I Became A Squirrel Seeking For The Villain Chapter 66

Indeed, Runart continued speaking calmly.

 

“The symptoms Your Highness mentioned earlier are all caused by the petals of the Iarla flower.”

 

“Iarla petals….?”

 

Lizzy frowned.

 

It was an unexpected topic.

 

“Yes. They are typically used in the making of violet-colored paint. Since they only bloom in the western desert, they’re not commonly found in the Empire.”

 

“Ah…. I see.”

 

“But Your Highness has a severe allergy to Iarla petals. Even a small amount mixed in paint can cause a momentary loss of consciousness.”

 

Runart’s calm words continued.

 

“So it’s best if you avoid paintings made with violet-colored paint whenever possible.”

 

‘No, even that small amount can cause such symptoms? What happens if he eats the Iarla flower directly?’

 

‘Wait, so it’s not something like a pregnancy.’

 

‘Actually… this is a huge win!’

 

As Lizzy cheered inwardly, Mariel continued to speak with concern.

 

“Iarla flowers are only used as paints? Does he just have to avoid painting?”

 

“Hmm, in the desert where water is scarce, they use the petals to neutralize the smell of rainwater and brew it into tea. But it doesn’t taste particularly good—it’s more like plain water—so nobody in the Empire really drinks Iarla tea.”

 

Runart pushed up his glasses and explained.

 

“However, if you drink that tea, you will almost collapse helplessly. Of course, you will recover soon, but, naturally, your limbs will stiffen momentarily.”

 

“I see.”

 

Roymond sighed.

 

“I’ll make sure to avoid violet-colored tea while outside the palace. And we’d better keep this matter between us. Viscount Runart, will you keep this secret?”

 

It was only natural that Roymond would say something like that.

 

Now, it’s no different from saying that Runart had just revealed a major weakness of the Crown Prince.

 

If it was a flower from the Western Desert, it wouldn’t be very widely distributed in the Empire, but it wouldn’t be difficult to obtain.

 

Of course, there was no need for anyone else to know.

 

“Yes, of course.”

 

Runart replied calmly, while Mariel smiled brightly and added,

 

“Runart is very discreet. As a doctor, he keeps all patient information confidential. You don’t have to worry about that.”

 

Lizzy silently grinned to herself.

 

A weakness of the Crown Prince.

 

The secret of the High Priest’s most hated political rival!

 

‘Maybe Mariel will even get removed, and I’ll become the successor of Medes!’

 

Lizzy bit her lips hard, her heart pounding.

 

* * *

 

Theodore looked at Yurika and Yohan with a proud face.

 

They pretended to be the sweetest couple in the world, sticking close to each other at the banquet, but their interactions never crossed a line.

 

So he decided to test them.

 

Sure enough, a flicker of discomfort passed across their faces.

 

‘It looks like he hasn’t taken any potions in a long time. And you even used some magic recently?’

 

Although he didn’t show it, Theodore was secretly flinching when the painting fell earlier.

 

That’s the amount of unrefined magic power.

 

But that meant that the magical power was slowly running wild and out of control.

 

Theodore, a wizard, knew all too well how much uncontrollable magic could torment a wizard.

 

‘Let’s stir things up even more.’

 

If Yohan was in that condition, things would be much easier than he had initially expected.

 

If he continues to provoke like that and create an uneasy atmosphere, then he can secretly break the vase next to Yurika and blame it on Yohan.

 

‘At the very least, she won’t feel safe standing next to another man. She’ll avoid him out of fear.’

 

To Theodore, Yurika was already ‘the one I wanted’.

 

That was how wizards were.

 

Their desires came first—nothing else mattered.

 

“A man with a fake fiancée and a woman with a fake lover… sounds like we have something in common.”

 

Theodore looked at Yurika with a deep smile.

 

“There is a deep bond between those who have similar stories. How about we share a deep conversation, Lady?”

 

He leaned in gently and even offered his hand.

 

“Who knows? If we open up to each other, we might be able to exchange what we each truly want.”

 

Theodore was playing his cards.

