The Duke's Daughter Is A Villainess (2)

For a whole morning, Dahlia was tossing and turning in her bed, messing up her silk sheets as she struggled to try and make a plan. To 'overthrow' Alice was one thing, but to seduce her love interests too? Dahlia wasn't so confident in herself to think that she could achieve that easily.

First, though, she decided to simply focus on the overthrowing. Though Buddy wasn't super specific on what exactly that meant, Dahlia was pretty sure to make a heroine not a heroine anymore was to one, eliminate any and all social standing she had, and two, make her hated instead of loved. A trademark of a heroine was to be loved by everyone around you, after all, so Dahlia knew what she had to do was to somehow turn Alice into a villainess. Or at least make her seem like one.

As to how to achieve that... well... she was still thinking about it.

~Buddy? Are there any items in your store that will help me with this?

[Host, for this task and future ones, you might need to improve your acting first.]

~My acting... right... makes sense. Is there something in your store to help me do that?

[Yes! With 50 points you can purchase the 'Talent Stealer' potion and use it to steal anyone's talents to keep for yourself.]

~I'll be stealing someone's talents?

[Think of any famous actors or actresses from your original world. If you tell me which one you want to use for the 'Talent Stealer', I will make a potion from their talents and after you consume it, you will act just as well as they can!]

~I see... and if I do this... they won't be able to act well anymore?

[Correct.]

~Alright. I'll think of an actress I don't like then... In the mean time, are there any small tasks I can do to earn 50 points first?

[Yes. Task A is to make breakfast for the Duke, this task is worth 20 points. Task B is to improve your reputation amongst the staff living in the Baudelaire estate, this task is worth 40 points. Task C is to save a life, this task is worth 90 points.]

~Okay... the first two seem kind of specific but why is the last one so vague?

[Some tasks will apply to where you are and the people around you, while other tasks are meant to be general so that they can be completed at any time.]

~Ah. I see. So, I can complete all those tasks, right? I don't have to just pick one?

[Yes, but the A and B tasks will change after 24 hours if you don't finish them in the same day they're issued.]

~...Right. I guess I'll get started then.

After her conversation with Buddy, Dahlia went to get herself dressed before heading down to the kitchen.

She didn't bother to knock before she stepped through the kitchen door, so no one noticed her at first, but when someone finally realised that she wasn't just another maid they suddenly gasped, and then everyone turned to look at her.

Dahlia smiled somewhat awkwardly at the staff in the kitchen. "Good morning."

They, in turn, merely stood in shocked silence.

Dahlia figured that might be the response she would get, after all Dahlia Baudelaire was usually a spoiled girl who thought herself superior to people like maids and chefs, normally she would've never spoken to them, let alone smile at them.

"U-Um, good morning, Miss... did... you need something?" One of the maids spoke first, though she stuttered a bit as she did so.

"I'm going to cook for my father today." Dahlia replied, smiling still, even when some of the staff began to look at her as if she was crazy.

"M-Miss! The chefs can cook for the duke, you shouldn't-"

"I want to cook for him though. Am I not allowed?"

"No! That's not what I meant, I just-!"

"Relax, I just want to do something nice for my father today, okay? If it makes you feel better you can stay here and watch."

Not bothering to wait for a reply, Dahlia instead just walked up to the cabinets and started pulling ingredients out. No one moved for a good few minutes while Dahlia began to whisk batter in a bowl, and then, as if finally realising that this wasn't just a dream or hallucination, slowly everyone began to get back to their own work.

The maid that Dahlia spoke to earlier stayed to watch, seemingly taking what Dahlia said to heart.

"Miss... if I may ask... what are you making?" The maid asked, looking at the white batter with a confused expression.

Dahlia turned to look at her as she waited for the pan to heat up. "Pancakes."

The maid gasped. "Miss! You know how to make pancakes?"

Dahlia knew it didn't make any sense for her to know how to cook at all, but she simply nodded, not bothering to make up a lie or excuse. "Yep. I can make you some too if you want?"

At those words, everyone around her stopped again. Dahlia's lips twitched, and she wondered if this was going to keep happening every time she did something even the slightest bit considerate.

"Miss, I couldn't possibly-!"

"It's fine, I'll make extra. I accidentally made too much batter anyway."

In the end, there were enough pancakes for the duke and Dahlia and everyone in the kitchen. Dahlia, who was simply used to making big portions as she used to live with roommates, could only cough awkwardly when someone asked if she intentionally made enough for all of them.

"You guys enjoy... I'll go take these to my father."