I Became A Squirrel Seeking For The Villain [EN]: Chapter 49

“I don’t know. It’s clear she wants to harm me through Libena….”

Theodore’s demeanor changed drastically when our hands accidentally touched.

There was an unexpected variable, which bothered me quite a bit.

Besides, he suddenly asked my name and said he wanted to see me again, which was very unsettling….

Anyway, my first dance with Johann ended.

Since it was customary to have the first dance with your partner, it signaled the moment when people started to mingle.

Of course, the way they looked at us before the real mingling began wasn’t very pleasant.

Everyone was looking at Johann with eyes that said, ‘He looked like he was chewing something unpleasant even while listening to His Majesty’s address, and now he’s fawning over Yurika Medest; he’s seriously ill.’

Naturally, there were expressions here and there that said, ‘As rumored, Yurika Medest is quite a sight to behold.’

“Honestly, it seems like Lady Ella’s assessment was entirely correct, don’t you think?”

“Oh my, it seems a real troublemaker has entered the Medest family.”

“But how did she become Duke Hierrad’s partner….”

“How easy would it have been to seduce Duke Hierrad, who only rolled around on the battlefield? Maybe she stole her sister’s fiancé….”

“Well, she won’t last long. There are many ladies in the capital who are better than that fake!”

For a brief moment, rumors about me reached my ears.

I patted Johann’s hand, signaling him to be patient, as he looked displeased.

‘Those kinds of things can be easily resolved later anyway.’

I smiled at Libena, who was adjusting her attire.

‘This is probably the moment.’

Now was the best timing for Libena to attract people’s attention.

It meant it was time to leverage this messed-up reputation that had been following me.

And as I expected, Theodore cleared his throat and stood in the middle of the banquet hall, leading Libena.

“Now, I have some pleasant news to share with everyone enjoying the banquet.”

Since many people were already curious about Libena, who was a completely new face, attention immediately focused on her.

Moreover, Libena had mediated between Ella and me earlier, leaving people with the initial impression of being a ‘wise and calm woman.’

“I would like to announce that I have met a good match and wish to get engaged.”

Whether he had discussed it with the Emperor beforehand, the Emperor smiled contentedly and nodded from afar.

Indeed, who would object to a prince from the outskirts, who had not attracted anyone’s attention, voluntarily getting engaged to a woman who wouldn’t cause any problems?

The Empress and Crown Prince Roymond looked slightly surprised to hear the engagement news for the first time, but their faces didn’t show much excitement.

“This is Lady Libena of the Sevce family. Since the lady herself has experience running a fairly famous trading company in the East, those interested are welcome to talk to her.”

People looked at Libena with admiration.

Just as that short engagement announcement ended and people were about to approach Libena to ask about her experience running a trading company,

I took a deep breath. It was my turn to step up once again.

* * *

The East was relatively less affected by the war, bordering the Leti Kingdom, which enjoyed peace and stability using the Empire as a shield.

In the Empire, where the war had just ended, social activities were finally resuming, and people were starting to pay attention to luxury goods.

Therefore, if Libena could lead the trend in the budding social scene, it was highly likely to become a source of money.

Libena’s disguise as the daughter of a large trading company from the East was all part of that calculation.

‘The social scene after the war is truly a gold mine. It’s the first time a trend will start, so all I need to do is create the opportunity.’

What was essential to maintaining power was money.

Libena intended to quickly seize the social scene to gain money and power.

Being the fiancée of a prince who would soon expand his political horizons was a sufficient title.

She planned to earn money to support the temple and Theodore, and to become a powerful figure in society to frame Yurika.

Putting a royal other than the Crown Prince on the throne was a considerable undertaking.

However, the current Crown Prince Roymond was taking a completely anti-temple stance.

Therefore, the temple had decided to sponsor Theodore, even if it meant spending a lot of money.

‘I have a feeling that Yurika is a divine being.’

Libena was almost certain after seeing Yurika in person.

