Why Did I Become the Villainess?

383  : Invitation from the Palace

 I walk outside the guest room that Mister Sewell assigned to me. It's past midnight already, and I still couldn't sleep a wink. So, I decided to take a breather first.

 I probably need time to think about what is currently happening and what will happen in the future.  I sit on the bench in the pavilion where I can watch the sakura tree. I heave a sigh of satisfaction when I see the sakura tree under the moonlight.

 It looks so beautiful and majestic.  I wish my life could be like this Sakura tree. Beautiful and at peace. It would be great if that is the case, but I know sooner or later, Mister Sewell will turn Csille into the villainess.

 I lay on the bench and relaxed. I think I need to relax my nerves so I can think properly.

 I don't even know how to face my parents after this. I'm sure they were worried about me, and I'm sure they were mad at Prince Fraser.  I smile bitterly. "That Prince..." I shake my head out of frustration. "I tried so hard to convince my parents to continue supporting him. Why does he need to say those things in front of them? I'm sure my parents are enraged at him now. What should I do?"

 I heave a sigh. Now I have another problem because of this so-called male lead.  I groan and just close my eyes. I'll just find a way on how to deal with it tomorrow. Even if I need to convince my parents the whole day, I will do that.

 I decided to stay on the bench for a couple of minutes, but I didn't realize I had fallen asleep on it. I only woke up when I felt myself floating.  My body immediately jerks, and I hold on tightly to anything my hand reaches. I slowly open my eyes and find Mister Sewell carrying me.  He looks down at me and apologetically smiles. "Apologies, you were so deep in your sleep, and I didn't have the guts to wake you up. So I was planning to return you to the guest room."

 My eyes immediately widened when I realized our current situation. I immediately move my feet. "Mister Sewell, you can put me down now."

 Mister Sewell slowly put me down. He then bows his head at me. "Apologies, I know what I did is not right. I just couldn't bear to see you sleep on that wooden bench."

 This world is still conservative, and any interaction between a gentleman and a lady is observed. What he did just now is something inappropriate.

 A gentleman carrying an unmarried lady is something not appropriate, especially if they are not engaged with each other or related to each other. And I don't have any relation with him. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

 This shouldn't happen. I take a step back. "I need to leave now, Mister Sewell."

 I don't know how to react to what he said, so I would rather leave now.  Mister Sewell stares at me for a couple of seconds before I hear him sigh. "If that is what you want, I will respect that, but I hope you understand that I only want to take you back to your room and nothing else. I didn't have any ulterior motive when I befriended you, Dame Csille. You also shouldn't worry. I only have one person in my heart. I'm sure you know who that person is. You have probably heard about it, right?"

 Only one person in his heart? Of course, I know that. Everyone in the Vrawyth Kingdom knows about it.  Mister Sewell used to have a childhood sweetheart, and they were just waiting for the announcement of their engagement. However, things didn't go as they planned because some noble got interested in her childhood sweetheart. That noble is a close ally of the Astalieus. King Simmond was the one who personally asked the family of Mister Sewell's sweetheart if they could marry their child to the noble. In the end, the family didn't have any choice but to marry off their daughter despite her disagreement.

 So, I am definitely sure that this Mister Sewell will not have any intentions for me.  I bow my head. "I know, Mister Sewell. However, I need to return home now. I'm sure my parents are worried about me already. I hope you also understand."

 Mister Sewell stares at me before he nods his head. "I hope you don't misunderstand me, Dame Csille. I don't really have any—"

 I didn't let him finish what he said and interrupted him. "Mister Sewell, you don't have to worry. I know you don't have any other intentions. I just need to go home now because I'm sure my family is dead worried about me now. So, can you please take me home?"

 Mister heaves a sigh before he snaps his finger. Allan, who is one of the guards of Mister Sewell, comes out of nowhere. He bows his head at Mister Sewell. "Master?"

 Mister Sewell looks at Allan. "Allan, can you send Dame Csille to the Lauretré residence? Make sure no one will recognize you or see you sending Dame Csille home. Do you understand?"

 Allan nods his head. "Yes, Master. I will do as you say." He then looks at me. "Dame Csille, please follow me."

 I look at Mister Sewell first and bow my head. "Thank you for letting me stay here, Mister Sewell. I will be leaving then." I bow at him again before I follow Allan.

 I heave a sigh when I step my foot outside of Mister Sewell's cabin. I finally got away from him. If I only didn't have a choice last night, I wouldn't have stayed here for the whole night.

 "Dame Csille, I hope you didn't misunderstand what my master did. He only wants to make you comfortable. When we arrived here, he got mad at the maids because they allowed you to sleep at the pavilion. He initially planned to just let you, but when he noticed how uncomfortable you look like, he decided to carry you back to the guest room. But he doesn't have any plan to do anything bad to you. So, I hope you understand Dame Csille."

