I Reincarnated As A Villainess, But Why Did I Become A Cat Butler Instead? - Chapter 166

Chapter 83.2

‘Could it be possible that the reason why she brought in so many cat shapeshifters was with the intention of training an army?’

Perhaps. After all, there were cat shapeshifters who make contracts with demons as powerful as Dimitri’s, so if she let a bunch of cat people try it, maybe some of them would survive.

‘Still, Rowaine isn’t the first person to make such an attempt.’

Inspired by the Emperor’s use of hounds to build a powerful army, many nobles attempted to replicate the concept with various animals.

However, none were successful.

The Emperor employed a secret ‘curse’ passed down through the imperial family to completely subjugate the dog shapeshifters. This allowed him to control them more effectively and at a lower cost than maintaining a conventional army. In contrast, the other nobles lacked any means of keeping the powerful shapeshifters in check.

‘Especially cat shapeshifters, who rebel against their owners or flee, oblivious to the supposed grace that has been bestowed upon them.’

Occasionally, someone would force hundreds of cat shapeshifters into making contracts with devils in the hope of gaining a few powerful cats. However, their outcomes were always the same—either they were killed in revenge by the very shapeshifters they sought to control or lost their power as they failed to maintain control over them.

‘You’re wasting your time, Rowaine.’

Clicking her tongue, Cayetana raised her teacup to her lips but stopped just before putting it to her mouth.

Wait…’

She set her teacup on the table again.

‘I don’t need the truth to catch a clue.’

As she thought so, her eyes moved quickly as if calculating something in her head.

“Yes, cats with the devil…

“….?”

Tilting her head, Betty glanced at Cayetana, who was talking and chuckling to herself. Her rose-red lips then curled up to one side in a thin arc.

“Cats with the devil…”

Her long fingernails grazed against the beautiful teacup rimmed in gold.

“The rat shapeshifters’ nightmare is also a demon… all bad things are evil.”

Haha!

The next moment, high-pitched laughter spat out of her mouth as if she was having fun.

̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊

Taking Sasha to his office, Dimitri secretly started teaching her how to make a contract with a devil. They agreed to set a date once she had a basic understanding of demons and the key things to watch out for. During those days, I kept my distance from the office. I knew that if I overheard their conversations, my resolve might waver, and I would end up opposing them again.

Two days passed like that.

The other kittens were being taught by Esca, Coco was as adorable as ever, and Blue, alongside Sasha, firmly took on the role of leading the annex.

In the meanwhile, the school dormitory, intended to serve as a shelter, was being renovated, and we were informed it would be ready to accommodate the shapeshifters within a few days. I also received a report from Avila that the dogs were doing well and had begun their private studies.

Baron Seville Placen and I took care of the mansion as usual and inspected the estate once with Dimitri.

Dimitri had been carefully selecting the elders and cronies to recruit to our side. Thankfully, things seemed to be going well, seeing as Dimitri was happy that my healing abilities were significantly increasing his efficiency.

It was doubtful whether the elders, including Count Schdental, hadn’t been able to fight back yet, whether it was desperation or they were preparing something. In addition, Cayetana’s silence was suspicious, but it was a peaceful day.

In the meantime, an unexpected guest suddenly contacted Blois.

“The First Princess wants to visit Blois.”

After lunch, I was drinking tea and relaxing in the study when Dimitri came over and handed me a yellow-dyed letter.

“The First Princess?”

Surprised, I picked up the letter and read it.

In the letter, in very old-fashioned handwriting, was a courtesy request for a visit, saying, “I wanted to visit the estate nearby for a change of scenery and was told that the scenery of Blois is excellent and suitable as a tourist destination.”

I was overcome with a very strange feeling.

Because the First Princess Elaine de Astor was…

‘She’s the original heroine…!’

In the original story, it never happened and never would have happened.

‘The heroine goes sightseeing in the home of the villain?’

I swallowed a gulp and glanced at Dimitri.

“Are you going to allow her?’

“I don’t see any reason why I should say no, so there’s nothing we can do about it.”

In the original story, the heroine would’ve turned against Dimitri after he harmed Cadis, whom she had been eyeing, and for his involvement with the Count of Bilbao’s slave trader. However, because I twisted the whole thing, Dimitri and Elaine haven’t had any contact.

That said, there was no ill feeling between the two of them yet.

‘It’s going to be okay… I guess?’

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