Father looks at his majesty for a couple of seconds before he bows his head. "I apologize, your majesty. I know it''s not good to think like that about a member of the Astalieu family, but you know how important my daughter is to me. I agree with this engagement because I think so highly of Prince Fraser. However, with what happened to my daughter, I don—"


    My eyes widened when I realized what my Father was about to say. I abruptly stand up and put my hands on the table. I winced a little when I felt the pain in my wounded hand.


    "No! Father, I thought you already agree with me?" Father didn''t respond to me and avoided my eyes.


    His majesty looks at me and my hands, that is now bleeding. I probably put too much force on it.


    "Csille, what do you mean? Agree with what? And are you okay? Your wounds are bleeding. Do you want me to call a Doctor for you?"


    Mother immediately helped me sit up and check my wounded hand. Although she didn''t open my bandages.


    I shake my head at his majesty. If I let some Doctor check on my wounds, I''m definitely sure that the Doctor can easily realize what happened to my hand, and I cannot let anyone knows about what happened.


    "Thank you, your majesty. But this is just a small wound. I will visit Brother Pascal after our conversation. And about your question, I was referring to the deal between my Father and me."


    I look at Father, but he keeps avoiding my eyes. He is probably guilty for what he did. I know he only wants the best for Csille, but I just couldn''t help but feel disappointed when I heard what he was about to say to his majesty.


    His majesty frowns. "Deal? What deal are you talking about? Is it about your engagement with Prince Fraser? Don''t worry, Csille. I won''t force you if you don''t want to marry my son anymore. I—"


    I immediately cut him off. "No, your majesty. I still want to marry your son. I am actually here to talk to you about my engagement with Prince Fraser. I know that with what happened, you will definitely let my parents cancel my engagement with his highness. However, your majesty, can you please not cancel my engagement with Prince Fraser? I like him, and I don''t think I can see my future without him. I hope you can reconsider my request."


    I almost want to roll my eyes with the words that areing from my mouth. I do admit I have feelings for Prince Fraser, but it''s not enough for me to do what I am doing right now. If it weren''t for the fact that this might endanger everyone, I would never do this. I would never lower myself or my standards just for a man.


    His majesty nods his head. "Is this really what you want? I will understand if you would cancel your engagement with my son. I won''t me you or the Lauretré family, so you can rest assured."


    I smile reassuringly at him. "Yes, your majesty. I am sure, and this is what I want. I am not forced to say this. I really want to get married to Prince Fraser. You also know that ever since I was young, I already have a huge crush on him. So, please don''t cancel my engagement with him."


    Please, say yes. Your majesty, please don''t cancel the engagement. The safety of everyone in the Vrawyth Kingdom is in your hands. So, please say yes.


    His majesty looks at my parents. "Count? Countess? What is your decision about this? Do you agree with Csille''s decision?"


    What? Does he really need to ask my parents'' opinion about this? Csille is already old. Can''t she decide on her own?


    I look anxiously at Mother and Father. I am more confident that Mother willpromise with what I want. But for my Father? That is something I am not sure about.


    Mother looks at me for a few seconds before she nods her head and smiles at his majesty. "Your majesty, I only want what will bring happiness to my daughter, and if that happiness is Prince Fraser, then why would I disagree? I have known Prince Fraser ever since he was born, and I know he''s been a good friend with Csille."


    I sighed in relief when I heard what she said. I knew it! She will definitely side with Csille.


    I look at Father. However, I''m not sure if Father will side with me.


    His majesty nods his head. He then looks at Father, who is busy drinking his tea. "Count?"


    I look anxiously at Father. I know he is still worried that Prince Fraser would mistreat Csille again. That''s why he doesn''t want to marry Csille off to his highness. So, I''m not sure if my suicidal act will change his mind.


    A moment after, I heard Father sigh. "I''ll be honest, your majesty, after I heard how Prince Fraser treats my precious daughter, I already lost trust in entrusting my daughter to her. You know how precious Csille is to us, and I couldn''t take it when I heard people mistreating my daughter like that."


    I look disappointedly at Father. Although Mother and I both agreed to continue the engagement, it will be useless if Father doesn''t want to continue my engagement with Prince Fraser.


    I almost cried when I heard what he said. I am only doing this to save everyone. But why does it seems like this world doesn''t want me to save everyone? Is this how my life will end in the fictional world?


    I feel frustrated right now. I just want to get out of this ce and run away. But that would be disrespectful for his majesty.


    "But I already learned my lesson. My priority now is Csille''s happiness. If getting engaged with Prince Fraser will make her happy, then I will support her. However, your majesty, I just hope Prince Fraser wouldn''t treat Csille like that again."


    His majesty sighed in relief when he heard what my Father said. He then smiles at us. It''s the usual warm smile he always gives us before.


