I Married the Beautiful Female Protagonist In Order To Survive

20. I am Cat, You are Dog; Neither of Us are Human

Zerola felt this might be his most pathetic “entrance” yet.

Because everything aligned with his own investigations and the intel provided by Merl: a certain Henry III, an impossibly-handsome “Prince Charming,” had returned to the Imperial Capital, and his purpose for returning… most definitely, was to pursue Filora.

Could *that* be tolerated?!

It seemed like a normal person would have to swallow it down, but Zerola knew Filora’s social circle intimately. The high-born Ice Queen’s “relationships” had *never* included this Henry III, if anything they merely knew each other!

Ah… merely “knew each other,” and then a logical coupling? Was this responsibility, or compromise?

Was it *fair*?

All such questions were cast aside. Though appearing pathetic, without any flashy effects, aided by no grandiose persona, even having to rely on an elf who shouldn’t have needed to be there…

Reaching this place was enough! Zerola brushed off the strange gazes of those around him, his vision focused solely on Filora’s shocked expression, though… it vanished quickly – Zerola had no time to think.

Merl, at his side, began to speak. The same ease she displayed when facing the actual Queen of Greater Anglia and the whole gaggle of “betters,” clearly announced this elf’s exceptional status.

Regret? Not quite, Zerola only felt a pang of annoyance: Merl was “showing off,” and he’d incurred a debt to her that would be difficult to repay.

“Good evening, Your Majesty, Queen of Greater Anglia. You are likely already aware of my identity from the notifications, yes? I am Merl, Student Council President of the Imperial Royal Academy. I am also able to represent the Kingdom of Prussia in congratulating your subject, Henry III, on his triumphant return. After all… we Elves hold the barbarians of the Russian Empire in similar contempt. To give them a lesson is most welcome.”

“…Thank you.”

The Elf’s arrival was “uninvited,” but the reasoning was sound, and the objective clear. There was no way to turn her away at this point. In the next instant, prompted by… instinct, Queen Louisa III recognized something else – the figure accompanying the elf.

He did not appear to be one of the rare male elves. Rather, a standard, garden-variety citizen of Greater Anglia.

“However… the gentleman at your side…”

“Ah~ That is Zerola, also an Academy student, and… you might say, a friend of we elves. He carries the title of honorary citizen, you see~”

The title of “foreign citizen” of the Prussian Kingdom of Elves was notoriously difficult to obtain. Who could blame the Elves for their xenophobia? So, though this status conferred little practical benefit – other than perhaps making it easier to find an elven wife – it was enough to draw attention.

Louisa III gazed at Zerola with renewed interest, and then strangely realized…

The man hadn’t even glanced at her. His eyes had been drifting towards Filora from the very start. Hmm… if she recalled correctly, her cousin had occasionally mentioned a bothersome man she’d met at the Academy. Could it be…?

Before Queen Louisa III could untangle the thought, Merl had already cleared the way for Zerola.

After all, he was the main event of the evening’s “news”, and whatever he did, it needed to be “quick, precise, and incisive.”

“Furthermore, beyond congratulating Lord Henry III, we have other matters to discuss this evening, matters we would like to share with your cousin, Filora, who is behind you.”

His gaze drifted to Filora, taking in her expression of disbelief and continuing shock.

“Filora, what is wrong? Are our appearances a surprise? I may have hinted at my true identity, yes? So, our presence here tonight should not be unusual, surely?”

Quietly quelling the less generous thoughts that threatened to surface, she focused on the one remaining emotion: envy. Only by doing so could Merl prevent herself from uttering any impolitic words.

“Incidentally… you’ve dressed quite beautifully today. Seeing you like this… it’s all become rather fitting, hasn’t it?”

If the roles were reversed, *I* wouldn’t be as stiff and timid as you, unable to break free from the confines of my station…

So then, Zerola, my duty ends here. Now… it’s up to you.

Everyone present had long been captivated by Zerola, standing there in the center. Suspicion, astonishment, displeasure… a medley of gazes, but strangely enough: Zerola felt that his own emotions were surprisingly “simple,” utterly simple.

Perhaps it was because: this occasion, the status of everyone around him, and everything concerning Philora, was so overwhelmingly “distant” and “lofty,” that he simply couldn’t muster any nervousness?

Come to think of it: he was just a worthless pauper, not even knowing who his parents were, merely raised by the black-clad old man who’d adopted him, told he had some talent, some potential, and then unceremoniously booted him into the Royal Academy.

Before that, Zerola hadn’t even grasped what “levels” and “stages” meant, constantly being berated as a “noob, thinking you can be some dragon-slaying protagonist?”

Could someone with such an origin, practically “sprung from a stone,” really hope to reach that goddess, so high above?

Zerola himself didn’t know, but one thing he *could* be sure of: he was the only one who could tell Philora a certain “truth,” even if that truth might not even be “correct” for a lady of her stature.

Then… let it roar out, with the utmost force! Deliver the proof that you may never have another chance to offer.

A confession, if it’s not grandiose, what’s the point!!?

Hiss…

“Philora! I love youuu!”

Zerola used a voice that almost tore his throat, roaring it out, then had no time to worry about the stunned silence that fell over the room, and continued to bellow.

“I really do! Not in some simp-ish way!”

“It doesn’t matter if you answer! I just suddenly felt like adding that!”

“And… I need to tell you! Fulfill a ‘duty’ my ass, marry Henry Whatever-number-he-is, my ass!”

“Swans shouldn’t be caged! You have the right to pursue your own desires! Anyone who dares to use some dogshit engagement to stop you! I’ll hold them down, make them eat dogshit, and smear it all over their face!”

*This*… was Zerola’s purpose in coming here, to cause a “major scandal.”

That damn Henry the Third wants to defile Philora, just to carry on some tradition?

Hah! Does he deserve her? Does he deserve even a shred of her!?

Prince Charming? *Pfft!*

If he’s a toad, then he…

Is nothing more than a frog!

We’re all nobodies anyway! Why even bother chasing after a “goddess”!?

*I recently finished drawing Lady’s character art, everyone, please support me with monthly tickets~*