I Reincarnated As A Villainess, But Why Did I Become A Cat Butler Instead? - Chapter 143

Chapter 72.1

She had heard stories from her seniors about the strange people they met when they graduated from the Magic Academy and went out into the world. They said that if she didn’t stay alert, her nose would be cut off even with your eyes open*.
[ T/N: It’s an expression used to describe an atmosphere of a society that’s very coldhearted and inhuman. ]

Avila, now twenty-two, tried to keep her eyes as clear as possible as she carefully considered whether if there were any pitfalls in the Duchess’s words.

‘…Aristocrats have a way of talking like clear water running through a green mountain* before draining your soul.’
[ T/N: 말은 청산유수다— an idiom which means ‘to be eloquent.’ ]

She wasn’t quick to dismiss her suspicions.

‘Is she trying to use them as test subjects and have them participate in abusing them, like creating a dog with eight arms…?’

…No, but was this still too much?

When Avila didn’t answer, the Duke, who had been sitting some distance away from her while observing the situation, spoke up.

“My wife likes you.”

He then attempted to negotiate with much more familiarity and grace than the Duchess.

“If you take care of the dogs, first, all expenses and manpower will be supported by us. Second, I’ll support your research regardless of the results. All required research personnel, facilities, and costs. It’s a small price to pay for what we’re asking you for, so you won’t be burdened. And third, the deadline is in three years.”

Avila’s mouth dropped open a little.

‘So, they are basically asking for a three-year nanny… with staffing and unlimited research support in return…?’

The Duke crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair with a haughty gesture, like a fisherman with a tantalizing lure, waiting patiently for a bite.

“It would be quite an unconventional proposition at this point.”

The Duchess, with her coy, haughty face, intervened with a twinkle in her eye.

“Let’s save the abused shapeshifters together!”

At the same time, she even made a small fist in the air for emphasis.

“Smash the bad guys.”

The Duchess, a shapeshifter abuser who talked about smashing people, didn’t seem as scary as Avila had thought. Rather, she found the twinkle in her eyes a little cute, like a child’s.

To someone unaware of the conversation, the Duchess would have appeared to be enjoying herself as if suggesting a new card game.

Just then, the Duke muttered, a little disgruntled.

“It’s enough just to throw all the dogs away.”

The Duchess, who was a notorious misanthrope of shapeshifters, glared at the Duke who had said that and whispered.

“Don’t talk like that. We need to prepare a place for them to live properly and teach them to socialize. You promised me.”

The appearance of two people was never what Avila had imagined.

‘Did I learn something wrong…?’

The Duchess spoke generously with a soft face.

“It’s a job that requires a sense of responsibility, so I don’t want to force you. Let’s think about it a little more while eating together. Coincidentally, the chef prepared a special dish with great skill today, and our chef’s special dishes are unquestionably the best.”

The next moment, as she led Avila to the dining room, out of nowhere, a young kitten suddenly trotted up to them.

“Rowaine! Rowaine!”

‘…Cat shapeshifter?’

The cat shapeshifter, who had the appearance of a small cat, fearlessly plunged her claws into the Duchess’s trousers and began to cling to them.

“Give me permission, give me permission!”

Avila swallowed dryly, afraid that the Duchess was going to kick the cat shapeshifter at any moment. However, the Duchess only spoke warmly but firmly, like parents disciplining their child.

“Sasha. You can’t be rude in front of our guests.”

“Aah! Let me…!”

“I told you we’d talk when you’re a little older.”

“Aaahhh! I hate you! I hate Rowaine!”

The Duchess let out a small sigh and looked back at Avila.

“I’m embarrassed. Even though I’m teaching her, she’s still spoiled. Please understand.”

“Ah… yes…”

“Goodness. What should I do with that personality?”

Avila thought. She wondered if she should’ve put an end to her friend who was making a fuss about the Duchess that she was notorious for being a shapeshifter hater.

‘…Isn’t that b*stard just jealous that I’m being sponsored?’

̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊

‘Avila is the right candidate.’

On my way to the dining room, I checked Avila’s expression.

‘She must’ve heard something somewhere.’

I could hear the wariness in her voice, the way she looked at me, the way she said she was going to decline the sponsorship.

‘I was too complacent. I forgot that she could hear about Rowaine’s notoriety.’

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