So i just read this one novel, the villainess will go down in history. Honestly, i'm quite disappointed with how almost every characters are lacking braincell. Im not hating on it, in fact i think it is a good novel, but riddled with some illogical plot holes. That aside, can any one of you guys tell me what is cruel about remark that i bolded? i think is really normal and not the slightest way offending to other party? Or is it just another case of the japanese being really polite again? He knew that I was acting like a villainess….? Considering it’s Duke-Sama, I guess that fact isn’t entirely surprising. But, for him to admit it so easily…! “….I don’t recall ever asking you to watch over me.” Before I can even think, the lowest, most dreadful words are coming out of my mouth.
I suspect the words and tone are impolite in the original language. The content is also insensitive as a response to someone's goodwill. And the MC might be too sensitive.
Actually, rather than politeness, it's just another way of showing off how softy, kind and nice the heroines are. In most JP novels, normal girls are soft, nice, kind, humble and innocent. That's why saint-like MCs doing even a slightly "bad" thing can make them a "villainess". Thinking like this sets off a gap moe halo and makes the MCs look inwardly nice but outwardly a villainess to readers (at least that's what authors think?). But honestly, they look like ridiculous pushovers to me when they do stuffs like this. Maybe it's a Japanese thing.
I am not sure of the context here, but going by what you bolded, it seems that the Duke was treating the MC very kindly, or maybe was taking care of her somehow even though she was bad, basically, being nice to her even if she doesn't deserve to be treated so, I don't know what she did to him but she seems guilty about something, or maybe she is just being cheeky? so, rather than showing her gratitude she is berating him XD
its cruel on exaggerate drama situation~ depend on setup, situation, background and stuff~ nothing new really if ya ever watch soap opera or long serial drama aim for midwife stuff~ sometime shoujo manga~
If the nobility usually speaks in classical, formal speech switching to the crudest plain form would add plenty of extra kick in Japanese.
try reading https://www.novelupdates.com/series/kuro-no-maou/ pretty good one, the author keeps going full gangsta against the MC