I Reincarnated As A Villainess, But Why Did I Become A Cat Butler Instead? - Chapter 176
Chapter 88.2
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I rode in a carriage with Elaine, leaving the mansion behind. In my arms, I held the wine that Agwen had brought for me.
“Where are we going? If we don’t bring the imperial knights, they will come looking for me.”
“They won’t even notice we’re gone since we’ll come back really quickly. Don’t worry, Cardis will protect Elaine in the meantime.”
Feeling more confident after enjoying a few sips of wine, I offered Elaine reassurance. The destination I had in mind was Avila’s temporary laboratory. She had been staying there, conducting research in the temporary shelter for dog shapeshifters until the dormitory opened.
Stepping out of the carriage, I was greeted by Avila, accompanied by a group of dog shapeshifters of various breeds, sizes, and forms, all eagerly welcoming our arrival.
“Duchess!”
“Avila, I’m sorry for not contacting you.”
I mumbled, feeling a bit dizzy as I stepped out of the carriage. Perhaps due to the effects of the alcohol, my legs felt weak and wobbly.
Thankfully, Cardis quickly grabbed hold of me.
“Thank you.”
As I said those words, I realized that my tone sounded awkward.
‘I don’t think that’s the way to talk to Cadis. Thank you, thanks…?’
Meeting different people every day and using different ways of speaking depending on their status, sometimes I would get confused, and the alcohol made it even more confusing.
‘…But why does Cardis, who hasn’t even been drinking, seem to be blushing?’
When I looked at him questioningly, Cadis blushed and chuckled.
“You’re welcome.”
Seeing him like that, I adjusted my posture, stood up straight, and introduced Avila to Elaine.
“Elaine, this is Avila. She was a former prodigious royal mage with remarkable skills. Now she conducts independent research with my sponsorship, focusing on the abilities of dog shapeshifters. Avila, this is the Princess.”
Taken aback, Avila courteously bowed to Elaine in a hurry.
“It’s an honor to meet Your Highness the Princess.”
“I couldn’t see you at the imperial castle, so I came to see you in Blois, Avila.”
I proceeded to introduce each of the dog shapeshifters we had rescued from the clutches of slave traders to Elaine. Among them, she developed a special fondness for the adorable puppies who were still learning to fully transform into human form. They joyfully scampered around, emitting cute sounds with their little tongues.
‘It seems even the Princess makes cute sounds in front of these adorable creatures.’
With that in mind, I opened the wine I had been carrying in my arms.
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Upon hearing that Rowaine had taken the princess and left the mansion, Dimitri secretly followed them. It was because of the butler’s words, saying that she seemed to be intoxicated.
‘Why would she go somewhere after drinking when she rarely even drinks?’
Rowaine’s destination was no secret. Apart from the mansion, she had been frequenting Avila’s research laboratory lately.
As expected, the carriage she rode came to a halt in front of the laboratory, conveniently situated close to the Blois mansion.
Dimitri’s eyes sparked as Rowaine stumbled and the hound caught her, but he suppressed his emotions.
He didn’t want to spoil the cheerful atmosphere and invite resentment. So, he lay on the roof, gazing at the night sky, while the voices of the three women conversing and indulging in strong wine reached his ears.
He listened attentively, half-expecting Rowaine to say something nonsensical in her drunken state. However, all she spoke of was her unwavering determination to establish a sanctuary for the pitiful dog shapeshifters, offering them care and support to help them flourish.
Avila, nodding reverently, spoke.
“I’ll assist the Duchess in continuing her research for the benefit of the dogs.”
Hearing that, Elaine applauded enthusiastically in agreement.
Afterwards, more private conversations unfolded. When Rowaine suddenly exclaimed, “I hate old men!” anyone overhearing might have assumed it was an insult directed at the Emperor, from a woman who had once been close to becoming his mistress.
Dimitri watched Elaine’s reaction closely.
To his surprise, she retorted, “I’d rather die than marry an ugly man!”
When Avila, with a polite smile, chimed in, “Just stay single like me, everyone,” the rest of them burst into laughter, shouting, “We have a winner!”
‘…What kind of conversation is this?’
Lost in his thoughts, Dimitri sighed and gently massaged his forehead before swiftly descending from the roof. It was clear that accompanying Rowaine and the Princess back gradually would be the wisest course of action.
As he turned into human form, the dogs erupted into a chorus of barks, startling the maid who had been stationed by the door and prompting her to hurriedly emerge.
“Tell the Duchess that I have come to pick her up.”
“Yes, Your Excellency!”
The maid hurriedly went inside. However, the only one who came out unscathed was Elaine.
“What should we do? The Duchess seems quite drunk.”
Elaine brazenly added, unaware that Dimitri had been listening to the entire conversation from the roof.
“I didn’t drink any alcohol.”
If he hadn’t seen it, he would have believed her words. It was because she truly appeared perfectly fine.
‘Even though the smell of alcohol is strong.’
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