I Married the Beautiful Female Protagonist In Order To Survive

15. There is No ‘Us’ (Begging for Monthly Tickets~)

Every student at the Royal Academy of the Great Ying Empire knew that Zerola, that problem child, was not only brazen, but possessed a courage that brushed shoulders with the heavens. He’d scribble in the Book of Life, refuse the oblivion broth at the Bridge of Forgetfulness, and chase after the “Apex” of the academy, no, of the entire Great Ying Empire – Filora. Wasn’t that just utter delusion?

Zerola thought so too, after all… even if he could, through sheer shamelessness, become somewhat familiar with Filora, achieving that “VIP” distance that would make other male students flip about in their beds with envy, Filora had never truly “responded” – every action of hers maintained a considerable distance between them. Even if she had been preparing delicacies for him lately, even crafting things by hand… more than anything, it was probably just to compete with that Mel.

Therefore, Zerola knew he wasn’t some harem protagonist, at most… maybe a referee?

But at this moment, that distance, strained and pulled, had suddenly shrunk so close, it exceeded Zerola’s ability to “play it cool.”

As expected… the girl before him was truly “goddess-like,” not based on her appearance, but emanating from within. That training, which had been at a “goddess-level” since birth, gave her an aura of inviolability from the inside out. As for her beauty that could topple kingdoms, for her, it was probably just icing on the cake.

This… this is a major problem!

This was Filora’s only thought at the moment!

The etiquette of the Great Ying Empire’s Royal Family demanded that she maintain a constant “relationship” and “distance” with others, but the former aside, this latter…

No matter how she looked at it, the distance between herself and this bloke was far too close. And, the problem just so happened to be right there!

If Zerola were still playing it cool, she would have ample reason to slap him and leave. However, this “problem student” had suppressed his smile, seeming somewhat taken aback by his own actions, which… suddenly made it hard for Filora to strike.

After all, although his actions were a bit… rogue-ish, there was no malice in them. He just wanted to cater to her mood. The one who had forgotten etiquette and upbringing, who wanted to snatch it away, resulting in the current situation, was herself…

And incidentally, this guy… when he wasn’t grinning like a fool, acting like some simpering pup, he was actually… a little handsome? Alas… if only he could properly accept a few months of the Great Ying Empire’s royal education, he wouldn’t be like this, with all the girls in the academy giving him a wide berth.

For some reason, Filora recalled the words Zerola had blurted out a few days ago.

If she was willing…

Yes, he certainly had the capital to say such things, because… he held so many things within him, even she didn’t know them all.

How long had this posture lasted? It was Filora’s first time observing him this “close,” but… accompanied by some commotion outside the student council room, Filora finally “woke up!”

“Ahem! If you’re going to eat, then eat quickly! The afternoon classes are about to start.”

Almost “fleeing” from Zerola, Filora diverted her gaze to the window, trying to calm her wildly pounding heart.

Fortunately, Zerola didn’t give her any more trouble this time, and started “chowing down” in silence.

Tsk, she told him to quickly “swallow it,” but did he really have to gulp it down without even tasting it? He could at least say something about the flavor, let her have something to go on, did this guy think he was eating candles!?

Never mind, just quickly use another topic to move past this silent and awkward atmosphere, otherwise she really would think about what he said.

“Zerola… ahem! Don’t look over here! Eat yours!”

Glaring at Zerola, Filora sighed, and said, “But starting tomorrow, you can find lunch on your own.”

“Ah!? No, no, no! Filora, your cooking is top-notch! It’s like a feast! Look how fast I’m eating! Cough, cough, cough…”

“Slow down, do you have a hole in your head! I didn’t say I wouldn’t continue because you didn’t like it! It’s just…”

After a moment’s hesitation, Flora spoke, “Don’t come looking for me the next few days. I won’t be at the academy either, because… I have some people to meet.”

*CLANG*

The sound of a dropped lunchbox echoed beside her. Turning, she saw Zerola swiftly wiping his mouth, his brow furrowed as he looked at her with undisguised eagerness.

“Meet who?”

Flora rolled her eyes. “None of your concern.”

“A man, right? And around our age…”

“Tch…”

He guessed so much. Why was his intuition in this area so sharp?!

Her soft click of the tongue was still heard by Zerola, and then… Flora watched him begin waving his arms, a comically anxious display that, for a moment, lifted her spirits.

“What are you babbling about?! What time, where, or who I meet, is none of your business! You wouldn’t have me avoid everyone my whole life, would you? Has some elf poisoned your brains with something in the rice, making you forget my status?”

Flora was warning Zerola, and incidentally…

Also warning herself.

Her status as the Queen’s cousin was definitely not a “decorative vase,” but a very real asset to be deployed for the Greater England Empire. Having enjoyed the Empire’s absolute advantages in environment and upbringing from childhood, at her “maturity,” certain contributions were now her responsibility.

The “princesses” in those cheap novels all had moments of rebellion, but in reality… who would actually do that? In the “inner circles” of royalty, there were no underachievers, and so… “those things” were just a means to an end, a means… that lasted a lifetime.

There was nothing to agonize over. The academy was merely a “safe haven,” but… how could the leading ship of the Greater England Empire perpetually remain docked there?

“Zerola, finish up and leave.”

With that, Flora turned, only to find that she was alone – Zerola, she didn’t know when, had already gathered his lunchbox and departed.

“…”

After a moment of stunned silence, Flora felt a sense of relief wash over her.

Everything today, even if she had mixed strange thoughts, had its “firsts,” and some meaningless ties could end with today as a finale, which wasn’t so bad.

Unexpectedly, Zerola at the last moment was so easygoing and considerate, it made her feel a bit uncomfortable.

She had thought he might beg, wail, and perform some bizarre dance in front of her, clinging to her with unwavering persistence.

Slightly… wanted to see that.

However, there would likely be no chance.

Flora quietly clenched her fist.

The content of the February monthly ticket lottery, the new prizes, etc., has been updated in a separate chapter next to this one. You can go and take a look. The January winners list is also there.

New month, everyone give me some monthly tickets to help me celebrate the New Year! If there are a lot of monthly tickets, I can draw a new body pillow design~ Let’s gooo!

February Color Illustration: Flora

[Image of Nilu Q version Keychain]