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

"I really didn't recognize you. Sorry," Lady apologized to Glenn once more. 

She should've thought he's a model, though. His looks were enough hint. But to be fair, a lot of students in this school are attractive. She's even close with some of those who're topping the poll.   

"I admit I only look at the clothes – not really the model," she reasoned with a shrug.

"Well then, you're missing out," he quipped flirtatiously, momentarily making her pause in apprehension.

"Let me introduce you to my friends. I'm sure they'll love to meet you."

"Oh, I'm actually with my own. I should probably tell them where I am first."

"No need for that. This will be quick. I promise."

Before she could even say another word, he took her by the crook of her arm and led her away into the crowd. Normally, she would have protested to being taken away without her agreeing to it, but she just let it be this time.

'His last name is Valentin, he said.'

For some reason, she's finding Glenn more and more familiar as moments pass.

It's the curiosity that this sense of familiarity brought that made her come along. She felt like she's missing out – just like he said, but different. It's as though she should be recalling something important as soon as they met.

Perhaps, if Lady stays with Glenn for a little bit longer, it will eventually click. 

---

"Are you sure about that?" Hartigan asked warily.

"Trust me. I have good judgment," Belle affirmed. 

Someone cleared their throat all of the sudden, interrupting their conversation. They look up from their seats to find a waiter smiling at them from in front of their table with a clipboard in his hands.

"Excuse me, Ma'am and Sir. Would you like to sign up for the date auction for this evening? All proceeds will go to charity houses and public zoos."

"Date auction? What's that?" Hartigan asked, arching a brow. 

"Oh, you two must be from the middle school division. This is your first time attending the Acquaintance Party, isn't it?  It's quite simple, really. Every year, we're holding an event where anyone who signs up will go to the stage when they're called, and then, people from the audience will make bids to be their date for the rest of the evening."

"Hmmm… I think I've heard of that before. Sure! I'd love to sign up," Belle enthused, all up for it.

She gave the waiter a grin. With a nod, he offered her a pen and a paper. 

Hartigan bit his lower lip, already worried about the consequences of the scheme that's no doubt brewing in Belle's devious mind.

---

It was hard to look away once Weiss caught a glimpse of Lady in the crowd.

He's talking with some of the members of the academy's board of directors at the moment. While the other students are interacting with their own circles, he's there entertaining people older than him. But that's not where the displeasure he's feeling is coming from. Rather, it's the idea that he can't be by her side right now.

However wonderful Lady looks tonight, Weiss can't help but be bothered. 

That's because Glenn, a controversial teen model, was leading Lady around – parading her, and showing her off to his friends as if they're dating. 

He doesn't mind that she's getting the praises and compliments that she deserves. He also doesn't mind that she's trying to expand her circle. 

'But did he really have to put his hand constantly on the small of her back as she obliviously spoke to those around her…?' Weiss thought bitterly.

'When leading her away, did he have to hold her arm like that? Was it necessary to be consistently leaning in closer to her face to whisper something to her? And to have his eyes trained on her the whole time?'

He found himself unconsciously glaring at the unsuspecting teens. It wasn't until his father called for him that his attention was drawn away.

"Is everything alright, son?"

Weiss turned his head back, mentally releasing an annoyed sigh. Lloyd stared at him in confusion.

"I'm fine, Father…" he assured him with his camera smile in place. 

"Just got distracted for a moment."

His father shifted his gaze to the girl he knew his son was staring at. Before he called for his attention, he had noticed the way his posture turned rigid. He also saw how his hands clenched into agitated fists.

And then, he spotted the guy beside her lean in to whisper in her ear.

'Oh, I see...' Lloyd mused, finally enlightened. 

'She must be the girl that my wife keeps talking about.'

A ghost of a smirk flitted across his features for a split second before it made way for the impassive frown he consistently wore.

He was young once. So, he knew the signs of jealousy when he saw one - and he's more than aware that it could bring out an unusual side to a normally calm and rational person. He had to admit that this new development in his son seemed pretty interesting.

"I was actually wondering if maybe I can go now," Weiss started, already turning towards Lady as if to go after her, but Lloyd placed a hand on his shoulder in a sign to stop.

"I don't think so, young man. We still have plenty to discuss with the guests." 

His father has answered in the same controlled, cool voice he often uses. Gesturing to the people he's having an exchange with, he showed him just how awkward they looked at this point. He forced his lips to part in a smile and complied. 

"Of course, Father."

---

Moments later, Weiss is almost at his wits' end.

He took a deep breath through his nose. Then, he quietly let it out through his mouth.

'It would be okay. It was only one night…' he told himself.

'He would only be here with Lady for this evening, and after that, he would go back to wherever modelling agency he came from. They would never interact again, and I could approach her on Monday during school.'

Lady is still with Glenn, obviously. Weiss has been observing the whole time.

'But what if she liked him, fell in love with him, and started to date him by the end of the party?'

He shuddered at the very idea alone. He needs to get away now.

But just as he was about to ask his father again, the emcee suddenly made an announcement from the stage, "Attention, guests. The time has come for our Date Auction!"

Lloyd smiled. Weiss froze. 

'Date… auction?'

---

Lady breathed out a sigh of relief, knowing that there was no way she could have signed up for the date auction while Glenn was leading her around the place.

Speaking of, she was beginning to get a little uncomfortable around him. The way he would always have his hand on her, whether it was on the small of her back or the crook of her arm, to the way he whispered things in her ear when it wasn't necessary at all, and how sometimes he would cheekily wink at her – it's getting to her. 

She wasn't used to flirting at all. She could've easily brushed it off as playful teasing, but because she's not as dense as a block, she had the feeling that it wasn't mere teasing.

It didn't help matters when Glenn decided to sit her at their table – right beside him for dinner. She had hoped that Belle and Hartigan would come and get her back, but they were somewhere else with Fallon. 

When the date auction was announced, Lady was so happy to know that she wouldn't be in it, guessing that Glenn would bid on her. 

To begin with, this is such a dumb game. Nobody would willingly want to participate in something like this – at least, that's what she thought. Yet, as it turned out, there's a ton who thinks that selling someone for a date is fun.

She didn't write this part in the story because Sarah was supposed to be at home already. That's why Lady had no idea that a date auction even existed. 

"It's a shame that you're not going to be in it," Glenn commented, leaning his chin on his fist while wearing a predatory grin that sent an uncomfortable shiver up her spine.

Lady forced a laugh out of her throat and awkwardly replied, "Yeah, right-"

"Ms. Lady Mireille!"

And she blanched.

The emcee had just called her name. Her name had just been called by the emcee.

'WHAT?! HOW?! WHEN?!'

She caught sight of Belle emerging from the table at the side of the stage. Her smirking face was all the explanation Lady needed.

"Belle…!" she hissed through gritted teeth. 

"How could you do this to me?!"

"Better get up there, Lady…" she cooed, smiling sweetly this time.

"Can't keep the boys waiting."

Her eye twitches at that, yet she stood anyway. She can't believe that her best friend has put her on a spot like this. This is supposed to be against their girls' code. 

"Don't worry, my lady.. You're guaranteed to have at least one bid for you," Glenn assured, giving Lady a wink.