Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 370  : Stamps

 "Miss, be careful." The maid helps me get inside the carriage. Making sure I wouldn't bump my head in the process.

 I just got released from the hospital, and I am now on my way home. After I settled in the carriage, I looked at Hospital outside and smiled bitterly. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

 Mother, Father, and Brother Pascal didn't even check my condition ever since I got admitted to the hospital. The maids said they were busy with their work, although I highly doubt if that is the reason. Because even now that I just got released from the Hospital, they are still not around.

 This is a sign that they are really mad at me. Although I understand why they feel this way. I just didn't expect I would be receiving this kind of treatment from them. From the people who first made me feel the warmth of having a family.

 "Miss, don't be sad. The Count and the Countess were just busy today because of the birthday banquet of his highness, Prince Fraser. That's why they cannot be with you today, but I am sure if they have a choice, they would want to send you home."

 The maids probably noticed my sadness. That's why they try to console me. I just smile at them. I know they just want to make me feel good, but it's no use. I already know the truth. That the reason why they are not here with me is because they are still mad at me.  "Miss, don't be sad anymore. I'm sure the Count and the Countess will be with you tomorrow. After all, his highness' birthday banquet will be tomorrow."

 Of course, they will, because they don't have any choice. It will not be good if the Count, the Countess, and their daughter will not attend the banquet. After all, Csille is still considered the fiancée of Prince Fraser. So, she cannot be absent tomorrow.

 I didn't say anything to the maids and just looked outside the window. The Birthday banquet of Prince Fraser will be tomorrow, and until now, my family hasn't talked to me.  Is it the end for Csille? To be hated by her own family? Although I know hate is an overstatement right now, I still think it is possible in the near future.

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 "Miss, the sun is already blazing. It is not good for your health to stay under the sun that long. Let's get inside, Miss. We already prepared some snacks for you."

 I look at the maid and smile at her. "Just give me half an hour more. I still want to enjoy the sun. I have stayed in the hospital room for the whole day that my body misses the touch of sunlight. Don't worry. I will get inside after half an hour."

 The maid stared at me for a couple of seconds before she excused herself.  I look up at the clouds and heave a sigh. This day is a great day to go out and have some fun. A good day to enjoy the peacefulness. Too bad I couldn't even enjoy it because I was stuck in this house. I heard from the maids that Mother and Father told them not to let me out. So, I have no choice but to stay here.  I close my eyes and just enjoy the sunlight that is touching my skin. A moment had passed when I heard footsteps behind me. It's probably the maid again. I'm sure she will ask me to come inside again.  I heave a sigh. "Haven't I told you that I will come inside later? I just want some time alone. I hope you can under—"  The words I wanted to say got stuck in my throat when I heard a familiar voice.

 "Dame Csille, we heard you got admitted to the hospital yesterday. So, we come here to check on your condition. We hope we are not disturbing your rest."

 I immediately get up and look back. My eyes glisten when I see Lilla, Mairenn, and Cairistine standing in front of me.  They are here?!

 "Apologies, Dame Csille, if we came here uninvited. We were just worried about you. That's why we came here to check how you are doing." Lilla said with a wary smile on her face.

 I stand up and hug the three of them. It's been days since I have talked to people other than the maids, and I couldn't help but feel happy. Because it's the first time, after I sneak out, to feel someone cares about me again.

 Lilla hugs me back. "Dame Csille, I hope you are doing okay now. We heard you collapsed twice already. Everyone in the Foundation is worried about you. But we know we cannot all come here to check on you. That's why the three of us decided to come here on their behalf."

 I break from the hug and smile at them. "I feel better now seeing the three of you here. Why don't we all come inside first?"

 Cairistine hugs my legs and looks at me. "Dame Csille, when will you return to the Foundation? I miss you already."

 Mairenn tries to take Cairistine's hand that is wrapped around my legs. "Cairistine, let go of Dame Csille's leg. How can she walk if you will hug her leg?"  I gently caress Cairistine's head. "My dear, once I feel better, I will return to the Foundation. So, wait for a little more, okay?"

 Although I really don't know if I can return to the Foundation after the birthday banquet. Things will be a little difficult for Csille after the banquet. I am not sure if I will be able to return to the Foundation.

 Cairistine pouts at me before she hesitantly lets go of my arm. "Just don't take too much time, Dame Csille. We all miss you there."

