Why Did I Become the Villainess?

 "Dame Csille, you haven't eaten anything for today. Is there any problem?"

 I look at Doctor Alena and shake my head. "I don't have the appetite today, Doctor Alena. I'm sorry, I know you promise my parents to take care of me, but here I am giving you problems."

 Doctor Alena stands beside me. I am currently watching the waves of the ocean through the deck. 

 I have been thinking a lot ever since we start our trip to the western region. All the questions, the doubts, fears, and everything came rushing to my mind. 

 I can sense the future changes. The changes that would ruin Csille. And I was frightened. I don't even know if I'll survive at the end of this. 

 "Is there a problem, Dame Csille? I noticed you seem preoccupied these days. Are you sick? Maybe I should check on you. I—"

 I shake my head and smile gratefully at her. "Thank you, Doctor Alena, but I'm okay. I just probably need some time to think."

 I need to think about what I would do next. I'm not even sure if I already have full control over Csille's body. So, I still want to prepare myself and the people who are important to me. I want them to be prepared for the changes. 

 "Think about what? Forgive me if this might sound too personal, but I just want to make sure that you are okay. Your Brother Pascal will be mad at me if he knows I didn't take good care of you."

 I look at Doctor Alena. "You really care about him, huh? Don't worry. My Brother isn't irrational. I'm sure he won't blame you. I'm sure he'll be mad at me instead. So, don't worry. Also, I was just thinking about the situation in the western region. I just hope everything is okay there."

 I heard Doctor Alena sigh. "I'm not hoping for the best. I heard from some passengers that the situation in the western region is... I don't even know how to describe it. But because of the Hope Foundation, I know we can do something to help them. So, I don't think there's something to be worried about. You don't know how much people are talking about you these days, Dame Csille. Everyone is grateful for what you are doing for the Kingdom. I'm sure you can give the help the western region needs."

 I smile bitterly. I know I can. But what I'm more worried about is, can I give the help myself needs?

________________________________

 The ship horns. It's a sign that the ship arrived at its destination. We're already in the western region.

 I look at the port and see a crowd of people waiting for the ship's arrival. They are waving their hands at us.

 I frown. I tried to remember if this had happened before. 

 "Dame Csille, I think they are here to welcome our arrival. The news about your charity works in the western region probably heard by people. Look how excited they are."

 I look at Doctor Alena. 

 They are here for us? They are welcoming us? I actually didn't expect that to happen. I know that the news about my departure to the western region has already spread around the Kingdom. However, I didn't expect that they would welcome us this way. The last time I visited this place with my parents, the only ones who welcomed us were the officials in this region.

 We waited for a few minutes before we could finally get down. Mairenn tried to help me with my things, but I declined her. She also has luggage that she needs to attend to. 

 The people immediately crowded around me when they saw me. They all spoke all at once that I couldn't understand a thing.

 "Dame Csille! Welcome to the western region. I hope you enjoy your stay here."

 "Dame Csille, are you here to help us? Is someone will really help us?"

 "Dame Csille, do you remember me? I am one of the children you helped feed five years ago. I grew up now, and I am helping my parents with their job. Are you here to do feeding again?"

 "Dame Csille, you're so beautiful. I wish my baby in my womb will look as beautiful as you."

 I look at the overly excited crowd and smile politely at them. I could feel their enthusiasm and their happiness just by listening to their voices. I didn't expect they would be this happy to see us.

 Suddenly a man steps out of the crowd and calms them. "People, I know you are all happy to see Dame Csille in the western region. However, please don't crowd around her. I know. I know. We are all excited but let Dame Csille rest first, okay? They had just arrived in the western region after a long trip. I hope you will think about Dame Csille's health too."

 The crowd becomes silent because of the man's words. I look at the man and frown. He seems like a wealthy person, but it's odd since the western region is known for being the poorest region in the Vrawyth Kingdom. So, how come there is a person like him?

 Is he part of the officials?

 The man noticed my stare, and he immediately bowed his head at me. "Dame Csille, I apologize if they crowded on you. They were just excited to see you return to the western region. I am Flavian Vulso. I am a public officer in the western region. I apologize if I am the only one who is welcoming you today. Most of the officials are busy dealing with the infectious disease."

 I frown. As far as I know, there are no cases in the western region. How come he said the officials are dealing with it? 

 "What do you mean, Mister Vulso? I thought the western region has zero cases?"

 I heard him sigh. "Unfortunately, there is an infected person who got here without us knowing. Now everyone is high alert because of the disease."

 I look at Doctor Alena. It's a good thing there is a Doctor here who happens to work in the infected region. At least we will know what to do.

 Mister Vulso probably noticed the change in our mood. He smiles at us and tries to make us feel better. "Dame Csille, I know you are all exhausted. Please follow me. I have already prepared where you will all stay."

