Why Did I Become the Villainess?

 I slowly open my eyes and frown when I don't recognize the room I am staying. However, a second after, I realize that I am at home now.

 How can I forget that I just got home in the capital? 

 I heave a sigh and slowly get up from my bed. I open my curtains and what welcomes me is the beauty of the landscapes of the Lauretré residence. 

 I'm back at the capital, but am I ready to face Mother and Father? What will happen next? Will they force me to cancel my engagement with Prince Fraser? What will happen in this world if that continues? Will I be able to save this world from destruction?

 And what about Prince Fraser? Will his image be ruined because of what happened? I'm sure he'll be happy now that there's a big chance that our engagement will be canceled.

 After all, he is now starting to like Princess Paislee. I'm sure he wouldn't want to spend his whole life with someone he didn't like.

 I was startled when I heard a knock on my door. I look back and find Brother Pascal standing in my doorway.

 "Csille, you're finally awake. Aunt and uncle are already waiting for you in the dining area. Come on. The breakfast is already prepared."

 I immediately rush to Brother Pascal's side and hold tightly onto his arms. I look behind his back, making sure that there is no one nearby. After ensuring that it's safe, I lean towards Brother Pascal's ears. "Brother, is Mother and Father mad of me?"

 Brother raises his eyebrow at me. "Now, you're scared? Are you sure you can defend Prince Fraser with that attitude?"

 I don't even know if I can. I know how Father gets mad, and it can really be scary at times. But I don't have any other choice. I need to defend Prince Fraser and my engagement to him if I still want to return to the real world. 

 I pout at Brother Pascal's words. "Brother, don't tease me. I'm already nervous here."

 He laughs at me before he gently messes my hair. "You should come out already. We are waiting for you in the dining area, and what's there to get scared of? Aunt and Uncle will just talk to you about what happened. So, you shouldn't stress yourself."

 I pout at him and nod my head. I don't really have any other choice here. I'll just need to freshen myself before I can go down.

 I look at the mirror and sigh. I'm really nervous to talk to Mother and Father. When we arrived at the capital, Mother and Father didn't say anything to me. They just told Brother Pascal and I to rest first.

 "Eventually, I have to face them. You can do this, Ysavel! You need to make sure to defend Prince Fraser and your engagement with him no matter what. Understood?"

 I did a little pep talk to myself again before I go down the dining area. Mother, Father, and Brother Pascal immediately look at me the moment I enter the dining area.

 Brother Pascal immediately stands up and guides me to sit beside him. I look at Mother and Father, but it seems like they are treating me as a ghost. They didn't even say a word to me. 

 They are really mad, Ysavel! 

 I smile awkwardly at my parents. "Good morning, Mother and Father. I apologize if I wake up late. I was just exhausted with the journey."

 However, just like before, they didn't say any words. They just continue eating their meal in silence.

 Brother Pascal cleared his throat and called one of the servants. "Can you please pour Csille a tea?"

 The maid immediately rushes towards me and pours me some tea, and she immediately walks to her side after.

 Brother Pascal tried to make the breakfast lively by telling stories about what happened in the western region, but Mother and Father still remained quiet.

 "Aunt, Uncle, you are right with Mister Vulso. If not for him, I don't think the western region can survived. He's really a good man, and even if those previous officials tried to convince him not to do his job, he didn't listen to them. They are..."

 I tug Brother Pascal's arm and shake my head. It's useless. No matter how much he talks, Mother and Father won't listen to him. 

 Brother Pascal sigh. The four of us continue our meal in silence. Yes, it is silent, but I can feel the tension coming from Mother and Father. They are really mad at me.

 They probably didn't say anything during the meal because they didn't want to disrespect the food. But I'm sure after this breakfast. They will ask Brother Pascal and me for a conversation.

 And true to my expectations, after the meal, Father left the table while Mother reminded us to go to the library after we finished our meal.

 Brother Pascal and I look at each other sigh. It was the first time we had a meal with a tense atmosphere. The atmosphere is usually light and warm when we're having a meal.

 "I think you really should practice what you want to say to Aunt and Uncle because I can definitely sense that they are enraged and disappointed with what is happening, Csille."

 I look at Brother and sigh. I know what he said is right. I can definitely see how enraged my parents are. I look in the direction of the library, and I can feel my heart beat faster just looking at it.

 This will definitely be a long day, Ysavel. So, you better prepare yourself.

________________________________

 Brother Pascal and I sit on the sofa quietly. We are both waiting for Mother and Father to talk to us. It seems like they are still trying to calm themselves.

 I look at Brother Pascal. He just smiled at me and gently caressed my head. It's as if he is comforting me. He knows I'm anxious right now. 

 A moment after, I heard Mother sigh. "Csille..."

 I immediately sit up straight and look at Mother, who is now coldly looking at me. But she didn't say anything after that. She just looked at me straight into my eyes. It's as if she wants to read my thoughts just by looking at my eyes.

