Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 403: : The Meeting (3)



I was about to explain myself, but His Majesty interrupted me. "I was the one who asked her to be here. Dame Csille might not have the position in the monarchy, but she is working under the Hope Foundation, the Foundation I made a deal with the swords production. Why? Is there any problem, Prince Fraser?"

Prince Fraser turns his head at the King and shakes his head. "Nothing, your majesty. I was just wondering why Dame Csille would be here, but now that I know the reason, I don't have other things to say." He then bows his head and walks straight to his seat.

Rufus stares at me for a few seconds before he follows Prince Fraser. The two Princes were sitting on the chair close to the King and Queen. While the King and Queen are sitting on their throne.

We continue waiting for a couple of minutes to wait for the remaining nobles to come.

While waiting, I continue observing the nobles and their behaviors. I want to see who are anxious and who are calm. Their behavior can give me a hint who are Mister Sewell's allies.

However, because I was looking around, I couldn't help but glance in the direction of the two Princes.

Father probably noticed that and immediately warned me. "Csille, I know you still have feelings for his highness, but you should remember that you are an unmarried lady. It is not good for your name if someone saw you keep glancing at his highness."

I turn my head at Father and frown. Did he misunderstand my actions? I wasn't staring at Prince Fraser because I was admiring him. I was just glancing at him.

And how can Father thinks I still have feelings for him? After what he did to me before? I am not a martyr. Maybe Csille is, but I'm not.

Father didn't let me explain myself and continued talking to the nobles. I heave a sigh and let him be.

A moment after, all the nobles have already arrived. So, his majesty stands up from his throne and looks at us.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I know every one of you has a lot to say regarding the letter we received last night. So, I will let anyone speak their thoughts." He then returns to his throne.

A noble from a small family stand up. "Your majesty, before we proceed with the decision, I think it is best if we find out first who is the traitor who passed the information about the swords to the Aeslaerean Kingdom."

I feel a couple of eyes stares at me the moment the noble mentioned the traitor.

I know I will become the traitor in the future but can these nobles not look at me like that? I am not the person who spilled that information. I don't even know how did Mister Sewell manage to know about that secret deal.

I felt Father's body tense up, but he didn't say anything. He knew if he said any remarks, it would only look like we were guilty about it. So, he didn't say anything, but I could see him clenching his fist that was under the table.

He is mad! He knows this noble wants to push the blame on me.

Mother is right. Some nobles will really take this chance to bring the Lauretré down. It will be a disgrace in our family if Csille is labeled as a traitor.

Some other nobles stand up and agree with the first noble. Even if they didn't mention my name, I could still see that they were directly putting the blame on me.

His majesty frowns. "I already assigned someone to work on that. Although we are still not sure who that person is, I already have a list of traitors that are currently in detention. Sooner or later, we will find that traitor, and I will make sure no one can do that again."

Even if his majesty didn't directly protect me, that clears my name from any speculation. Everyone on the list is in detention? Yet I am still here? That means I don't have anything to do with it, and even if the nobles disagree, they know they cannot pursue the topic because his majesty already ends it before they can even start.

I turn my head at the King. He doesn't need to say that. After all, they still haven't found the culprit. But he still did, and I am sure it is because of me because he wants to protect my

name.

Thank you, your majesty. Thank you for protecting me.

The conversation continues. Some nobles try to open up the topic about the traitor, but it is immediately turned down by his majesty.

Although I am grateful for the protection, I still need to do something for myself. I cannot just let these nobles smear my name like that. I won't take credit for something I didn't do.

I stand up and stare at his majesty. "Your majesty, I want to apologize again for forcing myself here." I take some documents I keep inside my bag and put them on the table. I came here prepared, and if these nobles thought they could push me down, then they are wrong. "I know you already said you have found the culprit, but I want to clear the name of the Hope Foundation. These are the documents regarding the deal I made with his majesty. Everything that happened was documented here, and everyone that is involved was also listed here. I am willing to share these confidential documents so everyone can see how transparent our deal is. And that they can talk to the people on my part that was involved with the deal. In fact, they are already in the capital and are willing to speak with the royal investigators."

I look around me. Making sure that everyone can see my eyes. They can see that I am not guilty. "Aside from that, I brought it here with me," I take a document and show it to everyone. "The contract I have made with his majesty. It is stated here that if I ever spill this information to anyone, his majesty can take my life. I'm sharing this information to everyone here to make everyone see what is at stake if I ever betray the Vrawyth Kingdom." I smile at them and bow my head.

I actually want to say some negative words towards the nobles who are trying to push the blame on me, but I change my mind. I didn't come here to argue with them. I came here to help his majesty decides.

His majesty heaves a deep sigh. "You don't have to explain yourself, Dame Csille. I already told you I had found the culprit already. So there is no need for that."

I turn my head at him and smile politely. "I know your majesty, but for everyone's peace of mind and for the peacefulness of the Foundation, I want to make it clear to everyone that I have a clear conscience."

His majesty nods his head. He then looks around. "I hope with this. Everyone will drop the accusations to Dame Csille." He then looks at the noble who is trying to frame me up before he heaves a sigh. "We are not here to accuse anyone. So, I hope it is clear that I don't want to hear another accusation anymore."

