Why Did I Become the Villainess?

 I just get off from the carriage I hired, and I am now walking a few meters away from the residence of Great Ruler. 

 I decided to get off a few meters away from their residence, so it won't be too obvious that my real destination is the Illorian city residence. 

 My head is still down. Avoiding everyone's eye. It's a good thing that it is already dark now, and the shadows of the people help me not to bump with anyone. 

 Before I get off the carriage, I checked what time it is, and it's already past six. Just in time.

 The guard in front of the gates of the Illorian City residence immediately stops me. "Stay away from this residence. Only the people from the Illorian City can enter this residence."

 "She's probably one of those people that the Kingdoms have sent. They think we will be fooled by someone dress as one of the Illorian maids?" The other scoffs while talking to the first guard who talks.

 I remain my head down, and I inconspicuously look around me. I sighed when I didn't recognize anyone. 

 The guards are not Saiven people. They are one of the Illorian City soldiers. I heard from Rufus that all the people inside this residence are all Illorian. Even the chef or the maids. Is it to make sure the no one can send a spy to the Illorian City. Not that they are afraid of spies, but they just want to stay away from any people from the Kingdoms. 

 Great Ruler knows what the true purpose of each Kingdom, and he doesn't want to involve the Illorian City in unnecessary Kingdoms fight.

 "Hey! Didn't you hear what we said? Or are you too thick faced? That's why you're still standing there. I will tell you already. Even if you stand there, we won't let you in..side."

 The guard's words halted when I raise my head. I didn't even need to speak. I just need to show them my eyes, and they will definitely recognize me.

 The guard who just talks bows his head. "Forgive me La-"

 I bow my head. "I'm sorry gate keeper. The head chef asked me to shop for vegetables in the town." I raise the basket that has vegetables in it.

 On my way to the Illorian residence, I bought these vegetables. Although I didn't see anyone around the gate just now, I know there are eyes everywhere. I know every Kingdom is eyeing the Illorian City like a tiger, and anyone who comes closer to its gate cannot get away from their eyes and ears.

 So, to stay away from the suspicion of everyone, I disguised myself as an Illorian maid. I just use the dress that we were supposed to use in our supposedly visit to Great Ruler before. The dress I am wearing is the exact copy of the maid's attire of the Illorian City.

 The two guards look at each other. They probably understand what I want to say. The two guards showed me a stern face. "It's already late, and you only just arrived? Did you really shop for vegetables, or did you stroll around the city?"

 The other guard even shouts at me. "Go inside now and receive your punishment. The Illorian City didn't bring you here to have fun!"

 I just bow my head the whole process. I even pretended that I am really anxious. 

 The guards open the gates, and I walk inside cautiously. It's as if I was terrified of the punishment waiting for me. The guards shut the gate instantly too. They are probably afraid that someone might rush inside the residence. Although I kind of doubt if someone is that courageous to do that.

 I raise my head and sigh. I am finally inside the Illorian City residence. All I need to do now is to look for the Great Ruler. I look around and frown when I realized how big the residence of the Illorian City was. If the Vrawyth Kingdom's assigned residence is bigger than other Kingdoms, the Illorian City residence is probably thrice bigger than it. 

 "This is just a sign of how much importance that the Saiven Kingdom is giving to the Illorian City," I whispered to myself.

 I am about to walk to a path leading to one of the buildings when someone shouts behind my back. I look back and saw a fuming mad maid.

 "Hey, you! What are you doing here? Do you know how short we are in manpower, and here you are gaping like a fool. Did the Illorian City pay you to do that?"

 I am about to explain myself, but the maid just drags me somewhere. I tried to talk to her while she is dragging me, but she keeps talking non-stop, that I just end up shutting my mouth. 

 The maid pushes one of the doors and opens the light. What welcomes my eyes is a storage room. What am I going to do inside of this?

 "Since you're don't have anything to do, why don't you get busy yourself and peel all these vegetables."

 My eyes immediately widen. I what? I will be peeling these vegetables? I don't have a problem peeling vegetables, but the only problem is the vegetables she wants me to peel are on sacks. There are probably more than twenty sacks of vegetables. 

 Is she kidding me? Will my hand still be intact after peeling all of that? 

 I tried to explain myself and even make her see my purple eyes, but it looks like it is no use because she just crosses her arms at me. "What? Are you just going to stand there? Move! The Great Ruler wants to feed those people in the street of Saiven Kingdom. So, you need to peel all of this for tonight."

 I almost fainted when I heard what he said. Peel all of these for tonight? Before I could even react to what she said, she already left the room. What's worst is she even lock me inside of it. 