 I look at Allan. Of course, he won't. I have written Mister Sewell, and I know his history. His love for his beloved will remain until his last breath. So, I know what they said is true, but I still couldn't help but feel uncomfortable with what happened.

 I just smile reassuringly at Allan and look outside the window. I better think of a way how I will explain to my parents where I went last night. I'm sure they were worried about me already.

________________________________

 I frowned when I didn't see anyone waiting for me in the receiving area. I thought they would sleep here like they did last time.

 I walk to our kitchen to look for our Butler to ask him. But I was startled when I bumped into one of our maids. She looks like she is in a rush. That's why she couldn't avoid me in time while I, on the other hand, didn't expect she would come out of nowhere. It's a good thing we were able to maintain our balance, so no one got hurt.

 The maid looks at me wide-eyed. She looks like she was shocked to see me here. "Miss! You are finally back! Do you know how much you made us worried? It's good that you are back!"

 I frowned when I noticed the hint of urgency and relief in her voice. I can understand the relief but the urgency?  Did something happen while I was away?

 I observed the maid and noticed that her eyes kept wandering around. It seems like she is anxious over something.

 "Yes, I am back." I look around, trying to see the Butler or anyone from my family. "Where are my parents and Brother Pascal? Why don't I see them? Are they still sleeping?"

 The maid looks at me worriedly for a couple of minutes before she shakes her head. "No, miss. His majesty and her majesty invited the Count and the Countess early this morning. They couldn't refuse because his majesty said they would talk about something important today. Master Pascal comes with them too."

 I frowned when I heard what the maid said. The King asked for my parents again? But what do they want this time? Does he want to ask my father to continue supporting his highness, Prince Fraser?

 My eyes widened when I realized something. Oh no! I'm sure my parents were enraged with what happened last night and his majesty asking them to still support Prince Fraser after what happened last night is like an insult to my parents. There's a huge possibility that my Father will withdraw our support to Prince Fraser.

 I anxiously shake my head. That cannot be! I cannot let that happen.  I immediately look at the maid and hold her arm. "What time did my parents leave?"

 "Half an hour ago, Miss."

 Half an hour ago? Usually, the conversation with the royal family takes up an hour or two. If I rush to the palace, I'm sure I can still convince my parents to continue supporting Prince Fraser.

 "Prepare a carriage for me. I will leave a few moments from now."

 The maid stares at me confusedly. "Miss? Where are you planning to go again? The Countess strictly orders me that once you return, we cannot let you go again." She shakes her head. "Apologies, but I cannot do—"

 I look at her coldly. "I already told you to prepare the carriage. Don't make me repeat myself."

 "But miss..."

 I glare at her. "Don't test my patience. Prepare a carriage for me. I will go to the palace."

 I didn't wait for her response and immediately went straight to my room to change my dress.  It wouldn't be good talking to the King and Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom in the same dress I wore last night. That would be utter disrespect to the royal family.

 I just picked a simple yet elegant dress. I don't want to look like I visited the Palace just to flaunt my beauty.  After making sure that I look presentable already, I immediately get down.  I frown when I see the maid walking back and forth to the receiving area. She only stops walking when she sees me. "Miss, are you sure you will follow the Count and Countess to the Palace? I don't think that is a good idea. Can you just wait for them here?"

 I shake my head. And what? Let Father withdraw the Lauretré support to the royal family?

 That is a suicidal action. Only the royal family could save the Lauretré Family once the war started. So, I will do anything to not break this relationship with the royal family.

 I look coldly at the maid. "Is everything okay? I need to leave now."

 The maid tried to block my way, but I just shoved her to the side. "I already told you to stop testing my patience. If you keep blocking my way, I will make sure to throw you out of the Lauretré residence. Let me see if you can afford to find a job after."  The maid cowers in fear and lets me walk past her. I didn't plan to threaten her, but that was my only way to get out of this house. I'll probably apologize to her later. For now, I need to rush to the Palace and stop my Father from doing things that he will regret.

 The coachman immediately helps me get inside the carriage. "Miss, where are we going? Does the Count and the Countess know where are you going?"

 I look at the coachman and sigh. Why does everyone want to stop me? I am doing this to save the whole family from demise, so why would they stop me? Do they want the Lauretré family to cease to exist?

 "Take me to the Palace. I need to know why his majesty invited my parent."

 The coachman stares at me hesitantly. "But Miss.."

 I look at him coldly. "Not a word from you. I don't want to hear anything. So, don't try to convince me."

 No matter how much they convince me, they can not stop me from doing what I want. Everything I am doing is for the safety of this family. So, I wouldn't let anyone stop me.