Why Did I Become the Villainess?

 "Can you move it a little on the left? Yes, that's it. Put it that way."

 I look at the signage with the name of my Foundation and smile in satisfaction. Finally, after careful planning for weeks, I can now see the result of my hard work.

 The office of the Foundation. The Hope Foundation. It's a two story building that has enough room for storage and offices. This building will serve a great purpose for the Foundation.

 "Purplany!"

 I look back and find Rufus waving his hand enthusiastically at me. I frown. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be busy today? I thought you said you won't be able to check on me today?"

 Rufus smiled at me before he looked at the signage. "How can I miss this? It's the last day of construction of the office of hope, and I need to say you did a good job supervising this. It's beautiful. I'm sure many will like to donate to your Foundation."

 I look at the building and smile proudly at myself. Throughout the planning, designing, and construction of this office, I was there. I made sure that I was there because I couldn't afford to miss any detail.

 Although I know in the future that this Foundation will end up in other people's hands, I still want to give my best with this Foundation.

 "You think people will support my Foundation, Rufus? I really want to help, but I can only do that if people will support my Foundation."

 Although I already know what will happen to Csille's Foundation, I still couldn't help but feel worried and anxious about it. 

 I really want to make this work. So, even if I was gone, I can be assured that there is a Foundation that will help people in need.

 I feel Rufus gently mess my hair. "Why don't you have a little faith in yourself, purplany? I'm sure people will be glad to know that you have built a Foundation to help people. And with your new title? Don't you think the nobles will let this opportunity pass to suck up to you? I'm definitely sure that donations will flood your Foundation in no time."

 Rufus is right. Once the nobles know about Csille's Foundation, they will immediately send donations to the Foundation. In just a week, Csille will receive a million centimes. 

 "I just wish it would be like that, Rufus. I really want to make this work. I am already planning what to do for my first project."

 Rufus looks at me and frowns. "You're already planning for your project? But I think you need to focus more on something important."

 "Important? Isn't the project most important? I need to make a list so I can ask for suggestions from my parents."

 Rufus shakes his head. "No, purplany. The Projects are important. However, how can you fulfill this project if you don't have people? Don't tell me you're planning to work alone?" Rufus gestured his hand towards the office building. "With how big your Foundation is? I don't think you'll be able to work alone? Don't you plan to hire people? I can help you with that."

 People? I have Lilla with me. I'm just planning to hire a few Vrawyth people. But the problem is, I haven't talked to his majesty about Lilla working in the Vrawyth Kingdom. 

 Although I am now a Dame and the Foundation is mine, I still need to ask his majesty for permission. 

 I sigh. I'll deal with it tomorrow. I'll be going to be busy today with finishing this construction. 

 "I have someone in my mind already. Do you remember Lilla Vassellevé of Frailens City?"

 Rufus frown. "Your friend in the Alderrdeen City? I remember her. Why?"

 "I'll be hiring her to be one of my employees in the Foundation. I just need to talk to his majesty for his permission. I just hope he'll agree. I couldn't think of anyone else than her. She's the only one I can fully trust."

 Rufus nods his head. "I understand, but if you need help when it comes to hiring people, you can look for me." He looks at his watch. "I need to go now, purplany. I only take a break, but I need to back now, or else someone will be mad at me for neglecting my work." 

 Rufus immediately excuses himself and rushes to somewhere. 

 I laugh at him and shake my head. There's something that never really changes, and that is Rufus. 

 I look at the almost finished office of the Hope Foundation and smile to myself. 

________________________________

 I was busy writing a letter to Lilla when someone knocked on my door. I look back and find Mother smiling widely at me with a tray of food in her hand.

 "My dear, are you busy? Can I come in?"

 I put the pen down and smiled in return to Mother. "I'm not busy, Mother. I was just writing a letter for Lilla."

 Mother put the tray down and sat beside me. "My dear, I passed by the office of your Foundation, and I was in awe when I saw how beautiful it is. You really did a good job of supervising its construction. Your Father and I are so proud of you. Even the nobles are complementing your office."

 I smile humbly at Mother. It was never my intention to make the office grandiose. But Mother and Father both told me not to sacrifice the aesthetics because the appearance of the building is a reflection of its purpose.

 Although I still think that's really now how it works. But to satisfy my parent's want, I just decided to follow what they wanted. I just made sure that it's not too grandiose. That it's a balance of simplicity and elegance. So, people won't misunderstand that the Foundation is made for the rich people. 

 "I'm glad you like it, Mother. I was anxious that it won't look okay."

 Mother gently tapped my head. "How can it not look okay? You prepared for it." Mother takes the teapot and pours tea into the teacup. "My dear, I've brought you some tea so you can calm your nerves. I'm sure you're anxious about what to do after. Just remember, if you need anything, your Father and I are just here for you." Mother passes the teacup to me. 

