I Married the Beautiful Female Protagonist In Order To Survive

32. Since you’re so keen on playing, I’ll play along.

Seeing Zerola’s expression before her, that almost-cry, almost-smile, Filora wanted to laugh, but her heart was heavy. Complicated. It finally escaped as a sigh, and she tossed the handkerchief beside her at Zerola’s sullen face.

“A grown man crying in front of a woman, don’t you feel ashamed? Take it! Don’t bother returning it, I’ll consider it dirty.”

Then, she rolled her eyes at the tall, imposing figure before her, acting like a blubbering girl, and said, “I don’t even know what you’re crying about. After hearing Brother Henry’s explanation, shouldn’t you be grinning from ear to ear?”

“Gu… ga… So, aren’t I smiling right now, wuu…”

“Tch…”

Having just woken up, Filora felt a headache coming on. “Then why are you crying?!”

“I want to punch myself. If I hadn’t said those things to you in the first place, making you misunderstand, maybe none of this would have happened…”

“Enough.”

Now, Filora finally understood the root of the disgusting, twisted face, neither crying nor laughing.

“If I were truly going to blame you, it wouldn’t be my place to do so. You would already be in the Queenie’s custody, facing her inquiry.”

“This kind of thing… it was an accident no one could have foreseen. I, you, Queenie, none of us could have known. So, I was simply making my own choices, facing consequences. You bear no responsibility and don’t need to come grovelling over like a lovesick puppy to take the blame…”

In the next instant, Filora noticed Zerola’s face had grown noticeably more serious. Familiar words slipped out.

“But, if you wish it, I want to have responsibility.”

“!”

Instinctively, Filora recalled the words Zerola had uttered when she discovered he was hiding his true strength, trailing behind her: *If you wish it…*

Then, isn’t it clear what she wished? Even after all that had happened, it was just a “larger interlude.”

“Zerola, what I must do, will not change.”

Because a decision is not swayed by obstacles on its path.

The body, though it had known rest for days, remained stiff. Still, Filora pushed herself up, coming to stand beside Zerola, who remained rooted. Good that he seemed simpleminded now; at least he wouldn’t be yelling and jumping around later.

At least…things wouldn’t be so…

“Awkward.”

The thought barely formed before Filora found herself kissing him. Was it because she had only just woken, her mind still clouded? This was something she would absolutely never do under normal circumstances. Yet, having acted, she found herself surprisingly unashamed.

If anything, she was thinking: couldn’t this man have spared a moment to wash himself in all this time? This…this ‘first’ kiss, so incredibly important to every woman! This ‘first’ kiss! Wasted on him in this wretched, smelly state!

And, even though she initiated it, why did he look even more miserable than before?

“…Could you at least look happy?”

Zerola stretched his face into a semblance of a “happy” smile.

“Never mind, just don’t be happy. It’ll give me nightmares.”

Filora lay back down.

Truthfully, Filora had half-expected him to break into a happy dance, some kind of ecstatic fit, after that kiss. But…Zerola’s reaction had been far more ordinary, more…solemn than she’d anticipated.

As if, he was unworthy.

“Filora, did you get a good look at who attacked you? Their appearance, identity, anything?”

And just like that, the kiss…was simply passed over by Zerola. The sudden shift left Filora feeling disoriented.

“Not really. All I know is: female, wearing a maid’s uniform, and the weapon they used was very…unique. Uh…just picture her dragging an entire string of coins as she skips along.”

The words barely left her lips before Filora’s still-foggy brain caught up, and she hastily added, “Wait, Zerola, the Empire will send people to investigate. You don’t need to…”

But it was too late.

Filora finally understood what exactly had “changed” in Zerola. It was…this.

“I understand. I’ll find someone who can tell me more. Don’t worry, Filora, I’m not going to hide from this. Not only that, I’m going to find them, male or female, beat them half to death, and make them return everything they stole from you, with interest.”

Filora wasn’t sure whether to be happy or worried. But she finally understood why Zerola, like those other suitors, had been so persistent, yet she had never grown to dislike him, never driven him away…

Zerola differed from those sycophants. He was shameless, yet…genuinely willing to risk his life for the person he cared about. He proved, with his actions, that it was more than empty words.

If…if he had Henry’s background, perhaps…Henry wouldn’t even be in the picture. Of course, his current status wasn’t so bad either. At least…he wouldn’t attract the unwanted attention of other women.

“So, I’m sorry, Filora, even if I have the chance, I might not be able to visit as often for a while.”

“…”

That attacker was beyond anything you could handle, she wanted to say. But seeing the seriousness in Zerola’s expression, Filora ultimately remained silent, seeing him off.

At that moment, time itself seemed to pause around Filora.

And our perspective returns, beyond the chessboard.

First to greet my eyes is the smiling face of Horus, the “Hope Fairy,” though…what could once be described as a somewhat “quirky smile” now, knowing Horus’s true nature, could only be interpreted as… mocking me.

“Hee hee hee, still trying to salvage it? Still going to keep pushing on?”

After all, this fairy possessed “two sides,” showcasing them, shifting between them, one moment encouraging, the next striking down.

“Hold onto your ‘hope,’ that way you can play with me a little longer.”

But without exception, these, were all enemies.

Moreover, aiming their spears directly at Kefier’s parents, at the people important to me.

This…is even more aggravating than attacking me directly.

“What piece will you choose next? Should I let you go first again? Hee hee hee…after all, I am the host, I will…”

“Enough chatter.”

I picked up a piece, my gaze already refocused on the chessboard, paying no mind to Horus’s incessant babbling.

“Make your move. You want to play, then let’s continue.”