Why Did I Become the Villainess?

380  : Something happened

 "Dame Csille, we are going to the pediatric ward to see if there is anyone who is in need to help."

 I nod at my employee and walk in a certain direction. We're currently in the Holycross Hospital looking for patients who are in need of urgent help.  However, I didn't expect that Rufus would be admitted to the Holycross Hospital too.  Rufus... The friend who has always been there for me when I need him the most. The friend that I need to let go as a consequence of what Prince Fraser did to me.  I smile bitterly and walk toward the room where he is admitted. While walking, I can hear the murmurs from the people around me.

 "Hey, isn't that Dame Csille? What is she doing here?"

 "Who knows? Maybe she is visiting Doctor Pascal. Everyone knows that she is the cousin of our dear Doctor."

 "But why is she walking in that direction? Isn't Doctor Pascal's office in the opposite direction? Also, I have seen her with her employees. Maybe they are here to work. I heard no one comes to her Foundation today."

 I heard a soft laugh. "The people probably pity her for what happened. That's what she gets for thinking too highly of herself. Just because she is considered the most beautiful lady among the Kingdoms, it doesn't mean she could have everything in life."

 "Hey! Watch your mouth! Do you know how much Doctor Pascal is so protective of Dame Csille? Once he heard you badmouths her, you'll be dead."

 I heard a scoff. "What? I am just voicing out my opinion. Is there something wrong with that?"

 I just shrugged my shoulders and walked towards Rufus's room.  I know I will get constant comments like this, and it doesn't matter to me anymore. As long as I am still alive and my family is still safe, I don't have anything to worry about.  The two guards who are guarding Rufus's room immediately stand up when they see me.  "Dame Csille! Are you here to visit Prince Rufus?"

 I smile at them and peek at the glass window of the door. And there, I have seen Rufus lying on the hospital bed.  I feel my heart aches when I see the only person who can understand me lying unconscious on the bed.  Rufus, I'm sorry. I'm sorry if I cannot be here with you when you need me the most. I am sorry if I need to break my ties with you. I hope you know that even if I won't be able to stay by your side, you are still a friend of mine. So, please be okay. I will be waiting for the news of your recovery.

 I take a last look at Rufus before I look at the two guards. "Can you do me a favor?"

 The two guards stare at each other for a couple of seconds. "What is the favor you want to ask, Dame?"

 I smile at them. "Can you not mention to anyone that I visit Prince Rufus? Even to Rufus."

 I noticed the visible confusion in their eyes. "But Dame Csille, I'm sure his highness' Prince Rufus will be happy to know you have visited him while he's still unconscious."

 I heave a sigh. Even if I don't want to do this, I don't have any other choice. It is for his own safety too. I don't want to involve Rufus in Csille's future mistakes.  "I know that, but can you not mention it to him? There are a lot of things happening lately, and I just don't want to complicate things. So, I hope you can understand."

 The two guards stare at each other and reluctantly nod their heads. I smile gratefully at them before I take some centimes.

 "Here. This is not a bribe but a compensation. I know you don't want to keep this a secret, so thank you for accepting my request."

 The guards look at the centimes in my hand with hesitation. Then they shake their heads after. "Dame Csille, you don't need to—"

 The guards weren't able to finish what they wanted to say because someone interrupted them.  "Csille? What are you doing here?"

 I look back and find Brother Pascal staring at me worriedly. I just smile at him reassuringly. "I was here to look for patients we can help. Nobody comes to the Foundation, so I decided to look for those people who are in need of help. I just happened to walk here. How about you, Brother? Are you the one who is assigned to his highness, Prince Rufus?"

 Brother Pascal frowned when he heard how I called Rufus, but he probably just shrugged it off because he didn't want to hurt me. He looks at the closed door of Prince Rufus's room and nods his head.  "Yes, the Duke specifically ask me to look after his highness, Prince Fraser. Do you want to see him?"

 See him? If we were in a different situation, I wouldn't hesitate to see him, but after what happened? I don't think it's a good idea to do that.

 I shake my head. "I better not. I still have other things to do, Brother. I better get going."

 Brother Pascal looks like he wants to say something but changes his mind at the end. "Be careful when you go out and go home early today. I will be seeing you later."

 I nodded my head and left the place. I feel my eyes start to moisten, but I try my best not to cry. I cannot cry. I cannot let anyone see me cry.

 "Dame Csille? Are you..."

 I shake my head at my employee, who suddenly pops out of nowhere. "Is everything okay on your part?"

 She just shakes her head as a response. I heave a sigh. "Okay, I will be waiting in the carriage. Meet me there once everything is okay."

