I Reincarnated As A Villainess, But Why Did I Become A Cat Butler Instead? - Chapter 15

Chapter 8.1

“Do you want to meet her?”

Nigel nodded eagerly. Then, he fell to his knees and knelt on the floor.

Even though he didn’t know my intentions, he still willingly submitted to me, and so I wondered if I could put my hopes on him. He must have decided to take a gamble because he was either quick-witted or blinded by love.

“I want to see her again, even if it’s for the last time. At least once more. Please help me. Please…”

I lowered myself and leaned closer to level my eyes with his.

I wanted to believe in his earnestness. I still wished to know if it was just a fleeting love or if it was truly a kind of love that was strong enough that he’d sacrifice everything just to be with Renée.

“If I help you, do you think you can run away with her?”

“Will you really help, Milady?”

His eyes twinkled with hope. It was the positive response I had envisioned. Ah, maybe I could trust this person with Renée. Obviously, I had no choice but to think this.

However, the words that came out of my mouth were so cynical that even I was surprised with myself.

“If you had such a passion in you, I don’t understand why you’ve been waiting for a helping hand all this time.”

“That’s…”

At that, I suddenly realized why I was underestimating his devotion.

It was because he was just like an actor shouting passionate love on stage—the heat of love so fiery that it melted the hearts of many audiences. It literally turned into smoke and dispersed as soon as the performer left the stage when the curtain fell.

This kind of love was just ridiculous.

My real father, who often used violence against my mother, must have whispered his love to her like this when they were young. I didn’t think it was a lie. It would be too pitiful on my mother’s part if she were deceived by that shallow lie. I simply believed that all true love in the world was, itself, a profound lie.

But, in my opinion, Nigel wasn’t particularly to blame, so I stopped judging his pathetically drooped shoulders.

If Renée needed him and the two of them confirmed their love for each other, I had no right to ridicule and doubt their relationship. I had no choice but to accept it, so I’d just be riding on the same boat as them for a very short time. My role was to become the bridge that would bring them back together. With that, the responsibility for switching places with Renée was over. If I got involved with the two of them more than this, it would be too much, even for me.

“The Duke of Blois will be here soon. I’ll take you with me, so hide yourself inside the compartment of my carriage before I leave. Renée is waiting for you at the Duke’s estate. Then, run away with her.”

His face brightened in an instant.

“Thank you, Milady! Thank you!”

“Once you’ve escaped with Renée, go to a distant country and live in hiding.”

After saying what I needed to say, I left the training hall.

̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊

When I returned to my room, the maid was looking for me, fidgeting on her feet.

“Lady Rowaine!”

The personal maids who knew Rowaine’s harsh personality had never been so fussy like this before. I laughed to myself, knowing why she was looking for me.

“What’s going on?”

“H-His Grace, the Duke of Blois is here!”

Called it.

He wouldn’t let me go so easily because I knew the secret of his curse, but still, this was pretty quick of him.

‘How impatient.’

He must have left his estate as early as dawn.

I took a leisurely step towards the parlor where Duke Blois was talking to Count Larscel. The employees, who had been snooping through a small gap in front of the parlor door, were surprised to see me and scattered away. They were listening to the conversation inside through the slightly opened door. So, as I stood in front of the door, I could hear voices inside. I stood still for a moment and overheard the conversation inside as well.

“I thought Your Grace had agreed to let go of Rowaine.”

It was Count Larscel’s frantic voice.

“I came here to talk to her.”

And Duke Blois’ elegant tone.

Indeed, inside the parlor, the Duke was sitting arrogantly.

Even though the plump Count Larscel wasn’t that small in his size, as I saw him in front of the tall, sturdy Duke, he looked like a dwarf in comparison.

Duke Blois, who sat loftily like a beautiful statue, spoke indifferently.

“And I’m here for an apology.”

Count Larscel sighed.

“For that reason, I didn’t know how to face you again… Of course, I apologize deeply for the absurdity of the bride’s change. My daughters played a terrible prank.”

“No. I don’t think that’s enough.”

“….?”

Count Larscel glanced at the Duke curiously. His eyes were asking, ‘What kind of apology do you want?’

Duke Blois just smiled and met eyes with me.

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