The Black-haired Noblewoman, Who Disguised Herself, Seems To Have Been Doted On While Serving As The Caretaker For The Duke Who Dislikes Women - Episode 35

It’s been about two months since I first came to the Harrington estate. Finally, my lord’s arm cast has been removed.

That day, while I was cleaning my husband’s private room, I was nervously waiting for the doctor’s first words throughout the examination.

“Hmm. How does it feel, Your Excellency? Please try stretching it slowly.”

Following the doctor’s instructions, my husband carefully bends and stretches his right arm, which has had its cast removed.

“No pain. Seems good.”

“That was good. For a while, it’s important not to overdo it. It would be good to gradually restore the weakened and stiffened muscles while observing your condition.”

I was deeply relieved by the doctor’s words. Thank goodness. I’m really glad… It seems like I’ve somehow recovered.

To avoid being noticed, I took a deep breath.

“I feel like my arms have gotten quite a bit thinner…”

“The muscles that haven’t been used have atrophied, you see. Let’s aim for recovery slowly and steadily without rushing. It’s also important to do a little massage every day to relieve the stiffness in the surrounding muscles.”

(…I see)

Noticing that I seemed interested, the veteran doctor looked at me, took my husband’s arm, and demonstrated how to give a massage while explaining the technique. The number of people who serve by my husband’s side is limited, and to be honest, Mr. Curtis is quite rough. It’s very rude of me to say, but I don’t think he could give a delicate massage with gentle pressure… I will probably end up doing it myself.

Of course, I will do it every day, every hour…! If it means you will feel better soon, my dear…!

Before I knew it, I had stepped right in front of the two of them. With the determination not to miss a single word of the doctor’s explanation, I nodded along while being thoroughly taught how to perform the massage.

In the meantime, my husband was looking at me with a somewhat ambiguous expression for some reason.

And that night.

I visited my husband’s office again.

“Excuse me, sir. May I?”

“Ah”

“Have you finished with work for the day? I would like to give you an arm massage.”

Saying that, I stepped inside and walked over to my husband, who was sitting at the desk. In the back, Mr. Curtis seemed to be tidying up the room.

My husband slightly furrowed his brow, quickly averted his gaze from me, and then cleared his throat softly.

“Well, about that… you don’t really have to go out of your way for me.”

“Eh…? But I just listened to the doctor’s explanation, and I think I can give a proper massage.”

When I said that, my husband cleared his throat once more. Then, suddenly picking up the papers on the desk, he murmured while keeping his gaze fixed on them.

“If you had just told Curtis, I wouldn’t have to bother you on a night when you’ve just finished work.”

“To Mr. Curtis?”

“Ah”

“Are you really sure? With Mr. Curtis?”

“Is it okay for Mr. Curtis to massage my dominant arm, which has weakened muscles, right after recovering from a fracture…?”

While we were having that conversation, Mr. Curtis, who was in the back, perked up, turned around, and walked over briskly.

“Huh? What did you say? A massage? For Lord Lloyd? Sure, I’ll do it.”

Saying that, Mr. Curtis began to swing his wrists back and forth as if doing warm-up exercises. Then, he moved and twisted his ten fingers like they were living creatures.

Mr. Curtis’s bony, sturdy fingers made a cracking sound.

“As expected, I’ll ask you, Michelle.”

“Understood, sir.”

“Huh!? Why? I’m going to do it!”

Mr. Curtis, looking dissatisfied, was being placated by her husband.

I sit down in front of my husband, who has moved to the sofa, and kneel, reaching out to his right arm.

“Well then, excuse me, sir.”

“Ah. Please.”

For some reason, my husband’s voice is a bit strained. …I see. My husband dislikes women, after all. If he were to be honest, he would probably prefer Curtis-san to give him a massage rather than me. Maybe he even finds it uncomfortable to have his arm touched like this…

Regarding women, it seems that they have had a lot of unpleasant experiences so far, as Mr. Curtis mentioned before.

I have to finish this as quickly and efficiently as possible… I never want to make my husband feel uncomfortable.

Thinking that, I gently touched the tips of my fingers, recalling the doctor’s words and gestures.