"Lilla, are you sure you understand what I have told you?"
I look at Lilla's confused face, and I almost laugh when I see tears start to form in her eyes.
She pouts at me and holds my arm. "Dame Csille, I cannot understand it. Please explain it to me again. I promise to listen attentively now."
I shake my head at her. I don't blame her for not understanding what I have said. I just explained to her how to manage the Foundation in just half an hour. That includes everything, rules, and regulations, and even the small rules for managing guests and such.
"Why don't we take a short break for now. I know what I said is too much to take. Let's have some snacks first."
Lilla sighed in relief. She then rushes towards me. "Dame Csille, can I really not come with you to the northern region?"
I take a bite of the donut first before I answer her. "Lilla, we already talked about this before, right? You cannot come with me because I need someone who will manage the Foundation while I am away. Don't worry. I will leave some of my employees with you. They will help you manage things here. I also left notes in a notebook." I rummaged to my stuff and gave her the notebook. "Here. You can find everything you need here."
Lilla pouts. "I know. But I still couldn't help but want to come with you. It's my first time in the Vrawyth Kingdom, and I was hoping to explore its other region. However, I also understand that I have work to do."
"I'm sorry, Lilla. As much as I want to bring you with me but I cannot close the Foundation. You know we just open up. It won't be good to close it for half a month. Also, there will be people who need our help. If we close it, where would they run to? I hope you understand. Don't worry. I'll bring something for you when I return."
Lilla's eyes sparkled when she heard I'd buy something for her. That's one thing I have learned about Lilla. She loves gifts. It doesn't matter how small or how big it is. She will appreciate it no matter what.
"Really? You'll buy something for me? Thank you, Dame Csille."
I just smile in return and eat my donut. I need to teach Lilla everything she needs to learn because I will be leaving the capital in two days.
"Dame Csille, I have a question. If you wouldn't mind me asking, of course."
I look at Lilla and raise my eyebrow. I'm actually curious what she is going to ask. "Question? What question?"
Lilla didn't say anything for a couple of seconds. She's probably hesitating to ask me the question. But she still ends up asking me about it. I guess curiosity really kills the cat.
"I was just wondering why won't you wait for Prince Fraser's return before you left the capital? His highness will return in two days. Can't you wait for him first?"
Why does everyone seem so concerned about it? Even my parents ask me why I won't wait for Prince Fraser's return.
I just don't understand it, though. What does Prince Fraser have to do with me? He is just my fiancé, but he's not my husband. Why do I need to inform him with everything I do?
He won't even marry me in the future. So, what's the use?
I sigh. "It's not that I don't want to see him. I was just thinking once he returns, Prince Fraser will be busy doing his monarch duties. It will probably take a week before we can meet. I cannot wait for a week. I need to check the situation in the western region now. I want to see if the infectious disease reaches there."
"But Dame Csille, isn't it dangerous to go there? There's a chance that you might get infected. Aren't you afraid? I—"
I shrugged my shoulders. "So, be it. If that's the only way, I can help other people. I really don't mind."
"Dame Csille!" Lilla snaps at me.
"But seriously, Lilla. Do you think I will be afraid of an illness I have faced before? The people in the western region need help. If I would be afraid, then what's the use of setting up a Foundation? If I cannot do basic things like this?"
Lilla looks at me before she smiles. "I really made a great choice when I decided to follow you. Thank you for saving me, Lady Csille, and thank you for saving those people. We're really grateful to have someone like you. I'm sure the Vrawyth Kingdom will prosper in the future when you become the Queen."
I just smile at Lilla.
The Vrawyth Kingdom will prosper when I become the Queen? What would be her reaction if she realized that it was the opposite?
That Csille Lauretré will be the downfall of the Vrawyth Kingdom.
________________________________
"My dear, please be careful in the northern region. Send us a message once you arrive there, okay?"
I nod my head at Mother. "Don't worry, Mother. I will definitely take care of myself. Also, what's there to worry about? Brother Pascal and Doctor Alena will be with me the whole time. I'm sure they would take good care of me."
I look at Doctor Alena, who volunteered to come with me. Brother Pascal will just follow us since he is still on his way to the Vrawyth Kingdom. We couldn't wait for him because we didn't know what time of the day he'd arrive. The ship would leave at a specific time.
Doctor Alena steps up and bows her head at Mother. "Countess, you can be assured that as long as I am here. I wouldn't let anything happen to Dame Csille."
Mother smile gratefully at Doctor Alena. "Thank you, Doctor Alena. I know my daughter might be a little handful at times, but please take care of her until her Brother Pascal arrives. We will definitely appreciate it."
