Why Did I Become the Villainess?-Chapter 17 - Music Box

"Csille!"

I look around and see Leander Smythe running towards me. He is the senior student who gave me a bouquet of flowers last time—the son of the Royal Physicians.

"Are you leaving today?" He looks at the luggage behind my back.

I nod at him. "Yes, senior. How about you? When will you go home?"

Summer is starting, and it also means that we will have a month of break from school. My parents already prepared everything in advance so I could go back home instantly.

"A week after. I still have some papers to submit." He's a graduating student, so it's inevitable to have more paper works than the lower year students.

I nod at him. "I see. Good luck with your papers then."

He smiled at me and said his thank you. I look at him, confused. He wouldn't call me just for this, right? I noticed that he is avoiding my gaze. He looks like he wants to say something to me but is hesitant to say so.

"Do you have anything you want to say, senior?"

He stares at me for a minute before he nods my head. "I-I am thinking if I could meet you outside the school? This summer break? And oh, you don't need to call me senior. Leander. Leander is okay."

I smile awkwardly at him. Oh, oh, I think I'm making trouble for myself. "I am sorry, senior, but I thought I made it clear before?"

Leander's smile fades away. However, when he realized it, he smiled fakely at me. Probably, a way of him trying to say that he is okay. "Don't get me mistaken. I am merely asking you as a friend. Friends do hang out, too, right? Can you call me Leander?"

I look at him and sigh. I already told you I don't want to be in a relationship. What do you still want, brother?

"I actually don't know. My parents and I have plans to travel to the western region. I'm not sure how long we will stay there. I'm sorry, senior. Also, I don't think it's appropriate just to call you by your first name. You're still my senior."

Come on, brother, take the hint. I don't know what to do with you anymore. I've done the direct way, but you didn't listen. I've done the subtle way, but you are still pushing? Are you a masochist?

Leander looks disappointed with my answer. He probably thought that I couldn't say no to that. I already have many problems right now. I don't want to add more to the list. Give me a break!

"You're going to visit the western region? Isn't that an awful place to stay to?"

I shrugged my shoulders. It's one of the turning points for all the leading characters in the novel. A week after the Crown Prince went home to spend his summer break, the King will command the Crown Prince to go to the western region for his second training. The Lauretré family will follow the Crown Prince to protect him. That's the reason why the Lauretré family will go on vacation in the western region of the Kingdom.

"I'm not sure why but that's what the Count said."

Leander took something out of his bag. It's a music box. My eyes widen immediately. It's the music box! It came from Leander? I frowned. It doesn't seem right. Shouldn't it be in the hands of that person?

"I actually came here to give this to you. A friend of mine gave this to me." He hands me the music box. As much as I want to say no to him because I don't want him to misunderstand me, but I can not. This music box is a special thing for Csille.

"You're probably wondering why would I give you a simple box? It's actually not a small box. It has mechanics inside. You just need to open this lid in here and see this, " he opened the lid for me to take a look inside. He also points the handle attached to the side of the box. It is where you put your fingers and turned it around for it to make a sound. "You put your fingers on it and turn it around like this, and the box will make a sound."

My body moves on its own. My face made a reaction like I am astounded by it. My eyes keeps staring at the box like it's my first time seeing it. Oh, come on! It isn't that great. I've seen one that is better than that in the real world. However, I cannot blame them though. Music box doesn't exist in this world before. But since I have in my hands now. This is the only piece you could see in this world.

"Astonishing, right? When I first saw it, I was blown away. I didn't know it's possible for a box this small to produce a sound. And when he gave it to me, I instantly remember you. I know you would like this."

I took the music box and held it dearly. "Thank you for this one. I really appreciate this." I smiled at him. I look back at the carriage that is waiting for me. "I need to go now, senior-" Before I could even finish my words, he already cuts me off.

"You already took my gift to you, and you're still calling me senior?" He looks disappointed. If moments ago, he was still hiding his disappointment. Now he clearly shows how disappointed he was.

I sigh. I already warned you, brother. It's your fault for not listening to me. "Okay. I will go now, Leander."

Satisfied with my answer. He smiled at me and helped me with my luggage. I just let him be. It's actually heavy. I entered the carriage and looked back at him. Leander waves his hand at me. I smiled and waved back.

The carriage starts. I look at the music box in my hand. I already have you. I won't let that thing happened to you in the future. So, rest assured. I sadly smiled and looked at the music box.

__________

Mother, Father, and Brother Pascal welcomed me back home. Mother instantly hugs me really tight. "My dear, you look thin. Do you take care of yourself?"

Brother Pascal took a step and looked at me. "You did lose some weight. You should take care of your health always. I'll do a check-up on you later." He stares at me again and shakes his head. He looks like the patient he is treating just died.

Mother looks at me and touches my face lovingly. Her eyes looks like she feels sorry for me. "Yes, you should let your brother Pascal check on you. Look at my poor daughter."

I stare at Mother and Brother Pascal. I felt warm because of their worries. I never feel like this before. Back in the real world, only Lena worry for me. It feels so warm having someone worrying over your health.

It's actually not a big deal. I did lose weight, but it's not like I will die or I have a deadly disease. Back in the real world I often eat once a day to save but I still survive. This is not a big thing for me.

I glance at my father to ask for help. Father only shakes his head at me. Just like mother and brother, he's also worried about me. I could see it in his eyes.

He gestured for me to come to him. I walk towards him. I was welcomed immediately by a warm hug. "You're mother, and brother Pascal is right. We should really do a check-up on you. I'm worried."

