Why Did I Become the Villainess?

     Mother is already okay now. Although her broken bones still need to be healed. She was discharged a few days ago. The doctors actually disagreed with it, but since Brother Pascal will be staying with us, they let us go. Brother Pascal decided to take a temporary leave from the hospital, and he's living with us in the Lauretré residence.

It's been two weeks now after the accident and a month after when my father traveled to the western region. And since then, we haven't heard anything from him. Brother Pascal took the head position of the Lauretré family for now. The King also appointed Brother Pascal a position in the monarch temporarily. He is currently doing the duties of my father. The nobles also started to change their attitudes towards us. Before, they got the courage to go against us because my father is not around. Now, they did not even dare to provoke us. They probably realized that since Brother Pascal is taking the role of the head of the Lauretré family. It will be the end of them if they do something against us.

Also, the investigation about my mother's accident is still ongoing. However, Brother Pascal already said that because the King is eager on finding the culprit behind the accident, the investigation will end in no time. And the culprit will surely pay for harming the Countess.

   "Csille, I will be going to visit the Palace today. The King asked for my presence. He might found out who's the culprit behind the Countess accident." Brother Pascal walks towards me. He gently messes my hair. "I need you to stay in the house. Don't go out while I'm still in the palace, okay? Also, I've changed the bandage of the Countess. You should take care of her."

   I shake my head at him. "But mother would not even let me take care of her. She said I should be focusing on my training. Brother, help me encourage mother. I really want to take care of her." I pout and hold his arms.

"You know I cannot change Aunt's decision. Also, I think she is right. The Royal Competition is already near. You really need to practice more. I heard from the butler that you're flower arrangement skill is impressive now. Make your brother Pascal one, and I'll bring you home princesstårta. How about it?"

My mouth instantly waters just by the name of princesstårta. It's the green dome cake Rufus, and I ate. The favorite dessert of Csille and my favorite cake now too. I nod at him and give him a smile.

"Good, I need to go now. You promised me. You will not leave the house, okay?"

"I wouldn't. I promise you, brother."

Satisfied with my answer. Brother Pascal taps my head and leaves the residence. When I heard the carriage left, I immediately took my small bag that I hide behind the pillows. I look around and walk towards the back door. I was about to open it when the butler comes out behind me.

"Miss? Where are you going? The Master ordered me not to allow you to leave the house."

I look back at the butler and hides the bag behind my back. "I am going to practice flower arrangement in the garden." I smiled.

The butler looks at me for a minute. Probably trying to figure out if what I am saying is true. "But didn't your tutor already said that you have already mastered the flower arrangement?"

I nodded my head and smiled. "Yeah, of course. However, Brother Pascal asked me to make him one. How can I not make him one, right? And oh," I took a piece of paper from my pocket. "Find me these flowers now. I will make a bouquet with these flowers."

It's a good thing I have prepared things earlier. The piece of paper contains a list of rare flowers here in Vrawyth. It will take some time before they could find everything on the list.

    The butler looks at me suspiciously before he takes the paper from my hand. "I'll find someone to find this for you, Miss."

    I waved my hand at him. "You should go. Also called a maid over. I need assistance." I opened the back door and pretended to walk through the garden.

   I look around to see if there is someone around. When I did not see anyone, I instantly kneel on the ground and push aside some bushes. A small hole at the lower part of the wall could be seen. It's a secret passage I let Rufus made before. It's actually not Rufus but his butler.

I crawl pass through it. Once I got out, I put the bushes back in its place so no one would notice it. I look around and saw a carriage with a small purple flag at the top. It's on the end of the alley. I look around first to see if someone is around. When I saw no one, I hurriedly walk towards the carriage. The henchman instantly goes down and opens the carriage door for me. A bored Rufus welcomes me inside.

"Why did you take so long? I've been waiting here for an hour." He snaps at me.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Brother Pascal wouldn't let me out. My mother's accident still bothers him until this day. My father is also still not around. He's probably worried that something will happen to me."

Rufus nodded. "Don't worry, as long as I am here. I would not let anything bad happens to you."

    I just waved my hand at him. "I know, but can we go first? I'm afraid the butler will notice my absence."

    Rufus gestured the coachman to start the carriage. I ask a favor for Rufus to look for the writer of the book The Parallel Universe, the book that Prince Fraser introduced to me. I don't know why but I think I really need to see that person.

Many things are happening that I did not write about. Also, my transmigration from the real world to the novel world is still unclear to me. I think meeting this author could answer some of my questions.

__________

"Are you sure it's here?" I look around the place, but it's just an empty field. No house or people could be seen anywhere. There are only trees and bushes everywhere.

"The report shows that that person is living here. I don't understand why there is no one here." Rufus looks around. He even used binoculars to looks at it.

   "Maybe you're just mistaken. Maybe it's somewhere else. Is your source can be trusted?"

"Hey! I am sure. It's one of the trusted person of my father. Maybe the person you are looking for moved to another place or something." Rufus puts down his binoculars.

