Why Did I Become the Villainess?

  "Am I the one you are all looking for?"

   After I said those words, all eyes look at me immediately. The Great Ruler looks at me for a whole minute. I don't know why but I felt a strange feeling with that stare. I'm not sure if it's a bad thing or a good thing. I hope it's the latter.

   I already have a lot of problems to think about. Adding one to the list would surely not help.

  One of the Elders whispered something to the Great Ruler. The Great Ruler nods his head and gives me a wide smile.

  "Lady, may I know your name?" The Great Ruler asked gently, which is quite suspicious. Why is he suddenly so gentle to me? He doesn't look like a gentle person. More like the 'I don't care' kind of man.

   Of course, I couldn't voice that out, or it will make the situation worst. "I am Csille Lauretré, the daughter of the Count and the Countess of the Vrawyth Kingdom. This Count's daughter greets the Great Ruler," I bow my head and do a curtsy.

   I remain my head down. I'm not really afraid of him. I'm more afraid that my actions will enrage this Great Ruler, and he could use this as an excuse to declare war on the Vrawyth Kingdom. It's better to be safe than sorry. Although I'm not sure what his personality is, but it's better to be sure.

  I heard him laugh out loud. It's as if he heard the funniest joke in his life. I raised my head and looked at him questioningly. Did I said something so funny that he would laugh that loud?

   As far as I remember, I am a very terrible joker. But I'm not even joking right now. So, why did he laughed?

   The Great Ruler continues laughing for a couple of minutes before he stops. "Whoah, that's the first time that I laughed that loud again, and it's thanks to this Lady in front of me. Lady Lauretré, I like you."

  Everyone was stunned after the Great Ruler said those words. Even I was shocked by his words. What the heck? Among all the situations I expect this situation would turn into, I didn't expect it will be like this.

  How old is he? He's probably the same age as my father, the Count. How could he publicly announce that he likes me? Is he a pedophile?

  Did I made a character that is a pedophile? I cringed with my thoughts. That's impossible. I hate those kinds of people. Why would I put a character like that in my novel? It's impossible. But where does this Great Ruler came from? I don't even remember writing about him. I only had the knowledge about him through my parents and through our way here.

   Prince Fraser is the first person that came to his senses. Even the Great Ruler got shocked with his own words that he just stands there unmoving. He probably realized what he just said.

   Prince Fraser immediately walks towards me and covers me with his body. Rufus and Leander followed behind. Standing on both my sides.

  "Great Ruler, I don't think it's appropriate to desire someone else's fiancée. Csille Lauretré is my fiancée. We have been engaged since we were nine years old. So, please spare my future bride, Great Ruler." Prince Fraser holds my hand tightly while still covering me from the Great Ruler sight.

   "Great, Ruler, I could confirm it for you. I am Rufus Astalieu, the son of the Duke of the Vrawyth Kingdom and the cousin of Prince Fraser. Lady Lauretré is the fiancée of Prince Fraser. Please, spare the future Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom," Rufus said. Leander even confirms it too. Taking the identity as the son of the Royal Physician, the famous Royal Physician of the Vrawyth Kingdom.

   I look at Prince Fraser's back, it might look like he is brave to go against the Great Ruler, but I could feel his hands are sweating and slightly shaking. I could also feel Rufus and Leander's tense bodies beside me. But despite it, they remain standing on both of my sides, covering me.

  I could feel a warm feeling seeping inside of me. It's like the warmth you long for on a winter night. It's the first time I feel protected, and I didn't know it's a great feeling.

   I tried to peek through the shoulder of Prince Fraser, but he is way taller than me. I could only see his shoulders. I didn't even realize that he got taller in just a span of few months.

  I also tried to peek through Rufus and Leander's defense, but they are way taller than I am. They are even taller than Prince Fraser. How could I see something if they are towering me like this? I suddenly feel so small.

   Great Ruler, look past Prince Fraser and stare at me, who is currently tiptoeing to see what is happening. "Is it true? Are you the fiancée of the Crown Prince of the Vrawyth Kingdom?"

   Prince Fraser's hand tightly grips my hand. I look at Prince Fraser's back and look at the Great Ruler before I nod my head. "Yes, I am his fiancée. I am Csille Lauretré, the fiancée of Prince Fraser Astalieu, the Crown Prince of the Vrawyth Kingdom."

   The Great Ruler nods his head and smiles at Prince Fraser and I. "Don't misunderstand me, young Astalieu. I like her personality and nothing else more. You don't need to be on guard with me. I don't have any plan to steal your future bride from you. I just need to confirm something from her."

   Even after the Great Ruler said those words, the three men, Rufus, Leander, and Prince Fraser, didn't put their guards down. They keep their stance and cover me.

   I look at Rufus, Leander, and Prince Fraser and shake my head. This isn't a good thing. If this continues, I'm afraid it will inflict the Vrawyth Kingdom.

