I Reincarnated As A Villainess, But Why Did I Become A Cat Butler Instead? - Chapter 318

Chapter 159.2

Under Serena’s icy gaze, Herman instinctively took a step back. For a boy his age, the entire situation was far too overwhelming to handle.

From that moment on, he understood that he could never act as if he knew Empress Serena.

As he grew older, everything became clearer. Over time, a deep-seated hatred for both his mother and father began to fester. And with each passing day, as he watched his mother dote on Elaine simply because she was the ‘future emperor,’ the desire to ruin her only grew stronger.

He deliberately drew closer to William, ignoring Serena’s suspicious glances as he solidified his position as William’s trusted right hand. Then, at the height of William’s triumph after conquering Pelsian, Herman leaned in and whispered.

“I’ve heard Princess Iris, the Pelshian king’s second daughter, is a rare beauty. Aren’t you curious?”

When William became infatuated with Iris at first sight and wondered how to make her his, Herman offered him a solution.

“Pelsian’s lands stretch far and are too distant from our Talia Empire. If we don’t act decisively, rebellion will be inevitable, Your Majesty.”

“What’s your suggestion?”

“Dethrone Empress Serena and crown Princess Iris as the new empress.”

“Replace the empress?”

“Serena’s family was weak to begin with, and her marriage stirred controversy from the start. If you make Princess Iris the new empress, you’ll secure Pelshian loyalty and gain the support of your vassals.”

Overjoyed, William eagerly accepted Herman’s suggestion.

That incident led to Empress Serena’s downfall. She was disgraced, dethroned, and cast out of the palace. With her gone, Herman’s influence grew even stronger.

This marked his first act of revenge.

Next, he turned his attention to Elaine.

It wasn’t difficult to isolate her without getting his hands dirty. He simply worked from the shadows, making sure no one noticed his hand in the matter. In addition, Empress Iris, now favored by the emperor, already saw Elaine as a rival. However, William soon lost interest in Empress Iris, and Herman had to find a new way to influence him.

That was when he turned to Rowiane.

‘Still, I never expected Rowaine to suddenly abandon everything and go to Duke Blois.’

It was an unexpected obstacle. His carefully laid revenge plan had been disrupted. But when Rowaine eventually returned to the capital, Herman quietly began to move again. He steered William’s focus back to Rowaine, using Empress Iris as a tool to manipulate her.

William’s sudden fascination with Renée caught him off guard, but the plan was still progressing without major issues. If his foolish father and stepmother hadn’t been so reckless in such a place, things would have been easier.

Knock, knock.

A knock sounded at Herman’s bedroom door.

“Count, it’s me.”

His aide had arrived, responding immediately to Herman’s signal. As soon as he stepped inside and saw his master lying injured on the bed, he froze in shock.

“Are you alright?”

“Get over here and bandage me up.”

Following Herman’s order, the aide quickly gathered bandages and medicine, tending to his wounds.

“Where are my father and mother now?”

“Well, the butler reported that they suddenly disappeared, taking whatever valuables they could.”

Herman clicked his tongue.

They must have realized what they’d done and fled.

‘So that’s why they vanished when Duke Blois showed up.’

Irritated, Herman snapped a command at his aide.

“Go and find them. Make it look like an accident and get rid of them.”

The unexpected command caught the aide off guard for a moment, but he quickly nodded.

“Yes.”

From his expression, it was clear he suspected that the former count and countess had fled in secret because they had done something suspicious.

Herman let out a frustrated sigh. His plan had been disrupted.

‘They must have seen me as useful, but at least my father made me his legitimate heir, so I had no plans to kill him. But if he’s the one digging his own grave, there’s nothing I can do.’

He had planned to deal with Elaine first and make his father the final target of his revenge, but now the sequence had shifted.

‘So, Rowaine and Elaine are working together. That sly fox, Elaine, was secretly building her own power all along.’

His mind raced with thoughts.

‘She knows I’m targeting her. She won’t just sit back and do nothing…’

The hidden threats were Rowaine and Dimitri. Allowing them to stay by Elaine’s side was no different from giving her wings and the power to soar.

‘I need to tie Rowaine down. If I do that, even Duke Blois won’t be able to do anything.’

After a brief moment of reflection, Herman gave his aide another order.

“Go and investigate the shapeshifter mercenary group operated by Blois.”

“What do you need me to look into?”

“Everything.”