Chapter 316 - Already Falling In Love

"My dear, how ar—" Mother stopped talking when she saw the pile of documents in my arms. "My dear, what's this?"

I look at the documents in my arms and sigh. I got busy talking to his majesty that I didn't have time to do all the urgent documents I needed to work on. So, I decided to bring them home and work on it this evening. 

I need to finish this because there's a lot of paperwork I need to do tomorrow. It's about the housing project. I need to talk to a lot of people that will be helping me build them houses. Aside from that, I also need to work with the budget and all the things need needed for the joint project.

"These are the urgent documents I need to work on today, Mother. I brought it because I'll be busy tomorrow, and I won't have time to work on this."

Mother immediately called maids and asked them to bring the documents to my room. She then gently caress my head. "My dear, you just returned to the capital. Don't you want to take a break first? Ever since you open up the Foundation, you haven't taken a vacation. Your Father and I are both worried about you. You are becoming like your Brother Pascal already. Too workaholic."

I hold on to Mother's arm and lean on her shoulder. "But Mother, you know that if I take a rest, that means those villagers won't have a choice but to stay in the tents. There are elderlies and young children there, Mother. What if they get sick because of it? I don't think my conscience can bear to take a break knowing that there are people who need our help. I cannot do that, Mother."

Mother sigh and gently caress my head. "I'm proud of what you are doing, but my dear, don't forget to take a rest. You had a very long day, and now you are planning to work even at night? You're overworking yourself."

"Mother, don't worry. I know what I am doing, and I promise you that I won't force myself if I'm exhausted. So, don't worry, okay?"

I heard Mother sigh. "If your Father knows about this, I'm sure he'll be mad at you." She then shakes her head. "By the way, I heard you meet his majesty this afternoon. Is there something wrong?"

I guide Mother to sit on the sofa before I explain it to her. I got too busy with my work in the Foundation that I forgot to mention about the joint project. 

"Mother, you know that I'm currently working with the villagers' temporary shelter, right?"

Mother nods her head. "Yeah, you mentioned it before. It is also the reason why you become too busy these days. Is it something related to the villagers?"

"Yes, Mother. The Hope Foundation can only give them temporary shelter for three months. And after that three months, they need to find a new house they can stay in. However, his majesty prohibits them from returning to the foot of the mountain because it's dangerous for them. So, his majesty and his highness come up with a plan to give these villagers houses."

Mother nods her head in satisfaction. "I'm glad they think of that. Your Father also wants to suggest putting the villagers in a new place because it's really dangerous to live at the foot of the mountain. However, what does it have to do with your meeting with his majesty?"

I heave a sigh. "Mother, we all know how much the monarchy uses the funds for helping the northern region, right? So, even if his majesty wants to give those villagers new houses, he cannot do that alone. He knows that if he builds a new village for them, the Kingdom will bear the consequences. And with our current situation? It's not wise to use our remaining funds. That's why his majesty and Prince Fraser come up with an idea to have a joint project with the Hope Foundation."

Mother frowns. "Joint project? You mean his majesty and the Hope Foundation are planning to build a village for those villagers? But my dear, housing projects usually cost a lot. Are you sure the Hope Foundation can bear the expenses?"

I heave a sigh. That's what I'm worried too. After all, I still need to help other people after that projects. Although the Foundation can still help other people, it will become limited. I'm afraid we can only help five cases each day.

"Don't worry, Mother. I will take care of it." I smile reassuringly at her. I know how my parents think. If they know that the Foundation is having trouble, I'm sure they will donate a huge amount of money to the Foundation. And that is not what I want. Not because I don't want them to spend money, but because I know in the near future, they will be needing that money.

Mother gently caress my head. "If you need some help, just tell us, okay? Your Father and I will gladly help you."

I smile at her and shake my head. I knew she would say that. "I will, Mother." I was about to excuse myself because I still had a lot of things to do tonight when I suddenly remembered something. "Mother, did you know that Prince Joachim of the Yesian Kingdom is currently in the Vrawyth Kingdom?"

Mother frowned when she heard my question. She then shakes her head. "Prince Joachim is in the Vrawyth Kingdom? I didn't know about that. Your Father never mentions anything about his arrival. How did you know he is here?"

Even Mother is not aware that Prince Joachim is here. I'm sure Father doesn't know about this too because he wouldn't keep news like this to us. So, I don't really understand how did he manage to come here without an announcement? 

"I bumped into him this afternoon. I was shocked when I saw him because I wasn't expecting he would be in the Vrawyth Kingdom. He said he was here to represent the Yesian Kingdom for Prince Fraser's birthday. However, there is one thing I don't understand, Mother. I thought Prince Joachim was the forgotten Prince of the Yesian Kingdom. So, how come he becomes the representative of his Kingdom?"