Doctor Alena assured Mother that she would take care of me.
I pout. "Mother, don't you trust your daughter? I can assure you that this time, I won't let anything happen to me."
Mother groans. "I also heard that when we let you go to the northern region. But look what happened to you? You got broken arms, and you got wounded. I don't even know if you know how to properly take care of yourself. I couldn't help but worry about you every time you leave the capital."
Father hugs Mother from behind. "My Countess, you're treating our daughter as a child. Csille already knows what she is doing, and as she said before, she is already big enough to be responsible for her actions. So, don't worry anymore. I'm sure Csille won't let anything happen to her."
I hug Mother and Father. "Mother, Father. Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to me. I promise you."
This time, I will make sure that nothing will happen to me. I wouldn't let that thing trying to control this world ruin everything.
After a few goodbyes and reminders from my parents, we are now about to leave the capital. I was about to enter the ship when I heard someone call my name. I looked back and found Rufus sprinting's towards me.
I get off the plank and wait for Rufus. A few seconds after, he stops in front of me. "Purplany. It's a good thing you're still here."
I frown at him. He already said his goodbye and good luck yesterday. So, what is he doing here? I thought he would be busy for the whole day?
"Rufus? What are you doing here? Did you ditch your work again?"
Rufus takes a few deep breaths before he answers me. He took a letter from his coat and gave it to me. "Here. I came here for this. I hope you read this. It's from Prince Fraser."
I look at the envelope in his hand and frown. Prince Fraser giving Csille a letter? I don't remember writing about this. Is it from Princess Paislee again?
I really don't understand why she does this. But it's really annoying. I thought I had already warned her before not to repeat it. Does she think I will fall for this?
"Csille?"
I sigh and take the letter from his hand. I throw the letter to one of my employees. "Thank you for bringing this to me. I will be leaving now. Take care of yourself, Rufus. Don't mingle too much with the nobles, or you might get influenced by them."
I didn't let Rufus respond to my words. I just immediately get inside the ship.
"Dame Csille? Should I put the letter inside your room?"
I look at Mairenn and the letter in her hands. I just wave my hand at her. "You do what you want to do with that. I'll be checking the Doctors and nurses."
Why would I even care about a fake letter? I'm sure it's from Princess Paislee again. I would rather check how the Doctors and Nurses are doing.
________________________________
I just finished checking on each Doctors and Nurses who agreed to come with me. They volunteered to help me, but I promise to give them a salary for the whole month.
I know some of them are already exhausted with their non-stop working in the capital. However, they still volunteered to help me. So, I think it's just right to give them what they deserve even if they volunteered to do it.
I slump my body on the bed and sigh in relief when my back touches the bed.
"I'm so exhausted. I didn't expect it would be too draining to convince them to accept money for this project. But I think that's what they deserve."
I am about to close my eyes when I feel my hand touch something. I looked down and found a crumpled envelope lying beside me. I probably lie on it earlier.
"Isn't this the letter Rufus gave me?" I look at the envelope and scoff. "Prince Fraser, huh? Does she really think she can fool me with this? I already caught her the last time, and she still does it the second time? Does she really think this would work? Is she even for real?"
I get up from lying and open the envelope. Let me see what did she write this time. I bet it will be fun reading this letter.
Dear Dame Csille,
Congratulations on being a Dame. I wish I were beside you to celebrate your new title. As much as I want to see the ceremony but the northern region needs our help. I hope you understand why I cannot be there with you.
By the way, I heard from Doctor Pascal that you open up a Foundation this week. People have been talking about this for days now, and I'm happy about what you are doing. I now realize how dumb I was to criticize you for the things you did in the past. I'm sorry, Csille. I should have given you s chance. I hope it's not too late for me to say sorry.
Please wait for my return.
Fraser Astalieu
I raised my eyebrow. First, he congratulated me for being a Dame? That's already a red flag. He also mentioned in the letter that he was hoping he was beside me when I received my title?
I scoff. I couldn't help but laugh at those words. Prince Fraser wishing to be with the Csille? That's beyond impossible.
Princess Paislee has really gone all out in this letter. Does she think I would postpone my departure because of this?
And she even makes me believe that Prince Fraser feels sorry for being too prejudiced against me? I don't know if that's even possible.
I sigh. "Princess Paislee, why would you even bother doing this? I don't really understand why would you matchmake your own Prince Charming with the Villainess."
I look at the letter again and frown when I reread the last line.
"Please wait for my return?" I laugh. "As if I will and as if he would say that."
I hide the letter away and decided to just take a rest.
"I'll just sleep than to read these lies."
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