 I immediately got out of the Hospital after I said those words. I didn't even wait for her response. I just need to get out of the Hospital before tears fall from my eyes.  I look at the sky and smile bitterly at myself.  This is just the start, Csille. Soon things will come to worst, and it will hurt more than this.  It will hurt more than this...

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 An hour after, we all meet in the Foundation to work on the papers needed. In every case, there is documentation to it, and we need those papers so we can give the help those people need.

 I was busy working on the documents when someone knocked on my door. I look up and find Lilla holding a pile of documents in her arms.

 "I'm sorry for interrupting, Dame Csille, but these are the documents you were asking for. Should I just put it—"

 I gesture my hand to the center table. My table is currently filled with documents I still need to work on. "Just put it there. I will work on it later. And Lilla, can you please take this." I gesture my hand towards the floor where I put the pile of documents I just finished working on. "These are the documents that I already approved. Please give it to the finance department so we can start to help those patients. Also, make sure to be with there once you pay for the bills and medications of the patient."

 Lilla nodded her head and left to work on things I asked her.  I look at the documents around me and heave a sigh. There are a lot of documents I need to work on for today. I think I will need to work overtime, but if I do that, I'm sure my parents will be worried about me again.

 I was about to continue working when I noticed an envelope on top of one of the documents. I frown and pick the letter. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

 The letter doesn't have any return address. It only has the address of the Foundation and nothing else. There is no ensemble or any symbols that will pinpoint where the letter came from.

 I slowly open it. I frowned when I realized it was from Mister Sewell. He was just asking how I was doing and if he could see me again.

 I scoff. "He's really taking advantage of the situation, isn't he? Trying to brainwash Csille so she would turn their back on the Astalieus. He is really a cunning man. Quite contrary to how he perceived himself to others."

 I shake my head and put the letter in a secret vault in my office. This is where I keep my important documents and the letters from Mister Sewell. Only I know where the vault is hidden and the code to open the vault.

 No one should know my connection with Mister Sewell. No one should know what I will do in the future.

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 I was busy working on the documents when my door burst open, and Mother walked inside my office. She has a deep frown on her face. Behind her are Father and Brother Pascal, who have a serious expressions too.  "My dear, do you know what time is it already? Why are you still working late this hour?"

 I put the document I am currently working on and stand up. "Mother, Father, Brother Pascal? What are you doing here?"

 Mother walks toward me and hugs me. "My dear, it's already seven in the evening. How can you expect us to sit still and wait for you at home? It's already late. Come on, let's go home now."

 I break from Mother's hug and look at the documents on my table. I still have a few documents left to work on. "Mother, can I just finish all the remaining documents on my table? This won't take long. I pro—"

 Mother shakes her head immediately. "Nope, we're coming home already. When will you learn how to take care of yourself properly? You are already nineteen years old, Csille. You should know that overworking yourself won't do good for your health."

 I heave a sigh and let Mother drag me out of my office. While Brother Pascal and Father follow behind us.  I see Lilla and some of my employees are still working. I smile awkwardly at them. Mother also noticed them. She stops working and frowns. "What are you doing? It's already seven in the evening. You should all rest already." She then looks back at me. "Look how you are affecting your employees. You should really start to strictly follow the working hours of the Kingdom."

 I was about to say something, but Mother pulled me out of the Foundation.  A moment after, we are now on our way to our house. Mother held my hand tightly while asking me how my day went on.

 I smile reassuringly at her. "It was okay, Mother. Although we need to visit each hospital in the Capital to look for people who are in need of help, it was still great."

 Brother Pascal, who has been quiet, suddenly speaks. "Yes, Aunt. I even see Csille visit the Holycross Hospital. I heard you help those people in the pediatric ward. The Hospital is having problems with them lately because they don't have enough money for their bills and medications."

 Mother squeezes my hand. "I'm really proud of you, my dear. Despite what happened, here you are still helping other people. I'm sure your future will be filled with blessings."

 My future full of blessings? I almost laughed when I heard what Mother said. How will the villainess's life be filled with gifts? More like hardship and heartbreak.  I just smile at Mother and look outside the window. I don't know how to reply to what she said, so I would rather keep quiet.  Because sometimes, the more you talk, the more you can say things you shouldn't have said. So for everyone's safety, I will just keep quiet.

 A moment after, the carriage stops in front of our house. The four of us immediately got off the carriage and were about to walk inside our house when our butler suddenly rushed towards us.  "Count! Countess! It's a good thing you are here. Something happened!"

 I felt my heart skip a beat when I heard the panic in his voice. Our Butler is known to be the most calmest person in this residence. It's the first time I have seen him panic like this. And I know only a few people will make him act like that.  Don't tell me...