I Won't Clear Up the Misunderstanding. I Don't Mind Being the Villainess. - Chapter 17

The lunch that arrived after a brief wait was absolutely nothing like breakfast—it was magnificent.
I immediately started on the delicious, steaming meal, completely forgetting the ache in my back.
In the original story, the fictional Erika would be practically delirious with joy over the Duke’s cooking, thinking, “I’ve never tasted anything so good!” Now, with my past-life memories back, I wouldn’t say that, but it was certainly a flavor that put the meals at the Olson Viscount’s house to shame.
After the last bite of dessert and the final sip of tea, my hunger was completely gone.
“Could you tell the kitchen staff how delicious everything was?”
“Certainly, my lady.”
I gave the message to Iri as she began clearing the table.
It seems I’ve already put her into the role of my personal maid. For now, I have no complaints about Iri’s work. If no other maid distinguishes herself, she’ll likely get the position permanently.
“Oh, actually, before you take the dishes, would you mind helping me put on a plaster?”
I pointed to the medical patch lying on the side table. Iri had brought it while I was eating, but I’d been too focused on my food to deal with it.
“I bumped my back, you see. Could I ask this favor of you?”
“Yes, my lady.”
She stacked the dishes, then stepped closer to me.
“Madam, if you would adjust your seat so I can reach your back easily?”
“Of course.”
I turned sideways on the chair. I expected her to unbutton the back of my dress with care. A moment passed, but I didn’t feel the plaster being applied.
“What is it?”
“…There is an old wound on the bruised area of your back, my lady. I’m not sure if applying the plaster directly is wise.”
“A wound? Is it bleeding?”
It had hurt, but was the injury serious? I furrowed my brow.
“No, there’s no bl00d. On closer inspection, it doesn’t appear new. It looks like a slightly irritated welt, a bit like a lash mark,”
“A lash mark… ah.”
Iri’s description brought it back to me. That scar was inflicted back at the Viscount’s residence.
“That’s from when my sister used to play ‘discipline games’ with a switch when I was a child. It’s an old injury.”
“A whip…”
Iri’s response was muted. Well, it was an awkward thing to have to explain. Any servant would be flustered to learn the Duchess had whip scars on her back, inflicted by her sister “for fun.”
The Viscountess and my half-sister tormented Erika ceaselessly. Rose, in particular, thought nothing of using violence when she was young. However, the time Rose deliberately struck Erika’s back with a switch and broke the skin, their overly indulgent father finally flew into a rage. After that, she ceased any showy acts of violence against Erika.
In the original manga, Erika saw that incident as her one warm memory—the only time her father ever stood up for her. In reality, he had only scolded Rose because he worried about reducing Erika’s market value as a bride. I paused to think, then spoke.
“You’re right. The plaster might irritate the wound. I think I’ll have the doctor look at the bruise instead.”
“I shall go and inform the butler, then, my lady.”
“No need, our meeting time is very soon. I’ll tell him myself.”
“Very well.”
Iri agreed and carefully rearranged my dress over my exposed back.
“Leave the plaster there. Once you’ve cleared the dishes, you can return to your regular duties. I may need to call on you again shortly, though.”
“Yes, please call me anytime.”
“Thank you. It would be a great help if you could come when you hear the sound of this bell.”
“Certainly, my lady.”
I showed her the call bell. Iri curtsied deeply and left the Duchess’s chambers with the tray of dishes.
“A doctor, then…”
I murmured, now alone in the room. My thoughts turned to the Avenus Duke’s personal physician: the handsome doctor, Rain Foster. He’s a reliable character who becomes Erika’s ally early on.
“But he is a bit of a harasser, isn’t he…”
Every time he examines Erika, he comes out with comments like, “Your skin is so smooth and flawless,” or “Ah, young skin is wonderfully fresh.” The running gag in the story is that Kevin would get furious and threaten to sack him.
Rain doesn’t actually have romantic feelings for Erika, and he never acts on his suggestive words. But a doctor who talks like that is definitely unnerving. I’d hoped to avoid calling him if a simple plaster would do.
“…However, if I can show him not just the bruise Kevin gave me, but also the scar from Rose’s whipping, that changes everything.”
Rain is a conscientious doctor, if you can ignore his habit of harassment—which is a huge caveat, of course. But if he sees evidence of physical abuse on Erika’s body, there’s a chance he could become a crucial source of help later on.
“He could be incredibly useful, but I really need to figure out how to manage those harassing remarks…”
If the plot unfolds as it did in the original, Rain’s bad habit is going to land him in serious trouble. I sighed and continued to think about how to counter Rain’s harassment until it was time to meet Holger.