I Became A Squirrel Seeking For The Villain [EN]: Chapter 48

Became a Squirrel Saving the Villain (48)

Became a Squirrel Saving the Villain 48

It was clear now: Theodore and Rivena were working together. This meant Theodore wasn’t simply ignorant or being manipulated by Rivena.

‘Well, it’s not strange that he’s taking a stance as if he’s directly warning me in earnest.’

From an outsider’s perspective, it might seem that our war of nerves was too much for Rivena to handle alone, so Theodore intervened himself.

With the prince personally involved, there was little even I could do.

Still, it wasn’t a complete loss. It confirmed that Theodore and Rivena were targeting me.

‘For now, this concludes this situation.’

“Hmm.”

While I was lost in thought, Theodore’s finger lightly brushed my hand again.

I couldn’t help but furrow my brow.

It seemed deliberately intentional.

“You’re Yurika Medest, is that right?”

He looked at my face and asked slowly.

It was a surprisingly direct question.

It certainly wasn’t the appropriate moment to ask for my name.

Hadn’t he just addressed me as Medest a moment ago?

“Yes.”

I barely suppressed my suspicious expression and answered curtly. Theodore raised his eyebrows and asked in a low voice.

“…Have we perhaps met before?”

“Pardon?”

Was this some kind of cheesy pickup line?

My eyes widened at the absurd question.

Rivena also flinched, momentarily losing her composure.

As I stared blankly at Theodore, momentarily speechless, he flashed another beautiful, innocent smile.

“Never mind if you don’t remember.”

“Ah, um….”

“Let’s talk more later.”

Theodore smiled politely and departed.

I felt a strange unease.

* * *

“The Empire, therefore, owes a great debt to the great wizard Duke Johann Hাইলrad…”

While the Emperor’s tedious congratulatory speech droned on, Johann was observing Yurika’s movements, not hearing a word. [Hайлrad is likely a family name or title, context suggests it’s a noble house.]

If he had his way, he would have abandoned his seat and rushed to her side immediately.

Moreover, he had to maintain the facade of a lover deeply infatuated with her, and nothing could be easier or more enjoyable than that.

Besides, Yurika looked unbelievably beautiful tonight.

Her accessories and dress, adhering to the motto ‘as extravagant and luxurious as possible,’ were of the highest quality.

He was even more anxious knowing that everyone had gasped inwardly when Yurika made her entrance.

Even his aide had cautioned him to be careful.

Johann had noticed everything, including Yurika spilling champagne on a young lady.

Because the distance was considerable and the matter was resolved in whispers, it hadn’t reached the upper echelons, but it was clearly an incident.

However, he refrained from intervening in the situation with the young ladies Yurika had provoked, believing it was part of her plan.

‘If I interfere unnecessarily, I’ll only get in Yurika’s way. She’s calculating everything anyway…’

Johann couldn’t forget the expression the squirrel had worn when it left the Hাইলrad mansion for the last time as a child.

It seemed to say, ‘Mind your own business, don’t interfere…’

Sure enough, shortly after, a woman named Rivena approached Yurika.

‘That woman… the one Yurika suspected.’

Johann’s face hardened when the second prince, Theodore, made his move, as if he had been watching Yurika’s scheme with detached interest.

Johann didn’t miss the subtle change in Theodore’s expression when his fingers brushed Yurika’s.

The initial contact might have been accidental, but he subtly brushed Yurika’s fingers again.

‘Does the Second Prince… have a connection with Yurika?’

That couldn’t be possible. If so, Yurika would have already informed him.

Theodore’s kind-looking face and round eyes, which he hadn’t paid much attention to until now, were suddenly irritating.

Because his eyes betrayed a reckless mix of longing and possessiveness.

Johann recognized that expression all too well.

Because that was the face he wore whenever he thought of Yurika.

‘Perhaps…’

Johann’s eyes narrowed coldly.

The unique intuition of a wizard flared sharply.

‘…Is he a wizard who has encountered a divine beast before?’ [Divine beasts are often associated with immense magical power in fantasy settings.]

Even amidst all this, the Emperor’s congratulatory speech continued.

