I Married the Beautiful Female Protagonist In Order To Survive

31. The Youngster is Too Green

After wave upon wave of old grandfathers and grandmothers, each more seasoned than the last, arrived to investigate the various causes and ailments plaguing the unconscious Filora, after a small eternity of visits, the person Zerora had been longing for finally awoke, and the Great British Empire confirmed: at least physically, she was unscathed, save for a certain weakness caused by the extended period of unconsciousness.

Zerora instantly wanted to rush inside, after all, Filora had been lying there for days, and Zerora had been guarding outside for just as long, not leaving for a second except for the most essential biological needs. Under normal circumstances, whether he could see Filora wouldn’t depend on how many days he stood guard. Even if he turned into a statue, if he couldn’t see her, he couldn’t, but…Queen Louise III’s personal request gave Zerora a golden opportunity.

Why was she being so sarcastic that night, implying he was unworthy of Filora, only to personally order him to see her today?

Zerora wondered if he had done anything to “move” the Queen?

But at this moment, his brain couldn’t hold any of those thoughts. Throwing his wild guesses aside, Zerora rushed through the door.

How could the Royal relative of Great British Empire, the Queen’s cousin, foolishly lying in bed staring at the ceiling like other patients? If she need seeing doctor would come to her, a panel of doctors! Therefore, Zerora knew at once: this must be Filora’s room.

Simple, plain, or rather…because of Filora’s recent ordeal, some unnecessary items had been temporarily removed from the room to make space for those who came to “treat” Filora, although…the results were invariably terrible. Zerora, who was waiting outside, had clearly seen their frustrated and bewildered expressions.

In the past, Zerora would have started inhaling deeply, but at this moment, his face appeared sallow and unsightly because of his mood and days of waiting. After all…Zerora didn’t want to enter Filora’s “privacy” for the first time in this way.

As his gaze swept across the room, Zerora finally spotted Filora leaning against the bed. Pale, frail, as if withered by a severe illness. In such a moment…what expression should he wear to face her? Zerora had no idea, only knowing that as he approached, his face instantly twisted into a wry smile.

Then, he was rejected.

“You reek…” Filora’s voice sounded weak and feeble. “Where did you come from…don’t come near me.”

“What do you mean, ‘come’? I haven’t left.”

Filora, leaning against the pillow, paused, then waved her hand. “None of your business…go take a bath.”

“Heh heh…”

Zellora wanted to force a chuckle or two, to defuse the awkward air hanging thick in the room, but…

He couldn’t. In this situation, he couldn’t even manage to play the fool.

Thankfully, a moment later, two figures appeared, shattering, at least somewhat, the atmosphere that wasn’t quite awkward, but simply a heavy silence between the two.

It was Queen Louise III. As far as the Queen went, Zellora had no complaints; after all, if not for her, he’d still be standing as punishment. But for the other one… Zellora still felt his fists clench.

Henry III was there too. Even knowing the guy could openly come here didn’t stop Zellora from wanting to unleash a full Dragon Subduing Palm strike on his face.

But today, the situation was… different from what Zellora had imagined.

Or rather… the “situation” had been different from the start, only Zellora, his head filled only with Filora, hadn’t even understood it.

“You hold a grudge, Zellora.”

Henry III smiled. The face that had swollen before had returned to its “handsome” state, but even so, the moment he caught Zellora’s gaze, Henry III instinctively raised his hand defensively.

“Ahem! I wouldn’t have minded ‘playing’ with you a bit longer, but with things as they are, it’s also a punishment for our little game, so it’s time to end it. Zellora, I think there’s been a bit of a misunderstanding between you and our Da Ying Empire, and it’s probably time to clear it up.”

“Hmph! There’s no misunderstanding between me and…”

“Zellora, do you think that our Da Ying Empire’s ‘arrangement’ for Filora, was to have her marry me?”

“Cough cough cough!”

Zellora started coughing violently.

And Henry III’s words, following close behind, only made Zellora cough harder.

“You’re overthinking it. Our ‘arrangement’ isn’t that… it’s *unlikely* to be that.”

What!? It wasn’t that…

Before Zellora could recover, Filora, leaning against the bed, couldn’t stand it any longer. Using her still-weakened body, she shouted, her voice strained: “Zellora, is your brain filled with mush again, thinking all sorts of nonsense!? Did you think that the ‘arrangement’ was actually… You…?”

Filora bit her lip, hastily explaining, “Where did your intelligence go? What are you even thinking? My relationship with Henry, it’s not what you think?”

“What!? It’s not!?”

Zellora was still a little dazed, but then…

“Ah, to be young again…”

“Don’t say it like we’re old.”

The words of Queen Louise III and Henry III at his side, coupled with the way they were linked arm in arm…

Zellora seemed to understand a little.

Henry III continued: “The Da Ying Empire’s ‘arrangement’ is for Filora to graduate from the academy and venture out to her family’s territory for a period of training. The Da Ying Empire’s royal family cannot have those who simply enjoy the fruit of others’ labor, and Filora needs to show her worth in that regard. Even she needs to achieve some results, and *that* is our ‘arrangement’.”

“Besides, if there really *was* no ‘arrangement,’ then it’s possible that what Zellora imagines would come true: being used as a pawn for political marriage. This ‘arrangement’ is also to give her freedom in the future. For our royals, only with strength, power, and public support can one be truly free, not swayed by others.”

“Well, we’ll leave the rest of the time to you two. Although it’s turned into this sort of situation, you two hadn’t finished what you were planning on doing, right? We won’t disturb you.”

With that, Henry III and Queen Louise III turned and left. Their linked arms, at the moment they stepped out the door, tacitly loosened, and now… even Zellora understood: what that action meant.

So, then, Zerola’s face twisted into a grimace, not quite crying, not quite laughing, all his features threatening to collapse into a single point. Filora just shook her head.

“Utterly useless. Isn’t your brain usually sharper than this? Why are you more witless than a pig all of a sudden?”

“Why are you so worked up? Queenie and Brother Henry have been together for ages. It’s just their positions are… delicate. And the timing hasn’t been right, so they haven’t made it official. Queenie is the perfect Queen of the Great Ying Empire! Even if I *had* any designs, I wouldn’t stand a chance, would I?”

“…”

Upon hearing that, Zerola’s face puckered like he’d just eaten a lemon drenched in chili peppers, a truly unfortunate and twisted expression.

I won the lottery mid-last month! Payment is on the 10th, I won’t forget it! (X)