Chapter 309 - Rufus’s Mistake

"Used me as a reason? What do you mean? Can you be straightforward here?"

I see him sigh before he answers me. "I'm sorry, purplany. I couldn't find a way to invite her, and because I was anxious, I ended up saying things I shouldn't have said."

Things he shouldn't have said? What are those things? Why do I feel like I wouldn't like what Rufus will say after?

"I said that you refused to come with me for the dinner dat—"

I immediately raised my hands to stop him from talking. "Wait! Why am I suddenly involved here? And what do you mean by I refused to come with you for the dinner date? Rufus, are you dumb? Sorry for the word, but why would you mention something like that in front of someone you like? You really messed up, Rufus." 

I shake my head at him. I really don't understand why he would say something like that to the person he likes. 

Rufus shakes his head. It seems like he is also disappointed with himself. However, aside from disappointment, I can also see guilt in his eyes. But why would he feel guilty? Is it because he wasted my efforts or because he mentioned my name?

"Purplany, that's not the whole story. You should listen to me first. I told her that you declined my invitation for a dinner date because you knew that I am confessing to you."

I almost fell on my chair when I heard what he said. He told Princess Paislee that he was confessing to me?!

I look at Rufus. "Rufus! Why did you do that?" I snap at him.

No! No! This can't be happening. Everything is a mess right now. Everything is going against the storyline. Although it doesn't hurt much if Princess Paislee knows that Rufus likes Csille, it is still not what I have written.

I stand up and walk back and forth to my office. This isn't happening to me. Why? Why does it always happen to me? I always try to follow the script, but what can I do if my characters are the one who isn't following the script? And why am I being punished even if I wasn't the one who's not following the script? 

Isn't this world too unfair to me? What will happen to me now? Don't tell me another disaster will happen again? Will they put me to another torment and guilt? 

I know I am the villainess but isn't this too much? Do I really need to experience this? 

"Purplany, I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have used you as an excuse, but I don't know what happened. I probably got scared, and I unconsciously mentioned your name. I'm sorry. I know this can be a problem to you."

I stopped walking and glared at Rufus. "You know this can cause problems to me, but you still do it? Rufus, I thought you were my friend, but why does in the moment of uncertainty, you immediately sell me out? What if that person told other people that you like me? Do you know how much this will cause a sensation? You also know that I just had an issue with Prince Fraser, right?"

I'm so frustrated right now that I couldn't help but blame Rufus. If he didn't do that, then I wouldn't have any problem right now. If he only followed the script and didn't use me as an excuse, then Princess Paislee wouldn't have the chance to come with him. Prince Fraser wouldn't have dragged me out of the restaurant, and Princess Paislee wouldn't think that Rufus is into me. 

I heave a sigh. I don't know what to do anymore. Everything is a mess. 

Rufus stands up and tries to comfort me, but I just avoid him. I don't need comfort right now. I need a solution. But how can I find a solution for this? How can I fix everything if it's already messed up? 

"Csille, I'm sorry. I—"

I raised my hand to stop him. I shake my head at him. I feel disappointed right now. I'm so disappointed with Rufus. I've been trying my best to fix everything, and then he just decided to mess it up again.

"Rufus, can you leave me alone for now? I need some time with myself."

I didn't hear anything from him. He just stare at me. I stare back at him and see the pain in his eyes. He probably didn't expect I wouldn't let him explain. 

I just... not now. I need time to calm myself and to think of a way how to solve this. And I don't want to blame Rufus for what happened. I know he was just anxious. That's why he said that. 

A moment after, he heaves a sigh and nods his head. "If... if that's what you want. But Csille, if you want, I can explain this to Si—" He stops talking when he realizes that he almost mentioned the name of Sir Farren. "her and I can assure you that she isn't the type of person. She wouldn't tell anyone what I had said to her. If you're worried that Prince Fraser might know this, then I can explain this to him."

Of course, she wouldn't. She's the female lead. Where can you see a female lead that will do that? And explain this to Prince Fraser? Is there a need for that? I'm sure he wouldn't even care if he knew that Rufus likes Csille.

I shake my head. "Rufus, just leave me alone, please."

"Csille..." He then sighs. "If that's what you want. I'll be leaving now, but Csille, if you want me to fix things, then I could..."

He wasn't able to continue what he wanted to say when I looked at him and shook my head. He then walks out of my office.

I walk on my chair and slump my body on it. I suddenly feel weak after the conversation I had with Rufus. I don't even think I have an appetite to eat lunch today. 

"Why is this happening to me?"

