Why Did I Become the Villainess?

 The sun is just about to rise, but here I am already working in my office. I only sleep for three hours, and then I continue my work. I'm almost done with the first week's documents and those urgent documents.

 I look at the pile of documents and sigh. I still have three weeks worth of documents to finish. 

 "Csille, you can do this! If you delay it for another day, it'll start to pile up again, and you won't finish this if that happens."

 I have already cheered myself up a couple of times now, but I guess it's not working anymore because from time to time, I can feel the frustration that is starting to build up inside of me. 

 I am still struggling working with a document when I hear someone knocks on my office door. I look at my watch that is lying on the table and frown. 

 It's only five thirty in the morning. Most of my employees are still sleeping by this time. Who is the one knocking? Is it Lilla? Is she worried that I didn't take a rest from work?

 "Lilla, is that you? Don't worry. I already sleep so you shouldn't worry. Can you please leave me alone for now? I'm still trying to concentrate on my work. I promise I'll eat breakfast. Just call me if the breakfast is ready. I still have a pile of documents I need to work on."

 I didn't bother to look up because I didn't want to lose my focus. I'm sure that if Lilla sees how busy I am, she will excuse herself immediately.

 However, I still heard the door open, and someone walked inside my office. Maybe she have my breakfast with her. 

 "Just put my breakfast on the side. I'll just finish these documents. Also, are you sure there are no urgent documents I need to work on anymore? And can you please tell the nobles that I won't be entertaining anyone for now. Not until I finish this. Talking to them is wasting my time. All they do want to do is to ask about the issue between Prince Fraser and I. So, please tell anyone not to bring any nobles to my office. How can I finish all of this if they keep bringing nobles here? The—"

 My words were stuck in my throat when I heard the voice of the person whom I thought Lilla was.

 "I heard from Aunt and Uncle that you didn't return home last night. Are you planning to overwork yourself, Csille?"

 "Bro-brother? What are you doing here?"

 I look at his back. Trying to see if he is with my parents. I sighed in relief when I didn't see anyone.

 "You're really asking me that question? Aunt and Uncle got worried about you when you didn't return home last night. So they ask me to visit you here. Why do you always want to make us worry?"

 I blink a couple of times. Trying to see if the Brother Pascal I am seeing is real or just a product of my imagination.

 "Are you planning to just stare at me or to explain why you didn't come home last night?"

 I heard Brother Pascal's voice again, and that's when I realized that he is real. But what did he say? That Mother and Father were worried about me because I didn't come home last night? And Brother Pascal even agree to come here to check on me? 

 "I'm sorry, Brother. But as you can see," I gestured my hand around me. "I have a lot of work to do, and I need to finish it up, or my work will continue to pile up again. I thought I already explained things to the coachman? Doesn't he tell the reason why I didn't come home last night? If you're worried that I'm not taking care of myself, you can be assured that I am not. Lilla is always making sure that I eat in time and sleep in time."

 Brother Pascal looks at me and the pile of documents around the office. "You know you still have wounds, right? Why do you do things that could worsen your condition?"

 I look at my hand before I look at Brother Pascal. "But I have a Foundation I need to take care of, Brother. I couldn't leave it behind. I also couldn't pass this work to my employees because all of this is confidential. Also, you have already given me permission to work, right? Why are you getting mad at me again?"

 He just looks at me for a couple of seconds before he sighs and shakes his head. "Your parents are concerned about your health. It's better if you go home tonight so they will stop worrying. I'll be going now. Remember to visit my office this lunch so I can change your bandages."

 I wasn't able to say my goodbye because he immediately left my office. I look at his back and smile. 

 Even if Brother Pascal only mentioned that it was my parents who were worried about me, I know he feels the same way. He won't agree to check on me if he isn't concerned about me.

 I look at the documents on my table and smile at myself. I felt refreshed after Brother Pascal checked on me. I think I wouldn't mind finishing this off for the whole day. 

________________________________

 I didn't realize how much time I was spending working. I was too engrossed in finishing the documents inside my office that I almost forgot about my lunch.

 "Dame Csille, it's lunchtime already. Can you please set aside your work and eat your lunch? You already ate your lunch late yesterday. Are you planning to miss your lunch again? If Doctor Pascal knows about this, I'm sure he'll be mad."

 I put the pen down and looked at Lilla. "I still have a lot of work to do. Can I finish the documents on my table first?"

 Lilla looks at the pile of documents on my table and shakes her head. She then walks towards me and forces me to stand up. "Dame Csille, I know you only want to work, but there is always a limit when it comes to working. You need to have a proper meal, a proper rest, and a proper sleep. Or else you'll end up getting sick, which will result in another delay in your work. So, I hope you also wouldn't forget about that, Dame Csille. Come on. The cafeteria has prepared pasta for today's lunch. You like that, don't you?"

