: Until Your Heart Content

I glance at the stack of books and schoolwork before me. It seems luck wasn't on my side. My wish for the fever to linger didn't come true.

No good days for a villainess, it seems.

As I was about to skim through the pages, when I noticed a letter tucked between them. Curious, I picked it up and began to read its contents.

It was the letter Rufus had sent after the shooting incident in the western region.

    Dearest Csille,

I learned about what happened to you and the crown prince in the western region, and it got me really worried. That's why I quickly sent you this message. I'm unsure if you'll receive it while you're awake or still unconscious, but I hope it reaches you soon.

This is exactly the reason why I was against you joining the Count and the Countess. I had a feeling something bad might happen, and seeing you unconscious now confirms it. Take good care of yourself and rest up, alright? Once you read this, please let me know so I will can be assured you're okay.

Also, I messaged you because there's something important I want to discuss with you, but I'm not sure if you'll see this. I won't mention details here. We'll talk about it when you return to the Capital. Stay safe, always, Purplany.

Sincerely,

Rufus

P.S. Send my regards to the Crown Prince.

Something important? I wonder what Rufus wants to convey. Unfortunately, I can't reach out to him since the university policy restricts sending letters to students. They only allows letters from the family of the receiver. I'll have to wait until he returns to the dormitory in five days to discuss whatever it is he finds important.

I set aside Rufus's letter and shift my focus back to the stack of schoolwork in front of me. With four days left before returning to the dormitory, I've already dedicated two days to completing assignments. Despite my efforts, it seems I still have a substantial amount of work ahead, perhaps more than half a month's worth of papers to go through.

    I place the letter back inside the book and let out a sigh, resting my head heavily on the table. Exhaustion seeps into every fiber of my being, accompanied by a pounding headache. It feels like a cruel twist of fate, I just recovered from a fever, yet now buried under the weight of a month's worth of schoolwork.

Why must I endure this? Is it some form of punishment for being the villainess?

   I glance at the calendar, calculating the amount of paperwork I must tackle each day to complete it within the deadline. Four days left? Tomorrow marks the day of Sir Farren's knighting ceremony, an event to which the Lauretré family has been graciously invited. It will be my brief rest from this relentless studying.

   The event will be for a whole day. The knighting is actually just a side event. There's a homecoming party for both Prince Fraser and the Lauretré family.

   The King will also announce to the people of the Vrawyth Kingdom about the two trainings Prince Fraser undergone these past years.

The King is willing to make this announcement because it marks the conclusion of Prince Fraser's training. By revealing this information to the public, the King aims to inform them about the challenges faced by the Crown Prince, not seeking sympathy but rather to underscore the threats against the kingdom's sole heir.

The Lauretré family will also receive an honorary certificate for their role in safeguarding the Crown Prince during his time in the western region, as well as for their charitable works in that area.

Tomorrow? I look up at the sky and sigh. Tomorrow will be another day of me not having full control over my body.

It's the price I need to pay for choosing this world. I look at the pictures on my study table. It's the picture of me, the Count, the Countess, and Brother Pascal.

Next to that picture frame, there's another one containing a photo of me with Prince Fraser and Princess Paislee from our childhood. Beside it is a picture of Rufus and me seated at our favorite pastry shop.

I gaze at the pictures, gently running my fingers over each one. At least I could have saved all of you. I only wish you won't hate me for what I will become in the future."

________________

"Csille, don't take too long, okay? The knighting ceremony for Sir Farren will begin shortly. We don't want you to miss it, okay?"

My head nods at my mother before my foot carries me towards the exit.

It's the day! The day of Sir Farren's knighting ceremony, signaling the start of the story's progression.

I find it ironic that despite knowing what Csille will do in the future, I'm still scared. While most people fear the unknown future, here I am, well aware of the future happenings but still scared of it.

  I wish I could change their destiny, but the writer made it clear that I can't alter what's already been written. It's their fate, and mine, to play out these roles, even if I wish otherwise.

  And it's the real Csille's day again. She is the one in control today again.

My steps lead me towards the garden—the garden scene. I remember now. Before Sir Farren's knighting, Prince Fraser and Csille will have a chance encounter in the Palace Garden.

   My foot led me to the table and chair, settling in and taking a moment to admire the flowers. It's one of the rare days of tranquility because after this, everything in Csille's life will be a mess. A consequence of her own actions. She alone bears the responsibility for her future miseries.

   "Csille?"

    My body stiffens, and I turn to the person calling me. It's Prince Fraser. He's actually here.

He stands there, looking as handsome as ever. I feel my face flush. Oh no! Are you blushing, Csille? You're really smitten with him.

