Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 398: : King’s Invitation



Days have passed, and I haven't heard anything from Mister Sewell. He probably still didn't hear anything from the Aeslaerean Kingdom. That's why he still hasn't updated me on our plan.

Throughout these days, I just busy myself working in the Foundation while trying my best to avoid my parents or Brother Pascal. I work until midnight to make sure that everyone is asleep when I go home. And I get up earlier than everyone so I can leave the house while they are still sleeping.

It's the reason why until now, we still haven't talked about the door incident. I know avoiding confrontation is not a good defense mechanism, but I just don't want to argue with my family anymore. Because I couldn't help but be in pain every time I saw the pain in their eyes.

I look up at the wall clock. It's only seven in the evening, and here I am, doing nothing at all. I have finished all the paperwork this afternoon. So, I have no choice but to stay here for more than four hours. I usually went home after twelve to make sure no one was awake in our house.

I lean on my chair and close my eyes. I was planning to take a nap, but someone opened my door and walked inside. I immediately look up and find Lilla staring at me worriedly. She is already wearing her nightgown.

"Lilla? Why are you here? Shouldn't you be resting now?"

Lilla heaves a sigh and walks toward me. She then sits on the chair in front of my table. "Dame Csille, can I talk to you for a moment?"

I nod my head and sit properly. "Sure, what do you want to talk about? Is there something wrong in the Foundation that I didn't know?"

She shakes her head. "No, Dame Csille. Everything is okay with the Foundation. I want to talk about something else."

I raised my eyebrow when I heard what she said. If it's not about the Foundation, then what does she wants to talk about?

Is it about her parents? Are they forcing her to return to her hometown to marry someone else again?

"Then what do you want to talk about?"

Lilla stares at me hesitantly before she takes a breath and nods her head. "Dame Csille, are you okay?"

I wasn't expecting her question, so I just stared at her for a couple of seconds.

Am I okay?

I smile bitterly. I don't think I will be okay with what is currently happening in my life. How can I be okay knowing I will be losing everything in the future? How can I be okay knowing what will await me in the future?

"Dame Csille?"

I look at Lilla and smile reassuringly at her. Csille is really fortunate to have people who always have her back.

"I'm okay. Thank you for asking, Lilla. I really appreciate that. But there is nothing you should worry about. I am okay."

Lilla stares straight into my eyes. It looks like she doesn't believe what I am saying. "But I saw you crying while driving away Prince Rufus earlier. Why are you pushing them away, Dame Csille? Is it because of what happened with your engagement with Prince Fraser?"

I smile bitterly at her and shake my head. She is partially right, though. That I am doing this because of what happened with my engagement with Prince Fraser.

But it's contrary to what she is thinking. I am not doing this because I was hurt by Prince Fraser. I am doing this because I am trying to save them from my downfall. I don't want to involve anyone in the things I will do. So, I have no other choice but to push everyone.

I smile at her and shake my head. "It's not because of my canceled engagement with Prince Fraser. I have my own reason that I cannot tell you, Lilla. But don't worry, everything is okay with me."

Lilla stares at me to see if I am saying is true or not. But no matter how much she reads me, she wouldn't know the truth. I wouldn't let her know the truth.

"If you say so, then I will believe you. But I hope you remember that I am here. We, the whole employees of the Foundation, are here if you need anyone. We will always be with you, Dame Csille."

I smile gratefully at her. I feel touched by what she said, but I know I cannot involve everyone with what is happening in my life.

"Thank you, Lilla." I look at the wall clock and frown. "Aren't you suppose to rest now? It's already late."

She shakes her head. "How can I rest knowing you are still here?" She then looks around my office. "What are you doing here, Dame Csille? You don't even have paperwork to do. You have been staying in your office until midnight for days now. Aside from that, you would also come to the office early in the morning. Are you even resting, Dame Csille? If you are worried about the Foundation, you can be assured that Mairenn and I will do our best to take care of it. So, you don't have to overwork yourself anymore. We don't want you to get sick because of it."

I smile reassuringly at her and shake my head. "Don't worry. I will go home soon. You should rest already."

She stared at me for a couple of seconds before I heard her sigh. "I will be leaving then. Good night, Dame Csille."

She then stood up and left my office. I look at her back and heave a sigh.

I lied again. I cannot leave my office not unless it's already midnight. I still don't want to have arguments with my parents.

Not tonight.

However, I didn't expect things wouldn't go how I expected them to be.

We just arrived at the Lauretré residence, and I frown when I see that the lights are still on. I look at the coachman, but he looks confused as I am. He also probably didn't expect anyone is still awake by now.

"Maybe someone is still awake, or the maids forgot to turn off the lights, Miss."

