I Became A Squirrel Seeking For The Villain Chapter 49

“I don’t know. It’s clear that he wants to harm me along with Rivena….”

 

Theodore’s demeanor changed abruptly when our hands accidentally touched.

 

I was quite nervous because there were some unexpected variables.

 

On top of that, he suddenly asked for my name and said something really awkward like saying ‘I’ll see you next time.’

 

Anyway, my first dance with Yohan is over.

 

The first dance was usually performed with a partner, so it was the moment when people were just beginning to interact with each other.

 

Of course, the way people looked at us wasn’t exactly kind.

 

Everyone was staring at Yohan with an expression that seemed to say,

 

‘Even during His Majesty’s speech, he looked as if he had swallowed something bitter, and now he’s grinning like an idiot in front of Yurika Medes. He’s completely lost it.’

 

Naturally, I also caught glimpses of faces that practically screamed, ‘Just as the rumors said, Yurika Medes is a complete disgrace!’

 

“Honestly, Lady Ella’s assessment seems completely accurate?”

 

“Oh my, the Medes Duchy must have brought in a real troublemaker.”

 

“How did she even become the partner of the Duke of Hyrad?”

 

“Well, seducing a duke who has only known the battlefield couldn’t have been that hard. Maybe she even stole her sister’s fiance….”

 

“If that’s the case, it won’t last long. There are plenty of women in the capital far superior to that fake!”

 

For a brief moment, I could hear the scandalous gossip about me.

 

I gently patted Yohan’s hand, signaling him to hold back his anger.

 

‘That’s something that can be easily resolved later anyway.’

 

I smiled as I watched Rivena adjusting her clothes.

 

‘Probably now.’

 

Now was the perfect time for Rivena to attract people’s attention.

 

It was finally time to use my terrible reputation to my advantage.

 

And just as I expected, Theodore cleared his throat and stood in the middle of the banquet hall, leading Rivena.

 

“Now, to all of you who are enjoying the banquet, I have some good news to share.”

 

Since many people were curious about Rivena, who was a completely new face, attention was immediately drawn to her.

 

Furthermore, thanks to her earlier intervention between me and Ella, she had already left a strong first impression as a ‘wise and calm’ woman.

 

“I have found a wonderful partner and wish to announce my engagement.”

 

‘Had he already arranged this with the Emperor?’

 

The Emperor smiled approvingly from afar and nodded.

 

After all, who would object if an illegitimate prince from a remote region who had never attracted anyone’s attention were to get engaged to a woman who wouldn’t cause any problems?

 

The Empress and Crown Prince Roymond looked slightly surprised when they first heard the news of the engagement, but neither showed much interest.

 

“My fiancée is Lady Rivena of Count Sevs. She has experience running a famous merchant group in the East, so if you are interested, please come talk to her.”

 

People looked at Rivena with admiring faces.

 

After that brief engagement announcement, people approached Rivena to ask her about her experience running a merchant.

 

I took a deep breath. It was my turn to step forward.

 

* * *

 

The Eastern regions were less affected by the war since they bordered the peaceful Kingdom of Leti, which had used the empire as a shield for its stability.

 

Now that the war was over, social events were finally resuming, and people were gradually turning their attention to luxury goods.

 

If Rivena could establish herself as a trendsetter in high society, it would open the doors to immense financial gain.

 

Her disguise as the daughter of a wealthy Eastern merchant family was a calculated move.

 

‘The post-war social scene is a goldmine. Trends will start emerging for the first time, and all we have to do is create the right moment for that.’

 

Money was essential to maintaining power.

 

Rivena planned to dominate high society quickly, securing both wealth and influence.

 

As the fiancée of a prince who was soon to expand his political reach, she had the perfect title.

 

With money, she could fund the temple, support Theodore, and solidify her place in the social circle, all while orchestrating Yurika’s downfall.

 

Making a member of the imperial family other than the crown prince the next emperor was a very big deal.

 

However, now Crown Prince Roymond was taking a path that was completely against the temple.

 

Therefore, from the temple’s point of view, they decided to support Theodore even if it meant spending a lot of money.

 

‘Somehow, I’m certain that Yurika is a divine beast.’

