Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 368  : Consequences

 "CSILLE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? DID YOU SNEAK OUT AGAIN?" Father snaps at me the moment he realizes my disguise.

 I smile awkwardly at Father. "Father, let me explain."

 He just glares at me for a couple of seconds before he looks at the soldiers beside him. "Soldiers, make sure to bring Dame Csille home." He then gives me a deathly stare before he commands the remaining soldiers to continue their way out of the forest.

 I look at Father's back and sigh. I am definitely doomed. If not because of the emergency situation of Prince Fraser, I'm sure Father would definitely drag me home on his own.  I bump my head to the nearest tree. "Why do I forget that I am in disguise? I should have kept quiet and bowed my head. Look what a mess you have made, Csille."

 I was still busy scolding myself when one of the three soldiers, who was ordered by my Father to bring me home, suddenly spoke.

 "Apologies, Dame Csille, but we need to get going now. The Count would be mad if he knew we stayed here for too long."

 I look at the soldier and heave a sigh. I nod my head at him before I fix my headgear and swiftly get on my horse. "Let's get going then. Also, can you not tell anyone what I have done today?"

 The three soldiers look at each other before they nod their heads. I nod at them and maneuver the horse towards the gate of the Kingdom.

 I was happy that they had already found Prince Fraser, but I couldn't help but feel scared of Father's anger. I'm sure Mother will also be mad at me when she hears what I did.

 I have hurt them again.

 I heave a sigh and continue galloping out of the forest. Once we reach the entrance, the guards who are guarding the entrance block our way to check our identities.

 "Soldiers, why did you only return now? The Count returned a few minutes ago."

 I look at three soldiers, urging them to answer the guard's question. I couldn't say anything, or else they would know I am a woman.  I am sure Father didn't tell the guards that his only daughter sneaked out by dressing up as a guard. So, I cannot let anyone know what I have done. After all, it will be a huge issue if people know what I have done.

 One of the three guards gets off his horse and takes off his headgear. My eyes widened when I realized who he was. Isn't he one of the guards of the Laureté Family? I look at the two soldiers who also get off their headgear.

 Now I understand why Father entrusts me with these three soldiers. It is because they are one of our loyal guards. He probably brought them with him to help with the search.

 "Chief, the Count, ask us to look around first to check if we can find anything that will point us to the culprit. It's the reason why it took us some time to return to the capital."

 The guard, who was called chief by our guard, nods his head. Then he looks at me. "And you, why don't you get your headgear so I can check your identity too?"

 I felt my hand tremble when I heard what he said. Take my headgear off? If I do that, then they will know my identity. And if that happens, they will know that I sneak out to join the search party.

 The three soldiers look at each other before one of them taps the shoulder of the guard. "Chief, that guy here is a new hire of the Count. The reason why he isn't taking off his headgear is because he has an allergy. This allergy is transmissible. Asking him to take off his headgear also means asking to have that allergy."

 My mouth twitched when I heard what the soldier said. Out of all the excuses he can think of, why a transmissible allergy? Is there even an allergy like that?  Who would believe that?

 I looked at the guard's face, and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw terror in his eyes. It looks like this guy believes that lame excuse.  "Should I ask him to take off his headgear?" One of the soldiers asked.  I look at the soldier who speaks just now and smirks. It is just a simple question, but it sounds like he is teasing the guard. They can see that the guard is already scared, but they still ask that question. I doubt if the guard will say yes.

 The guard shakes his head and asks the other guards to open the gate. "No need. You can enter the capital now." n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

 The three soldiers salute at the officer, and they immediately get on their horses. After making sure that everything is okay, I maneuver the horse towards the abandoned building.

 The three soldiers behind me immediately stop me when they see where I am going.

 "Miss, where are you planning to go? The Count already told us to bring you home. He will be mad if he finds out you didn't return home."

 I just ignore their words. I need to return to the abandoned building to change my dress. Although Father knows my plan, I still want to return home wearing the dress I wore earlier.  If someone saw me return wearing a guard's clothing, that would be an issue. So to avoid trouble, I decided to change my dress first.  I stop the horse in front of the abandoned building. I look at the three soldiers, who are now staring with horror at the abandoned building.  "Dame Csille, why are we here? Let's go home already. I am sure the Count is on his way home now, and he will be more mad at you if he didn't find you at home." One of the soldiers said.

 I look at them and shake my head. "Don't worry. This won't take long. Just wait for me here."

 I didn't wait for their response and immediately went inside the building. I walk straight to the room where I hide my dress and change into it. After making sure that I looked okay now, I put the guard clothing inside the closet and left the building.

 The moment I step out of the building, I find the three soldiers walking back and forth in front of the abandoned building.  They are probably worried about me, but they know they cannot go inside because I already told them not to.

