I am walking in the hallway, heads down. I just finished my training, and it's already seven in the evening.

I'm exhausted with my daily routine. Next week will be the preliminary exam, and I still have every day training for the Grand Exemplary Competition. We only have two weeks before we set off to the venue of the competition.

Talk about busy Ysavel.

I need a break. I want a break. I already finished high school in the real world before. Why do I need to experience it again?

"Csille."

I paused on my track and looked in front of me. It's Prince Fraser! I immediately turn my back at him and run away from him.

Run Ysavel! Run!

However, before I could even run, Prince Fraser already grabs my arms. He makes me face him. He's glaring at me. He's probably mad because I keep avoiding him every time he will talk to me or every time I will see him.

Can't blame me, though. I am only doing this to save all of you. If I continue this interaction outside what I have written in the novel, then this world will collapse. I wouldn't like that to happen.

"What are you doing, Csille?"

I was about to answer him, but then I suddenly remember that voice's words.

"You're putting everyone at risk. I told you when you do something against their destiny. Then this world will collapse. Their lives will be at risk."

I just shake my head and try to break free from his grip.

You need to get out of here, Ysavel! Come on, do something. Don't you dare talk to Prince Fraser.

However, no matter how hard I try to break free from his grip, I couldn't.

Prince Fraser just looks at me. "Don't move. I wouldn't let you go unless you tell me what is happening to you."

Your highness, why do you want to make things complicated? I am only doing these for your own good, for everyone's good. But you, insisting on having a conversation with me doesn't help. Your highness, please don't do these. Just annoy your Farren.

I really wanted to say it to him. However, I know I couldn't, or it will worsen everything. I look at Prince Fraser and sigh.

I should just say something to him so he will leave me for now. But what would I say that will make him leave me? And also, something that is not against with what I have written.

"I like you. I avoided you because I'm starting to like you." I said head down. I could feel my ears, and my face is getting flustered with my own words.

Oh dear, never have I imagine that I would do this kind of thing. Confessing to a guy. It's just not me.

I look at Prince Fraser. His eyes are wide open, and he was frozen in the spot. Although it's quite different than the frozen state he experienced in the palace room I stayed in the knighting ceremony.

He is probably just shocked by my words. In my novel, Csille didn't really confess her feelings to Prince Fraser. However, she expresses it with her actions, and confession is unnecessary since Prince Fraser is wise enough to decipher Csille actions.

Also, Csille is still fourteen years old. Too young to fall in love or to know feelings. I doubt it if Prince Fraser will take it to heart.

What I did, is not against what I have written because it's true. Csille likes Prince Fraser. I just confessed Csille's feelings to him. So, it is still sticking with the plot of my novel.

I look at Prince Fraser, who is still under shock. I grab the chance and run away to my room. I closed my door immediately after I get inside.

Success!

I want to pat my shoulder for what I did. I'm pretty sure after this. Prince Fraser wouldn't want to talk to me.

Finally, some peace in my life.

I happily take off my shoes and jump on my bed. Oh, happy life. It's so nice to get rid of Prince Fraser. At least, I don't need to worry about this world collapsing.

_______________________

"Csille, why do you keep reading that?" Rufus frowns at me and looks at the book I am reading.

I looked at the book too and lifted it. "What's wrong with this book?"

Rufus sits beside me and points to the title of the book. It's as if saying to read the title. I rolled my eyes at Rufus. "What's wrong? So what if I read how to lead a monarchy book? Can I just be curious about it? And also, what are you doing here, Rufus Astalieu?" I raised my eyebrow at him.

"You and I both know that you don't like politics. So, don't try to deceive me. Why do you suddenly read this kind of book? Are you?" Rufus looks at me with wide eyes. He is also covering his mouth as if he received very shocking news.

If Rufus isn't the son of the Duke, and he is still considered a Prince. I would probably smack the book in his head. I think I know what he is thinking. "Am I what? Rufus, choose your words properly, or I swear."

Prince Fraser laughs at my response and puts his hand up in the air. "Chill Csille. Why are you so worked up today? Who irritated you?"

I look at him as if saying, 'you really have the guts to ask that question'. Sometimes I kind of doubt if Rufus is smart or a dumb idiot. I mean, I, myself, am not that smart, but sometimes Rufus makes me question my intelligence.

Rufus cleared his throat. "Okay, okay, I will stop teasing you." He looks again at the book I am reading. "I'm just curious why you are reading this. Do you really plan to be the mother of this kingdom?"

My eyes widened with what he said. I look around, trying to see if someone heard what Rufus said. I sigh in relief when I saw no one.

I look at Rufus and glare at him. "You and your mouth. Can you please stop making such assumption? You're putting me in trouble."

"How can it troubles you? What I said is true and not an assumption Csille. Everyone knows that after both of you, Prince Fraser and you, become legal of age. The King will announce your official engagement. I don't see something wrong with what I said."

