Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 329  : Her Majesty’s Request

 I was about to step inside my office when I saw a familiar person sitting on my chair. I raised my eyebrow at him. I didn't expect I would see him today. After all, he had just returned to the capital, which means he had a lot of work to do in the monarchy because he was absent for days. So, how come he is here casually sipping tea in my office.

 "Purplany, you are here?" He immediately put down the teacup and smiled widely at me. "Good morning. How are you these days? I hope you have been doing fine in my absence."

 I heave a sigh. What is this guy doing here early this morning? Can't he see that I still have a lot of documents around my office?  I walk to him and sit on the chair in front of my table. "Rufus, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be busying yourself with your work in the monarchy? You just returned to the capital. Are you sure it's okay for you to be here? Aren't you worried about your work?"

 I heard Rufus sigh. "That is the problem, purplany. His majesty is asking for an update to what happened with the villagers."

 I raised my eyebrow. Why haven't I received a request like that? Is it because I just sent an update about the joint project?

 "And what does it have to do with you being here? Shouldn't you prepare all the reports his majesty needed?"

 Rufus takes a sip of the tea he had been drinking before he answers me. "I already prepared it in advance."

 I raised my eyebrow at him. Rufus preparing his work? Although Rufus is not irresponsible, sometimes his happy go lucky personality takes over him. He would mostly procrastinate until the deadline was near. That is when he'll do his work. It's rare to see him prepare things in advance.

 I took a document on my table and started to read it. It looks like this Prince right here doesn't have any plans to get off my chair. So, I'll just start my work. "If that is the case, what is the purpose of your visit? Can't you see I was busy? If you're worried about my report to his majesty, I already talked to him and her majesty the other day. So, there's really nothing you should worry about." I said while reading the documents. I still have a lot of things to do today, and I couldn't waste any time.

 I was startled when he suddenly grabbed my hand and made me face him. "Purplany, help me!"

 I blink my eyes a couple of times while looking at him. "Help you with what? And can you please not grab my hand all of a sudden? You're startling me."

 Rufus immediately let go of my hand and leaned on my chair. "Csille, I need your help tonight. His majesty asks Prince Fraser and me for a small banquet tonight. He wants us to report to him at the banquet. I don't have any problem with my report. My problem is, I couldn't stand having a meal with that Crown Prince. The last time I had a conversation with him, I almost lost my temper. If not because of Sir Farren, I would probably lose it."

 I raised my head and looked at Rufus. He seems so stressed right now. Is his fight with Prince Fraser that bad? I know his relationship with Prince Fraser will change the moment he chooses to fight for Princess Paislee, but I didn't expect it would be this bad.  Is this how I write things?

 I heave a sigh. Although I want to help him, I also don't want to see Prince Fraser. After all, I teased him before, and I'm sure he is still mad at me because of what I did. So, why would I put myself into a situation that will not benefit me? I would rather work until midnight than to attend a banquet. Although it would also be great to have a meal with his majesty because I am sure her majesty will be there too.

 I continue reading the document in my hand. "Apologies, Rufus. I really want to help you, but I'm quite busy today." I gestured my hand around my office. "As you can see, I still have a lot of documents to work on today. I probably need to work overnight to finish this. So, I'm sorry. I don't think I can help you this time."

 Rufus stands up and sits on the chair in front of me. "Csille, please help me. I don't think I can control myself if I see Prince Fraser. After what he did to you? I don't think I can do that. So, I need you to stop me from doing something brash. You shouldn't worry, we are not the only ones at the dinner. Prince Joachim will also be joining us. So ple—"

 I immediately stood up when I heard Prince Joachim's name. That's the two people I am avoiding, and he expects me to join that dinner?  Nope! I still have a will to live. I shake my head repeatedly at Rufus. "Prince Joachim is also there? And you still expect me to accompany you? Are you kidding me? No! Why would I even attend a dinner with two people I don't want to see."

 Rufus frowns when he head what I said. "Two people you don't want to see? I understand that the first one if my cousin but who is the other one? I am sure it's not his majesty. Does it mean you don't like to see Prince Joachim? But why? Is it why you let me join your dinner with Prince Joachim before? But why wouldn't you want to see him? Isn't he your professor in Alderrdeen?"

 I heave a sigh. I unintentionally spilled to him that I didn't want to see Prince Joachim. I invited him before, but I didn't specify the reason why I didn't want to be alone with Prince Joachim. Also, Rufus didn't ask that time, so I didn't think there was a need for that.