I shake my head at them and just nod my head. How could I win over them? They are three while I am only one. All of us entered the house happily. Father keeps asking me about his achievements while I was gone. Although it's basically some law he submitted, a small war against some bandits who tried to captured people from the north and many other more.

I smiled at all of them. If there is one thing I like in this world, it's the fact that I am not alone. I have a wonderful family that is always there for me.

_________

"So tell us, dear, how did your semester go?" My mother asked.

I took out papers in my bag. It looks like small index cards. Each card is for one subject. Written in there are my grades in each term. There is also a note written at the end. Sometimes it's a bad note about the student. Sometimes it's a good one. It depends on how well a student does in school.

The educational system in Vrawyth is also the same in the real world. In every school year, there will be two semesters. Each semester is divided into three terms—the Pre-liminary term or what we like to call Prelims, the midterm, and the final term. After one semester, there will be a break in between, which is the summer break. Because it coincide with the summer season.

Mother, father, and Brother Pascal are delighted when they see how high my marks are.

Father laughed loudly. He looks so proud of me. He showed the card he is holding to mother and Brother Pascal. It's Geometry, it's one of my highest marks out of all. "Look how high my daughter's marks are and its geometry. Geometry! If my subordinates see this, I am sure they will be envious of me. I just don't have a gorgeous daughter but also an intelligent one." He looks at it again before putting it inside his lapel.

"Father!"

Father looks at me. His eyes are showing how proud he is of his only daughter. "What? I am simply showing them how intelligent you are."

I look at him and let if off. How could I say no to that? He is really pleased with my reaction. Mother and Brother Pascal laugh at my Father. However, my eyes catch them, putting away one of my cards inside their pockets. I smiled and shook my head at them. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. It's really true.

Brother Pascal looks at me suddenly. He seems like he remembers something. He then grins at me playfully. "I heard you are quite famous with the boys now?"

My eyes widen and looked back at Brother Pascal. Where did he get that information? I laugh, trying to shake off my nervousness. "I don't know where you heard that, but that's not true, brother."

Father slammed his fist on the table. The teapots and teacups shake. Teas are splattered everywhere. "Who dares to court my daughter plainly? Give me a name." Father demanded to Brother Pascal.

I looked at Brother Pascal and shook my head. Oh dear, don't say his name. I already I have problems now. Please, don't make it too difficult for me, brother! I beg of you.

Mother slaps my father's arms. "What wrong with having suitors? My daughter is the prettiest among all the ladies in here. It's inevitable for her to have a line of admirers."

Father ignored my mother and still asked for a name. Brother Pascal did ignore the plea in my eyes. Brother, you cannot. "His name is Leander Smythe, a senior student in the Vrawyth High School of the Nobles. The second son of the Royal Physician couple."

My father looks at me. "Is it true?"

"Father!" I complained. "It's not! We are friends only. Nothing more."

Satisfied, he nods his head. "Good, I hope you won't forget your engagement to the Crown Prince, Csille."

"I don't, father."

How can I forget? The story about Crown Prince Fraser and the villains Csille still flashed through my mind every day. It's like my mind is constantly reminding me about the inevitable.

______________

"Csille!"

I wave my hand at Rufus. He runs towards me. Rufus and I had a deal to meet a day after I arrived at the capital of Vrawyth. Rufus and Prince Fraser arrived at the capital three days earlier than me.

"Finally! You come back. I was so bored in the house. At least you are here already. We could travel around the capital like we always do." He said happily. He looks like he was really bored these past days.

I shake my head at him. "I don't think that's possible."

Rufus frowns and looks at me confusedly. He sits in the chair in front of me. We are currently in the pastry shop we always eat. "How come is impossible? We both have a summer break. Don't tell me you're going to just spend your summer in your residence?"

I shake my head at him. I take a bite of my princesst?rta. I will never get tired of eating this. "Oh, I haven't told you?"

"Told me what?" He also takes a bite of his custard cake. He probably got tired of eating princesst?rta.

"I didn't? I'm sorry, I thought I mentioned it to you the last time we talked." I took another bite. It still tastes like heaven. "My parents and I are planning to tour the western region."

Rufus stops eating. "Western region?" He looks like he is trying to recall something. He got silent for a minute. "Is it because of the Crown Prince?"

I look around first before nodding my head. He's the cousin of the Crown Prince. He probably heard from the Duke about the King's decision to send Prince Fraser to the Western region for his second training.

The Duke doesn't occupy any position in the monarch, but the King often talks to him about some issues. The King and the Duke's relationship is quite good. If not because of Rufus' existence, the Duke might consider having a position in the monarch.

"However, Prince Fraser's training will last for half a year, and our break is only for a month. How could the two of you continue studying? Are you going to take a break?"

I shake my head. "Of course not! The King already prepared that for us. We were given special permission to do homeschooling for the next semester."

"That's okay with you?"

I looked at him like the question he just asked is nonsense. "Does it matter? The King already talked with my parents. How could I possibly refuse it at my own will?"

Rufus sighed and held my hand. "Do you want me to join you?"

Shocked. I shared my head at him. "Don't even think about it. Prince Fraser and I are both high school students, and it's much easier for us to do homeschooling. Unlike you. You should just focus on your studies."

Disappointed, Rufus eats down his pudding. It's for your own good Rufus. There will be danger not only for the Crown Prince but even for the Lauretré family. I don't want you to get involve.

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