Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 363  : Where are they?

 But I hadn't even made a plan when Mother and Father decided to put me on grounded. It means I couldn't leave the residence unless Prince Fraser returns.  Father and Mother even put guards that will guard each and every exit of the house. It is to ensure that I won't be able to leave or sneak out of our house.   They also prohibit me from having guests. Although I doubt if there is someone who will visit me here. After all, Rufus is with Prince Fraser and Princess Paislee, so no one will visit me then.

  I look outside my window and sigh. It's already afternoon, and until now, I haven't heard any news about Prince Fraser's return.

  I start to walk back and forth around my room. Thinking about what could have happened and why they haven't returned yet. Based on my conversation with Rufus yesterday, they should have arrived this afternoon, but it's already three in the afternoon, and there is still no news about their return.

  I take a few deep breaths and stop walking. I need to calm myself because stressing over it will not solve anything. It will only make me overthink things until I stress over them.

  After a few deep breaths, I managed to calm my nerves. "Csille, calm down. Maybe there are still working their way to the forest. Remember, they are not quite familiar with it. That's why they are taking their time." I nod my head. "That is right. That is right. I'm sure nothing happened to them. Why am I even worrying?" I laughed and sat on my bed.

  "I didn't write that something bad would happen to them, right? So, why would I need to worry? I'm sure they are now on their way to the capital. Let's just wait for an hour or two. I'm sure I'll hear the news of their return."

  To stop myself from worrying, I just focus on reading. Brother Pascal brought me a book this morning, and I quite love the storyline. It helps me take my thoughts off from worrying over the Royalties.

  I was too engrossed in reading when someone knocked on my door. I look up and find one of our maids peeking her head behind the door. "Apologies for interrupting, Miss. I was just wondering if you would like some tea? You have been staying in your room the whole day already. We were all worried about you. Is everything okay, Miss?"

  I look at the maid and ask her to come. An hour has passed already, and I still haven't heard anything about Prince Fraser's arrival. I need to have answers already.

 The maid immediately walks toward me. She puts the tray of teapot and teacup on my table before she stands in front of me. "Miss, do you need me to do something for you?"

 "I need you to do me a favor."

  The maid immediately looks up at me. I can see a tinge of horror in her eyes. She then shakes her head. "Apologies, Miss. As much as I want to help you, the Count and Countess already ordered us not to help you sneak out of the house. So, I apologize. I cannot do the favor you ask from me."

  I look at her for a couple of seconds. Father and Mother really made sure that I couldn't find any way out of this house. They know I will use anything or anyone as long I as I can achieve what I want.  However, that is not the favor I want to ask from her. I know it is already beyond impossible for me to escape the Lauretré house. Also, I don't want to worry about my family anymore.

  The maid kneels when she sees that I am just staring at her. "Miss, please forgive me. I really cannot help you—"

  I wave my hand at her to stop her from talking. "That is not the favor I want to ask from you. I know I cannot leave the house, so I won't push it. All I want to ask you is for you to go outside and see if there is any news about the Princes' return."

 The maid stares at me for a couple of seconds before she nods her head. "I will follow your order. Is that the only thing you want me to do for you, Dame Csille?"

  I shake my head. How can I think of anything right now? The safety of everyone in this world relies on the three Royalties. I need to hear the news of their safe return before I can ease my mind.   "Return here after you have gathered any news about them."

  The maid nods her head. "This maid will follow your orders, Miss. I will be taking my leave now."

  I just waved my hand at her, and the maid immediately walked out of my room. I look at her back and wish for her quick return.

  I need to hear any news about them, or else I probably couldn't stop myself from escaping the Lauretré residence.

 Please be safe, Prince Fraser, Princess Paislee, and Rufus. ________________________________

 It's already evening, and the maid that I ask to gather news about Prince Fraser still hasn't returned. This makes me more uneasy.

 I couldn't help but worry more. I just hope that all these negative emotions won't mean anything.

  Please be safe...

 I put the book down I've been reading and look at my window. It is dark already.

 Where are they?

 I stood up and was about to get out of my room to check if the maid had returned when my door suddenly opened, and Mother walked inside my room.   She was startled when she saw me standing behind my door. "Csille?"

 I immediately hug Mother and kiss her cheeks. "Mother, you have returned. How was your day? I hope you didn't have a rough day."

 Although I want to ask her for any news about Prince Fraser, it would be rude not to ask her first. I look at her and wait for her response. After I make sure her day is okay, I will find a way to ask for updates about the Royalties.

 However, Mother just stares at me for a couple of seconds. She then takes my hand and pulls me to my bed to sit.   My heart beats wildly when I see what she is doing. She usually answers me with a smile when I ask her how her day is. It's the first time she didn't answer me.