 "You can only get outside after you finish peeling all the vegetables. Blame yourself for being a lazy person." The maid said behind the closed door. 

 Great! Now what? I need to peel all of these? Can I even finish this for the whole night? Even if she gives me one day, I won't be able to finish peeling them all. How can she do that? There's no peeler in this world. 

 I sit on the chair I saw and look at the sacks of vegetables. How the earth can I peel all of these? If only they have peelers, I wouldn't mind peeling all of this. 

 I would definitely ask my father, the count, to make a peeler when I get home. I couldn't imagine how much effort the maids have gone through to peel all of these.

 Having no choice. I take one of the potatoes and peel it using a knife. Bless my hand. I hope my hand will still be intact after this night.

 I started peeling the potatoes one by one. I could feel my hand starting to numb now. I even lost count of the potatoes I have peeled. I look at the basin of peeled potatoes, and I almost cry when I only see five potatoes in it. The potatoes are submerged into water with salt to preserve their freshness.

 I only peeled three potatoes? You must be kidding me? Why does it feels like I've peeled a hundred potatoes? I admit I'm really not good at peeling vegetables. I remember Lena always takes the vegetables or the fruits I am peeling because I am too slow.

 I wash my hands and take the larger pouch that I hide inside my long skirt. I take the time watch, and I immediately stand up when I realized I already spend one hour of my time peeling potatoes. 

 I tried to open the door, but to no avail, I couldn't open it. The maid probably locks it outside. I am trap, and I only have less than three hours to talk to the Great Ruler.

 My problem is I don't even know where does Ruler Laird is staying. I look back at the potatoes and glare at them. If only I didn't let that maid drags me here, my plan wouldn't get ruined. 

 "What? Are you just going to stand there? Move! The Great Ruler wants to feed those people in the street of Saiven Kingdom. So, you need to peel all of this for tonight."

 I suddenly remember what the maid told me. If I didn't peel that food, what will those people eat? I sigh and get back on peeling the vegetables with my ultra slow peeling skill.

 I just finished peeling my twentieth potato when the door of the storage room suddenly opens. 

 "Where could Lady Csille be? I heard she is already in...here," The maid suddenly stops talking when she realized who am I.

 There are five maids in front of me. Four are unfamiliar to me, while the other one is the maid, who is the reason why I numb my hand peeling potatoes.

 "Lady Csille!" The maid who just talked just nod suddenly bows her head. The three other maids followed the first maid while the maid who locks me inside the took stare at me in disbelief.

 I stand up from my seat and shake off the peeled potatoes that are on my skirt. 

 "Lady Csille, what are you doing here? The Great Ruler is looking for you everywhere. He thought something might happen to you. He is planning to send a message to the Vrawyth residence."

 "What?!" My eyes immediately widen when I heard what the maid said. The Great Ruler what? Is planning to send a letter to the Vrawyth assigned residence in the Saiven Kingdom? 

 The maid nods her head. "Yes, Lady. The Great Ruler was so worried about you. The guards already informed him of your arrival, but even after an hour, you didn't show up. He already asks everyone to look for you everywhere. What are you doing in here, Lady Csille?" The maid looks at the basin of peeled potatoes. "Don't tell me you peeled all of these?"

 I couldn't process what the maid had said. All I know is I need to stop Ruler Laird from sending a message to the Vrawyth residence. I cannot let Prince Fraser know that I sneak out of the residence without anyone accompanying me. I'm sure he will definitely rush in here without even thinking.

 I look at the maid. "Did he already send the letter to the Vrawyth Kingdom? Where can I find Ruler Laird?" 

 The maid shakes her head. "As far as I know, he is still planning to send it. Maybe you can still stop him. He is staying in the east wing. I think it will be better to let Crisel show you the way so you won't get lost."

 The maid elbows one of the three maids who is still bowing at me. Crisel immediately stands up straight. "Follow me, Lady Csille."

 I immediately follow her. Although I don't want help, but the timing isn't cooperating. I need to stop Ruler Laird no matter what.

 I even walk past the maid who locked me inside the storage room. She seems guilty, though, so I just let her off.

 Each second are very important to me. It's a crucial thing. I cannot risk letting other Kingdom know the relationship between the Vrawyth Kingdom and the Illorian City.

 The Vrawyth Kingdom is already facing the betrayal of our allies. We cannot do something that will make other Kingdoms hate us.

 "Can you run? I'm sorry, I just need to stop Ruler Laird."

 The maid nods her head. "If that's the case, follow me, Lady Csille. Just inform me if I am too fast or if I am too slow."

 I just hum my yes to her. The maid started to run, and I am immediately in awe when I realized how fast is she. 

 Is that maid a roadrunner in her past life because she is definitely fast.