“In particular, it is necessary to pay attention to his true nature, which is hidden behind the rumors that he is a jerk…”

Johann continued to listen to the congratulatory speech with one ear while his mind raced.

“He showed a romantic side by breaking off his engagement with the Medest family and seeking true love…”

He was simply staring at Theodore’s gentle face.

“He even threw his half-sibling, who is his own flesh and blood, into the underground prison, but he didn’t kill him, and of course, it’s said to be more cruel than killing him, but anyway, life is precious…”

He had never heard that Theodore was a wizard. He had never heard rumors that he had bonded with a divine beast.

If he possessed such great magical power that he required a divine beast, he would likely be as frail as he was. But Theodore was remarkably healthy.

It didn’t make sense even if he was an intermediate wizard who didn’t need a divine beast. Those wizards had already been conscripted into the war.

‘In many ways, something is strange… but it’s not entirely impossible.’

Generally, magical abilities are inherited through bloodlines.

Usually, the imperial family lacks magical abilities, but Theodore was a bastard. No one knew the identity of his mother.

In other words, she could have been a woman born with magical abilities.

‘If he concealed the fact that he was a wizard…’

It was too speculative to infer based solely on Yurika’s reaction, but wizards were known for their excellent intuition.

‘Yurika has never told me about what happened at the temple. She’s just overly cautious.’

Johann narrowed his eyes and swallowed hard.

He had been closely observing Yurika’s overreaction to the temple more than anyone else.

It was a place that could be considered the homeland of divine beasts, yet Yurika displayed considerable wariness.

At the same time, she insisted that she couldn’t completely eliminate it and that there was something she needed to investigate there.

Since he had ended the war swiftly, Johann hadn’t taken the matter seriously until now.

He had simply been supporting Yurika, allowing her to do as she pleased, and he was prepared to eliminate any threat if she was even slightly endangered.

‘If even the prince is involved, things could become more complicated than I thought.’

Wizards cannot use magic against royalty.

It was a covenant passed down from ancient times, and it was also the reason why high-ranking nobles with powerful magical abilities couldn’t plot treason.

‘Even if the Second Prince is a wizard…’

Then Johann would be in a situation where he couldn’t use magic against the Second Prince, despite being a wizard himself.

Considering that magic typically possesses explosive destructive power, it would certainly put him at a significant disadvantage.

“Yurika suits a kind and gentle man. Yurika herself is weak to such people.”

In any case, that man’s appearance was as kind and gentle as it seemed. Annoyingly so.

Even public opinion seemed to favor him…

‘I need to be cautious in many ways.’

Johann’s face, instinctively wary, turned cold.

* * *

Finally, the long and tedious congratulatory speech concluded.

Johann descended from the upper seat like lightning and stood beside me.

“Yurika, did you wait long?”

He gently brushed my hair back and smiled warmly.

“I missed you the whole time…”

The excessive display of affection drew the attention of those around us.

Of course, I had to play along, so I clung to Johann as if whining and smiled with my eyes.

“Then give me an amethyst as a gift when the banquet is over, as much as you missed me. A jewel the same color as your eyes.”

“I’ll fill your room with the finest amethysts.”

This was all acting that had been agreed upon in advance, but even I was almost fooled by how naturally Johann played the part of a lovesick fool.

“Amethysts alone are boring. I’d like some diamonds in between, too.”

Of course, I was also adept at playing the shameless act.

As the banquet began in earnest, the Emperor and Empress led the way, initiating the first dance.

Following them were Meriel and Roymund, and then Theodore and Rivena.

‘What?’

As I watched Theodore’s blue eyes glance at me from time to time, I felt that strange sensation again.

Clearly, Theodore was partnered with Rivena, but he seemed unable to concentrate and kept me in his sight.

‘What on earth is that look? It’s unsettling…’

Of course, I wasn’t the only one who noticed that look. Johann, holding my waist closer with a wary expression, led me into the dance.

Then he whispered in my ear.

“Do you know that man?”

It was a talent to be able to whisper so eerily and affectionately. I rolled my eyes once and replied.

“No. I’m seeing him for the first time today.”

“Then why is he so aware of you?”