Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 373  : Familiar Voice

 I stare at the reflection of myself in the mirror and heave a deep sigh. I couldn't deny the fact how beautiful Csille is, especially now that she is wearing the dark blue starry night gown made by Pax Dea.  But what's the use of this beauty if she cannot have the man of her heart?  I heard someone squeals beside me. "Miss! Miss, you look so ethereal with that dress. I knew it! It looks so perfect for you. I'm sure his highness, Prince Fraser, will fall in love with you more."

 I look at the maid through the mirror and smile bitterly at her. Prince Fraser falling in love with me? How is that possible? That would be in my dreams only.

 "Miss? Why do you look like that? Why do you look sad?"

 I shake my head and start to pick jewelry that I would wear. I didn't bother answering the maid because I didn't know how can I answer her question. I know I cannot tell her the real reason. So, I would rather keep quiet.

 I look at the jewelry box in front of me and frown. All of the pieces of jewelry are too big and too grand for today's occasion. Just how the real Csille likes it.  But I am not Csille. I don't like this kind of jewelry. I would rather wear something simple but dainty.

 "Miss, is it because of the Count and the Countess?"

 My hand stops picking jewelry, and I look at her. "What do you mean?"

 The maid heaves a deep sigh. "Forgive me for asking, but are you sad because the Count and the Countess are still not talking to you?"

 Mother and Father? Although I am sad that they are still treating me coldly, I am more concerned with what will happen this evening. I am not even sure if the real Csille will take over this body again.  I smile at the maid. "I am not sad. I understand why Mother and Father don't talk to me." I continue picking jewelry after saying that.  "Miss, can I say a few words?"

 I nod my head. "Sure, what do you want to say?" I continue picking jewelry, but the jewelry box doesn't have the design I want, so I open the other jewelry box.

 I heard the maid takes a deep sigh. "Miss, I know I don't have any right to meddle with what is happening. But I just want you to know that even if the Count and the Countess treat you like this, they still care for you the most. Just give them time. I am sure they only want you to learn a lesson."

 I shake my head. Give them time? But my remaining time as a good citizen of this Kingdom is already coming to an end. I don't think I still have time to wait for them.

 I decided not to answer her and just focused on looking for jewelry. "This won't do. Do I have other sets of jewelry? All of these don't suit the look I am going to."

 The maid stares at me for a couple of seconds before she nods her head and gestures her hand toward a box. "Miss, maybe this will do. All of the jewelry here have simple design."

 I look at the jewelry in the box, and my eyes widen when I find a head chain jewelry. It has chains with small crystals on it, and it has a crystal in the center for the forehead. The diamonds look like as if the galaxy was put inside of it. It looks beautiful and fitting for my dress.  I take the head chain jewelry and put it on my head. I heard the maid gasp beside me. "Miss, you look celestial, now that you were that head chain jewelry. I'm sure you will be the most beautiful lady in tonight's banquet."

 I just smile at her and pick a wedge dark blue shoes with a bow ankle strap. It has glitters that look like stars. "Can you help me put this on?"

 As much as I wanted to put my shoes on my own, my dress wouldn't allow me. My dress is fitted to me, and crouching down will crumple it. So, I don't have a choice but to ask for some help.

 The maid immediately walks toward me and helps me with my shoes. "Miss, is this shoe given to you by Prince Fraser?" The maid stands up after. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

 I frown. Prince Fraser has given Csille shoes? How come I don't remember it?  I look at my shoes and try to remember if Prince Fraser gave me one, but no matter how much, I think I don't remember him giving me any shoes.  "Miss?"

 I look at the maid and shake my head. "I don't remember his highness giving me any shoes. Aren't you mistaken?"

 The maid stares at me confusedly and shakes her head. "I cannot be mistaken, Miss. It happened a few weeks ago now. I was helping the Countess with her shopping when we bumped into his highness. He was buying shoes similar to this, and when the Countess asked for whom he was buying that shoes, Prince Fraser said it is for you. So, I thought this is the shoes."

 For me? But if I remember it correctly, these shoes were bought by me. I look at the maid. "Did his highness buy the shoes?"

 The maid nods her head. "Yes, miss, he did. I even thought he would give it to you." The maid looks at my shoes and looks at me hesitantly. "Is this shoe really not from Prince Fraser?"

 I shake my head. If his highness bought those shoes, to whom did he give the shoes? And why did he lied? He could have told Mother that he was gifting it to someone. Why does he need to lie?  A thought suddenly came to my mind. Don't tell me. He brought that shoes for...

 "Miss?"

