Rufus sighed before he gestured his hand for me to sit, which I obliged. Rufus sits on the chair in front of me.


    "You''re right in time. I just finished brewing tea. Do you want some? Although it cannot bepared to your tea, it still tastes good."


    Rufus takes two teacups and puts them on the table. "Doctor Pascal, do you want some?"


    Broth Pascal politely refused Rufus. He then continues to pretend he is not here. Rufus just shrugged his shoulders before he looked at me.


    "How about you, purny?"


    I didn''t respond to Rufus'' question. I just look at him intently. "Rufus, why?"


    Rufus sigh. He puts the teapot and looks at me. "I knew you woulde here to talk to me. But I''m really disappointed to see you here, Csille. I was hoping you wouldn''t do anything after what Prince Fraser did to you, but I guess I shouldn''t have underestimated your feelings for him."


    Rufus shakes his head. "Are you here to convince me not to tell what happened to the Count and Countess? Or are you here to convince me to reconcile with my cousin?"


    I feel bad after hearing Rufus'' words. I know he is only doing this to protect me, and I''m really grateful for what he is doing. It''s the first time someone protect me beside from Lena. But I cannot let this happen.


    "I''m sorry, Rufus. I know you are only doing this to defend me, and I want you to know that I really appreciate everything you do for me. But Rufus, is it really worth it to argue with Prince Fraser because of me? You are cousins. Shouldn''t you treat each other like a family?"


    Rufus scoffs. "But does he treat me one?" He then shakes his head. "I really don''t understand why you are still defending him. He did something wrong, Csille. Why can''t you see that? Are you that blind that you wouldn''t mind what he is doing to you? You don''t deserve that, Csille. You don''t deserve being treated like that, and even if he is my cousin, I wouldn''t mind fighting for you."


    I felt my eyes start to be watery when I heard what he said. I''m really touched by his words. If only Prince Fraser could do that to Csille, but I know it''s impossible.


    I smile bitterly at him. "Rufus, it''s not that I''m blind or I''m a martyr. I admit I''m currently in pain right now, but I couldn''t be mad at Prince Fraser. I have a lot of things to reconsider before I can allow myself to be mad at him."


    Rufus frowns. "Csille, what is there to reconsider? Your feelings are valid. Why do you need to reconsider other things?"


    "Because it''s not that simple, Rufus. If I get mad at Prince Fraser while everyone knows that there is something wrong with us, who do you think people will side to? After what happened yesterday? Do you think they will side to him?"


    "And so what? It''s the consequences of his behavior. He disrespected you, Csille. How can you expect people to still see him as the same Prince Fraser before? Why do you need to consider how people see Prince Fraser? It''s not your fault why they change the way they see him. So, why are you the one taking everything on your own? Csille, I know you love Prince Fraser that much, but I hope you will also see how he is treating you. This is not right."


    I understand why do they want to continue to expose Prince Fraser, but why can''t they see how much this will change everything?


    "Because it''s not just about Prince Fraser. We are talking here. It''s the future King of the Vrawyth Kingdom we are referring to. You know that he will soon be crowned as the new King, and you also know that he needs to have every support he can get during that time. If the people know about this, do you think they will trust Prince Fraser? It''s just one mistake, Rufus. Do you need to put Prince Fraser in a tight spot? Can you just give him a chance?"


    I hold Rufus'' hand that is resting on that table. "Just one chance, Rufus. Just this one. For the Vrawyth Kingdom. Please."


    Rufus looks at me for a couple of seconds before he sighs. He then shakes his head. "I really don''t understand why Prince Fraser cannot see this? He''ll probably regret everything he said if he knew you''re the one who is trying to help him. But Csille, I already made up my mind. If I let this pass, there''s a huge chance that he''ll repeat this in the future. How can I feel assured that he''ll never mistreat you again? I want him to realize that what he is doing to you is not right. You cannot always defend him, Csille. He needs to face the consequences of his behavior."


    Rufus breaks from my grasp and holds my hand. "I''m sorry if I couldn''t agree with you on this, but I''m already decided. Also, do you think you can control the news? It''s widely known in the western region already. In no time, it will arrive in the capital. There''s really nothing you can do now, Csille. This is the price Prince Fraser needs to face to what he did to you."


