"No Marriage, Please! vs. Marry Me or Die: The Ultimate Love Showdown" - Episode 12

Ever since I could remember, I never had parents.

My whole world was nothing more than surviving in the back alleys.

Cold rain fell steadily from the sky. I curled up in my usual alley, trying to shield myself from the downpour. Every time thunder rumbled, fear shot through me, making my body flinch—but there was nothing I could do except endure it.

That’s when I noticed someone standing before me. They tilted their umbrella toward me, sheltering me from the rain.

“Are you alone?”

“…Yes.”

“And your parents?”

“I don’t have any…”

“I see.”

From her clothing, I could tell she was a nun.

“Tell me… can you use a skill?”

“A skill? What’s that?”

Skills—supernatural abilities that only a select few possess.

“Let me appraise you. You might be someone loved by God.”

“Loved by God…?”

She took my hand and led me to a church. Inside, it was beautiful—sunlight filtered through the stained glass, scattering colorful light across the room.

“Father, could you please appraise her?”

“Of course.”

When my skill was appraised, the result was unexpected.

“This is… could it be… Divine Affection?”

“Divine Affection!? Are you certain?”

“Yes, without a doubt. This girl is truly someone beloved by God.”

They explained what my skill meant.

“What’s your name?”

“…Ria.”

“Ria, listen closely.”

“Okay.”

She knelt to my eye level and spoke gently.

“You possess a special skill.”

“A special skill…?”

“Yes. It’s called Divine Affection. It’s a sacred ability, one traditionally possessed by saints.”

“A saint?”

“You might have the potential to become one. Ria, if you have nowhere to go, why not pursue the path of sainthood? You’ve been chosen by God. I’m sure you’ll become a wonderful saint.”

Of course, I accepted her offer.

I began living in the church. As a candidate for sainthood, I was given everything I could possibly need—books to read, a comfortable life, delicious meals even without working.

“Ria, you look radiant today.”

“Ria, how are you feeling?”

“May we ask you to lead today’s prayer, Ria?”

“Of course.”

I learned to smile gently, behaving as a saint would—though it wasn’t who I truly was inside.
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“I’m still completely alone, in the end.”

I whispered to myself in front of the altar.

A life free of malice or cruelty.

By all appearances, I was blessed. I should’ve been grateful—after all, my life had been filled with nothing but divine favor. But the truth was, I wasn’t the virtuous person everyone thought I was. I was careless, lazy, and completely unsuited for the role of a saint.

I wanted friends like everyone else. I wanted someone who could talk to me as an equal.

Divine Affection.

With each passing year, that skill only made me feel more alone.

To me, that divine favor had become nothing more than a curse.
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Ten years passed since I began living at the church. I fulfilled my duties without complaint and was eventually dispatched to a remote village.

Even there, I was revered as a saint. I was given a grand estate, and lacked nothing—except, as always, I remained profoundly lonely.

That was when I met Yuri.

He was the first person I could speak to normally.

Out of curiosity, I hired him as my bodyguard. Day by day, I spent more time with him. For the first time, I could be myself. And more than anything—Yuri was kind. I could feel a small flame flicker in the depths of my heart… but I knew I had to extinguish it.

This was a dream. A brief moment of happiness granted to me by life. And dreams… always come to an end.
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“I have a mission to fulfill,” he told me.

“A mission?”

“Yeah. And to fulfill it, I have to go.”

“Is it something you absolutely must do?

“It is. One’s life… should be carved by one’s own hand.”

He said it with such conviction. I realized then—Yuri was walking his own path. Unlike me, who just went wherever life took me.

Yes… that’s right. Yuri and I are different.

So please, may his life be blessed from this point forward.

I don’t believe in God… but for the first time, I prayed.

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“I understand… You have your own life, Yuri. You can’t stop here.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t dislike the days we spent together.”

“I enjoyed them too.”

“Let’s make tonight’s dinner a feast. Shall we cook it together?”

“Yes…! I’d love that!”

I hurried back to the church, fighting the urge to cry.

I threw myself into my duties, not wanting to think about our impending farewell. It helped me focus—but made me late getting home.

I have to hurry—Yuri’s waiting. It’s our last night together.

Just then, someone called out to me.
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“Ria.”

“Lord Cedwyn. I didn’t realize you were here.”

“I heard you were unwell.”

“Yes, I’m sorry to have worried you.”

I bowed deeply. He smiled kindly.

“No need for apologies. Actually, I’d like to speak with you, if you have a moment.”

“Of course.”

“Shall we go somewhere more private?”

“As you wish.”

I followed him without suspicion.

But the place he led me to was… the underground beneath the church.

There was a hidden entrance behind the altar, used as an emergency shelter.

We descended the spiral stone staircase into the underground chamber. The air was cold and carried an eerie stillness.
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“Is this something important?”

“Yes. Very important. I’ll be blunt—will you join me?”

“Join… you?”

“Indeed. If you cooperate with me, I will guarantee your status as a saint.”

“What kind of cooperation?”

His demeanor had changed. His eyes were sharp, devoid of warmth.

“Your skill, Divine Affection, is extremely useful. With it, one could rule the world. In the struggles of nobility, this skill alone would tip negotiations in our favor. What do you say? I can offer you ample rewards.”

“I’m sorry. I’m not interested.”

I refused calmly and turned to leave, but—

“How disappointing. I thought you were smarter than that.”

“What…?”

Suddenly, something like a magical rope coiled around my right hand. I was violently thrown against the wall.

“Ugh…!

“Your answer should be ‘yes’ only. Oh—and that griffin attack? That was my doing. This ring lets me control magical beasts. I was prepared in case you refused.”

He held out his hand, displaying a ring that radiated dark, malevolent power.

“Your beloved adventurer won’t notice anything from up there. No one is coming to save you.”

I was pinned against the wall, unable to move. But I still had Divine Affection. I summoned all the power I could—but—

“Grgh… ah…!”

He choked me with his hand. I gasped for air, consciousness slipping.

“Your skill won’t work on me. This ring nullifies it with dark magic. Worth every coin I paid.”

“No…!”

“I don’t hate you, Ria. You’re intelligent, insightful—and you understand how the world really works. I know your true nature. You’re tired of the church, aren’t you? Let’s change the world together.”

“N-No…!”

I forced the words out.

“Hmm. Then a little education is in order.”

He opened his coat. Inside was a knife—twisted and ominous, brimming with cursed energy.

“Torture bends all to my will. The world runs on violence. I simply prefer to start with diplomacy. First words, then pain. Logical, isn’t it?”

“Ah… ahh…”

My body trembled in fear. Why? Why was this happening?

Divine Affection—this skill is nothing but a curse.

But… maybe this is just karma. I’ve lived in comfort all this time because of this power. Maybe this is my punishment.

I braced myself for the blow—but suddenly, he was flung aside.
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A man stood before me—his back to me. It was the same back I’d seen… when the griffin attacked.

Yuri.
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“Ria. Are you alright?”

It was Yuri. He came for me.

At first, I was overjoyed. But then a thought crept in—of course he would save me. All I had to do was stay still, and things would resolve themselves. That’s always how it went.

But… is that really okay?

Can I live my life always being passive?

That’s when I remembered what Yuri once said:
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“One’s life… should be carved by one’s own hand.”
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Thump—my heart leapt.

And in that moment, the faint ember in my heart blazed to life.