I Became A Squirrel Seeking For The Villain Chapter 47

“…What is it?”

 

Of course, one of them flinched and sharply reacted upon seeing me approach confidently.

 

“Ah.”

 

I couldn’t raise my voice because the Emperor was still reciting his congratulatory speech at the highest seat.

 

After receiving the champagne right next to them, I whispered in a calm voice.

 

“It seemed like you were having an interesting conversation.”

 

I didn’t forget to add a refreshing comment to Ella and the young noble ladies, who were now looking at me with dumbfounded expressions.

 

“I can make it more fun for you, and If you have any questions, you can ask me directly.”

 

“W-what…”

 

One of the young ladies who had been speaking enthusiastically, hesitated and dramatically spread her fan wide.

 

It was a nonverbal gesture of high society, expressing deep embarrassment and an unwillingness to associate with someone perceived as uncultured.

 

Well, directly confronting someone like this was indeed considered quite rude in social circles.

 

But today, I planned to be exactly that—rude.

 

I turned to Ella, who was leading this whole conversation and whispered softly.

 

“Whether I’m an orphan or not, I’m still the Duke of Medes’s daughter. You’re being very disrespectful.”

 

“W-what…”

 

“Haven’t you heard that Duke Yohan Hyrad is in love with me? If I become the Duchess of Hyrad in the future, how do you plan to handle this situation?”

 

Even as I said it, I knew it sounded just like something an arrogant, power-drunk noblewoman would say.

 

I smiled brightly and added in an eerie way.

 

“I’ve taken etiquette lessons at the duke’s house. Should I personally teach you some manners?”

 

Suddenly, I remembered what Yohan had said: ‘I think you’ll do really well.’

 

“Ahem!”

 

Indeed, Ella also fanned herself vigorously with a large gesture.

 

And I, feigning surprise at the exaggerated motion, deliberately spilled my champagne.

 

Of course, the champagne spilled right onto the hem of Ella’s dress.

 

“You…!”

 

It was when Ella got angry and glared at me.

 

Naturally, there was a slight delay before she could react properly.

 

After all, the emperor’s speech was ongoing, so causing a commotion wasn’t an option.

 

“Excuse me.”

 

At that moment, someone suddenly approached.

 

It was Rivena.

 

“My name is Rivena Sevs. I apologize for interrupting.”

 

I inwardly smirked.

 

‘That’s right.’

 

‘As expected, the Ella group was a pretty good bait.’

 

‘This is the perfect timing.’

 

As expected, everything was going according to plan, with Rivena approaching on her own.

 

Rivena was Prince Theodore’s partner.

 

In a way, that made her the companion of the most powerful figure present, aside from the emperor himself.

 

Rivena whispered in a small voice to Ella, who had paused for a moment.

 

“His Majesty the Emperor is giving a congratulatory speech now… It would be troublesome for everyone if things became too noisy, don’t you think?”

 

From a distance, Theodore grinned and slightly raised his champagne glass.

 

To anyone who saw it, it seemed like he was sending Rivena as a small warning because things would get too big if he stepped in himself.

 

Of course, Ella immediately bowed her head and answered, “Yes.”

 

Even if they look down on me as a fake duke’s daughter, the head of Medest, Mariel, is known for her gentle nature, so there won’t be a big impact.

 

However, displeasing the prince was another matter.

 

“Of course…I don’t know for sure, but it doesn’t seem like a good idea to say something that will hurt someone’s feelings in front of them.”

 

Rivena said elegantly.

 

“It’s a good day. Let’s have a nice day, saying only good things.”

 

The voice that whispered quietly was gentle.

 

The people around us looked at Rivena with admiration.

 

It was obvious that everyone would think that Theodore’s partner was quite noble.

 

Though it was her first appearance in the capital, she was already being evaluated as strong-willed yet wise.

 

‘Things are going well.’

 

I looked at Rivena with eyes full of kindness like everyone else and smiled with an expression that seemed to have been touched somewhere.

 

‘Some might think my outrageous behavior is only boosting Rivena’s reputation… but that’s exactly what I want.’

 

If I was seen as a rude orphan girl and behaved as rumored, then it was a complete success.

 

‘Go ahead, Rivena. Play your role as the virtuous and wise woman for now.’

 

And then, let’s see how well you handle being on the receiving end.

