.

 I smile reassuringly at him. "You should return home already. It's late, and I'm sure the Duke and the Dutchess are already waiting for you."  Rufus nods his head, and he is about to get into the carriage when I remember something. "Rufus, if you need someone to talk to. You can just look for me in the Foundation. I also hope you wouldn't think that there is no one who appreciates you because I do, and I am happy you are my friend."

 As much as I wanted to help him reconcile with Prince Fraser, I know this is not the right time to bring up that issue. After all, he just heard Prince Fraser say he wants to be him, which can be a total insult for Rufus.

 Rufus looks back at me and smiles. It's a genuine smile. It's the first time tonight that I have seen him smile. "Thank you, purplany. I am also happy you are my friend. I will be taking my leave now. Good night, Csille." He then gets inside the carriage and leaves.

 I look at the moving carriage and sigh. "This is just the start, Rufus. Are you prepared for what the future awaits?"

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 I was busy reading some documents in my office when someone knocked on my door. I look up and find Lilla holding an envelope while frowning at it.  "Dame Csille, there is another letter without a return address. I was actually planning to throw it away because I'm afraid it might be a threat letter again, but I remember you said that I shouldn't throw it away." She then walks toward me and hands me the letter. "Dame Csille, are you sure it is okay for you to accept this kind of letter? I also don't understand why would you want to keep it. Shouldn't you just throw it away?"

 I raised my eyebrow before I accepted the letter. I think I know where this letter came from. I calmly opened the letter, and I was right. It was really from Mister Sewell.  I was actually wondering when he will send me an update since it's been days already since we saw each other. I was actually worried that he might not send me a letter again.  It's a good thing he did. After all, this is all part of the story. A very crucial one. So, I need to ensure that everything will follow accordingly to the storyline.

 I close the letter and put it aside before I smile reassuringly at Lilla. "Because there are things that might be important to us, Lilla. Sometimes, those people who do things like this leave important clues in the letters. Who knows, I can use this against them in the future." I wink playfully at her. It is to lighten the mood because I can see how anxious she is now.

 Lilla frowns and tilts her head a little, like a little dog who is curious about what is happening in her surroundings. "So you know who is the person behind these letters?"

 I stand up and playfully mess her hair. Although Csille and Lilla are the same age, I sometimes feel like I am older than her. It's probably because she was still oblivious to most of the things, which makes me want to act like an older sister to her.

 Although if we're going to calculate my real age here. I am way older than her. After all, I was already twenty two years old when I first came here.  "Lilla, do you know that knowing a lot of things will only bring you trouble? So, if I were you, I wouldn't be too nosy about this, or else you might get involved." I shake my head. "And I don't want that. You are one of my friends. I don't want anything bad to happen to you. If you were worried about me, then you can be assured now. I already told you before that those people won't do anything to me. Look, I am still alive despite the letter they sent the last time."

 Lilla heaves a sigh and nods her head. Although the hesitation in her eyes is still visible. "But Dame Csille, I am okay if I get in trouble because of yo—"

 I gently put my hand on her shoulders and stared at her eyes. "Lilla, I am grateful that you want to do that, but I allow you to come here so you can be saved. If being here will bring you trouble, I would rather send you back to your parents. I don't wa—"

 Lilla's eyes widened when she heard what I said. She then shakes her head rigorously. "Dame Csille! Please don't do that! I wouldn't ask things then. Just don't send me back to my par—"

 "Lilla, calm down. I am not sending you to your parents. I am just telling you that if you ever do something like that, then I would rather send you back, but I won't do that. Just don't try to do things that will harm you, and you can you do me a favor, Lilla."

 Lilla nods her head immediately. "I will do any favor you ask me, Dame Csille. Just tell me what you want me to do."

 I chuckle at her response and gently flick her forehead. "Do you know that you can be easily fooled if you continue this?" I shake my head. "About the favor, can you promise me, Lilla. That if something happened and I couldn't stay here. Can you promise me to get away from here if you think you're not safe already? I want you to be safe."

