I Became A Squirrel Seeking For The Villain [EN]: Chapter 65

The atmosphere in the drawing-room was, predictably, tense.

Johann and Yurika wore stiff expressions, while Theodore alone seemed at ease.

“A wise choice,” Theodore said. “Staying there wouldn’t have ended well for you.”

Yurika offered no response.

Johann remained silent as well, leaving Theodore’s voice to echo in the room.

“But to come to the Hাইলard Dukedom…” [Hайлard Dukedom is likely a powerful territory or region within the story’s world.]

Theodore, who had seemed so relaxed, tapped his foot as he spoke.

“If you wanted to make a point by running away from the Medeste Ducal Family, you could have come to the Imperial Palace.”

To Johann, those words were a clear provocation.

“I also have a rather decent palace where a guest could stay.”

Johann, who had been restraining himself out of consideration for Yurika, was about to retort when Yurika subtly squeezed his thigh, sensing his rising anger.

‘Hmm.’

Theodore narrowed his eyes, observing how Johann, who had seemed ready to explode, instantly calmed down like a trained animal.

It was a fascinating display, as if he were forcibly suppressing his dangerous instincts at Yurika’s slightest touch.

From Yurika’s perspective, it was the only sensible course of action.

She didn’t want to cause Johann any trouble with the Imperial Family because of her.

Yurika, having silenced Johann so easily, sat calmly and replied in a polite but distant tone, signaling that she would handle the situation.

“Well.”

“If I were to stay as your Highness’s guest, your fiancée would be upset.”

It was a subtle way of saying, ‘Don’t flirt with me when you’re already engaged.’

Theodore chuckled.

“Fiancée… well, that’s the situation for now. But…”

Contrary to his pleasant smile, his voice held a hint of intense desire.

“If there’s an easier way to get what you want, wouldn’t you choose it?”

At that moment, a painting fell from the wall with a crash.

Johann’s magic had flared slightly, unable to contain his emotional turmoil.

Even as the frame clattered loudly, Theodore continued speaking without a flicker of surprise.

“Besides, it’s a fake engagement anyway.”

Those words caught both Yurika and Johann off guard.

Wasn’t the engagement announced with great fanfare at the banquet precisely to deceive everyone?

Why would he reveal his hand so easily?

Theodore’s next words were even more unexpected.

“Just like the Hайлard Duke and the Princess are in a fake relationship.”

Yurika felt her heart sink.

She had anticipated and planned for many possibilities, but she had never imagined Theodore would be so direct.

She recalled Lean’s warning from the Hisri Information Guild: that mages are unpredictable and prone to violence, so caution was advised.

‘It was a warning about Johann, but it applies to him as well.’

But even Johann, the most powerful mage she knew, wasn’t acting this recklessly.

She tried to regain her composure and protested with an indignant expression.

“How could you say such insulting things…”

Before she could finish, Theodore cut her off with a bright smile.

“Oh, are you *really* lovers?”

At that mocking question, Johann could no longer restrain himself.

He protectively wrapped his arm around Yurika’s waist, his purple eyes flashing.

“Are you implying it would be acceptable if it were fake?”

His voice was filled with suppressed anger and warning.

Even Yurika, sitting beside him, flinched at the oppressive atmosphere that filled the room.

He added, his expression sharp, like a final warning.

“I don’t know if you’re aware, but you’re being incredibly rude.”

“Rude… well, it *would* be rude if it were real.”

Theodore barely withstood the suffocating pressure, speaking with a deliberately casual tone.

Then, he raised his chin and smiled deeply.

“If you’re truly lovers, then kiss right here, right now.”

Silence descended upon the drawing-room.

Yurika broke the silence, quickly regaining her composure and retorting confidently.

“We *are* real lovers, and regardless, why should we have to prove it to your Highness? This entire conversation is absurd, and I don’t know how much longer I’m expected to endure it.”

Despite Yurika’s rebuttal, Theodore wore a triumphant expression, as if he had anticipated her response.

“See?”

Then, he spat out the challenge.

“You can’t do it, anyway.”