 Lilla pulled me outside my office with difficulty because I couldn't help but look back at the documents in my office.

 I still have a couple of documents I need to work on. All I want to do now is to finish all those documents inside my office so I can focus on finishing the other two weeks of documents in the storage room.

 "Lilla, can you just get me my lunch and I will eat it in my offi—"

 Lilla raises her eyebrow at me. "Have you forgotten what happened yesterday? I brought your lunch to your office, but you didn't eat it immediately. I want to make sure that you are eating your lunch on time. So, now. We will be eating in the cafeteria, and that's the end of the discussion."

 I am about to refute to Lilla when we suddenly heard a chuckle. I am about to scold the person who chuckled, but my words got stuck in my throat when I saw Rufus smirking at us.

 "You're still stubborn as ever, purplany." He then looks at Lilla. "You're Lilla Vassellevé of the Frailens City, right?"

 Lilla nods her head. "Yes, your highness." She then looks at Rufus and me. And smile. "Your highness, are you here to invite Dame Csille for lunch? You're right in time. I am about to force Dame Csille to have lunch in the cafeteria. I'm sure if she's with you, you don't need to force her to eat lunch. Doctor Pascal reminds us not to let Dame Csille skips her meal."

 Rufus laughs. "Purplany, you hired a great employee here. Now I understand why you insist on hiring here. I just didn't expect she is forcing you to eat lunch." He laughs again. "When did you become like this?"

 I roll my eyes at Rufus. If Lilla is not here, I would probably hurt this guy. Why does he always love to tease me? He didn't even care if there were people around.

 I heard Lilla gasp. She then let go of my arm and bows her head. "Dame Csille, apologies. I didn't realize I was getting out of line. I was just worried about your health, that's why I did it. I hope you can forgive me."

 I shake my head. "You shouldn't apologize. You shouldn't listen to what this guy is saying. He is only teasing me, and about what you are doing, that's okay. I am actually grateful because if you don't always remind me, I would probably forget to eat my lunch again. So, thank you."

 However, even with my explanation, Lilla still apologized to me a couple of times before she excused herself.

 I glare at Rufus. "And what are you doing here, your highness, Prince Rufus?" I intentionally emphasize the words your highness and Prince Rufus so he would know that I was annoyed with what he said to Lilla.

 Rufus raises his hand as if saying he surrender. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend her, okay?"

 "You should be careful with your words when talking to other people. Look what happened to Lilla." I sigh and shake my head. "Are you here to invite me for lunch?"

 Rufus winks at me. "What do you think?"

 "If that's the case, then let's get going, and because you're mean to my employees, it's your treat today."

 Rufus is about to complain, but I just pull him outside the Foundation, where a carriage is waiting for us.

 We decided to rent a private room in one of the famous restaurants in the capital. The restaurant is actually full today, but because the Astalieus have a private room in the restaurant, we didn't need to line up.

 I look at Rufus and frown when I notice the dark bags under his eyes. "Rufus, is there something wrong?"

 Rufus looks at me and frowns. "Wrong? What do you mean?"

 Acting like he doesn't know what I am asking him? I raised my eyebrow at him. Rufus loves to sleep ever since we were young. I even teased him as a sleepyhead before. So, it's rare for him to have eye bags, and if he does, it only means one thing. There is something that is bothering him.

 I point the bags under his eyes. "And how can you explain this? Why did you have eye bags? We both know you love sleeping, and the only time you have this," I point my hand on his eyebags. "Is when you're stressed. So, tell me. What is happening?"

 I heard Rufus heave a sigh. Then he looks at me straight into my eyes. "I'm in trouble, purplany."

 Trouble? What trouble is he talking about? Does the Duke want to marry him off to someone? 

 "And what is this trouble you are talking about? Is the Duke forcing you again to get married?"

 Rufus shakes his head. "No. He isn't, but it's worst than that. I think I'm really falling in love with her."

 Falling in love with her? Does he mean Princess Paislee? 

 I immediately sit up straight. This is the news I want to hear. Once Prince Rufus falls fast and hard for Princess Paislee, that's when Prince Fraser will realize his feelings for Princess Paislee.

 "And what's wrong with that?"

 Rufus shakes his head. "You don't understand, purplany. I'm starting to fall in love with her real hard that I couldn't help but feel jealous of the person who is always beside her. I want to confess to her, but I know she will stay away from me if I do. I don't know what to do anymore, Csille."

 I looked at Rufus, and I couldn't help but pity him. I want to comfort him, but I don't know what to say that will make him feel better."

 "Why don't you try to pursue her? I know we already talked about this before, but maybe it's the right time for you to pursue her, Rufus. Who knows, maybe you'll end up with her."

 I'm sorry for making you hope, Rufus. I'm sorry for the future heartaches.

 Rufus shakes his head. "I don't know, Csille.. I don't know."