"That cannot be. I really need to see that person." I sighed and tried to walk through the bushes and trees. Maybe that person is there.

Rufus grabs my hand. "Csille, let's just go home. Maybe there's really wrong with the report. I'll ask some of our men to look again. Come on. It's already getting late now. You wouldn't want your brother Pascal to know you got out, right?"

I look around for the last time before walking to the carriage. I don't know why but I just feel like there is something big that will happen. I just hope it's just my imagination.

"Why are you so eager to find the author? What's with the person? I don't understand why you are looking for the author at this time? You do know that you're still in danger, right? I know your brother Pascal already took the place of the Duke temporarily, but it doesn't guarantee that those people will stop harming you."

    I just look at Rufus. "I just want to ask him some things."

    "Some things?" Rufus looks at me. "What do you mean? Maybe I could help you with that."

    I just shake my head at him. "Never mind that. Only that author can answer me. Anyways, thank you for accompanying me today."

    "Don't thank me. I am your friend. Of course,  I will help you. However, I don't think I could help you with this." Rufus stares outside the carriage. n0ve(l)bi(n.)co/m

    I look outside to see where he is looking. On no! I also think Rufus couldn't help me with this. When the carriage stops I instantly went out. "Brother Pascal!"

   "Csille! I thought you promised me that you would not get out the house?"

   I walk towards brother Pascal and holds his arms. "Brother, let me explain myself first." I tried to acts pitifully at him, but he just shoves my hand.

   "You promised me, Csille! Why did you break your promise? You do know that there is still danger out there, but you still went out? What will I tell the Count and the Countess if something happened to you?"

    I bow my head. I'm guilty, but what can I do? I need to talk to that person as soon as possible. I really feel that something big will happen.

    I am about to answer when Rufus cuts me off. "I'm sorry, Doctor Pascal. I forced Csille to accompany me today. I did not know that she isn't allowed to go out. I know it's insensitive of me to ask her to go out even if I know the danger that the Countess encountered. Please, don't be mad at Csille. She doesn't have any fault. You should be mad at me. I am the one who is at fault. I apologize for everything." Rufus bows his head at Brother Pascal and stays like that.

   Brother Pascal looks at Rufus for a moment before he walks in front of him and helps Rufus stands up properly. "You don't need to say sorry, Prince Rufus. I'm sorry you need to see this. I hope my cousin doesn't troubles you."

   Rufus waves his hand as a sign of disagreement. "No, no! Csille and I are friends. She doesn't bothers me. Also, I should be the one saying sorry because I am the one who always bothers her."

   Brother Pascal looks at me. He then looks at Rufus. "Prince Rufus, thank you for bringing Csille home. I am relieved that she was with you."

    Rufus just shakes his head and bid his goodbye. Brother Pascal looked at me when Rufus left. "Csille Lauretré. I am disappointed at you." He then walks inside. Ignoring me.

    I followed him inside. "Brother, please forgive me. I did not really want to go out. Rufus-" Before I could even continue what I at saying, he already cuts me off.

   "Do you think I would believe that? You asked the butler to look for rare flowers. You pretended that you would made me a bouquet. For what? So you could buy time to plan your escape? You also used Prince Rufus to cover you up?" Brother is now enraged. I did not know he could be this mad. He always has a smile every time he talks to anyone. This is the first time I see him this mad.

   I look at the floor. I am guilty, yes. But I didn't know it will result like this. "I'm sorry, I actually want to ask for your permission, but since mother got into an accident, you always prohibit me from going out. I know you're concerned about my safety, so I just sneak out because I don't really want to bother you. I'm sorry, I just went out to look for someone."

   Brother Pascal sighs and kneels in front of me. "I'm sorry for shouting at you too. I'm just worried when I did not see you here. I thought something has happened to you. Please don't do that again, okay? If you want to go out again, please say it."

   I nod my head and hugs brother Pascal. "I am sorry, brother. I promise not to do that again."

    He just pats my back and carries me. "Okay now. Let me take you to your mother first. She said she wants to meet you."

   I nod my head and let brother Pascal takes me to my mother's room. My mother instantly smiled when she sees us entering the room. "Pascal. Csille. How's your day?"

   Brother Pascal puts me down. I sit beside her and hugs her from behind. "Mother, it's good. How about yours? Do you feel better now?"

   Mother messes my hair and nods at me. "I am already okay, dear." She looks to Brother Pascal. "How about your day, Pascal? Are the officials making it difficult for you?"

   Brother Pascal shakes his head and sits in the chair beside the bed. "They are, but I could manage. I wouldn't be a Lauretré if I couldn't deal with those small things. Anyways, Auntie, do you feel okay now?"

   My mother waves her head. "I am already okay. Every time you two would see me, you always ask about my condition. Don't worry. I am already okay. And you even told me this morning that I could go out and start doing taking exercises, right?"

  Brother Pascal smiled and nods. I just look at the two of them talking. I am glad that my mother is already healing. I am also happy that Brother Pascal is already staying with us. I just hope this good thing would last. I don't understand why I often feel like there is something wrong. I just hope it's nothing.