Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 298 – : Anger People

 "Dame Csille…"

 I look at Louisa, who is currently busy painting. She asked me to paint with her today, and since I didn't have anything to do, I said yes. Also, I feel happy interacting with her. When I am with her, I always forget Csille's horrible future.

 We're on our second week of isolation, and everything is going okay. The three of us, Louisa, Gisbert, and I, don't show any symptoms of Tuberculosis which is a good sign. We just need to do another test to check if we don't really have tuberculosis.

 "What is it, Louisa? Is there something wrong?" 

 Louisa put down her brush and looked at me. "Dame Csille, what is it feel like to fall in love with someone?"

 I frowned when I heard her question? She's just seven years old. Why would she ask me that kind of question? I know that in this world, they usually marry in their teenage years. But to hear a seven years old child asking questions about love still bewildered me.

 "Why did you ask? Aren't you too young to think about it?"

 Louisa leans towards me. "I just couldn't help but admire you and Prince Fraser's relationship. He is the Crown Prince of the Vrawyth Kingdom. Aside from that, he is also handsome. While you are considered the most beautiful lady among the Kingdoms. Aren't you a perfect pair?"

 I almost rolled my eyes when I heard what she said. What perfect pair is she saying? How can the male lead be paired to the Villainess? That is defying the rules of the fictional world.

 I gently caress her head. "Louisa, not everything you see is real. There are things in this world that look real, but it's not. You shouldn't let yourself be fooled."

 Louisa frowned and tilted her head. "Dame Csille, I don't understand you. What do you mean by what you said?"

 I just smile at her and continue painting. I shouldn't have talked too much. There's already an issue with my relationship with Prince Fraser. I don't want to make it messier. "Nothing. You'll understand it once you get older. For now, why don't you focus on improving yourself? Love will naturally come to a person. So, you should just let the love find you."

 She nods her head, and I sigh silently. I thought she would still question me about what I said earlier. It's a good thing Louisa is a simple minded person. 

 "But Dame Csille, can you describe to me what loves feels like? I want to know how it feels like how to love."

 What does love feel like? I don't think she is asking the right person here. My experiences with love are all painful. What does she want to hear? That love will crush you and leave you broken? 

 I sigh. I really don't understand why she is interested in love. There isn't good about it. 

 I gently tap the tip of her nose. "And why do you want to know about it? You're still young, Louisa. You should enjoy your childhood days first before you think about love."

 Louisa frowns. "But I just want to know how it feels like. My parents died when I was still a baby. It's the reason why I never know what love looks like. Grandmother also doesn't talk much about my parents, so I never knew about love."

 In some sense, Louisa and Ysavel are quite the same. I also never see how love feels like because I have no one to look up to in the orphanage. But I guess she's luckier than I am because she still has her Grandmother with her.

 "Louisa, there are different kinds of love. It's not just about the love between a man and a woman. Love is how your Grandmother raises you and loves you dearly. Love is when your friends help you when you need them. Love is already around you. You just need to open your eyes and see."

 Louisa got silent for a moment. She's probably still processing what I have said. A moment after, she looks at me. "Is it also love when you help people like us? Those who are in need of saving?"

 I smile warmly at her. Louisa is really a bright child. She already understands what I am saying. I thought she was still too young to process that. 

 "Yes, love is when you help people and wish them to feel better."

 "Does it mean you're full of love, Dame Csille?"

 I am full of love? What does she mean? "How can you say that?"

 Louisa smiles widely at me. "Because you always help people. You said love is when you help people, right? Also, many people love you because of what you are doing."

 "Aren't you smart little girl?" I smile at her. "But do you know what's the greatest love among them all, Louisa?"

 She shakes her head. "No. Is it the love between a man and a woman?"

 "No, the greatest love among all is when you love yourself. Love should always start with oneself. If you want to be loved, then you should learn how to love yourself first. So, before you think about what love feels like between a man and a woman, you should think first about how to love yourself."

 Louisa nods her head. Although I can see confusion in her eyes. 

 Someday, Louisa. Someday you will know what loves feels like. I just hope that when the time comes, that guy will love you tenderly because you deserve that. 

________________________________

 I was about to enter my room when Gisbert called my name. 

 "Dame Csille, a letter arrived just now, and it is named to you." He then hands me the letter.

 I frown when I see the familiar Astalieu Family insignia. Astalieu? From the King? But why would he send me a letter? He just recently replied to my letter. So, I don't understand why he would send another one.

 I look at Gisbert and smile at him. "Thank you, Gisbert."

 Gisbert shakes his head. "It's my honor to help you." He then looks at his time watch. "I won't be taking much of your time, Dame. If you need anything, you can find me in the receiving area. Louisa asks me to watch her paint."

