Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 304 – Can’t Help…

 "Dame Csille, you're finally back. Thank goodness. I don't know what to do anymore. It's a good thing the Countess is helping us, or else I don't think I can do it alone." Lilla immediately ranted at me when she saw me step inside the office. She even pouts at me.

 I gently caress her head and smile sorrily at her. I owe Lilla a lot. During my absence, Mairenn and Lilla are the ones who supervise things in the Foundation. The Foundation won't be able to make it without them.

 "I'm sorry, Lilla, and thank you for taking care of the Foundation. I'm really grateful to you and Mairenn. Don't worry, now that I am back, the two of you can take a day off or make it days off."

 Lilla's eyes widened when she heard what I said. "Are you telling the truth, Dame Csille? Can we really take a day off? I have been dying to stroll around the capital. I'm sure Mairenn and Cairistine will be happy to hear this."

 I nod my head at Lilla. "Of course, it's true. The two of you deserve some rest. So go and inform Mairenn about it."

 Lilla says her thank you first before she goes and looks for Mairenn. I just smile at her. 

 Although I definitely need help because I was gone for two weeks again, I still don't want to overwork my employees. I know Lilla has been wanting to look around the capital and the other regions of the Vrawyth Kingdom. She deserves some rest. 

 All of my employees immediately rush towards me and ask me how I am doing. They all know that I was traumatized because of the hurricane, so they were worried about me.

 I smile reassuringly at them. "Thank you for worrying about me, but I'm okay now. Thank you also for your hard work while I am away. I really appreciate your initiative. Don't worry, I will definitely give everyone a bonus for this month, and we will have a small banquet on Saturday."

 I heard from Mother that Mairenn and Lilla are not the only ones who are working hard. Even my other employees were working hard. Some of them are even doing the work that is not supposed to be theirs. That's why I'm really grateful to them because I can see that they really want to help. 

 They all cheered when they heard what I had said. It looks like they really like the news I have said. Although I don't know what they like more, the salary increase or the banquet. But nevertheless, I know they deserve that all. So, I don't mind giving them a little reward for what they did for the Foundation.

 "But Dame Csille, aren't we supposed to open up that day? Are you planning to close the Foundation?"

 They all stopped cheering when they heard the question. I look at the employee who speaks and smiles reassuringly at her. "I don't think there's nothing wrong closing the Foundation for a day. Ever since we opened up the Foundation, all of you didn't even rest for a day. So, I think it's only okay to close it for a day only."

 Come to think of it. The Foundation has been operating every day ever since it opened. I did that because I know emergencies don't know what rest is. I was worried that some people might lose their lives just because we were close on weekends. But it is only now that I realized how much this affects my employees. 

 I think I should make Sunday a rest day for my employees. So, they can have time for themselves. I probably need to work on that. 

 "But Dame Csille, what if there's an emergency that day?"

 I gently caress the head of the employee who asks that. She's one of the youngest employees that I have. It's probably the reason why she is always concerned about other people. 

 "My dear, we have been working for months now. I think people will understand if we would take a day's rest. So, don't worry about that, okay?"

 She just nods her head hesitantly. I can clearly see the hesitancy in her eyes. "My dear, I know you want to help, but you should also learn how to have fun. We will only have a day off. We're not closing the Foundation for good."

 The other employees laughed when they heard what I said. Then they started to convince her. In the end, she agrees to go to the banquet, which in return garnered cheers. I laughed at their reactions. I'm happy that they are excited about the banquet.

 After a little conversation with them, they immediately returned to their job. They still have to entertain those people who are here to give donations to the Foundation.

 I was about to head straight to my office when I suddenly heard someone call my name. 

 "Dame Csille!"

 I look back and find Mairenn rushing towards me. Behind her is her daughter, Cairistine. I smile at them warmly.

 "Mairenn, it's been two weeks since we saw each other. How are you doing? I hope you didn't have trouble managing the Foundation."

 Mairenn shakes her head. "No, Dame Csille. I am actually enjoying my job. However, Dame Csille, is it true that Cairistine and I can have a rest day?"

 I nod my head at her. "Yes, I heard from my Mother how much you work for the Foundation, and I think it is just right for you and your daughter to have some rest. I'm sure your daughter will be happy to spend some time with you. If you need money, don't hesitate to as—"

 Mairenn shakes her head and waves her hand as a sign that she doesn't like the idea. "Dame Csille, there's no need for you to give us money. We have already saved a lot of money from working here. However, do we really need to take a day off?"

 I raise my eyebrow. Why does it seems like she didn't like the idea of having a day off? Isn't she supposed to be happy because she can now have time to spend with her daughter? But why does she looks like she doesn't like it?

 "Mairenn, you have been working in the Foundation non-stop. You even come with me to the western region. Don't you think it's time for you to take care of your daughter?"

 Mairenn looks at her daughter for a second before she sighs. "You are right. I should have spent more time with my daughter. Thank you, Dame Csille."