 Lilla frowns. "Dame Csille, why are you saying those things. What could happened that you wouldn't be here with us?"

 I shake my head. "That is a hypothetical scenario only, Lilla. But can you promise me that if something happens and you cannot save the Foundation anymore, get out of the Kingdom as fast as you can?"

 Lilla stares at me for a couple of seconds. "Dame Csille, why do you sound like you're saying your last words? Don't say something like that. I don't like it." She then shakes her head.

 I'm worried about her. There's a big chance that the person who will be in charge of the Foundation wouldn't like her to be here. After all, Lilla is still considered as an outsider, and once she loses my backing, it will be too difficult for her to stay in the Vrawyth Kingdom. So, I want to make sure she will do the right thing once things turn sour for Csille Lauretré. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

 I gently shake her to calm her down. "Lilla, this is just a hypothetical scenario, so can you promise me to put your safety first among anything else?"

 Lilla looks at me hesitantly, but she still nods her head in the end. "I promise, Dame Csille."

 I nod my head, satisfied with her answer. I put my hand down and smiled at her. "Good." I look at my watch. "Lilla, I have something to do today. So, can you take care of the Foundation while I am away?"

 Lilla frowns. "But Dame Csille, are you sure it is okay for you to leave after..."

 I smile at her. "Lilla, I already told. There's nothing you should be worried about. The purpose of that letter is to scare me, but that wouldn't work on me."

 After a few convincing, Lilla let me go, but she made sure she sent me out. Lilla frowns when a carriage for hire stops in front of us. "Dame Csille, where is your coachman? Why would you hire a carriage instead? Wouldn't that be dangerous for you to leave without your coachman?"

 I heave a sigh. I forgot Lilla doesn't know that I will be meeting Mister Sewell today, and the reason why I 'hire' this carriage is because this is only a front. "Our coachman is with my Father today. Father has something important to do today. That's why he needs him more than I do. Also, you shouldn't worry. I am the heiress of the Lauretré Family. Do you really think I am a weakling who doesn't know how to protect myself? I can perfectly protect myself, Lilla. So, don't worry, okay?"

 I gently tap her shoulder before I get inside the carriage. Mister Sewell's guard, whose name is Allan, greets me the moment I step inside the carriage. "Greetings, Dame Csille. I hope you don't mind if I am fetching you with this carriage."

 I just smile at him. "Don't worry. I understand why Mister Sewell decided to use this, and I'm actually grateful for him."

 Allan bows his head as a respect before he maneuvers the carriage. I look at my surroundings and sigh.  Mister Sewell is trying to slowly lay out his plans to Csille. While Prince Fraser's relationship with Princess Paislee is starting to improve now.  Things are starting to be in their right places. The only thing that isn't in the right place is Csille Lauretré.  I heave a sigh and look at the guard. "Your name is Allan, right?"

 Allan looks at me for a couple of seconds before he nods his head. "Yes, Dame Csille. I am Allan."

 "Allan, aren't you bothered?"

 "Pardon? I don't seem to understand what you mean, Dame Csille."

 I smile bitterly. He doesn't understand? I don't think that is true. He is well aware. Well aware of what is happening. Just like how I am aware.

 "Aren't you bothered that your Master is being close with the future Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom? Aren't you afraid that I might use this to bring the whole Saintillevé Family down? If the people know you have been communicating with me, I'm sure they will think of something bad about it."

 I see Allan's body tense up when he hears what I said. I smile. He knew something.

 "Don't worry, that is only hypothetical. I was just worried that someone might know about this. But I don't have any plan on doing that. After all, the issue about the Astalieus and the Saintillevés is something I shouldn't involve myself."

 Although I take my words, I can still see how anxious Allan becomes after. I raised my eyebrow at him. I'm sure he will tell about this to Mister Sewell.  I'm curious. How will Mister Sewell react because of this?