Cursed Villainess’ Obsession

Mary Haidia despised rainy days.

Whenever it rained, the mere possibility that her body might get wet paralyzed her movements.

"Why are you so pathetic? Act like the eldest daughter of the Hydia family!"

Her father was a strict man. As the head of the Hydia family and a high-ranking official in the Kingdom of Lilias, known for his magical talents, he held great influence. To someone like him, Mary, who was timid and fearful, was nothing short of a disappointment.

"How can you not even do this properly? It’s because you’re not trying hard enough!"

Whenever Mary made a mistake or brought home unsatisfactory results, her father would yell at her, his voice booming through the halls. Then came the water.

Splash!

A large amount of water would be dumped over her head, soaking her completely. Her father would then leave her standing there.

"Stand there. You are not to come inside until you figure out the answer."

And so, she would stand in the corridor for a long time. If her clothes began to dry, a servant would come and pour more water over her.

Splash!

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry, miss…”

Then came the time she had to endure, standing there in her wet, heavy clothes. Her body would start to shiver from the cold. Her teeth would chatter, and her legs would tremble, but she couldn’t move. The only way to escape this punishment was to either present the correct answer or collapse.

Cough, cough.

Oddly enough, the days when she caught a cold were almost a relief. At least then, her father wouldn’t scold her. But even lying sick in bed drew his disapproval.

“You’re weak.”

She feared her father’s gaze. The memory of those cold, wet punishments haunted her. She believed it was all her fault, the result of her own weakness and fear.

And she hated herself for it.

“You see, when you try, you can do it.”

So Mary began to act strong. She pretended to be someone who remained unfazed by any pain or hardship. Someone as cold as ice, who suppressed all emotions and overcame her weakness. Someone who could protect others. That act soon became a new persona for her. A way to shield herself from the wet cold, from her father’s harsh gaze, and from all the things that tormented her.

Thus, the cold, unshakable Mary Hydia was born.

"...I hate it."

But when she got soaked again...

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'll do better. I'll try harder. I’ll give it my all. I'm so sorry…"

She would revert to the weak, frightened version of herself. With the damp, clinging sensation of wet clothes, she would lose the person she pretended to be.