Why Did I Become the Villainess?

381  : Marriage?

 I can see a tinge of anxiety in Father's eyes, but he remains calm on the outside. He let the Butler takes a few deep breaths first before he asks him questions. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

 "What happened?"

 The Butler anxiously looks inside our house before he answers Father. "Someone from the royal family is here."

 Everyone got silent when they heard what the Butler said. Although I don't see any changes in their expressions, I can see the visible anxiety in their eyes.  We are all anxious about the news this certain someone will bring to us. Although I know there is nothing I should worry about, I couldn't help but feel anxious too.

 What does the royal family want from us? Is it from Prince Fraser again?

 Father nods his head. "What's the purpose of their visit here?"

 The Butler shakes his head. "Apologies, Count, but he wouldn't say anything to me. He said he will only state his purpose unless it was you, who he is talking to."

 Father stares back at Mother before he walks inside. Brother Pascal immediately follows inside while Mother and I are left outside.

 I look at Mother. Even if I wanted to go inside, I couldn't do anything because Mother was holding my hand tightly.  "Mother, why don't we go inside too? I want to know what that person wants from us."

 But instead of letting me in, she just shakes her head. "No, my dear. Let your Father and Brother talk to them first."

 I know they are only doing this to protect me from getting hurt. But I really want to know what does the Royal family wants from us.  "But Mother..."

 I wasn't able to finish what I wanted to say because Mother stared at me coldly. That's a sign for me to keep quiet.

 Mother rarely gets mad at me, and if she does, it is usually difficult to reconcile with her. So, Csille usually keeps quiet after Mother stares at her like that.

 Mother and I stay outside for a couple of minutes before a man, who looks like a knight of the royal family, gets out of our house. He was startled when he saw us, but he bowed his head after. "Good evening, Countess and Dame Csille."

 Mother just nods her head at him and ignores him. So, even if I wanted to ask about his purpose for coming here, I couldn't because Mother had already ignored him.

 I think I just have to wait for Father to tell us what happened.

 A few minutes after, Father and Brother Pascal get out of the house too. Mother immediately rushed to Father to ask him what had happened. "My dear, what do they want from us?"

 Father heaves a sigh and stares at me before he answers Mother. "The King and the Queen want to talk to us regarding what happened at the Banquet. We will be leaving to the Palace now."

 I felt my hand tremble when I heard what Father said. The King and the Queen want to talk to us? But what do they want to talk about? Will they say sorry for what happened, or will they force the Lauretré Family to support the royal family?

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 The four of us, Mother, Father, Brother Pascal, and I, bow our heads and greets the King and Queen. Prince Fraser, who has a blank expression on his face, is sitting beside the Queen and the King.

 His Majesty heaves a sigh and waves his hand at us. "You can all stand up, and please be seated."

 We are currently in the Palace's receiving area to have a conversation with the King and Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom.

 Father stood up and helped Mother, while Brother Pascal was the one who helped me. After settling down on the sofa, we all wait for his majesty to talk.  I know my parents are dying to know the purpose of why we are here. But despite that, they remain quiet because it would be rude to talk first before a royalty.

 The room becomes silent for a whole minute before His Majesty says something.  "I have brewed tea just now. Do you want to have a taste?" He then looks at me and smiles. "Although my tea can't be compared to Dame Csille's tea, I think it is still bearable."

 His Majesty lifts the teapot and looks at us. "Tea?"

 Father takes a teacup with his two hands and brings it close to His Majesty. "Yes, please."

 Mother and Brother Pascal follow what Father did and wait for his majesty to pour tea into their teacups.

 I heave a sigh, take a teacup and wait for his majesty to pour tea into my teacup. After his majesty filled the cup of Mother, Father, and Brother Pascal, he just looked at me and put the teapot down. He then looks back at Prince Fraser, who is sitting beside Her Majesty, Queen Amalone.  "My son, why don't you pour tea to Dame Csille's teacup?"

 My hand trembled a little when I heard what King Simmond said. What? Why does he want Prince Fraser to pour tea on my teacup if he could do it on his own?  I was about to put the teacup down when Prince Fraser lifted the teapot. I just stare at him, dumbfounded by what he is planning to do. I want to take my hand away, but it would be rude if I did that. So, I have no choice but to just wait for Prince Fraser to pour tea into my teacup.

 Prince Fraser stares at me for a couple of seconds before he pours tea into my teacup. With a trembling hand, I take a sip of my tea and try to minimize my presence here.

 Everyone enjoys a cup of tea for a couple of minutes before his Majesty looks at us and heaves a sigh.  "I know you are all wondering why I call you here." He takes a deep breath before he continues what he says. "I know you were all disappointed with what my son did at the Banquet. I know that is not what we have talked about, and I also know how it greatly affects not just the reputation of the Lauretré Family but also the reputation of Dame Csille. So, I call you here to formally apologize for what happened. My son didn't inform me of his decision, so I wasn't able to warn you about what will happen. So, I hope you can forgive us."