 I just smile at him before I enter my room. I look at the letter in my hand and frown. I really don't understand why his majesty would send two letters in just a few days' time. 

 I'm sure this is not from Prince Fraser because after I sent the letter explaining to him why I couldn't attend the welcoming banquet, I didn't receive any response from him. It's as if he didn't care about my well being. 

 So, I don't expect this will be from Prince Fraser. That is definitely not possible.

 I sit on my bed and open the letter. Is it from Rufus? But why would he send me a letter? I just sent my response to him an hour ago. So, how come there's a letter from him? It's impossible that it is a response to the letter I sent today.

 Based on his last letter, he told me he is busy with his monarch duties. It's the reason why it takes time before he can respond. He cannot use their messenger bird because the Duke prohibits him from using it. Apparently, he just did something that upset the Duke. So, as a punishment, he took his right on using the messenger bird.

Dear Purplany,

 Are you surprised that I send you another letter? I'm sorry if I couldn't wait for your response. I wish you were here so I could tell you what happened. But since you're not here, then I'll just write what I want to say.

 Do you know that your act of kindness is already known by everyone? When you didn't attend the welcoming banquet, everyone thought it was because of the previous issue between you and Prince Fraser. However, days after the banquet, the news about your deed reaches the capital, and everyone is praising you for that. Do you know what they call you now? They are considering you as an angel. Imagine that, an angel? 

 But that's not the main issue why I am sending you this letter. After the news about your deed spread like wildfire. Everyone starts to criticize Prince Fraser again. Do you know why? It's because he doesn't look so concerned about you. Everyone is already worried that you might get infected with tuberculosis, but they got mad when they didn't even see Prince Fraser worry about you. The anger is so worst that some people are talking to the Count and the Countess to cancel your engagement with Prince Fraser. 

 I know you don't like that idea, that's why I decided to send you this. I think you should return to the capital as soon as you can. You're the only one who can calm the people. That is, if you still want to continue your engagement with my cousin.

Rufus,

 I look at the letter in my hand. I'm still trying to process what I have read. 

 What did Rufus write? That Csille is considered an angel by the people now? Isn't that ironic? How can the villainess be an angel? Where can you find a villainess like that?

 But I don't think that's the main issue I should focus on right now. Rufus wrote that the people are now enraged with Prince Fraser. So enraged that they even tried to talk to my parents so they could cancel my engagement with Prince Fraser.

 My eyes widened when I realized what that meant. I abruptly stand up and walk back and forth around my room.

 They want to cancel my engagement with Prince Fraser? No! No! I cannot let that happen. I need to do something to stop them. But what can I do? I am isolated here and prohibited to go out? How can I stop them from convincing my parents to cancel my engagement with Prince Fraser? Father is still hesitant to continue the engagement, and there's a big possibility that he can be swayed by people's pleading. 

 That's not even the worst case scenario here. If the people united to cancel the engagement between Prince Fraser and me, there's also a big possibility that his majesty will agree to people's request. After all, the King should also hear his people.

 I stop walking and mess my hair. "Why does every time I fixed things, there is always something that ruined it. Whyy?"

 I pace back and fort my room again. Trying to think of a way to stop what is happening. I need to think of a way to fix this. 

 I was startled when the door was pushed open, and Brother Pascal came rushing to my room. "Csille! Csille, have you heard what is happening in the capit—" 

 He didn't continue his words because his eyes caught the letter in my hand. "A letter from the palace? Does his majesty agree to cancel your engagement with Prince Fraser?"

 I don't know what I should feel about Brother Pascal's tone. He looks so concerned, but I definitely hear the happiness in his voice. I know he is happy because of that thought that his majesty will cancel my engagement with Prince Fraser.

 "It's from Prince Rufus. He just informed me of the current commotion in the capital and no Brother. His majesty won't cancel my engagement with Prince Fraser. I will make sure he won't do that."

 Brother Pascal raises his eyebrow at me. "And how can you be sure about that? You are away from the capital, and you cannot leave this place until I am sure you're not infected. So, how can you stop that from happening? You know that once the people unite, it will be difficult for the King not to follow what they want."

 I look at Brother Pascal. He is right, though. I cannot get away from here not unless he allows me to leave. But he doesn't want me to continue to be engaged with Prince Fraser. What if…

 I shake my head. I know Brother Pascal won't do that. "I know that Brother, but even if I am here, I will make sure to do something to save my engagement with Prince Fraser. I won't let someone ruin that."

 I heard Brother Pascal sigh. Then he shakes his head. "Suit yourself. But it will be difficult to do that, Csille." He left after he said those words. I just look at his back and sigh.

 I know, Brother.. I know.