Why Did I Become the Villainess?

382  : His Cunning ways

 I didn't waste any seconds and ran far away from the Palace. As much as I want to return home right now, I don't want my family to see how devastated I am.

 Although I know what will happen in the future, I still couldn't help but be devastated by what happened tonight. Probably because this is something I haven't written. So, I wasn't prepared for this to happen.

 I look around, trying to see if anyone has followed me. I even made sure to use the other exit so my family won't be able to run after me.  It's a good thing I already memorized the ins and outs of the Palace, so it's easier for me to get away from it without anyone noticing me.  I was about to turn to a corner, where an inn was located when I suddenly heard galloping sounds behind me. I immediately find a place to hide. Afraid that my family has found me.

  I am sure no one has followed me behind but to be safe, I still find a place to hide. It's better to be safe than sorry.

 I heave a sigh when I see a renting carriage galloping to my way. However, I was startled when the carriage stopped a few meters away from me, and a man got out of it.  "Don't hide anymore. I have seen you from a distance. Get out of where you are hiding."

 I felt my heart beating wildly when I heard what the man said. He see me? But why would he care if he saw me? Does he have any bad intentions towards me that's why he wants me to get out?  I immediately hide further inside the bush where I am hiding. I don't know what this unknown man wants from me. All I know is I need to hide from him as much as I can.

 A moment after, I heard someone takes a deep breath. "Dame Csille, you don't need to hide. I don't have any bad intentions toward you. So, you can be assured."

 My eyes immediately widened when I heard what the man said. How come he knows who I am? Did he recognize me when he saw me earlier?

 I frowned when I realized something was off. Why does the man's voice sound familiar to me? Where did I hear that voice?

 I was busy thinking about where I heard that voice when the man suddenly talked again. "Dame Csille, you should really get out from where you were hiding. It's getting late already. It would really be unsafe for you if you remain staying outside."

 I frown and shake my head. Get out? I still haven't recognized him. So why would I get out? What if he does something to me if I get out? I don't want to risk that. I haven't even finished the novel. I don't want to die in the novel world.

  A moment after, I heard someone sigh again. "Dame Csille, I know you are scared, but if you don't get out from where you were hiding, your family will definitely find you. I can see their carriage coming here. So, do you want to risk it?"

 I frowned when I heard what he said. How come he knows I am hiding from my family? Who is this man?  But if what he said is true? That my family is coming here? If they do, I'm sure they will definitely see me. But what if this man only said that just so I would get out from where I am hiding?  But what if it's true, Ysavel? I'm sure Mother and Father wouldn't leave me alone tonight. Although I would really appreciate that, I just don't want to involve them with everything that is happening right now.  "Dame Csille, it's Mister Sewell. Don't you trust me?" Nôv(el)B\\jnn

 My eyes widened when I heard that. Mister Sewell? But what is he doing here?  I shake my head. Everything that is happening right now is something I haven't written. So, I don't understand why all of this is happening.

 Is it something done by that unknown force?  I heave a sigh and get out from where I am hiding. Now that I know it's Mister Sewell, I can be assured that nothing will happen to me.

 The moment I step out from the bush, Mister Sewell pulls me inside the carriage. He was about to tell his coachman to get away from here, but the horse didn't cooperate. We stay in place for a couple of minutes until another carriage stop beside us.

 I immediately ducked down when I recognized the carriage.  It's the Lauretré carriage!  I anxiously look at Mister Sewell, but he just calmly looks at the Lauretré carriage. "Count, it is a pleasure meeting you here. Can I do something for you?"

 They probably want to ask him questions regarding about me but change their minds when they realize the identity of Mister Sewell.

 "Forgive us for interrupting, but we just want to ask if you see any lady around here?"

 That's Brother Pascal's voice. Mother and Father probably feel awkward asking Mister Sewell questions. After all, they were still the

ally of the current royal family of the Vrawyth Kingdom.

 I look at Mister Sewell, who is calmly looking at my parents. He then shakes his head. "Apologies, Lord Pascal, but I don't see any lady around here. Is Dame Csille missing again?"

 I immediately look at Mister Sewell and shake my head. Does he need to ask that question? Although the news about my disappearance after the Banquet is widely known by everyone, wouldn't it sound weird to my family? After all, Mister Sewell is from the Saintillevé family. It's weird to hear that he is updated on what is happening to the Lauretré family.

 I heard someone laughs. It sounds like Brother Pascal's laugh. "Mister Saintillevé, thank you for answering our question. We will stop interrupting you then. I hope you have a great night."

 After saying those words, I heard galloping sounds. It looks like they really left us alone.  I heave a relieved sigh, but I remain ducking down and wait for Mister Sewell's signal. We need to make sure that the Lauretré will not see me.

