I Reincarnated As A Villainess, But Why Did I Become A Cat Butler Instead? - Chapter 216

Chapter 108.2

“Viscount Ibert, you too, twenty-four years ago…”

As Grandma Rosanne’s recitation continued, I became increasingly curious about the extent of her private property holdings. From the small wooden chest, documents kept sprouting endlessly, like an inexhaustible spring.

It was a moment when I realized that more families than I thought had more debt than assets.

‘Ah, is this why the vassals are unable to gain independence and remain dependent on one family?’

Certainly, there might be other reasons, but I thought my assumption might be correct.

It seemed that Grandmother, instead of pressuring them to settle debts, had generously maintained a debt relationship with them under the name of ‘friendship’ for several to tens of years. And it appeared that she had been involved in various businesses using these debt relationships as a pretext.

As she finished reading the papers and carefully folded them back into the chest, the nobles, unlike before, were visibly tense.

Grandmother smiled with a very kind face.

“I’m getting old now, and I just hate complicated matters. So, what I’m trying to say is…”

Her smile deepened. The nobles swallowed nervously, waiting for her words to leave her mouth.

“I’m thinking of entrusting the management of these documents to the Duchess. She seems quite capable, as far as I’ve observed.”

“…Yes?”

Suddenly, everyone’s gaze was directed towards me.

Standing awkwardly with a dazed look on my face, Grandmother’s maid suddenly handed me the wooden chest with ‘evidence of friendship’ in my arms.

“Rowaine, I entrust you to manage this from now on. I delegate all authority to you.”

“….!”

The small and seemingly light wooden chest suddenly felt as heavy as a massive boulder.

At the same time, the sound of the nobles’ murmurs echoed along the stone walls.

Grandmother Rosanne, who took my hand without giving me a chance to decline, sighed lightly and glanced around at the nobles.

“Now, let’s get back to the main point. If anyone has any complaints about the operation of Rowaine’s shapeshifters’ shelter, feel free to express them openly.”

…Wasn’t this the attitude of holding a loaded gun and simply killing anyone who is dissatisfied if they speak frankly?

‘It seems like a threat to get rid of them if anyone complains.’

Given the detailed recitation of various feudal relationships earlier, it seemed unlikely that anyone would dare to express dissatisfaction.

She had effectively demonstrated the ease and certainty of material and coercive measures.

“I thought some of you might oppose my grandson and granddaughter-in-law. It’s truly fortunate that you all support Rowaine like this. I hope you continue to follow the actions of the Duke and Duchess as well as you have until now.”

In the inevitable silence, where no one dared to speak, Grandmother Rosanne nodded very satisfactorily.

Coincidentally, the outside became noisy, filled with screams and shouts. It seemed that Count Schdental and his entourage, whom Grandmother had ordered to be brought in, had finally arrived.

Grandmother Rosanne smiled sweetly.

“It seems the old men from Count Schdental’s side have arrived just in time. Now, let’s go down together. It would be good to show that you actively support the Duke and Duchess.”

I cradled the wooden chest carefully in my arms and silently followed Grandmother, who was leading the way.

‘If I say I can’t accept this here, I might be the one shot by her loaded gun…’

̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊

Arriving at the abandoned castle with Cayetana, Dimitri realized that Rosanne had done the right thing.

On the first floor of the castle, in the central hall, he saw Count Schdental bound and gagged as familiar faces surrounded him. Next to them, flames flickered threateningly in a crumbling brazier, and heavily armed knights stood in a formation resembling executioners. The elders, terrified by the ominous atmosphere, struggled and shouted unintelligibly, even with gags in their mouths. As a knight untied the gag from Count Schdental at Dimitri’s gesture, the Count glared at him with fiery eyes.

“What is the meaning of this, Duke?! Do you realize that if each family learns about the kidnapping of the elders, it could provide grounds for military action? Do you think the nobles of the Empire will stand idly by if we seek assistance? You must be aware that Blois is already facing numerous enemies!”

“Well, I think that’s something you should tell the person who kidnapped you about that.”

Dimitri shrugged.

Then, behind him, Rosanne descended the stairs and opened her mouth.

“It was I, not the Duke, who kidnapped you.”

“….!”