Why Did I Become the Villainess?

   "Csille, what are you standing there?" Prince Fraser holds my hand and walks me through the palace hall.

   "I'm sorry. I was just looking at the painting."

    Prince Fraser stopped walking and looks at me.

    "The peony flowers painting. I find it really beautiful. Who painted it?"

     Prince Fraser looks back at the Painting. "Do you like it?" He asked.

    I nod at him and look back at the painting too. "I love it. It looks so real, and I could feel the emotion that the painting wants to say."

   The Prince pulled me towards the painting. He then touched it with his other hand and smiled at me.

   "Do you know Peony flowers are linked to romance and marriages?" The Prince asked while looking at me. I nodded my head. He smiled and looks at the painting again. "I painted it."

    My eyes widen. I didn't know Prince Fraser could paint. I didn't write about it.

    Prince Fraser laughs at my reaction. "What? I really know how to paint. Do you want me to paint you?"

    "I believe you. I am just startled. You're really talented. You almost know everything." The Prince just laugh. I look back at the painting again. Peony. "It didn't even look like a nine years old child paints it. I really admire you now."

   Prince Fraser just pinched my cheeks and smiled at me. "Do you want it? I could give it to you."

    I immediately shake my head. "No, I mean, I like it, but how can I take it? It looks better here in the palace." And I really don't like the meaning of this Peony.

"I think it will look good in the Lauretré residence too. But if you don't want it, I won't insist. I'll just give you a better painting."

I shake my head. "It's okay. You don't need so." Prince Fraser frown at me. "Okay, if you want to," I mumbled.

Prince Fraser got happy after hearing it. He then continues to lead me to his own library. While walking, I just stare at his back and let him lead me to the library.

Peony is linked to romance and marriage? But in the victorian era, it also means anger. I hope you didn't paint because of the latter.

Prince Fraser shows me his book collection. It ranges from novels to political books. There's also a book that looks like an encyclopedia. I just stare at him while he describes some of his favorite books in his collection.

How many days had been passed since I woke up here? More than half a year ago, I guessed? And it's already been months since my friendship with Prince Fraser got strengthened.

Once a week, Prince Fraser would invite me to the Palace. Last week, we explored the whole garden and did some planting. Today, he showed me his book collection.

"And this book." Prince Fraser raised a book entitled 'The Parallel Universe'. My eyes widened when I saw it. "It's about a theory that outside our world, there are other living people in a different universe. This book is fascinating."

I look at the book intently. "Can I take a look at it?" I asked. I don't know why but the book has something that drawn me in it.

Prince Fraser looks at me and the book. He then passed the book to me. "I didn't know you're also interested in this thing. When I first read it, I think it's quite absurd. Who would think something like that, right? But when I was halfway reading it. I realized a lot of things. What if there's really a parallel universe out there? What do you think, Csille?"

I started skimming through the pages. At first, I thought it's simply a book about the parallel universe, but I read one paragraph that makes my eyes wide open.

'As a child, I often had these weird dreams. I see people in bizarre clothing. Towering glass and metal buildings everywhere. People are walking fast while looking at an unidentifiable square thing in their hands. I even see someone that looks like they are talking to a person, but no one is around. I also see moving people in a square glass. I remember hearing a person called that place earth. However, I'm not sure about it. This world is different than ours. I thought it's just my imagination, but growing up, I realized maybe this how the parallel universe works.'

"Csille? Are you okay?" Prince Fraser's voice wakes me up from my shock.

I tried to calm myself and nods at him. He cannot see how shocked I was. Is this mean that there's also someone in here that came from the real world? This world is not the earth, and I'm pretty sure it's not. I heard from Fraser that there are only ten kingdoms in this world. The end is just water. Someone also tried to travel around this world, but they didn't find any island other than this. So how? How could that person know earth?

I look at the prince. "I'm okay. I'm just shocked. How could someone think like this?"

Prince Fraser sits beside me and reads through the book too. "But do you believe in parallel universe, Csille?"

I look at the Prince. "Do you?"

