Chapter 2 : The Hero Party Is Getting Married! Except Me (2)

The intense light of the scroll faded, and I was finally able to open my eyes. A cool breeze, different from the sandy winds of the Demon

Realm, brushed against me. Instead of the blazing red sun of that place, I felt the warm, gentle sunlight. I even smelled the scent of flowers

for the first time in ages.

“So it’s spring here…”

This was the Aria Grand Cathedral. It’s the main headquarters of the Aria Church, located at the center of the Holy Nation of Aria. The Pope

and the Saintess live here.

Built by architects summoned from the old Regulus Empire and famous artists of the era, the Aria Grand Cathedral remained breathtakingly

beautiful even centuries later.

As I slowly walked forward, I spotted a blond priest, staring blankly and sweeping the stairs with a broom.

“Hey, Blond Priest, you’re here.”

“Huh!? Saintess!?”

The Blond Priest—nicknamed that because of his hair—is my first direct subordinate. Basically, my go-to guy who takes care of my messes.

Like a human tissue.

“How did the Demon King subjugation go?!”

“I’m here, aren’t I? It’s over.”

He dropped his broom and ran to me, grabbing my face to check for injuries.

“Let go, idiot.”

“Saintess, what happened to your face? It’s half the size now. Where did the chubby you go?”

“This bastard.”

I kicked his shin and made him kneel. Time to remind him I’m not the same as before.

“Call the Silver Priest and the Bald Priest to my room. I have something to say before I see the old man.”

Leaving behind Blondie holding his shin and groaning, I headed to my room and started unpacking.

Three years… it felt both long and short. As I unpacked, my eyes landed on a mace stained with blood, and memories came flooding back.

“Stop Charles! She’s smashing heads again!”

“Charles, calm down! Alec didn’t mean it! Please, drop the mace!”

“Is she really a saintess or a warrior? She smashes demon skulls with a mace!”

Ugh, such trashy memories.

Knock knock

“Yeah, come in.”

The door opened and in came the silver-haired priest, the blond priest, and the real bald high priest. His shiny head was still a work of art.

How is it so shiny?

“Saintess, you worked so hard defeating the Demon King.”

“Yeah.”

“…? You’ve changed, haven’t you?”

“You try surviving three years in the Demon Realm and see if you stay the same.”

The Silver Priest covered his mouth in shock, noticing my different tone.

Fighting for survival every day in the mud with those dogshit party members for three years will change anyone.

“The Pope’s going to faint.”

“Let him. I took down the Demon King, what do I have to be afraid of?”

While Blondie giggled behind me, the Bald Priest brought over a table and we all sat down.

There they were: goofy Blondie, the too-holy-looking Silver Priest, and shiny-headed Bald Priest. My team.

“So, why did you call us?”

“This.”

I pulled something out of my bag and threw it on the table. It was the Demon King’s horn. Even though it was broken, it still radiated intense

dark energy.

“Urgh..!”

“Is this the Demon King’s horn?!”

“How can you bring that into the cathedral?!”

Feeling the dark energy, Charlotte tried to block it with holy power, wincing at how strong it was.

“Yup, Demon King’s horn. I broke it myself. Should prove the subjugation is real. The old man will love it and spread the word.”

“But that’s not the real reason I called you here.”

Their eyes locked on me. I could even hear them swallowing—like they were bracing for a bombshell.

And then I dropped it.

“I’m going to go on a marriage meeting.”

“What?”

“I’m looking for a guy.”

My team looked disappointed, like they’d been expecting something bigger. Do they not get how serious this is for me?

“The Pope will surely find someone good for you.”

“Really think so? You think the old man would introduce me to a normal guy?”

“Of course!”

“No way. He’ll probably bring in someone like the Crown Prince of the Regulus Empire. He’ll go, ‘My precious Charlotte deserves only the

best!’”

“That’s not what I want.”

My team looked at me, clearly agreeing. The Pope’s obsession with me is so over-the-top he really might drag a prince from the neighboring

kingdom.

I shook my head, thinking of my dogshit party members who dumped me and became couples among themselves.

