Lady Misfortune: Daddy, I'll Be A Righteous Villainess!

Maximilian winces inwardly when Lady calls the school principal a 'chubby egghead' tour guide.

He should have known that she would say something like that. She kept shooting her mouth off the whole time since they arrived at Golden Rose Academy. Now, she has gone and done something disrespectful – to a high-ranking school official at that.

So much for hoping that she would get in to the Student Elite Society.

"My, my. Do I really look like that to you, Young Miss?" the school principal asked, and he was not sure if he was really fine with what he had just been called or if he was only pretending to be. 

"Yeah! Like Humpty Dumpy!" his daughter chirped blithely, unknowingly digging her own grave further.

"My, my, my! You sure have a good sense of humor!"

"I'm not kidding, though?" 

"Y-You're not?"

Maximilian had to put a stop to it before it's too late. So, he reached an arm out to Lady and put a hand over her head, which stole her attention and made her turn around to look at him. 

That's when he showed her a dark, taunting smile – and the message crossed immediately. She paled a little, zipping her mouth at once. He was not expecting that she would get it right away, but he was satisfied with her reaction nevertheless. 

'How scary. The Emperor never smiles. Even if he does, it's always an ominous thing,' was what Lady was thinking at that moment, unbeknownst to Maximilian. 

What he did not know was that his daughter knew him better than anyone. One look alone, and she could really tell what he wanted to say – most of the time. 

"Good morning, President Mireille. It's a pleasure to have you and Ms. Mireille with us today…" the school principal greeted, making both of them look away from each other and turn back to him.

"I'm Principal Abel of Golden Rose Academy. I've always wanted to meet you, Sir. I've heard lots of great things about you. It's an honor to make your acquaintances."

"The pleasure's mine, Principal Abel. Thank you for having us…" he greeted back before patting his daughter's shoulder, and she knew then that it was a signal for her to also do the same.

"This is my daughter, Lady." 

"Good morning, Principal Abel…" she beamed at him – not for the sake of leaving a good impression, but rather, for the sake of escaping her father's wrath.

"My name is Lady Mireille, and I've always been Father's daughter. I'll be a first grader in this academy starting this year. Thank you for having me."

Lady was sure that she did well. But when she looked at Maximilian again, she saw his 'Emperor' smile return.

She went still, then. 

'Must you add that you've always been my daughter every time?' was what his look was saying, but unlike earlier, she did not seem to understand.

'Huh? What did I do this time?' was what hers was saying, not getting the message indeed.

Once the whole official introduction was over and done with, they finally proceeded with the much anticipated school tour. 

Lady got to taste a bit of freedom from that point on. Maximilian was busy talking with Principal Abel for the most part.

She walked behind the group while a member of the school staff told them about the history of the academy as well as other facts about it. Her eyes would dart from one display to another. She was fine with not being noticed since she was too awestruck to even pay attention on anything else. 

'So, this is what the inside of a school looks like. It had been quite a long while. I already forgot,' Lady thought, wide-eyed and gaping. 

Because of her illness, she was mostly homeschooled – or were not schooling at all. That's why she considers studying a great privilege. She's truly ecstatic to attend classes. 

Even now when she is still touring around, she can already feel the excitement bubbling within her. The fact that she's going to study at Golden Rose Academy, her dream 'imaginary' school, makes her happier. The place really surpasses all of her expectations.

Each hall is filled with sumptuous embellishments. There are golden chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, and there are lavish ornaments adorning the walls. Everything in her view right now is truly meant for the elites – for those of high society. 

Compelled, her eyes kept exploring around for a very long moment. 

That's until she realized that she lost sight of the others. 

"Eh? Where's everybody?" 

Lady froze.

Suddenly, she found herself all on her own at an empty hall. Her eyes bulged wide in shock, her jaw slacking. Maximilian and Principal Abel were nowhere to be seen. It took a few seconds more before the realization hit - she is lost. 

Thrown into a panic, she starts to search around in a haste.

"Father? Principal Abel?" she kept calling out as she ran around the corridor, perplexed.

Lady admits that this is her fault since she's not paying attention. Even so, Maximilian should have noticed, too. He was just right in front of her that entire time. But considering that she hasn't seen him or Principal Abel yet, she doubts that he even knows that she has gone missing. At this point, no one has probably noticed it. 

For some time, Lady was worried, but soon enough, she just gave up.

"Oh, whatever. Why do I have to be worried, anyway? I'm just inside the school. As long as I don't go out, they'll be able to find me. Let's just wait for them. I refuse to do all the work here…" was what she decided on in the end.

"Maybe I should also act scared once they find me so that Father will agree to buy me cookies later."

With that little scheme in mind, Lady smirked to herself.

Tired, she went and took a break from all the running. She sat down on a beach near a soccer field – just right below the shade of a tree. 

The summer breeze billows all around her, whipping past her face and blowing her hair away – giving her a refreshing sensation that's just between warm and cool. It's bright and sunny out there, but it's a welcomed feat even if it's going to make her sweat for a bit. Besides, the view before her is pleasant and delightful in some way. 

"How nice…" Lady breathed out, smiling. 

"I can't believe I'll be running across that field soon. I'll also be passing through those hallways. Nicest of all, I'll be meeting my classmates, and we'll be hanging out here during lunch break-" 

"O-Oh."

Out of nowhere, someone blurted out something from behind her, making her cut herself off. Taken aback, she turns around to see who it is. As soon as she does, she finds herself getting somewhat knocked out breath from surprise and awe.

Bluish white hair that seems to shine like silver from under the sunlight, a gleaming pair of diamond-like, faint blue irises, and skin so white it looks pale - a young boy of average height appears before the little girl then. 

She is drawn in an instant. The whole sight almost feels like a mirage - a mere fabric of her imagination. His eye-catching, brilliant features are unlike anything she has ever seen. He appears ethereal. 

Like a prince from a storybook. 

"Uhhh... Hello?" Lady blurted out, unsure how to act. 

The boy mirrors her look of confusion. It seems that he also doesn't know what to do. So, for a moment, there is nothing but silence between the two of them.

That's until she noticed what he's holding the whole time - a gold medal. 

"Oh, wow! What's that? You won something?" Lady could not help but inquire with a grin, seemingly amazed. 

She saw him flinch a little. He probably didn't expect that she would talk so casually. Now, he appears more baffled than ever. Realizing her mistake, she decides to think of a way to make him feel comfortable. 

"I-I'm sorry. I still haven't properly introduced myself, have I...?" Lady apologized before standing up from the bench. 

"My name is Lady. I'm here today with my father to take a tour around the school. What's your name?"

She noticed his eyes widen for the tiniest bit, the barest hint of recognition crossing his face. But he continued to keep quiet. She could tell that he was contemplating on how and what to respond.

Strangely, the silence that's ruling over them wasn't as awkward as she thought it'd be. In fact, she feels like she's learning more about him the longer it lasts even though he's not saying anything at all - and the closer she looks, the more she knows. 

For one, after paying attention on the gold medal, Lady took notice of his eyes next. 

'Huh? Was he... crying?' she wondered, having observed how reddish and swollen they seemed. 

She noticed his slightly slumped form right after. 

Then, the brooding air around him. Then, his sad expression. Then, the possible cause for his silence.

'Hmm? What's with him? He looks kinda upset...' Lady thought, confused and a little concerned.

'And cute.. He looks really cute.'