    "Don''t worry, Count. Once my son returns to the capital. I will invite you again so you can talk to him. You can scold him for disrespecting Csille, and I will not stop you. What Prince Fraser did is not right, and I will not tolerate that kind of behavior."


    My parents nod in satisfaction. They are probably d that his majesty is not shielding his own son. Instead, he even wants Father to reprimand his highness. Where can you find a King like that?


    Father shakes his head. "Your majesty, how can I do that? I-I wi—"


    His majesty shakes his head and smiles reassuringly at my Father. "Count, you shouldn''t worry. I wouldn''t take it against you. Let''s talk as a parent to a parent. If I were in your shoes, I would be enraged too. So, I understand if you will reprimand Prince Fraser because of that."


    Father tries to refute and convince his majesty, but his majesty still insists on it. In the end, Father didn''t have any other choice but to agree with it.


    We stay in the pce for another half an hour before we leave. Mother and Father still have work to do today, and his majesty is also busy with his duties.


    Mother gently held my injured hand. "My dear, are you sure you''ll visit your Brother Pascal instead of calling him home?"


    I shake my head. I asked Mother to drop me off at the Holycross Hospital so Brother Pascal could clean my wound for me.


    "No, Mother. Brother Pascal is currently busy with his work in the hospital, and I don''t want to interrupt him. If I let him go home, I''m sure he won''t leave after he cleans my wounds. So, I would rather visit him in the hospital. He had already taken a month''s break when I asked him to help me in the western region. I don''t want to interrupt his work anymore."


    Mother gently caress my head. "If that''s what you want. I''ll just ask the coachman to fetch you after he drops us off."


    "Thank you, Mother."


    Mother just smiled at me and continued reading some documents. It''s probably rted to work.


    I look at Father, who is busying himself watching the outside. I sigh. After we left the Pce, Father has been quiet. He''s probably disappointed with how our conversation with his majesty ended.


    I know he still doesn''t want Prince Fraser for Csille, but because he knows he doesn''t have any choice, he justpromises.


    I feel bad for forcing my parents to do what I wanted, and I didn''t even apologize for what I did. I think I really need to do something about this. I definitely need to do something about this.


    ________________________________


    I wince in pain when Brother Pascal presses the cotton on my wound. But it seems like Brother Pascal doesn''t care because he keeps pressing my wounds with force.


    I look at Brother Pascal and sigh. It seems like he is still mad for what I did.


    "I heard from the Butler that you were invited to the pce by his majesty and that you even bring Aunt and Uncle with you. How did it end? Does your wishe true? Does his majesty agree to not cancel your engagement with Prince Fraser?"


    I could feel the anger in his voice when he said that. He is really enraged with my decision.


    I didn''t say anything and pretended to didn''t hear anything. I know he''ll be more enraged when he hears what happened with our conversation with his majesty.


    Brother Pascal finishes cleaning my wounds first before he looks at me. "Don''t act like you didn''t hear me. I am asking you a question, Csille. Isn''t it a basic conversation etiquette to answer it?"


    I sigh. I guess I have no other choice but to tell him what really happened. Although I know, he''ll be disappointed with us.


    "I''m sorry, Brother..."


    Brother Pascal chuckles, but it''s the kind of chuckle that is sad. "You really force what you want, aren''t you? You choose your happiness but set aside the pain of your own parents? I would still understand if you won''t listen to me. After all, I am just your cousin. But what about your parents? You really don''t care about their feelings? Csille, is this how you love Prince Fraser that you''re willing to set aside your parents? Csille, when did you be like this?"


    I bite my lips to stop myself from crying. I understand why Brother Pascal is saying this to me. I hurt him and my parents, and he was definitely disappointed with me.


    "Brother, please understand. I love you and my parents, but I love Prince Fraser too. I know I hurt you by choosing not to listen to your suggestions, but this is my future I am talking about, and I want to spend it with Prince Fraser. I hope you can understand me, Brother."


    Brother Pascal looks at me for a couple of seconds before he continues bandaging my wounds. He didn''t say anything during and after he finished it.


    He takes off his gloves and looks at me. "I''m finished now. You can go home already."


    Brother Pascal is about to leave the room, but I immediately stop him by holding him tightly to his arm.


    "Brother, are you still mad at me? Can you please forgive me already? I''m sorry for not listening to you. I know you only want what is good for me, and I really appreciate that. Thank you for always taking care of me. Can you please forgive me? Father is still mad at me. I don''t know what to do anymore. I miss you already."


    Brother Pascal looked back at me. He then smiles bitterly. "I don''t want to make you feel guilty for doing what you like, but Csille, sometimes what you like isn''t good for you, and I''m sorry. I''m sorry if I cannot forgive you. You already made your decision, and so do I."


    He breaks from my grasp and leaves the room while I look sadly at his back. Iugh bitterly at myself.


    Is this even worth it? Am I really doing the right thing? When will this end? I just want to finish this and go back to my real world.