Why Did I Become the Villainess?

353  : Lifetime n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

  I stare at Prince Fraser. Speechless with his question. I don't understand how did he come up with that idea.   Me? Liking Prince Christofre? The current Crown Prince of the Aeslaerean Kingdom? The nemesis Kingdom of the Vrawyth Kingdom?   I will already endanger everyone in the future. But to even like Prince Christofre? That is beyond what of my conscience. Also, what does he mean by his question? Do I look like I like Prince Christofre?   "Csille, I am asking you a question. Do you like Prince Christofre?"

  I heave a sigh and stare at Prince Fraser. "Your highness, how can I like someone else if I am already your fiancée?"

  This is nonsense. Why would he even care if I like someone else? Doesn't he ignore me before? What's this? A part of his plan again? But for what? There are no other people around. Why would he need to say those words to me?   Or maybe he only said those words for his reputation? Because if someone knew that I like someone else besides Prince Fraser, it would ruin his reputation.   Prince Fraser's fiancée likes someone else. That will be big news. I'm sure everyone will be shocked by that news, and it will definitely ruin Prince Fraser's image.

  Prince Fraser stares at me for a couple of seconds before he nods his head in satisfaction. He then caresses my head. "Good. I don't give you any right to like someone else besides me. Do you understand, Csille?"

  I look away from him and smile bitterly. He doesn't want me to like someone else even if he likes Princess Paislee? Isn't he selfish? He can like other ladies, but I couldn't like any man I like but him.   You're being unfair, Prince Fraser. All you ever think about is yourself and how everything will affect your reputation. But what about me? What about my feelings? What will happen to me if you already fall in love with Princess Paislee? You want me to still choose you despite you choosing someone else?   You really want me to suffer my whole life because of the feelings I have for you? Am I really nothing for you, Prince Fraser?   I feel a tear roll down my cheeks. A tear that I haven't even noticed.  I look up at the sky and smile bitterly at myself. What they said is true. Villains are made and not born. ________________________________

  Prince Fraser asks the guards to open the gates where the Aeslaerean people will be staying. It's one of the Astalieus properties in the capital. It's a big house enough to fit all the Aeslaerean people. It also has a big backyard where they can walk around or do anything they want.   King Simmond really gives the best spot to their nemesis. Is it to ensure that the Aeslaerean Kingdom wouldn't have any complaints about how the Vrawyth Kingdom treats them. He knew that a simple complaint from the Aeslaerean people could be the start of a war. A war that is too big that everyone will be affected.  The guards immediately opened the gates, and our carriage then went inside the house, followed by the Aeslaerean people.

  Prince Fraser and I get off the carriage to show the Aeslaerean where they are staying.   Prince Christofre gets off the carriage with a smile on his face. He then looks around the house and nods his head in satisfaction. "Your highness, Prince Fraser, isn't this too big for us? Are you sure you brought us to the right place?"

  Prince Fraser nods his head. "This is the right place. His majesty, King Simmond, specifically asks me to bring you all here and offer you the best service we can give. I hope you all enjoy your stay here."

  Prince Fraser then snaps his hand, and a number of servants come out of the house and form a line in front of us. Then they kowtow to the Aeslaerean people. "These servants are here to serve the Aeslaerean Kingdom. We all hope you enjoy your stay here."

  Prince Christofre looks at the servants with a smile on his face. I don't know if he is enjoying the respect the servants are giving him or if he finds interesting what is happening right now.

  Isn't it ironic? To see your enemy serving you the best as they can instead of harming them?   Prince Christofre then looks at us. "Your highness, isn't this too much? I don't thin—"

  Prince Fraser puts his hand on my back before he answers Prince Christofre. "I think it is only fit for the Crown Prince of the Aeslaerean Kingdom." Prince Fraser looks around. "What we can offer is still not enough. But we will do our best to make your stay in the Vrawyth Kingdom enjoyable."

  Prince Christofre stares at Prince Fraser for a couple of seconds before he heaves a deep sigh. "Your highness, Prince Fraser. You are flattering me too much." He then nods his head. "But we will gladly accept this. Thank you for your kind consideration."   Prince Fraser nods his head. He is about to say something to Prince Christofre, but before he can even say a word, Prince Christofre already cuts him off.

  "Dame Csille, I heard you opened up a Foundation in the Vrawyth Kingdom. I also heard how much this Foundation helps the Vrawyth Kingdom when the calamity hits it. Is it okay for me to ask you if you can show me where your Foundation is? Her Majesty, Queen Roesia Saintizin, got inspired by the stories she heard and wanted to build a Foundation for the Aeslaerean Kingdom too."

  I look at Prince Christofre. If it's someone else who asks the favor, I will gladly show them around without worry. However, Prince Christofre is from the Aeslaerean Kingdom, and he was even the current Crown Prince. I don't think it is safe for them to see the Foundation.

