Why Did I Become the Villainess?

 "Who would fall in love with the Crown Princess of the Aeslaerean Kingdom?"

 Rufus and I both look in the direction of the person who suddenly interrupted our conversation. 

 My eyes immediately widen when I saw Princess Paislee standing five meters away from us. 

 Omg! Did she hear what we are talking about? I hope not. Princess Paislee shouldn't know what I just said. What if she becomes doubtful about this? 

 Rufus is about to speak, but I inconspicuously step on his foot and immediately cut him off. "We were just talking about Princess Paislee. Princess Paislee and I used to be friends when we were young. We actually exchange letters when she is still living in the Aeslaerean Kingdom. We were just wondering why did she left her supposed to be fiancé. We were talking about if her fiancé is really in love with her because I heard from the news that until now, her fiancé wouldn't give up searching for her."

 Rufus nods his head. "Yeah, yeah, that's what we are talking about, Sir Farren. Her fiancé must love her too much that even until now, he is still waiting for her. Where could Princess Paislee be? Although I don't know her and I didn't personally meet her before, I still wish she is doing okay." Rufus forces a smile.

 Thank goodness this guy didn't sell us out. Or else I don't know how I would explain things to Princess Paislee. She shouldn't have any idea about her future relationship with Prince Fraser.

 Princess Paislee looks intently at us before she nods her head before turning her head at me. "Lady Lauretré, can I talk to you?"

 Rufus looks at Princess Paislee and me. He then excuses himself and leaves us alone.

 I remained leaning on the tree while Princess Paislee is standing beside me. I wait for her to say something, but she just remains quiet for a while. 

 I sigh. "If what you want to talk about is regarding my relationship with Prince Fraser, please save it. I already explain my side, and I wouldn't repeat what I have said before."

 "No! That's not the reason why I want to talk about you. After our conversation, I realized a lot of things. I actually don't have any right to ask you questions, but despite that, you still answer me. Thank you for that, Lady Lauretré. And I didn't come here to encourage you not to push Prince Fraser away. However, my view on the matter is still the same. I just realized you also have the right to do what you want, and I shouldn't question it. I'm sorry, Lady Lauretré."

 It's that the reason why she wants to talk to me? I thought she would try to matchmake me with Prince Fraser again. 

 But come to think of it, that's how I write Princess Paislee. She knows when and where to put herself in every situation. She said sorry because she realized that it's rude to force an idea that contradicts my perspective. 

 "That's okay. I understand. You're a knight, and as you said before, a knight's duty is to serve the ruler of the kingdom. That's why I understand why you're so concerned about my relationship with Prince Fraser."

 Princess Paislee stands straight and looks at me. "I'm glad you are okay now, Lady Lauretré. I'll be heading first, Lady. I still need to prepare for our departure," she slightly bows her head at me before she leaves me alone.

 I look at Princess Paislee's back and smile sadly. She's the respected Crown Princess of the Aeslaerean Kingdom. But she's bowing her head on a simple Count's daughter? Isn't that a bit too much for her? 

 I shake my head. I know the reason why she is doing all of these. And I also know that the moment she decided to run away, she already prepared herself to face a life that is very different from the life she used to live with.

 Don't worry, Princess Paislee. In the future, Prince Fraser would definitely spoil you to the bone. So, just hang in there. 

 "Hey, are all the dishes prepared. We will have two days straight journey. Make sure that we will have enough reserve for all the people in here," one of the head servants said at the group of maids that are hurriedly walking to the makeshift kitchen.

 I look at my surroundings and found everyone busy preparing for the journey. I sigh. I am about to ask the maid what I can help when I suddenly remember one important thing. 

 Wait, if my rashes are completely healed, and I don't have any reason to avoid Prince Fraser, then does it mean I will share the carriage with them again? 

 My eyes widen, and I immediately look for the Great Ruler. Didn't he said he would help me? Maybe he could ask Prince Fraser for me to remain staying with him, the Great Ruler.

 Should I look for him? But what if I bump into Prince Fraser while looking for the Great Ruler? How would I face him? 

 I decided to stay on the Illorian carriage and wait for Ruler Laird to come in. I'm sure the Great Ruler will stay in his own carriage. 

 After waiting for half an hour, the carriage door open. I am about to rush to the Great Ruler, but I halted when I realized who is the person that opened the door.

 Prince Fraser? What is he doing in here? I look at his back, and I found Ruler Laird, who had a sorry face. 

 "I am here because I heard from the Great Ruler that you're doing fine now. Leander decided to stay on the Vrawyth carriage for an unknown reason. that's why I volunteered to accompany you inside Ruler Laird's carriage." He looks back at Ruler Laird. "The Great Ruler also agrees with that. I hope you wouldn't mind."

