Chapter 449: : Pages


    ?


    With shaky hands, I take the object from the wooden box. Tears roll down my cheeks as I confirm my suspicions.


    It is truly what I''ve been searching for. My hand traces the front of the object, feeling excitement build inside me.


    I eagerly turn the pages, and the familiar handwriting greets me.


    "King, are you gay?" I whisper to myself as tears stream down my face.


    I finally found it. The thing that connects me to the real world. I hug it tightly, afraid that I might lose it at any moment.


    I can''t afford to lose this. It''s my only way back to my own world.


    However, a pang of pain immediately enveloped my whole being. The thought of returning home hurts so much.


    But why? Isn''t that my ultimate goal? To return to the real world? So why does it feel like it''s not what I truly want?


    I sigh and look outside my window, trying to collect my thoughts. Hoping I am just overwhelmed with emotions and unable to process them properly.


    However, even after a few minutes, the heavy emotions remain.


    "I should be happy, right? Because can finally end this nightmare. But why can''t I be happy?"


    Tears continue rolling down my face, and sobs escape from my mouth.


    I slump onto my bed and let my emotions take over. Just this once, I''ll allow myself to cry and feel the pain. Because after this, I have no choice but to face the story head-on.


    To face the future as the viiness.


    "My dear, what is the meaning of this? Why are you with them? Are they holding you hostage? Come here, my dear. Your father and I will protect you."


    I frown and look at Mother. She stands in front of me with Father beside her, and behind them are rows of Lauretré soldiers.


    What is going on? Why do they seem so anxious? And why are they here with our soldiers? Did something happen in the Vrawyth Kingdom?


    I was about to exin when suddenly a loudugh broke the silence. "Hostage? Countess, you''re mistaken. Csille isn''t our hostage. She is the sole reason the war is happening. Out of her anger towards Prince Fraser, she decided to rebel against the Vrawyth Kingdom."


    My eyes widened at the sound of that familiar voice. I turned to see Mister Sewell grinning devilishly at my parents.


    What is happening? It feels like I''ve missed a few chapters. How did we get to the point of being at war?


    Isn''t this the end of the novel? Csille Lauretré''s downfall signals a new beginning for the entire Vrawyth Kingdom and the start of Prince Fraser and Princess Paislee''s love story.


    "No, I won''t believe a traitor like you. I''m sure my daughter was coerced into this. Sewell Saintillevé, I know your tricks, and you won''t fool me. Leave our daughter alone."


    I look at my enrage father. He looks so mad right now, he looks like he can kill Mister Sewell in any moment.


    However, Mister Sewell remains unfazed. He simply gazes at Father and nonchntly shrugs his shoulders.


    "Just because a person has changed, it doesn''t mean they couldn''t revert to their old self," Mister Sewell scoffs. "Have you all forgotten what the Crown Prince did to Csille? He publicly broke off their engagement, despite her efforts to clear his highness''s name. Csille endured his behavior for the sake of the Crown Prince. Yet, in the end, he betrayed her. How can you expect her to simply ept such injustice?"


    I nce at Mister Sewell, silently hoping he''ll stops his remarks. While his words hold truth, I dread the pain they''ll cause my parents if they were to hear them.


    However, Mister Sewell remained oblivious to the nces I shot his way. He continued to borate on the reasons why Csille decided to betray the Vrawyth Kingdom and siding with the enemy.


    "My dear," my mother interjected, her voice trembling with emotion, "your father and I don''t believe a word of what he''s saying. Please,e back to us. Do you have any idea how worried we were when you went missing? Please, return to us, my dear."


    I look at my mother, tears streaming down her face as she looks at me with pleading eyes, her hand outstretched, silently urging me toe to her.


    But do I truly deserve suchpassion? After the betrayal I''vemitted against the Vrawyth Kingdom-the very kingdom our ancestors vowed to defend with their lives?


    As I prepare to answer my parents, a familiar voice pierces the tense atmosphere. "Is what he said true, Csille?"


    A shiver runs down my spine as I turn to see the figure approaching us. His demeanor is cool and indifferent, as though what happening holds no importance to him.


    "Answer me, Csille." Fraser''s piercing gaze locks onto mine as he demands an answer. "Did you truly betray the entire Vrawyth Kingdom because of my actions? Are you the cause of this war, not the Aeerean Kingdom?" He pauses for a second. "Did you really betray me?"


