Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 333  : Brother Pascal’s Doubt

 Because I stayed the night in the Foundation, I decided to come home early in the morning to have breakfast with my parents. I didn't sleep well last night because of the dream I had. It's also one of the reasons why I returned home early this morning because my mind couldn't stop thinking about that dream, and I thought if I came home, I might stop myself from thinking about it.

 But I was shocked when I saw Brother Pascal having breakfast with my parents. After Brother Pascal returned to the capital, he got so busy with his duties in the hospital that he decided to stay in the house he owned nearby the hospital. It's the first I have seen him having breakfast with Mother and Father again.

 "Brother Pascal? You are home?"

 The three of them immediately look at me and give me a warm smile. Mother immediately stands up and gives me a big hug.  "My dear, you have returned. I was lonely when I realized I couldn't have breakfast with my precious daughter today, but I'm glad you are here." She then looks at Brother Pascal. "You are right in time. Your Brother Pascal is also here to join us for breakfast."

 I greet Father and Brother Pascal first before I take my seat. I looked at Brother Pascal and frowned when I noticed the dark bags under his eyes. "Brother, are you even resting well? Look how big your eyebags already. Don't tell me you have been overworking yourself again? But I thought you promised us that you wouldn't do that again?"

 Mother, who is sitting beside me, heaves a sigh. "We have been reminding your Brother Pascal to take care of himself, but it seems like he doesn't honor our words. That's why he didn't listen to us."  Brother Pascal wipes his mouth first before he answers Mother. "Aunt, please don't say that. You know you are the only remaining family I have. How can I not listen to you and Uncle? It was just sometimes the situation in the hospital doesn't allow me to follow your reminders. But as much as I can, I always try to sleep properly. You know how we Doctors work, right? Sometimes we just don't have a choice."

 Mother whines at Father. "My dear, look at the two descendants of the Lauretré family. Both are stubborn and workaholics. I'm worried our linage wouldn't continue with what they are doing."

 Father gently caresses Mother's back before he looks at us. "Csille, Pascal. I know the both of you are only doing your profession. However, I hope you can also remember that you are the only hope of the Lauretré Family if something happens to any one of you. It will be the end for our Family."

 Brother Pascal and I stare at each other before we both nod our heads. We know the mistake we made. However, we cannot promise not to break it again. After all, the two of us both love what we are doing.

 After the meal, I decided to take a break and sleep for this morning. A few hours of sleep will definitely help me ease my mind. I'll just return to the Foundation this afternoon.  I was about to enter my room when Brother Pascal suddenly called my name. I frown. I thought he was busy in the hospital? How come he is still here?  "Brother? Do you need anything?"

 I heard him sigh and shake his head. "Can I have a few minutes of your time? I need to talk to you."

 I nod my head. Although I'm curious what he wants to talk about. That he even decided to set aside his work just for this conversation. It means we will be talking about something important.  Brother Pascal led me to the library so we could have privacy. Another sign that whatever he wants to talk about is something that only we could hear.

 I suddenly feel anxious. Did he know that I offended Prince Joachim the other day, or is he worried that Prince Fraser did something to me?  Brother Pascal looks at me and sighs. "Csille, I heard you visited the Crest Hospital the other day."

 I felt my whole body tense up when I heard the word Crest Hospital. Holy moly! Did someone see me when I visited Mister Saintillevé? Is it the reason why Brother Pascal decided to talk to me privately today?

 I try my best to hide my anxiety and nod my head nonchalantly. "Yes, Brother, I was visiting a friend of mine."

 Brother Pascal frowned when he heard what I said. Then he raises his eyebrow at me. "A friend? You know more than me that aside from the Astalieus and your employees, you don't have other friends here, Csille." I can hear a tinge of doubt in his voice.

 He's doubting me? I almost smacked my head when I heard Brother Pascal say. How can I forget that? I rarely socialize with my classmates in primary school and high school because I don't like how they often try to butter me up. It's the reason why aside from the Astalieus, I didn't get the chance to be closed with anyone. They are just too hypocritical to me, and I would rather be alone than surround myself with people who will backstab me every time I am not with them.

 I look at Brother Pascal and act like I got hurt with his words. "Brother, I know I used to be mean when I was young, but I already changed. Do you really think I still wouldn't like to befriend other people? Do I still look like I'm the old immature Csille Lauretré before?" n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

 Brother Pascal stared at me with his blank expression for a couple of seconds before I heard him sigh. "That's not what I mean with my question, Csille. I know you already changed, but I just never saw you being close with other people. I apologize if I hurt your feelings because of what I said. I didn't mean that. I just want to know who is this friend you visited in the Crest Hospital."

