Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 408: : The decision



Father turns his head at me. It looks like he is warning me with his stares. We are currently in front of the meeting hall in the Palace. His Majesty called us early this morning for a meeting. He will probably announce his decision today.

I heave a sigh and nod my head at Father. He already warned me before we came here not to say anything again. He was probably worried that I might say something that could garner hate from the other nobles.

I know that the Lauretré is in a difficult situation already, but how can I let those nobles step on us like that? Even if we didn't have the same status we had when I was still Prince Fraser's fiancée, I still wouldn't let them step on us like that. We are still the Lauretré family, one of the most powerful noble families in the Kingdom.

Do they really think we will allow them to disrespect us like that?

The two guards announced our presence and opened the door after a few minutes. The nobles who were already seated immediately looked at us. Although I can see that most of them are smiling, I can still see the resentment in some of them. They are probably envious of us because even if I am no longer Prince Fraser's fiancée, the Lauretré family still has a great influence on his majesty.

Father led me to our seat. I can feel his hand gently tugging my dress as if reminding me again not to do things. I just glance at him and sigh.

He and his overprotectiveness with Csille. It's the reason why Csille thought she could do anything she wanted because her Father was always there to protect her. This trait will lead her to her demise.

"Is there something wrong? You look bothered? Are you worried about his majesty's decision?"

I was so deep in my thoughts that I got startled when I heard Father whisper in my ears. I immediately turn my head at him and nod my head.

Although my thoughts were clearly away from what he thought, I still couldn't help but be worried about the King's decision.

I am unsure if what I said last time is enough to convince him not to comply with the Aeslaerean's demand. Also, I'm worried about Prince Fraser. Based on the conversation I had with him last time, I am sure he will convince the King to follow the Aeslaerean's request.

I haven't thought about what to do if his majesty makes a decision contrary to what I want. I have thought of ways what to do if that situation happened. But no matter how much I thought, my mind couldn't come up with anything at all.

So, all I can do now is hope that his majesty will listen to my suggestions. I need him to listen to me, or else I don't know what I will do.

I couldn't straight up question the King's decision in front of everyone, or else I might be put in prison for questioning his authority.

"Csille?"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

I turn my head at Father. I wasn't able to answer Father's question because the meeting had started already. Everyone immediately turns their attention to his majesty, who is now standing in front of us.

Even if it's obvious, I can still see the exhaustion in his appearance. He probably spends a lot of time thinking about the decision that would change the future of the Vrawyth Kingdom. He looks tired and pale. He probably stayed late at night yesterday. I immediately turn my head at Father to ask him a question, but I also see the worry on his face. He probably also noticed the fatigue in King's appearance.

I heaved a sigh and decided to let it off for now. I'm sure Father will check on his majesty after this meeting. So, I just need to wait for an update from him.

For now, I need to focus on what his majesty will say. I need to know what his decision will be.

His majesty looks around the nobles present in the meeting hall before he nods his head. "I know all of you want to know my decision about the Aeslaerean's demands. I am also well aware that there are two options we can do, but I hope you will respect whatever decision I will make today."

I felt my hand trembles when his majesty mentioned the word respect.

Does he know that I have a plan to convince him to disagree if his decision is contrary to what I have? Is it the reason why he is saying those things to us?

But I immediately shake that thought off. It's impossible he will know that. I didn't say anything last time that would make anyone doubts me. So that is really impossible. I'm sure his majesty is only saying those words to other nobles.

I anxiously look at his majesty and wait for his decision. I am not the only one who is nervous, though. I can see in my peripheral vision that most of the nobles here are waiting anxiously for his majesty's decision too.

"After a whole day of thinking and considering everyone's suggestions, I have come up with a decision." He paused and looked around us again. "I have decided not to comply with the Aeslaerean's demands."

I heard some people gasp because of their disbelief while I silently heaved a sigh. I don't need to worry about what to do if his majesty decides to agree. I can be assured that everything will be going in the right direction now.

I turn my head at Father. I was hoping he would look happy, but he continued staring at the King with worry. He is probably still worried about his majesty's health.

I am worried about that too, but I still couldn't help but feel happy with his majesty's decision. After all the trouble, I have gone so that I could convince the King to disagree. Everything pays off.

I turn my head to the King, who is currently observing the nobles' reaction. He then nods his head. "I know some of you still have disagreements with my decision, and I respect that. However, I have weighed things over and over again, and only this decision will lead us to a better situation. So, I hope you can all respect my decision. I w-"

The King wasn't able to continue what he wanted to say because Prince Fraser abruptly stood up from his seat. It was too sudden that his seat fell down because of the force. Everyone got silent because of what happened. We all didn't expect Prince Fraser would do that.

