Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 291 – : Her Source Of Stress

 I walk inside the Foundation with a big smile on my face. I know I still have a pile of work to do today, but I don't mind. I feel great knowing that my relationship with my family is okay already.

 Lilla immediately greets me. "Good morning, Dame Csille. It looks like you're in a good mood today too. You've been in a good mood for two days in a row already. Is there some good news?"

 It's been two days after the reconciliation with my parents, and I still couldn't help but feel happy about it.

 I just smile widely at her. "What do you think?"

 Lilla clings to my arms and leans on my ear. "Is it because Prince Fraser will arrive today?"

 And with just one sentence, my whole day was ruined. How can I forget that the source of my stress will return to the capital today? 

 How can I be happy knowing Prince Fraser will return? It only means I will become the villainess of the story again. 

 "Dame Csille, is there something wrong? Why did your mood chang—" Lilla slaps her mouth and looks at me sorrily. "Apologies, Dame Csille. I forgot. I promise I filter my mouth already."

 I just smile at her before I walk inside the office. What welcomes me is the pile of documents. I should feel happy because if I work today, I can finish the remaining documents for the third week. That means I only have a week of pile of documents I need to work with. However, because of the news about Prince Fraser's arrival, I don't have the energy to work today. 

 I walk towards my chair and slump my body on it. My eyes landed on the portrait of Prince Fraser on the wall. Csille puts up a portrait of Prince Fraser in her office, and even if I want to take it down, I don't think the real Csille will appreciate that.

 "I already feel at peace without you. Why do you need to return? Can you just spend your day with your female lead? I just want to live peacefully."

 I was startled when I heard my door open, and Rufus came rushing inside my office. He stopped when he noticed the pile of documents everywhere.

 "Are these the documents you said you were working with?" Rufus looked around, and he gasped when he realized how many documents were here. "Purplany, are you even resting? Can you finish all of this in just a week?"

 I raise my eyebrow at him. What week is he talking about? "I can finish this today. What brings you here? I thought you were going to be busy today?" I look at him. "You don't look busy at all."

 Rufus groans at me. "If you only knew. I just came here to ask if you will be joining the welcoming for Prince Fraser today?"

 Because Prince Fraser did something great for the Kingdom, the King announces that there will be a welcoming banquet for his highness. 

 "You mean the welcoming banquet tonight? I'll definitely come because his majesty is expecting us to come. Why did you ask?"

 Rufus immediately shakes his head. "Not the banquet. What I mean is, aren't you going to the port to welcome him back?"

 I raised my eyebrow at Rufus. "Why would I? Can't you see I'm busy here? I need to finish this all so that I can attend tonight's welcoming banquet. Also, his majesty and the people will be welcoming him already. Is my presence still needed there? I would rather work here than wait there for an hour. I will see Prince Fraser at the welcoming banquet tonight. So, I don't see the need to welcome him later. Why did you ask?"

 Rufus looked at me as if he couldn't believe those words came from my mouth. "Am I hearing this right? You're not planning to see my cousin?"

 I roll my eyes at Rufus. "I already answer you, right? Do you want me to repeat my answer? Also, are you sure it's okay for you to be here? If his majesty knows what you are doing, I'm sure he'll be mad at you again."

 Rufus immediately looks at his watch. "Oh, no. I still have other things to do today. I'll see you in tonight's banquet."

 I look at Rufus' back and smile. This guy really never changes. Even in his work, he couldn't help but escape. 

 My eyes landed on the portrait of Prince Fraser again. "You're really returning, huh? I'm sure you'll be happy once you know that Csille's downfall will soon come."

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 "Dame Csille! Dame Csille!" 

 I was startled when Lilla came running inside my office. It looks like there is something urgent has happened.

 I immediately stand up and look at her. "What happened? Is there a problem? Why are you panicking?"

 Lilla walks towards me and holds my hand. "Dame Csille, why are you still here?"

 I frown. What does she mean by that question? Of course, I will be here. I still have documents I need to work on today. Where would I go?

 "Am I supposed to be in another place? And you didn't answer me, Lilla. What is happening? Why do you look so anxious? Is there something wrong with the Foundation?"

 Lilla shakes her head. "Dame Csille, there's nothing wrong with the Foundation. What I mean is, aren't you going to welcome his highness today? I heard that his boat would be arriving any minute now. His majesty and some nobles are already waiting for his arrival. I even heard that the Count and the Countess are there to welcome him. You're his fiancée. Are you not planning to welcome him?"

 So the reason why she is anxious is because of this? I sigh in relief. I thought there was a problem with the Foundation. 

 I sit at my table and start to work on the documents again. "Lilla, you already said that his majesty and the nobles are already there to welcome him. I don't think my presence is needed there, and as you can see, I'm still busy with paperwork here. I need to finish this if I want to attend the welcoming banquet for his highness."

 "But if you don't welcome his highness, it can be a confirmation that the issue between Prince Fraser and you is real."

 I raise my eyebrow and look at her. "Is it not?"

