Cursed Villainess' Obsession-Chapter 11

“……”

“Mary?”

She didn’t take the towel I offered. She just continued to tremble, clutching herself tightly. As I watched her carefully, I began to hear her murmuring something quietly, almost drowned out by the sound of the rain.

“...I’m sorry…”

‘Sorry…?’

I focused, trying to understand what she was saying, and soon, the words became clearer.

“…F-Father, I’m s-sorry. I’m... so sorry. Hic, I’ve done wrong…”

She was apologizing. Shaking uncontrollably, she was begging forgiveness from someone who wasn’t even there. The sight was alarming.

‘…Could it be?’

I immediately opened Mary’s status window.

[Name: Mary Hydia]

Unique Skill: Blessing of Ice.

Unique Trait: Dual Personality.

Acquired Traits: Fear LV 1, Anxiety LV 1, Trauma LV 1.

‘So, she’s been through something too…’

As expected, Mary’s status wasn’t in a good place. While it didn’t show the despair trait, the presence of fear, anxiety, and trauma confirmed that something serious had happened.

In the game, when both fear and anxiety are active at the same time, the character often gets a penalty, freezing up in response to overwhelming emotions. That’s probably why she’s not responding to me.

‘But dual personality… What’s that about?’

How much hidden backstory had these twisted developers crammed into these characters? The more I learned, the more surprises popped up.

‘System, open detailed description of the Dual Personality trait.’

A window appeared before my eyes.

[Unique Trait: Dual Personality]

The owner of this trait experiences personality shifts when certain conditions are met.

It was a simple explanation. But the phrase "certain conditions" stood out.

‘In this case, it has to be because of the rain.’

I thought for a moment, then decided to start drying Mary’s hair with the towel. She might misinterpret it as something inappropriate, but if I left her like this, she’d definitely catch a cold. Drying her hair should be fine, at least.

‘Or maybe it's not just the rain, but the sensation of being soaked?’

Looking back, Mary hadn’t shown any unusual behavior when the rain first started. She’d even responded normally when I suggested we find shelter. It wasn’t until after we entered the shed, and she was completely soaked, that her demeanor changed.

“Mary, are you feeling alright?”

After drying her hair, I gently placed the blanket over her shoulders. Through the blanket, I could still feel her trembling. As I pondered what to do next, Mary suddenly grabbed the sleeve of my shirt.

“Mary…?”

“I-I’m s-sorry, Ken… I-I’m not feeling well…”

Fortunately, she seemed to be coming to her senses, her voice shaky but coherent.

Boom!

“Kyaa!”

Suddenly, a loud crack of thunder rang out, and Mary let out a high-pitched scream, darting into my arms like a scared child.

“A-Are you alright?!”

“I-I’m sorry, I’m sorry… I’m such a mess…”

She buried her face in my chest, trembling uncontrollably, muttering apologies over and over. When she finally looked up at me, her usual calm, composed expression was gone, replaced with wide, frightened eyes brimming with tears.

‘…This must be her dual personality.’

I had never seen Mary like this, not even after playing the game multiple times. Sure, she’d displayed emotions of grief or frustration, but she always remained composed. She hadn’t shed a single tear even standing over Ken’s corpse in one of the routes.

“Hic, Ken, I-I can’t stand up right now…”

Right now, she was a complete mess, crying and clinging to me with trembling hands, apologizing non-stop.

“Let’s calm down for a bit, okay?”

“…O-Okay.”

So, we sat there for a while, waiting for the rain to pass. During that time, I began to understand why Mary always avoided the academy on rainy days.

“Are you feeling any better now?”

“…Y-Yes.”

Even though she said she was fine, she was still trembling. We were now sitting on the floor of the shed, both of us wrapped in the blanket. Mary clung to me as if she was silently asking for protection.

‘She’s like a rabbit.’

Normally, she reminded me of a graceful cat, but just from getting wet, her entire demeanor had changed. It seemed that getting wet triggered this overwhelming fear in her.

“Then… how do you shower?”

“…If I’m not wearing clothes, it’s fine. I-I just can’t stand the feeling of wet clothes.”

So, if she were naked, she could handle the rain? Of course, that couldn’t be the solution.

Soon after, the rain stopped, and Mary, now mostly dry, had calmed down significantly.

“…I’m sorry, Ken, for showing you such a pathetic side of myself today.”

“No, not at all! In fact, I’m glad I got to see a new side of you, Mary!”

She gave me a weak smile before turning and walking back to her dormitory.

‘…Dual personality, huh.’

I hadn’t heard why this happened to her, but at least now I knew why she avoided the academy on rainy days.

She wasn’t just afraid of getting wet—she feared the scared version of herself that emerged when she did.

‘So that’s why she fell for Adrian.’

In the early part of the second arc, after a particular event, Mary develops feelings for Adrian. The game never explicitly stated the reason, but I think I finally understand.

Adrian hates water too.

Back in the tower, I sat at my workbench, deep in thought.

‘How can I get Mary to come to the academy on rainy days?’

I mulled over the problem. In the game, most of Mary’s events revolved around her rivalry with Emily, so there wasn’t much information about this aspect of her.

‘Should I ask Adrian for advice?’

But considering Mary’s current state, it didn’t seem like their event had triggered yet. Even if it hadn’t, maybe he could give me some pointers.

"Ken, what's bothering you again?" Laphne’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. She had been watching me from the side for a while now.

“…It’s just that I’m planning to help someone out.”

"Of course, Ken, you’re always so kind!"

And so, the chapter continued with Ken’s contemplation of how to help Mary, while Laphne, ever the mischievous observer, teased him about his good nature.