I anxiously look at Prince Fraser. Hoping he will not convince his majesty to change his decision because if he did. I know it will be difficult for me to do something about it.

The King looks at Prince Fraser with a frown. "Prince Fraser, what is this kind of rude behavior?" He asks in a controlled voice. I can sense the frustration in his majesty's voice, although it's so subtle that everyone probably didn't notice that.

Prince Fraser stares back at the King. "Forgive me for my rude behavior. However, I just couldn't help but disagree with your decision, Father. I thought you already decided to follow my suggestions?"

My hand trembled a little when I heard what Prince Fraser said. His majesty decided to follow Prince Fraser's suggestions? But why would his majesty announce that we will not comply with the Aeslaerean's demands?

What is happening? Did his majesty announce a wrong decision?

I heard his majesty heaves a sigh. "Prince Fraser, I did say that I would consider your suggestions, but I never said it would be my final decision."

Prince Fraser frowns and shakes his head. "Father, after what I have told you? You are still willing to risk that decision? Father, you know what will happen to the Vrawyth Kingdom if we still pursue that direction. Why would we need to risk it all?"

His majesty also shakes his head. "I have already explained to you the reason why I think disagreeing with the Aeslaerean's demand is a better option."

Prince Fraser scoffed. "Better option? Father, are you hearing what you are saying? If you do that, you will be immediately putting our whole Kingdom at war. So, how can you say that it is a better option?" He said in a frustrated voice.

If his father was not the King, I'm sure Prince Fraser would have snapped at him too.

"And do you really think the Aeslaerean Kingdom will not attack us once we produce a thousand weapons for them? No, they will not. I'm sure they will take this chance to attack us, and what can we do if that happens? We will not have enough funds to even last for a day of the war. How can you expect me to agree with your decision?"

Prince Fraser stares at his father in disbelief. He was about to say something, but the Queen, who had been quiet, suddenly stood up and interrupted him. "Prince Fraser, please respect your Father's decision. Remember, he is the King of the Vrawyth Kingdom, and whatever he does, he always puts the good of everyone in the Vrawyth Kingdom. I know you only want to help, but questioning his majesty's decision isn't helping at all. You are the Prince of this Kingdom. Shouldn't you act like one? Or do you want other people to question your Father's

authority too?"

The Queen said in a gentle manner, but her last words had a sharp tone in it. She was probably warning those nobles who had the plan to question his majesty's decision.

Prince Fraser stares at his Mother for a moment before he heaves a sigh and sits again. I can see the disagreement in his expression that he is trying to hide. But he is probably in a bad mood already because I can see he is having trouble controlling his expression.

I heave a sigh and shake my head. I understand that Prince Fraser is only worried about the Kingdom but what the Queen said is right. He cannot disrespect his majesty's decision like

that.

Prince Fraser, when will you realize that you cannot always be right? You should learn how to listen to other people too, or else that trait of yours will be the reason for your downfall.

I turn my head at his majesty and find him staring at Prince Fraser. I don't know what that stares mean because his majesty returns to his usual expressionless face. So, even if I want to know what he thinks, I have to give up that idea.

His majesty looks around him. "As I said, I know some of you might feel disappointed with

my decision, and I understand that. But what your Queen said is right. I am only doing this for

the greater good."

He paused and took another look around. "We are the Vrawyth Kingdom. The most prestige Kingdom currently. How can we let anyone threaten us like that? How can we let anyone use

us like that?"

Some of the nobles chanted their agreements, while some remained quiet.

His majesty nods his head. "We are the Vrawyth Kingdom, and we will not let anyone trample

us like that. I know most of you are worried about what will happen after but don't worry, I already made a counter plan for that."

I immediately frowned when I heard what his majesty said. Counter plan? What does he

mean?

I turn my head at Father and tugs the hem of his upper clothes. His Majesty paused again to observe everyone's reaction, and I couldn't wait for an answer, so I turned my attention to

Father.

Father immediately turn his head at me with a frown. He stares at me as if asking me what I

want.

I inch closer to him so he can hear what I want to ask. "Father, do you know what his majesty

is saying? What counter plan is he talking about?"

Father shakes his head. "I have no idea. I haven't talked to hi-"

He wasn't able to finish what he wanted to say because his majesty suddenly spoke.

"I will be..."