Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 317 – Dinner Date

 Rufus stayed in my office the whole afternoon, even if he was just there sitting in a corner. He probably just needs someone to be with, and I don't really mind having him here. 

 How devastating is it to see the person you love loving the person who always takes everything from you? That's probably heartbreaking.

 I put the last document I will work on today and look at Rufus. I initially planned to work until evening, but because I know Rufus needs someone to talk to, I decided to set aside that plan and be with him. I guess a little break wouldn't hurt me.

 I stand up. "Let's go."

 Rufus stops reading the book that he's been reading for a couple of hours now and looks at me. "Let's go?" Then he looks at the documents around my office. "But I thought you have a lot of work to do today?"

 I heave a sigh. "How can I work knowing I have a friend who needs someone?" I look at the documents I still need to work on. "Don't worry about that. I'll work on it tomorrow. So, come on. You didn't even eat the snacks Lilla brought for you. I'm sure you're famished already. Let's eat at our favorite restaurant. It's been days since we both ate there."

 I was expecting Rufus to immediately stand up by the mere mention of our favorite restaurant. However, he just sits there and continues reading his book. "I'm still full, purplany. So, if you're worried about me, you don't have to. Just continue doing your work. I know you still have a lot of things to do today, and I don't want to interrupt that."

 I sigh and walk to his side to force him to stand up. The usual Rufus will be the first one to drag me out of my office the moment he heard we're eating. I don't like to see him like this. 

 "But I'm famished. Don't you realize what time it is?" I point my hand at the clock. "It's already half past five in the evening. My tummy is already complaining. Are you planning to starve me to death? And why are you even minding that work? There is still tomorrow. I can work on that. Come on."

 Rufus looks at me for a couple of seconds before he lets me drag him outside my office. My employees who are still working immediately look at us. Lilla rushed towards me with a pile of documents in her arms. 

 "Dame Csille! Dame Csille, where are you going?" Then she looks at Rufus, who is standing beside me. "Greetings, your highness, Prince Rufus. Please forgive me for being rude. I didn't see you at first. I hope you wouldn't take it against me."

 Rufus smile at Lilla. "Don't worry about that. Since you're cute, I would let it pass." Then he winks at Lilla.

 My eyes widened when I heard what Rufus said. I couldn't believe he would say that to my employee and even in front of me. This guy! I know he is playful, but I don't think this is the right thing to do. After all, he is still an Astalieu.

 I elbowed him when I noticed he was about to say something to Lilla again. Rufus groans and looks at me. "Purplany, why did you elbowed me? It hurts. Are you mad at me?"

 I just rolled my eyes at him and faced Lilla. I look at the documents on her arm. "Is there something wrong? What are these documents in your arms?"

 Lilla looks at the documents, and her eyes widen. "Oh, I almost forgot about this. These are the documents you ask for this morning. You said it's something urgent and you need it tonight because you'll be working on it. That's why I rush it. Do I…" Lilla looked at my office and looked at me again. "What am I supposed to do with this? Should I put it in your office or—"

 I forgot about this. It's those documents I need for the joint project I will be working with his majesty. 

 I heave a sigh and smile at Lilla. "Can you just send it to the Lauretré residence? I'll be working on it tonight."

 Lilla nods her head and immediately excuses herself. I look at Rufus, and I am about to drag him out when he stops me. 

 "Maybe it's better for you if we skip this dinner. You have a lot of things to do tonight, and I don't want to bother you anymore. I'll probably just head home to—"

  I hold on tightly to Rufus' arms. How can I let him go home knowing he is down right now? That won't do. "No, I already told you, right? I'll work on that later. For now, I need you to join me with my dinner, and I won't accept no as an answer. Come on."

  I pulled Rufus outside the Foundation. We were about to walk to the carriage when someone suddenly called my name. Rufus and I both look back and find Prince Joachim being pushed by his guard towards us.

 "Prince Joachim? What are you doing here, and when did you arrive at the Vrawyth Kingdom?"

  Prince Joachim looks at Rufus for a couple of seconds before he smiles at him. I feel something amiss with the way he looks at Rufus, but I just couldn't pinpoint what's wrong with it.

 "Prince Rufus Astalieu, it's been a long time since we saw each other. I hope you are doing okay. I heard you are now working at the monarch. I didn't expect I would see you do that because you were totally against it before." Prince Joachim smile at Rufus. "But it was nice seeing you, Prince Rufus."

 I feel Rufus hold my hand tightly. I look at Rufus, and he just stares at Prince Joachim for a couple of seconds. He's probably trying to read Prince Joachim. He then nods his head at him as a sign that he acknowledges what Prince Joachim said to him.

 Prince Joachim doesn't mind being ignored by Prince Rufus, though. However, there is something I don't understand. I don't know if it's just me or am I thinking too much right now. 

 What Prince Joachim said doesn't sound bad at all, but why does it make me feel like there is something wrong with what he said? 

