Why Did I Become the Villainess?

 "Dame Csille, wake up. It's almost five in the morning now. I thought you want to welcome Doctor Pascal?"

 I abruptly stand up because of Mairenn's words. However, I feel my whole world spins because I suddenly get up.

 Mairenn immediately supports me when she sees that I almost lose my balance just now.

 "Dame Csille, are you okay?"

 I take a pause first. Trying to regain my balance. A moment after, the dizziness disappears. I look at the anxious Mairenn and smile reassuringly at her. 

 "I'm okay now. Thank you for waking me up." I look at the wall clock. "You should go back to sleep first. I know you're still tired because of our journey."

 Mairenn shakes her head repeatedly. "No, Dame Csille. How can I let you go alone? The western region is known for its higher crime rates. What if something happens to you?"

 I smile reassuringly at Mairenn. "Don't worry, Mairenn. These people know that I am here to help them. Do you think they will be dumb enough to try harm me? Also, I am a Dame now. Aside from that, my Father is the Count. Do you think anyone will be brave enough to harm me with that fact?"

 Mairenn got silent. "However, isn't it better if I come with you? I want to be assured that you will be okay."

 I take Mairenn's hand and gently squeeze it. "I'll be bringing a coachman with me. So, don't worry. Also, how can I let you come with me? You still have a daughter to protect. If something happens to you, how can I explain it to Cairistine?" 

 After a few more convincing, Mairenn let me go on my own. I just bring a coachman with me. This coachman is a trusted person of my Father, and he is known for his fighting skills. So, I'm really not worried that something will happen to me.

 Aside from that, I trust the people from the western region. I know they won't do anything to harm me.

________________________________

 My eyes sparkled when I heard the horn of the ship. I look up and find a ship getting close to the port. 

 It's Brother Pascal's ship! He's finally here.

 A moment after, the passenger descends from the ship one by one. Most of them recognize me. Some even greet me which I politely respond. 

 "Csille."

 I looked up and found Brother Pascal smiling widely at me. I immediately rush towards him and hug him. It's been weeks since I last saw him. 

 "Brother Pascal, you're finally here. How's your trip? Are you exhausted? Come on. I'll bring you to where we are staying. I'm sure the Doctors will be happy to know your arrival."

 Brother Pascal hugs me back. "My journey was okay. However, there's one thing I don't understand, Csille."

 I frown and look at him. "What is it?"

 Brother Pascal stares into my eyes. It's as if he is reading me. "Why did you leave on our arrival? Do you know how disappointed Prince Fraser was? If not because he will be busy with his monarch duties, he probably come with me here."

 I feel my heart beat widely because of his words. Prince Fraser becomes disappointed because I left? Why would he? Isn't he supposed to be happy knowing I am not in the capital? That is how it should be.

 I took a deep breath to calm down. I need to think straight. I cannot allow myself drown in these fantasies. Prince Fraser is not meant for the Villainess.

 I decided to ignore Brother Pascal's remarks about Prince Fraser. I'll just pretend I didn't hear anything. 

 "I was just worried about the people here. We didn't know how's the current situation in the western region, and I thought maybe they badly needed our help. So, I rush here the moment I finish my preparation for the Foundation. I apologize for leaving you behind, Brother. I had no other choice. I was worried about them."

 I heard Brother Pascal sigh. He gently pets my head after. "I understand." He looks around. "Are you alone? Why didn't you bring anyone with you? What if someone tried to harm you? Aunt and Uncle will definitely be disappointed with me if that happens."

 I cling to one of his arms. "Brother, I was with the coachman." I point the carriage where the coachman is. "He is one of the trusted men of Father. Do you think Father forced me to bring him if he cannot protect me?"

 Brother Pascal shakes his head. "But it's not enough, Csille. What if there's a group of people who tried to harm you. Do you think he can protect you? Next time, don't be too complacent. We're in the western region, Csille."

 My eyes widen, and I immediately look around to see if there is anyone who heard what Brother Pascal said. 

 "Brother!" I gently slap his arm. "You cannot say that to them. How can you generalize an entire population? Also, we're here to help them. How can I bring guards with me? Wouldn't that be a slap on their faces? Isn't that an indirect way of saying that we don't trust them?"

 Brother Pascal didn't say anything. He just nods his head. "I apologize. I shouldn't say those words."

 I smile at him. I know he doesn't mean it that way. He is just concerned about my safety.

 "Don't worry, Brother. I understand. Just don't say something like that again, or else people might be mad at us."

 Brother Pascal agreed. He promised not to be prejudiced against the people from the western region.

 As long as I can control this body, I will make sure to help those people in need of help. It's my own way of repaying for Csille's future mistake.

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 I groan when I feel the ray of sunlight touch my skin. I slowly opened my eyes, and I was immediately blinded by the sunlight.

 I look at my wall clock. I woke up later than I expected. I sigh. Everyone is probably busy downstairs.