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Because of what happened, I just decided to drown myself with paperwork. I'll think of a way how to deal with my problems once I return home. For now, I decided to just work because I still have documents piled up to work on.

I was busy reading a document when I heard someone knocks on my door. I look up and find Lilla staring at me anxiously.

"Dame Csille! Dame Csille!" She rushes towards me and anxiously shakes my hands.

I take her hand and try to calm her down. "Is there something wrong? You look anxious. Calm down, Lilla."

However, it seems like my words didn't calm her down. She still anxiously look outside my office. "Dame Csille, there is an emergency."

I frown. What is this emergency that makes Lilla this anxious? "Emergency? What is this emergency you are talking about? Is there someone who needs urgent help again?" 

Lilla shakes her head. "No, Dame Csille. Something came up. A landslide just happened in the nearby town, and a small village was destroyed because of it. There are a couple of people injured. Some even died."

I felt my whole world stop when I heard what Lilla said. She said a landslide happened, and there's a lot of people died and injured because of it?

It happened. It really happened. I knew it! This landslide is not a simple landslide. I'm definitely sure it is the result of what happened last night. I know this will happen, but I didn't expect this would be soon. I wasn't even prepared for this.

I slump my body on my chair and sigh. I suddenly feel so weak after hearing the news from Lilla. I should have done something to prevent all of these things from happening. I should have stopped Rufus. I should...

"Dame Csille? Are you okay? You look bothered. Is there..."

I was too busy blaming myself that I couldn't hear what Lilla is saying.

It's all my fault. If I only stopped Rufus that night, then this wouldn't happen. Now it's already too late. A lot of lives were sacrificed because of my carelessness. No matter what I do, I cannot return the lives that have been taken already. 

I look up at Lilla. "Lilla, how severe the situation there? Is... how many people died?"

Lilla shakes her head. "Dame Csille, there is no actual count, but I heard there's a lot of casualties. Should we immediately send our help there? I can call some of our employees to go there and he—"

I shake my head and stand up. The reason why this is happening is because of me. So, I think it's only right for me to be responsible for this. 

"Yes, and please don't forget to prepare food packs for them. I'll let you manage that. Can you also call Mairenn? I to talk to her immediately. I still need to go to the hospital and see if I can ask for help from them."

Lilla looks at me. "You're planning to go there, Dame Csille? But isn't it—"

I raise my eyebrow at her. "Do you expect me to sit here and do nothing? I need to go there and see it with my own eyes how severe the situation is. So, go and follow my instructions. I don't have much time, Lilla. I need to find them a house to stay in for tonight."

Lilla looks like she still wants to say something, but she just keeps it to herself. Instead, she immediately leaves my office to do what I ask her to do while I prepare my things. 

I have a lot of things to prepare today. I look at my window and sigh. I guess it's another long day for the villainess.

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After talking to Mairenn and ensuring she can find me a place where the people can stay temporarily, I immediately go to the Holycross Hospital. After the incident with the tuberculosis case, the director of the Holycross Hospital talked to me, and we had a deal that he would lend me Doctors, if I needed them.

The moment the carriage stops moving, I immediately rush inside the hospital. The nurses who are busy assisting some patients immediately greet me. I just smile at them in return and look for Brother Pascal. I want him to be with me when I talk to the Director.

I was about to walk in the direction of Brother Pascal's office when I bumped into Doctor Luíseach.

"Dame Csille? What brings you here? Are you here to look for Doctor Pascal? You're just in time, he just finished his surgery, and he is currently resting in his office."

I sighed in relief when I heard what she said. I need to immediately gather Doctors that will help me take care of the people. A few Doctors will be enough because I know his majesty will also send some Royal Physicians to take care of those injured people. 

"Thank you for the information, Doctor Luíseach. I'll be going now. I still have some urgent matters to talk to my Brother."

I was about to walk past her, but she grabbed my hand. "Wait, Dame Csille. May I know what is this urgent may you want to talk about with Doctor Pascal? I know you wouldn't be here if it's not something serious. Does your Foundation needs Doctors again?"

I nod my head. "There's a landslide happened in the nearby town, and I need some Doctors to help those people." I look at my time watch. I really don't have much time to explain in detail what happened. "If you'll excuse me, Doctor."

I didn't wait for her response and rushed to Doctor Pascal's office. Brother Pascal was even startled when I suddenly pushed open his door.

"Csille? What are you doing here? Is there something wrong? You look anxious."

I shake my head and walk towards him. Then I grabbed his hand and forced him to stand up.. "I need your help, Brother."