Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 338  : Csille belongs to...

 I feel someone stand beside me. I am currently looking at the painting of one of the famous painters in the capital. He let us in because Prince Fraser asked him if we could look around. So here we are, looking at his newest collection of paintings.  "Purplany, I'm sorry. My Father forced me to join them, and you know that I couldn't control myself when I saw Prince Fraser. So, even if I want to help you, I can't do that, or else I might end up doing something I shouldn't be doing. I hope you understand if I didn't do anything to save you. I really don't have any choi—"

 Rufus wasn't able to continue his words when I glared at him. This guy! I knew it! The reason why he didn't do anything to save me from Prince Fraser is because for his own good.

 How did I end up befriending someone like him? He knows I don't like to be with Prince Fraser and Prince Joachim, but he still doesn't do anything because he is thinking about himself. I couldn't believe this guy!

 I didn't say anything to him and walked to another painting. There are total paintings in the room. The painter led us inside his workspace, where all his paintings were displayed. He will put everything in auction in the next few months.  Although this isn't the typical place you go to tour someone in the capital, Prince Fraser thought it was a good idea since the painter is widely known even outside the Vrawyth Kingdom. Letting us inside is like a privileged for all of us. After all, nobles are mostly known as art enthusiasts. Maybe that's the reason why Prince Fraser brought us here.

 Rufus followed me behind. "Purplany, please don't be mad at me anymore. I'm sorry, I should have done something to save you, but can you let your friend do something he will regret?"

 I look at Rufus and sigh. I know I couldn't do that. Rufus has always been there for me in my darkest time. So, how can I do that to him?  "Okay, I'll forgive you this time. But I swear next time you do that, I wouldn't forgive you anymore." I shake my head and look at Prince Fraser, Prince Joachim, and Princess Paislee, who are currently listening to the painter's explanation of the painting.  I looked at Rufus and raised my eyebrow at him. Why is this guy here? Letting Princess Paislee with Prince Fraser? "Shouldn't you be with them? Aren't you a painting enthusiast?"

 Rufus looks at them too and shakes his head. "You know I couldn't do that. I wouldn't be able to control myself to say something to Prince Fraser. So, I would be rather be here with you." He then frowns at looks at me. "Aren't you supposed to be the one with them? Do you know how much Prince Joachim convinced Prince Fraser to invite you? He was so persistent that Prince Fraser gave in to his request. I thought you were not close with him? Why does he act like this tour wouldn't be complete without you?"

 I look at Rufus and frown. Prince Joachim does that? When he said earlier that he wants to me to join them, I didn't expect he would do that. After what I did to his guard? Or maybe the guard didn't inform Prince Joachim of what happened? But if he does, why did Prince Joachim didn't get offended when I refused the dinner?  "Purplany?"

 I look at Rufus and shake my head. "How would I know? I was clueless, the same as you do. Maybe he just thinks it will be nice to bring other people in. I don't know. Why don't you ask him?"

 Rufus shrugs his shoulders. "I was just curious, but I'm not that nosy to ask his reasons."

 I raised my eyebrow at him. Rufus not nosy? That is something you can't see every day. I was about to say something to him when someone spoke behind us.  "Prince Rufus, are you really that close with Dame Csille? Aren't you afraid that people might misunderstand your closeness with each other?"  It's Prince Joachim! And what is the tone he is using? It's as if he is putting meaning to my relationship with Rufus.  I take a step forward and frown at Prince Joachim. I didn't like how this Prince Joachim saying malicious comments about Rufus and me. He even has the guts to say it in front of Prince Fraser? Does he want us to have an internal conflict with each other?  "Your highness, Prince Joachim, please forgive me, but I don—"

 I wasn't able to continue what I wanted to say when Prince Fraser cut me off. "Prince Joachim, everyone knows how close Dame Csille is to the two of us, Prince Rufus and I. So, I don't think they will put meaning to their relationship. Also, everyone knows that Dame Csille has had a huge crush on me ever since we were young. So, you shouldn't worry. Everyone knows who Dame Csille belongs."

 I look at Prince Fraser. Disbelief is clearly written on my face. I couldn't believe he would say that. Is that really Prince Fraser? That is something he wouldn't say.  Prince Fraser looks at me and smiles widely at me. He then pulls me close to him and kisses my head. "Right, Csille?"

 I feel my heartbeat widely after what he did. My mind fee like a hire wire that couldn't connect what was happening. I just look at Prince Fraser, dumbfounded by what is happening.

 Prince Fraser chuckles and gently pinches my cheeks. He then looks at Prince Joachim. "I know I might reprimand her or say something to her that isn't pleasant to the ears. But it doesn't change the fact that my eyes only see her." He then takes my hand and kisses the back of it.

