That World of Otome Games is Tough for Us - Volume 2 - Chapter 2.2

As the end of summer break loomed, Carla Fou Wayne—a member of the general class—was spending her time in the Offrey household, unable to return to her own. 

Carla’s most notable feature was her navy-blue hair. She presently wore a frilly shirt coupled with a long, flowing skirt. Carla was always careful to keep her attire modest without appearing cheap. As a retainer of House Offrey, and part of Stephanie Fou Offrey’s entourage, she’d been warned never to dress in a way that reflected badly upon them.

Carla and Stephanie strolled down a corridor of the Offreys’ opulent mansion. Stephanie was a few steps ahead, of course, while Carla followed behind. She’d been in a rotten mood since dawn.

“I can’t believe my sorry excuse for a big brother showed his repulsive face at breakfast this morning,” Stephanie ranted. “He never wakes up before lunch. Why did he have to break routine and ruin the whole morning today of all days?”

Stephanie was referring to her brother Ricky Fou Offrey, who was the heir to her father’s title. Despite being siblings, Stephanie and Ricky’s relationship was extremely strained. In fact, Stephanie loathed him with every fiber of her being.

Ricky wore his hair in an unflattering bowl cut and was extremely obese. He was already over thirty. The siblings’ significant age gap was because Ricky was a product of the earl’s first marriage, while Stephanie was the daughter of the earl’s second wife. 

This difference in parentage was part of the reason for the siblings’ discord, but the bigger problem was Ricky’s personality. He was subservient and well-mannered to those with more power or status, but when it came to those weaker or less privileged—especially the poor—he was condescending and mocking.

Ricky relished bullying the weak. He’d caused numerous problems during his time at the academy. However, his father had simply swept all the mayhem he stirred up under the rug by paying off the right people. To make matters worse, after graduation, Ricky hunkered down at their father’s estate. He refused to work or be productive, leading to his increasingly portly figure.

In short, Ricky was ugly both inside and out. Even Carla thought he deserved all Stephanie’s scorn and disdain. Since he was the heir to the house her family served, though, she had to watch herself. She would agree with Stephanie, but she had to choose her words carefully.

“Master Ricky certainly is a handful,” she replied. In her head, she added, Not that you’re any better.

Stephanie was as despicable as her brother. During their first term, she’d enlisted air pirates in an attempt to drive Marie out of the academy. That memory was fresh in Carla’s mind, and it was part of what made her so afraid of Stephanie. She couldn’t oppose her, which was why she had no choice but to spend her break here rather than with her family.

Why am I the only one who has to stay, though? All the other girls got to go back home. It’s unfair.

Stephanie always came up with some excuse to keep Carla close. Carla’s parents had rejoiced over that in their letters. What an honor that the young miss has taken such a liking to you, they wrote.

Ignorant of Carla’s true feelings, Stephanie continued grumbling. “I wish he’d just kick the bucket. Father would have no trouble replacing him.”

The Offrey family presently consisted of only four people—the earl, his second wife, Ricky, and Stephanie—but Stephanie’s words hinted that her father had illegitimate sons who could take Ricky’s position if necessary.

Cold beads of sweat trickled down Carla’s brow. Don’t spill that kind of private information in front of me!

Stephanie likely felt more relaxed since returning home, which in turn further loosened her already loose tongue—so much so that she was sharing her family’s more intimate secrets.

Carla tried not to think too much about why Stephanie was doing so. She didn’t exactly have the wherewithal to waste on such idle thoughts. Also, she simply didn’t have much interest in Stephanie as a person.

Stephanie, meanwhile, grew increasingly irate. “He’s over thirty and can’t find himself a bride. It’s shameful to have him loafing around here at home. He’s an embarrassment to the entire family.” She shot a look over her shoulder. “You agree, don’t you, Carla?”

As a mere retainer, Carla wasn’t in a position to criticize the heir of the house she served that harshly. “I wouldn’t quite go that far,” she began, only to notice Stephanie’s face quickly contort in rage. “N-no, I mean—I completely agree!”

“Of course you do. He embarrasses me as well. It infuriates me when people describe us as siblings. Life would be better if he’d just marry already.”

Stephanie’s perspective was justified, but her household faced exceptional circumstances that made such a marriage more difficult. Ricky’s personality itself was an enormous obstacle, but the bigger problem was that the Offreys were what high society considered “upstarts”—new money.

The Offreys had been largely ruined by the time a merchant had targeted them and essentially taken the entire house over. That had allowed the merchant to ascend from common stock to proper nobility, but the rest of the aristocracy detested them for resorting to such methods. No one would willingly allow their daughter to marry into the Offrey clan. Not that someone in Carla’s position could point that out even if she wanted to.

“If only Master Ricky were a bit more put-together, perhaps he could find a bride,” she said instead, hoping that would placate Stephanie and end this talk.

“Our house’s unique circumstances also prevent his easily marrying another aristocrat,” Stephanie added, voicing what Carla had hesitated to say. “But I agree. I can’t count how many times I’ve wished he’d get his head on straight. It’s humiliating just being around him.” Vexed, she chewed her thumbnail.

Carla averted her eyes. Seriously? Don’t talk about these things in front of me! I don’t know how to react! 

While she struggled to determine how best to respond, Stephanie’s face lit up. A wicked smile stole across her lips as she whipped around to face Carla. “Marriage! That’s it! Don’t we know a house that’s desperate for money? That would do anything for wealth? You have to agree, this is a brilliant idea.”

Carla instantly realized what Stephanie was leading up to. After all, she’d been the one to investigate the very family Stephanie meant.

“They’re shouldering colossal debt,” she reminded Stephanie.

Stephanie smiled, pleased that Carla had followed her train of thought so easily. “No matter,” she replied. “If they’d marry their daughter to Ricky, it would so relieve Father. He might not be pleased at having to pay off all that debt, but I’ll convince him. That family may be rotten and twisted, but they’re still nobles. We’ll find ways to make use of them.”

What exactly did Stephanie plan to do once this marriage was finalized? Carla could already tell it was nothing good. Her forehead and palms grew clammy again. “If that’s your plan, who exactly do you want Ricky to marry? Let me guess…”

Before she could finish, Stephanie grinned broadly. “Obviously I mean her. She and my loathsome brother would be a match made in heaven. And I think I’d get back at Bartfort while I was at it.”

Things just got more complicated, Carla thought miserably. She didn’t know how right she was. 

At that point, the very topic of their conversation waltzed down the hallway toward them. Spotting the two, he came up to them, staring down his nose at his younger half sister.

“Stephanie,” Ricky drawled. “Dragging around your little pleb pet again, huh? You love acting chummy with paupers, don’t you?”

As he addressed her, Stephanie initially huffed and turned away, but his words hit a nerve. She glowered at him. “What I do with my time is none of your business.”

Ricky’s mouth creased with amusement. “Oh, I’m shaking,” he said, pantomiming a shiver. “With such a twisted, ugly personality, you’ll never make any real friends.”

“Oh, shut up already, you worthless nincompoop!”

Carla kept her gaze on the ground, waiting a few steps behind Stephanie and praying this bickering would end quickly.