Why Did I Become the Villainess?

356 Preparation

I woke up early today to make sure that everything is okay in the Foundation. Even my employees woke up earlier just so they could help with the preparation.

We just finished cleaning every nook and cranny to make sure that everything will be pleasing to the eyes. We also change the curtains into a much more elegant style but still simple since we don't want to make those people asking for help feel the gap between the Foundation and them.

I always make sure before that those people won't feel uncomfortable when they come here. Instead, I want them to feel like they are at home. That's why most of the designs are just minimalist. Even the paintings on the wall were donated by a small local artist in the capital.

However, today is a special day. So we need to change a couple of things in the Foundation.

"Be careful with the couch. Yes, put it right there." I heard Lilla say to the people moving the couch.

I also decided to change some furniture into more elegant ones to fit Prince Christofre's status. I don't want him to think that I didn't do anything to welcome him.

I was busy looking around when I felt something tugs my skirt. I look down and find Cairistine staring at me. "Dame Csille, why are you changing the decorations? Is there an event today?" She then looks at the people putting the carpet in the lobby. "They are even using the carpet today. Haven't you told them before not to bring out the carpet?"

I look at the people putting the carpet now. Cairistine was right. I told them before not to use the carpet because all of our carpets scream wealth. I know those people wouldn't dare to walk on those carpets. So, to avoid that situation, I decided to just put away the carpet and just stick with the marble floor. Although there are still some people who refuse to walk on those marble floors.

I guess they were afraid of touching anything expensive because some nobles are condescending when it comes to interacting with the poor or people below them. It's probably the reason why they are careful around things that are expensive, afraid that if they break those, I will make them pay for it.

I gently caress Cairistine's head and smile at her. "Cairistine, you know the Aeslaerean Kingdom, right?"

She then nods her head at my question. "Mother told me they were the nemesis of the Vrawyth Kingdom."

I smile at her. "The Crown Prince of the Aeslaerean Kingdom will visit the Foundation today. It's the reason why we are rearranging things here because we don't want to make him disappointed."

Cairistine's widens in horror before she hides behind my back. "Dame Csille, are they planning to do something with the Foundation? Shouldn't we escape already?"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

I chuckled at Cairistine's reaction. Mairenn probably informs her that there's a big possibility that the Aeslaerean Kingdom will wage war against us in the future.

I hold Cairistine's hand that is wrapped tightly around my legs before I go down and stare at her eyes. "Cairistine, calm down. He is only here to visit us. Don't worry. He wouldn't do anything to anyone here, okay? Trust me. I wouldn't let him harm anyone. Especially you," I tap her nose using my pointing finger. "Also, his highness, Prince Fraser, will be here with us to protect us. So, you don't have to be afraid, okay? Nothing bad will happ-"

I wasn't able to continue what I wanted to say when someone interrupted me. "And I am also here to protect you."

Cairistine's eyes widen in glee when she sees Rufus.

"Prince Rufus!" She then rushes to him and asks for a hug.

I stand up and look at Rufus and Cairistine. I didn't know these two were close to each other.

I heave a sigh and walk toward them. "Are you still afraid, Cairistine?"

She then looked up at me and gave me a big smile before she shook her head. "I am not afraid anymore, Dame Csille."

I gently caress her head. "Good girl. But can you do me a favor? Can you promise me not to act like that around Prince Christofre? We don't want to make him feel insulted. Is that okay?"

Cairistine nods her head. She then excused herself and ran somewhere else.

"She's really a bright child. It's a good thing you saw him, Csille. If not, I'm afraid some nobleman might get interested in her."

I grimace at Rufus' remarks. We both know how disgusting some noblemen can be. They all act pure and honest in front of the public, but behind closed doors, they exploit people.

I shake my head and look at Rufus. "Isn't this too early for the visit? What are you doing here, Rufus?"

Rufus puts his arm around my shoulders. "Of course, I came here to help. I know all of you will be busy with the preparation." He then looks around. "What do you want me to do?"

I look around, trying to find Lilla. She's the one who knows what Rufus can do. I was about to search for her when unexpected guests came in.

I feel Rufus' arm that is on my shoulders become rigid when he sees the people walk into the Foundation.

"Dame Csille, we are here to help with the preparation. We heard you all wake up early to prepare for Prince

Christofre's visit. So, we decided to come and offer help. What can we help?"

I look at Princess Paislee, who speak just now, before I look at Prince Fraser standing beside her. Then I look at Prince Joachim, who is beside Prince Fraser.

I heave a sigh. Great! Why do they always appear when I don't want to? Is this some curse?

I had just finished helping with the preparation of the food when I bumped into the royalties. The three Princes and Princess Paislee were currently moving a furniture, but it seemed like they were arguing over it.

"Prince Fraser, I think this furniture looks better in the bedroom rather than in the receiving area. It doesn't mix well with the colors used in receiving area." Rufus complain.