  "Prince Fraser? Why are you here? Shouldn't you be inside? The knighting ceremony is about to begin. Don't you want to witness your savior become a royal knight?"

Prince Fraser approaches me and takes a seat in front of me. "Shouldn't I be asking you the same question? What brings you here, Csille?"

   My eyes meet his for a moment before quickly looking away. My cheeks flush with embarrassment. Oh, Csille, he's just Prince Fraser. Stop blushing like a lovesick teenager.

But wait, she is still a teenager! No wonder it's so easy for her to get flustered around Prince Fraser. She's hopelessly infatuated with him. That's why she'll become the villainess. She let her emotions consume her, and shed didn't realize she was losing herself in the process. Poor Csille.

  "Csille?"

   I glance at him and shake my head. "Nothing. I just needed some time alone. I felt crowded inside."

Prince Fraser gazes at me for a moment before nodding. "I'm sorry, Csille."

His words catch me off guard, widening my eyes in surprise.

    What's so shocking, Csille? Prince Fraser's character isn't bad. He knows when to apologize and takes responsibility for his actions. Unlike you.

"Why are you apologizing to me, Prince Fraser? I don't understand."

"It's about what happened in the western region. I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just irritated because you kept interrupting my conversation with Farren before. I didn't intend to hurt you in any way. I apologize."

   My eyes meet Prince Fraser's, and it hits me. It's the same lines. He's referring to the incident when he confronted me about Csille interrupting him and Farren. He got angry and ended up gripping my arms tightly, leaving marks.

I didn't mind that, though, because I knew it was Csille's fault. A person should owns up to the consequences of their actions. But Csille is different. Consequences don't matter to her. All she cares about is getting what she wants, no matter the cost.

  The typical spoiled and pampered lady of a noble family. It's the same reason why she didn't capture Prince Fraser's attention. All she cares about is herself and nothing more.

Prince Fraser hasn't forgotten what happened after that scene, but it's not important now. He apologizes because he knows it's wrong to hurt someone, regardless of the reason. However, he still believes Csille had a role in the incident.

   If she hadn't constantly interrupted him and Farren, he wouldn't have gotten angry at Csille. However, Csille fails to see her fault in the situation, so this conversation is unlikely to lead anywhere.

The scenes where he tried to apologize to me? They didn't actually count because I didn't write them. That's why he's apologizing to me again.

   "You're apologizing because you hurt me?"

Prince Fraser nods. "I know what I did was wrong, and I won't make excuses for it. Regardless of your actions, it was still wrong for me to hurt you. I'm sorry, Csille. I hope you can forgive me."

I could feel my eyebrows raising at his words. She's angry. Csille is angry.

I tried to reason with Csille, but as usual, it seems like she can't hear me. She probably doesn't even realize that we share this body.

"What did I do, Prince Fraser? Can you tell me that?"

I managed to choke out the words, feeling a lump forming in my throat. Oh no, she's going to cry again. Why do you always cry, Csille? It's not like Prince Fraser is wrong in what he said. Actually, he's right. It's you who's to blame. So why are you so mad? Come on, grow up!

I now understand why Lena hates Csille. Who wouldn't? She only cares for herself, and when it's time to face the consequences of her actions, she'll either run away from it or just cry it out.

My eyes are already glaring at Prince Fraser now. I can see him shaking his head, probably thinking about how childish Csille is behaving.

"Csille, you're constantly bothering Farren and me. I know you're just bored in the western region. However, Farren and I need some time for ourselves, Csille."

I could feel my hands are trembling now because of Csille's rage. I know, I was the one who made Csille like this, but it's only now I realize how despicable her character is.

"Farren! It's always Farren this, Farren that! But what about me, Fraser? I have no one to talk to. I just want to talk to you. I just want to be with you. Is it too much to ask, your highness?"

Prince Fraser just sigh. "Csille, I do understand that you only want someone to talk to. However, you also need to respect boundaries. You need to understand the word consent. There are private matters that Farren and I need to discuss, but it's difficult with you around."

Csille glares at Prince Fraser before grabbing the teacup from the table and forcefully hurling it to the floor. "Consent? But I am your fiancée, Fraser. Do I need to ask for consent? Did you forget about that, huh?"

Prince Fraser gazes at me with a disappointed expression, clearly taken aback by Csille's outburst. He rises from his chair gracefully, addressing her with calm resolve. "You know what, I think it's better to talk about this when your emotions are settled." With that, he walks away, leaving Csille to ponder her actions.

I rose from my seat and stared at his departing figure. "Fine! Have a good day, your highness! I hope you talk with Farren the whole day until your heart content!"

However, I doubt if Prince Fraser heard what Csille said. Csille then vents his anger on the teacups and teapot on the table, smashing them before storming out of the garden.