I Became A Squirrel Seeking For The Villain [EN]: Chapter 51

If anyone inquired about artificial leather goods to Jayden, he was even asked to give some away at a low price.

And he was also asked to add, ‘It’s similar to real leather, so the Medeste family, who love animals, might misunderstand.’

If that was repeated for just a few days, leather luxury goods would not become trendy, and even Rivena would have no choice but to release the leather goods they had hoarded at a low price.

‘The impact will be significant.’

Rivena’s goals for this banquet would be threefold.

First, to harm me directly. This had to be seen as a guaranteed failure since I would be extremely cautious and careful.

Second, if she couldn’t harm me directly, to establish a foothold in society so she could be in a position to harm me indirectly. She would have been willing to get engaged to the Prince to achieve that.

Lastly, the third goal would be to capitalize on the emerging trend in society and make a killing……

‘In the end, she couldn’t do any of them because of me!’

The more I thought about it, the more satisfying it was.

Of course, I had to let my reputation be ruined in order to mess up her plans, but……

“By the way, Yurika.”

As if he knew about the rumors about me, Jayden said slowly.

“Don’t worry too much about what people think. Aren’t they just gossiping because they don’t know you? In the end, it’s just jealousy.”

I knew that all of this was Rivena’s doing, but Jayden didn’t seem to think that there was any other background to the social rumors.

In fact, I didn’t attach much importance to such artificially created evaluations.

Frankly, such unfounded rumors were public opinion that could be easily overturned if I put my mind to it.

However, Jayden seemed heartbroken that I was silent about such rumors and continued to speak, not knowing what to do.

“If you slowly prove your worth, everyone will know that it’s all nonsense. It’s just that you haven’t been proactive so far.”

The natural answer in this conversation would be, of course, ‘Thank you, Uncle.’

Or an adult-like remark like, ‘Don’t worry too much.’

But completely different words came out of my mouth.

“Well, it’s not all wrong……”

Jayden’s eyes widened.

I was also a little embarrassed because a slightly sad voice came out, even though I didn’t intend it.

However, perhaps Jayden’s clumsy comfort touched my heart, and words that seemed like resignation came out one after another without me realizing it.

“It’s true that I’m lucky… and it’s a bit unfair to say I’m fake, but I’m replacing someone else’s position anyway.”

In that moment, I felt my heart sink.

Perhaps this was my true feeling, rather than a natural answer like, ‘Is this all calculated? I don’t care at all.’

A complaint that came out without any calculation, really any calculation……

“……”

Jayden tried to call my name, but he hesitated and stopped. He seemed to have a lot of thoughts about the words ‘someone else’s position.’

Well, the name itself was Yurika……

In fact, it was an emotion I wouldn’t have felt if I had simply been adopted as an adopted daughter, as other people gossiped.

However, being in an empty seat ‘because I looked alike’ made me feel like it wasn’t ‘my seat’ somehow.

Of course, I was a brave and smart divine beast, and I thought I had no reason to be sad because I was grateful just to have become human.

Moreover, the family members all knew that Medeste was benefiting from me, not the other way around, so I was even proud.

However, even I couldn’t help but make a resolution to give up the position of ‘Yurika Medeste’ in a cool and wonderful way if the real Yurika ever came back.

Because Meriel, Jayden, and Sienna were all really good people.

Sadly, the position of ‘Yurika Medeste,’ which I had never really thought of as my own, had become a little familiar over time.

Especially today, right before coming to the banquet, Sienna took the lead in choosing my accessories, even though she was sick.

“Yurika, your pink eyes are so pretty. How about putting this pink ribbon here?”

At times like that, I strangely felt like she was my real mother, and I felt choked up.

“Have fun, Yurika. I like your partner very much. He’s polite. His eyes look a little crazy, but he’s still very handsome. That’s the best thing.”

Sienna even looked into my eyes and brought up an old story.

“I knew something would happen in that family. When I went to Duke Hierard’s mansion a long time ago, that Duke was very sick. But he was forced to come to the dinner table……”

The squirrel of Tezen who was at that dinner was me.

Of course, I couldn’t say that, so I just smiled.

“But……”

Jayden opened his mouth with difficulty at my gloomy expression.

“Yurika, listen. I’m not very good with words, but there’s something I really want to say to you.”

“To me?”

“Yes.”

His voice was very serious.

“Even if *the* Yurika comes back, as in my old dream, you’re still our family, regardless of that. Actually, we’re calling you ‘Yurika’ for our convenience because of my sister, but I’ve never thought that you’re replacing someone else’s position.”

I felt strangely choked up. Jayden continued.

“I know you’re upset about these rumors, but I hope you don’t get too caught up in words like real or fake… because we like you for who you are.”

He smiled kindly and then asked cautiously.

“…Do you want to use a different name?”

“Uh… um……”

In fact, it was a topic I hadn’t thought much about.

I thought that as long as the name wasn’t like a pet name like ‘Blackie’ or ‘Momo,’ it would be fine.

“I’ll think about it.”

But it was true that I felt a little disturbed when I heard the ‘fake’ story directly from others, so I answered slowly.

But it wasn’t like I could think of another suitable name.

I suddenly realized that I quite liked the name Yurika.

It was then.

An interesting sight caught my eye.

Not long after the banquet started, Rivena and Theodore were heading to the balcony.

‘No, at this timing?’

I knew they would have an interim countermeasures meeting, but it was earlier than I expected.

It was only the second dance, and they were disappearing while dancing……

And since the balcony is such a private space, no one else can enter. It meant it was the perfect environment for secret conversations.

‘Did something urgent happen?’

A strange feeling came over me, and I quickly turned to look at Johann. Johann was openly watching them.

Johann also made a mouth shape after making eye contact with me, saying, ‘Something’s suspicious.’

“Uncle.”

And I had a rule that I must check when something was suspicious.

“Excuse me for a moment. I need to go to the bathroom urgently.”

A locked balcony was a place where no one could enter.

Especially if an official couple headed to the balcony, disturbing them was considered a considerable rudeness.

In this situation, eavesdropping on the conversation was impossible.

That is, if you’re a ‘person’.

The temple didn’t know that I could freely transform into a squirrel by taking Renat’s medicine.

So, turning back into a divine beast was like a weapon I could use freely.

‘I have to transform into a squirrel and eavesdrop on the conversation somehow.’

Of course, I couldn’t stay as a squirrel forever, so I had to discuss it with Johann, who could turn me back into a human, and then move.

“I’ll tell Johann first.”

It might sound strange to visit Johann before going to the bathroom while dancing well, but Jayden nodded readily.

“…Okay. That crazy war hero gets restless even if he can’t see you.”

Was his evaluation still ‘crazy war hero’? I tilted my head in wonder and asked.

“Um… Didn’t you like Johann? You seemed to be getting along well last time.”

“A merchant must always know how to wear a mask.”

Jayden replied with a cold face.

“I’m just smiling in front of him because he’s such a great person, but I can’t possibly feel good about a crazy guy who’s after my niece.”

If that was true, it was amazing acting skills and very rational situation judgment.

“I’ll make sure he can’t stick by your side if he falls even a little bit.”

Jayden added grimly, and then looked at me with a sentimental look as if he had misunderstood something.

“Anyway, don’t cry too much. It breaks my heart.”

Then, he got teary-eyed himself and took me to Johann before heading to the bathroom first.