I Married the Beautiful Female Protagonist In Order To Survive

48. The Golden Retriever Loser (Happy New Year, give me your monthly votes)

Rather than jumping to “coincidence,” one should first consider whether someone is orchestrating everything from behind the scenes, deliberately arranging it.

This was the phrase Fiora had heard most often since being informed of her absolute advantage in vying for the Queen’s position within the Louise lineage in the Great Ying Empire.

So, after the brief surprise of unexpectedly encountering Henrietta IV, Fiora immediately began to contemplate the “reason” behind it all.

Her identity as a member of the student council was well-known, and her departure times from the academy were generally consistent. No one could, or rather, needed to, manipulate things to catch her leaving the academy slightly later than usual.

But… Zerola was different: lately, he’d practically been holding her up to mask her physical condition. And today, he wasn’t accompanying her because he had to go to his sister’s place…

Henrietta IV was targeting such an opportunity, rather than simply “coincidentally” running into her…

Fiora quickly adopted a serious expression, after all, she had certain “secrets” that absolutely couldn’t be revealed carelessly.

“Henrietta IV, I don’t think we have anything to discuss at a time like this, do we?”

However, Fiora was also well aware that this girl, being the younger sister of Henry III, couldn’t possibly possess anything resembling “stupidity.” Perhaps it was her recent behavior of merely standing behind Zerola, showing no intention of personally participating in practical lessons, that had aroused her suspicions. That was probably why Henrietta IV had stopped her after school.

“But I have many things I want to ask you, Fiora~”

Entering the classroom, Henrietta IV didn’t approach Fiora, but instead circled her slowly, as if waiting for Fiora to “lose her composure.” The words that followed seemed less like Henrietta IV talking to herself, and more like… “suspicions” spoken for Fiora’s benefit.

“Ever since I came to this academy, I’ve never seen you choose to practice or anything during any practical lesson. Aren’t you Louises supposed to be all about prestige in books? But your recent behavior seems… a little different from the education you’ve received, wouldn’t you say?”

“That is…”

Flora tried to conceal it, but… a heartbeat later, she realized: explanations were pointless. Henriette IV had already guessed, arriving with her own *conclusions*, specifically at this moment, to confront her!

“At first, I thought Zerola was simply overzealous, proactively shielding you in everything. Then I considered, why did you just watch, seemingly accepting it as your due?”

“So…”

Suddenly, Henriette IV leaned in, a chilling smile playing on her lips. “Flora, could it be you’ve encountered some…complications lately? Entirely without your powers, unable to even…*exercise* your body, shall we say?”

“!”

Flora desperately wanted to deny it, but in the current circumstances, denial would be futile. Henriette IV would undoubtedly choose to “verify” her suspicions in the next instant, at which point the truth of her powerlessness would be exposed regardless, and…even more humiliating than this silence.

An Imperial princess of Britannia must never appear so vulnerable.

Naturally, that silent reaction served as a tacit “admission.”

“Hee hee~ I guessed correctly~”

Henriette IV’s demeanor instantly shifted to gloating, for something which, to Flora, had absolutely nothing to do with her. Flora couldn’t help but wonder why Henriette IV seemed so delighted and triumphant.

“So, what do you want?”

“I have no interest in *why* you’ve become like this.”

Stepping back, Henriette IV perched herself on the desk, waving a hand at Flora. “I merely guessed correctly, and…wish to propose a condition.”

“…”

“Conditional exchanges” were all too familiar to Flora. One might even say Henriette IV was simply here to “propose a condition,” in a manner which spared Flora additional contemplation. However… a growing sense of foreboding began to materialize in her mind.

Because Henriette IV’s proposal was one Flora could never accept!

“The notion of ‘marrying’ Zerola was merely a whimsical jest on my part, but…despite my statement, you continued to flaunt your relationship with him in front of me, in front of the Academy. It made me feel… rather displeased.”

Henriette IV pointed a finger. “I won’t concern myself with what happens after I leave. However… for as long as I remain at the Academy, you will sever your ties with him. Spare me the sight of your constant cooing and billing, which leads others to perceive me as some ‘pathetic loser.’ You may be from the House of Loeui, but I have no reason to kowtow to you.”

“If you refuse, it’s simple. A single word from me, and I can expose your current situation. Even if they don’t believe it, so what? Your inability to disprove it renders you helpless. Your reputation…will suffer.”

As she spoke, Henriette IV tossed her long hair over her shoulder. “We’re all royalty of sorts. You can’t possibly believe I fear you? Shining too brightly within the Royal City always comes at a price, Flora.”

Having spoken her piece, Henriette IV waited silently for Flora’s response, prepared to savor the sight of the “white swan” fretting, and ultimately forced to compromise. Or so… she thought.

Before Henriette IV’s backside had even warmed the desk, Flora, as if prepared with an answer long ago, gave her answer without hesitation.

“Who gave you the confidence to demand I leave him?”

“Wh…but surely you’d…”

“I will not wield my ‘royal’ influence against you, nor will I bother myself with the rumors you’ve been spreading. I no longer care about any opinions within the Academy, even if it damages my status, or leads Her Majesty the Queen to order me to temporarily leave the Royal City to gather prestige, then…”

Flora smiled softly. “Consider it a trip for just the two of us. How foolish, Henriette IV. No matter how high our royal reputation may grow, the likes of you and I are ultimately in service of power. Since I have stepped outside that framework, no longer bound by my original path and destiny, then…”

“Reputation? Why do you believe I would still care about such a thing?”

Some truths must be accepted. The possibility of reclaiming her powers was a kindness Zerola offered her, not something Flora could demand in exchange for their continued relationship.

While on the surface it might make it appear the same, but they were fundamentally different. Flora had already prepared herself for this.

So, what of Henriette IV’s provocations?

Trying to break me? Not a chance.

You don’t even measure up to Guildmaster Mel, after all… at least Zerola still holds some fondness for that elf, occasionally staring blankly at her “buns,” but…

Hah～Henriette IV, haven’t you noticed? Zerola looks at you the same way he’d look at a cudgel—simply, brutally.

Golden-haired loser～

——

Happy New Year, everyone. I’ll still be updating three times a day during the holiday, seeing as I don’t really have time to play anything else.

Hope everyone gets a lot of red envelopes this year. Then you can vote for me and spend money, sob sob.