I Became A Squirrel Seeking For The Villain [EN]: Chapter 61

Lizzie nodded excitedly.

Mariel was known in social circles as the ‘overly kind and easily deceived flower of the greenhouse princess’ [a sheltered and naive young woman].

And that rumor was perfectly confirmed at the victory banquet.

To think she was intimidated by an adopted daughter brought in for her mother’s sake.

Seeing Yurika, who appeared in more splendid attire than Mariel, many people behind her clicked their tongues, whispering, ‘Seriously, how is the household managed…’

Of course, among them, some who truly recognized the power players were intrigued by Yurika, thinking, ‘She’s not ordinary, is she?’

However, Lizzie, who didn’t attend the banquet and only heard rumors, couldn’t possibly know that much.

“Then, would you like to come with me?”

Mariel asked Lizzie with a gentle smile.

“There’s a place I wanted to go with you.”

“With me?”

“Yes. It was a place I couldn’t go to because I was too conscious of Yurika.”

Lizzie nodded inwardly.

As expected, she couldn’t treat her intimately because she was mindful of Yurika.

“Um, Sister.”

So, Lizzie said with a careful smile.

“Please, speak informally… Anyway, I lived as a commoner…”

In fact, there was no reason for Mariel to use honorifics with Lizzie.

Yet, Mariel had treated Lizzie with utmost courtesy until now.

Somehow, those things seemed to create distance, which felt awkward.

However, Mariel shook her head with a bright smile.

“I’ll take it slow with being casual. I respect you, and I want Lizzie to be treated with respect here.”

Mariel’s character was truly admirable, but Lizzie didn’t achieve what she wanted.

‘But I chased Yurika away.’

Lizzie consoled herself inwardly and thought alone.

‘Of course, it’s a bit different from the plan…’

Honestly, she didn’t expect to run away to the Hylard estate this quickly.

Clearly, the higher-ups must be a bit displeased, because the Hylard estate was as inaccessible as the Medest estate.

‘Well, how can everything go according to plan?’

In fact, nothing was easy.

Siena would see her and shout, ‘Thief who stole my daughter’s clothes!’ in anger.

Jayden, with a helpless expression, didn’t immediately tell her, ‘Yurika, you’re the real one.’

And Mariel also acted aloof.

‘It’s all because Yurika swallowed this place whole.’

Originally, the goal was to chase Yurika away, but after living in the Medest estate, she became a bit more greedy.

A nameless orphan could run rampant just because she had light brown hair and pink eyes.

Then what about herself?

She had the same appearance and even brought the real baby clothes.

There’s no way to confirm parentage anyway. She was more suitable for the position of the second princess than Yurika.

Lizzie liked this place instantly.

So, she asked the higher-ups if she could stay here if Yurika left on her own.

However, the secretly delivered answer was ruthless.

[It’s dangerous, absolutely not allowed.]

But Lizzie wasn’t one to quietly comply with that, having considerable experience in this kind of thing.

‘If I bring something to negotiate, I might get permission.’

Yurika’s room, which she left behind, was tempting at first glance.

Splendid furniture, various accessories, and even luxurious dresses.

Moreover, how beautiful and kind her older sister, Mariel, was.

And what about her uncle Jayden, who boasted enormous wealth?

Honestly, Johan Hylard might have made Yurika his partner because she was the second princess of Medest.

The second princess of Medest, and Johan Hylard’s lover… In fact, all were coveted positions.

‘There’s a rumor that Johan Hylard is fooled by Yurika because he doesn’t know anything yet,’ so there might be a chance for her.

While Lizzie was indulging in her imagination, Mariel took her to an unfamiliar garden.

The garden, full of roses, was locked, requiring a key.

“Actually, this place is called ‘Yurika’s Garden.'”

“Yes?”

Lizzie looked around in surprise. Mariel said with a smile.

“Right next to it is ‘Mariel’s Garden.’ According to Father’s orders that daughters might need private spaces, it was prepared in the mansion.”