Nothings wrong? Everything is wrong, Rufus! But of course, how would you know that?

I shake my head and put the book I've been reading aside. "It's still early to say that, Rufus. There's a lot of things that could happen in five years. Do you think the situation will stay the same after five years?"

Rufus looks up at the sky. It looks like raining at any moment now. "What could have happened? We both know Prince Fraser agreed on that. Do you think my cousin will change his mind?" Rufus looks at me.

Will he? I clearly know that answer. I shrugged my shoulder at him and just picked up the book I have been reading.

He will change his mind because why would he choose the villainess if his leading lady is just beside him all the time?

Who in the right mind would choose the villainess? Even in movies, the villainess is always alone. If not alone, only the sidekicks are there. No partner. No lover.

Rufus and I got silent for a minute or two. I am reading my book while Rufus is watching the dark clouds move its way in our direction. I'm pretty sure one moment it will rain cats and dogs.

"Csille."

I look at Rufus. He looks sad. I wonder why.

"Do you believe someone will love me?"

I was startled by Rufus's question. I didn't expect he would ask me that question. Rufus isn't the type of person who cares about what people's opinion of him. You'll misunderstand him as a cold and distant person because of that. However, that wasn't really the case. He is a jolly person, always have a smile on his lips.

He's like a ray of sunshine, giving sunshine to all.

It's the first time I see him. Conflicted. Like he isn't sure about what he said. It's as if all those hurtful words people throw at him make him lose all the confidence he has.

"Of course, someone will love you for sure. Who wouldn't? You're funny, you're smart, you're sweet, although you often like to tease and sometimes bully. But overall, your character is likable. I don't think no one would love you. Why do you ask?"

Rufus scoffs. "Likable? Who would like me? I am the villain in every story they make."

He knows! Everyone likes to perceive Rufus as the bad guy just because of the color of his hair and eyes. Why do people always see the color red as evil? Have they all forgotten that the color of love is red too?

"That's not always true, Rufus, and so what if they made you look like the bad guy? As long as all those people you care about don't see you like that, does it matter? I don't see you as the bad guy Rufus and will never see you as one. So, don't have a pity party there because there is no reason for that. Come on. You are the Prince of the Vrawyth Kingdom. Why would you care about those unnecessary things?"

Rufus looked at me and smiled. He then gently messed my hair. "You really do know how to soften a man's heart. You better be careful with that skill Csille."

I frown. What does suppose to mean?

"Stop spouting nonsense."

I go back to reading the book. It's a book on how to lead a monarchy. It's not that I really want to be a Queen someday. I know better than anyone here that Csille will never be a queen. I just want to learn about the monarchy. Who knows, maybe I could have used to it in the future.

"Hey, what happened between the two of you?"

"Two? Who are you referring to?"

"Who else? Of course, it's Prince Fraser. What happened between the two of you? Last week he kept talking to you, and you just avoid him. But now both of you are avoiding each other. Did something happened that I don't know?"

I put the book on my lap and look up at Rufus. "Why does everyone seem so concerned about our relationship? We're good. I don't understand why every one of you is making a big deal out of it."

"Really? You're both okay?" Rufus scoffs. "Come on, purplany. Who would believe that? It's obvious that something happened to the both of you. If not, why would you keep avoiding each other? Also, what's wrong with being concerned about your relationship with Prince Fraser? Prince Fraser is the future leader of the monarch, and you, Csille Lauretré, is the fiancé of Fraser. It wouldn't be bad to be concerned about the future King and Queen of the monarchy."

"Can you stop addressing me as the future Queen. It's giving me creeps." I shuddered a little. I wouldn't dare to imagine myself, Csille, to be the Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom. If that happens, I'm pretty sure this world will collapse.

"Why are you so against it, Csille? It's inevitable. Sooner or later, both of you will be engaged and get married. Don't tell you don't have a plan to be the Queen?" Rufus looks at me with wide eyes.

Me? Csille Lauretré as the queen? Is that even a joke? How could I be the Queen if Prince Fraser already has Princess Paislee? How can a Csille Lauretré be compared to a true born royalty and the future Queen of the Aeslaerean Kingdom?

"I told you, Rufus, it's too early to assume things. Five years is long enough that changes could happen. We will need to see in the future if I would really be the Queen of the Vrawyth Kingdom. For now, let's just deal with things that are present. Anyways, what the heck are you doing here? Your preliminary exam is this week, right? How can you bear to roam around the high school as if you don't have exams? Do you plan to fail Rufus?"

Rufus scratches his nape. "I am just resting, okay? It's been a rough week, and I thought I need some time to unwind, even just for a moment."

I squint my eyes at Rufus. "Go back to the University. Don't be a lazy ass, Rufus."

Rufus just laughs at me and take the book from my hand. "Says the one who should be reading her notes but instead reading this crappy book." Rufus grins at me.

I stand up from the hanging hammock. Rufus immediately runs after he saw me standing up. "Rufus! Give me back my book!"