 I just nod my head at her before I guide the three of them inside. We all settled in the receiving area.  I look at the maids who are helping me these days and smile gratefully at them. I know they are the ones who let Lilla inside. I heard from the Butler that Mother and Father don't allow me to receive any guests. But probably because they had seen how depressed I was these days, they convinced the butler to let Lilla inside.  I assume that because I can see the butler staring at me warily at a distance. I just shrugged my shoulders at him and focused on talking to Lilla.  "Lilla, how is the Foundation going these days? I'm sorry if I couldn't help you with managing it. But don't worry, once I feel better, I will return to the Foundation."

 I feel bad for passing my responsibilities to Mairenn and Lilla. It's not part of their job to take my responsibilities, but I never heard any complaints from them. They are even more than willing to do work for me.  I guess I was really fortunate to meet them. The two people whom I can confidently leave the Foundation to them. And it was their bad luck to meet someone like Csille.  Lilla and Mairenn look at each other before the both of them shake their head. "Dame Csille, how many times we would have told you that we are happy to help you. It was us who should thank you for saving us."

 I smile at them. Thank me? Why would they thank someone who might endanger them in the future?  Maybe I should decide to step down from the Foundation now. So they wouldn't be involved with Csille's future plans.  "Dame Csille?"

 I blink a couple of times and look at Lilla. I didn't realize I got too preoccupied with my thoughts. "I'm sorry. I just remembered something. Are you saying something?"

 Lilla nods her head. "Yes, Dame. I am wondering if it's okay for me to bring some documents here? There are urgent cases we need to work on now, but because we still haven't had your signature, we couldn't do a thing about it." Lilla and Mairenn stare at each other. "But if you still don't feel okay. You don't have to worry about it. We can just de—"

 I shake my head. I look at the maid who is standing on the side and ask her to come to me.

 I can do what Lilla suggests, but I am not sure if I can still work on it in the future. After all, things would go pretty bad for Csille after the banquet. So, I would rather just give them my signature.  The maid bows her head at me. "Dame Csille, do you need me to do anything for you?"

 "Can you get my stamps in my room?"

 The maid's eyes widen. "Miss? Your what? Stamp? But—"

 I shake my head. "No more questions. Just get my stamps in my room. Now!" I shout at her.

 I understand why the maid looks hesitant when I ask her to get my stamp. Stamps are one of the important possession of a noble, and giving it to someone can be dangerous for the owner of the stamp.

 The maid looks like she wants to say something to me, but because I look coldly at her, she hurriedly runs to my room.

 "Dame Csille, why do you need your stamps? Don't tell me—"

 I look at Lilla and nod my head at her. "I don't know when I can return to the Foundation. I also know that the Foundation can't fully function without my signature. So, I would just temporarily hands you my stamp."

 Mairenn and Lilla's eyes widened when they heard what I said. Then they immediately kneel on the ground and shake their heads.

 "Dame Csille, how can we accept such an important thing? We cannot accept that, Dame

Csille."

 I heave a sigh. I knew they would react like this. There is an incident before when a noble hands her stamp to one of her trusted person. However, this person did transactions using the stamp for her own gain. The noble only realize it when the bank starts to take their property one by one. In the end, the noble family lost more than half of their wealth, and up until now, they are struggling to maintain their business and even their noble title.

 After that incident, no one dared to hand their stamps even to their most trusted person. So, I understand why Mairenn and Lilla got scared of the stamps.

 I stand up and help them to sit. "You don't need to kneel. Don't worry. I won't give you the stamp with my family insignia. So, you can be assured."

 Because of that incident, the Kingdom has been strict with their stamps. Only stamps with family insignia can be used with documents relating to buying things or withdrawing money from the bank.  The stamp I will give to them cannot be used to buy anything or to withdraw money from the bank. They can only use this in work related documents that don't involve giving money from my own bank.  The maid comes back with a box. That is where I put my stamps inside. I opened it and took the stamp I was planning to give to them.  "Here, please take this." I try to hand them the stamp, but Lilla and Mairenn still refuse to take it.

 "Dame Csille, how can we accept an important thing like this? Apologies, but we cannot accept this." Mairenn shakes her head after.

 I smile at her reassuringly before I take her hand and put the stamp in it. "Mairenn, I took you in as my employee because I fully trust you. So, can you please take this stamp and use it for the good of the Foundation. This way, you can prove to me that I have enough reason to trust you."

 Mairenn stares at the stamp in her hand before she nods her head. "I will accept this responsibility, Dame Csille. I promise to take care of this and will not use this for my own gain. If I ever break my promise, you can take my life as payment."

 I shake my head. "No, I don't need that. I am sure you will never break my trust."

 Because I will be the one who will break yours.  I'm sorry, Mairenn, Lilla, and Cairistine. I'm sorry for all the things I will do in the future. I just hope you will still have a happy life in the future.