“You will guard him.” I point at Prince Fraser, who is busy selling fishes right now.

Paislee and I are currently in the market looking at Prince Fraser from afar. It’s two days after when we last talk and just like what we agreed, I’ve introduced her to Prince Fraser. Minus the fact that Prince Fraser doesn’t know anything about my plan. Actually, not my plan, but more likely the real Csille Lauretré’s plan.

“That person selling fishes? He looks like he could perfectly protect himself. I don’t think I still need to protect him.”

   Paislee shakes her head. I look at her. Trying to see recognition in her eyes, but I see none. Not bad! She’s really worthy as the heroine.

   “You want to be a knight, right?”

   Paislee looks at me and then nods her head. No one aside from me knows how she wanted to be a knight. Although I have no idea how the real Csille Lauretré knows that Farren or Paislee wants to be a knight. Come to think of it. I didn’t explain it in my novel. So, I really don’t have any idea how did she know.

   “If you really want to be a knight, then just do what I said. Guard him. Don’t question. Just inform me if you see something or someone suspicious.”

    And because I write this scene, I couldn’t control my body again. Of course, it’s the real Csille who’s in charged again.

    Paislee sighs and looks at Prince Fraser again. “Okay. I understand. I will start now.”

   “Wait, you need to befriend him first.”

Paislee looks at me confusedly. She probably thought that she just need to watch him from afar. However, that doesn’t work in this situation. Prince Fraser needs someone close by his side. As much as Csille wants to be his side always, Prince Fraser wouldn’t let her. So, the only way Csille could stay by his side is to make Paislee stay with him. That’s the reason why Csille chooses to hire Farren to guard Prince Fraser.

    Come to think of it. Csille saves Prince Fraser from danger in the novel without her knowing it. However, it’s also the reason why the male lead and the female lead met each other. A saver and a matchmaker? Too much work for a very not aware villainess.

“But why do I need to befriend him? I thought I only need to guard him? Is it necessary?”

Csille rolls her eyes at Paislee. “It is necessary! I told you to stop questioning and just do your job. Don’t tell him I ordered you to guard him. Just try to be friends with him. Take his trust and help him.”

Paislee looks at me suspiciously. This is what I like the most about Paislee. She’s not those typical female lead who’s naive and wouldn’t dare to do things rashly. A worthy female lead.

“If you’re his friend, why do you need to hide it from him? You could just introduce me to him. If you don’t want to know that I am guarding him, you could just say that I am also a friend of yours.”

Wise. How could I forget how intelligent Paislee is? Of course, even if I were in her shoe, I will also be suspicious if a person asks me to guard someone but wouldn’t even let that person know that there is someone guarding him.

“Because I don’t want him to know about it. I told you, he saves me before, and I just want to return him a favor. However, I don’t want him to know that it’s from me because he will not agree with this if ever.”

“If he wouldn’t agree, why won’t you respect that?”

Oh, girl! Why do you keep asking? Are we in an interrogation room? Is this an interview? I may not talking to her physically, but I’m now feeling irritated with her questions. It’s probably the real Csille’s emotion. Of course, how could I forgot that the little heiress of the Lauretré family is quite a grumpy one.

“And why would you not respect what I said? I told you just do your job and don’t question. I assure you this is not against any laws. I just want to protect someone. Is that bad?” Csille snapped.

And there she goes! Can you calm down, girl? Csille! I tried to move my arms, but I felt someone push me on a wall. I couldn’t move.

“Miss Lauretré, I am just asking. If you don’t want to answer, then don’t. However, I won’t risk my life over some situation I don’t know if it will be a bad thing or good thing for me.”

Paislee tried to walk away. Yes! Go away, Paislee, so you won’t need to endanger your life.

“I respect his decision. That’s the reason why I want you to guard him inconspicuously. I mean no harm. I’m just worried about his safety. The other day, he was almost stabbed by a bandit. If one of our guards didn’t see it, you probably wouldn’t see him alive and kicking today.”

Paislee stops and looks back at me. “You’re in love with him?”

Of course, the real Csille loves her. However, I am not the real Csille. I am Ysavel Vlahos, the writer of this story. I want to say, but I couldn’t move my mouth on my own will. “Love? Mister Farren, I think you’re mistaken. I’m just showing gratitude to him for saving me before.” My mouth smirk. “Love? I don’t think I have time for that.”

I wanted to roll my eyes at Csille’s response. Really? No time for love? You’ve got to be kidding me? You already have a big crush on Prince Fraser, and now you’re denying it? Hypocrite!

   “Okay, I will do it. However, I don’t think I could do this today.” Paislee looks at the place where Prince Fraser puts his stall, and he’s not there. “I would do this tomorrow. You could check us out if you want. I’ll be going first, Lady Lauretré.”

   Paislee Saintizin. I’m sorry if I could not tell you things. I want to, but how can I? I couldn’t even control my body. I’m also worried that if I go against what I’ve written in the notebook, the writer’s words in my dream will come true. Will this world collapse? I couldn’t take the risk. I still want to go back home.

___________

   “Miss, there you are. I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Where did you go?” A worried maid comes out behind me.

    I sneak out again from them. No, I mean Csille sneak out again. Cause today I don’t have control again on my body. It’s because I’ve written this scene—the scene when Csille introduces Prince Fraser to Farren or as what we have known as Princess Paislee.

