Why Did I Become the Villainess?

352  : A Familiar Royalty

  I feel a hand gently caress my back. I look at my side where Prince Fraser is standing and frown at him.   What is this guy doing? Touching my back in front of the guards? Is this some sort of a show? To make everyone believe that the Crown Prince of the Vrawyth Kingdom and his fiancé are doing good?   I smile bitterly. It's the only thing I can think of why he is doing all of this. From the kiss on my forehead to the compliments I received from him. All of it is definitely part of his plan. A plan of making everyone believe that my relationship with him is okay.

  "Why are you smiling like that? Is there something wrong?" Prince Fraser frowns and stares into my eyes.

 I stare back at his eyes and shake my head. "No, your highness. Nothing is wrong. I just remembered something sad that I couldn't help but smile like that. Apologies, I'll try to focus more on my smile."

 We are now waiting for the arrival of the guests. But instead of waiting outside in the blazing sun, Prince Fraser decided to stay inside the carriage. We will only get off the carriage if we see the carriage of the guests arrives at the gate. The guards still need to check their identity before they can allow them to enter. Giving us enough time to get off the carriage.

 He stares into my eyes, probably trying to read if what I am saying is true or not. He then heaves a sigh. "May I know what is this sad memory you remember?"

  I frown. How would I know? That was just my alibi to tell you. Also, I don't understand why do you act like that. There aren't people around besides the coachman who wouldn't tell anyone what is happening between us. So, why are you acting like this, Prince Fraser? What are you doing?

 I shake my head. "Your highness, it was nothing. It was a bad memory that I don't want to remember anymore. So, I hope you can forgive me if I wouldn't tell you what it is."   Please, don't ask me questions anymore, or else I might tell you things I shouldn't say to you.   I almost jump when I feel something cold hold my hand. I look down and find Prince Fraser holding my hands.   "Csille, don't be sad anymore. I don't want to see you smiling like that."

  I avoid looking into his eyes and take my hand away from him. I don't know why he is doing all of this. All I know is I need to protect my heart from hoping. I couldn't afford to fall for him even more. After all, no matter what I do, he wouldn't choose me over Princess Paislee.

 So, I will just distance myself for now.   I look outside the window and pretend like I didn't hear anything from Prince Fraser. I'll just need to pretend that he doesn't exist until the guests arrive.   That's an easy thing to do, right?

  I heard Prince Fraser heaves a sigh beside me. "Csille, are you mad at me?"

  I raised my eyebrow at his question. Mad at him? Mad is an overstatement. I am not mad at him. I am frustrated with what he is doing.   He knows Csille has feelings for him, right? So, how can he do these things knowing that Csille will might misunderstand things? Or he really doesn't care about Csille that he didn't mind if she got hurt with what he is doing?

 I remain looking outside the window. Pretending I didn't hear anything. It is better this way. Than to hear his sweet empty words.   "Csille, please talk to me. I wan—"

  Prince Fraser wasn't able to finish his words when a guard said something outside. "Your highness, the guards who are assigned to the entrance just informed us that a carriage from the Aeslaerean Kingdom arrived. They are now confirming their identities."

  I immediately look at Prince Fraser's side. It is where the door of the carriage can be found. So, even if I don't want to look at Prince Fraser, I don't have much choice.

  I frown. The Aeslaerean Kingdom?   I know that the Vrawyth Kingdom has also invited people from our nemesis Kingdoms ever since. However, it was the first time the Aeslaerean Kingdom came here after the peace treaty ended. Also, in my novel, the Aeslaerean only arrived at the Vrawyth Kingdom on the day of the Birthday Banquet.   So, how come they are here already?

  Prince Fraser nods his head. "Thank you for informing us. We will get off the carriage in a minute. Prepare all the things I ask you to prepare earlier."

 The guard immediately left after. Prince Fraser stares at me. "The Aeslaerean people are already here. Let's go and welcome them." He then offered his hand to me, which I accepted.

  The guards immediately bow their heads when they see us walking towards the gate. "Greetings, your highness, and Da-Dame Csi-ille." Some of the guards stutter when they mention my name.   I smiled at their reaction, and I was about to say something to them when Prince Fraser suddenly blocked my way by standing in front of me. "Why are you stuttering like that in front of Dame Csille? Do you all forget who you are all staring at?" He snaps at the guards.

  I immediately hold his arms and shakes my head. "Your highness, please control your temper. The Aeslaerean people are here already. It wouldn't be good if the—"

  I wasn't able o continue my words because Prince Fraser glared at me. "And what do you want me to do? To let them be flustered with your beauty?" He then looks at the dress I am wearing, and his face becomes flush too for a couple of seconds before he takes off his coat and wears it on me. "Nope! Not a chance. There."

  I look at his coat and frown. "But your highness, if I wear this coat, they will not see how beautiful my dress is." I was about to take the coat off of me when Prince Fraser grabbed my left hand and held it tightly.

  "I already told you. No matter what you wear, you will always be beautiful in my eyes. So, why do they need to show them how beautiful your dress is? That dress couldn't even compare to your beauty." Prince Fraser says while frowning at me.

  What is this guy doing? I change my dress just so I can look beautiful in front of the guests, but now he wants me to cover it?   And what is his tone? He sounds like a jealous husband who doesn't want his wife to show her beauty to the public.

