Opting to ignore me? Figures.
I endured all of that, and yet, I know not a single name of my perpetrators. Be it the maids or this healer, or even that fraud of a father, I don't have the slightest clue. The thought of writing a ledger containing all the names of my ill-wishers gets more and more tempting in my head.
Continuing to rest on the floor, I realize that the pain in my back and head has vanished. Not even gradually, but all at once. This makes me think about the areas of my body where the needles were injected.
First, it was the chest, which is why I raised sanitary concerns when they brushed against my filthy clothes along the way. Then, she gradually moved higher, to target the exposed areas—my neck, and after my taunt, my cheeks.
I don't see any connection between the locations of the injections and the parts of my body that were healed. Such is the typical nature of magic...
At the very least, I wasn't deceived and got what was promised. From the looks of it, the principle behind the brutish healing is a superficial 'feel pain now, feel at ease later.'
Now that I feel better, I should probably deal with my muddied robe. Believe it or not, aside from wholly eliminating the visible bruises and internal pain, the 'session' has also cleaned my body. This, of course, raises the question of whether bathrooms exist here. Heh, there's no way these pesky nobles are willing to endure all the pain just to be left feeling healthy and clean. Who knows, maybe there's a version that doesn't inflict anything, it's just me who's 'deserving' of it.
I rise from the floor and swiftly undress. The frilled blue gown slips off easily, gathering in a heap around my feet.
The closet I approach stands neatly in the corner of the room. As I open it, I'm met with a disappointingly poor collection: just six dresses are inside. I guess it's only natural.
I take the pink one and dress myself in it. Looking at the mirror, I can't help but think that the mix of azure and pink suits this girl. Those who have hurt her should burn in the underworld.
That's why I decided to accept redemption—to turn it into my biggest weapon. Once I've ensured my full vindication, and the right moment presents itself, I'll set this cursed Barony ablaze and pass it off as an unfortunate accident.
Any objections?
...
Then it's decided.
The pressing question is elsewhere; will the environment in which people are permitted to shamelessly torture a child let my redemption thrive?
I mean, if my efforts to be kind are to be wasted because of their personal corruption, then obviously, it's meaningless. Only time will tell.
Their cruelty toward Aeliana might not require much explanation—it's often that people who abuse the villainess are evil for the sake of being evil. Their motivations are boiled down to the primitive 'I see a person who holds no power, I bully.' But such miserable bunches usually get absolutely mopped when the victim starts to gain influence and power, charming the necessary people with their delightfully novel attitude.
My current situation can only be described as... deplorable. Who am I gonna impress with my moral transformation if my dread gets proven true? Correct, no one. No one will be there to defend me. If they are mean for that reason, then I'm not gonna be able to affect them in any way.
Again, it's cool as hell! Just the thought of paving the path that was once full of insurmountable obstacles all by myself makes my eyes glitter with excitement. It's time for some brainstorming. I already took a rigid stance on the question of redemption, and I should start acting upon it soon.
Picture this: a maiden who doesn't know her place has just suffered through another cycle of badgering. She's suddenly struck with the epiphany that maybe the time to change her ways has arrived. And she does; everyone is drawn to her newly electric personality, and the story reaches its logical conclusion.
However, the scheme will work only if the idiots surrounding me have a semblance of lenity left to them. Never thought I would be the one counting on the best humanity has to offer.
I'll come up with something new if this one doesn't play out well. After all, what purpose does all this harassment serve? If it's not about disciplining a petulant child, then I promise to lock in for real.
"Lady Aeliana, housekeeping."
A different voice I don't recognize pulls me out of the trenches of my own thoughts.
I swear if whoever said this enters without my permission again, I'll—
Wait, what did I tell myself? Be nice, from now on, I'm a nice girl...
Muttering the calming affirmations under my breath, I open the door.
"Oh."
Standing before me is a maid. She's the one who, based on my keen observations, didn't engage in recent group bullying.
"You changed by yourself. A rare sight to witness. Well then, let me take your dirty clothes."
She still doesn't adhere to the basic 'master-servant' subordination like the others. Nevertheless, this particular maid isn't eager to pick fights with me. How low has the bar falllen.
Anywho, to me, she's just a test subject for probing the hypothetical clement edge of the maids' nature.
I hand her the wrinkled blue dress as politely as I can, and with an innocent "Uhm," I enact my plan.
"Could I have your name, please?"
"Hm? Sure. My name is Eliza. Eliza Dounkaun."
"Well, Eliza Dounkaun, I have a favor to ask," I seize her attention. "After everything I've gone through, I've realized something. It was all for my own good. I promise to act more sensibly and treat everyone with respect from now on."
As I utter this with puppy eyes, her expression gradually shifts from surprise to outright confusion. I feel you, Eliza, it's not every day that your local brat decides to have a turnaround in her life.
"W-well, what is it you want to request from me?"
"Spread the word. Inform your peers that I'll try my best to be a worthy patroness from now on. It's all I need."
"O-of course, I'll heed your words," she stammers, clutching my rumpled dress before hurrying away.
Don't tell me she's afraid of there being no one to bully anymore.
The seeds have been sown. Now all I do is wait. I anticipate two possible outcomes: either the maids, knowing how I changed, will grow uncomfortable whenever they insult me, or they'll find my moral transformation ridiculous and escalate whatever atrocities they've grown accustomed to. By omitting the part about the conspicuous harassment and framing it as a consequence of my behavior, I tuned my speech to what they wouldn't mind hearing, and I hope that'll be enough.