Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 379  : The Aftermath (3)

 I had just finished calming Father down when someone hurriedly knocked on my door. I look at the closed door and frown.

 Everyone knows I am having a serious conversation with my parents. So, why would someone knock on my door?  That is...

 Brother Pascal, who is close to the door, stands up and opens it without even asking me if I would like to see the person behind that door.

 I was startled when I heard Brother Pascal's voice. "What are you doing here?" There is a sharp edge in his voice, and the way he holds on to the door proves that he is just controlling his anger.

 I immediately stood up and was about to rush to Brother Pascal's side, but Father got into the door first.  "And what are you doing here, your highness?" Father stresses the word 'your highness' to ensure that Prince Fraser would know that he isn't happy to see him.

 I was about to rush to stop Father, but Mother blocked my way. "Let your Father and your Brother deal with him."

 "But Mother..." I tried to talk my way, but Mother shook her head at me. So, I have no other choice but to shut my mouth.

 "Count, Doctor Pascal, I am here to talk to all of you. I hope you can give me a chance to expla—"

 Father scoff. "Explain? Is there anything you should he explaining here, your highness? Isn't it all clear that you break off your engagement with my daughter without even informing us? You just embarrassed my daughter in front of everyone else, and you still expect us to listen to your nonsense?"  It's a good thing Brother Pascal is blocking the way out of the room, or else I don't know what Father can do to his highness.  "Your highness, please leave. We won't don't have anything to talk about. The moment you decided to break your engagement with my cousin that is the end of conversation between the Lauretré family and you."

 I felt my hand tremble when I heard what Brother Pascal said. I look helplessly at Mother. "Mother, what does Brother Pascal means?"

 But instead of answering me, Mother just shakes her head at me. As if saying I shouldn't interfere with what is happening.

 Don't tell me they are planning to break the ties of the Lauretré Family with the Astalieus?

 "Count, I hope you wouldn't break our ties just because of what happened. We have bee—"

 Father laughs sarcastically. "I was the one who broke our ties? I think you are mistaken here, your highness. Have you forgotten you were the one who broke up your engagement with my daughter?"

 I hear someone heave a deep sigh. It's probably Prince Fraser.  "Count, I know you are mad because of what happened, and I apologize for that. It was never my attention to hurt your daughter. I just couldn't see myself marrying someone I don't love. So, I'm sorry, but I hope you wouldn't break our ties just because of this—"

 Father laughs again. "Just because of this? Are you saying that I should set aside my daughter's emotions? I already forgive you for embarrassing my daughter but you belittling her emotions is something I wouldn't forgive. You were the one who brought her pain, so why does it sounds like we are the ones indebted to you? Should we thank you for breaking off the engagement? Is that what you want?"

 Although I understand Prince Fraser, I couldn't help but agree with my Father this time. Prince Fraser is too selfish to ask Father to set aside my feelings for his own good.  I smile bitterly. I know Prince Fraser doesn't have feelings for me, but to hear him ask this to my father, is something I didn't expect.  How can he be so selfish and a jerk? I couldn't believe I made a male lead like him who only thinks of himself.  I thought Csille was the only selfish one here, but the more I delved deeper into the story, the more I saw the flaws and toxicity of this so-called male lead.

 "Count, that is not what I meant. You know that I badly need your support. So, I hope you can still supp—"

 "Support you? After what you did with my cousin? Your highness, aren't you asking for too much?"

 I shake my head. Although I am greatly disappointed with Prince Fraser, I know I cannot let the Lauretré family turn our backs on him. Only Prince Fraser can save the Lauretré Family from its demise, so I would do anything to keep this ties with him.

 "Count..."

 Father shakes his head. "Prince Fraser, the Lauretré Family has always been loyal to the royal family. So, I don't understand how you can do this to my only daughter. I know my daughter has flaws, but how can you crush her reputation in front of everyone else. Do you think someone will want to marry her after you blatantly refuse her? I know all those people think now is something wrong with my daughter that's why despite her beauty, you still don't love her. So, how can I support someone who broke my daughter? You didn't just break her heart. You also ruined her future. So, tell me, your highness, how can I agree with your request?"

 Father heaves a sigh. "I don't intend to do this because the Lauretré Family has always been loyal to the royal family. But what you did is something I couldn't bear to ignore. So, I'm sorry. This time, the Lauretré family will not be sup—"

 I break from Mother's hold and rush to Father's side. "No, Father! You cannot do that. If his highness doesn't get enough support, it will be detrimental to the whole Vrawyth Kingdom. Everyone is eyeing the position of the next ruler. If our nemesis Kingdom noticed that his highness doesn't have enough support when he becomes the King, they can use this to go against us. And you know what will happen to a Kingdom that doesn't have enough unity." Nôv(el)B\\jnn

 Everyone got silent because they knew what I wanted to say was true. Once a Kingdom assigns a Ruler that couldn't fully rule its Kingdom, it will only lead to a disaster. Just like what happened to a lost Kingdom before.  I hold tightly to my Father's arm. "Father, this isn't a matter of my feelings. I appreciate your concern, but if you still insist on your plan, everyone, including me, will be endangered. So, please don't say that. The whole Vrawyth Kingdom needs the Lauretré family right now. Are we planning to turn our backs to them when they need us the most?"

