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

Much to Lady's relief, it was not hard to get along with Julian, though it was mostly thanks to Belle who, unbeknownst to them, actually wanted to play matchmaker.

When she learned that there was a chance for her ever beloved friend to be partnered up with her most favorite cousin, she was overjoyed. That means they can become a family at some point in the future.

Ever since she met her on the first day of school, she really wanted to get close to her. This arranged marriage may open up more opportunities for her to do just that – 

If the Mireille's and Daenerys's decide to push through with it, that is. 

'Julian has always been the serious type. He rarely enjoys the simple pleasures in life since he is too pressured by everybody's expectations on him. But perhaps, if he spends time with Lady, he will finally learn how to have fun every once in a while…' Belle thought.

'That's why, big brother, you have to do your best to earn her favor first!' 

Of course, Lady has no idea what Belle is planning. Neither does Julian.

That's because she wants their relationship to develop naturally. Today, she'll help them in any way she can so that they can get to know each other more – not to the point they'll think she's being meddlesome, though. For now, she took them to a place where there was no one that can interrupt them. Then, she would proceed to excuse herself.

"So, ummm…" she began soon after they reached the gazebo that was just several feet away from where the other party guests were. 

"Lady, do you want me to get you anything? Maybe some cookies?" 

The roofed structure is located in this open-area field that's close to the greenhouse. There's a grandiose water fountain at the center of that part of the garden, rows after rows of maze-like hedges, and a resplendent plethora of flowers – all in all, it's a perfect setting for this mission of love. 

"Oh, I'm good, Belle. I've eaten enough. Thanks for the offer, though," Lady said with a nervous smile, which earned a questioning look from Belle in return.

"How unusual. You'd usually go for more."

"N-Not this time! I'm… I-I'm already full!"

"Can it be that you're on a diet? Maybe feeling unwell? Are the snacks not to your liking? Perhaps, not sweet enough?"

"Errr… I-I just don't really want to eat anymore."

Belle has to stop here. Otherwise, Lady might notice.

Little did she know that Julian already did.

"What about a drink? Tea can help you relax," he chimed in, and when he saw her perk up at that in delight, he knew he guessed right.

"Right! I'll bring some! Just wait here, you two!" she enthused immediately before taking her leave and dashing away.

He sighed to himself, thinking that Belle could not be any more obvious than that. While he knew that she was elated about this whole arrangement with Lady, he was not sure if it could succeed at all – if anything, she may be only wasting her time and efforts. The two of them might not know this, but Maximilian has not really given his permission yet. 

'It was Father and Mother who insisted. They even went as far as throwing a party to show that they're serious. Yet, based on what I have observed during our conversation with President Mireille earlier, he only agreed to take Lady here as a gesture of formality…' Julian contemplated in silence. 

'That doesn't mean he agreed to an arranged marriage too.'

He knows what his family is after here, though. The earlier they give out a proposal, the better the chance they get a reply. After all, this is the only child of a world-renowned business tycoon who makes more than trillions. She is one rare catch, they say. So, there is not a doubt that she will be pursued by hundreds of men once she grows up – even now, she already is.

"Say, are there bees here?"

Lady appears to have no awareness or whatsoever, though. It's already supposed to be obvious that Belle has just left her in a situation where she can be alone with Julian.

But then, she didn't seem to notice – and she even appears to be looking for some sort of trouble.

"Bees? What for?" Julian inquired, baffled.

"They're just fun to watch," Lady plainly answered.

"But they can sting you. They're a bit dangerous."

"I won't get too close, of course!"

"How's it fun to watch, anyway?"

"They're interesting. I like how hardworking those tiny little cuties are, especially the female ones. They can be pretty badass too. The way they kick the lazy bums out without a second thought is quite entertaining. It's brutal to see them kill each other, though. I pity their leader the most." 

He can't help but chuckle at that. It's kind of amusing how she gets so hyped up by something as random as a topic about wasps. He's not sure if it's because she's still so young, but what he's sure of is that he doesn't mind at all. In fact, this is the first time in a while that he gets to have a lighthearted exchange with someone from outside the family. 

Usually, all Julian kept having were talks about school and business.

"Speaking of interesting, I've heard what happened between you and Hartigan. You guys have quite the dynamic, I must say," he brought up, smirking.

"E-E-E-Eh?! Belle told you t-that?!" she stammered out, embarrassed.

"She did. Belle told me a lot about you, actually. Hartigan also did. We're kinda close." 

"R-Right. I've heard from her that your families are indeed close."

"What do you think about him now, though? She said that you and your cousin are starting to make efforts to try to understand him better."

"My cousin? Psh. Fallon does nobody any favor. But at least, he's no longer getting into fights with Hearty as much as before."

"Huh? Hearty?"

"Oh, that's our nickname for him. Hartigan's a little too long. I regret naming him that, to be honest-"

"Excuse me?"

"N-N-Nothing! I-I said n-nothing!"

Julian made a puzzled look. Lady quickly turned away.

She really should stop talking too much. Otherwise, she would look and sound like a weirdo again. Fortunately, he did not pry. He just went on instead, "A nickname, huh? You don't seem to hate him that much, then. That makes me glad. Perhaps, now, you think that there's a chance to get along with him?"

"Well, I guess he's not that bad. I did hate his guts first. He's too full of himself. Also, he always talks too loud. He's rude as well…" she ranted without holding back, throwing him off guard.

"But in spite of those, he has his good points. One of them is that he stands up for what's right when he needs to. He also knows which side to choose, and once he puts his mind to something, he doesn't stop until he gets what he wants. I think that part about him is admirable. So, he's really not that bad at all."

She does not want to say that she can finally be friends with Hartigan since he still likes to argue with her – and she really hates his guts. But at the very least, Lady starts making an effort to meet him in the middle no matter how tough that can be. Fallon is also trying to follow her example. 

"I see. Thank you for letting me know about that. I'm relieved," Julian said with a big, bright smile that Lady could not help but be dazzled by.

"You seem to care about Hearty and Belle so much. You make a fine older brother, Julian."

"You think so?"

"I know so! You're such a nice guy!" 

Hearing that, Julian wanted to believe that he was finally able to earn her favor like what Belle wanted him to. But for some reason, he is getting the impression that this is just how Lady simply is. 

She is kind enough to give someone she barely knows this much credit. Though it was not like he was making a show of being nice either, he still did not expect that she would point out something that others hardly ever noticed – which is his care and devotion to those who are important to him. 

Julian was a bit glad that Lady did. 

"Now, then…" he sighed in somewhat contentment, turning around.

"Are you satisfied with that, Hartigan?" 

Lady stilled right then. For a moment, she wondered why Julian suddenly called someone who was not even there. But when she turned to see what he was looking at – only to find Hartigan hiding behind the bushes outside the gazebo, she felt her eyes fly wide in utter surprise. 

"Geez, must you really bust me out like that, Julian? I was minding my business here."

"I don't understand why you even feel the need to hide, Hartigan. You could've just joined us." 

Surprise turns to confusion. Her wide eyes slightly narrowed.

Lady may have understood it wrong, but it seemed that Hartigan was eavesdropping on her and Julian on purpose.