I Reincarnated As A Villainess, But Why Did I Become A Cat Butler Instead? - Chapter 310

Chapter 155.2

Ironically, it was something she’d picked up to stave off boredom during the lonely days when she was isolated and left to spend her days alone, thanks to Rowaine. She had practiced so much that she could create complex and intricate shadow figures using just one hand.

To her surprise, the Emperor watched with interest.

Though whether he was captivated by the shadow play itself or by her boldness paired with her flirtatious imitation of Rowaine, she couldn’t quite tell.

“To avoid suspicion, we’ll need to keep pretending to argue whenever we meet. Once you’ve secured the Emperor’s attention, bring up the tournament. Do you think you can do that?”

Renée did everything well.

For the first time, she felt like she had become someone useful.

The confidence that Nigel had trampled on was slowly beginning to rise again. Fueled by a fiery determination for revenge, she pressed forward. He had been the first person she had ever trusted, leaned on, and loved and the one who had betrayed her in the cruelest, most despicable way imaginable.

‘If I can make you suffer as much as the pain you caused me…’

She clasped the Emperor’s hand affectionately.

‘I can endure this much.’

̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊

I led Elaine into a secluded spot.

‘By now, Dimitri should be keeping Herman occupied.’

As soon as we were hidden among the trees, Elaine clenched her fists and broke into a victorious grin.

“Everything’s going according to plan, Rowaine! Cadis will be safe until the tournament. How did you even come up with something like this?”

I smiled awkwardly.

In truth, the tournament idea wasn’t mine. It was Agaliaept’s.

“Shall I lend you a hand? Kikiki, if you wish for it, contractor, I can help you.”

Lately, Agaliaept seemed unusually eager to help me.

‘He said this unstable contract could only remain unbroken if I continued to desire his power.’

Even I could tell he had grown weaker lately. It was clear he was nervous about the contract breaking. According to Dimitri, it was because I had grown stronger.

“It means the vulnerable spot in Rowaine’s heart, where the demon latched on, is disappearing.”

“That’s a good thing. Relying on a demon’s power might be convenient, but it’s also dangerous.”

“The fact that the demon is offering help first shows that Rowaine isn’t being controlled but is actually the one controlling the demon.”

That was how Agaliaept came up with a clever solution for me.

He delved into my past memories and unearthed a scene from a dog training reality show.

“In packs, dogs have a clear hierarchy. They instinctively gravitate toward the strongest.”

“Dogs can sense if their owner fears them. You need to show confidence and charisma. Only then can you control them instead of being controlled. You have to be a dependable leader.”

While showing me this scene, Agaliaept began to explain.

“You’re concerned about fighting the dog shapeshifters while taking down the Emperor, aren’t you, contractor? Kikiki! You want a way to lead them without going into battle?”

“Surely you know you don’t stand a chance against a pack of hunting dogs in a fight. Hehehe!”

“Suggest a tournament. Use it to imprint on the hounds, showing them who the true leader is. Kikiki!”

“When chaos erupts, the dog shapeshifters will naturally follow the commands of the new strong leader! Hehehe!”

Agaliaept said it would be best to have Cadis fight against the other hunting dogs to make them recognize his strength. Due to the curse, the hunting dogs currently followed the Emperor as their leader. But once the Emperor was removed, Cadis could command the shapeshifters, buying time to break the curse.

It was a good idea.

If the Emperor agreed to hold a tournament, Cadis’s execution would also be delayed.

After fulfilling his role by sharing this information with me, Agaliaept seemed to have regained some of his energy compared to before.

“We’ve managed to gain some time, Elaine.”

“But what if Cadis loses in the tournament?”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ve got something in mind.”

I reassured her.

It was at that moment, as we laughed and hugged each other, we thought we were alone, but suddenly, voices came from nearby.

“You’re not going to leave your son like that, are you?”

Startled, we quickly pulled apart.

The voices continued.

“How long are you going to defend that illegitimate child? No matter how talented a wizard he may be, Herman is still a disgrace to the family!”

…Herman?

The name immediately caught our attention.

“Keep your voice down, madam. What if someone hears us?”

“You saw it earlier, too, didn’t you? Herman approaching Princess Elaine.”

Who were these people, and what on earth were they talking about?

“No matter how much of a scoundrel he is, to think he would now go after his own half-sister…”

The words hung in the air, heavy with implications. I couldn’t process what I had just overheard. Turning to Elaine, I saw the same confusion mirrored on her face. It was clear she had no idea what they were talking about either.

‘Herman and Elaine are half-siblings…?’

My mind raced to make sense of it, but before I could speak, a shadow behind Elaine caught my attention.

Someone who shouldn’t have been there.

“Well, it seems you’ve heard everything.”

“….!”