   I tried to break free from Prince Fraser's grip, but he wouldn't let me. I sighed and touched his arms. He then looks back at me. "Let me talk to him."

  Prince Fraser shakes his head at me as a response. He tightened his grip on my hand as if saying he would never let me go. "Please, Fraser. Think about our Kingdom. Think about Vrawyth. Let me go. I'll just talk to him, okay? It won't be long."

  Prince Fraser got silent for a moment. He's probably weighing things now. We can't be the enemy of the Illorian City. He knows the consequence of going against this City.

  "Fraser, don't let her," Rufus holds Prince Fraser's arms. He shakes his head and looks at me. "Don't talk to him, Csille," Rufus whispered to me.

   The Great Ruler laughs. "Do you really think I wouldn't hear what you are saying?" He then looks straight at me. "Lady Lauretré, you can rest assured that I won't do any harm to you. The Illorian City has a friendly relationship with the Vrawyth Kingdom. Why would I do something that will ruin our relationship?"

   Rufus shakes his head and holds the same arms Prince Fraser is holding. Leander even holds my other arm and is also shaking his head at me.

   I look at the elders beside the Great Ruler. They are already frowning and glaring at us. If not because the Great Ruler didn't mind waiting, they have probably order someone to throw us out or, worst, do something against us.

  And that's not what I want. This story is already progressing into something I didn't write. I need to fix this before it turns into worst. I am the one who messed this world up, so I need to fix this.

   "It won't take long." I shake off their hands. I could see reluctance in their eyes, but I ignored it. It isn't clear what the Great Ruler wants, but I think it's better to know it first before we do something. Maybe he just wants to talk to me about something.

  I look at the Great Ruler. "What do you want to confirm, Great Ruler? I'm not sure if you could get the answer you want from me, but I will do my best to give you a satisfactory answer."

   The Great Ruler smile and nods at me. "It would be rude of me to have you, the future Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom, stand outside. Allow me to invite you to my humble palace to talk about this matter," He then looks at Prince Fraser and the teachers and guards who are still surrounded by the Illorian people.

   After the Great Ruler said those words, Prince Fraser, Rufus and Leander immediately took a step back and enclosed me.

  Uhm, hello? I'm pretty squeezed in here, guys. I hope you realized that.

  "Young Astalieu, I know you wouldn't let me talk with Lady Lauretré. For you not to worry, you and your friends could accompany Lady Lauretré to my palace."

  The three guys sighed in relief and stared at each other before they nod their heads. However, they still continue to cover me with their bodies.

   The Great Ruler instructs the elder to let go of our teachers and our guards before he leads us to his palace.

   Princess Paislee joins the entourage. She is standing behind me. Prince Fraser is in front, and Rufus and Leander are both on my side.

  What is this? I look like a dangerous convicted criminal that was given four policemen to restrict my movements.

   "Fraser, what do you think the reason why the Great Ruler wants to talk to Csille? Should we be worried about her safety? Maybe I should send a letter to our messenger bird," Rufus whispered to Prince Fraser.

  Although Rufus whispered it, but since we're close to each other, all of us heard it. We have the same thoughts as Rufus had.

  Why did the Great Ruler want to talk to me? I haven't met him even once. I also made sure I didn't disobey the rules of the Illorian City. So, what brings him here? What's his purpose?

  "I still don't know. For now, let's do our best to protect Csille and don't make any rash movements until the Great Ruler states his purpose," Prince Fraser respond to us. He looks back at me for a moment before he continues to stare in front.

   I think I'm forgetting something here. Wait, why is Prince Fraser in front of me? Why does all of them are protecting me? Isn't what they supposed to do is to protect Prince Fraser? Why did it turn out this way?

  I look at Princess Paislee. "Shouldn't you supposed to stand in front of Prince Fraser and not on my back?" I whispered, but because of our close proximity, everyone stopped at walking and realized our current situation.

  Everyone just looks at each other dumbfounded. What are we doing?

  "Lady Lauretré, you already said yourself, you are the fiancée of the Crown Prince. It means you will be the future Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom, and protecting the Queen is what we're supposed to do as the people of the Vrawyth Kingdom," Princess Paislee answer that everyone agreed.

  I am about to say my rebuttal, but Rufus already cuts me off. "What Sir Farren said is true. Csille, you aren't just a normal person. You are the future Queen. Do you expect us just to stand there and watch you risk your life?"

   I shake my head. Why did it end up like this? Me being the future Queen again? Who said I'm the future Queen of Vrawyth?

  "I just think you are all overacting. If anyone else, the one you should protect the most is not me but the future King of the Vrawyth Kingdom. The heir to the throne is only Prince Fraser. If something happened to him, then how could the Vrawyth survive? If I am the one who is harm, at least they could pick someone else as the Queen. So al-"

   Before I could even finish what I want to say, Prince Fraser already cuts me off. "I don't want another Queen."