Chapter 14

Originally, Mary is far from being the type of person who would be a villainous lady.

Even so, she is not the kind of saintly girl who is kind to everyone without discrimination. She tends to keep a distance from others, and even if there are people she dislikes, she lacks the potential to harass them.

Even if she feels uncomfortable or dislikes someone, she will maintain a polite distance and gradually fade away.

Intentionally driving someone out of her territory or using her parents' power to bring them down—Mary would think, “I can’t believe you’d go to such lengths to deal with someone you dislike.”

That’s who Mary is. No matter how low someone’s status might be, even if they attend Carelia Academy and she has never seen their face, there is no way she would harbor hostility and harass them from the start.

Even if the game’s memories urged her to play the role, there is no way Mary Albert would follow such a thing.

"Miss, you have the highest pride of all. That’s why, even if you have memories from your previous life and this world is a game, there is no way you would become a villainous lady."

"Oh, you’re quite decisive, aren’t you?"

"I’ve seen you more closely than anyone else. That’s why I can say that the villainous lady Mary is the type of person you dislike the most."

At Addy’s clear words, Mary slightly raised the corners of her mouth.

Mary Albert is an unusual lady.

Despite being the daughter of the Albert family, which holds power second only to the royal family, she does not flaunt or misuse it.

Even if Mary wanted to, she could easily manipulate Carelia Academy, but she has no such desire and lives a carefree life without drawing attention, quietly following the school’s rules.

Moreover, she would calmly do tasks that servants would do, and even ride a bicycle to save time.

She never punished Addy for his attitude, which was hardly that of a servant, and didn’t seem to mind when other servants acted similarly.

The other day, when there was a shortage of staff, she was asked to help in the kitchen, peeling beans.

—Of course, she complained, “Hey, I’m the daughter of this house, you know? Hey, everyone, are you listening?”—while peeling the beans.

The students of Carelia Academy would watch Mary from a distance, and some would even laugh quietly.

Especially since Mary was close to Patrick, she had earned the jealousy of almost all the female students. When jealousy and mockery mix, the looks directed at her are never good.

As a result, cold voices saying, “She’s not like a noble lady” and “She’s not like the Albert family” always followed her, but Mary didn’t particularly care.

"That’s why I thought it was strange for a lady like you to aim to be a villainous lady just because your game memories returned."

At Addy’s unwavering words, Mary shrugged.

"That’s right. No matter what the purpose, I have no intention of becoming such a disgraceful woman."

Mary’s voice was quite cold, and if someone who didn’t know her true nature heard it, they would doubt their ears.

Whether she was pretending to be a lady or being her unusual self, neither version of her would ever speak in such a cold tone.

But Addy, who recognized this voice, felt a chill and saw the sharpness in her eyes, which seemed to be focused on something, and realized the height of Mary’s pride.

Despite being treated rudely by her servant and whispered about as an oddity at the academy, Mary was even said to have no pride.

But that was impossible. Her pride just manifested differently.

No matter how many people gossiped about Mary or spread unfounded rumors out of jealousy, her pride was in a completely different place. Therefore, it remained unscathed, and she always remained calm.

That’s why no one noticed. Or, by the time they did, it was too late. Patrick stopped interfering with Mary and Addy’s ways because he had once glimpsed a fragment of Mary’s pride.

That’s why Addy thought she would never aim to be a villainous lady.

And indeed, Mary had no intention of becoming the game’s villainous lady.

But the fact that she had been trying to hinder Alicia, as the game’s Mary did—though mostly failing—meant that Mary was...

"...Is the decline your only goal?"

"Oh, what are you saying now? I’ve never once said I want to be a villainous lady, even when I said I aim for decline."

At Mary’s calm words, Addy couldn’t help but hold his head.

What a person... On the other hand, this is Mary Albert, isn’t it?

"Then, why are you aiming for decline?"

"...Hey, Addy. Don’t you think the Albert family is too big?"

Mary held out her empty teacup. Of course, as a servant, Addy understood without being told and poured tea from the teapot nearby.

Mary took it with satisfaction and suddenly shifted her gaze from the cup to the window. In the darkness of night, the Albert family’s mansion was visible.

At this hour, most of the rooms were dark, making the mansion look dark and massive. But during the day, it would be clear how much wealth was poured into its construction.

The walls, without a single crack, the intricate window frames, and the beautifully polished windows that reveal a corridor lined with artworks. The front entrance has stained glass, but it’s not visible from this building at the back of the estate.

There should be no mansion like this in the country. Perhaps not even abroad.

That’s why, when someone sees it for the first time, they are overwhelmed by its grandeur and realize how powerful the Albert family is.

A noble’s mansion is also a symbol of their authority.

By spending money, they show their wealth; by maintaining a grand appearance, they show their prosperity; and the higher the elegance, the greater the authority. That’s why nobles often hold parties and invite people to their mansions.

"Even the Dice family doesn’t have a mansion like that."

"Well, it is the Albert family."

"Yes, it is the Albert family. ...That’s why, Addy."

With a small clink, Mary placed the teacup down.

"The Albert family has become too big."