I Married the Beautiful Female Protagonist In Order To Survive

24. Deep Sorrow in the Deep Pacific

That kind of “big news” that happened that night, enough to turn the Great British Empire inside out, was finally suppressed very ordinarily under Fiora’s insistence. After all, Queen Louise III’s power wasn’t just for show. If she said everyone should “pretend they didn’t see it,” who among the nobles present would dare to speak up?

So, without exception, she’d plaster on a smile, assure them that the night had never happened.

This way, putting aside Mel, who possessed immunity thanks to her elven status, at least Zerola shouldn’t encounter any trouble, right? Tsk… why am I even thinking about this again!?

Filora rolled over in bed, utterly devoid of her usual composure, prudence, and grace. She even appeared a bit listless and despondent. She hadn’t been to the academy for days, barely even leaving her room. Just thinking about what happened that night sent her soul wandering into prolonged contemplation, until someone or something came along to “wake” her.

Risking being hunted down by the entire empire, just to tell herself some vapid nonsense, inciting her to slap him in a fit of pique? Casual freedom was one thing, but why was Zerola so free that he dared to put his very future on the line?

She didn’t know, couldn’t… fathom it.

Well, she probably wouldn’t have to think about it anymore anyway. If nothing else went wrong, she wouldn’t be going back to the academy. What awaited her were the “future” arrangements prepared by her brother Henry. In times like these, Councilwoman Mel was likely flaunting her assets in front of Zerola, wasn’t she? She felt… a slight unease.

The next moment, Filora’s bedroom door opened from the outside, a sliver of light illuminating the dim interior, revealing two familiar figures: her sister the Queen and her brother Henry. Her sister was here. No matter what, she couldn’t keep pretending to be dead, clutching her pillow. Filora mustered a bit of energy and immediately sat up.

Then, she saw Henry’s wry smile, and her sister, looking equally helpless, rubbing her forehead.

“Like this, you truly seem unwell.”

“What are you worried about here, Filora? We haven’t pursued the matter, and he hasn’t left. He’s still at the academy.”

“It’s fine for you, lying in bed for days, are you not afraid of rumors popping up?”

Their back-and-forth completely exposed all of Filora’s “little stubbornnesses”, which ultimately manifested as a defiant huff as she shrank back into bed, turning into a caterpillar.

“I won’t, and I don’t need to go anymore. There’s no point.”

After all… she had landed a solid slap on the guy that night. How could she face him now? What could she even say?

Besides, she hadn’t shown her face for days, coinciding with the aftermath of “that kind of thing” on that night. Perhaps… Councilwoman Mel had gleefully seized the opportunity, taking advantage of his heartache to “claim” him.

At that thought, Filora became even more unwilling to move. Her entire behavior could be summarized in a single word: self-abandonment.

Just then, Henry III’s voice made Filora peek out from behind her pillow.

“Not going? Then don’t go. I’m here to tell you that ‘the matter’ has been postponed.”

“What!?”

Filora sat up straight. “But… that was already decided. I have to…”

“Under normal circumstances, of course, it’s ‘have to’, but don’t you think about the current situation? After what happened that night, just appeasing and silencing the nobles who were present is troublesome enough. How could we possibly arrange your future during such a sensitive time?”

“Besides, it’s not just you. I here… ouch… ahem!”

There seemed to be some commotion coming from Henry’s direction, but when Filora looked over, she only saw the same two respected adults, her elders.

“So, what do you want to do, Filora?”

The option of “freedom” had arrived, but Filora felt a little lost. After all, when a predetermined path is suddenly disrupted, and countless freely selectable branches appear, Filora… was at a loss.

Immediately, Filora naturally recalled what he had said that night, right before she slapped Zerola.

He wanted her to make a free choice, but… how could she be as unconstrained as him, disregarding her status and doing whatever she pleased? Even if it was just temporary “freedom,” it was still an enormous problem.

“Filora~”

The next moment, Queen Louise III’s voice rang out, “If you feel helpless, why not let your sister give you some advice?”

“!”

That sentence alone stilled the wavering in Philola’s heart. “Please, Royal Sister, decide for me.”

Truly, entrusting herself to her Royal Sister’s arrangements offered a greater peace. Or rather, wasn’t this the very life she had always known? To fulfill the duties befitting her station within the Great Ying Empire, according to her Royal Sister’s directives—the most ordinary path, the common choice, for one of royal blood such as herself.

Yet…

Fate, or something very like it, shifted course in that very next moment.

“The arrangement I have made, Royal Sister, is to create an opportunity. One for you… to make a choice, yourself, free from regret.”

“Wh… Royal Sister!?”

She looked up, startled, only to see her Royal Sister, Louise III, exchanging a glance with Henry III, a silent understanding passing between them. Louise III continued, “You wish to make an arrangement? I shall, of course, provide one. And Henry, you will prepare whatever is necessary for Philola to carry out this arrangement, yes?”

“Of course, Your Majesty, but… perhaps this is a bit much.”

“What? Are you worried for your honor?”

“No, it merely feels… awkward.”

“If I am not concerned, why should you be? Put your mind at ease and proceed.”

Their exchange, steeped in an undeniably “strange” atmosphere, was a complete enigma to Philola! The only thing she knew for certain was this: no matter what she chose, even if! even if! perchance! she could reconcile with Zerola, forgetting that night and returning to how they once were…

Her future was merely “delayed,” the duties and obligations she must fulfill remained unyielding. Even if Zerola could stage a dramatic rescue, sweeping her away, could he… could he possibly do it again?

Some things, they weren’t so easily thwarted, not even with a handful of allies. Her fate had been sealed from the beginning. If…

If the “arrangement” her Royal Sister had spoken of could allow Zerola to finally let go, all the better.

Then… perhaps the guilt and self-reproach would not weigh so heavily upon her heart.

Philola remained, silently clenching her fist, long after Louise III and Henry III had departed.

It was the same hand that had struck Zerola across the face earlier.

—

(Author’s Note: The Madam’s character art has been updated above. Why the question marks? Does a daughter not resemble her mother? Does she resemble the father instead?)