* * *

Meanwhile, at the Medeste Ducal Residence…

Lizzie was quietly hiding in the daffodil field in ‘Yurika’s Garden’.

She had requested some time alone and dismissed everyone around her.

‘Just as I expected.’

Lizzie inwardly cheered at the sound of approaching footsteps.

‘I hear them!’

According to Meriel, ‘Yurika’s Garden’ and ‘Meriel’s Garden’ were adjacent.

Gardens, of course, didn’t have walls or anything like that.

That meant that anyone near the border could overhear conversations in the other garden.

So, Lizzie had sneaked into ‘Yurika’s Garden’ as soon as Crown Prince Roymond arrived at the Medeste Ducal Residence.

‘They said no one has been to Yurika’s Garden all this time.’

Meriel had definitely not given the current Yurika the key to ‘Yurika’s Garden’.

‘So, they wouldn’t suspect that someone could be eavesdropping on their conversation in Meriel’s Garden.’

That’s why she always meets Roymond privately in ‘Meriel’s Garden’, isn’t it?

‘Besides, this time… it seems like there’s some important information.’

When she had glanced earlier, Meriel and Roymond had brought Renat with them.

Who was Renat?

The Medeste Ducal Family’s genius doctor, who had even earned a baronetcy for his groundbreaking research.

Everyone said he was skilled enough to be hired as the Imperial Family’s personal physician.

Lizzie had sensed Renat’s genius during her brief time at the Medeste Ducal Residence.

He quickly treated even the smallest ailments of the numerous servants.

‘But they’re bringing Renat with them…’

Lizzie thought with a smirk.

‘Could Meriel be pregnant?’

A secret meeting with a doctor was something lovers might do.

That was the most significant thing she could imagine.

And if it was that kind of information, Patriarch Thesin would be very pleased.

‘In return… I should ask them to let me stay here.’

Lizzie didn’t believe that Meriel’s pregnancy was particularly valuable information for Thesin.

Regardless, the important thing was that she could secretly obtain even such private information.

‘If they let me continue to stay at the Medeste Ducal Residence as the real Yurika, I can extract high-level information like this.’

It was natural for lovers to share all sorts of stories.

Besides, Meriel doesn’t engage in any major political maneuvering, so Roymond wouldn’t be very cautious.

So, for Thesin, who considers Roymond an enemy, discovering his weaknesses would be a tempting offer.

“Renat, tell me quickly.”

Meriel’s voice drifted through the rustling bushes.

“This is a really safe place, so tell me.”

“Yes, I understand.”

As Renat’s calm voice began to be heard, Lizzie swallowed hard. Her hands were already sweating.

From what she had observed at the Medeste Ducal Residence, Renat was very kind to Yurika.

The talented doctor, renowned as a genius, seemed to do anything Yurika asked.

She had seen him personally create skincare remedies when Yurika requested them.

‘I’m actually jealous… to have such a genius at her beck and call.’

But that’s simply because they interact frequently.

Lizzie reasoned that if she stayed at the Medeste Ducal Residence long enough and befriended Renat, it wouldn’t be difficult to become that close.

Of course, that wasn’t the only thing she envied about Yurika.

Meriel was kind to Lizzie, but she sensed a certain distance.

‘It must be because of the time they’ve spent together.’

Jayden, who fidgeted while looking at Lizzie, was also very aware of Yurika.

When Yurika ran out today, he looked as if he had lost everything.

‘If I live with them for five years, I can become like Yurika.’

A kind and beautiful girl, with a high chance of becoming the Crown Princess in the future, and a friendly older sister.

A wealthy uncle who leads a large trading company and dotes on his nephews.

It was a family dynamic that she couldn’t help but desire.

Of course, Siena, who called her ‘fake’ every time she saw Lizzie, was annoying, but well, she was considered eccentric by everyone, so she could ignore her.

‘Anyway, she ended up leaving the house. Well, the Hайлard Duke is so crazy about her, so she can just keep living there.’

In fact, it was a good thing. If Yurika was well-fed and comfortable, the Medeste Ducal Residence wouldn’t worry about her.

‘Then this will continue to be my place.’

Lizzie’s eyes gleamed as she waited for Meriel and Renat’s words.