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

Weiss leans back and stares out the car window, ignoring the shuddering mess that Khalil has suddenly turned into.

He knows that what he has done is kind of childish of him. Getting an innocent young girl lost just to spend time together with her for a little bit longer – it was something he had never imagined he would do before. He really didn't want to lead her astray, though. Nor did he want to lie just to make up such a silly excuse. 

'It's just that…' Weiss thought to himself as he recalled Lady's smile – so bright it's like the sunshine. 

'No one had ever shown such a face to me or looked at me like that before.'

Growing up, he never had real friends. Everyone around him is so focused on his potentials and achievements that his true self is always cast aside. Those were all they really care about. 

It didn't help that he felt very down that morning, either. He really did cry. He really was sad. Then, without realizing it, he found himself unconsciously looking for a way to cheer himself up somehow – and the answer he found by pure chance was her. 

For Weiss, that brief time he shared with Lady was precious.

'I doubt it's the same for her, though. She'd eventually forget about me.'

Someone as nice and fun as her is set off to a different tomorrow – one that is filled with rainbows, smiles, and sunshine, unlike his. He's sure she'll make more friends in the future. That's why he's given up the chance of pursuing a long-lasting bond with her. It's useless. 

Moreover, that could be that first and last time they would see each other. Since he's living with his mother and other relatives in another country, there's no way he'll get to cross paths with her again. 

That was why Weiss had decided to leave without saying goodbye to Lady.

'I mean, I really had no other option. Her father was already there. With any luck, he didn't have enough time to recognize it's me. He might tell her. It's possible that Sir Abel would learn that it's me, though. Not that he can do anything about that. He'll probably just keep it to himself…' he continued to ponder. 

'Well, anyway, that was the most fun I've had in a long while – and that was enough.'

What makes that memory special is that it's a one-time experience. Even if years pass by, he doubts he will forget that smile she gave him. 

Now, Weiss just hopes that Lady isn't having any bitter feeling about this.

---

Lady is definitely feeling bitter about all of this - and it shows. 

From the moment they left the academy, she's been nothing but dull and gloomy. She keeps on making a pouty face for the rest of the ride to their next destination. Even though she's been told over and over again that their plans for today are not yet finished, she hasn't made an effort to snap out of it. She was just not in the mood to keep up anymore. 

And at this point, Maximilian no longer knows what to do.

"Why are you still frowning like that? Don't you like any of these?"

They're now at a restaurant, having their dinner.

He made sure to choose the fanciest place he could take her daughter to. The one he has picked is lavishly decorated. Combined with the low lighting, there are fresh flowers, tasteful artwork, chandeliers and candlelight, some classical music, and linen tablecloths and napkins. Going by the ambiance alone, an opulent dining experience is more than promised.

But still, Lady was having none of it, and Maximilian could only watch.

"You have to tell me what's wrong. Otherwise, I won't know," he told her with a stern tone and expression while she tried not to hiss at him right then and there.

"Please, don't mind how I look, Father. You won't get it," she grumbled through gritted teeth as she slid down her seat to hide the scowl that replaced her frown. 

"As much as I want to do just that, I have to mind how you're presenting yourself right now. It's not lady-like. You're going to draw attention with that posture. Didn't you learn any table etiquette back at home?"

"I apologize again, but if you really want me to do that, you have to get used to how I look from now on." 

With a bored-looking, unamused face, Lady finally straightened back up, letting Maximilian show just a portion of how pissed off she was at that point.

He raises a brow at her, feeling even more baffled. Something is seriously wrong with her. 

"For the last time, Father, it's about my friend," she said dryly. 

"That again? Look, you can make friends as much as you want to once you start going to school. Just let that one go already," he muttered before sighing in exhaustion.

"See? This is what I meant. I told you that you won't get it." 

"And how exactly do I not get it?"

"You've got no friends, Father. So, how would you understand what I feel?"

Maximilian appears to have cracked then, receiving a blow straight at his ego. He went completely speechless. Lady only continues to huff and pout, clearly oblivious to the damage she has caused. She could not care less about how he would react, anyway. 

Everything she says is nothing but the truth - and the truth hurts.

When Lady still didn't hear any reply from him, she thought she'd finally won this round of banter. But then, it turned out that Maximilian was just warming up for his comeback.

"Hmph. I have no friends…?" he began again - a delayed retort.

"Funny how it's coming from someone whose so-called friend just left without saying a thing. Does he even see you as one? I bet he was just sucking up to you, pretending all nice and whatnot."

At that, she froze in an instant, her whole face paling.

He made a contented look when she fell silent at last. Seems like that's the last he'd hear from her. No more retaliation. Now, he can finally enjoy their dinner in peace and quiet.

Yet, as soon as he saw her shaking a little, he was reminded of his initial goal there – and that is to get rid of that annoying look on her face, not to make things worse.

"Daddy…" she then started once more, voice as thick and vehement as a raging storm.

"Y-You're… You're… Y-You're… You're just the worst, Daddy!!!"

And Lady blew up, taking Maximilian aback.

---

That night was eventually ruined by Lady's not-so sudden outburst.

Provoked by her father's words, not only did she get so mad that she disrupted their dinner, but she also ended up making a scene and catching everyone else's attention there. All the customers and restaurant staff alike were stunned when they saw her throwing a tantrum – in quite an unusual way, albeit.

Her whole face was steaming red from anger, and though she wasn't bawling her eyes out like what most toddlers would do, her fuming expression could be easily mistaken as that of someone who's ready to kill.

'How dare you, Daddy?! That's so mean! Why would you say something like that to your daughter?! You should be cheering me up! So much for trying to act like a good father! If this was some theatre audition, you'd be eliminated right away!' were the thoughts that were going through her head that whole time. 

Now, Lady is laying on top of her bed in her room, sulking – not without making sure that she locked the door so as to keep Maximilian from coming in. 

She made an frantic dash all the way up there as soon she stepped out of the car. Everyone in the mansion was thrown off guard when she locked herself inside her bedroom the moment she got home. She didn't even spare one last look at her father nor did she respond to their greetings. 

It's just that she was so upset at what he said.

And she's not even sure why she felt that way. 

'Maybe because I never really experienced befriending anyone like that – and a success, at that…' Lady thought as she tried to figure out why exactly she was so affected by Maximilian's words. 

'That boy is different from my cousin. He's the type of kid I've always wanted to get along with – someone I could actually empathize with. I also wasn't lying when I told him that I had a feeling I'd like him. But more than any of that, I'm so dismayed that I don't even know his name. He was the first friend I ever made… both in my past and present lives.'

However, she's not certain if that boy had even seen her the same way. It could be that she's just like any other lost person out there whom he only happened to lend a helping hand to. While it may sound weird, she genuinely wants to get to know him more. She wanted to pursue a friendship with him. 

But at this point, all Lady can do is wonder who that boy really is.