Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 346  : The Price of Being a Royalty

 "Your highness, may I know the reason why we are here? Are you meeting some nobles? Should I order dishes for—"

 My eyes widen when I recognize the owner of the voice. It's Princess Paislee! And she is with Prince Fraser.

 Although the rooms have enough distance from each other, we can still hear their conversation because their voices are quite loud. Not the shout kind of voice. It was just that these two were used to speaking loudly, and they probably didn't control their voices because they thought there was no one around.

 I look at Rufus and see him listening intently to the conversation between Prince Fraser and Princess Paislee.  So, the reason why Rufus invited me for dinner is because of this? And here I thought something terrible had happened.  I heave a sigh. I want to be mad at him for involving me in this, but I know Rufus only needs someone who can support him. So, how can I be mad?  Even if I had a lot of things to say to Rufus, I just remained quiet and listened to Prince Fraser and Princess Paislee's conversation. I also want to know what they are talking about.  "...Sir Farren, have you experienced being confused with your feelings?"

 I raised my eyebrow when I heard Prince Fraser's question. Confused with his feelings? Is he talking about himself? But why would he even be confused? Or is he talking about the fact that he is falling in love with someone whom he thought was a man?

 I feel Rufus hold my hand tightly. Even his body becomes rigid when he hears Prince Fraser's question. Is he worried that Prince Fraser will confess to Princess Paislee?

 Silence is the only thing we can hear outside. Princess Paislee is probably still thinking of the right words to say to Prince Fraser.

 "Your highness, I apologize, but I never experienced that. However, may I know why you are asking that question? But I'm not forcing you if you don't want to talk abou—"

 "I think I'm liking someone."

 My eyes widen. Will he confess now? But isn't that too early for him to do that? If he does, I'm sure Princess Paislee will be spooked, and if that happens, I'm afraid it will be too difficult for me to keep her in the Vrawyth Kingdom.  I try to get away from Rufus, but Rufus hugs me tightly to keep me in place. He then looks at me and shakes his head. As if asking me to stop what I am doing or else the two will notice our presence.

 If we are in a different situation, I will follow him, but this is a matter of everyone's safety. I cannot let Prince Fraser confess to Princess Paislee, or else it might ruin everything. I didn't sacrifice a lot of things in the past just to end up being stuck in Cosmo.

 I shake my head at Rufus. I try my best to get away from him, but every time I will move, he will hug me tighter. Leaving me no choice but just stare at him.

 "Csille, please keep still. We cannot let them know we are here." Rufus whispered to my ears.

 I shake my head at Rufus. "What do you want me to do? To keep still while my fiancé is..." I didn't finish my words and just shake my head.

 I forgot. Rufus thinks I don't know the real identity of Princess Paislee. It will not be good if I continue what I want to say.  Rufus frowns and is about to say something when Princess Paislee suddenly speaks.

 "Isn't that great? If you like Dame Csille, wouldn't that be good? After all, you will soon be engaged with each other."

 I almost rolled my eyes when I heard what Princess Paislee said. Did she really think Prince Fraser likes me? She has seen with her own eyes how Prince Fraser treats me. So, I don't understand why did she come up with the idea that Prince Fraser was talking about me.  I feel Rufus' body relaxed a bit after hearing what Princess Paislee said. Probably because he thinks the same way as Princess Paislee. I look at Rufus as if asking if he is serious. He knows what happened to me and Prince Fraser these past few months. How can he think like that?

 I was about to whisper something to him when Prince Fraser suddenly spoke again.

 "What if..." he paused for a few seconds. "What if I have feelings for someone else and not with Csille?"

 I smile bitterly. I know he doesn't like me but to even ask that in front of Princess Paislee is like a slap on my face. Why does he need to mention my name? He could have just told Princess Paislee that he likes her. Why does he need to mention my name?  Rufus frowns. He then looks at me. I can see in his eyes the fury he is feeling for Prince Fraser. "Csille..."

 I smile bitterly at him and shake my head. I already see this coming, so it doesn't hurt that much. Also, I already know that the only feelings Prince Fraser can feel about me is hatred. Not love or even like.  "Your highness! How can you ask that kind of question? Is this a joke? You are joking, right? How can... how can you have feelings for someone else aside from Dame Csille?"

 I raised my eyebrow. Does Princess Paislee think that Prince Fraser will have feelings for me? Isn't she thinking highly of me?  "That was just a hypothetical question. Do you think if I like someone else, that person will like me?" I can hear a tinge of vulnerability in Prince Fraser's voice.  Of course you she will. You will even end up being married to each other.  "Is he going to do it? How can he confess his feelings to her?" I heard Rufus whisper to himself. He probably forgot that he was hugging me. That's why he said those words.