  "Mother, is there something wrong? Is there any problem with our business? Or is there any problem in the Foundation?"

  Although deep in my heart, I already know what is happening, I still refuse to believe it. Unless Mother won't say anything, I will not believe it.  Mother held my hand and made me face her. "Csille, everything is okay in our business and in the Foundation. So, you don't have to worry about it."

  I suddenly felt weak when I heard what she said. If there is no problem with our business, why does she looks like that? It's as if her world just collapsed.   I look at Mother. "Mother, can you please tell me what is wrong? Why..." I take a deep breath before I continue asking her. "Why do you look like that? What is the problem? What happened?"

  Mother stares at me before she gently caresses my head. "My dear, please calm down, okay? I know this news might shock you. So, I will break it down to you slowly."  I shake my head. I will end up having an anxiety attack if she continues to do that. "Mother, please tell me right away. What happened?" n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

 Mother heaves a sigh. "The people of the Strathmore City already arrived an hour ago."

 My eyes widened when I heard what Mother said. They have arrived. Thank goodness. I thought something had happened to them. I'm glad they are safe.

  I smile at Mother. "That's good news then. But why do you look like that?"

 I don't understand. If the Strathmore people have arrived in the Capital already, why does Mother looks like that? Did something happen to them?  "Did something happen to them, Mother?"

 Please say no. Please...

  Mother heaves a sigh. "My dear, the Strathmore people are okay. They are already resting in the place assigned by his majesty. However..."

 I feel my heart beating wildly. "Mother, however what?"

 Why do I have a feeling that I wouldn't like what she will say after?   "Csille, the Strathmore people arrived in the Capital, but they came here alone. They said his highness Prince Fraser and Prince Rufus didn't save them, so they just found their way here. It's the reason why they only arrived now because they took time finding the right way to the Vrawyth Kingdom."

  I feel my hand tremble after hearing what Mother said. The Strathmore people arrived here on their own, and they didn't see the three royalties. But how is it possible? There is only one way from here to the forest. They could have met halfway. But they didn't.

 Does it mean...

  I shake my head. No! No! It's impossible to happen. I look at Mother. "What about his highness, Prince Fraser and Prince Rufus? What happened to them? I am sure they have sent a message that they are on their way to the capital, right Mother?"

 Please tell me yes. Please tell me that they are safe and are now on their way to the Kingdom.

  Mother pulls me for a hug. She then caresses my back. "I'm sorry, my dear. Everyone doesn't know where they are. His majesty already sends out troops to look for his highness. Even your Father join in the search."

  I felt like I was about to faint when I heard what Mother said.  They don't know where they are, and his majesty already conducts a search party for them? It means something grave might happen to the three leads.

 And if something happened to them... It means we are in endanger.   I shake my head repeatedly. It cannot be. This shouldn't happen. I didn't write anything like this. So, how come they have disappeared? Don't tell me something bad has happened to them already?

  I hug Mother tightly. "Mother, where are they? Are they okay?" I break from Mother's hug and stare at her. "Mother, answer me. Please answer me. I want to know how they are. I need to know where they are." My voice breaks while asking her.  I am not just worried about them. I am also worried about everyone. If something happened to any one of them, I don't know what will be the consequences.  I just hope things won't be worst as I expected.

 Mother shakes her head. "I don't know, my dear, as much as I want to give you an answer. We all don't know what happened. All we can do now is wait for the results. I have already asked your Father to send us an update once they find something. So, don't worry, okay? The King wouldn't let anything happen to Prince Fraser."

 I shake my head. How can I just wait here and do nothing? The safety of everyone is in the hands of the three royalties. If something happened to them, then we are all dead.  "Mother, I want to look for them too. Please allow me to sear—"

 Mother immediately stops me. "No, Csille! You cannot search for them. I know you are worried about them but have you forgotten what your Brother Pascal told you? You need to take a rest first. So, no, I won't allow you to look for them too. You are going to stay here."

 "But Mother..."

  Mother shakes her head and stops me from talking. "My dear, I know you only want to make sure they are okay, and we all want that. However, if something happens to you, what will your Father and I will do?" Mother took my hand and held it tightly. "My dear, listen to me, okay? Stay here for now, and if we still haven't heard any news about them and your Brother Pascal allows you, then I will allow you. Is that okay?"

  I heave a sigh. Although I really want to refuse but I know Mother is already compromising here. So, I have no choice but to agree for now. But I will definitely insist once I don't hear any news about the whereabouts of the three leads.

  Please, be okay.