I Reincarnated As A Villainess, But Why Did I Become A Cat Butler Instead? - Chapter 210

Chapter 105.2

I wanted to retort that Dimitri wasn’t in love with me, but he was just agreeing to my deal. Even though everyone said I wasn’t good at negotiating, in reality, I’ve used this skill to succeed in the most important deal of all — this contract marriage.

‘Hmph. She wouldn’t even know that.’

As I muttered to myself, she smiled.

“Like you said, I like you. So. I’m going to be honest with you as well.”

It was a positive response.

Grandmother declared with a determined face.

“I won’t turn a blind eye to this matter. I don’t think I can overlook Cayetana anymore.”

She looked straight at me.

“I’m not on anyone’s side but Blois’s. You’ve said that you wish for me to be on your side, Rowaine. If you’re on Blois’s side, then I’m on your side.”

“….!”

“Dimitri was the child of a mistress. He was never Blois, not until he received the title of Duke.”

Grandmother Rosanne’s gaze as she spoke seemed extremely cold. However, viewed from her perspective, she appeared more just than anyone else. Her presence, which had been shrouded as if covered in fog, was now clearly visible.

‘Grandmother Rosanne was a fence.’

The person who protected the Blois lineage.

‘…I feel like I know how to firmly align her on Dimitri’s side.’

“Grandmother, Madam Elbas is trying to remove Dimitri and establish her nephew, Dieppe Leon, as the duke.”

Dieppe was thoroughly an outsider to the Blois family. Despite being Madam Elbas’s nephew, he was a complete stranger with not a drop of Blois blood in his veins.

When I quickly explained this, she narrowed her eyes and stared into the empty space as if Madam Elbas was there.

“I knew that. How dare she try to swallow Blois.”

“Did you already know?”

“Haven’t I already said it? I’m not on anyone’s side.”

I was surprised to learn that she had been keeping a close eye on Madam Elbas all along. She was seeing right through her.

‘She’s been constantly on the move. I knew what Madam Elbas was up to because I’d read the book, but Grandmother Rosanne didn’t. Moreover, this time, she let me know that Madam Elbas was planning to harm me even before I did.’

It meant she had a good source of information.

The statement that she wouldn’t just stand by and watch Madam meant that she had the strength to deal with her whenever needed. There was a basis for the confidence of Grandmother Rosanne, who made Dimitri cower and made Madam Elbas cautious of her.

It was a stark reminder of being entangled in the struggles of powerful figures. It felt as though I was a shrimp caught between whales.

‘In the first place, wasn’t she the kind of person who could be swayed by material gain and threats, right?’

If I had done that, I wouldn’t have even been able to pick out the bones*.
[ T/N: The phrase is an idiom that’s often used to convey a close call or a situation that could have turned out much worse—e.g., ‘It could have been a real disaster’ or ‘It was almost a serious situation.’ ]

Grandmother Rosanne, who was observing my relieved expression without a word, thought for a moment before she opened her mouth.

“I used to think Dimitri was unfit to be the leader of Blois, but it was an unavoidable choice to make him the Duke. As I expected, he still hasn’t fully grasped the reins of the elders, and due to his background, he faced rejection in aristocratic society. That much was true. However…”

She looked at me and smiled wryly.

“Now, he seems to be putting the elders in their place. I know that together with you, the two of you will do great things against the nobles.”

Smiling contentedly, Grandmother Rosanne quietly took my hand.

“It’s said that only those who have weaknesses to protect can truly become a strong person. Dimitri’s weakness is you, Rowaine.”

I was a bit taken aback at her words. It felt burdensome.

‘…If Grandmother Rosanne finds out about this contract marriage, I—’

…I might get dealt with quickly

As I smiled awkwardly while feeling fear, Grandmother, who didn’t know what I was feeling, tightened her grip on the hand she held.

“Whatever you have planned, I’ll help you.”

After that, a string of strong curses erupted from her mouth, and my eyes widened in surprise.

“Those d*mn old men. They should just go into their coffins and lie there comfortably. Joining hands with Cayetana, trying to harass my grandchild’s daughter-in-law? Those rotten b*stards.”

She finished her words firmly.

“I need to summon the elders.”

“Will you attend the elders meeting?”

“I’ve retired, so I can’t attend any official gatherings.”

Then, Grandmother Rosanne gave a chilly smile. It was a sinister smile that made even me feel uneasy.

“I told you, didn’t I? That threats are easy. In politics, things are often conducted more clandestinely behind the scenes than in official settings.”

Then, she elegantly swept her hair back with a single stroke before summoning her knight and giving him an order.

“Bring Cayetana and the old men here.”

For some reason, it seemed like something was about to happen.