 

Yurika was wary of Rivena. If the enemy’s fiancé approached her for an alliance? Of course, she’d be curious.

 

‘Come to me, and I’ll make sure you survive.’

 

Though, she’d have to stay tied to his side forever.

 

Just as he could let go of Rivena for his own goals, Yurika might choose him over Yohan to survive.

 

And truthfully, he understood the threats surrounding Yurika far better than Yohan did.

 

Theodore could only think this way because he didn’t know Yurika had eavesdropped on his conversation with Rivena.

 

Besides, wizards had no concept of loyalty. So he didn’t feel any guilt about betraying Rivena.

 

“I’m confident.”

 

Theodore closed his eyes and smiled kindly.

 

“If it’s all fake anyway, wouldn’t being a prince’s fiancée be more beneficial than being the lover of a war hero?”

 

To that, Yohan calmly replied,

 

“Well. I’m not sure that would really help her.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Because before you could be of any help….”

 

The statue at the entrance to the living room fell over with a thud.

 

Yohan’s magical powers were gradually getting out of control.

 

“Before that happens, I wouldn’t let you touch her.”

 

It was a clear provocation and refutation.

 

Theodore flinched at Yohan’s overwhelming presence.

 

“Wait!”

 

Yurika quickly stepped in to diffuse the rising tension.

 

“Yohan and I are not fake lovers. I don’t know why you misunderstood.”

 

There was a loud crash and the sound of a statue breaking. An atmosphere of danger filled the living room.

 

Yurika opened her mouth provocatively.

 

“I can show you if you want.”

 

Then she turned to Yohan, who was next to her.

 

* * *

 

‘Why is this guy like that?’

 

I sighed, inwardly hating Theodore.

 

‘What is happening? Everything should’ve been going smoothly at the Medes estate by now, and yet something completely unplanned is happening here at the Hyrad estate!’

 

Actually, I didn’t think anything would happen here.

 

The trap was set at Medes, so I thought I could relax.

 

But seriously, this was a big deal, and things started to get worse and worse.

 

It was at this point that Yohan began to lose control of his magical powers.

 

When even the statue collapsed from the surge of emotion, I realized that Theodore was deliberately provoking him.

 

‘Wizards, by nature, tend to have a strong sense of possessiveness over divine beasts. But when someone openly tells me to come to them like that…’

 

Of course, if I didn’t know Theodore’s true intentions, it might’ve been a tempting offer.

 

Whatever he wanted from me, I could’ve figured out a way to stab Rivena in the back.

 

But I was well aware that Theodore saw me not as a human, but as a divine beast.

 

‘It’s obvious. He’s definitely going to try to tie me down and make me his possession. How could I trust someone like that?’

 

I had no intention of falling for such provocation.

 

But the problem was Yohan.

 

It seemed he hadn’t taken his calming potion for much longer than expected.

 

I have seen Yohan suffer from magic for a very long time since he was young.

 

So I knew better than anyone what kind of state he must be in now.

 

He was trying to keep a calm face, but it was clear that he was in great pain.

 

‘If he loses control of his emotions and attacks a royal, the backlash from the magical restraints could hit him hard!’

 

But I couldn’t just transform into a squirrel right in front of Theodore.

 

If I wanted to calm Yohan down in human form, I needed more direct contact.

 

That’s when Theodore asked if I could even kiss Yohan.

 

‘I’m sorry, Yohan. But…’

 

So I had no choice but to make an extreme decision—for Yohan’s sake, and to spite Theodore.

 

‘You need to survive, too.’

 

Yohan had even crossed the line with his words.

 

At this rate, it really felt like a full-blown clash with Theodore was inevitable.

 

‘This is probably the best choice for all of us. Well, hopefully.’

 

Thinking back to the sinister expression on Yohan’s face earlier, I did feel a little uneasy, but this was still the best option.

 

“I can show you if you want.”

 

So, after saying something a bit provocative, I leaned in and lightly pressed my lips to Yohan’s.

 

Yohan’s eyes widened in an instant.

 

* * *