I Married the Beautiful Female Protagonist In Order To Survive

39. Lick Enough and All Things are Yours!

Trouble arrived, of the sort that Fiora couldn’t possibly manage. This made Zerola beside her inwardly groan. Truly, one could be sitting peacefully at home, only for a pot to fall from the sky.

Fiora, at the moment, was truly just an “ordinary person.” Even so, normally all she’d need to do was be a little careful, keep up her “noble and elegant white swan” façade, and breeze through the lesson. After all, Fiora’s reputation and strength had already solidified a perception of her in the minds of both teachers and students. For a short time, “not taking action” wouldn’t be a problem. Others would simply think Fiora was “too dignified to lower herself, possessing both strength and an air of superiority.”

But now… Fiora had been “called out” directly by this Henrietta IV, and things had become thorny indeed.

All eyes turned as one. Fiora wouldn’t show weakness at such a time, exposing her hand directly. The real problem was… what was about to happen couldn’t be bluffed with mere appearances.

Especially since, in Zerola’s eyes, this Henrietta IV was clearly displaying a proactive and hostile “provocation.” Seeing Fiora didn’t respond, she pressed the matter.

“What’s the matter, esteemed Lady? Do hurry along? Must I kowtow three times and prostrate nine to beg you to ascend?”

She paused, a smile playing on her lips. “Or perhaps, you are unwilling? Afraid?”

You guessed right, but Zerola knew that Fiora would never admit it.

Fiora’s expression remained unchanged. Although she had encountered an unexpected situation in Henrietta IV proactively seeking her out, as expected, Fiora had considered some phrasing on how to decline demonstrating her strength in person.

“You and I both belong to royal bloodlines. It is inappropriate for us to do such a thing. There would be gossip.”

The reason was high-sounding and grand. Normally, Fiora would have scorned to utter such empty words, but right now, she simply had no other choice. However, while this tactic might work on ordinary people, who could withstand the threats of a royal from Great Britain? Except…

Henrietta IV wasn’t buying it!

“Just a common and friendly ‘sparring,’ nothing more. Having come all the way to the Royal City, I am quite eager to witness your strength. After all, your reputation has spread so far as to be widely discussed throughout our Henry territories.”

“Moreover, if you decline with various excuses, will there… be no gossip then?”

In her state as an ordinary person, Fiora had few ways to conceal her true state. Henrietta IV’s “initiative,” coupled with a layer of shamelessness, naturally tore away Fiora’s last defense. Zerola knew without a doubt: at this moment, Fiora had been placed on a spit, unable to decline, and also… unable to accept. After all, the moment she stood where all eyes converged, the fact that Fiora was currently a magic-less ordinary person would be exposed.

Tch, no wonder they’re siblings. This one is cut from the same mold as her brother – utterly detestable! I curse you to never be married!

If not for the setting, Zerola would have already flipped her the middle finger. After all, he knew very well what Henrietta IV was thinking.

According to what Henry III had said before: his sister was at the academy as “bait,” and to be able to “look” the part to the greatest extent possible, Henry III was even willing to sell his own sister out – Henrietta IV knows nothing of Fiora’s current situation.

Zerola could, of course, see that Henrietta IV was using the excuse of singling out Fiora to display in front of everyone, or simply “show off” her strength. After all, perhaps that goushi attacker from that night was hiding among these students.

No problem. But the issue was: she also had some personal agenda mixed in – and it was really bad of her to single out Fiora. There was definitely a layer of “provocation” mixed in. As for the purpose, it was nothing more than to emphasize her own existence by bullying Fiora, proving to everyone that she, Henrietta IV, was the more excellent one.

Zerola was already cursing in her heart: Hmph, if Fiora hadn’t lost her magic, I would have already beaten you until you were incontinent! You monkey girl who popped out of who-knows-where, latching onto her brother’s coattails, yet daring to provoke the person I admire. Someday, I’ll pin you to the ground and give you a set of Seven Injuring Fists from the Seven Injury Sect.

Complaints aside, the trouble persisted: Flora definitely couldn’t agree right now, yet given the current circumstances, she couldn’t refuse either, so…

Someone would have to brazenly step forward, shattering the impasse – a “forceful intrusion” from a third party. Doing so would undoubtedly draw criticism, but…

Zelora didn’t care in the slightest. In fact, he’d fight anyone who tried to steal this task from him. Face, or pride, was something he reserved for the person he cherished. Others? Who cared?

In the next moment, Zelora had already, quite naturally, planted himself in front of Flora.

“Hold on, hold on, Henrietta the Fourth. How many dishes did you have? Are you that drunk?”

Facing a young woman, Zelora pondered, then refrained from flashing a middle finger in public. “Flora isn’t someone you can just accost. Did you even ask for my permission?”

A chorus of eye-rolls rippled through the crowd. But Zelora’s behavior was so typical that they’d grown used to it.

“Simp…”

“Clown.”

Soft snickers immediately arose, with some adding a little extra for good measure.

“He was *finally* starting to act normal. The moment Flora shows up, he transforms into a clown again. Embarrassing.”

“Simping to the very end, ending up with nothing.”

Yeah, yeah, whatever you say. If all it took to be a “simp” was to subtly divert the attention from Flora, without anyone noticing the maneuver, then…what did it matter how many times he played the simp?

As for “simping to the very end, ending up with nothing”? Hmph…

Zelora merely smiled, saying nothing, and having no time to say anything.

He’d already devised a plan to shift Henrietta the Fourth’s focus.

“What’s the point of challenging Flora? She doesn’t want to move without thinking, and end up with a body covered in sweat like some people.”

Not giving Henrietta the Fourth any chance to respond, Zelora continued, “What about me? Besides, weren’t you loudly proclaiming in front of everyone that your brother wants you to marry me? Heh…funny that. I was just about to say that I don’t have the slightest bit of interest in you. Marry you? I’d be wasting a spot in my harem.”

“So, perfect. Don’t look for Flora as your opponent; the goddess isn’t interested in confronting you. I’ll be your opponent. If you can beat me, I’ll crawl, crawl, crawl, and then you can babble about ‘marrying me’ all you want, and I won’t argue. However…”

“If you can’t even beat someone like me, a half-baked amateur…”

Zelora flashed an ugly grin. “You think you’re worthy to compete on the same stage as Flora?”

As the words fell, Zelora stepped forward.

Did he seem like a simp? Massively so. His angle and speed towards the goddess were pro-level.

Then, that was exactly right.

What Flora needed right now was a “simp” to help her shift the attention, so…

Who else could it be but him?