"No Marriage, Please! vs. Marry Me or Die: The Ultimate Love Showdown" - Episode 8

“Sigh…”

The gentle jolt of the carriage wheels bumping over small stones vibrated faintly through my body.

I stared blankly out the carriage window, letting out a long sigh. The familiar scenery passed by like pages from a picture book.

We were just returning from a public council held at the kingdom’s church, and I was utterly exhausted. I had no real faith. I didn’t believe in gods, nor did I care for devotion.

Then, without warning, a violent impact struck the carriage.

“Kyaa…!”

The carriage overturned, and I was thrown out onto the ground. Of course, I wasn’t able to land safely—my body tumbled helplessly across the earth.

“Ugh…”

Groaning, I somehow managed to lift my head. The coachman, who had been driving from the outside, was unconscious. I had gotten away with only minor injuries, but when I looked up at the sky—a massive shadow loomed above.

A monstrous bird.

“Aaaaaah!”

A scream escaped before I could stop it. I’d never seen a magical beast this large before. I’d read about them in texts, but this was real—a griffin.

“Ah… ah…”

So, this is it. I’m going to die here. That’s what I thought.
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“—Are you alright?”

A man appeared as if out of nowhere. His figure, from the back, seemed larger than anyone I’d ever seen.

He stood before the griffin, unflinching.

“Leave this to me.”

“B-but…!”

“I’ll be fine.”

There’s no way this is fine…! Or so I thought. But then, he blocked the griffin’s attack head-on. Its massive talons clashed with his sword, sparks flashing with every strike.

“Huh…?”

Who is this man?

In what felt like mere moments, he had slain the griffin.

That was how I first met Yuri.

Out of courtesy, I invited him to my estate to thank him. I couldn’t invite him to the church—his skill, Evil Insight, tends to frighten people.

But while I let my guard down, he ended up seeing a side of me I usually kept hidden.

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Ah… he saw it.

Or so I thought—but he didn’t seem to care at all.

In fact, I ended up hiring him. His skill seemed like it could be useful, and the estate had grown rather lonely lately.

Until now, no one had ever spoken to me as an equal—my skill made that impossible. That’s why I was curious. How would Yuri treat me?

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“Yuri… Who is he, really?”

Lying in bed, I thought about him. I had only hired him as a bodyguard, but talking to him felt strangely comforting. He didn’t interact with me through the lens of my Affection skill—he faced me as me.
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“L-lightning…”

That night, thunder rumbled in the distance. I hated lightning. It brought back nothing but terrible memories. The sky flashed, and then a thunderous boom followed. I used to curl up in bed, cover my ears, and endure it alone.

But this time… my feet took me to Yuri.

He looked a little confused, but he let me lie down beside him. We faced away from each other, sharing the same bed.

When another clap of thunder struck and I trembled, he gently took my hand in his.

Like a silent prayer, I squeezed it back. His hand was larger than mine—warm and reassuring.
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This is only hypothetical, of course—but still…

If I had parents or siblings… would it feel like this?

Is this what having a family is like? Could I… one day… build a family of my own?

With that thought, I finally drifted into a peaceful sleep.
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The next morning, I made a simple breakfast. Yuri ate it and said it was delicious. I was so happy.

Before heading out to the church again, I asked him something I’d never asked anyone before.

“Do I… look alright?”

“Yeah. You look beautiful.”

“Ugh… W-well, I’m off then!”

“Take care.”

“…I’ll be back!”

For the first time, I felt something warm bloom in my chest.

Until now, I had lived alone in this vast estate, given to me by the church because I was “special.” I hated it. I know it’s selfish and spoiled, but I never wanted luxury. It was nothing more than a cold, empty space.

I had never exchanged the kind of greetings normal people took for granted.

“I’m off.”

“Take care.”

So ordinary. So mundane.

But to me, those words were more precious than anything.
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I arrived at the church safely.

As usual, I began my duties.

As a Saint Candidate—or more accurately, a Sister—my work involved things like offering prayers and hearing confessions.

I had another role too: participating in the public council meetings held at the kingdom’s church. Though truth be told, those meetings were mostly pointless.

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“Ugh… Traveling really wears me out.”

It takes several hours by carriage to get from the village to the Kingdom of Levaris.

After safely arriving in the capital and making my way to the church, as I always did—I saw him.

“Ah, Lady Ria. It’s been a while.”

“Yes, it has. It’s good to see you again.”

With a practiced smile, I greeted him.

He had medium-length red hair and a soft, affable smile. Handsome, certainly by social standards.

His name was Naris Cedwyn, the young marquis who governed our region. At just twenty years old, he was far too young to be the head of the family—but I’d heard his father had fallen seriously ill.

So, while not official, he was already acting as head of House Cedwyn.

“Lady Ria, how have you been? No problems, I hope?”

“Nothing of note… Oh, but—”

“Yes?” he asked, eyes serious.

“A griffin appeared in the forest. I was attacked, actually.”

“Ah, I’d heard. I’m relieved to see you safe.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

“It’s no trouble. In fact, monster activity has been increasing around the world lately. I’ve already instructed the Adventurers’ Guild to remain vigilant.”

“That’s reassuring. I would expect nothing less of you, Lord Cedwyn.”

At my words, he smiled again—that same polite, composed smile. Maintaining this facade was exhausting.

Sigh… I want to see Yuri again.

Wait—what am I thinking!? It’s not like that! I told myself, frantically making excuses in my mind.
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“Well then, I’ll take my leave. If you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to visit. You’re welcome at my estate anytime, Lady Ria.”

“Thank you. That’s very kind of you.”

I bowed deeply.

Did he always wear a ring like that…?

As he walked away, I noticed an expensive-looking ring on his right index finger.

Ah… nobles really do have money to spare.
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“Ugh… I’m beat…”

I returned safely from the capital, but I was truly exhausted.

My routine was simple now—grab something to eat, take a bath, then fall asleep. Sometimes, I was so tired I didn’t even bother changing.

“…Oh.”

A soft sound escaped my lips.

The estate… was lit.

It usually sat in eerie silence, dark and lifeless. But now, light glowed from within.

It had to be Yuri. And there was a faint, delicious smell in the air that stirred my appetite.

With a genuine smile, I ran toward the house.

“I’m home…!”

Still a little nervous, I called out as I stepped inside.

Yuri came out from the dining room and said:

“Welcome back, Ria.”

“…Y-yeah! I’m home…!”

He smiled gently as he spoke.

And in that moment, I felt something inside me fill.

But I knew—I had to extinguish this small flicker of warmth.

Because someday, Yuri would leave. This was all just temporary, and I understood that.
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But even so…

I wished from the bottom of my heart—

That these days could last just a little longer.