 I inconspicuously sigh in relief. At least I managed to lessen the doubt in his eyes. "That was because I was busy with my work lately that I couldn't socialize with others. As for your question, it is a friend that I met through my Foundation. She volunteered to help my Foundation a couple of times already. That's why I become close to her. She got sick, so I just visited her."

 Brother Pascal nods his head. "I see. Then she must be from a noble family. May I know what her name is?"

 Noble family? I cannot say any name from any noble family because it will be difficult for me to get close with any noble at my age. Also, I don't think anyone will help me. After all, I used to snob most of the noble ladies, so I'm definitely sure no one will help me.  "Brother, how did you come up with the idea that she is a noble? Although I already changed, I still couldn't bear to befriend someone who is a hypocrite, and you know that most of the noble ladies are hypocrites." I shake my head.  Disgust is clearly written in my face. I have encountered most of the nobles ladies in the Kingdom, and I really didn't like how they put themselves above everyone else. It's as if they see themselves as Gods, and everyone below them is just peasants in their eyes. Those kinds of people are the people that I don't like the most. Probably because I, myself, can be considered a commoner in the real world.

 "She's not a noble, Brother."

 I thought Brother Pascal would be satisfied with my answer, but he just looked at me and frowned. "You said your friend is not a noble, right? But how come she got admitted to the Crest Hospital? Aside from the nobles, who among the people here can afford to admit their daughter in that hospital?"

 I feel my hand tremble a little because of the anxiety I am feeling right now. How can I forget that important part? The Crest Hospital only caters to nobles because their service fee is too expensive. It's too high that only the nobles can pay it without any problem.  How can I solve this then? I only said that 'she' is not a noble because I am afraid no nobles would like to befriend me.  I stare at Brother Pascal and frown. If I cannot answer that question, I'll just turn the table to him. "Brother, are you doubting me? Why does it sounds like you don't trust my words? I would understand it if it were other people who are in doubt of me. But you are my cousin." I look at him with a hurt expression.

 I heard Brother Pascal sigh. "Csille, I am not doubting you. I just want to know who you are associating yourself with. You are the heir of the Lauretré Family, and you will soon be crowned as the Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom. You need to be careful with who you interact with. You know that there are Families we cannot interact or else it will only bring trouble to you."

 I look at Brother Pascal, trying to read what he wants to say. Does he know that I am talking to Mister Sewell Saintillevé? Is he saying all these words just to warn me? But I thought I was careful enough when I visited Mister Saintillevé. How come he looks like he knows something?

 "Brother, what are you trying to say? I don't understand." I looked at him and pretended that I couldn't understand what he was saying.

 I need to know what he knows. I need to make sure that my secrets are safe and everything is following the storyline. I don't want to include Brother Pascal with this. He is the only person I can trust with taking care of the Lauretré Family if I decide to turn my back on the whole Vrawyth Kingdom.  Brother Pascal heaves a sigh and shakes his head. "I heard from my friend, who is a Doctor in the Crest Hospital, that he sees you in the Hospital visiting someone. Do you know that Mister Sewell Saintillevé is currently admitted to the Crest Hospital?"

 I feel my throat got dry because of anxiety. Why does he need to mention Mister Saintillevé is in the Crest Hospital? Is he really suspicious that I have a connection with Mister Saintillevé?  I frown. "Brother is the Mister Sewell you are talking about, is from the Family that Mother and Father used to tell me to avoid?"

 Brother Pascal stares at me for a couple of seconds. As if trying to see if what I am saying is true. He then nods his head after. "Yes, he is from that Family. So, I think it's best if you stop visiting your friend for now or else it might cause misunderstanding from others. I don't think another issue will help you or your Foundation."

 I don't know if he said that because he knows something or he just said that out of concern about my reputation. But no matter what, I will definitely need to be careful next time when I see Mister Saintillevé. Even if I don't want to worry anyone, I don't have much a choice but to meet Mister Saintillevé.

 I nod my head at Brother Pascal and smile reassuringly at him. "Don't worry, Brother. I won't do anything that will harm me in any way. Also, I know what is wrong or what is right. So you can be assured that I wouldn't do something that wrong."

 Brother Pascal walks towards me and gently caresses my head. "Please don't misunderstand what I am doing, Csille. I only want to keep you safe. Aside from Aunt and Uncle, you are my only family, so I wouldn't let anything happen to you."

 I just hug him and hum. I know he is only concerned about me, but I just wish that he would not keep his words when I decided to become the enemy of the Kingdom.