is a Japanese light novel series written by Saki Ichibu and illustrated by Yukako Fujimura. It began serialization as a web novel published on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in April 2022. It later began publication under ASCII Media Works' Dengeki no Shin Bungei imprint in March 2023. A manga adaptation illustrated by Sora Gōto began serialization on Kadokawa Corporation's KadoComi website in April 2023.
Synopsis Avril is a prodigy who despite her talents is branded as incompetent by her parents. She is forced to fill in for her step-sister's place in a marriage with a Duke of Lanchester who is rumored to be a lecherous old man. However, the Duke is revealed to be an attractive young man named Dylan, who is looking to marry a villainess, and presents Avril with a contract which gives Avril the opportunity to secure freedom from her family. The contract asks Avril to act as a villainess in their marriage for three years, then they will divorce. However, due to Avril's antics in pretending to be a villainess, Dylan starts to genuinely develop feelings for her.
Characters
Media Light novel Written by Saki Ichibu, From Bumbling Prodigy to Villainess: Will the Duke's Love Go Unnoticed? began serialization as web novel published on Shōsetsuka ni Narō on April 13, 2022. It later began publication under ASCII Media Works' Dengeki no Shin Bungei light novel imprint featuring illustrations by Yukako Fujimura on March 17, 2023. Six volumes have been released as of April 17, 2026.
In July 2026, Cross Infinite World announced that they had licensed the series for English digital-only publication, with the first volume releasing in September later in the year.
Manga A manga adaptation illustrated by Sora Gōto began serialization on Kadokawa Corporation's KadoComi manga website on April 28, 2023. The manga's chapters have been compiled into four tankōbon volumes as of April 2026.
The manga's chapters are published in English on Kadokawa Corporation's BookWalker website under the title The Woebegone Wonder Girl Wants to Be Wicked.
Other In commemoration of the release of the sixth volume of the light novel and the fourth volume of the manga, a promotional video was uploaded to the Dengeki Bunko YouTube channel on April 17, 2026. The promotional video featured voice performances from Aya Uchida and Koki Uchiyama.
See also Reincarnated in a Mafia Dating Sim, another light novel series whose manga adaptation shares the same illustrator
References
External links at Shōsetsuka ni Narō