 "It's not that I don't want to see him. It's more like I don't feel comfortable being around him. Did you know that he invited me again for a meal, and he even wanted to have a meal with me alone?"

 Rufus frowned when he heard what I said. "And you decline him? Please tell me you declined him, Csille."

 I shake my head. "I didn't, but when his guard showed up to fetch me, I got mad because I didn't like how his guard used Prince Joachim's authority in front of me. So, I sent his guard away and told him that if he ever did it to my employee or to anyone, I wouldn't think twice to use my power to retaliate against him. In the end, the poor guard didn't have any choice but to leave without me. And that's how I managed how to escape from Prince Joachim. However, I don't think it's a good idea to meet him after what I did. So, no!"

 I walk around and sit on my chair. "I'm sorry, Rufus, as much as I want to be there for you, but I also don't want to risk my life. Prince Fraser also got mad at me the last time I met him. I'll be doomed if I agree to this dinner. So, please look for someone to bring aside from me because I won't be able to help you this time."

 After I said those words, I immediately took the document I had been reading earlier and pretended to read it. I need to make Rufus see how busy I am, and I don't have time for banquets today.

 And it seems like it is working because I didn't hear anything from him for a couple of minutes now. I look up and found him looking intently at me with his puppy eyes.  I was about to complain to him when someone knocked on the door, and Lilla peeks behind it. She then bows her head when she sees Rufus sitting on the chair in front of my table. "Apologies for my intrusion, Dame Csille, and Prince Rufus. However, a letter from the palace arrived just now, and it was addressed to Dame Csille. I thought it was something urgent, that's why I decided to give it to her. I hope I am not interrupting anything."

 I immediately frowned when I heard that a letter from the palace came to the Foundation. From the Palace?  Why do I feel something bad will happen with that letter? I hope what I am thinking is wrong. I really hope so.

 Before I can stand up and get the letter, Rufus rush to Lilla and take it from her hand, Lilla is about to complain but probably change her mind because it's Rufus she is talking about. A royalty of the Vrawyth Kingdom.

 Rufus then opens it without even asking for my permission. He even has the guts to read it as if he is the receiver of the letter. I rolled my eyes at his actions and walked to his side to read the letter.

 I really have a bad feeling about this letter.

 I wasn't even near him when Rufus looked at me and smiled widely. With that kind of smile, I already knew I was in trouble.

 "Purplany, I guess you don't have a choice but to join the dinner tonight." He then smiles cheekily at me. As if he is taunting me. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

 I immediately walk to his side and take the letter from his hand. My eyes widen when I read the contents of the letter.

 It is a letter of invitation from her majesty, Queen Amalone Astalieu, and she is inviting me to the small banquet tonight. She also mentioned that we would be talking about the progress with the temporary shelter project for the villagers. Aside from that, she also mentioned that we would also be talking about his highness, Prince Fraser's incoming birthday banquet.

 I knew it! This letter is really bad news. I glared at the smiling Rufus, but he just raised his hand while still smiling at me.  "Why are you glaring at me like that, purplany? I was not the one who sent that letter. If there is anyone else who you should get angry with, it should be the sender of the letter—"

 I glare at him even more. As if I can do that? She's the Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom. Who am I to get angry at her just because she invited me for a small banquet? Where can you see a person who got mad because she got invited?  "Stop smiling, Rufus. This is not funny!"

 I walk to my chair again and slump my body on it. I couldn't decline the invitation because it's from her majesty. I can still find an excuse if it's from his majesty. I know he can understand it. However, the Queen is different when it comes to the King.  The King could understand if a person is busy because of their responsibility or work. But the Queen will not understand it, because for her nothing is more important but having time with your family, your people or employee. So, I'm sure she wouldn't appreciate it if I used the excuse that I'm busy with work.

 That means I have no other choice but to come for tonight's banquet.

 "Purplany, you don't need to come if you really don't want to. I can just make up an excuse for you. I'm sur—"

 I looked at him and rolled my eyes. "Rufus, the letter is from her majesty, Queen Amalone, and do you really think she would appreciate it if I skip the banquet? You know that the Queen doesn't like that, right? Also, stop suggesting that. I'm sure you are already happy that I have no choice but to accompany you tonight."

 Rufus scratches his nape. "I admit I was happy but don't worry. I will make sure those two Princes will not do anything to you."

 I heave a sigh. I really hope he can keep that promise because I definitely don't want to face anyone between those two Princes.