I Reincarnated As A Villainess, But Why Did I Become A Cat Butler Instead? - Chapter 174

Chapter 87.2

“Currently, Grandmother Rosanne and Madam Elvas are staying at Blois, not to mention that the Princess is here as well. Though I’ll make sure to extend another invitation to you another time.”

I wasn’t the type of person who couldn’t refuse other people’s requests.

On the other hand, embarrassed, Dieppe stepped back.

Seeing him, I secretly instructed a servant to follow him and see where he went. It was because he didn’t seem likely to leave willingly. Before long, the servant returned and informed me that he had unpacked his belongings at an inn somewhere in Blois’ commercial district.

‘If Dieppe actively participates in social gatherings from now on and leaves a strong impression on the nobles, it would mean that Madam Elbas has completed thorough preparations to deal with Dimitri…’

At the thought, I instructed the servant to keep a close watch on Dieppe.

̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊

After the banquet, Elaine seemed to be enjoying some personal time with Cadis.

Since it was my first time hosting a banquet and I was feeling tense, I took a moment to relax in my room. However, I didn’t stay for long and immediately went outside again.

‘I’ll have to find out what Elaine was thinking when she came here.’

The butler informed me that she was at the equestrian center, so I headed there right away. Lately, the equestrian center in the estate was practically my own domain. I thought it would be easier to talk to Elaine in a place we were familiar with.

“Duchess!”

Elaine, who was sitting on the horse, greeted me with joy.

Cadis, who was watching her posture, seemed restless and paced around. He probably wanted to come to me, but he couldn’t leave Elaine alone, so it seemed like he was behaving that way.

“Did you come to ride a horse?”

“Yes, because there are some things that need to be done consistently.”

As I approached, Cadis’ face lit up with a smile.

“Eunsoo!”

As Elaine looked at me with a puzzled face at the name coming out of his mouth, I made up a quick explanation.

“Ah, I told you the name I was called when I was young.”

“Although I did hear stories about the Duchess from him, I didn’t realize you were so close.”

Elaine smiled innocently as she said so. Nonetheless, I willingly took the bait after reading her underlying intention behind the smile.

“In the past, I did something wrong to Cadis in the palace. So when he was here, I wanted to seek forgiveness. And as you can see…”

Hearing my words, he spoke firmly.

“Eunsoo didn’t need to seek forgiveness from me. You’re my benefactor.”

At those words, Elaine stared at the two of us intently before hesitantly asking me a question.

“It seems like you must like the shapeshifters. No, or is it that the shapeshifters follow you? Both the Duke of Blois and Cadis.”

It was obvious what kind of response she wanted to hear.

“As someone infamous for being a shapeshifter hater, it must be surprising to see that I married a shapeshifter husband.”

“Oh, no, that’s not what I meant.”

“No, it’s okay.”

Then, I brought up a story similar to what I had told Count Herman in the past.

“After meeting my husband, I changed a lot. I realized that I had been too arrogant and malicious. My husband accepted me for who I was and loved me… being treated well by him, I became ashamed of my past behavior.”

If Dimitri were here, he would have applauded me for casually reciting this tear-jerking fake love story.

I averted my gaze weakly with a wistful expression.

Then, in a fleeting moment, I glanced at Elaine and noticed that she couldn’t hide the expression of ‘I can’t believe someone can change so completely because of love.’ However, when our eyes met, she was taken aback and quickly turned her head.

‘This wouldn’t work with her. Well, considering her cynical personality, I shouldn’t be surprised by her dismissive remarks.’

Before appearing more suspicious, I decided to change my strategy and confront her with an honest and nonchalant attitude.

“It seems like you can’t believe it, can you?”

“Ah, no! It’s such a tearful story… it’s truly romantic. The Duke of Blois must have been so devoted. Haha…”

“It’s okay. Even I wouldn’t have believed it either.”

As I said that, I took out the wine that I had hidden behind my hand and shook it in front of Elaine.

“I didn’t want to show this side to the Princess, but since you’ve occupied my hideout, I had no choice.”

Saying so, I then bit open the cork I had taken out halfway with my molars before handing it out. It was an action Elaine used to do when she would open the hidden wine bottle from under the bed in the original story.

‘To get close to someone, mimic their behavior’.’

I remembered seeing this phrase in a psychology book.

After that, I took out a single glass from the other pocket of my skirt and filled it with wine, offering it to her. In the meantime, I took a sip directly from the bottle and noticed Elaine biting her lips, trying to hide her smile.

‘Successful in building rapport.’

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