 I feel my hand tremble for a second, but I remain looking at Mother. We remain staring at each other for a few minutes before Father suddenly speaks.

 "Csille Lauretré, don't you think you have something to explain to us?"

 I take a deep breath before I look at Father. "Father, I apolog—"

 Father slammed the table, that Brother Pascal and I both got startled. "Bullshit! Don't say sorry if you intentionally hide it from us. Do you still see us as your parents?"

 I bow my head. I know it's wrong not to tell them how Prince Fraser treats Csille, but I only did that because I don't want them to know the real score between Csille and Prince Fraser. I also don't want to make a big deal about it. After all, in the end, Prince Fraser will not choose Csille.

 "Csille, do you not trust us? We are your family. Do you know how we got hurt when we heard from other people that Prince Fraser is treating you that way? We thought..." I heard Mother's voice break, and then she started crying.

 I felt my heart shutter when I heard her cry. I immediately rush towards her and hug her. "Mother, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hide it from you—"

 I heard Father laughs sarcastically. "You didn't mean to hide it? No, Csille. You never once think of letting us know what is happening."

 I felt my hand tremble when I heard what Father said. He is right, though. I never intended to tell it to them. Not because I don't trust them, but I just don't want things to get complicated. 

 Once they know what is happening, I'm sure they will be mad at Prince Fraser, and I know more than anyone else how much help the Lauretré family can give to Prince Fraser. If the Lauretré family continues to support Prince Fraser if he becomes the King, I'm sure Prince Fraser's position will become firmer. So, I cannot let anything bad happen to the relationship between the Astalieu and the Lauretré Family.

 I remain silent and just hug Mother. She is still crying. I really hurt her by not saying what is happening to me.

 I'm sorry, Mother, but I really need to do that. 

 "So, this how you want to deal with things? To remain quiet if you were cornered? Csille, I thought you had grown up already, but I guess I was wrong. You disappointed us."

 I can feel the pain in Father's voice. He sounds so upset. I take a deep breath before I break from Mother's hug.

 "Father, Mother, I only didn't tell you because I don't want to make things complicated."

 Mother held my hands. "My dear, how can it be complicated? It's quite simple. His highness is mistreating you. That's so simple."

 I shake my head. I wish it were that simple, but this will definitely affect everyone, and I cannot be selfish. I cannot just think about myself this time. I have a world to save from its destruction.

 "Mother, it's not that simple. Once you know how Prince Fraser treats me, I know you'll get mad at him. If worst comes to worst, you might even cancel our engagement or break ties with the Astalieus."

 That's how the Count and the Countess love their only daughter. Even if that means breaking the promise of the Lauretré family to forever serve the Astalieu family.

 Father slams the table again. "And what do you expect us to do? To let you marry someone who doesn't know how to respect you? You are our only daughter, Csille. We will do anything to protect you. Even if that means we need to break our rela—"

 My eyes widened when I realized what Father wanted to say. I immediately rush towards him and cling to his arm. "Father! You cannot do that! You cannot break our relationship with the Astalieus. Have you forgotten what our ancestors did? Do you want to set it aside?"

 I sigh and shake my head. I cannot let them do that. The Astalieus is the only one who can save them once I turn my back at the whole Vrawyth Kingdom. So, I cannot let Father break our relationship with them.

 "Father, Mother. Can you please let me explain my side first?"

 Mother and Father both look at each other before they nod their heads. I sigh in relief. I thought they wouldn't even let me explain my side. I'm really fortunate to have them as my parents because if it's other parents, I'm sure they wouldn't let their child talk.

 I take another deep breath to calm myself because I know my explanation can make them angry too. But it's the only explanation I can give them.

 "Father, you're asking why I didn't tell you what is happening? It's because I know you're reactions will be like this. Prince Fraser needs the Lauretré support, especially now that he is about to be crowned as the next Ruler. I am only thinking about the whole Kingdom. His highness needs any support he can get to make his position firm. If he loses the support of the Lauretré family, it will become difficult for him."

 I look at Mother and Father's expressions, and it seems like they didn't like my explanation. "And we all know that the Vrawyth Kingdom is in a difficult position. If Prince Fraser cannot unite the forces in Kingdom, our enemies can use this to go against us. If that happens, all of the Vrawyth Kingdom will be in peril. I was only thinking about the safety of everyone. So, Mother, Father, please forgive me if I keep everything from the two of you. I only want to protect not just Prince Fraser but also the Vrawyth Kingdom."

 "My dear..." I heard Mother's voice crack.

 I look at Father, but it seems like he isn't still convinced about my explanation, and I think he'll get madder when he sees what I am going to do next.

 I kneel and bow my head. "Father, Mother, please don't cancel my engagement with Prince Fraser. I beg you.. Please don't break our ties with the Astalieu Family."