The King paused and looked around. His eyes then stop at Prince Fraser. "Prince Fraser, what are your thoughts about the threat we received from the Aeslaerean Kingdom? Should we or should we not comply with their demands?"

I immediately sat up straight when I heard his Majesty ask Prince Fraser. I anxiously look at Prince Fraser and wait for his response. I hope his opinion coincides with mine, so it is easier for me to convince the King to disagree with the Aeslaerean Kingdom.

Prince Fraser remains quiet for a few minutes before he looks up at the King and stands up. "Your majesty, I think the best decision to make is to comply with their demands. If we don't, I am definitely sure that the Aeslaerean Kingdom will not hesitate to do what they said. To inform everyone that we are already making our own weapons. And we know what will happen after." He paused and looked around him.

Rufus, who is sitting beside Prince, stands up and speaks. "If that happens, the Vrawyth Kingdom will be the center of hatred from everyone. There is also a huge possibility that our allies, the Yesian and the Saiven Kingdom, will have displeasure for excluding them from making weapons. It will be..." He doesn't continue his words and shakes his head.

Even if he didn't finish his words, everyone already knew what would happen after. The Vrawyth Kingdom will be in jeopardy if that happens. If we lose our allies and they decide to join the Aeslaerean Kingdom, I'm sure it will be the end for the Vrawyth Kingdom. Prince Fraser turns his head at Rufus and nods his head. "It's the reason why I think that the best decision to do is to comply with their demands. So, we can avoid situations that will put the Vrawyth Kingdom in a more difficult situation." He then looks at his majesty. "That is my opinion regarding this issue, your majesty."

The King nods his head before he looks at Rufus. "How about you, Prince Rufus? What is your opinion about the issue?"

Rufus bows his head as a sign of respect before he gives his answer. "Your majesty, I share the same opinion with his highness, Prince Fraser. I think it is wise to follow the Aeslaerean's

demand."

The King nods his head and waves his hand at the two Prince before he looks at the nobles again. "What are your opinions? Do you share the same opinion with the two Princes?" He then starts to call some nobles so they can state their opinions.

I looked at each noble that was called and hoped they would disagree, but to my disappointment, no one dared to disagree.

I look at Father. I don't know what his opinion about this matter, but I was hoping he would share the same opinion as mine. I just need one noble who would disagree. So I can voice out

my opinion.

His majesty turns his head at Father. "How about you, Count Lauretré? What is your opinion about this matter? Should we agree or disagree?"

I look at Father nervously. I never ask him what's his opinion about the issue, so I don't know what his response would be.

Father, please disagree. You need to disagree. Please don't leave your daughter alone.

Father bows his head at the King first. "Your majesty, contrary to everyone's opinion, I think the best decision to do is not to comply with them."

I heard some people gasp when they heard what Father said. Some even murmur something

to the person next to them.

While I silently heave a sigh of relief. I didn't expect Father would disagree, but I'm thankful for that. Now that someone voice out their disagreement, I'm sure others will follow after.

I look at Father, who is now explaining his reason for his opinion. "What they said is true. The Aeslaerean Kingdom will definitely not hesitate to reveal our secrets to others."

A noble probably couldn't stand Father's words that he interrupted him. "Apologies for interrupting Count Lauretré. However, I'm just wondering if you already know what will happen if we don't comply. Why are you still insisting on disagreeing with the Aeslaerean Kingdom? Do you want to endanger the whole Vrawyth Kingdom?"

I was about to stand up, but Father stopped me. He then calmly looked at the noble who had spoken just now. "Please be careful with your words. I am not insisting my opinion. I am merely stating it. So, don't throw words carelessly. As for your question, how can you guarantee that they won't threaten us after we comply with their demands? If we give them what they want, we are just confirming it to them that they can use this to threaten us. We are from the Vrawyth Kingdom. Will we allow them to use us as they please?" Everyone got silent after what Father said because Father was right. If we do their request, it will surely be followed by another request. It's a never ending cycle. Knowing the Aeslaerean Kingdom? I'm sure that it will definitely happen.

Father turns his head to his majesty. "So, I think the best decision to do is to disagree with

them, your majesty."

The King nods his head. "But if we will disagree, how can we avoid not being hated by the other Kingdoms and Cities?"

I look at Father, hoping he could answer his majesty's question, but Father just shakes his head. "Unfortunately, your majesty, I still haven't thought about it. All I know is we shouldn't agree with-

Father wasn't able to finish his words when some noble interrupted him. "Count Lauretré,

how can you suggest something if you don't have a concrete plan about it? Aren't you just putting the Vrawyth Kingdom in danger?"

I grit my teeth. How can this noble insult my Father? He is just a simple relative of a noble who manages to land a position in the monarch.

I look at Father, hoping he would say something to the noble, but he just stares at the noble.

So, I didn't have a choice but to step up. How can I allow this noble insult my Father like this? "And who said we don't have a plan? Do you really think my Father will suggest something that he hasn't thought about? Father has been part of his majesty's advisors. How dare you insult him like that?"