Now, because of the curse (which is a lie), I can’t speak and my hands have become immobile. At first, it seemed like the students and teachers at the academy thought that the arrogant daughter of the Duke was walking around with her maids in tow… But that soon changed.
“Who does she think she is, walking around with two or three maids?” or “Is she already acting like she’s the future queen? Even Prince Gied only has one maid and one guard with him at school. Well, he does have more attendants, though.”
I was the target of such gossip. However, the situation changed quickly. In class, the teacher called on me to answer a question. With my hands immobile and unable to speak, it was impossible for me to respond normally.
So, I smiled and had my maid prepare a piece of chalk. She wrapped a handkerchief around the chalk and put it in my mouth. I went to the blackboard and wrote the answer with the chalk held in my mouth. After finishing, the maid removed the chalk for me.
“We have already notified the principal, but my mistress, Lady Marlene, has been cursed by someone and can no longer move her hands or mouth. Therefore, from now on, she will answer questions by holding a writing instrument in her mouth and writing on the blackboard or notebook.”
Upon hearing the maid’s words, not only the teacher but also the students were all shocked. I smiled and had the maid convey additional words on my behalf.
“I still have many things I want to learn at this academy, so I know it may be a nuisance to my classmates, but please forgive me… These are the words of my lady.”
As the maid spoke, I bowed my head towards everyone. My hands were immobile and dangled at my sides, so it was not an elegant bow. However, my awkwardness seemed to emphasize the misfortune that had befallen me.
Some people looked at me with a mix of surprise and sympathy. Unconcerned with the surrounding gazes, I simply attended classes and repeated the cycle of going home.
Perhaps that attitude paid off in the end.
At first, those who used to mock me, saying that I must have received punishment for bullying the heroine Whipke, gradually became unable to raise such voices.
I have always been modest and focused on my studies, but I have a physical disability. Those who speak ill of me began to receive criticism from those around them.
The second prince, Gied, and the heroine Whipke are in a different class from me. Both of them seem to be in the midst of the initial stages of a romantic and dreamy mindset…or so it seems? They don’t seem to have noticed my situation at all.
Today, in front of the public, she was pointing to one of the ponds scattered throughout the fountain garden of the academy, screaming, “It’s terrible! Marlene-sama today, too, tore up my textbook and threw it into the pond!”
The second prince, on the other hand, had his aides retrieve Whipke’s textbook from the pond and was spitting out words such as “Is Marlene jealous of Whipke for doing such a thing?!” These two are stupid, aren’t they? Yes, they are idiots.
It’s impossible for me, who can’t move my arms, to tear up a textbook or throw it away. Such foolish commotion must be left alone.
“What? The daughter of a duke…can’t move her arms? How did she tear up textbooks?” “During the regular exams, she puts a writing utensil in her mouth and writes answers on the test paper while crouching and supported by a maid.”
“I heard that. I asked Marlene-sama if it’s okay to leave her fiance and his mistress alone.” “What?! You asked her? You’re so brave.” “Yeah, because it’s terrible. If you want, shall I talk to those two instead of Marlene-sama?”
“…You can’t complain about the second prince, but what about the baroness Whipke?” “But Marlene-sama is so pitiful…but she told us. Well, she wrote it on the blackboard with chalk, but still.” “Ah, yes. With chalk in her mouth…”
“That’s right. And Marlene-sama’s father, the Duke, is working to dissolve the engagement, but she doesn’t have the physical or mental energy to deal with those two…”
“Oh, I see. It must be tough just attending classes at the academy, physically exhausting,” said one person. “Yes, it is. The maids take notes for her during class, but She can’t have them write my tests for her. So, She tries her best to memorize the teacher’s explanations on the spot. And since She has to use a writing utensil in her mouth for tests, She practices at home to write faster,” replied another. “Wow, Marlene-sama is amazing,” said the first person. “Yes, I respect her. Despite her physical difficulties, she always has a smile on her face,” replied the other.
The wind has gradually shifted. From a villainess to a pitiful lady, and then to a diligent lady who is doing her best despite her unfortunate circumstances. Alright! Everything is going as planned!!
At that moment, after school, I headed to the academy’s cafe where many students gathered. About half of the thirty tables were filled with students. Some were drinking tea, while others were eating cakes. Some were chatting, while others were studying with textbooks and notes spread out in front of them. I walked through the cafe slowly with my maid.
“Oh, Marlene-sama! This table over here is available~” My classmate, a viscountess named Miana, called out to me with a smile. I nodded and started walking towards her table. Suddenly, I stumbled and fell.
“Kyaa! Marlene-sama!” My maid, Ilse, screamed. I couldn’t scream since my voice wouldn’t come out. So, I fell silently. Of course, I couldn’t use my hands either, so I fell flat on my stomach without being able to get up. My chest, stomach, and face hurt from the impact. But this was something I did on purpose. It hurt, but the damage wasn’t as big as I thought it would be, so it’s okay.
“I-I’ll help you up, milady!” The two of them helped me up. Miana apologized, bowing deeply, “I’m sorry for calling out to you without considering your physical condition!”
I shook my head and said, “I’m fine.” Then I made eye contact with Ilse and asked her to bring me a writing utensil and a memo. Ilse held the memo for me while I put the writing utensil in my mouth.
“It’s not your fault, Miana-sama. I was just careless and fell. If I could use my hands, I wouldn’t have fallen like that. I’m sorry for surprising you. But my maid has a healing ability, so my injuries will heal quickly,” I wrote on the memo and showed it to Miana.
“I’m really sorry, Miana-sama. I used you to create the impression that I’m a pitiful person. But I have no choice but to use any means necessary to overturn my fate as the ‘villainess.’ I have to create the impression that I’m a victim and a pitiful person who can’t even move her body. I need to perform in a way that everyone can understand to gain their sympathy. After all, the graduation party where I will be ‘condemned’ by my fiancé is coming up soon. And I won’t be able to refute anything during that ‘condemnation’ scene since I can’t speak. I hope everything goes well and everyone sympathizes with me. To be honest, this is a gamble. Can the ‘villainess’ who can’t even speak or refute anything during the ‘condemnation’ scene compete with the second prince, who is her fiancé? But this was the only means I had left. Maybe there was another way, but it’s too late to say that now. And even if I gently ask to dissolve the engagement with Prince Gied, he wouldn’t listen. So, I have to leave it to fate. And so, the day of the graduation party arrived.”