    “Nothing. I was just strolling around that I didn’t notice I lost all of you. Good thing you found me immediately.” I only tried to talk since I know I wouldn’t get the chance to talk today. However, I was wrong. I could talk. I could control my body again!

    Wait, does it mean as long as I didn’t write about the situation happening, then I could control my body? I could control my body if it’s a part that I skipped in the novel.

   “Lady Lauretré?”

   I look back to the source of the voice. It’s Prince Fraser! I tried moving my hands. And I could move it. Yes, of course, I could move it. I never write a scene between Prince Fraser and Csille after talking to Princess Paislee. How come this is happening?

“What are you doing here?” He looks at the maid and a few guards behind me. “You’re strolling?”

“Yeah, I got bored and decided to stroll around. How about you? Aren’t you supposed to be selling fishes right now?” I look at the bucket he’s holding. It’s all empty.

He raised the bucket his holding. “I already sell all of them.” He looks again to the maid and guards behind me. “Can I talk to you privately, Miss Lauretré?”

“Miss, maybe it’s better if we go home now.” The maid whispered in my ear. She’s probably worried that something will happen if they let me talk to him alone. Girl, are you nuts? That’s the Crown Prince. Do you think he will do something to me?

I shake my head and signal them to go. “Leave us alone for a while. I will just talk to him.” The maid and the guards still want to refuse. However, when they see me glaring at them, they step back.

Prince Fraser invites me to the place he is staying. It’s a small made up shelter. It’s made up of sheets of woven bamboo strips used as walls and roofs. It’s just a tiny space. On the right side, there’s a bed. On the left side, there’s a small table and two chairs. There’s also a tiny kitchen.

“Sit. I’m sorry if this place doesn’t suit you.” He offered me a seat, and I sit without hesitating. It’s a small house, yes, but it’s not that bad though. It’s actually clean and organized.

“Prince Fraser, can I know why you want to talk to me?”

There’s no way he invited me for a simple talk. Although I’m not really sure why he wants to talk to me now. Did he know about my deal with Princess Paislee? But that’s impossible. It will take years before he knows about Princess Paislee and Csille’s deal. So, why does he wants to talk to me?

“Csille. Can you stop going to my stall every day?”

My hand, that was supposed to take the cup of water he offered, stops midair. I could feel pain in my heart. It’s like someone is pinching it. “What do you mean, your majesty? I haven’t visited you for days now. Aren’t you mistaken?”

I’m utterly confused right now. Why is there a conversation like this? Csille and Prince Fraser weren’t supposed to have a conversation like this. Does he know? Does he know about my deal with Princess Paislee?

“Don’t tell me you’re still denying it?” He stares at my eyes. I could see a hint of anger in his clear blue eyes. But why is he angry? “Do you think I wouldn’t notice that you are observing me from afar?”

He stands up and turns his back at me. Calming his self.

He knows! I thought he didn’t. In my novel, there’s no conversation like this. That’s why I thought he’ll remain naive of what is happening. How can I forget that, like Paislee, he’s also wise and intelligent. They are really a great pair. They suit each other.

I sigh. “I’m sorry, your majesty-”

“Bullshit!” I was startled when he cursed. Prince Fraser, please stick to your character. You are not supposed to swear. I don’t think I have seen him this mad since the day I came here. He’s always calm and reserved. He rarely shows his emotions. “Don’t majesty majesty me, Csille! I told you to get out, right? But why you didn’t listen to me?”

He phased back and forth in the room. I remain silent and just stare at him. This Prince Fraser right now is quite scary. I’m already twenty three years old, but his angry side still makes me quiver with fear. Prince Fraser, calm down, okay?

He stops walking and glares at me. Woah! Boy, don’t glare at me. “Didn’t I left? Why are you so angry? I made sure no one is noticing my presence. If you’re worried about someone might know your disguise, then don’t worry. I already make sure that it won’t happen. My father, the Count, also make sure about that. It’s safe.”

He smacks the table really hard that all the things on it land on the ground. Whoah! Do you have anger management issues? Why are you so mad? Jeez, I think I’ll get a heart attack right now. Don’t startle me, your majesty.

“That’s now what I mean! Csille, I told you already to get out! However, you didn’t listen to me. You still linger around. Ignoring what I said. Do you know how you are putting yourself in danger?”

Wait, what? He’s angry at me because I still linger around him? Because he’s worried about my safety? I was stupefied by his words. Prince Fraser, please don’t do that. I think my heart will burst right now. It’s beating really fast. Am I having a heart attack?

He sits on the chair in front of me. He then takes my hand that is on the table and holds it tightly. “I’m worried for you, Csille. Why don’t you just listen to me? What if someone knows about my secret and used you to threaten me? Or what if they tried to harm you? I’m worried for you, Csille.”

Oh, dear! I took a deep breath. Breath Ysavel! Breath! That’s fourteen years old and still a minor. Don’t tell me you’re a groomer?

“I understand your concern, your majesty. However, the King commands us, the Lauretré family, to protect and guide you. How can I do that if you don’t want me to do something? Isn’t that disobedience to his majesty, the King?”

“Csille Lauretré!” He took a deep breath and stared at my eyes. “Then can you listen to me? I’m the Crown Prince and your fiancé. Isn’t that enough for you to listen to me?”

Prince Fraser Astalieu, how can you be like that? You’re not supposed to say that to the villainess. I think you’re mistaken!