I shake my head. It's impossible for the maids to forget to turn off the lights. So, what he said first is probably the reason why the lights are still on.

I look at the well lighted house and take a deep breath. It was past midnight already, so I wasn't expecting that anyone was still awake.

"Miss?"

I smile at him before I get off the carriage.

I guess I couldn't always avoid things I don't want to face. Sooner or later, I will need to face

it, and that time is now.

I open the door with my shaky hands. I haven't stepped my feet inside when I hear Brother Pascal's voice.

"You finally return. I even thought you were not living with us anymore. It's been two days, but I have only seen you now. Are you avoiding us, Csille?"

I look at Brother Pascal and frown. What is he doing here? I heard from one of our maids that Brother Pascal would be busy with his work in the Foundation. So, why is he here?

I was about to answer his questions, but my words got stuck in my throat when I noticed something was off with him. I look at Mother, who is sitting beside Brother Pascal, and notice

the anxiety in her eyes.

What is happening? Why do they look anxious? Did something happen while I was avoiding

them?

I look around and realize that Father is nowhere to be found. Where is he? Isn't it late already for him to work?

There were a lot of questions that I wanted to ask them, but before I could open my mouth, Mother rushed toward me for a tight hug.

"Csille..." she calls my name in a shaky voice. A sign that she is either about to cry or she is

anxious right now.

I just remain standing and let Mother hug me. I don't know if I should hug her back or not. So,

I just stand there and look at Brother Pascal. Hoping he would explain things to me. However, he just stares at me with a frown on his face. He is probably disappointed that I was avoiding everyone these days.

A moment after, Mother breaks from the hug and stares at me with her teary eyes. "My dear, it's a good thing you are here. Come, let's sit first while we wait for your Father's return." Father's return? What does she mean? Where did Father go in the middle of the night? Is it the reason why they are still awake? Because they are waiting for Father to return home and not because they are waiting for me?

Mother pulls me towards the sofa and lets me sit beside her. Then she squeezed my hand gently. She was about to say something, but Brother Pascal interrupted her.

"Aunt, I don't understand why you are treating Csille like that. After what she has done to us

these past few days? She was avoiding all of us. She doesn't even care if Uncle was called by His Majesty in the middle of the night. So, wh-"

I immediately turn my head at Brother Pascal and frown. "What do you mean? Father was called by His Majesty today?" I look at Mother to ask for confirmation. "Mother, is that true? The King asks for Father? But why?"

Mother cries and holds my hand tightly. She then shakes her head. "We don't know. His

Majesty sent us a letter earlier saying he needs to see your Father, but he didn't specify the reason why he wants to see your Father. It's the reason why your Brother Pascal and I are here. We are waiting for your Father's return. It's been an hour now, but he still hasn't returned

yet."

I frowned and tried to remember if I had ever written something like this, but no matter how much I thought, I didn't think I had written this.

What could have happened that the King asked for my Father in the middle of the night? I am sure this is something urgent, but what is this urgent thing they want to talk about?Nôv(el)B\\jnn

I was busy contemplating things when we suddenly heard someone scoff. I look up and find Brother Pascal staring at me. "And now you are concerned about your Father? As if you didn't

avoid us for days."

I heave a sigh. I know what I did is not okay, but I only did that to stop myself from hurting them more. I only care about them.

"Brother, can we please not talk about my issues here. Can't we just focus on the curr-"

I wasn't able to finish what I wanted to say because he suddenly laughed sarcastically. "See? You are avoiding it again. When will you learn how to be responsible for your actions? Whe-"

I stood up and was about to talk back to him when Mother shouted at us. It's the first time I have ever heard her shout like that. "Csille! Pascal! Can you two not argue anymore? Your Father and Uncle are still in the Palace, but here you are arguing over such silly things?"

The two of us bow our heads, guilty about what we have done. Mother is right. We shouldn't argue right now. We need to help Mother calm down.

I heave a sigh and apologize to Mother and sit beside her.

This is the reason why I am avoiding them. I'm so done with arguing with anyone and hurting them again and again. I just want to take a rest before things get worst.

The three of us wait for an hour or two before we hear a carriage stops in front of our house.

Mother immediately stands up and rushes to the door to welcome Father, and Brother Pascal follows behind her.

I just remain in my seat and wait for them. I am worried about Father too, but I need to distance myself from them slowly.

"My dear, you finally returned. What happened? Why does the King have to ask for your

presence? Did you do something wrong? Should we get worried?" I heard Mother ask Father.

I look at them nervously. Worried that something bad happened tonight. However, it's been

a few seconds now, but Father doesn't say anything to us.

Did something happen?