‘Otherwise, there’s no way she’d be so cautious.’

Not only did she rarely leave the mansion, but the ingredients for the Medest mansion were also thoroughly managed.

‘She seems more cunning and quick-witted than I thought. This might be a long game.’

Moreover, now that she was accompanied by Johann, it was almost impossible for the temple to approach her physically.

‘But that’s only possible when you’re under the Medest name.’

Yurika was a well-known orphan and had a fatal weakness: she was brought in not through legitimate adoption procedures but because of the Duchess’s mental confusion.

If several noble families colluded to frame her, the kind-hearted Meriel Medest would inevitably have to disown her due to public opinion.

After that, it would be easy. Getting rid of a girl without a noble family name was nothing.

The reason they hadn’t touched Yurika until now was ultimately because she was the adopted daughter of the Medest family.

Libena herself had stepped forward, even risking a false engagement with Theodore, to create that situation.

Libena had to completely seize the ‘trendsetter’ position at this first victory banquet.

“Leather products are currently in vogue in the East.”

Now, all she had to do was start leading the trend by giving people business information related to the latest trends in the East.

Of course, the temple and Theodore had done preliminary work and stockpiled a lot of Eastern leather products that Libena would promote as trendy.

It was when she gestured to her maid to bring the leather bag she had brought herself.

“Johann!”

Yurika shouted in a confident voice.

“I want to get engaged too. Can’t we get engaged?”

People’s attention, which had been directed at Libena, turned to Yurika. Yurika smiled and added.

“I’ve already decided on the engagement gift.”

It was only natural that people’s attention immediately focused on Yurika.

Theodore and Libena had already declared their engagement, and it seemed like Yurika and Johann were bringing up the engagement story for the first time.

Moreover, Libena and Yurika attracted people’s curiosity in different ways.

Libena was a ‘competent Eastern noblewoman’ who looked good as a partner for the prince, while Yurika was an orphan of unknown origin who had been lucky enough to become Medest’s adopted daughter.

But the first time was luck, but what about the second time?

Anyway, Yurika’s partner now was Johann Hierrad, the war hero the Empire was paying attention to, wasn’t he?

Even though he seemed indifferent, he was, in a way, the main character of this banquet.

But that war hero broke off his engagement with Meriel, one of the most beautiful women in the Empire, and was now obsessed with her adopted daughter.

Moreover, Yurika was wearing quite flashy and expensive jewelry. It meant she was actually living like a wealthy noble.

The thought that came to people’s minds the moment they saw Yurika was, ‘Could this really be just luck?’

Maybe she had tremendous charm?

Or was she really such a cunning and evil woman who could control and sway all the powerful people?

There were rumors that she didn’t know her place, but that meant she had a background that attracted people’s attention.

If she was in a position that didn’t attract anyone’s attention, the rumors wouldn’t have spread so quickly.

“No way.”

While everyone was paying attention to Yurika and Johann, Ella said quickly.

“Being pretty and affectionate is enough to keep her as a lover. Duke Hierrad wouldn’t be foolish enough to get engaged.”

Most of the people who heard that nodded in agreement.

“That’s right. They’re both still young, and there’s no way they’d get engaged right away after only seeing each other a few times, right?”

“Besides, Duke Hierrad’s value will only increase….”

“He hasn’t even started his social activities in earnest yet, has he? He’ll just appease her and buy time.”

However, contrary to such murmurs, Johann smiled and said as if declaring it.

“If you want to get engaged, of course, we have to.”

Johann even made a blissful expression.

“I even told you to have the wedding right away, but you were the one who said no.”

At that, people gasped once again. No, they’ve already talked about marriage!

“You said you wanted to do it later than your sister.”

At that, Meriel, who was with Crown Prince Roymond, widened her eyes and shouted loudly.

“Yurika, you can’t get married! How long have you known each other! Besides, you said your ideal type was a kind and gentle person. It seems like you’re a bit infatuated right now, so let’s watch a little longer!”