 The painter laughs when he sees things unfold. "What Prince Fraser said is true. Everyone in the Vrawyth Kingdom knows how Dame Csille is close with Prince Rufus because they used to play together when they were young. But everyone also knows that the friendship between the two is just platonic, and at the end of the day, Dame Csille still belongs to Prince Fraser. So, you shouldn't worry, Prince Joachim. No one will say something about Dame Csille's relationship with Prince Rufus."

 We all look at the painter, who is now smiling happily at Prince Fraser and me. It looks like he is really happy to see Prince Fraser and I interact with each other.

 I almost made a face when I came to my senses. What did Prince Fraser say? I had a huge crush on him? I mean, I do know it's a fact, but how dare he say that in front of other people? Can't he spare my reputation here? What would people say? That I'm too desperate for Prince Fraser?  Also, what's with the 'Everyone knows who Csille belongs' he is saying? I belong to myself and no one else.  But I think that is not the issue here. Why would Prince Fraser say that? In front of Princess Paislee? Really? Isn't he afraid that Princess Paislee might misunderstand everything?

 I peeked at Princess Paislee to see her reaction, but I was shocked to see her happily looking at us. It's as if she was even satisfied with what was currently happening. Quite the opposite of the reaction I was expecting to see from her.

 What is happening right now? Why does things progress to this?  I look at Rufus helplessly. Hoping he could do something to save me from this awkward situation, but this guy here is busy staring at Princess Paislee.

 I heave a sigh. What do I expect from him?  I feel something touch my ears. I was about to look at the source, but I immediately stopped when I heard Prince Fraser whisper to my ears. "Can you stop staring at him? Do you really want people to put meaning into your relationship with Prince Rufus?"

 I feel something cold behind my back. My eyes widened when I realized that it was Prince Fraser's hand, and he was even squeezing it lightly. As if reminding me not to look at Rufus.

 I stare at him and frown. What is this guy doing? And what does it have to do with him if I become close with Rufus? Aren't we like that ever since? Why is he only noticing that just now?  "Are you doing this for your own reputation? Don't worry. I won't do anything that would taint your image." I heave a sigh and try to break from his hold. I better keep my distance away from him, or else it might be too difficult for me to control my feelings for him.  I walk to the painting nearby. I need to find an excuse to change the topic. I don't like how the conversation is focusing on my relationship with Prince Fraser because clearly, there is nothing to talk about.  I look at the painter. "May I know the story behind this painting? It had caught my eyes the moment I came here."

 The painter looks at the painting, and his eyes glisten with happiness. He then starts to explain the story behind the painting.

 I heave a sigh. I finally diverted the conversation. I looked at Prince Fraser and saw him looking at me with a frown. I just avoid my eyes and pretend to listen to the painter.

 I don't want to hope anymore. I'm sure Prince Fraser only said those words because he wanted to protect his reputation in front of the painter and Prince Joachim. There is no way he would try to defend me in front of other people because Prince Fraser will never care about Csille. He only sees her if she does something that concerns him. ________________________________

 I was walking around near the lake someone called my name. "Puprlany," I look back and find Rufus behind me.

 I raised my eyebrow at him. "And what are you doing here, Rufus? Aren't you supposed to be with them?

 Prince Fraser decided to show Prince Joachim around the lake in the capital. This lake has a special history involving Princess Celestine, the fallen Princess of the Vrawyth Kingdom. This is where she met Prince Theodore, the crown Prince of the Aeslaerean Kingdom, and the reason for her demise.

 For the Vrawyth people, this lake is special because it witnesses how happy Princess Celestine was back then. But it is also considered a curse because this is where the tragedy starts. If Princess Celestine decided not to go here that time, then she wouldn't be able to meet Prince Theodore. That means she wouldn't end her life.  But those are just wishful thinking. Things already happened, and soon things will change between the two Kingdoms again.  "Shouldn't I ask you the same question? Why does it seems like you are avoiding everyone? You rarely talk the whole day. You won't even let Prince Fraser get close to you. Is it because of what he said in the painter's house?"

 I smile bitterly. Rufus really knows how to read me. Even if I don't tell him anything, he already knows what's wrong.  I shake my head. "The two of us know what's the real score between us, Rufus. I just don't want to make myself hope for something that he couldn't give. So, I'll just distance myself."

 I heard Rufus scoffs. "And what? Suffer on your own? Csille, you are his fiancée. Why would you need to suffer like tha—"

 I stare at Rufus' eyes. "It's because I know he doesn't belong to me. I might belong to him... For now. But we don't know what will the future holds, Rufus. I don't want to force him anymore."

 Rufus frowns. "Csille, what are you saying? How can you say he doesn't belong to you—" n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

 I shake my head and cut him off. "Isn't that true? You know better than I what is the truth, Rufus. You know it, so please don't try to retort it just to make me feel better." I shake my head. "I'll be returning to them, then."

 I didn't wait for Rufus' response and walked away from him. I already said things I shouldn't have told him. I better stop myself, or else I might ruin the future.