 I raised my eyebrow and looked at him, who was now glaring in the direction of the room of Prince Fraser and Princess Paislee.  "What did you say? Confess his feelings to her? Who is the her you are referring to, Rufus? Because I couldn't see any woman here."

 Rufus slowly looks at me with his tense expression. He stares at me for a couple of seconds before he heaves a sigh. "What are you saying? I didn't say anything like that. Maybe you were just hearing things."

 I raised my eyebrow at him. "Are you saying that I am making things here? Because I am definitely sure, I hear you say something, Rufus. And don't try to deny it. Just like you, I know when you are lying or not. So, just don't."

 Rufus is about to say something when Prince Fraser suddenly speaks again. "What do you think, Sir Farren? Do you think that person will like me?"

 I look at Rufus and shake my head. Forget it! Why do I need to pressure him if I already know the truth?

 I try to break from his hug, and he lets me go. I sit on the chair and start to pour tea on my teacup.  We are here to have dinner, so why would we only stand the whole time? I am also sure Prince Fraser doesn't have enough courage to confess his feelings to Princess Paislee because if he had, he would have confessed to her earlier. But he didn't. He still goes around the bushes and expects Princess Paislee to get the hint. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

 I roll my eyes and take a sip of my tea. He's really dense and a sucker when it comes to love. Does he really think his relationship with Princess Paislee will improve if he keeps doing that?  I was about to take another sip, but my hand froze when I heard what Princess Paislee said. "I don't think there is someone who will like a person who is already committed to someone else. Even if you're still not officially engaged with Dame Csille, it is still a known fact that you are soon to be engaged with her. So, if I were you, I would just focus on my fiancée. It will only bring chaos to the whole Vrawyth Kingdom if you break your engagement with Dame Csille. And you also know how much you will lose if you lose the support of the Lauretré Family."

 I frown. What she said was the right thing to do, but this is not what I have written. Princess Paislee should have advised Prince Fraser that if he wants to pursue the girl, he should break his engagement with me. So, I don't understand what is happening.  I look at Rufus, who has calmed down already. He was probably relieved to hear Princess Paislee say those words because it's like an indirect way of saying that Princess Paislee won't like Prince Fraser.

 A moment after, we heard someone laugh. It's not the kind of happy laugh but an empty laugh. I can definitely picture Prince Fraser right now.

 How does it feel to get hurt by someone you like, your highness? Does it hurt? Are you in pain now?  "You are right. I couldn't afford to like anyone else besides Csille because if I did, it would only bring chaos to the whole Kingdom. But then what about me, Sir Farren? How about my feelings? How about what I want for my life? Should I just set it aside?"

 I smile bitterly before I take a sip of my tea. Don't worry, Fraser. Soon things will favor your way. You don't need to worry about chaos, because it is not you who will bring chaos to the Vrawyth Kingdom.  "Your highness, you cannot forget that you are the Crown Prince of the Vrawyth Kingdom. And it is part of your responsibility to think of the better good of the people. Even if it means you will neglect your own desire. Isn't that what his majesty has taught you ever since you were young? That is the price you need to face for being a part of the royal family."

 Prince Fraser laughs again, but a moment after, we hear a sob. My eyes widened when I heard that.  Prince Fraser is crying? He is crying because he cannot have Princess Paislee?  I smile bitterly. I felt my heart aches when I heard him sob. It hurts. It hurts to hear him say that he wants to be with her instead of me. Am I really nothing to him that he is crying in front of her because he cannot break his engagement with me?  "The price of being a royalty?" He laughs again. "But I never ask to be a royalty. Ever since I was young, I have lived a life where I don't have much freedom. That I should consider people's words before I do something. I rarely feel happy, and when I find the only source of my happiness, they want me to cut her out of my life? How I wish I could be Prince Rufus. He doesn't need to worry about what will other people say about him. He also doesn't need to worry about whom he would like to get married with. He has the freedom I couldn't have."

 I look at Rufus, and I find him smiling bitterly while staring in the direction of Prince Fraser's room. I can also see how his jaw tightens. He is mad.  Does Prince Fraser think Rufus' life is all rainbows and butterflies? If he only knew how much Rufus needed to suffer ever since he was young. He wouldn't probably say those words.

 "Your highness, please don't say that. I'm sure his highness, Prince Rufus, wouldn't like it if he hears you say that."

 I look at dishes in front of the table and busy myself eating. I just mute my surroundings because I don't want to get hurt anymore. I have heard enough things today