 

‘You’ll regret spreading such vicious rumors about me.’

 

Clearing my reputation later was something I could easily manage.

 

While I stood there confidently, Rivena quietly raised her hand and called the attendant again.

 

Then, she picked up a champagne glass from the tray and handed it to me.

 

“Lady, please accept this small gesture of goodwill.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

I calmly accepted the glass of champagne that Rivena offered me.

 

Rivena then picked up her own champagne and lightly clinked it against mine.

 

‘I knew it.’

 

A toast meant I was now expected to drink.

 

Because if I don’t drink now, it would be tantamount to ignoring her kindness.

 

‘Rivena is from the temple, sent to eliminate me.’

 

And through that action, I was immediately convinced that Rivena was the one from the temple.

 

Most potions are controlled by the temple.

 

Especially if it’s a potion that can harm people.

 

Just as the Duchess had tried to turn Yohan into a puppet through a potion before, the temple’s fastest way to get rid of me would be through poison.

 

And when the temple uses such a potion, they never rely on outsiders. It’s too risky.

 

A cold sweat ran down my spine.

 

This is because I felt like I was finally facing the true face of the enemy I had only vaguely guessed at.

 

Yet, I continued to smile brightly.

 

It wasn’t difficult to act to this extent.

 

‘Then shall we move on to the next step?’

 

The pink champagne in my glass shimmered.

 

I expected that if they wanted to get rid of me, they would just hang around me and create a situation where they could feed me directly.

 

Of course, it must have been quite difficult up until now.

 

I didn’t go out of the Medes’ house unless it was something special.

 

Moreover, after the Jayden incident, all food and drinks at the estate were thoroughly tested for poison.

 

This banquet, however, was the perfect opportunity.

 

And if Rivena was working with Prince Theodore, it would be effortless for them to manipulate a royal servant.

 

They only needed to ensure a drugged champagne glass ended up in my hands.

 

‘Of course, this poison wouldn’t take immediate effect.’

 

It seemed similar to the potion the Duchess of Hyrad had once intended to use on Yohan.

 

‘Confirmation has to be done quickly.’

 

Perhaps Rivena had planned to create a situation during the banquet in which she would offer me champagne.

 

But I was too busy to wait for that moment.

 

The banquet had a time limit, and I needed to start my counterattack.

 

Rivena was staring at me with gentle eyes as if telling me to drink quickly.

 

From afar, I could sense that Theodore was also watching us.

 

His blue eyes were bright.

 

I stared at the glass quietly and then smiled.

 

“Thank you for your kindness in intervening directly, Lady.”

 

Then, in a soft whisper, I added,

 

“As a token of my gratitude, I’ll offer this champagne to Lady Ella instead.”

 

Smiling even more deeply at Rivena’s slightly surprised expression, I handed the champagne she had given me to Ella.

 

“Here, let’s use this to clear any lingering resentment between us.”

 

Then, as if extending a great favor, I whispered,

 

“Someone made an unnecessary fuss with inappropriate words, but now I’d like to focus on Yohan’s speech.”

 

Ella hesitated slightly and rolled her eyes.

 

She didn’t seem particularly eager to settle any grudges because of my irritating words, but refusing to take the glass would also mean rejecting Rivena.

 

Of course, I didn’t care about Ella’s hesitation.

 

Because my only interest was Rivena.

 

‘Now, what are you going to do?’

 

Although she is smiling, Rivena must also be feeling embarrassed inside.

 

She had already established an image as the “wise and kind partner of the prince” among the onlookers, so she couldn’t just order me to drink in a domineering manner.

 

‘That’s why a good image is dangerous. It’s not easy to change your stance now, right?’

 

I was smirking as I waited to see how she would handle the situation.

 

“Let’s leave it at that.”

 

Suddenly, the gentle voice of a strange man was heard.

 

“I think it’s best if we all follow Lady Medes’s words and focus on His Majesty’s speech now. I’ll take this instead.”

 

It was Prince Theodore who had approached us before we knew it.

 

‘The prince himself is stepping forward like this?’

 

Theodore lightly accepted the champagne I was holding.

 

The moment he took the glass over, his fingers accidentally brushed against mine.

 

For a moment, Theodore’s eyes widened, then narrowed in an instant.

 

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