She had studied the Medest family diligently, but it was the first time Lizzie had heard of it.

“Ah… I see…”

As Lizzie blinked, Mariel gave her the key she was holding and smiled.

“Let Lizzie have this.”

“…Yes?”

“Give it to Yurika secretly when she goes to the Hylard estate. Yurika always wanted to have this.”

Mariel continued.

“I also call my lover to ‘Mariel’s Garden’ when I secretly meet them. After all, His Highness the Crown Prince tells me all sorts of things.”

“Ah…”

There was no one in the capital who didn’t know about the rumors of Mariel and Crown Prince Roymond.

Lizzie accepted the garden key from Mariel for now.

“Since Yurika went to the Hylard estate, let’s get along well for the time being.”

Mariel said with a gentle smile.

“Don’t be conscious and go around as much as you want now. I know you were only in your room because of Yurika.”

Lizzie cheered inwardly.

She could gradually adapt to the Medest estate without Yurika and make it impossible for Yurika to return.

Watching Lizzie quietly swallowing her joy, Mariel said calmly.

“Then, I’ll be going now… I have an appointment in the afternoon, so I need to prepare.”

Mariel smiled calmly and quietly turned around.

* * *

“What?”

Inside the Imperial Palace, Theodore, who was sitting with a bored expression, was startled and stood up.

“The Medest princess Yurika… went to the Hylard estate?”

“Ah, yes…”

Theodore’s confidant, a little surprised by his intense reaction, continued.

“It seems that after the real second daughter came, she couldn’t contain her anger and ran away to her lover’s house…”

A strange light flashed in Theodore’s blue eyes.

‘Libena… do you think I cooperated with your plan to create this situation?’

Remembering the sight of Johan and Yurika together at the banquet made him very unpleasant.

It was the instinct of a wizard.

He didn’t want to share the power of pacification that he once considered complete.

The desire to possess what he wanted to the end.

Theodore first saw Yurika more than five years ago.

He secretly visited the temple from time to time to calm his magic, and one day Libena handed him a small squirrel.

“This divine beast is too young to be adopted yet, but it has quite excellent pacification abilities.”

The squirrel with light brown fur was sleeping soundly with its tail curled up. The fluffy fur trembled every time the squirrel exhaled.

Libena nonchalantly lifted the squirrel’s small forepaw and placed it on Theodore’s forehead.

“Quite excellent.”

Theodore thought that many such divine beasts would come out in the future. Libena’s research skills were great.

“Please ask for this divine beast next time.”

But there was no ‘next time.’ The divine beast was adopted, and soon Libena quit divine beast research and started researching pacification potions.

That subtle feeling that he always missed appeared.

Theodore didn’t want to miss that feeling again.

Besides… that squirrel, even after becoming human, is quite clever.

She is even breaking down the plans of Libena, who is considered the top brass in the temple.

He couldn’t help but admire Yurika’s resourceful actions.

‘She looks quite like the Duke of Medest.’

And Theodore could intuitively know.

Johan and Yurika were not in love with each other. They were just pretending to be lovers like him and Libena.

That was something only Theodore, who had announced a fake lover and a fake engagement, could know.

An excessively artificial smile and timing that was too perfect to be truly in love.

‘Of course, that wizard… seemed a bit different.’

If he felt that much pacification effect, it was understandable that he was obsessed with Yurika.

‘He must feel the same way as me.’

It was natural for a wizard to feel possessive of a divine beast, so he would want to seduce her and keep her by his side at all costs.

Of course, the divine beast would be indifferent to the wizard, so she wouldn’t feel much emotion.

But pretending to be fake lovers at a banquet and staying in the same house were completely different situations.

If he left it like this, they might really fall in love with each other.

Theodore slowly stood up, his eyes gleaming ominously. He couldn’t stand to see that.

“Send a letter to the Hylard estate immediately.”

“Yes?”

“That I will be visiting soon.”