 A moment after, Mister Sewell looked down at me. "You can get up now. They already left." He then offered his hand to me, which I gladly accepted.

 I sit beside him and bow my head. "Thank you for covering me up, Mister Sewell."

 He shakes his head at me and smiles reassuringly. "You don't need to thank me. I am your friend. Of course, I will help you." He then looks outside. "But are you sure you don't want to be with them? They look... dead worried about you. Did something happen, Dame Csille?"

 I just stare at him. I'm contemplating whether to tell him what's happening or not. If I will based it on my novel, Csille is already trusting Mister Sewell, but she is still guarded up against him. So, the most logical way to do now is to keep everything to myself.

 I heard him sigh. "Don't get me wrong, Dame Csille. I am only asking that question because I am concerned about you, but if you don't feel like telling things to me, then I wouldn't force you. You have every right not to tell me anything."

 I heave a sigh and shake my head. This guy really knows how to play the conversation right. On the outside, he sounds like he is respecting Csille's decision, but in reality, he is making Csille feel guilty for not sharing with him what happened.  "Thank you for the concern, Mister Sewell."

 I heard from someone before that it's pleasant to ears to say thank you rather than to hear sorry. That's why I thank him for understanding that I don't feel comfortable sharing things with him.

 Mister Sewell is about to say something, but his coachman interrupts him. "Apologies for interrupting, but the horse is okay now. May I know where do you want to go?"

 Mister Sewell stares at me. "I'm sure you don't want to return to the Lauretré residence, right? Do you want to stay at my cabin house again?"

 I immediately looked at Mister Sewell when I heard what he said. He didn't waste any time, didn't he? He immediately offered help the moment Csille needed one.  He's really desperate to get her on his side.  I shake my head and smile reassuringly at him. "Thank you for the offer, but I don't want to burden you anymore. I could just find an inn to stay in for the night. Don't get me wrong, Mister Sewell. I appreciate your offer, but I don't think it's the appropriate thing to do."

 Mister Sewell nods his head. "I understand your concern, but I don't think it is also a good idea for you to stay in the inn. We all know that there are still people from other Kingdoms, and those people wouldn't hesitate to harm anyone."

 "But I am just a simple Dame now. I am not his highness Prince Fraser's fiancée anymore. So, what could they get if they try to harm me?" I scoff. "He doesn't even care about me anymore," I whispered the last words.  I pretend to whisper those things, but I really want him to hear those words. I want him to know what is the real score between Prince Fraser and me.   Mister Sewell turns his head at me and frowns. "Did I hear it right? He doesn't care about you? Are you referring to Prince Fraser?" He paused. "But I thought the two of you were good friends? How come he doesn't care about you?"

 I just shake my head and smile at him. I think what I have said to him tonight is enough.  I pretend to look outside to avoid the conversation. A moment after, I heard Mister Sewell talk to the coachman. "Can you bring us to one of our inns?"

 My eyes immediately widened when I heard what he said. I did say that I wanted to stay in the inn, but I never said I wanted to stay in their inn.  It would be a huge issue if anyone saw me book a room there. After all, their inn is quite famous here, and everyone knows they were the owner.  I shake my head. "I don't think that is a good idea, Mister Sewell. Please don't bring me to your family's inn. If my parents heard that, I'm sure they would be mad at me. So, please don't."

 Mister Sewell frowns. "But if I bring you to other inns, I wouldn't be assured that nothing would happen to you. If you stay in our inn, I can be assured that even if someone decided to do something in the inn, you could still get out of it unscathed."

 I shake my head. This guy does not understand how huge it can affect my image. No one can see me inside their inn, or my connection with him can be known publicly.

 Doesn't this guy see that?

 I frowned when I realized something was wrong. This guy here isn't dumb. In fact, he is one of the wisest people I have met, so I'm sure he already knows what can happen if he lets me stay in their family's inn.  A scoff almost escaped from my mouth when I realized what was happening.  This guy is a cunning man. He offers me an alternative option that will bring me to an unfavorable situation. He knows I couldn't choose that.  So, in the end, I wouldn't have a choice but to stay in his house. He really knows how to turn everything in his favor.

 I heave a sigh. "But if I do that, it will definitely be a big issue if anyone sees me there." I shake my head. "That cannot do."

 I heard him heave a deep sigh too. It's as if he is frustrated with what is happening. "I'm sorry, I haven't thought about that. I just want you to be safe. Why don't you stay at my house then? Don't worry, just like before, I will not stay in the house, and I will only let a few people stay with you. Is that okay with you?"

 I knew it! That is really what he wants. For me to stay in his house. If I decline, I am sure he would push the idea for me to stay in their inn again.

 But do I have any choice now?