 Lilla looked stupefied by my question. I just shrugged my shoulders at her. Although I didn't confirm anything to her or to anyone, I know they already believed that the rumors were true. 

 I smile at her. "Lilla, I couldn't welcome his highness today because I am busy. As you know, I still have a pile of paperwork to do. Also, you shouldn't worry that much. I will be attending his highness welcoming banquet this evening. I think what's more important is I will be attending that banquet. Don't you think so?"

 Lilla looks at me and nods her head. "You're right, Dame Csille. I shouldn't have questioned you. Apologies."

 I just smile at her. I know she was just concerned about Prince Fraser's relationship with me. 

 "That's okay. I understand that you're just concerned, and I actually appreciate that. Thank you." I take one of the urgent documents on my table and read it. "Oh, by the way, Lilla. I heard there is an urgent case this afternoon. About the old woman, that has severe tuberculosis, who is living on top of the mountain in the nearest town. Did you do something about it? Have you contacted a Doctor who's willing to go to where the old woman is?"

 Lilla shakes her head. "Dame Csille, we are having problem looking for a skilled Doctor who is willing to go on top of the mountain for one patient. We found a Doctor who is willing, but he isn't knowledgeable enough to cure tuberculosis."

 I put the documents downs and look at Lilla. That is definitely a problem. "Have you tried asking around the big hospitals? I'm sure they can lend us one Doctor—"

 Lilla shakes her head immediately. "Dame Csille, we have asked help from the big and even the smallest hospital in the capital, but every hospital is short staff right now. The Doctors who volunteered to work in the western region are now taking a break which is the reason why they are only a few Doctors working. The Hospitals said they won't be able to make it if we take even one Doctor from them."

 That is definitely a huge problem. "How severe is the condition of the old woman? Can she still wait for a few days? I'm thinking of asking for help from other regions. I'm sure we can find a Doctor from the other regions."

 I look at Lilla and frown when I see her expression. Then she shakes her head. "Dame Csille, that's the problem. Based on the letter we received from the people living with the old woman, her case is too severe. No one even wants to come close to her besides her grandchild. They think the old woman wouldn't last for a week. So, we urgently need to look for a Doctor or else we might lose the old woman."

 I take a deep breath. How can I find a Doctor in a short time span? But if I don't find one, then we will definitely lose the old woman. 

 "But Dame Csille, that is not the only problem. Based on the letter we received from the people, they wanted us to take the old woman away from the mountain because they were afraid they might get infected with tuberculosis. However, the old woman doesn't want to go down the mountain because she is worried there's no one will be left to take care of her granddaughter. The old woman is living alone with her granddaughter. Her son, who is the father of the child, died years ago."

 I mess my hair in frustration. I look at the documents lying on my table and the document of the old woman. 

 Why do I always face problems? Can't I take a break? I already have too much on my plate, and here's another problem. 

 But if I don't do anything…. the little child will lose the only relative she is. I look at the clock. It's already three in the afternoon. I won't make it to the welcoming banquet if I go there to convince the old woman to go down the mountain. 

 However, if I don't go there…

 I abruptly stand up and take my coat. I am decided. I will go there on my own to convince the old woman and to check the condition of her grandchild. Lilla said the only one who takes care of the old woman is the child. If that's the case, there's a big chance that the child is already infected with tuberculosis. If this continues, it might infect the whole people on top of the mountain.

 "Dame Csille, where are you going?"

 I look at Lilla and smile reassuringly at her. "I'll find a way to help the old woman. I cannot just sit here and do nothing. I will definitely find a Doctor and convince the old woman to go down. If we let this continue, other people might get infected with tuberculosis. We just recovered from an infectious disease. The Kingdom wouldn't be able to face another infectious disease."

 Lilla looks at the clock and blocks my way. "But Dame Csille, there's a welcoming banquet tonight. If you go to the top of the mountain, you won't be able to make it to the banquet. Are you sure you want to ditch the banquet? You already didn't welcome him this afternoon. What will other people say if you also ditch the banquet? I'm sure this will be a big issue."

 I got frozen because of Lilla's words. She is right, though. If I didn't attend the banquet, this would be a confirmation for everyone that the rumor is true. However, if I delay a day, I might lose the old woman.

 Ysavel, you need to think. What's more important, the banquet of the life of the old woman? 

 I look at the Lilla and sigh. I think I already know the answer.

 "I'm sorry, Lilla, but the moment I decided to open up a Foundation, I already committed my life to the people, and right now, those people needed me. Don't worry. I'll just send a letter to my parents. I know his majesty and his highness can understand why I ditch the banquet."

 I didn't wait for Lilla's answer and immediately left the Foundation.

 I don't know if I should be relieved that I won't be able to attend the banquet or not. But there's one thing I know. I will not let the child lose it, grandmother.

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 Author's Note : I think I should address this so no one won't be confused. Most of the things written in the novel are fictional. It's also the reason why the timelines of history are different here than the actual history. So, please don't believe anything that is written here that is about history. Take for example, the cure for tuberculosis.. The cure for tuberculosis was discovered in 1943 and not in medieval time.