That World of Otome Games is Tough for Us - Volume 2 - Chapter 5.1

Chapter 5:

The Truth of This World

THE SECOND DAY of the festival came to an end. While the male students cleaned up outside, Marie retreated to a classroom to count the cash she’d collected.

“I shouldn’t be surprised to turn such a profit at a school full of rich kids. Even inflating the prices didn’t stop people from snapping those doughnut holes up like crazy.”

Converting the price to her old world’s currency, she’d essentially sold each cup of doughnut holes for a thousand yen. There were only five per cup. And she’d charged several hundred yen more on top of that if customers wanted toppings on their doughnut holes. As a customer in Japan, Marie would never have bought something so overpriced, but the academy students were all rich enough to afford it. Sales had soared despite Marie’s unfair pricing, lining her pockets.

She flipped through the paper bills cheerfully.

“With all this, I won’t have to worry about living expenses.” She sat up straight. “Oh, but I better keep it hidden—otherwise, those loan sharks will come snatch it away.” Marie tucked the wad of cash carefully into her pocket.

No sooner did she hide her money than a schoolgirl strode in, flanked by several demi-human servants and surrounded by a gaggle of followers. The girl’s hair was braided and tied into rings on either side of her head; it hung over her shoulders. Meanwhile, her face was caked in a thick layer of makeup, and cloying perfume hung in the air around her.

This was one person Marie desperately didn’t want to run into: Stephanie Fou Offrey.

“You’re Viscount Lafan’s daughter Marie, right?” Stephanie said.

Marie was stunned. She knew of Stephanie, of course, but she hadn’t expected the girl to go out of her way to come see her.

“Yeah, I am,” she said, sounding a little stilted. “Did you want something?”

“Hardly the proper attitude with which to address your better. Or do you claim you’ve never heard of House Offrey?”

“No, you’re Stephanie, right? You’re famous enough that I know your name, at least.”

What’re you doing here, sticking your nose in my business?! If you’re upset that I went after Brad, he already rejected me anyway. You were behind those air pirates before, but why come here now? Unless…you’re sending me a warning?

However long Marie thought, she couldn’t puzzle out what Stephanie was doing here.

In the face of her confusion, Stephanie grinned. “You mean you haven’t heard? Our houses are about to join in holy matrimony—thanks to your marriage to my older brother.”

“Huh?” Marie blurted. She couldn’t digest this sudden development. Moreover, her parents hadn’t said a thing about that. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’ve never heard about any marriage.”

“Your input wasn’t needed,” Stephanie said. She’d only come to relay the facts, not indulge Marie’s protestations. “Your family assured me they’d strong-arm you into marrying him. I dropped by because I’ve noticed you seem to hang around a bunch of dirt-poor lowlifes. Try to refrain from consorting with those types in the future. I’d hate for your inappropriate behavior to damage my reputation.”

Marie could easily guess who Stephanie was referring to. “What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said. You’re evidently friendly with those backwater barons—and you’re close with that upstart Bartfort, aren’t you? Such associations will only shame our family name, so cease them.” Then Stephanie added, “You’re to marry my older brother soon enough. Too bad for you that you’ll have to give up your beloved Bartfort.” She sneered.

She’d seriously misunderstood if she thought Marie and Leon were together, but she seemed uninterested in getting the facts straight. Marie could guess what was running through her mind. She likes watching people suffer. 

Stephanie’s attitude and way of speaking both indicated she was the type who asserted her dominance purely for the thrill. She was as rotten to the core as Marie had always suspected.

Marie huffed and turned away. “Leon and I aren’t in that sort of relationship.”

Stephanie snorted with laughter. “I hope that’s true. Regardless, I’ve given you fair warning, so watch yourself from now on. Oh, and while I hate to be the bearer of bad news, we’ll be moving this wedding along as quickly as possible.”

“H-how come?”

Weddings were usually postponed until after graduation. Students got engaged before then, but they didn’t actually marry until they left the academy. That was the typical trajectory, at least; if Marie married early, it wouldn’t be the one she followed.

Pleased to see how off-balance she’d thrown Marie, Stephanie leaned in close. “I should also let you in on something—my older brother’s a real slime. Which makes him perfect for you. And don’t get the wrong idea—you may be marrying into our household, but that doesn’t mean you’ll live high on the hog. We only need you for your ability to produce an heir. That’s it.” 

Cackling, Stephanie turned and left, her crowd of ­followers and servants in tow. Only once she was gone did reality finally sink in for Marie. 

That’s it, she thought. My second life is as good as over.