  I shake my head to erase those thoughts in my mind. I couldn't let those thoughts linger in my mind, or else it would be difficult for me to keep myself from hoping again. Hoping that maybe a miracle could happen and I will end up with Prince Fraser.

  I heave a sigh and shake my head. "Your highness. We are here to welcome the guests. Isn't it right only for me to be in my best appearance when we welcome them? I think the coat ruins the way I look right now."

  Prince Fraser inches his face closer to mine. "Are you saying that my coat doesn't look good on you?"

  I almost groaned when I heard his question. I thought he would already understand what I wanted to say, but this guy decided to put the focus on his coat.   "Your highness, that—"

  I wasn't able to continue my words when we both heard a chuckle from a distance.   "Your highness, I didn't know you are this possessive with your fiancé. I guess what they said is true."   I frown and look at the man who said those words. He looks familiar. I just don't remember when did I see him, but I am definitely sure I have met him before. But who is he?   Prince Fraser stands up straight and nods his head at the man. "Prince Christofre Saintizin, the current Crown Prince of the Aeslaerean."   My eyes widened when I recognized the name. It is the cousin of Princess Paislee. He is also the same person we competed in the Grand Exemplary Competition five years ago.   He was the one sent here to represent the Aeslaerean Kingdom? Why am I not informed about this? I thought the Aeslaerean Kingdom would just send some noble family, but instead, they decided to send Prince Christofre?   I look at Prince Fraser. Does he knows about this, and what does he say just now? Prince Christofre is the current Crown Prince of the Aeslaerean Kingdom? But isn't Princess Paislee the one who has the right to the throne? How come it is passed on to her cousin, Prince Christofre?   This doesn't make sense. This shouldn't happen at all. I have never written a scene like this. I never wrote that Prince Christofre would be the one sent by the Aeslaerean Kingdom for the Birthday Banquet.   I was busy thinking about the consequences of this situation when I felt a hand gently caress my back. "My dear fiancée, Dame Csille Lauretré and I, both welcome you to the Vrawyth Kingdom. We hope you have a great stay here."

  I look at Prince Fraser. Does he really need to emphasize the words 'my fiancée'? Although I want to complain to Prince Fraser, it will be rude not to welcome Prince Christofre. Also, how can I complain to Prince Fraser if what he said is true? That I am his current fiancée.

  I smile politely at Prince Christofre and bow my head at him. I originally planned to do a curtsy, but since Prince Fraser had already introduced me as his fiancée, it would not be right to do a curtsy anymore because Prince Fraser's introduction makes me his equal.  "Greetings, your highness, Prince Christofre." I didn't say much and just greeted him because I was afraid I might say something I shouldn't say. After all, this Prince Christofre is a royalty from our nemesis Kingdom. Any wrong words can be used as an excuse for a war.   Prince Christofre looks at me. "Lady Csill—"

  "It's Dame Csille, Prince Christofre. My fiancée is already a Dame now." Prince Fraser corrects him. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

  I look at Prince Fraser and frown. I thought we were here to welcome the guests, but why does he talk to Prince Christofre like that? Cold and aloof.   Prince Christofre laughs and nods his head. "Thank you for the correction, Prince Fraser." He then stares at me. "Dame Csille, I now understand why his highness, Prince Fraser, doesn't want us to see you with the dress. Your beauty is really breathtaking. It will b—"

  Prince Christofre isn't able to finish what he wants to say because Prince Fraser cuts him off. "I'm sure you are all tired because of the long journey. Please come inside, and we will show you where you will all be staying."   This guy! Doesn't he know that it's rude to cut someone off? What will Prince Christofre will say?   I look at Prince Christofre and bow my head as an apology for Prince Fraser's action. However, this moody Prince stop me from bowing to Prince Christofre again.   It's a good thing, Prince Christofre doesn't seem to mind what happened. He just looked at Prince Fraser and me while smiling. As if he is watching a very interesting thing.  "Please show us the way, your highness."

 Prince Fraser didn't respond to Prince Christofre and just asked the guards to open the gates for the Aeslaerean Kingdom. Then he guides me to our carriage.

  After settling inside the carriage, he just asked the entourage of the Aeslaerean Kingdom to follow us.   I look at Prince Fraser, who is now frowning while looking outside the window. I actually planned to just remain quiet the whole ride, but I couldn't stop myself from asking Prince Fraser.

  "Your highness, is it really okay for you to act like that in front of the Aeslaerean people? What if they use it as an excuse to go against... us?"

  My words halted for a couple of seconds because Prince Fraser suddenly inched his face closer to mine. "He was flirting with you, Csille. How can you expect me to welcome them warmly after hearing what he said to you? Am I nothing in his eyes to even say that in front of me?"

  I frown. Flirting with me? When did that happen? Why can't I remember such a thing?

  "Your highness, what are you saying? I don't under—"

  "He told you that your beauty is breathtaking. Isn't that flirting?" He snaps at me.

  How did it become flirting? He just told me I'm beautiful.   I shake my head and avoid my face from his. I couldn't think straight if we were this close. However, I wasn't even able to calm myself when Prince Fraser made me face him again.   "Do you like him, Csille? Tell me. Do you like that Prince Christofre?"