I Became A Squirrel Seeking For The Villain – Chapter 74

Author: Chewyy

Theodore must have known that I was with Yohan.

Perhaps he can even guess that Yohan’s magical powers would enable me to become human?

But he isn’t planning to run off with me to some remote countryside to live in hiding—so what is he thinking…?

And why is he spouting lines like Tezen? Everyone who wanted a divine beast said the same kind of thing.

Furthermore, the words were all the same.

‘Wait.’

I gasped, my mouth falling open as a sudden thought struck me.

After thinking about Tezen, I was able to make a fairly reasonable conclusion.

‘He’s taking me to the Imperial Palace!’

A chill ran down my spine.

If he takes me there and marks me with the royal seal, I’ll never be able to leave.

Just like when I was first marked with the seal of the Hyrad Family.

Realistically, I’d have to contact Roymund somehow to erase the seal—but is that even possible?

If a squirrel suddenly appeared and blocked his path, I felt like the guard would just sweep me away with a broom without a second glance.

‘And this crazy guy clearly plans to keep me locked up.’

At least I had freedom in Duke Hyrad’s house, but with this level of obsession, I was sure he’d never let me outside.

There’d be even less chance of escaping the palace than that remote tower.

‘What should I do?’

The only one who knew I’d disappeared was Yohan.

Because Yohan’s eyes never left me until I gestured at him from the window.

So Yohan must have noticed that I was gone.

Did he also notice the second prince disappeared in all the commotion?

‘But Yohan can’t use magic on the royal family.’

I had no choice but to escape before reaching the palace, but I was having a hard time even controlling my shaking body, let alone escaping.

Then Theodore’s voice was heard.

“If you don’t want to live your whole life trapped as a squirrel…”

Of course, I don’t like it!

Suddenly, I remembered the remote tower where I had spent time with Yohan in the past.

Even in that tower, I had a faint suspicion that ‘Is he going to trap me like he did to Meriel?’.

But at the same time, I thought to myself, ‘How can I have such doubts about Yohan just because he’s a wizard?’

‘I’m such a piece of trash.’

Looking at Theodore, it seemed that wizards were truly crazy.

When I struggled to show how much I hated this, he added darkly,

“Then how about marrying me?”

Oh my goodness, you think marriage is something you decide alone?

It was so absurd that the strength in my front paws that were barely holding on to the pocket gave out.

“You don’t have to stay a squirrel forever, you know.”

At that, I really did lose strength in my paw.

‘What is this bastard saying…’

“If you do well, you can become the empress of this empire. I will give you the highest position.”

Ah, so just because he’s kidnapping me doesn’t mean he’s giving up the throne.

“No one else could satisfy me like you do, so you don’t have to worry about me seeking other women.”

Excuse me? What about my satisfaction?

When I kicked hard to show how much I opposed him, Theodore just chuckled.

“Well, then try living as a squirrel in my room until you change your mind.”

As expected, we’re going to the palace!

My eyes became dizzy.

The palace wasn’t even that far from here.

At full speed, we’d probably be there soon.

And once inside the palace, even Yohan could not easily enter.

Now, all I could do was hope Yohan was following us.

There’s no way Yohan would let Theodore get away with this.

But Theodore was still royalty, and Yohan could be arrested for harming a royal.

Then Theodore continued in his eerie tone,

“Once you wear my seal.”

Oh god. He really plans to engrave the seal!

I suddenly remembered the seal of Hyrad that had been attached to me like chains, and my breathing became ragged. It was truly terrifying.

Desperate, I started smacking him with my tiny paws from inside his pocket.

It wasn’t a big hit, but I wanted to vent my anger.

“What a violent little squirrel.”

Theodore continued, chuckling.

“But it’s fine. Divine beasts are blindly loyal to wizards anyway.”

“Kyuuuung!”

Is this how you treat a loyal being?!

“You know,”

Theodore whispered, sounding pleased,

“The feeling of being soothed by a divine beast—it’s more euphoric than anything else. A single moment of pure calm for someone who is always in pain”

“Kyuuung!”

“Oh? You already know?”

When I shouted in discontent, Theodore chuckled.

“Right. You can’t help but notice that Yohan Hyrad is so desperate for you. Right?”

I stopped struggling for a moment.

Now Theodore was putting himself on the same level as Yohan.

Suddenly, I felt a surge of resistance, but something made me stop.

‘Maybe… they’re not that different?’

I first met them both as a divine beast. My calming ability soothed them.

The last time I kissed Yohan, he looked like he was almost in heaven.

“It’s only natural that wizards would compete for excellent divine beasts.”

No matter how noble a prince or war hero they were, they were helpless before my powers.

Maybe Theodore sensed my hesitation because he continued proudly,

“Do you think Yohan Hyrad clings to you like a loyal dog for any other reason? To a wizard, a divine beast is absolute. Even if we stay still, we will always suffer.”

‘Loyal dog…’ That phrase struck a nerve.

Because it echoed a doubt I’d had about Yohan.

The more he was kind to me, the more attractive he became.

Even though it made sense that he wanted me nearby because of my calming power, something about that always bothered me.

Maybe… I felt hurt.

No, more than just feeling hurt, this was actually something I had been afraid of for a long time.

The closer I got to him, the more strange feelings I had for him, the more it bothered me.

What if I like him as a man, but he likes me as a divine beast?

When my movements stopped for a moment, Theodore even giggled as if he found it really funny.

“That guy wants to keep you close out of affection…”

Yohan’s affection had always felt special.

But something about Theodore’s words—that it could all be calculated—really irritated me.

Even though I was the one who approached him first, for mutual benefit.

But before I knew it, I felt so close to him that I cried in front of him at banquets.

That’s why I hated the idea that Theodore and Yohan, who wanted me, might be essentially the same.

“Kyuung.”

“So think about it carefully. If you have to choose between guys who are all obsessed with you anyway, wouldn’t the next emperor be the better option?”

Oh, please.

Anyone would think he’s already the crown prince.

Even with the high priest being arrested right before his eyes, he hasn’t given up hope for the throne— that much is clear.

“I was the first person you calmed down.”

He spoke with a voice thick with possessiveness.

“Even though I messed up at the temple, the first wizard who could’ve claimed you — that was me.”

That’s also really horrible.

Anyone can see that it is an unhealthy obsession and a forced one-sided emotion.

“Well, I suppose Yohan Hyrad might come chasing after you like crazy. Looks like he even used magic.”

But there was one thing Theodore hadn’t figured out.

Yohan wasn’t even taking the calming potion.

So it was going to be much more painful than he expected.

In any case, it meant that Theodore also expected that Yohan might chase after him, and that he would stamp me with his seal as soon as he arrived at the palace.

Even if he gets caught along the way, Yohan won’t be able to use magic on Theodore.

It was disadvantageous to Yohan in many ways. On top of that, there was a gap in social status!

‘Don’t come after me, Yohan. I’m smart. I can take care of myself.’

The road ahead looks very dark for now, though.

“Kyuuung.”

Theodore chuckled as if he had read my concern.

“There’s nothing I can do. When the divine beast calmed the wizard, I should have been prepared for that much obsession.”

That was an unfair comment.

If anything, Theodore’s obsession was more annoying than Yohan’s.

But I didn’t even remember calming Theodore down! So why do I have to be prepared to be kidnapped?!

“Don’t worry.”

Theodore continued in a voice laced with madness.