 I remain quiet and just wait for my parents' response. I think it is best if I just let them respond to what His majesty said.  I heard Father takes a deep breath. "Your Majesty, we respect his highness's decision, and I understand if he would want to marry someone else. However, we don't understand how he would publicly embarrass my own daughter? He could have told us privately. We wouldn't complain and respect his decision but to announce it in front of the guests from other Kingdoms? Isn't that an insult to my daughter? Who would marry her after what happened? I'm sure everyone will be—"

 Father wasn't able to continue what he said because Prince Fraser interrupted him.

 "I apologize for my rude behavior, and I admit I was wrong when I didn't inform you beforehand. However, if you are worried about Dame Csille's marriage, I know someone who will agree to marry her."

 I immediately looked at Prince Fraser when I heard what he said.

 I know he isn't my male lead, but I couldn't help but feel betrayed. He knows Csille had a huge crush on him every since they were young.  And him, talking about Csille's marriage is something I couldn't believe. How can he talk like this, as if he wasn't the reason why Csille would be having marriage problems in the future? How can he talk as if he didn't break Csille's heart?

 I stared at Prince Fraser and made sure he saw the pain I was feeling right now. I want him to know how much pain he is inflecting me right now.  This is utterly an insult not just to Csille's feelings but also to her womanhood. How can he just matchmake her to someone carelessly?  His Majesty's eyes widened, and he slammed his hand on the table. "Fraser! I didn't raise you to be a rude person. How can you say that to the Count and Countess? Apologize right now."

 Prince Fraser put his teacup down and looked at the King calmly. "Father, what did I say wrong? The Count is worried about Dame Csille having trouble with her future marriage. I was just merely suggesting someone whom I sure will agree to marry her. Wouldn't that be a solution to their problem?"

 The Queen, who is sitting beside Prince Fraser, shakes her head. She looks like she wants to say something, but because the King is so enraged now, she doesn't say anything.

 I look at my parents and Brother Pascal and find them having difficulty controlling their expressions. I even see my Father smiling sourly at Prince Fraser.

 A moment after, he stands up and bows his head. "Your Majesty, we came here as a respect for the throne. However, if Prince Fraser will continue to disrespect my daughter like that, it's better if we leave already. I know you are the royal family, but I will never let anyone disrespect my only daughter. So, please excuse us." Father looks at us and urges us to stand up.

 However, the King and the Queen immediately try to stop us. "Count, please calm down. My son is at fault, and I will make sure to make him apologize to Csille. I have seen Dame Csille grow up. I even consider her as my daughter, so how can I let this pass?"

 The King then looks at Prince Fraser, who is now casually sipping his tea. It's as if, he didn't cause a commotion just now.  "Fraser! What are you doing there? Go on and apologize to Csille. That is not the right thing to say to a lady."

 Prince Fraser put down his teacup again and looked at the King. "Father, what did I say wrong? Marrying that person will also make Dame Csille and Astalieu. It means she will still become a part of the royal family, and I'm sure Prince Rufus will not mistreat Csille. Everyone knows how Csille and Prince Ru—"

 I couldn't bear to hear what Prince Fraser wanted to say, so I stood up and smiled bitterly at him. "Your highness, I appreciate your concern about my marriage. However, please don't disrespect my own feelings. I know you don't have feelings for me, and I understand that. But do you really need to do this? You know what's my relationship with your cousin, and you also know he likes someone else. How can you push me to someone as if I am not a person who doesn't have emotions?" I shake my head. "I beg my family to keep supporting you despite what happened, but don't make me regret that decision. Please don't make me hate you."

 I look at the King and Queen, who are now staring at me with worry. I bow my head at them. "Forgive me, your majesty, but I couldn't bear to stay longer in this palace. Thank you for receiving us. Please excuse me."

 After I said those words, I immediately left the receiving area. I heard Mother and Father call for me, but I couldn't care less. Right now, I just want to run away from the palace. From this place that brought pain to Csille. Not just once but a couple of times already.

 It hurts. I know Prince Fraser will push Csille away from him. I have already seen that coming, but I didn't expect he would matchmake Rufus with me.  To Rufus, who I grew up with. To Rufus, who I treat like my older Brother.  I laugh bitterly. I think I understand now why he did that because if Rufus got married to me, then he wouldn't need to worry about Rufus taking away Princess Paislee away from him. He wouldn't also need to worry about not getting support from the Lauretré Family because once I got married to Rufus, it also means I would be an Astalieu too. That will leave no choice for my parents to support him.

 You are really a heartless man, Fraser. I couldn't believe I had fallen in love with someone like you. Someone who thinks of himself only.  All you ever think about is yourself. But what about me, Fraser? What about what I feel?