    I lean my body on the chair and sigh. It''s toote. I couldn''t do anything now. What will I do?


    I feel my tears start to roll down my cheeks. I am crying because of frustration. I''ve been doing my best to follow the script, but why does something always happen? Will I be able to return to my world?


    "Purny, why are you crying? I''m sorry, as much as I want to help you, but this is something I can''t do. I''m sorry."


    Rufus tried to wipe my tears, but I just shook my head at him. "No, I should be the one saying sorry. I apologize for forcing you to do something you don''t want to do. Don''t worry. I''m not mad at you. I understand why you are doing this, and I wouldn''t take it against you." I stand up and bow my head. "I apologize for interrupting you. I won''t take up your time then. If you''ll excuse me."


    I immediately get out of his ce. I''m really not mad at Rufus nor ming him. I''m just frustrated with what is happening.


    "Csille..."


    I heard Rufus call my name, but Brother Pascal stopped him. "Prince Rufus, I think it''s best if you''ll let her be on her own first. She just needs time. Don''t worry. I''ll take care of her."


    "Thank you, Doctor Pascal. I —"


    That''s thest thing I heard before I walked out of Rufus'' room. I look outside the window and sigh.


    The clouds are dark, and it will surely rain soon. Just like what will happen in the Vrawyth Kingdom. I''m sure with this news. It will create a huge sensation.


    But the problem is, will I still be able to turn the tables now? Or do I just need to prepare myself that I can never return to the real world?


    ________________________________


    I was walking around the western region aimlessly. I just want to shake my thoughts off from what is happening.


    I just want a break from all these problems. But why do they always give me one?


    "Dame Csille!"


    I look back and find a group of youngdies, probably my age, standing a few meters away from me. "Dame Csille, we have heard what happened." They bow their head at me after. "We apologize if we didn''t notice anything wrong before. We could have done something to stop his highness from treating you like that. You don''t deserve that, Dame Csille."


    All the otherdies nod their heads. "Yes, we all thought you and Prince Fraser were on good terms. That is why we didn''t do anything. If we only knew Prince Fraser treated you like that, we wouldn''t have let him do it. We apologize, Dame Csille."


    I look at thedies and sigh. It seems like what Rufus and Brother Pascal said is true. Everyone already knows what happened yesterday and I''m sure it will also soon arrive in the capital.


    I smile at them. "Thank you for your concern, but everything is just a misunderstanding. I hope you wouldn''t take it against Prince Fraser. He is a good mad. He was just not in the mood yesterday, but he actually didn''t mean that. So, I hope you won''t change the way you see Prince Fraser."


    Thedies all look at each other. They look so confused with what I said. They probably expect I would be happy to see them on my side.


    I didn''t wait for their reply and just excused myself because I knew no matter how much I defended Prince Fraser, everyone would still change the way he saw him.


    I sigh and continue walking aimlessly. This will definitely be difficult to turn the table. I look up at the sky.


    Is this the thing that is trying to control this world? Is it the reason why all of this is happening?


    What does it want from me? Why does it keep changing what is happening? I''m already tired. Every time I will try to fix everything, that thing will try to mess it up again.


    "Dame Csille..."


    I was startled when I heard someone call my name. I look back and see Princess Paislee looking at me.


    "Sir Farren, is there something you need?"


    Is she going to convince me to help find Prince Fraser a way out? But even if I wanted to, I couldn''t think of anything to help Prince Fraser. I tried to convince Rufus, but it''s no used.


    She looks at me for a couple of seconds before she sighs. "Can I talk to you? It is something really important. I hope you can give me a few minutes of your time."


    I knew it. The only thing important for Princess Paislee is Prince Fraser. So, I''m sure she wants to talk about Prince Fraser''s situation.


    "Dame Csille, please. I just really need to talk to you."


    I sigh and nod my head. I guess there''s nothing wrong to talk to her. Maybe she has a way to let Prince Fraser out of this mess.


    I just really hope she has a n.