 Even though we all have questions we wanted to ask regarding the diseases, no one said a thing. We all just follow Mister Vulso.

 He led us to the inn where my family used to stay five years ago. I look at the inn and smile bitterly. A lot of things happened in this inn. I could even remember everything that happened here. Because it is where everything started. 

 "I heard from some officials that the Lauretré family stayed here before, so I decided to rent it for your whole stay in the western region. We also prepared maids that would cater to your needs. I hope you have a great stay in the western region, Dame Csille."

 I look at Mister Vulso and sigh. Although the rent here isn't comparable to the rent in the capital, it is still a big amount. With the western region funds? How can they pay for it?

 I look at Mairenn. "Can you please give me some centimes?"

 Mairenn didn't say anything. She just takes a pouch full of centimes. It's probably worth a thousand centimes. I think it's enough to pay for the rent. 

 "Mister Vulso, please take this as our payment for staying here. Please don't refuse. I know his majesty didn't give any funds for this month. I won't feel good knowing you spend money on us. We are here to help, not to burden the officials."

 Mister Vulso hesitated at first, but he accepted the pouch of centimes. He knows they will be in a tight spot if they pay our rent.

 "Thank you very much, Dame Csille. We are really grateful having you here." He looks to the people behind me. "Thank you everyone, for coming all the way here to help us. We won't forget all your kindness."

 I smile at him. "Mister Vulso, you don't need to thank us. We are all Vrawyth people. Of course, we will help you."

 With teary eyes, he expressed his gratitude again towards us before he excused himself. 

 I look at the inn in front of us and sigh. I really hope we can really help these people.

________________________________

 I look at my room. It's the same room where I used to stay before. It is the same room that witnessed everything that happened five years ago. 

 My eyes wandered at the door, and I couldn't help but reminisce the past.

 "It won't take long. Can we just talk?"

 "I'm sorry, your highness, I'm really sleepy already. Let's just talk tomorrow. I will be sleeping now, your highness. Good night Prince Fraser." 

 I tried to close the door, but Prince Fraser pushed it using his hand. "Are you mad at me, Csille? Is it because of what happened this morning?" 

 "I'm not. What right do I have to get mad at you? Good night your highness." 

 Prince Fraser was about to reply when I closed the door. I could hear him talk outside. 

 I smile bitterly. He didn't even wait for long. He left after a few minutes. Maybe even then, he doesn't care about me. Or better yet, does he ever care about me?

 I remember how Prince Fraser always get mad at me. I look at the door. It feels like it only happened yesterday. 

 I sigh and sit on the bed. The bed that also witnessed everything back then.

 He walks inside my room and closes the door using his foot. I even got startled by the loud closing of the door.

 He laid me on my bed and put both of his hands on my side. Trapping me. He then inched his face closer to mine. He's sitting beside me while I lie on the bed. His hands are on my sides, and half of his body is leaning on me. It looks like he's on top of me. 

 "Fr-Fraser?" 

 "Why don't you listen to me, Csille? What do I need to do for you to listen to me?"

 I tried to talk, but my mind was too cloudy. 

 "Csille!" He snapped. "Are you just going to stare at me? Why don't you answer my question? What do you want me to do for you to listen to me?"

 "Fraser, why are you so handsome?"

 I laugh when I suddenly remember that scene. I don't know if I should feel embarrassed or cringe at what I did back then.

 I couldn't believe I had just said that to a fourteen years old boy. Isn't that illegal? 

 Goodness gracious! He was just fourteen years old back then while I was twenty two years old, trapped in the body of a fourteen year old girl. 

 I shivered when I remembered that. I couldn't believe that I find a young man handsome. What am I thinking back then?

 "Ysavel, you are a corrupt person. I couldn't believe you can say that to a teenager."

 I take a pillow and burrow my face in it. I feel frustrated remembering what I did, and I need to release it, or else I might think of this for the whole day, and I don't want that. 

 I was busy letting out my frustration when I suddenly heard someone knock on my door. As a reflex, I immediately get up and stare anxiously at the door. But then I realized everything I have seen just now is only a fragment of my memory. There is no way Prince Fraser can be here. 

 I groan. "I must be insane to get scared. Prince Fraser isn't even here with us."

 I stand up and open the door. I frown when I see Doctor Alena standing in front of my door.

 "Doctor Alena? Do you need anything?"

 "I was just checking if you are okay. Is everything doing okay, Dame Csille?"

 I smile gratefully at her. "Everything is okay. I was just resting. Aren't you supposed to be resting too?"

 "I was about to rest, but I decided to check on you first. But now I know you are all good. I'll be excusing myself then. I hope you rest well."

 I look at Doctor Alena's back. I don't understand why she always seems to sense if something is bothering me.. It's as if she can sense my emotions.