Mother frowns too. "I'm not sure too, my dear. But don't worry, I will ask your Father about this. I'm sure he can answer your question." She then looks at the clock. "It's getting late. I should be preparing our dinner. You should rest first. I'll just call you when I finish preparing the dinner."

I nod my head and go straight to my room. I still need to finish all the urgent documents tonight because I still have a lot of things to do tomorrow.

I look at the pile of documents on my table and sigh. I don't know if I am really the villainess or the female lead. I don't understand why I am always busy while all other villainess does nothing but stalk the male lead. This is definitely unfair.

________________________________

Another day, another busy day for the villainess. 

I was about to enter my office when I suddenly saw someone sitting on my chair. I raise my eyebrow at that person. "And what are you doing here, Rufus?"

Rufus smiled cheekily at me. "Aren't you going to hug me? Don't you even miss me, purplany?"

I roll my eyes at him and put on the table the urgent documents that I finished working on last night.

"Seriously? What are you doing here, Rufus? Aren't you supposed to be in the nearby town? And when did you arrive at the capital?"

Rufus starts to skim the urgent documents I just put on the table. "I arrived last night. After you sent a letter to Prince Fraser, he immediately asked me to return to the capital and talk to you about the temporary shelter and the joint project."

I heave a sigh. I just arrived, but I am immediately welcome by work. Seriously? Is the reason I am here is to become a Villainess or to work non-stop?

"You want to know the details? I have already made a plan and a timeline for the villagers' transfer. You can just give this to his highness, and if you need anything, you can just ask for our help. And as for the joint project, I have already talked to his majesty. We have already signed a contract and talked about the details. If he has any questions, he could just ask his majesty about the contract. Everything was stated there already."

I take the documents containing the detailed plan and timeline for the transfer and give it to Rufus. "Here's another copy I made. Can you please give it to his highness, Prince Fraser, so he would know when or what will happen in transferring the villagers."

Rufus looks at the documents and frowns at me. "Why don't you personally give it to him? You're still going to return to the town, right?"

Return to the town where I would see them argue every day? Nah, I'm good. I would rather bury myself with work than to see the two of them argue. 

I look at the documents on my table and around my office. "Can't you see? I have work I need to do here, Rufus. I also need to make sure all the necessary documents are prepared for the transfer. So, even if I want to be there, I cannot do that because I still have other things I need to do. You also know that I have a joint project with his majesty, right? I need to focus on it for now. If you're worried about the villagers, then you can rest assured that I wouldn't neglect them. I will send a few of my employees to help with the transfer."

I look at Rufus, who is still sitting on my chair. "And can you please stand up? I need to start working now."

Rufus immediately stands up and gestures his hand on my chair. I thank him before I take my seat. "Is it the only reason why you are? Forgive me, Rufus, but I have a lot of work to do today. Can we just continue this conversation this evening?"

I immediately take the documents on my table and start to work on it. I need to finish all of this because I'm sure I will be busy again these coming days. 

"Csille..."

I look up and find Rufus staring at me intently. He looks bothered. "Are you okay, Rufus? Is there something wrong?"

Did something happen while I was away? 

Rufus heaves a deep sigh. "Csille, I think I'm losing her. I..." Rufus shakes his head. "I think she is already falling in love with him."

My hand that was busy flipping the page stopped when I heard what he said. What did he say? That Princess Paislee is falling in love with Prince Fraser?

I feel my hand trembles for a couple of seconds before I calm myself down. I look at Rufus and act nonchalantly. "Falling in love with the other guy? Are you sure? How can you say she's really in love with him?"

That will be great news if Princess Paislee is already falling in love with Prince Fraser. It means I can return to the real world now. 

Rufus sits on the chair in front of me and rests his chin on his hand. "I don't know. I just feel she is starting to fall for him. Every time I will try to talk to her, she will always find an excuse. It's as if she is avoiding me."

It makes sense, though. Princess Paislee isn't the social type, and I have written this. The reason why she is avoiding Rufus is because she is starting to feel something isn't right.

"But I thought you'll try to win her? What happened with that? Is it because you're not in the capital, and that guy takes the chance to win the girl?"

Rufus shakes his head. "No, it's not because of it." He then sighs and leans his body on the chair. "It's hard to explain, purplany. But I can definitely feel it. I am starting to lose her."

I look at Rufus' devastated expression and sigh. Of course, you will lose her. She isn't meant to be yours in the first place. 

"Rufus, as long as she and that guy are not in a relationship, then the competition is still not over. So, don't give up and continue to win her. You're an Astalieu. Who could resist you?"

Rufus looks like he is about to say something, but he just shakes his head in the end. He probably wants to say that the other guy he is talking about is also an Astalieu. So, why would Princess Paislee choose him over Prince Fraser?

I heave a sigh. I'm sorry, Rufus. I am the reason why you are having problems right now.. I'm sorry that at the end, you will still lose against Prince Fraser again.