I Married the Beautiful Female Protagonist In Order To Survive

61. I Simply Can’t Refuse Such a Thing! (Discount Available!)

After Zerola’s constant companionship day and night, Flora’s health was…restored. Though saying it like that feels off, since Flora didn’t exactly suffer from some strange illness. Her so-called “restoration” was merely the passing of time, ensuring she wouldn’t suddenly clutch her back while walking.

Naturally, the two promptly returned to academy life, lest their absence drag on too long, arousing suspicion. However, some events are irreversible. Despite their utmost caution in “acting as before,” as Queen Louise III demanded, their transformed relationship subtly radiated a certain… “difference.”

“Zer, Zerola, where have you been these past few days? And come to think of it, Lady Flora disappeared for several days as well, didn’t she? Could it be that you two…”

This was already the umpteenth time Zerola had been questioned today. Disappearing together from the academy for days would inevitably invite suspicion. While inwardly fretting over Flora’s situation, Zerola repeated his rehearsed reply to a familiar student.

“I told you, I was dragged off for an identity check! They practically dissected me! Nothing happened!”

“Do any of you ever engage your brains? Think about it! Given my relationship with Flora, do you really think the Empire would leave it alone? These past few days, they practically went through my family history with a fine-toothed comb!”

“What? You’re asking what Flora was doing? How would I know! No comment!”

With that, not wanting to get further entangled with these people, and also concerned about Flora’s situation, Zerola quickly made an excuse and slipped away, leaving behind a group of people unsure whether to feel “envious” or “relieved.”

Having your entire background scrutinized just for “associating” with an Imperial royal family member? Sounds terrifying! No wonder the two’s lover’s relationship feels even more… peculiar, acting as if they’re intentionally avoiding each other.

A relationship crisis, then? It has to be a relationship crisis!

Zerola ignored their speculations. After arriving to the student council room, and with utmost stealth and speed, he found Flora waiting as promised.

The annoyance of being pestered with “various gossip” all morning vanished, replaced by a surge of joy upon seeing Flora…

He had been apart from Flora for hours!

“Looks like your side wasn’t faring well either, huh? I’ve been racking my brain all morning for reasons to explain my absence, making sure they don’t clash with your reasons. Even so… the students here are so imaginative; they’ve guessed correctly several times…”

Saying this, Flora, leaning against the bedside, sighed wearily. “Ah… Perhaps we were too hasty back then.”

“Hehe…”

Though somewhat impolite, Zerola didn’t absorb a single word of Flora’s little complaint. After all, his entire mind was dedicated to admiring the girl before him.

Queen’s advice from before, “indulge for a few days then return to normal,” Zerola had earnestly practiced that in these past few days, having done what needed to be done to a typical set of lovers. As for some content meant for evenings…Once there’s a first time, there will be a second and a third, won’t there?

So, perhaps for this very reason, Zerola found the girl before him becoming more and more… *sèr qíng*… uh, no, to put it more elegantly, more and more alluring. Every smile, every gesture exuded a hint of charm, and it was a two-way signal only they understood.

However, the very next moment, Zerola’s admiration was interrupted by Flora’s mumble!

“Zerola, how about…we pretend nothing happened?”

“How could we!?”

Zerola’s heart skipped a beat. He hurried closer, eager to dispel Flora’s cruel thought.

However, the moment she reached her side, she realized…

“I knew you’d say that.”

This was a “trap” Flora had laid for herself, perhaps… Flora’s true nature was far more cunning than she’d previously let on, fully revealing itself when facing someone close.

Before Zerola could even respond, she was pulled close, as if to “replenish energy.” Flora clutched at Zerola’s clothes, rising on her toes. Their forms overlapped, nestled right at the edge of the window, concealing their subsequent actions in a place unknown to prying eyes.

Now Zerola was truly baffled. Just who was the one with the “rampant desires” here? Had she once again taken the blame? Because the girl’s lips, so incredibly close, weren’t engaging in mere pecks, but instead seemed intent on devouring her whole, unwilling to pull away until the very last moment she needed air!

“Cough, cough… um…”

Now, it was Zerola who felt guilty. “Didn’t the Queen tell us to restrain ourselves a bit?”

Flora responded with a cold glare. “Is this not restrained enough? Would you prefer a performance in the middle of the street?”

“But…”

“Quit your fussing. You’re not the one losing out, so what are you complaining about?” Flora puffed out her cheeks. “It’s just… all those questions this morning gave me such a headache, I really didn’t want to think too much. Alright, move closer. The way you’re standing… someone outside might see.”

Brazen depravity in broad daylight! Flora was truly becoming too lax! In regards to such things, Zerola…

Was utterly incapable of refusing.

Soon, the two were entangled once more.

Their words were exchanged at a distance where lips brushed.

“Later, I’ll have my sister find an excuse to move your residence into the palace. That way… you won’t have to keep sneaking around like a thief with a warrant, seeing me in secret during those rare, unguarded moments.”

“But, but wouldn’t that be a bit… inappropriate?”

Zerola glanced at Flora’s hands wrapped around her waist, and ultimately swallowed the thought: “Flora, are you perhaps thinking it will be even more convenient to do ‘that sort of thing’ if I lived next door to you?” To say it out loud would surely earn her a beating!

“Quit your nonsense. You’re getting free room and board, enjoying the finest life, and you’re not happy?”

“I get it, I get it. Of course I’m happy!”

How could she not be? Not only was the lifestyle top-notch, but even… the girl beside her was also “top-tier.”

“Good to know.”

As she spoke, Flora untied her jacket and placed it on the nearby table, then began to loosen the tie beneath her collar.

“Then… let’s continue, shall we?”

“Huh!?”

That really left Zerola stunned!

In her opinion, their current state was already dangerous enough. After all, they looked every bit like a pair of lovebirds who’d lost control and snuck into the student council room for a “tryst.”

They had already done the “exchange of bodily fluids”, and what was more, that’s going to “continue”…

Flora, you really are too bold, aren’t you!?

The chibi artwork will be finalized soon, and I’ll be working on a new body pillow design at the end of the month.

The projection was ready, though it looked like the February replacement was out of the question. March was likely the earliest we’d see it.