I Married the Beautiful Female Protagonist In Order To Survive

49. I am a bad person

Elsewhere, at that very moment.

For Louise, everything was proceeding according to her wishes: From bringing up the “Memorial” event that only the four of them would be attending, to suggesting, after paying respects and expressing sorrow to Arthur, that it would be “convenient to offer a Memorial for the team members as well” before splitting into groups. Resulting in Lance and Kefir together, and herself with Euclid…

So far, at least, none of her “dark,” “loathsome,” and ultimately repulsive plans that he would surely hate upon their unveiling had gone awry.

Thinking this, Louise rose from before the small, newly erected “tombstone.” She had searched the surroundings thoroughly; this was the last member of the group to be honored. After this, she and Euclid needed only leave the snowfield and rendezvous with Lantz and the others on the road back to North Ireland City.

Therefore, Louise was too lazy to even care what Lantz was up to. All her energy and composure were now needed for this crucial moment.

The Queen of the Great British Empire never hesitated on a decision, regardless of right or wrong, because… wrong, was also right.

“Euclid~ I’m heading back with a clean break, you know~ Don’t you want to express how much you’ll ‘miss’ me later?”

His answer didn’t really matter. After all… Lantz would certainly “make a move.” Once Lantz acted, Louise had no idea what kind of chaotic situation would unfold; it was impossible to predict.

Her question just now was merely a lingering sentiment, a desire to seize the opportunity for one last ordinary exchange with the person beside her.

However, with that simple question…

“M-maybe, I guess…”

Louise discovered a truth in that very instant.

This “truth” made it difficult to even maintain her facade. After her initial shock, a bitter smile crept across her face, and ignoring his protests, she took his hand.

“That was the last one. Let’s go back.”

“Mm.”

In the frigid snowfield, apart from the sound of the cold wind rustling through the treetops, only the sound of their footsteps crunching in the snow remained. Louise had learned something just now, but… the Queen of the Great British Empire would not make the wrong decision. Even if it *was* “wrong,” she would continue.

Only, the question might need to be adjusted slightly from now on.

“So… if I absolutely had to ‘join’ the two of you…” She drew out the words, glancing sideways at him, enjoying his obvious discomfort, “…Do you think, Kefal will accept that?”

“M-maybe… I guess.”

“Oh~ Euclid, can’t you come up with any answer other than ‘maybe’ on such an important question?”

Louise watched as he struggled to find the words, finally eliciting a different response.

“Perhaps… after all, you are Kefal’s elder sister.”

“Do you think my dear cousin is willing to share?”

A perfect smile slowly bloomed on the girl’s face.

Louise had never been satisfied with her own “smiles,” because anything artificial would always seem somewhat unnatural. But…

In this moment, Louise felt like she had created an expression that could even fool herself.

“But, Kefal is willing…”

Louise stepped past him, turned, and stared directly into his eyes.

“I am not willing~ You know? My deepest desire is to have everything. That thought has always been suppressed, but if the opportunity truly arises, do you think I’d give it up?”

“!”

“Does Kefal really deserve it?”

The man in her sights, floundered awkwardly.

The more nervous she felt, the more certain Louise became, certain that the thoughts in her heart were correct, even if… practically speaking, some of those “thoughts” were already impossible to achieve.

“Queen… what do you mean?”

“Hehe~ Aren’t you perfectly aware? I mean right now, I mean me… and you. At my core, I’m an incurably ugly woman, possessing every detestable trait that repels others, yet I’m acutely aware of my own wickedness, and even when facing you, I conceal it well. Euclid included, no one knows, after all~ a woman’s secrets are always a bottomless pit~”

“So, when opportunity and impulse collide, I won’t concern myself with whether Cefiel is my dear cousin, nor will I dwell on how to clean up the mess after it’s done. The ultimate consequences are for my future self to ponder; what matters to me now is whether everything I’ve prepared will unfold according to my design…”

“Like~ now: I believe Cefiel is utterly unworthy of Euclid~ and I confidently believe, at least for now, that I am the only one truly suitable.”

The young woman slowly unfastened the clasp of her long robe, letting the snow-white garment fall to the ground, finally freeing her to take up the parasol she’d been carrying all along.

“I won’t apologize later~ Cefiel~”

Then, in the instant that he froze before her, she drew the sword from within the umbrella!

A clumsy but utterly unhesitating trajectory, the direction of the extended blade aimed squarely at the chest of this “Euclid” before her.

Why him? Would this strike succeed? What would happen next?

At this moment, Louise was already perfectly clear.

Therefore, this strike wasn’t truly intended to kill this “Euclid” before her, but rather… to force herself to acknowledge her own defeat.

After all, that voice would soon make its presence known.

Ah, Master… perhaps… on this entire continent, no member of the opposite s*x is truly worthy of you.

“Wait! Euclid, Queen Louise, she’s not…”

The shout from “him” rang out, ah~ don’t be so ill-mannered, my dear cousin.

[Louise IV cannot harm Cefiel!]

The next instant, Louise clearly saw the sword she’d drawn from the parasol shatter, piece by piece, and then… her own body felt as if it had collided with cotton, rendering her unable to move forward.

Immediately afterward, a tremendous force surged forth, an inexplicable power flinging her backward, ultimately sending her sprawling into the snow.

Sigh… Euclid, do you know? A man who is too clever is also a demerit. Why can’t I win against you, not even once? It’s going to lower affection points.

Come, use your power to change everything and banish me, trapped in “chaos.” Queen Louise IV of the Great Yng Empire never does something she will regret.

Therefore, at this moment, she truly, unequivocally, and without any ‘excuse’ or ‘pretense’, was simply an evil villain.

This villain had orchestrated a scheme to murder your wife. Now it’s failed, end of story.

Alright, how do you intend to retaliate, Master?

Queen Louise IV of the Great Yng Empire will never, sincerely, apologize for what she’s done, understood?

——

Writing about daughters always invokes peculiar emotions.