 I just shake my head at her. "No, I should be the one thanking you for what you have been doing for the Foundation. Thank you, Mairenn." I then take a pouch full of centimes and give it to her. "Here, a small gift for Cairistine. Use this to buy whatever she likes."

 Mairenn looks at the pouch and shakes her head. "Dame Csille, how can I accept this? You were the one who saved my daughter and me. Giving us work and shelter is already too much. I cannot accept this, Dame Csille."

 I push the pouch to Mairenn. "This is a gift for her because she's been a good girl even if you are not beside her. So, please accept this. Treat her to any restaurant she likes. Buy her ribbons because I heard she likes one."

 Mairenn still hesitates on taking the money, so I just force it into her hand. Mairenn tries to return the money, but I stop her. In the end, she was forced to take a rest and to accept the money.

 "Thank you very much, Dame Csille. You are really an angel." 

 I just smiled at her before I excused myself. What did she say? Csille is an angel? More like the devil incarnate. 

 Soon… they will know how devil she can be.

________________________________

 I look at the clock on the wall and sigh. It's already six in the evening, and here I am, still busy with the documents. 

 Because I was gone for more than half a month, there are piles of documents that I need to work on. 

 "Great! It's already six in the evening, but I still haven't finished these urgent documents." My eyes wander on the portrait of Prince Fraser on Csille's table. I point my finger at the portrait and glare at Prince Fraser. "It's all your fault. You kept running through my mind that I couldn't concentrate on my work. You are really a bad omen."

 After the conversation I had with Prince Fraser, I haven't met him again. I heard he was busy doing his monarch duties, or maybe he just doesn't want to see Csille. After our last conversation? I bet he is still irritated with Csille.

 "Who's the bad omen you are referring to?"

 I almost jumped when I heard someone speak in front of me. It's a good thing I already put down the portrait, or else it will definitely fall on the ground. The portrait is like the typical picture frame in the real world. It has glass, and I'm sure if I drop it, I will definitely injure myself.

 I look up and find Rufus leaning on the doorway. 

 "Can you not scare me like that, and what are you doing here, Rufus?"

 It's already six in the evening. Shouldn't he be on his home now? I'm sure the Duke is worried about him already.

 Rufus' smile disappears because of my question. "Purplany, can you have dinner with me? I badly need a companion tonight."

 I frowned when I heard what Rufus said. What is happening? Why does he sound sad?

 I immediately stand up and walk to him. It's rare for me to see Rufus in a down mood. He is usually bubbly and always loves to tease me. What could have happened today?

 "Sure, let's go. I am actually hungry already. It's a good thing you are here. I thought no one would notice I haven't eaten dinner yet."

 I didn't immediately ask him what was wrong because we had plenty of time for that later. I'm sure he asked me for dinner tonight because he wants someone to talk to. But what is this thing he wants to talk about?

 We decided to rent a private room in one of our favorite restaurants in the capital. We usually eat here. That's why they already have reserved room for the two of us.

 I look at Rufus, who is busy staring at his untouched food. We have been eating our dinner for a couple of minutes now, but Rufus hasn't said anything. He just stared at his food. It's as if the food is some rare artifact in this world.

 I sigh. I couldn't wait anymore. "Rufus, what happened? You… look bothered."

 Rufus looks up at me and sighs. He then shakes his head and continues staring at his food.

 I frown. What does he mean by that? I put down my utensils and take his hand that is resting on the table. "Rufus, can you tell me what happened? I don't read minds. So, no matter how much I guess what's wrong, I wouldn't know what's your problem."

 Rufus heaves a deep sigh. "Csille, I couldn't take it anymore."

 What couldn't he take? I don't understand what he is saying. "Rufus, can you be straightforward? I don't understand what you are referring to? What can't you take anymore?"

 Rufus looks straight into my eyes. "I couldn't stop myself from falling in love with her, and each day that has passed that I see her with him, I couldn't help but want to take her away from him. Because I know, once he knew about her secrets, she'll end up…" Rufus didn't continue his words and just shook his head.

 She'll end up being executed. That's what he wants to say. Fooling a royalty is a grave sin. What makes it even worst is the fact that Princess Paislee is a foreigner in disguised and is currently the knight of Prince Fraser. It means she is a big threat to his highness' safety. If she gets caught, she'll end up being executed.

 But that's not the important thing here because I know it will not happen to Princess Paislee. The important thing is what Rufus said. He wants to take Princess Paislee from Prince Fraser.

 It's the start. It's the start where Prince Fraser will realize he has already fallen for Princess Paislee.

 I look at Rufus. And Rufus is the key to that. I need to help him get close with Princess Paislee. I need to make Prince Fraser see Rufus' feelings for Princess Paislee. 

 "Then why don't you pursue her? I already told you before, right? Grab this chance, or else someone might take this chance and get her from you. Do you want that, Rufus?"