Why Did I Become the Villainess?

 I look at the wretched state of the western region. The whole place looks worst than the last time I visit it. 

 We're currently passing by the market, but it looks more like an abandoned market. There are some people who sell their goods, but it's only a few. There are no people aside from the vendors.

 The vendors immediately look at Brother Pascal and me. "Mister and Miss, do you want to buy rice? I have a sack of rice here. You can buy it at a very low price."

 Brother Pascal look at the vendor and sigh. "Mister, how much for this sack of rice?"

 The sack of rice isn't the typical fifty kilos in one sack. One sack is probably five kilos.

 The vendor smiled widely when he heard Brother Pascal reply. "It looks like you're a relative of the officials here. So I can just give this rice for hundred centimes."

 I frown. A hundred centimes? In the Vrawyth Kingdom, you can only buy half a kilo of rice with that amount of centimes. Why is it so cheap? Are they even profiting with their pricing?

 Even Brother Pascal got startled with the price. He also realizes how cheap it is for five kilos of rice.

 The vendor probably noticed our reaction, so he immediately waved his hand at us anxiously. "Is it too expensive? I can still lower it. How about eighty centimes? That's the lowest price I can give."

 I feel my heartbreak when I see how anxious the vendor is. He is probably afraid to lose customers. I look at the other sacks of rice on his stall. Based on the way it looks, it seems like this vendor isn't selling much.

 Brother Pascal took a pouch full of centimes in it. He then put the centimes on the table. "Here's the money. The centimes inside the pouch are worth ten thousand centimes. In the capital of the Vrawyth, you can only buy ten sacks of rice with that. So, give me ten sacks of rice."

 The vendor's eyes widened when he heard what Brother Pascal said. He looks like he almost wants to kneel to Brother Pascal's feet.

 "Great Mister, are you sure you only want to take ten sacks of rice with that money? You can buy all my sacks here."

 Brother Pascal shakes his head. "I only want to take ten sacks. Also, I won't be taking anything from your store. I want you to distribute those rice to all the vendors here, including yourself. However, I am hoping you will be fair in distributing it. We will return to your store later."

 The vendors immediately got excited when they heard we would be giving the sack of rice to them. I can even see the rice vendor cry. 

 He nods his head vigorously. "Great provider. Thank you very much for helping us. I hope you get more blessings in the future. Don't worry. I will distribute this rice fair and square. You can be assured."

 Brother Pascal nodded his head and didn't say anything. He just continues walking. 

 I look at the overly excited vendors, and I can see the greed in their eyes. I think I know what they are thinking.

 I take a step and look at them. "Don't try to take advantage of my Brother's kindness. If I know you try to snatch away the rice vendor's money or his rice. I will make sure that this will reach to the officials' ears. So, I hope everyone will behave and won't make a fuss after we leave. I want everyone who wants to take free rice, line up in a straight line and wait for their turn. Is everything clear?"

 All the vendors nod their heads. I never intended to threaten them, but I want them to learn about discipline. I think that's one of the things they need to learn here.

 After saying a few reminders, I immediately follow Brother Pascal. 

 Aside from the current situation in the market, I noticed how many people are living on the streets. As far as I remember, the number of vagrants was not like this five years ago. What happened in the western region?

 Is this how severe the poverty is here?

________________________________

 "Please, take a seat. Our master will arrive in a minute." The maid bows her head at us before she leaves the room.

 We are currently in the house of Mister Flavian Vulso, one of the officials in the western region. He is also the one who welcomed us when we arrived here.

 Brother Pascal and I went to the office of the officials, but no one was there. The guard said most of the officials don't even show up in the office. Only Mister Vulso does.

 A moment after, Mister Vulso rushed into the room. He looks at us and bows his head. He looks different than the last time I saw him. 

 He looks stressed and exhausted.

 "I apologize for making you wait. I wasn't feeling good today. May I know who are my honorable guests?"

 Brother Pascal stands up. "Mister Vulso, I am Doctor Pascal Lauretré, and this is my cousin, Dame Csille Lauretré. We are here to talk to you about the current situation in the western region. I hope you can give us some time. It won't take long."

 Mister Vulso's eyes widen. He immediately sits in front of the chair. "Doctor Pascal. Dame Csille..." He didn't continue his words. He just sits on the sofa while his head is down.

 Brother Pascal sits beside me again and waits for Mister Vulso's reply. 

 A few seconds have passed, and Mister Vulso calms down. "Doctor Pascal, Dame Csille, may I know what you want to talk about? I know the situation in the western region is way worst than you imagine."

 I stop Brother Pascal from asking Mister Vulso. I know Brother's trait. He won't ask Mister Vulso about the specific details. 

 I take off the headband from my head and look straight into Mister Vulso's eyes. "Where are the officials of this region? Why does the guard say you're the only one who shows up in the office? Don't you think we need to know about this?"