 I look at the maid and shake my head. I better not answer that question, or else it will be another issue again. After all, Prince Fraser is still considered my fiancé. It will be an issue if anyone knows that he bought shoes for someone else.  "Is Father and Mother already ready?"

 The maid's eyes start to look around the room. It seems like she is avoiding the question.

 I frown and smile bitterly after. I think I know the reason why. "Why can't you look at me in my eyes? Is there something I should know?"

 I can see the maid's hand tremble, and then she stares at me. "Miss, the Count, and the Countess had already left with Master Pascal. They said they are needed there and couldn't wait for you anymore."

 I felt my heart break when I heard what she said. I couldn't believe they could do this to me. I know they are mad at me, but to leave me here alone despite knowing there is a Banquet tonight? What do they want me to do? To walk alone inside the venue?  Wouldn't that be an issue again? Mother and Father always stay with me at every event. It's the first time I will attend an event without my parents with me.

 "Miss?"

 I look at the maid and shake my head. I know it is my fault that they are treating me like this but can they at least be with me when I need them the most.  I will be heart broken hearted tonight, and my family is still mad at me. Great! What a great way to end my day.

 "Miss? Should I—"

 I shake my head and smile reassuringly at the maid. But what can I do now? I couldn't tell them to fetch me. I also cannot be absent tonight since it's Prince Fraser's Banquet, my so-called fiancé.

 "Can you prepare a carriage for me?"

 The maid looks at me hesitantly before she nods her head and leaves. I look at my reflection in the mirror and smile bitterly.

 "Am I really ready to be the villainess?"

________________________________

 I look at the Palace in front of me and take a deep sigh. This is it. The night that will change everything not just for Csille but for the whole Vrawyth Kingdom.

 The two attendants who are welcoming guests bow their heads at me. "Welcome, Dame Csille."

 "Invitation, please," one of the attendants said.  The other attendants' eyes widened when he heard that. He elbows the attendant who asks for my invitation. "Why are you asking Dame Csille her invitation? Don't you know she is the fiancée of his highness, Prince Fraser?" After scolding the other guy, he then looks at me. "Apologies, Dame Csille. He is just new to his job. Please don't mind what he said. You don't ne—"

 I shake my head and smile at him. I know the other guy is only doing his work, and just because I am Prince Fraser's fiancé, it doesn't mean I have a free pass here.  I take my invitation out and give it to the attendant who asks for it. "Here's my invitation. Thank you for doing your job right." Before I look at the other attendant. "Please show me the way."

 The two attendants look at each other for a couple of seconds before he shows me the way. The banquet will be held in the banquet hall of the Palace, and in order to get there, one needs to walk through the hallways of the Palace for a few minutes.

 While walking, the attendant keeps glancing at me. I don't know if it's because of my dress or if he wants to ask me something. I initially planned to just ignore it, but his glances made me uncomfortable.  In the end, I couldn't bear it and asked him. "Do you want to say something?"

 The attendant stops walking and bows his head. "Forgive me for asking, but I was just curious why you came here alone. The Count, the Countess, and Doctor Pascal arrived here a few moments ago."

 I just smile at him. What does he want me to say? To tell him that I am not on good terms with my family that's why I came alone tonight?  "I was just busy with things. That's why I am late."

 The attendant nods his head. "Apologies if I was nosy." He then continues to guide me to the venue.  I look at the attendant and sigh softly. I end up lying again. I guess the villainess is always meant to lie.

 A moment after, we stop in front of a huge door with two guards standing on each side. The two guards bows their head when they see me. I just smile at them and wait for the announcement. Before anyone can enter the banquet's venue, there will be an announcement first.  One of the guards clears his throat first. He was about to announce my presence when a guard came rushing toward us.  "Stop! Stop! Don't announce yet!" He said while panting for air.

 I looked at the guard and frowned when I realized it was one of his highness's guards. What is he doing here, and why doesn't he want to announce my presence?

 "I know you. You are Prince Fraser's guard. What are you doing here?"

 The guard looks at me and smiles widely. "Dame Csille, it's a good thing I manage to stop you." After saying those words, he looks at the two guards. "Please wait here for a moment. Don't announce Dame Csille's presence yet." He then runs somewhere, leaving all of us confused.

 I look at two guards and frown. But despite our confusion, we still end up waiting for his return. A few minutes have passed, and the guard is still nowhere to be found.  The two guards are probably worried about me. That's why they couldn't help but ask. "Dame Csille, should we wait for his return, or should we announce your presence now?"

 I was about to respond when suddenly someone spoke behind me. "You can announce both our presence now."

 My eyes widen, and I immediately look at the source of that familiar voice.  It's him. What is he doing here?