I Won't Clear Up the Misunderstanding. I Don't Mind Being the Villainess. - Chapter 20

I’d been holed up in the library for about an hour when Holger finally came for me.
It had taken them ages just to get Lady Maverla down to the dungeon.
Since I had research to do, I didn’t mind waiting. Plus, the Holger who showed up looked like he’d aged ten years in an hour, so I didn’t have the heart to scold him for the delay.
It seemed Lady Maverla hadn’t gone quietly.
Moving a struggling old woman to a new location must have been absolutely draining. She probably would have calmed down if someone had threatened her with killing intent, like Kevin, but Holger was likely incapable of that.
“You must be exhausted. Are you hurt?”
“No, my Lady. Lady Maverla is fine.”
“I meant the people who moved her, not her…”
“…Two of them got scratched up.”
“Right. They need a proper clean and dressing. Call the doctor… No, actually, do call the doctor.”
“My Lady, I don’t think it’s serious enough for that.”
“Actually, now that I think about it, I need a doctor too.”
Holger looked completely stunned when I said that. I hadn’t acted ill at all since I met him, so I suppose he couldn’t have known.
“I’ve got a nasty bruise on my back, and it’s right on top of an old scar, so I’m not sure if just a cold compress will cut it.”
“Understood. I’ll arrange for the family physician.”
“The bruise? That’s from my husband slamming me against the wall. The old scar is from my half-sister whipping me.”
Holger went even paler when I added that bit of detail. Maybe he’s the one who needs a doctor.
“…The Master was a kind man once,” he managed, sounding pained.
I felt a strange sense of familiarity at the line.
(Oh, he said that line in the manga, too.)
Holger told Erica the same thing when he retired as the steward—that she might be able to bring back the Master of old. Remembering that scene, I spoke.
“But if he’s not kind now, it doesn’t matter.”
You could probably find decent, kind children if you look back at the childhoods of most terrible criminals. So what if he was kind? It’s not like he’s possessed by a demon or some strange curse that will vanish once you deal with it.
“If the reason he changed was obvious and he could go back to his old, kinder self with proper treatment, then I’d agree we should treat him for the kids’ sake.”
“That… I believe that would be difficult.”
“I imagine so.”
Holger didn’t say, “I feel like you might be able to bring back the Master of old,” standing there. I was relieved, though; I’d be absolutely furious if he put that pressure on me. I want Kevin to just give up, and for Holger and the others to focus on making sure the next generation—Leo and Ron—grow up properly.
“Speaking of which, I asked that the children be kept well away from the dungeon area…”
“It is taken care of. We’ve adjusted their schedules and posted guards along the corridor leading to the dungeon.”
“Thank you.”
I’m not planning to torture Lady Maverla or anything, but who knows what she’d scream? A hostile, screaming old woman isn’t exactly suitable for children to see, anyway.
“I feel much better. Well then, let’s go. Is it all right if I take this book?”
“Yes, my Lady.”
After a short exchange, we left the library, from which everyone else had been excused. We moved to another wing, and after walking for a while without running into anyone, we came upon the door leading downstairs.
Nearby stood a burly man and a woman in a maid’s uniform. I was surprised to see the woman.
“Airi!”
“The gentleman is Craig. Feel free to use both of them whenever it’s convenient for you, not just for this.”
Holger introduced the two, who bowed silently.
“I see. I look forward to working with you both.”
I spoke to the two servants. Were they both Holger’s personal picks? It explained why Airi was so capable.
“I had hoped Lady Maverla would move quietly for the sake of her dignity, but in the end, we had to rely on Craig and the others.”
“I think it would have been better to do that from the start. Is your back okay?”
Holger only smiled vaguely, offering no reply. I wish he’d worry about his own back more than Lady Maverla’s dignity.
“Well then, let’s proceed.”
Holger used his bunch of keys to open the wooden door, immediately revealing the staircase leading down to the basement.
We descended with Holger in the lead, reaching a metal door. Though I didn’t show it, I was nervous inside.
“She isn’t going to lunge at us the second you open that door, is she?” I asked, remembering the horror games my sons played in my past life.
“Don’t worry. There’s a strong cage, and I won’t let her touch you, no matter what.”
“Thank you. But don’t get hurt yourself.”
After our exchange, Holger unlocked the door.
The heavy door creaked open, and instantly, a loud, frantic, monkey-like screech mercilessly stabbed my ears.
“Who do you think I am, you lot! If the late Master were still here, you’d be whipped for this!”
“Why are women like her always so obsessed with whippings?”
Recalling my half-sister Rose, I looked at Lady Maverla in the cage.
She was strapped into a chair, her hands bound with cloth. They’re treating her like a proper criminal, I thought.
I spotted a whip hanging on the wall.
“Holger, I want that whip.”
“As you wish, my Lady.”
The steward immediately retrieved it and handed it to me as commanded.
Holding it, I smiled at Lady Maverla inside the cage.
“You want a whipping? Why don’t I give you one, then?”
“Wha—!!”
Her face, red with fury, turned blue with terror, and then red with fury again.
She looked like a broken traffic light: red, blue, then red again. I figured she needed to be scrapped, as repairs looked impossible.