    His questions hang heavy in the air, and I can feel the weight of his words bearing down on me. Each word thates from Prince Fraser''s mouth feels like a blow to my heart. I desperately want to deny everything he''s saying.


    Yet, can I muster the courage to lie? Deep down, I know every word he''s said is the painful truth. Csille did betray the Vrawyth Kingdom out of her pain over Prince Fraser''s actions.


    ncing at Mister Sewell for support, I''m met with only a small smile, as if he''s urging me to face Prince Fraser''s question head-on.


    "Csille Lauretré, I am asking you a question! Is it true that you betrayed the Vrawyth Kingdom because of me?"


    I face Prince Fraser and exhale heavily. I suppose I have no option but to confess. After all, everything will be over once this war ended.


    "Yes, everything Mister Sewell said is truth." Tears roll down my face. "You broke me, Fraser. I''ve done everything for you. Changed myself so I can be worthy of you. I even tolerated how you treat me. But why?" I choke on ny sobs. "Why do you need to broke me like that? Do I even deserve such pain?"


    I heard Prince Fraser scoff. "I didn''t ask you to change, Csille. And I didn''t ask for those actions from you, so don''t hold me responsible for your choices." He fixes his gaze directly on my eyes. "And if you''re wondering why I acted as I did, it''s because of this. Even when you changed, it was for your own benefit. Your focus has always been on yourself and nothing else. So, how can I love such a person?"


    I feel my heart shatter into a million pieces, hearing such words from Prince Fraser.


    I smile sadly at him. "Then I apologize for what I''m about to do." I nce at Mister Sewell and nod. "Let''s finish this, Mister Sewell. Let''s proceed with our n."


    Mister Sewell smiles sweetly at me before looking at the soldiers behind us. "Move forward. It''s time to reim what rightfully belongs to Saintillevé."


    I take ast look at my parents who are currently trying to speak something to me and to Prince Fraser who is looking coldly at me. Before I turn my back and leave.


    Leave this forsakennd.


    "Miss? Miss, wake up."


    Eve''s voice rouses me from my sleep, and I blink groggily at her concerned expression.


    "Are you alright, Miss? You looked like you were having a nightmare, so I thought to wake you. Would you like some water? Or shall I call the Countess?"


    I rise from my bed, running my fingers through my hair in frustration. The events ying out in my dreams are too much to bear.


    "No, thank you. Could you please give me some time alone? I need to collect my thoughts."


    Eve attempts to speak, but I interrupt her. "I''ll manage. So, please, just leave me be for now."


    After the dream I had, all I want to do right now is to calm myself down. And I won''t be able to do that if Eve is with me.


    I breathed a sigh of relief as the door closed, then leaned against the wall, sighing again. What was that dream about? Could it be because all I think abouttely is the war? Or is it reminding me to stay faithful to my destiny?


    "I don''t know what to do anymore," I mumble to myself.


    I really wish I could talk to the Virtouse again, but no matter how hard I try, I can''t reach


    them.


    The only solution I can think of is if I find the head Virtouse...


    My eyes immediately widen when I realized something. The book! I have found the book.


    I quickly search my room for the book Lily gave me in the real world.


    With shaky hands, I pick up the book from the bedside table and stare at it. It''s the only thing connecting me to the real world.


    I take a closer look at the book and sigh before turning its pages. I''ve made a quick scan just


    to see where are we in the novel.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    There''s still a few chapter before we reach to the part where I stop writing. It is the part where Csille will make a big decision.


    I sigh and close the book. I only have two months more or less. So, I need to clear my head


    first before I start writing again. Write how things will end even if I already know how it''ll


    end.


    It''s getting nearer and nearer. Yet I am still not prepared. I''m scared, too scared to even face


    reality.


    I wish I could change how things will end, but I know I can''t go against the storyline. Even though the version in the book might not be finished, it doesn''t mean I have the right to change what will happen.


    Hours have passed since I read the contents of the book, but I still can''t sleep. My mind is too upied with thoughts of the future.


    With a sigh, I decide to take a walk through our garden, hoping to distract myself from the uncertainty ahead.


    As I approach the garden, I spot a silhouette standing in the middle of it. Immediately, fear grips me, and I instinctively hide myself. Just because I can move around


    now doesn''t mean I can protect myself if someone intends to harm me.


    But who would dare to harm Csille within the Lauretré residence? "You don''t have to hide anymore. I know you''re there, Csille," the familiar voice calls out.


    My body freezes as I recognize the voice, the same one that haunts me in my dreams. What is he doing here in the middle of the night?