 

Rivena was even more convinced after seeing Yurika in person.

 

‘Otherwise, why would she be so cautious?’

 

Not only did she rarely leave her house, but even the household’s food supply was meticulously controlled.

 

‘She seems smarter and more perceptive than I thought. This could turn into a long battle.’

 

Now, with Yohan constantly by her side, the temple had almost no chance of making a move against her directly.

 

‘But that’s only possible if she has the surname Medes.’

 

Everyone knew she was an orphan—not officially adopted through legal means, but brought in due to the Duchess of Medes’s mental instability.

 

If several noble families conspire to frame her, the weak-hearted Mariel Medes will have no choice but to kick her out in the name of public opinion.

 

After that, it would be easy.

 

Without the protection of a noble family, getting rid of Yurika would be effortless.

 

The reason Rivena hasn’t touched Yurika until now is because she is the daughter of the Duke of Medes.

 

To create that situation, Rivena herself stepped in and went as far as to have a false engagement with Theodore.

 

She had to dominate this first victory banquet and establish herself as the new social sensation.

 

“Leather products are popular in the East right now.”

 

Now it’s time to start leading the trend by providing business information related to the latest trends in the East to those who are coming.

 

The temple and Theodore’s faction had already stockpiled Eastern leather products in preparation for that moment.

 

Just as Rivena signaled her maid to bring out a luxurious leather handbag—

 

“Yohan!”

 

Yurika shouted in a confident voice.

 

“I want to get engaged too. Can we?”

 

The eyes of the people who were looking at Rivena turned to Yurika.

 

Yurika added with a grin.

 

“I just decided on an engagement gift.”

 

It was natural that people’s attention was immediately focused on Yurika.

 

Theodore and Rivena had just made a formal engagement announcement, while Yurika and Yohan seemed to be discussing the idea for the first time.

 

Furthermore, the contrast between Rivena and Yurika piqued the crowd’s interest in different ways.

 

While Rivena was a ‘capable noblewoman from the East’ who seemed like a perfect match for the prince, Yurika was an orphan of unknown origin who was fortunate enough to become Medes’s adopted daughter.

 

But even if the first case was due to luck, what about the second?

 

Yohan Hyrad, a war hero hailed across the empire, had chosen her.

 

He was the true star of the banquet, even if he didn’t care for the attention.

 

But the war hero broke off his engagement to Mariel, one of the most beautiful women in the empire, and is now in love with the adopted daughter.

 

Even Yurika was now wearing quite flashy and expensive jewelry, meaning that she was actually living like a wealthy noble.

 

The first thought that came to people’s minds when they saw her was, ‘Could this really be just luck?’

 

Maybe she has an incredible charm?

 

Or was she truly so cunning that she could manipulate and sway powerful figures?

 

There were rumors that she was a woman who didn’t know her place—but that only meant she had a background intriguing enough to capture attention.

 

If she were someone ordinary, no rumors would have spread so quickly.

 

“No way.”

 

While everyone was focusing on Yurika and Yohan, Ella spoke quickly.

 

“She’s pretty and charming, which is enough to keep her as a lover. But there’s no way the Duke of Hyrad, unless he’s a fool, would actually get engaged to her.”

 

Most people who heard that nodded in agreement.

 

“Right. They’re both still young—there’s no way they’d get engaged after only meeting a few times.”

 

“Besides, the Duke of Hyrad’s value is only going to rise from here on out…”

 

“He hasn’t even fully debuted in high society yet. He’ll probably just follow her for a while…”

 

But in complete contrast to such mutterings, Yohan smiled and declared immediately.

 

“If you want to get engaged, of course I will.”

 

Even Yohan looked ecstatic.

 

“I told you to get married right away, but you were the one who said no.”

 

At those words, people held their breath again.

 

No, they were already talking about marriage!

 

“You said you wanted to marry after your sister.”

 

At those words, Mariel, who was with Crown Prince Roymond, opened her eyes wide and shouted loudly.

 

“Yurika, you can’t get married! You haven’t even known him that long! Besides, you said your ideal type was someone kind and gentle. You’re totally blinded by infatuation right now—take more time to think about this!”

 

* * *