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

Lady is more than impressed.

Time and again, this world has caught her by pleasant surprise. It was almost everything she imagined back when she was still making the story. From the marching music band that performed for the entrance of colors up to the solemn gravitas that was conducted by the school head, they were all on point. Her in-depth research about these things bore fruit, it seemed.   

The opening ceremony of Golden Rose Academy is just as grand as Lady has pictured it if not more. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, you are the chosen few. Thanks to your hard work and the support of your parents, you have made it through the narrowest of gates and into our academy. Be proud and rejoice…" announced the school principal to all of those who gathered at the school's courtyard today. 

"To all the new students of Golden Rose Academy and to their families, congratulations!"

If there's one thing that she thinks has ruined the whole experience, though, it's the fact that there's no hard work on her part at all – it's just her parent's support. She made it there not because of talents and pure dedication but because of the power of money. Unlike the other students, she did not even have to pass any entrance examination.

'Well, just what else do you expect, Lady? You're the villainess. Of course, it's typical of you to use wealth and influence as your stepping stones.'

It makes her feel a little bit guilty, nevertheless. For someone who could barely study before, she knew more than anyone else that schooling was a huge, huge privilege, especially in a prestigious academy like this. But in her case, it just couldn't be helped.

"Hey, Daddy, everyone's wearing the same clothes as mine!"

"Yeah, that's why it's called a uniform. Also, call me Father."

"Oh, cool teachers! They've got similar-looking clothes, too!"

"Everybody here has to wear a uniform, Lady."

"But what about chubby egghead over there-"

"I told you that it's Principal Abel. One more of that and I'll ground you."

Maximilian sighed. He should've let Lady take lessons in manners again.

At this point, the school head has already started grouping the students of primary level. It's another tradition of the academy to call their names up on stage one by one. This will definitely take some time to finish, but because the institution thinks that it's a great honor for these pupils to have their names announced for all to hear, they always see this part of the ceremony through. Going by their proud faces, that notion does hold some truth. 

Once called, the students would fall in line according to their given sections. There are three in total for each grade level, and they are all grouped by random selection. 

"Now, for the final group for grade one, let's call on the pupils of the Star Section."

Since this is the last one, Lady is sure that she'll soon be summoned. Maximilian, on the other hand, already knows which section she'll be in all along, though. It's not that hard to gather such information from Principal Abel.     

Also, he kind of manipulated the grouping for a tad bit for one certain reason.

"Fallon Mireille."

And that is his nephew. 

Lady nearly fell out of her seat as soon as she heard his name. Maximilian fought back a smirk at that moment, not expecting to enjoy her funny reaction. It seemed that he was right - she was really attached to Fallon.

"Ehhh?! Fallon?! Is Fallon really gonna be my classmate?! Ehhh?!" she exclaimed, looking both shocked and thrilled.

"Pipe it down. You've already heard that he is," he said, feigning nonchalance.

"But I thought he's older than me?!"

"By eleven months, yes."

"What?! So, we have the same age all along?!"

"Not really. He already had his seventh birthday this year. Yours is yet to come."

"So cool! Who would've expected we'd be classmates?! And why didn't he say anything?!"

"Did you ask?"

"Well, no, but… Oh, could it be a surprise?!"

"As if." 

A little annoyed, Lady squinted her eyes at him. Maximilian only ignored her and stayed looking nonchalant. He then turned his attention back on the stage and found Fallon already falling in line.

"So, I guess you finally have someone you know there. Your cousin will be a good influence on you. Not only is he smart, but he is also responsible. Now, that's a role model. I'll be looking forward to the day you meet his level. So, make sure to study well," he said, stern and stoic. 

"I will, I will~! Don't worry~!" she cooed while waving her hand at him dismissively.

"That's not a request, young lady. I expect that you'll do well enough and get straight A's on all of your schoolwork."

"Eh?"

She froze at that, bamboozled.

As if she'll be able to get any A.

There would have been a chance if only she could remember the memories of the original owner of this body who have apparently taken some advanced lessons. Or if she would cheat. Or if she could blackmail her teacher. But her brain right now is as good as empty. Though she used to dream of attending school someday, she's not so confident with her abilities that she'd say she'd excel. 

Back then, she couldn't even memorize half of that blasted multiplication table.   

"Lady Mireille."

Alas, her name is called.

Relieved that she'd be able to flee from her father's clutch at last, she made haste and rushed all the way up there. She swore she heard him let out a disappointed sigh right then – probably because of how unladylike she was acting again. Choosing to ignore him, she just focused her attention on the stage. But then, even when she finally left her seat, he continued to follow her every movement with his eyes – with those cursed, demonic eyes. Because of that, she felt herself go stiff all over.

And when Lady had a look of the crowd before her, that stiffness got worse. Fortunately, Fallon was there to make her snap out of it.

"Hey, what's with you? Getting jelly knees or something?" he said as a greeting once she got behind him.

"S-Shut up. T-This is nerve-wracking, you know," she stammered out, slapping his back weakly.

"Which one? The crowd or Uncle Max?"

"B-Both."

"You should really get used to those from now on."

"Yeah. I-I'll be on it."

"I thought you did well back at the party."

"Does this still look like a party to you?"

Fallon just chuckled at that. Unamused, Lady huffed and pouted.

She would have kept up the grouchy act for a bit longer. But then, the idea of attending the same class as her cousin made her cheer up again. She grinned at him with that in mind. Baffled, he arched a brow as she did so. 

But before they could say anything to each other once more, a round of murmurs stole their attention.

"Did you see that?"

"That was so funny."

"Was that the first time she ever walked?"

"She looked like she's about to pee back there."

"Maybe she already did?"

"Eww! That's disgusting!"

Lady felt her bubbliness fade then. Fallon also had a change of mood.

Some of the students of Star Section seemed to have the guts to make fun of the daughter of the President of the Mireille Group. 

Since she was not giving their classmates a piece of her mind, he decided to do it himself and gave them the deadliest glare he could give. Caught in the act, they all quickly spun back around and pretended to see nothing. They thought they didn't hear, but they're wrong.

"Listen to me, Lady…" he began as he looked at her again, and right then, she thought for sure that he would tell her that she should not be bothered by those words.

"If someone tries to do that to you, kill them."

And she stiffened.

She didn't know he could say such words so easily - and in the middle of all these people at that. It made her take a step back from him. But right when she thought he was being serious, he quickly added, "With your eyes, I mean. Those are nobodies compared to you. There's no need to talk to them. So, just give them the look and scare them away with it."

Lady takes a moment to let the advice settle in. When it did, she smiles at Fallon.

In reality, she was really not that bothered. It did throw her off guard, which was why she was still and quiet for a few seconds. Then, she realized something – perhaps, this was needed for her growth as the ultimate villainess.

'Indeed! There are certain situations, events, circumstances, and experiences that are needed to create an antagonist!'

Since it was never fully explained how exactly Lady would eventually turn bad in the story, she came up with the speculation that it would probably start with being made fun of like this.