‘My soul’s master… if only you were with me…’

‘My little lark… sing only for me…’

“Ugh. Lark, my ass.”

Remembering their secret love scenes gave me goosebumps. I didn’t want any of that weird stuff. I just wanted to date someone normal for

once.

“So, go find me a guy.”

“Are you serious?”

“Dead serious.”

The three of them huddled together, whispering. It would be great if they actually found someone good.

But my team? They’ve been in the church for 20+ years. Meaning… they’ve never even left the church. Their only friends are other priests.

I’ve been the Saintess for 24 years—I’m done with priests.

“I don’t think we can help you with this.”

“Sigh. I’m the idiot for expecting anything.”

Asking three church lifers for help with dating… What was I thinking? Maybe the Pope will understand me?

I jumped out of my chair and headed for the Pope’s office. He always loved me—maybe he’d listen.

Knock knock

“Come in.”

“Gramps, I’m back.”

“What!? Is that you?! Charlotte!!”

The Pope stopped what he was doing, walked over with his frail old body, and hugged me.

It had only been three years, but he looked so much older. What happened while I was gone?

“You been well, Gramps?”

“Of course, of course. You didn’t get hurt, did you?”

Physically, I was fine. No injuries. But my heart? It was torn to shreds.

“Yeah… I guess. Can I ask you a favor?”

“Anything. I’d even give you this whole cathedral.”

Was he telling me to become the next Pope? No thanks. Saintess is already a crazy job. Don’t pile on more. I need you to stay alive, Gramps.

“I want to go on marriage meetings.”

“Ohhh! My little Charlotte finally wants to date! You’ve grown up… Let’s see… how about the second prince of Regulus Empire…”

“F*cking hell.”

How is he exactly like I imagined? I cursed without thinking.

The Pope stared at me, shocked. Like, did my sweet Charlotte just say the F-word?! But too bad. The Charlotte he remembers died in the

Demon Realm.

“Ahem… I don’t want a prince. Don’t you have someone else?”

“My precious Charlotte deserves more than a second prince!!”

No, Gramps. That’s too much. I have zero interest in becoming the Empress of Regulus.

Before I left for the Demon Realm, the Empire’s first and second princes were sword-fighting each other for the throne. If he’s still just the

second prince, that fight’s clearly not over.

“But…”

“No buts. I’m not dating a prince. I don’t want to get stabbed in some social drama.”

“Then maybe… someone from the Raspan Kingdom—”

“Gramps, I need someone not involved in politics.”

Can you imagine if rumors spread that the Saintess is meeting the second prince while a royal war is going on? An assassin from the first

prince would fly in that day.

And I’m too dangerous now. A Saintess who beat the Demon King and is looking to marry? To some, I’m a tasty prize. They’d be fine if I were

theirs—but if I ended up with someone else? Instant knife in the back.

“Alright… I’ll keep looking…”

“Thanks. I’ll go rest now.”

“You’ve done so well.”

“Yeah…”

Why did I get my hopes up? Even the Pope might call in some unknown prince from some faraway country.

Sigh… Is there really no normal guy out there? Someone not involved in politics, who has money, and who’d take full responsibility for me? If

that kind of guy exists, he must be a unicorn.

It’s been a month since I got back. I didn’t go outside. Didn’t pray. Just lay around in bed every day. This is the life.

“Guess I’ll just stay single and be a Saintess forever, playing matchmaker with priests~”

“Saintess…”

“now?”

I had the Silver and Blond Priests in my room while I whined about my life. I wanted to call the Bald Priest too, but he was busy with the

Demon King’s horn.

“Our poor Saintess, suffering over love… So I brought a present.”

“What is it? If it’s dumb, I’ll smack you with my mace.”

I pointed to the blood-stained mace in the corner. Blondie gulped and pulled out an envelope from his pocket. Scared, huh?

“A letter from the Hero.”

“You’re getting smacked.”

“Why?!”

I took the letter, opened it, and picked up the mace.

—We’re getting married—

“Oh, for f*ck’s sake.”

It was a wedding invitation. From Erich and Alec.