  After all, I already know what will happen in the future, and I don't want to involve the Hope Foundation in it. But if I decline it, Prince Christofre might get offended. After all, we invited them, but we couldn't even show them around.

  I tug Prince Fraser's shirt from the back. I don't want to decide on my own, so I will just let him decide, and it looks like Prince Fraser knows what I want to say. He stares at me and nods his head before he looks at Prince Christofre, who is still looking at me, waiting for my response.

  "Your highness, Prince Christofre, if that is what you want, then my fiancée and I will show you around the Foundation. It will be an honor for the Hope Foundation to grace your presence." Prince Fraser calmly said.

  I inconspicuously heave a sigh. As long as Prince Fraser is with me, I am confident that nothing will happen.   Although Prince Fraser does things that disappoint and hurt me, I know he is a responsible Crown Prince. He wouldn't let anything happen to the Vrawyth Kingdom and its people.

 Prince Christofre stares at me. "Is that what you want, Dame Csille? Forgive me, Prince Fraser, but I need to know what the lady wants."

  If Prince Christofre is not from the Aeslaerean Kingdom, we will probably be friends now. I like how he considers what I want, unlike this certain Prince Fraser. Although, I understand why Prince Fraser is like that. Why would he even consider the villainess' feelings?   I smile reassuringly at Prince Christofre and nod my head. "The Hope Foundation is open for you and your people, your highness, Prince Christofre. Just inform us when do you want to come so we can prepare beforehand. I'm sure my employees will be happy to hear that you will be visiting."

  Prince Christofre smiled at me. "How about tomorrow? We won't be able to tour today because I'm sure everyone is still tired. Is it okay for us to visit the... What is its name again? Hope Foundation?"

  I nod my head at him. "Yes, your highness, it's called Hope Foundation. And yes, you can visit the Foundation."

  "Hope Foundation? Quite fitting for its purpose. Giving hope to the hopeless. The Vrawyth Kingdom is sure lucky to have a future Queen like you, Dame Csille. You are not just a beauty but also a kind hearted person."

 I feel Prince Fraser's hand on my back trembles a little. A sign that he didn't like what Prince Christofre had said. I almost roll my eyes at him. If I only didn't know what it means, I would misunderstand it as jealousy. But I know it's not.

  I smile at Prince Christofre. I was about to respond to him, but Prince Fraser cut me off. "Not just the Vrawyth Kingdom. We are all lucky to have Dame Csille as our future Queen." He then gently put my hair behind my ears and stares at me lovingly like a husband who is staring at his beloved wife.   But that is just a show. I know more than anyone else that Prince Fraser will never look at me like that. He is only doing this to make the Aeslaerean Kingdom believe that I am on good terms with Prince Fraser.   I heard Prince Christofre laughs. "You two really suit each other. It's probably the reason why a lot of people think you are a heavenly pair. Both possess a beauty that can win any heart, a heart who is always ready to help, and a brain who thinks more than the average people."

  If I am in a different situation, I will probably feel flustered by his comments. But how can I feel happy knowing that everything happening right now is just for a show? That in reality, I am just no one in his eyes.

  Prince Fraser chuckles and pulls me closer to him. "Is that how people talk about us? We didn't know. But I guess they are right, though. That Dame Csille is really a beauty that possesses both a kind heart and amazing intelligence." Prince Fraser heaves a sigh. "I don't think I can let go of you now, Csille. Are you willing to share your whole life with me then?"

  Am I willing to share my whole life with him? That's not the question he should ask. The question is, is he willing to spend his whole life with me?  I just smile at Prince Fraser and look at Prince Christofre. "Your highness, Prince Christofre. You can ask the maids if you want anything else. As for your visit to the Foundation, I will be seeing you at the Foundation then. Prince Fraser and I will be taking our leave now."

 I didn't let Prince Fraser say something and just dragged him out of the place after I received a nod from Prince Christofre.

 I only let go of Prince Fraser's arm when we're inside the carriage already. But instead of talking to him, I decided to ignore him.   I should be happy, right? Because I just heard Prince Fraser ask me if I want to share my whole life with him. But I couldn't help myself but be in pain every time I remembered that this was all an act.

  Everything that happened and everything he said is all an act. It's not what he really wants to say to me. Why would he even say that to the Villainess? I'm sure he only wants to say that to Princess Paislee and not me.   Spend his life with me? That is only possible in Csille's dream.

  "Csille, are you okay?"

  I take a deep breath and inconspicuously wipe the years on my cheeks before I look at him. "Your highness?" I pretend to act like I don't understand what he is saying.   Prince Fraser stares at me for a couple of seconds before he raises his hand and gently caresses my cheeks. "Are you crying? Why are you crying? Did I say something wrong?"

  Everything you say and do is all wrong, Prince Fraser. You are wrong.