 I freshen myself up and go downstairs to see how they are doing. Brother Pascal, who is talking to the Doctors and Nurses, immediately greets me with a good morning. All the nurses and the Doctors also greet me with a good morning which I politely respond.

 "Csille, you're awake. I was just briefing everyone on what we will do. The necessary instruments for making the cure were already sent to the laboratory you have rented. I will visit them later. Are we going to have a public medical check up today?"

 I shake my head. After I sent Brother Pascal to his room early this morning, I came up with a plan for today, and that is to make them rest. I have other matters I need to attend first before officially starting the medical check up.

 "No, please rest for today. I know we are all tired with the journey. I will also need to talk to the officials of the western region before we can do anything. So you can rest for now, or maybe you can check the vicinity if you want. There are some beautiful spots in the area. The Garden at the back is also a great place to rest."

 The Doctors and Nurses didn't say anything. They just nod their heads as a reply. However, I caught some Doctors sigh in relief because of what they said. 

 "Do you need me to come with you?"

 "Yes, I definitely need your knowledge about the disease."

 It was widely known in the Vrawyth Kingdom how Doctor Pascal Lauretré helps in finding the cure for the infectious disease. Because of his knowledge in medicine and with the expertise of the Royal Physicians, they are able to come up with a cure.

 With Brother Pascal with me, I'm sure the officials will be relieved knowing there is someone who is knowledgeable about the cure. 

 "Have you all eaten your breakfast?"

 Brother Pascal gently pats my head. "We already eat our breakfast. You should eat yours too. I will be waiting for you here."

 I excused myself first and headed to the dining hall. My eyes wander around the dining hall. It is where I used to spend my meals with my parents and Prince Fraser. 

 Prince Fraser...

 "Dame Csille, good morning. Do you want me to prepare breakfast for you?"

 I look up and find Mairenn smiling widely at me. I sigh. I should really stop reminiscing about the past. It won't even help me. 

 I smile back at her in return. "Good morning, Mairenn. Have you eaten your breakfast? Why don't you join me?"

 Mairenn immediately declined my request saying she had already eaten her breakfast. So, I have no choice but to eat my meal alone. 

 "Dame Csille, can I you ask a question?"

 I ask Mairenn to stay with me while I am eating because I'm not used eating alone. 

 I look at her. "Sure, what do you want to ask?"

 "Is his highness, Prince Fraser, would arrive here? I helped the maids shop for ingredients this morning, and I heard that everyone was waiting for his highness arrival. Will he come?"

 I stop from eating. Prince Fraser coming to the western region? I don't think that's possible.

 After he returns to the capital, he will be busy talking to the monarch officials about the progress in the northern region. Aside from that, he will also try to interact with the people. He will become too busy that he only sleeps for five hours or less every day.

 So, how can he find a way to come to the western region if his hands are already full?

 "No, his highness will be busy with some matters in the capital. But I'm sure if he finds time, he will surely visit the western region."

 Mairenn didn't say anything, but I could clearly see the disappointment in her eyes. 

 I sigh silently. I prefer this way. At least I can have my peace of mind knowing Prince Fraser is away from me.

________________________________

 I look at my reflection in the mirror and sigh. My disguise can be convincing if not because of my eyes. If they only have a contact lenses here, I probably can disguise myself without anyone noticing me.

 I heard a knock on my door. I look back and find Brother Pascal leaning on the door frame. "Are you—" he wasn't able to finish his words. He looks at my hair. "Your hair."

 I touch the wig. "I put on a wig to avoid being in the spotlight. I want to see the current situation in the western region without any interference. However, I couldn't do anything about my eyes."

 Brother Pascal got slightly for a moment before he excused himself, saying he forgot something. A moment after, he gives me a small box. "Here, I know you find your eyes annoying at times, so I bought you these. It might not fully cover your eyes, but it can help you at least divert people's attention from it. Open it."

 I look at the box. 

 I've been looking for a way to hide my eyes ever since I arrived in this world, but I couldn't find anything that would help me. What did Brother Pascal buy?

 I excitedly open the box, and my eyes widen when I see a headband with a net veil attached to it. The hole in the net is smaller than the usual net. It's quite similar to an organza fabric, and its color is jet black. It can cover half of my face. 

 This is a good way to hide my eyes. I can now hide my eyes from everyone.

 I immediately put the headband on, and my eyes water when I see how I look. I look like a ninety's actress. It looks so regal. Why didn't I think of this before? 

 Although my eyes aren't fully covered, the veil prevents people from seeing the true color of my eyes. This is amazing. 

 "Do you like it?"

 I look at Brother Pascal in the mirror and nod my head. "I definitely like this. Thank you, brother. You don't know how much this helps me."

 Brother Pascal smiled at me. "I'm glad you like it. The first time I saw it in the northern region, I immediately thought of you because I know how you love to sneak out." He chuckles. "I'm worried that someday someone might recognize you and harm you."

 I look at Brother Pascal gratefully. Although Csille doesn't have any siblings, she is still fortunate enough to have a cousin like Brother Pascal.

 "Thank you, Brother.. I really appreciate it."