Prince Fraser takes the book from my hand and skims through the pages. He then showed me the part where I was reading a while ago. "I don't know why but this part really drawn me. It's probably nice to live in this kind of world. Earth? I think it's really a good name too. How about you? What do you think?"

I want to say that's it's true. That's there's really a world that is called Earth. That I came from it, and this world is just a fictional world only. That I was the one I made it. But every time I'll try to open my mouth, I couldn't move it. It's like someone is controlling it other than me.

"Csille?"

My head shakes on his own. I guess it didn't want me to say something about that I time traveled through space. "I don't know. It's not that I don't believe it. It's just that it's hard to believe on something that you've never seen in the first place or that had never had any evidence for the claim." My mouth also said it on its own. Again? Aside from talking to our maids, I usually don't lose control of my body.

Prince Fraser's shoulders dropped. "I see." He then stands up and puts the book on the bookshelf.

I wanted to take back my words, but my mouth wouldn't let me do it. It remains close.

   Prince Fraser continues to show me his other books. Although I slightly notice that he's disappointed with my answer. He probably thought that I also believe in it. But I really do. It's just that my mouth wouldn't let me say it.

    As a sorry, I volunteered to make his tea. He was shocked when he heard it. Because he thought I don't know anything about it.

    "Hey! I know how to brew tea. I also know how to cook. You should see me cooking. You will be amaze for sure." I said while I was brewing his tea. We're currently in the palace kitchen. The kitchen is enormous. You could probably make a room out of it.

    Prince Fraser only laughs at me and messes my hair. "Okay, okay, I believe you. However, you need to cook something for me to fully believe it, okay?"

   I just smiled at him and busied myself brewing. In the corner of my eyes, I could see a few maids poking their heads at the entrance of the kitchen. I wanted to smile at them, but my eyes glare at them. The maids then immediately leave. I inwardly scold myself, the Csille inside of me. Come on, what did those maids do to you? It's a good thing Prince Fraser didn't see it.

   After a few minutes, I served the tea to the Prince. He smiled at me first before smelling the tea. "It smells good." He then starts to take a sip of it. He closed his eyes for a minute before he opens them just to stare at me. "I like it."

   I feel my face redden, so I just busy myself cleaning the teapots and teacups.

Prince Fraser just laughs at me. "I really like it. I swear."

I just nod my head and leave the kitchen. I put my hand in front of my chest, where my heart is located.

Why are you beating so fast? You got to be kidding me? Did you really like him, Ysavel? Oh gosh! No! He's only nine years old! You're already twenty-three. That's more than half your age. It could pass as your brother already. No! No!

____________

"Count Waltier Lauretré, Countess Marcelle Lauretré, and their only daughter, Csille Lauretré." The announcer said before opening the door to the event.

It's a celebration banquet for a successful peaceful negotiation with the Aeslaerean Kingdom. The Aeslaerean Kingdom is the neighboring Kingdom of Vrawyth. It's also their rival Kingdom. Among the ten Kingdoms present in this world. Vrawyth and Aeslaerean are the two strongest Kingdom. And because of it, these two Kingdom often fight for the strongest Kingdom spot. Today, they announce a peace treaty for ten years.

Every noble family and people that have a position in the monarchy are invited to the celebration banquet. Since the Lauretré family is considered as the highest noble family, we're invited.

A palace servant guides us to our table. My father greets other family heads and left us at the table for a while.

"Csille, I'm going to greet other noble family wives. You stay here, okay?"

    I just nodded at my mother and smiled. Aside from celebration, noble family heads take this opportunity to start a connection with other families. The celebration would begin in an hour from now. So, the nobles start to gather around first to talk about some things. My father is already busy talking with monarch officials. My mother also joins the conversation of some noble's wives. At the same time, the children of the nobles are left alone at their tables. Some got bored and started to play around.

   I was busy observing everything when the announcer announced that a new guest comes. It's probably one of the noble families again.

   "King Thoumassin Saintizin, Queen Roesia Saintizin and the Crown Princess Paislee Saintizin of Aeslaerean Kingdom."

