I Married the Beautiful Female Protagonist In Order To Survive

34. My Brother Sent Me

Though less than thrilled, Zerola nevertheless dutifully listened as Henry III proposed his means of ‘assisting’ with the situation, built upon Zerola’s own conjecture.

Simply put: Henry III, that rascal, had a sister whose strength rivaled Filora’s, though she hadn’t received formal education at the Royal Academy. Instead, she studied and practiced at a private academy on their territory. Given that the attackers were targeting those of at least Filora’s “caliber,” Henry III’s sister volunteering as “bait” seemed a sound choice.

Zerola voiced no objections to Henry III’s suggested assistance, but couldn’t help but silently flip him the bird. That fellow, sending his own sister into danger, even if he’d certainly informed her of the circumstances…truly, how could Henry III do such a thing, using his sister as bait?

*Aish*…that’s why he couldn’t grasp what Henry called “the responsibilities of the royal family.” But seeing his composed demeanor, perhaps…his sister was quite formidable? *Hmph!* What good was strength if she was just a tigress?

*Pui, pui, pui*, why was he even pondering another’s sister? During these precious moments, he should be thinking of Filora, of course!

Lost in his own thoughts, Zerola, paying no attention to the lesson, began to replay Filora’s every movement, wondering what she might be doing at that very moment.

Nearly completely tuning out the class, Zerola was nudged in the ribs by a friend. “Hey, Zerola, why have you been acting like a maiden with her moods lately? Before, when Filora stopped coming to the academy, you were like a zombie. Now, you’re suddenly excited, like you’re about to take flight?”

That’s because he truly was soaring right now, *haha*!

“Forget it. I’ll tell you good news, I overheard it from one of the instructors. You don’t need to be so neurotic lately. Listen…we’re getting a transfer student in our class soon, and I hear her background is quite something. *Hehe*, do you have a new life goal now? Ah, speak of the devil, look, she’s here!”

Before Zerola could respond, the instructor “nervously” announced the arrival of a “new student” to all the pupils. Just as his friend’s “inside scoop” had foretold, she was the standard “mysterious, beautiful girl who transfers mid-term,” and…the moment she stepped into the classroom, she immediately sparked a debate. To call it a “sensation” wouldn’t be an overstatement.

Out of courtesy, Zerola would, of course, take a glance, but as for any “interest” or “goals”?

*Hmph*, sorry, even if a goddess descended from the heavens, Zerola wouldn’t give a single damn.

The “new student” was a rather tall young woman, her slender figure even surpassing that of many male students. But…so what? Filora might be shorter, but she was far more gentle and beautiful than this one.

Golden curls, a cold, almost androgynous appearance, capable of igniting that inner “M” preference within many a male’s heart, but…so what? Golden-haired girls were a dime a dozen in the Empire; he was sick of seeing them. How could they compare to Filora? White hair, red eyes, *feminity!* Perfect!

Furthermore, the new student’s attitude was far too “cold.” What, was she trying to imitate Filora’s “aloofness”? *Haha*, she’d only manage to grasp the surface. Filora’s innate nobility and the elegance that radiated from her was an aura this girl could never match.

Besides, even if she did learn, so what? Filora also possessed a gentle and adorable side. *Hmph, hmph*, to believe she was merely “someone with good poise” and try to imitate and surpass her was naive. Just thinking that way meant she had already lost to Filora completely.

Looking left, looking right, Zerola had no intention of belittling the new student, but he felt increasingly that Filora was a goddess reborn.

However, the next moment, the new student’s “self-introduction” instantly snapped Zerola out of his reverie!

“Greetings, everyone. My name…is Henley, just like the Henley you’re all thinking of, though there’s a slight difference in gender.”

This time, it wasn’t just the other students who were flustered; even Zerola lost his composure!

As for the name “Henry,” Zerola could say that he would never forget it, in the worst sense of the word!

And then, came the words that made Zerola even more uneasy.

“My position in the Henry family line…ranks fourth. Henley IV would be the proper way to address me, but…just call me Henley.”

“Wha…”

Zerola nearly cried out, barely managing to swallow his surprise before it escaped his lips!

He couldn’t be mistaken: that Henry who was having a secret underground romance with the current Queen was “the Third,” while this young woman before him, who looked about Henry’s age, perhaps a bit younger, was the Fourth. That meant…

“My presence at the Academy has no connection to my… brother, Henry the Third. I hope no one reads too much into it.”

Of course! She was Henry the Third’s sister! Tsk, so that guy wasn’t just joking around; he really went through with it, using his own sister as bait!?

Within the Great British Empire, though the Henry line was a cadet branch, with Henry the Third at its head, who dared underestimate them!? And now, with the arrival of Henry the Third’s sister, every student present was stunned. After all…

Theoretically, her status was a touch below Philora’s, but… it was still high enough to be something that the vast majority could only look up to!

“Holy crap, another big shot. Zerola, you might want to be careful… Zerola!?”

“…”

Zerola was in no state to pay attention to anyone. His mind was racing with thoughts about this “Henry the Fourth,” and in the very next moment… Zerola genuinely realized: after her self-introduction, while adopting an utterly natural air as she accepted everyone’s stunned reaction, her gaze… was fixed upon him!

This made Zerola’s little heart skip a beat.

That detestable Henry the Third was her brother, after all. Could that guy have said something to her, like… something about him, something unpleasant? Tsk, this was revenge! A personal vendetta! Henry the Third, you devil!

Zerola had already begun considering how to keep his distance from this “sister,” yet the scene that followed once again exceeded Zerola’s, or rather… everyone’s, understanding.

Where her gaze fell, Zerola saw: a strange smile tugged at Henry the Fourth’s lips, and then…

She pointed a finger, and as all eyes immediately followed, focusing on Zerola, she spoke.

Uttering words that… you couldn’t even concoct without two years of elaborate daydreaming.

“Zerola, that’s you, right?”

“I have another purpose for coming to this Academy: my brother told me to marry you.”

Zerola… was dumbfounded.

Everyone was dumbfounded.