 I look at Ruler Laird helplessly. I'm still thinking about my next plan to avoid Prince Fraser, but here he is, sharing the carriage with Ruler Laird and me. 

 Although I appreciate his concern since it would be really a big deal if Ruler Laird and me are the only people in the carriage. Not that I don't trust him, but it's more like I don't trust the mind of the people.

 I sigh and nods my head at Prince Fraser. Prince Fraser smiled at my response and immediately sat beside me. The Great Ruler followed behind him and shook his head at me. It's as if he is saying he had no choice.

 Which I also understand. Prince Fraser is a great talker and knows his way with the people. He could make anyone agree with him in just a matter of minutes. If his charm doesn't work, he will use his wits to his opponent, and that's how many people agreed with him. 

 His charm and deadly wits. 

 I shake my head at Great Ruler and smile at him. To assure him that I don't blame him. I just wish he could have given me a warning. 

 Prince Fraser stands up and takes the coat he is wearing. "You just recovered from your allergy. Why are you not wearing long sleeves? What if something in the air triggers your allergy again?" He then puts it on my shoulders and helps me wear the sleeves. 

 I sigh and just let him do what he wants to do. Even if I refused, I know he could do something that will make me agree to his wants. That's one of his skills. However, he doesn't usually use it. He only uses it in dealing with people from the monarch or the nobles. Other than that, he treats ordinary people with fairness. He wouldn't dare to use that skill to any Vrawyth commoner because he thinks that is not what the ruler of a kingdom does. 

 And I know all of these because that is how I write the older Prince Fraser. The nineteen years old Prince Fraser.

 "Csille, what Prince Fraser said was right. You shouldn't wear something like that. Or else all of us will get worried again if something happened to you." 

 The Great Ruler opens a hidden cabinet behind his back. That is where I put my beddings and my things. He then takes the blanket he gave to me before and helps me put it on my lap. 

 "There, use this so you wouldn't get cold. This forest temperature will decrease the deeper we went into it."

 This forest is the fastest way to the Saiven Kingdom. The journey that was supposed to be almost two weeks long will now take ten days only. However, the only downside of the forest is its temperature. The more deeper you go inside the forest, the more it will get cold. It's also the reason why we will have a two days straight journey because we will pass the center of the forest. The forest center is the coldest place, and we need to get out of there fast if we still want to live.

 And to get out of the center, we will need two days. It's a good thing that all the horses we brought are used to the cold weather. So we won't need to worry about their health. Also, the horses all have the stamina of a warhorse, so even if we travel for days non-stop, the horse can still walk or even run.

 Prince Fraser takes the blanket away from the Great Ruler's hand and smiles at him. "Thank you, Great Ruler, but I can take care of my fiancée." 

 I immediately hold Prince Fraser's hand that is now holding the blanket. Prince Fraser stares at me with a shocked expression. He probably didn't expect that I would interact with him, especially after what happened in the Illorian City.

 However, how can I sit still if I know that he is challenging the Great Ruler? What if Ruler Laird got offended and used this excuse to break the friendly relationship with the Vrawyth Kingdom? Just a single word from Ruler Laird, all the other Kingdoms could wage war against the Vrawyth Kingdom. If that happens, even if the Vrawyth Kingdom is the strongest Kingdom among all. I don't think it could survive a war against all the Kingdom.

 I heard someone chuckled. I look up and saw Ruler Laird looking at us with an amused look. He is smiling at us. 

 He isn't angry? 

 "How long does the two of you been engaged?" He asked all of a sudden.

 Wait, what? I thought he would be mad. But instead, he is asking us how long we're engaged? I look at Prince Fraser, who has the same expression on his face. He also doesn't expect Ruler Laird to ask that question.

 "It's already been five years." Prince Fraser replied.

 Ruler Laird nods his head. "But I heard that the engagement between the two of you is not official. Is that right?"

 I feel Prince Fraser is about to refused because I could feel his hand clutching the blanket tightly. 

 "Yes, since both of us are not legal age. The official engagement will be done after my coming of age." 

 "But it's still official. My father, King Simmond Astalieu, already made a promise with the Count of Vrawyth, Csille's father. So, even if we still haven't had the official engagement. Nothing could change the fact that Lady Csille Lauretré is my fiancée." 

 Woah, calm down there, Prince Fraser. Please don't go around telling people that I am your fiancée. Well, technically, I am. But can you not tell people about it? Like as if it's already fixed. Because I definitely know it's not. You're just hurting Csille more and making her hope for something you couldn't even make. 

 The Great Ruler nods his head. He looks like he was satisfied with Prince Fraser's answer. But why? I don't understand it. I also don't understand why is he asking us how long are we engaged. What does it have to do to him?

 "I will remember your words Young Astalieu. I hope you can honor your words in the future." Ruler Laird looks at me then. "Remember to invite me to your engagement and wedding, my dear goddaughter."

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