They are currently arranging things in the guests room. I asked them to change some furniture to more elegant ones so even if Prince Christofre decided to stay here for a while, he would still feel comfortable.

However, I think it's a bad idea to make these three Princes work together. They haven't even worked for an hour, but look what is already happening.

I shake my head and just watch them for a little while. I'll interrupt them if I think things don't work well between the three. For now, things aren't that bad. So, I'm just going to watch on the sideline and see how things will progress.

Prince Fraser frowns at Rufus. "Are you saying I am wrong? That I don't have eyes?" He snaps at Rufus. 

I shake my head and watch the two Astalieus Princes have a staring competition. I softly chuckle when I see how they are acting. These two and their tempers. They are really blood related.

"That is not what I mean, your highness. I just don't think the design of this furniture will suit the receiving area. I think it's best if we put it in the bedroom."

Prince Fraser glares at Rufus. "We will put this furniture in the receiving area because I say so. It looks better there than in the bedroom. Can't you see it matches the furniture in the receiving area? Unlike in the bedroom where the main color used was darker colors."

Prince Joachim, who was quiet the whole time, suddenly spoke. "I think it's better if we put down the furniture before we decide where we will put it."

Prince Fraser and Rufus both look at Prince Joachim before they agree to put it down. However, it seems like the argument isn't still finished. They still argue about where to put the furniture. Prince Fraser is insisting on putting it in the receiving area, while Rufus is insisting on putting it in the bedroom.

Princess Paislee, who was watching on the sideline, couldn't help but stop the two Princes. She probably had enough of their petty arguments.

"Your highness, Prince Fraser and Prince Rufus, I don't think we will solve anything if you continue arguing like this. It's just a simple table. Do you really need to argue over it?" She then heaves a sigh before she looks at Prince Fraser and Rufus. "How about this? I have seen another table that looks like this in the storage. Why don't we just bring that one out too so we can both have a bedside table in the bedroom and a center table in the reception area? Is that okay?"

I raised my eyebrow when I heard what Princess Paislee said. She is really worthy of being the Crown Princess of the Aeslaerean Kingdom. She is decisive and knows how to turn the situation around.

Prince Fraser and Rufus just stare at Princess Paislee before they nod their head in reluctance. Then they glare at each other for a few seconds before they lift the furniture.

With just a simple sentence from Princess Paislee, the two Princes manage to make a compromise.

However, a second hasn't passed when they start arguing again. This time, they are arguing about where to put the table. Rufus is insisting on putting the table in the bedroom first and bring out the other table for the receiving area. But Prince Fraser is also insisting to put it in the receiving area.

Princess Paislee looks at the two Princes helplessly. She probably couldn't take how childish they were.

I chuckled and walked toward them. Rufus and Prince Fraser immediately stopped their arguments when they heard my chuckle. "It seems like you are having fun here. Is everything okay?"

Rufus rolled his eyes when he heard what I said. While Princess Paislee immediately walks toward me. "Dame Csille, his highness Prince Fraser and Prince Rufus are arguing where to put the table. I-"

I shake my head at Princess Paislee. "I know what happened. I have seen how these two argue over such a small matter."

I look at Prince Fraser's guard, who is standing still on the side. "Excuse me, can you please do me a favor? Please take the other table that looks like this in the storage."

The guards look at Prince Fraser. As if asking for permission if he can follow what I have ordered to him. Prince Fraser frowned when he noticed the guard looking at him. "Haven't you heard what my fiancée said? Bring out the other table in the storage room."

I immediately looked at Prince Fraser when I heard him referred me as his fiancée in front of Princess Paislee. It was the first time I had heard him call me like that. However, I don't understand why he would call me that way? Is it to make Prince Joachim believe that everything is okay between us? But haven't Prince Joachim witnessed how the two of us fight? So, it doesn't make sense.

The guard bows his head at Prince Fraser. "As you order, your highness." He then rushes to the storage room.

I look at the two Princes after. Although my heart is beating fast right now. I need to act like I didn't hear anything. I need to act as if what he has said just now is something that doesn't matter to me.

"To avoid any arguments. Why don't you let this table alone first and do other things? Also, can the two of you do a different task? We won't be able to finish everything if you continue arguing over such a small matter."

The two Princes look like they want to say something to me, but because I look sharply at them, they just remain quiet.

I look at Princess Paislee. "Sir Farren, can you do me a favor? Can you assign different tasks to these two Princes? I won't be able to watch them all the time because I am busy too. So, to avoid anyone from arguing, assign them tasks that are far from each other. You can stay with his highness, Prince Fraser, and you," I look at Rufus. "You stay with Prince Joachim."

After I get a nod from Princess Paislee, I immediately get out of the guests room. I still have other things I need to take care of today.

I groan. It's just the start of the day, but I'm already tired.