 I accept it and smile gratefully at her. I'm really thankful that I have parents who are always there to support me in everything I do. 

 I take a sip of the tea before I respond to her. "I know, Mother. Thank you for always supporting me. I don't know what to do if Father and you are not there for me."

 Mother smiled at me. "We will always be with you, Csille. No matter what you do, we will always be with you."

 I smile bitterly. This is what I'm scared of. I'm afraid that in the near future, they will still support me even if I am in the wrong here, and I don't want that. I don't want them to sacrifice their lives just because of Csille.

 I just hug Mother. I just hope in the near future Brother Pascal can keep his words. I need him to disown Csille even if my parents don't agree to it. 

 It's for their own good. I don't want to involve them with Csille's future mistakes. 

 "My dear, now that the construction is done. What are you planning to do next? Will you open the Foundation now?"

 I shake my head. "No, Mother. I'm planning to talk to his majesty tomorrow. I actually send him a letter of visit for tomorrow."

 "Talk to his majesty? Is there something wrong? Why do you need to talk to his majesty?"

 I smile reassuringly at Mother. "No, Mother. Everything is okay. I just need to talk to his majesty about Lilla. Remember Lilla Vassellevé from Frailens City?"

 Mother paused to think before she nodded her head. "Yeah, she's your friend from Alderrdeen School of Knowledge. Is it about the promise you made to her? That you will help her find a job in the Vrawyth Kingdom? Are you planning to take her as your employee?"

 I nod my head. "Yes, Mother. I'm planning to hire Lilla. She's the only one I can trust that I know who won't turn her back at me."

 "Do you need your Father to come with you? You need his recommendation, right?"

 "No, Mother. Have you forgotten? I am a Dame now. My title is enough to give a recommendation. I just hope his majesty will agree to my request. I would also like to discuss my Foundation with his majesty. I want to know what he can say to it."

 "I'm sure his majesty will agree to it. You know how much his majesty wants to help people but doesn't have enough funds for it. I'm sure he'll be proud of your plan."

 I look at Mother and sigh. I really hope so. 

________________________________

 "Dame Csille, welcome back to the Palace. His majesty is waiting for your arrival in the Palace's Garden. Please follow me." The maid warmly welcomes me the moment I step out of the carriage.

 I smile gratefully at her and follow her. A moment after, we stopped in the Palace's garden. 

 His majesty immediately stands up when he sees me. "Csille, you're finally here. Come, come. I've been waiting for your arrival. You don't know how happy I was when I heard you'll be visiting me today."

 I do a curtsy first before I walk towards him. "Your majesty. I hope I didn't disturb you from your duties."

 His majesty gestures his hand for me to sit. "No. No. How can you disturb me? I was actually waiting for you to visit me. You know that since my son grew up, he has become too busy with his duties. He also rarely talk to me unless it's related to the monarchy. I sometimes miss having him around."

 I can definitely hear the pain in his voice. How painful is it to see your child growing further away from you? It must be heartbreaking.

 Prince Fraser and his majesty have a strong connection with each other right from the start, but because of their position in the monarch, they grew colder to each other as the years passed.

 It's because as Prince Fraser grows up, he realizes how big a responsibility it is to be the Ruler of a Kingdom. He starts to focus on making himself better, even better than the current King, his Father. Now both of them didn't realize how much distance was separating them. 

 But I know deep in their hearts, they still long for each other. They just find it difficult to express because of the expectations of people. Expectations that a King should focus on his people more than anything else.

 I looked at his majesty and tried to come up with comforting words, but I couldn't think of any. 

 I look around, trying to divert my attention and look for anything I can use. My eyes wandered on the tea set, and with shaky hands, I took the teapot. 

 "Do you want some tea, your majesty?"

 His Majesty looked at me and smiled widely. "It would be my pleasure."

 I carefully pour tea to his majesty teacup before I pour on mine. The two of us sip our own tea in silence.

 A moment after, his majesty put down his teacup and stared directly into my eyes. "The thing you mentioned in your letter, what is it about? That you eve made an appointment to see me today. Is there something wrong?"

 I put my teacup down before I answer his majesty. "No, everything is okay, your majesty. You probably know that I am planning to open up a Foundation in the capital."

 His majesty smiles widely at me. He looks so proud. It's as if I am his daughter. "Of course, everyone is talking about that, and I'm grateful because you always think of helping the people. I'm sure your ancestors will be proud of what you are doing."

 I smile humbly. "Your majesty, I was actually hoping if you could let me hire someone from Frailens City."

 His majesty got silent. He probably didn't expect I would say something like that. I never intended to bring Lilla to the Vrawyth Kingdom because I didn't want to involve her with the complications in the monarch.. However, I already made a promise to her, and I need to fulfill that.