I immediately stand up from my seat. How? The door opens, and the Queen and King of Aeslaerean walk in. Behind their back, the nine year old Crown Princess Paislee follows.

Why? I don't understand. I didn't write this scene. Prince Fraser and Princess Paislee weren't supposed to meet in childhood. But why?

I immediately look around to search for Prince Fraser, but I saw him looking at Princess Paislee for a minute and then turn his head away like he didn't care. It wasn't supposed to be like this. He shouldn't meet her as Princess Paislee.

I look around and find people admiringly staring at Crown Princess Paislee. Who wouldn't? Crown Princess Paislee is really a beautiful girl. She has blonde curly long hair. Her clear blue eyes really catch people's attention. Her small face makes her face looks like a doll. Her dress also highlighted her facial features making her the most beautiful girl tonight.

    She's stunning. I didn't know she's this beautiful. If Csille is considered the most beautiful girl here in Vrawyth. Paislee could be compared to Csille, but Paislee has a very noble aura with her.

    The King and Queen of Vrawyth welcomed them and led them in front. King Thoumassin sits beside the King while Queen is talking to Queen Roesia. Prince Fraser and Princess Paislee are seated beside each other.

   The nobles and the officials become silent. They are just looking at the Queen and King of the Two Kingdoms. Probably in awe how fitting these two family looks like. It's also been more than a decade now that these two Kingdom sits beside each other.

   It's really great news that a peace treaty has been formed, but ten years from now, what will happen? I think about the scene after Prince Fraser knew Princess Paislee's disguise. It's the last part I wrote. What will happen after? Will these two leads end up in war?

    After a few moments of silence, the King officially announced the beginning of the banquet. Many noble families pay their respect to both royalties of the two Kingdoms. My mother called me so we could pay our respect.

   "Greetings, your majesty. Count Waltier Lauretré pays his respect to his majesty." My father bowed at the king and looked at the Queen. "Her majesty and your majesty Crown Prince Fraser."

    The Queen and the King just nod at my father. My father also greats the King and Queen of Aeslaerean Kingdom. My mother and I just did a curtsy and bowed.

    The King just waved his hand and asked my father to walk in front of him. The King patted my father's shoulder and laughed. "King Thoumassin, this is my most trusted subordinate, Waltier Lauretré the Count of Vrawyth Kingdom." My father bowed at King Thoumassin, and they talked something about the peace treaty.

    The Queen then asked my mother to accompany her to talk with Queen Roesia. Leaving me, Prince Fraser, and Princess Paislee behind.

   "Prince Fraser accompany Princess Paislee with Csille. Queen Roesia, Countess Marcelle, and I need to talk about something."

   Prince Fraser nodded at the Queen. "Yes, mother."

    I just bowed my head at Prince Fraser and Princess Paislee. I couldn't still believe I am standing in front of my lead characters. The only thing is, I am in the body of the villainess character.

   Prince Fraser stands up from his seat and walks towards me. I moved my gaze away from him and pretended that I'm looking at the children playing around.

  "What are you doing there?" He blocked my view and lifted my head. "Let's tour Princess Paislee around the Palace." Prince Fraser holds my hands and pulled me towards the seat of Princess Paislee.

   Princess Paislee looks at both of us. She then moves her gaze at me and smiles. "You must be Csille Lauretré? The most beautiful girl in the Kingdom of Vrawyth."

  I shake my head at Princess Paislee. "This Count's daughter don't dare to say so." I bowed my head at her. "Greetings to Crown Princess Paislee."

   The Princess just smiled and waved her hands. "Just call me Paislee. I've heard things about you. Finally, I met you. Can we be friends?"

   I look at her and Prince Fraser. Prince Fraser just nods at me.

   "It wouldn't appropriate for me to do so. You're the Crown Princess of the Kingdom of Aeslaerean, and I'm just a Count's daughter."

    Princess Paislee pouts at me and stands up from her seat. She walks in front of me and hugs me. "Be my friend, please?"