I Became A Squirrel Seeking For The Villain Chapter 132

“Yurika!”

 

Yohan cried out in surprise.

 

The moment I swallowed the potion, I felt slightly dizzy, as if the strength were draining from my body.

 

But my vision didn’t go down. I just felt a little unwell, that’s all.

 

“It reverses the flow of magic in the body, temporarily causing a sharp decline in complexion. It’s not yet commercially available, but since I developed it myself, I guarantee its safety and effectiveness.”

 

Just like the symptoms Runart had once explained to me long ago when he prescribed it.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

My complexion had only paled a bit, yet Yohan panicked and caught me before I could sway. I blinked and murmured,

 

“…I’m not turning into a squirrel anymore?”

 

Our eyes met.

 

And then, at the same time, we burst out laughing.

 

Although it wasn’t intentional, thanks to Rivena, the situation we both wanted came to be.

 

Yohan is no longer a great wizard, and I no longer turn into a beast.

 

“Wow.”

 

Yohan tried to use magic—but nothing happened. He let out a hearty laugh.

 

“Rivena did something good for us, after all.”

 

My father just looked at us like that, realized what was happening, and just smiled.

 

“I thought it would be difficult… yet things resolved themselves so smoothly…”

 

In the end, what we wanted had come true.

 

I had never chosen to become a divine squirrel.

 

And Yohan had firmly wished to live as an ordinary human rather than as a wizard burdened with pain.

 

Still, it was a bit disappointing because we had accomplished quite a bit as squirrels and wizards.

 

Without those abilities, we might not have resolved everything the way we did.

 

Perhaps sensing my feelings, Father patted my shoulder.

 

“It’s okay, Yurika.”

 

Then he smiled reassuringly.

 

“No matter what happens from now on, I’ll handle it. You two can live peacefully—without ever needing to become a squirrel or a wizard again.”

 

The temple was gone, and Artae, which had used the Medes family for experiments for so long, was gone as well.

 

There was no longer any reason for us to live as a wizard and a divine beast.

 

“You’ve already done everything. It’s late, but please give me a chance to be a parent too.”

 

Father smiled kindly.

 

“Just live in peace, just as the Medes’ ancestors wished.”

 

Those words were so full of sincerity that I couldn’t help but nod.

 

“Let’s do that, Yurika.”

 

Yohan also took my hand and said,

 

“Let’s be together—not as a wizard and a divine beast, but truly as a man and a woman.”

 

I looked at Yohan quietly.

 

Even if that happened… would he still treat me the same?

 

Even if I no longer had calming power, and he was no longer a wizard?

 

He wouldn’t be able to feel that intoxicating sensation Theodore once described.

 

As if reading my thoughts without me saying a word, Yohan whispered softly,

 

“I didn’t even know I was no longer a wizard.”

 

He continued with a grin.

 

“Because just holding your hand still feels just as overwhelmingly good as before.”

 

It was the moment when the remaining anxiety disappeared like melting snow.

 

* * *

 

Our engagement ceremony was quite simple, as we had no time to prepare in the first place.

 

My suggestion that we get engaged ‘the very next day’ after everything that happened at the temple was somewhat impulsive.

 

But I felt that the impulse had helped Yohan shake off the temptation a little, so I insisted that the engagement ceremony be held the next day.

 

Of course, since I had boldly declared, “We’re getting engaged tomorrow!” I intended to keep it simple.

 

Though society had labeled me “the seductress of the century” and “the adopted daughter who indulges in luxury,” I wasn’t actually someone who loved flashy or expensive things.

 

Being surrounded by family and receiving simple congratulations was enough.

 

Unlike Mariel, who had declared her engagement in a flashy manner at a hunting competition, we had a quiet engagement ceremony with our family at the Duke of Medes’s residence.

 

Well, “family dinner” was a bit misleading.

 

Yohan had no family, so it was essentially our family—with Yohan included.

 

We couldn’t even dine long.

 

Father had to go to the palace immediately to interrogate Theodore and Rivena.

 

But then—

 

“This is strange, Yurika.”

 

Mariel, her arm in a cast, tilted her head.

 

“Why are letters and gifts pouring in from everywhere?”

 

Somehow, the nobles of the capital sent us all kinds of gifts and congratulatory letters, congratulating us on our engagement.

 

“I guess they’re probably trying to look good, you know.”

 

I answered while eating.

 

“I’ve gone from ‘the adopted daughter who indulges in luxury’ to ‘the real second daughter who indulges in luxury.’ And the Medes ducal family’s prestige is only going to rise. On top of that, I’m marrying the Duke of Hyrad. Of course, they’d want to curry favor.”

 

“That must feel unfair,”

 

Mariel muttered, staring at the mountain of gifts.

 

“That’s not even your personality…”

 

“Well.”

 

Instead, I shrugged, my eyes sparkling as I glanced over the expensive presents.

 

“Looking at it this way, it’s not exactly a bad outcome.”

 

Runart quietly muttered something like, “The wealthy are always worse…” beside me, but I pretended not to hear and changed the subject.

 

“Ah, Runart. So you’re going back to the academy now?”

 

“Yes. I’ve repaid my debt, after all.”

 

Now that my mother had fully recovered, the original reason Runart came to the Medes’ estate had disappeared.

 

From our perspective, there was no need to hold back a once-in-a-century genius.

 

“I plan to focus on research with peace of mind now. Especially after working on temple-related studies this time—it was fascinating. I’d like to continue researching calming potions as well.”

 

Because the temple was completely destroyed, the calming potion also floated away.

 

It seemed like it wouldn’t be a bad idea for Runart to study potions more diligently and transfer them to the medical field.

 

Of course, since Yohan was no longer a wizard, he would never need a calming potion again, but it would be necessary for other wizards.

 

I smiled and made eye contact with Yohan, who was looking at me with a more relaxed expression than ever.

 

“Anyway, congratulations on your engagement.”

 

Runart said politely during the meal. Then, glancing at the pile of gifts beside me, he added with a grin, “Modest, yet not modest at all.”

 

I wasn’t particularly interested in abusing power—but I had no intention of refusing gifts, either.

 

“Still, without even a ring…” Father muttered with slight disappointment.

 

For a moment, I remembered the growling tiger behind his kindly smile—but for the sake of everyone’s peace, I said nothing.

 

“We’re going to pick one out together now,”

 

Yohan said with a smile.

 

“Well, the order of things in Yurika’s life hasn’t exactly been traditional, so I think this much is fine.”

 

There was no ill intent in his words.

 

If we were honest, we’d shared our first kiss before officially dating.

 

And hadn’t we lived together at the Hyrad ducal estate long before marriage, when we were very young?

 

Since even the order of “being cared for by parents” had been reversed, Father could say nothing further.

 

“By the way.”

 

My father looked into my eyes and said.

 

“Now I’m going to enter the palace and decide what to do next. Yurika, is there anything you particularly wish for?”

 

He was asking about the punishment for Rivena and Theodore, who had been captured on the spot.

 

“Because His Majesty the Emperor himself said that he would leave the matter to us.”

 

My father said he would handle all the messy, unpleasant matters himself, and that I didn’t need to come to the palace.

 

So if there was any specific punishment I wanted, I should tell him now.

 

“As long as they receive lawful punishment. According to the rules. However…”

 

I set down my utensils and spoke calmly.

 

“Please let me meet Rivena in person.”

 

* * *