 Father stares at me before he looks at Prince Fraser. He then heaves a deep sigh. "If that is the only way to save the Vrawyth Kingdom, then with reluctance, I will pledge my loyalty to the royal family."  Brother Pascal immediately looked at Father, but he didn't say anything. He probably knows how grave the consequences are if the Lauretré Family withdraws its support to Prince Fraser.

 Father shakes his head. "You can leave now." He then turns his back after saying those words.

 I silently heave a sigh of relief. I just managed to save the Lauretré Family from its demise. As long as the Lauretré family remains loyal to the Vrawyth Kingdom, it will survive the war.  Brother Pascal stares at me. "You should go back inside, Csille."

 I look at Brother Pascal hesitantly. I don't know if I should say something to Prince Fraser or just ignore him.  "Csille, thank you for..."

 I look at Prince Fraser coldly. "Don't think too much. I am not doing this for you. I am doing this because I still value my relationship with his majesty, and I care about the Vrawyth people. However, that is only it. The Lauretré Family will remain loyal to the royal family, but I will cut any ties with the Astalieu. Starting from now on, you are not my friend. So, please leave. I don't talk to strangers."

 I immediately leave after saying those words. I am not mad at him. I already see this happen. I just need to do this so I can follow the script because this is what I have written.  Starting from now, Csille Lauretré doesn't have any connection with the Astalieus, and that includes Prince Rufus.

________________________________

 My parents and Brother Pascal stay in the Foundation for another hour to make sure I am okay. They even wanted to stay with me for the whole day, but I just convinced them to continue their work because I knew they were busy too.

 I get out of my office and find Lilla walking back and forth in the lobby while my employees are worriedly looking at her.  I frown and walk toward her. "What is happening here?" I looked around and noticed how the seats for the people were still vacant.  Lilla immediately rushes towards me when she sees me. "Dame Csille! I'm sorry. I tried to stop his highness, but I couldn't do anything." She looks at me hesitantly. "Is... everything okay?"

 I smile reassuringly at her. "Don't worry. Everything is fine, so you don't have to say sorry. Is that the reason why you look anxious?"

 Lilla nods her head. "I'm sorry, Dame Csille. I know you don't want to see his highness. I should have stopped him, but I couldn't do anything because his highness was glaring at me."

 I smile bitterly. I didn't expect Prince Fraser will force himself into my Foundation. Is he that desperate for the Lauretré support?  He already forces himself here, and he still has the guts to ask Father to set aside my feelings?  He is really something.  "Don't worry about that. I know you don't have any choice, so I'm not blaming you and don't think about it anymore. Everything is okay." I look around. "There are still no people here?"

 Lilla shakes her head. "Yes, Dame Csille. I don't think anyone would visit the Foundation today. What should we do? If this continues, I'm afraid the Foundation needs to close for now."

 I look at Lilla and shake my head. How can I allow the Foundation to be closed down? I work hard just to open up a Foundation to help those who are in need of help. I don't want to waste my efforts and the efforts of my employees. So, I need to do something.

 "If they won't come to us, then we were the ones who will come to them." I clapped my hand and looked at everyone. "Before we always stay here and wait for the people. Today we will go out and look for people who need help."

 Everyone looks at me confusedly, but I just look at Lilla and Mairenn. "Lilla and Mairenn, come with me to my office. I need to talk to you about my plan."

 I walk back to my office and wait for Mairenn and Lilla to follow me. Although I know a lot of eyes are still on me, I won't let it stop me or the Foundation.  I will prove to them that my life doesn't stop because of what happened. It is also a good front, so people won't suspect me of anything.

 "Dame Csille, may we know what you are planning to do? "

 I look at Lilla and Mairenn and start to explain things to them. I am planning to bring the Foundation to those people who need help.  Since they don't want to come here, then we will be the ones looking for them.  "We will be working outside for today. Lilla and Mairenn, I need you to divide us into small groups. Each group will have three to five members. Each group will be assigned to a specific Hospital in the capital. We will search for patients who need help with their hospital bills and medications. The remaining group will need to wander around the capital to look for people who need help. After an hour, we will need to return to the Foundation so we can process all the paper works. Once the paperwork is released, you can all return to the patient and deal with their bills."

 Lilla's eyes shone when she heard what I said. "That is a bright plan. I'm sure once the people heard what we did, they wouldn't hesitate to come to our Foundation after." She then looks at Mairenn. "We will proceed as planned and explain things to other people."

 I nod my head and smile at them.  I will not allow the Foundation to close down. This will be the only legacy I will leave to the Vrawyth Kingdom. So, I will not let anything happen to it.