I Married the Beautiful Female Protagonist In Order To Survive

54. Everyone’s a Villain

That Her Majesty Queen Louise IV of the Grand Britannia is “single” is a piece of “essential knowledge” that all the young talents in and around the Royal City must memorize. After all, who wouldn’t want to leap over the dragon gate, soar to the heavens, marry an extraordinary heiress, and reach the pinnacle of life, never needing to work again?

However, as time passed, more and more young men gradually abandoned this unrealistic fantasy. Whether they were worthy was beside the point; the existence of “someone” by the Queen’s side had slowly surfaced, no longer merely unsubstantiated rumors.

Such is the nature of people: when unsure about the private life of the Grand Britannia’s top heiress, they always recklessly speculate, imagining the Queen might change male consorts every day. But when news surfaced that the Queen’s relationship with her cousin’s husband was ambiguous, everyone wisely chose to shut up – the entanglement was too messy; who would dare get involved?

Coupled with the fact that the Queen hadn’t made a formal appearance in quite some time, people also speculated: could she perhaps be… “in the family way?” According to Grand Britannia law, if there are multiple wives and no designated principal spouse, then the one who is “first with child” is definitely the principal one, but the Queen…

No one dared to speak up, no one dared to say anything rash, and it was just a rumor anyway. Recently, some have said… they seem to have seen the Queen’s figure in the Royal City at night; the Queen hasn’t disappeared.

And the fact that “the Queen is still in the Grand Britannia Royal City” is the “performance” that the Moon Elf, Iris, needs.

After all, her own woefully inadequate puppet had indeed run off without a trace. The task of clearing up the mess she so hastily left behind could only be completed by Iris.

That being said, Louise’s recent performance had been so incompetent that Iris was nearing the limit of her patience.

At this moment, late at night, in the garden within the Royal City where she often stayed, Iris was still seated at a table, facing a few figures.

After a moment’s pause, she spoke: “Since Louise has started looking for men, then… let her play. From now on, I will step in and take over her responsibilities. It’s time to pass the baton.”

In the moonlight, Iris couldn’t clearly see the faces of the figures before her, but without exception, they were all the Grand Britannia’s “trump cards.” These were originally her people, but in order for Louise to be a good queen, she had allocated some to her. Now that Louise was becoming somewhat lax… Iris felt she had to take over immediately.

Her empire was the strongest on the entire continent! Now Louise was actually using it as a bargaining chip to fawn over men?

What an audacious thought. It seemed she had forgotten that everything she had was given to her by Iris!

“This is our empire. There’s no need to let Louise play house. There are still many obstacles before us…”

After a pause, Iris looked at one of the figures, “Zerora, keep your daughter in check from now on.”

A deep male voice responded without a moment’s hesitation.

“It is of no matter. Keffir cannot interfere in the empire’s decisions at this time. We should show the might of Grand Britannia. The Rodman Empire has been gaining momentum of late. Iris… Standing idly by is not in your character.”

“Isn’t that the truth? And that ‘old score’ I have with *her* is still unsettled…”

Illyse chuckled, a sound without warmth.

The Rhodem Empire, the realm of fae, and… the Queen of those very fae.

Back then, she’d been all righteous fury about Illyse’s supposed betrayal. As if she’d ever considered why she rebelled in the first place. Incompetence was incompetence, and if she couldn’t even manage to rule as Queen, why should Illyse have continued to obey? Fleeing with a man clutched at her side, what a pathetic ending—the fact that Nilou even considered that move was a point of consternation.

And yet, now the woman seemed to be rebuilding her empire with alarming success. Aah… truly, just the thought of it inspired a visceral discomfort. If the British Empire *had* to direct its ire at someone, Nilou was the obvious choice.

Except…

“Except that woman’s network of connections runs deep. To avoid a clumsy misstep, we need to prepare before we act.”

Illyse knew: Nilou’s greatest strength was undoubtedly Euclid. Directly subduing Euclid wasn’t feasible, but… a little maneuvering, at least, might leave him standing idly by.

A method had already occurred to Illyse.

“Louise is currently in Northern Ireland, preparing to return. The moment she arrives, find a pretext to bring her here. Once she’s here, don’t let Louise leave. That way… Euclid will be completely immobilized.”

“If Louise is cooperative and understanding, we’ll proceed normally. But if that ungrateful wretch has already sworn fealty elsewhere, then… use force. Drag her back. I want to personally educate this viper I nursed at my breast!”

Illyse paused, turning to another figure: “Moriarty, you have the easiest access to Louise. You will handle this. If you’re unwilling, tell me now, or I’ll consider you an enemy if you betray me later.”

A snort was Moriarty’s reply.

“Hah, your warnings are quite redundant, are they not?”

The diminutive figure adjusted their glasses, sighing. “It isn’t as though I need you to tell me. I too am growing weary of that increasingly useless substitute. I will resolve this perfectly; after all, I refuse to be her around-the-clock babysitter and matchmaker any longer. That simply isn’t what I signed on for…”

“The woman has already contacted me to arrange a meeting. I’ll make my move then and bring her back for a little re-education, shall we say?”

Hearing this, Illyse waved a satisfied hand, signaling Moriarty to leave. Once Louise was taken care of, those two hangers-on around her would cease to be a threat. Then, once she had regained control of her own empire, she could finally begin to “demonstrate the true might of the British Empire.”

After all, her mood had been deteriorating of late. She felt as if only such a display could provide a modicum of relief.

Once the figures had all departed, Illyse picked up her teacup once more…

“…Cold. Have it replaced.”

A maid materialized swiftly.

Illyse frowned slightly. “Wait, are you new here?”

“…Yes.”

Almost unconsciously, she scanned the maid’s “thoughts,” but… there was nothing there. An utter blank. Normal people always had *some* kind of thoughts flitting through their minds, unless they were actively trying to clear their mind. This maid was remarkably at ease.

Though puzzled, Illyse chose to dismiss it. Her gaze drifted to the night sky, and as she stared at the moon, she began to refine the ever-growing expanse of her ambitions.

Louise couldn’t even manage a game of pretend correctly, when really…

*She* was the will of the British Empire. *Her* decisions were the Empire’s true form.

——

*Currently working on Pherro’s new character art.*

*I’ve chosen to use existing characters in the recent plot developments. Frankly, introducing new, throwaway characters doesn’t make much sense, so the original characters are more useful. Poor, tragic uncle.*