 "And about you're question, His majesty, King Simmond Astalieu invites the Yesian Kingdom for his highness, Prince Fraser's birthday banquet. And I am here to represent the Yesian Kingdom. I just decided to come here in advance so I can stroll around the vicinity. I haven't come here for years, and I want to see how much the Vrawyth Kingdom changed through time."

 Rufus nods his head. "If that's the case, then I hope you enjoy your stay here." Rufus looks at me. "Csille and I will be excusing ourselves then. We still have thin—"

 Rufus is about to pull me towards the carriage, but Prince Joachim signals his guard and blocks our way. He then looks at me. "Dame Csille, have you forgotten?"

  Rufus looks at me and frowns. "What did you forget, purplany?"

 How am I supposed to know? I don't even have any idea what he is talking about. Forgot what?

 I smile awkwardly at Prince Joachim. He is a royalty. That's why I still need to be polite when talking to him, even if I'm so frustrated with him right now. Can't he just be straightforward? 

 "What do you mean by your question, Prince Joachim? What am I supposed to remember?"

 And can you please stop acting like we're close? I know you used to be my Professor, but that doesn't give you the right to act like we're some childhood friends.

  Prince Joachim became sad when he heard what I said. He then looks at me with his sad eyes. "You really forgot that you promised me a meal? I initially planned to fetch you this noon for lunch, but after hearing you were busy, I decided to move it to dinner time."

  The meal! Yeah, he is right. I did promise him a meal. However, I only said that because I was in a rush to get away from him. I didn't expect he will come to the Foundation and ask me for dinner.

 Rufus looked at me and whispered, "You promise him a meal? Purplany, why didn't you mention that to me?"

 I look at Rufus and sigh. Why would I even mention it to him? If in the first place, I never plan to have a meal with Prince Joachim.

  I look at Prince Joachim, who is currently looking at Rufus and I. I was originally planning to find an excuse to decline him, but it slipped my mind. It's a good thing Rufus is with me. I can have an excuse not to have dinner with him. 

 "Apologies, Prince Joachim. However, I don't think I can have dinner with you tonight. Prince Rufus and I will have something important to tal—"

  I wasn't able to finish my words because Prince Joachim immediately cut me off. "That's okay. I'm also okay having Prince Rufus with us." He then smiles widely at me.

  How am I supposed to answer that? Can't he sense that I don't want to have a meal with him? And what does he mean by what he said? He is okay having Prince Rufus with us? Why does he sound like Rufus is getting in between us? He sounds like Rufus should thank him for allowing Rufus to eat dinner with us.

 How can this guy say that to Rufus? I know he is a direct descendant of the King of the Yesian Kingdom and Rufus is just the nephew of King Simmond. But if I will comparing his position to Rufus', he won't be able to compete with Rufus. So, how come he can say that to Rufus?

 Rufus held my hand tightly and was about to say something, but I immediately stopped him. I stand in front of Rufus and look at Prince Joachim.

 "Prince Joachim, I know I already said yes for a meal. However, I don't like how you sound like when referring to Prince Rufus. He is a friend of mine, and I don't like the tone you use right now. If this is how you will treat Prince Rufus, I don't think there is a need for us to have a meal. So, if you'll excuse us. We still need to do something." I was about to drag Rufus away from him, but Prince Joachim stopped me.

 "Dame Csille, apologies. I didn't mean to sound rude or anything. I just want to have a meal with you to catch up with each other. I'm sorry, don't get me wrong. I would also appreciate it if Prince Fraser would be with us."

  I frown at his words. I really don't like how he is making it look like Rufus is interrupting my meal with him. Well, in the first place, it was him who was interrupting my time with Rufus.

  I don't appreciate it. Who even said I like to be with you? I only said that because I didn't have a choice back then. Now, I am regretting it. I should have been honest with him.

 I feel Rufus leans on my ear. "You could just invite him with us if you want. That will be okay with me, although I don't really like him ever since."

 I look at Rufus and shake my head. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks there is something odd with the forgotten Prince of the Yesian Kingdom. 

  "I'm sorry, Prince Joachim. But I think there's really no need for us to have a meal. I'm sorry if I made you wait, but I still have other things to do." I look at Rufus. "Come on, Prince Rufus. We still have a lot of things to do with the projects." 

 I didn't wait for Prince Joachim to reply. I immediately drag Rufus towards the carriage and ask the coachman to maneuver the carriage away from the Foundation.

 I look outside my window and sigh. I guess with what happened today. He'll leave me alone for a couple of days.

 "Are you really that close with Prince Joachim? To even hear him ask you for a meal despite knowing that you are already my cousin's fiancée. Isn't that a big slap to the Astalieus?"

 I look at Rufus and shake my head. "I don't think what you are thinking is the reason why he wants to have dinner with me. He was still my former Professor. Maybe he just wants to catch up things."

 As much as I want to put meaning to what Prince Joachim is doing, but I still think that is impossible. I don't think someone I rarely talk to would have thoughts like that.. I really hope so.