 I shake my head. "I'm sorry for making you wait. Let's go."

 The three guards look at me. "Dame Csille! You—" They weren't able to finish their words when they saw what I was wearing.

 I look at my dress and shrug my shoulders. "I just changed my dress. Come on, let's go home now."

 I swiftly get on the horse and set off to the Lauretré residence. Although I know there's a big possibility that Father and Mother will be enraged with what I did. I don't have a choice but to face the consequences of my actions.

________________________________

 I look in front of our house and heave a sigh. I get off the horse and look at three soldiers behind me. "Can you help me get this horse to the stable?"

 After making sure the horse will be taken care of, I immediately go inside our house. I was welcome by Mother and Brother Pascal, who is currently sitting in the receiving area with blank expressions on their faces.

 They knew! They already knew what I did. I'm sure Father sent them an update, and now they are enraged for what I did.

 I feel my heart beating wildly, and I suddenly feel anxious. I take a few steps and kneel in front of them. "Mother, Brother, I am sorry. I'm sorry for lying to the two of you. I'm sorry if I sneak out again. I'm sorry for worrying you. I..." I paused. I know no matter how much I explain myself, they wouldn't understand it. So I just remain quiet.

 However, a minute has passed already, and I still haven't heard anything from them. I look up and find them staring at me disappointedly.

 "Mother..."

 Mother shakes her head. "Are you happy now? You finally did what you wanted to do. I hope you are satisfied now." After she said those words, she stood and walked away.

 I tried to call her, but she just ignored me. I helplessly look at Brother Pascal, hoping he can help me. But he just stares at me coldly and shakes his head. "I know you are stubborn, but this is too much, Csille. You have done too much this time." He stands up. "Save your time. Even if you kneel down there for the whole day, they won't forgive you. I won't forgive you." He also left after saying those words.

 I smile bitterly at myself while tears are falling from my eyes. I know I have hurt them, but what did I do wrong? I just want to make sure if Prince Fraser is okay. Is it wrong to worry about my fiancée?  Also, it's not just Prince Fraser I am worried about. I am worried about their safety too, because if something goes against the storyline, everyone's safety will be at risk. I just want to save this world.

 I know they are worried about my safety, and I understand that. But they should have allowed me to at least join the search party for just a day, so I could be at ease. However, they prohibit me from leaving the house. They wouldn't even tell me any news about Prince Fraser.

 So, how can they expect me to stay in this house while my fiancée and my friends are missing?  I heave a sigh. Although I want to ask them those questions, I know I have done something wrong today. I sneak out and go to the forest on my own despite the danger outside. So, I understand why they are disappointed with me.  I remain kneeling on the floor. Although I know what Brother Pascal said is true. That they wouldn't be able to forgive me even if I kneel here for the whole day, I still want to do it. I want them to see how I am sorry for what I did.  I remain kneeling on the floor for I don't know how many hours. All I know is I started kneeling when the sun was blazing outside, and it was already dawn, but here I am, still kneeling.  I can already feel my knee getting numb, but I remain kneeling on the floor.

 "Miss, please stand up already. You're just hurting yourself." One of the maids couldn't stand it and walked toward me. She tried to force me to stand up, but I remain kneeling.

 I shake my head and smile reassuringly at her. "Please, let me do this. I have done some wrong, and this is the consequence of my actions. So, please don't stop me."

 The maid shakes her head. "But miss, look how pale you are. You haven't eaten or drank anything for hours already. You just collapsed yesterday. If you continue doing this, you might end up collapsing again. So please stand up already, Miss."

 I shake my head. I don't want to stand up. I know this time, I greatly disappointed everyone. I want them to see how sorry I am.  Things will going to change in Csille's life soon. I don't want to have a misunderstanding with my family before it happens.  I heard the maid sobs when she heard what I said. She tries to help me stand up, but I just shake my head. In the end, she ends up standing on the side, watching me torture myself.

 I could already feel my body getting weak as time passed. I haven't eaten anything for today nor drank anything. I'm sure sooner or later, my body won't be able to take it.  However, I still push myself. I want Mother, Father, and Brother Pascal see how much sorry I am.  I continue kneeling for another hour. However, this time I can already feel that I am at my limit. My whole body feels numb and light. I feel like I am floating in the air already. But I still keep kneeling. I will kneel here until my body can't take it.  The maid starts to sob while looking at me. They have asked me countless of times to stop kneeling, but I just rejected them.  I close my eyes and use the remaining energy in my body. Father still hasn't returned. I want him to see how sorry I am. So, I will force myself to kneel here.  A moment after, I heard the door open and a familiar footsteps walk inside the house. However, because I had already reached my limit, I felt my body collapse to the floor.

 The last thing I heard was someone calling my name.