 I see Mister Vulso's hand tremble. He closes his eyes before he takes a deep breath and looks at us with a bitter smile. 

 "You already know. I tried to convince them to do their job as the officials of this region. However, they won't listen. They said the monarch already neglected this area, so why would they even care about these people? I'm sorry if we fail you, Dame Csille. I tried to do my job as the official, but because I am the only one working, my efforts are not enough. It will never be enough."

 I knew it! The reason why the situation in this region is way worst than five years before is because of the officials.

 We definitely need to do something about this. If those officials continue to stay in their post, this western region cannot be saved. We need to change all these officials with someone who will do their job properly and someone who is only loyal to the monarchy.

 "Mister Vulso, we understand you, and I heard from the Count that you are a trusted person. So you don't have to blame yourself. We are here to discuss about our charity work here. I hope you can help us with things. It's not big, and if you need funds, my cousin and I are willing to pay for it, just tel—"

 Mister Vulso waves his hands. "No. No. How can I let you pay for it? I'll be the one paying. Just tell me what you need so I can prepare it."

 The three of us proceed to talk about what we will do in our project and what we need to successfully do it. 

 After two hours of talking about all the necessary details, we all come up with a plan. We will do a public medical check up tomorrow. We will also have feeding for the vagrants and people who are poor. We also made plans about the other issues in the western region. But we mostly focus on our activities for tomorrow.

 "Doctor Pascal, Dame Csille. Are you sure you don't want me to send you two?"

 I smile at Mister Vulso. After talking to him for two hours, I started to understand why Father thinks so highly of him. He is probably the only official of this region who genuinely cares about people.

 "No, thank you for the offer Mister Vulso. But Brother Pascal and I still want to check the surroundings first. We want to see the current situation here with our own eyes."

 Mister Vulso didn't stop us. He just warned us to take care of ourselves snd call him if we needed help.

 "Brother, what do you think about Mister Vulso?"

 Brother Pascal stops walking and looks at me. "Uncle words are true. He is really the only person we can rely on. It's a good thing there is someone like him in this region. Without him, I doubt if this region can survive until now."

 I agree with his words. I think the reason why the western region is surviving, despite the poverty, is because of Mister Vulso.

________________________________

 Brother Pascal and I return to the market and see the vendors lining up in front of the rise vendor. 

 Brother Pascal nods his head in satisfaction. "I didn't expect them to line up in an orderly manner. I thought they would crowd the rice vendor. I was worried about nothing. I guess I should really stop doubting them."

 I look at Brother Pascal and smile. Of course, they will line up because they are afraid I will call the officials. Sometimes, a little threat would work to discipline the people. At least, I wouldn't be worried that the rice vendor will be robbed off. 

 "Let's go. I still need to check the laboratory." 

 "You go ahead first, Brother. I'll just buy something in the market."

 Brother Pascal hesitates at first, but I remind him that no one will know my real identity. The vendors only know that I am a daughter of an official in here, and they are not dumb enough to harm me in any way.

 After a couple of convincing, Brother Pascal left me alone. I immediately walk towards the vendors who are lining up.

 Some vendors who are now in their stall wave their hands at me. "Lady, Lady, thank you for the rice. You don't know how much it helps us."

 All the vendors thank me too. I just smile at them politely. I walk towards the rice vendor.

 "Is everything okay here? Did you fairly distribute the rice to everyone? I hope you also won't forget to give yourself a share."

 The rice vendor's eyes sparkle when he sees me. "Lady, you're back. Don't worry. I made sure to distribute the rice fairly. You can ask them for confirmation, so you shouldn't worry no more."

 I look at the line of people and nod my head in satisfaction. I took another pouch of centimes and looked at the vendor who was helping the rice vendor distribute the rice.

 "You, can I ask you to do something for me?"

 The vendor's eyes widen, and she immediately sits up straight. "Lady, this lowly woman is honored to help you. What do you want me to do for you, Lady?"

 I smile at her. "Don't call yourself like that. We're all humans here merely living in the western region. So, you don't need to do honorifics." I pass the pouch full of centimes to her. "Here's five thousand centimes. It might be a small amount, but I hope it can help. Distribute it fairly to everyone here."

 I look at the vendors who return to their stalls. "To everyone who already takes their rice share, please line up in front of her in an orderly manner. You'll be given centimes first, and to all who are lining up for rice, you need to take your rice share first before you can line for the centimes. Is it clear to everyone?"

 Everyone nods their head in unison. They all thank me for the centimes. I can even see most of the vendors crying because of it. 

 I look at them and come up with a resolution. Before I become the Villainess, I will make sure to change the fate of the people in the western region.

 If I can't change my fate.. Then I will change theirs.