I Reincarnated As A Villainess, But Why Did I Become A Cat Butler Instead? - Chapter 169

Chapter 85.1

Not long after Dimitri left, I had to face an unexpected guest. It was Madam Elbas who found me through her butler.

“She said she had something to tell me?”

“Yes.”

I glanced briefly at Blois’s financial documents stacked on my desk.

‘Because financial matters are sensitive.’

“Tell Madam Elbas to meet me in the parlor.”

After conveying my words to the butler, I tidied up my desk for a few minutes before locking the door to the office and heading downstairs. Madam Elbas was already waiting for me in the small parlor on the second floor. She seemed to have fully regained her energy, sitting upright on the sofa just as she usually did.

‘The head seat…’

Her attitude of sitting in the seat where the owner should naturally be seated as if it were obvious, was a bit vexing.

Having learned to speak in a rather aristocratic manner, I smiled and said.

“It seems that the maid must have misdirected the Madam to the wrong seat. Ah, but that’s alright. I don’t want to make a big deal out of such things among my family.”

This was the art of ‘pretending to show mercy while pointing out the other person’s mistake’!

Madam Elbas, who couldn’t possibly be unaware of the subtle hints, couldn’t hide her annoyance, but she forced a smile nonetheless.

This was exactly the refined manner of engaging in subtle battles of wits among the nobility—giving subtle hints with a smile, hinting annoyance through laughter.

As if having something to say, she started the conversation first.

“I heard from the butler that the First Princess is coming to Blois.”

“Yes, I received the letter yesterday and accepted.”

“In that case, should we start preparing for a tea party soon?”

“A tea party?”

I recalled the table of contents of the book 〈 The Handbook for Noble Ladies 〉 that I received as a gift from Dimitri.

‘It seems like something like that was mentioned in Part 2 of the section on social gatherings…’

I remembered that it was written that when someone of higher status than oneself paid a visit, it was customary to gather local nobles of similar age as the guest and host a tea party as a gesture of welcome. Such occasions were particularly important social gatherings for local nobles who may not have frequent opportunities to participate in social gatherings in the capital.

‘Ah, a social gathering.’

Until now, I have managed to decline various events such as parties, poetry recitals, and flower-arranging gatherings using various excuses. But this time, it seemed that I couldn’t avoid attending a social gathering…

‘Even as the host.’

I forced a smile, but my mind was racing.

‘…I’m not sure what kind of conversation or activities I should engage in with people of my age.’

In my previous life, I didn’t have many friends. Growing up, my home life kept me from socializing, and my school years were marked by a deep sense of isolation and depression. After moving in with my grandmother, I encountered even fewer people my age. The town I lived in was old and quiet, with the majority of its population being in their seventies.

‘Well… since I get along well with maids like Agwen and Liddell, who are closer to my age, maybe I can just follow their lead. I should ask them to teach me about the latest trends among young people.’

I shook my head at the thought.

“I’ll prepare that.”

“Did you create an invitation list?”

“I’m in the midst of contemplating. As you may know, the current situation requires careful consideration, so I need to be cautious.”

It was already well-known that the nobles in this region, with Blois at the center, were being cautious and watching their steps to avoid taking responsibility for the slave trader issue.

Dimitri sent the Count of Bilbao to the Emperor, informing him that he would soon identify those involved and compile a list to submit. As the Emperor had set a trial date for Count Bilbao, there was no one in the empire who was unaware of this matter.

Of course, Madam Elbas couldn’t not know either.

She agreed with me.

“I suppose so. However, don’t dismiss the child I recommend. My nephew, Dieppe, happens to want to meet me.”

“If it’s Lord Dieppe, he’s the second son of Viscount Leon, right?”

“That’s right.”

I knew I had no choice but to allow him to visit.

‘I was wondering when they were going to break into Blois, though it seems like that it’s now.’

Dieppe Leon.

The Viscount of Leone was a prominent figure in Blois and the home of Madam Elbas’s sister, the Viscountess. In other words, Dieppe was her nephew and also a distant relative of Dimitri.

‘…And whom Madam Elbas is trying to push as the new duke as she tries to depose Dimitri.’

After all, there was no way that Madam Elbas would just stay quiet.

‘She’s preparing something.’

Even if I turned her down now, I’d meet him one way or another eventually, so it would be better to deal with him early. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep an eye on him.

“I understand. I’ll also send an invitation to Lord. Dieppe.”

̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊

After my conversation with Madam Elvas, I immediately wrote a letter to Princess Elaine. It was because, as a matter of courtesy, I had to ask whether the tea party should be held or not.

The response came soon from Elaine that she was fine with it, with the words that she’d depart for Blois as soon as the sun rose tomorrow.

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