I Reincarnated As A Villainess, But Why Did I Become A Cat Butler Instead? - Chapter 299
Chapter 150.1
That night, Dimitri made his way to the shared bedroom that he and Rowaine used.
Every few days, he needed her magic to suppress the effects of the poison running through him, and today was that day.
“It’s me, Rowaine.”
“Come in, Dimitri.”
She responded immediately when he knocked as if she’d been expecting him.
In that moment, Dimitri felt an odd sense of gratitude for the wretched magical poison spreading through his body. It was a pain that had plagued him for so long, but now, wasn’t it the very reason that made it impossible for Rowaine to turn him away?
“Take a seat.”
Rowaine, who was standing by the sofa, gestured for him to sit.
Dimitri caught a brief, businesslike smile flicker across her face before it disappeared.
“….”
With a sullen mood, he silently sat on the sofa before Rowaine joined him, leaving a slight gap between them. An awkward atmosphere, different from usual, hung between them.
“I’ll start the treatment.”
As she placed her hand on his shoulder, Dimitri pulled it down and intertwined their fingers.
“It’s more comfortable holding your hand.”
“What are you saying? You don’t even like holding hands.”
“It’s been quite a while since I stopped disliking it.”
“I didn’t know.”
“You knew all along.”
When Dimitri smiled and squeezed her hand a little tighter, Rowaine was momentarily speechless because she knew his words were true. However, she quickly pulled her hand away, drawing a line between them.
“This makes me uncomfortable.”
“Uncomfortable? Where? How? Should I make you feel comfortable?”
He teased, giving her an exaggeratedly concerned expression.
“I’m not in the mood for jokes, Dimitri.”
“I’m sorry.”
His immediate apology made Rowaine flinch.
“N-No, it’s not really something you need to apologize for.”
Dimitri chuckled at her slightly pouty expression.
‘Always retreating.’
He thought as he watched her intently, following her eyes as she tried to avoid his gaze.
“Are you upset with me about something?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Then, why won’t you look at me?”
“It’s not that.”
“Sure, it’s not.”
As he shifted closer to her, Rowaine immediately retreated to maintain the distance.
“You’re distracting me. Stay still.”
“Why are you avoiding me?”
“When have I ever?”
“Right now.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Do you hate me?”
“No, not at all.”
Rowaine gave him the same polite, detached smile from earlier. Seeing it, Dimitri let his shoulders droop dramatically, putting more space between them.
“Why do you hate me? Is it because I’m Blue?”
At that moment, Rowaine, who had been avoiding eye contact, suddenly lifted her head.
“No! That can’t be! That has nothing to do with it!”
Dimitri narrowed his eyes.
“Then, what is it? If you don’t give me a reasonable explanation for why you’re drawing a line between us, I might misunderstand and think that you’re disgusted by my true form. In that case, I’d feel crushed and deeply hurt.”
At his half-teasing, half-serious words, Rowaine hesitated for a long moment before lowering her head.
“It’s not that at all. It’s just… I’ve made it clear that I don’t love you.”
“And?”
“And yet, you keep getting too close. It makes me uncomfortable.”
When Rowaine raised her head again, her eyes were filled with determination—a determination to draw a clear boundary with him.
Dimitri looked back at her, holding her gaze without wavering.
“Is this some sort of shared responsibility?”
“What do you mean, ‘shared responsibility’?”
“You’re acting like this because of Nigel, aren’t you?”
Rowaine’s gaze faltered. Even though it was clear, she still chose to deny it.
“No, it’s not because of him.”
“Sure, it isn’t. You’re punishing me for what he did.”
Dimitri’s eyes narrowed, clearly showing his irritation.
“Don’t tell me you’re treating me like him because you think I’m the same as him? You said it yourself in the carriage earlier, that everyone’s all the same.”
“That…”
Rowaine turned her gaze away, struck by how accurately he hit the mark.
“If I’m part of that ‘everyone,’ let me make it clear. That guy has absolutely nothing to do with me, and we have nothing in common.”
As he mentioned the word ‘common,’ Dimitri’s pride was clearly wounded.
“I’m superior, impressive, handsome, capable, and extraordinary. Meanwhile, that guy is an insignificant fool who doesn’t even measure up to me in the slightest. The list of differences is endless. Even down to a single hair, he’d be inferior to me. We’re definitely, absolutely not the same.”
“No, that’s not it. Nigel… he just made me realize something.”
“What kind of realization?”
Pressed by Dimitri, Rowaine bit her lip and glared at him resentfully.
“Regardless of my intentions, my answer is bound to hurt you, and I don’t want to do that.”
“I won’t be hurt, so just tell me.”
“Do you really want to know? That I’ve come to believe love is just a shallow feeling, a worthless emotion that’s easily twisted by circumstances.”
As Dimitri stared deeply into her eyes, he could see the anger and hatred burning brightly. At the same time, Rowaine returned his gaze, her expression cold and unyielding, as if to say, ‘You wanted this,’ and she delivered her cutting words without hesitation.
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