Chapter 1

As we live, there are situations where the phrase “of all things that could happen” fits perfectly.

You carry an umbrella with you every day, but then you forget it on a rainy day.

You may have done good work every day, but then you make a mistake on an important day and your reputation is now worse than that of your coworker who always slacks off.

At times like that, I tend to think in extreme ways.

“Wow, I shouldn’t have even started.”

That’s how I feel right now.

I’ve been reading books consistently as a hobby, and “of all things that could happen” I got caught up in this book.

“Wow, crazy. I shouldn’t have even read that book!”

Sunlight pours in through the transparent windows. I can hear a magnificent organ performance.

I see people filled with joy.

Among them, I am the only one standing awkwardly on the stage.

I looked at my husband standing next to me.

It was a face that suited this temple well.

Neatly tied black hair and deep red eyes that seem to have a story. Refreshing facial features and a body with great proportions.

“……Ha.”

I burst out laughing. I looked at the splendid light shining down from behind the officiant with moist eyes. Oh, God.

The man who’s going to be my husband is a murderer.

He tears people apart.

* * *

About ten minutes ago, I was pronounced dead.

“Died at 12:03 on March 17, 2021.”

When I was eleven, I lost my parents early and lived under the care of my uncle.

My parents had quite a bit of wealth, but my uncle and his wife took care of it and ate it all up, so I couldn’t even look at it. And then they made sure I didn’t go to school properly. 

I barely managed to find a part-time job that was rarely selected by minors and saved up money. Even so, I did not give up on my studies.

Because I studied hard and wasn’t lazy, I was able to get into the university of my dreams.

My head must have grown a little, and I fought with my uncle and his wife every day over my parents’ inheritance.

I saved up all the money I had and even hired a lawyer, but then one day my stomach started hurting terribly.

I thought it was stress-related pain and tried to ignore it, but as time passed, the pain became unbearable. After enduring it for a while, I went to the hospital where I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer at this age.

The doctor said that it had metastasized to the point where there was nothing he could do.

I tried desperately to survive.

But effort doesn’t always bring results. If I had known this would happen, I would have set fire to my uncle’s house. It’s too late for regret.

They say that even after the heart stops beating completely, hearing remains for a while. I think I vaguely heard my death being pronounced.

I don’t remember anything after that. It just suddenly stopped.

Until a majestic and sacred bell sound was heard from somewhere.

 

‘W-What is this?!’

 

Normally, I would’ve yelled internally, but right now I was just confused. I nearly screamed, but thankfully didn’t.

 

I stared at the man with wide eyes. He was all dressed like me. Once the shock wore off, I could see his face clearly.

 

He had long black hair tied neatly, with sorrowful yet pure-looking red eyes staring back at me.

 

He had a kind but mysterious aura. His tall, lean frame and physique stood out even through his clothes.

 

‘Since when do you have to hold hands with a stranger to enter heaven?’

 

I turned to the officiant on the podium with my look of confusion. He’s handsome, but this is weird.

 

Unfortunately, the officiant didn’t seem to have the ability to read my thoughts. He ignored my gaze and began to speak in a reverent voice.

 

“Today’s marriage ceremony shall take place during the sacred rites of the Holy Temple. Please join in prayer as these two are united through this holy sacrament.”

 

…Huh?

 

‘What did he just say?’

 

I scanned my surroundings in confusion. I’d felt my hair being tugged and reached up to touch it, only to find a scratchy veil.

 

‘How can they do this without my consent?’

 

I raised my hand to object—

 

My head… why does it hurt so much…?

 

A splitting headache hit me. As I silently grimaced in pain, foreign memories began flooding into my head.

 

“A divine oracle declared you must marry the High Priest, Vivi! All of the failed attempts must’ve been fate leading to this day!”

 

“There he is, the High Priest. Goodness, he’s even more handsome than the rumors. What are you waiting for? Go greet him!”

 

“Once you go to the capital, be careful at night. According to rumors, there’s been a string of serial killings there. But the High Priest will protect you.”

 

‘…Wait, no way…’

 

Even through my dizzy confusion, the officiant continued with the ceremony. Amid the horror and confusion, I began to hear fragments of what he was saying:

 

“We are gathered here today at Elbrado’s Temple to celebrate the union of High Priest Seniel McCurt and Lady Vivi Jezline. It is our joy to witness this precious occasion.”

 

‘Wait, what? Seniel McCurt? I’m Vivi??’

 

Suddenly, all the pieces clicked together. Even before I fully processed what was happening, I knew I was screwed.

 

Sirens blared in my head.

 

‘This is exactly like the novel Two Flavors!’

 

Now it made sense.

 

A husband who should be confident but looks discouraged. A divine holy temple. The name “Seniel” and Vivi’s memories.

 

I was in a novel. No other explanation made sense.

 

“Let us all pray for this couple.”

 

I didn’t know why or how I had ended up in this body, but that wasn’t the issue right now.

 

By day, he’s Seniel the High Priest. By night, he’s Kid, a murderous psychopath with a split personality.

 

And me? I was a background character destined to die the moment I made eye contact with Kid.

 

I have to escape!

 

Everyone had their eyes closed in prayer. My only chance.

 

I turned around and urgently spotted the open exit.

 

‘It’s far, but… screw it.’

 

I clutched the dress in both hands and cautiously stepped toward the exit.

 

I saw countless people with eyes shut.

 

‘If even one of them opens their eyes…’

 

This was a world where gods and religion reigned supreme.

 

Defying a divine oracle meant a cursed fate. No one would let a bride escape.

 

If I were caught, I’d be hunted like prey.

 

Goosebumps covered my body, and I stumbled. And in that moment—

 

Ahem!

 

‘Mother of—!’

 

The officiant suddenly cleared his throat, and that was the signal. Everyone opened their eyes.

 

Before I could meet anyone’s gaze, I quickly turned back forward, pretending I was just adjusting my dress and smiling awkwardly.

 

My lips trembled. My heart pounded so hard I thought I’d throw up.

 

“Through this marital bond, may love blossom and bind them together as witnesses of divine love.”

 

No, officiant. There’s been a huge mistake.

 

I think someone else was supposed to marry this guy. I literally just died and I don’t want to die again! This man skins people and rips them apart!

 

But the kind-looking officiant couldn’t hear my inner panic.

 

“…And now we stand as witnesses before Elbrado to affirm this union. We will now ask the couple for their vows.”

 

Don’t ask.

 

He looked gently at Seniel.

 

“Seniel McCurt, do you accept this marriage of your own free will, without any coercion?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Seniel’s face was pale.

 

Of course it was.

 

Unlike Kid, Seniel was a good man. He abhorred violence and fought desperately to suppress Kid’s killings, enduring immense suffering in the process.

 

He was probably tormented that he couldn’t stop this wedding.

 

But in this moment, I had no sympathy for him.

 

“…Vivi Jezline? Lady Jezline?”

 

“Ah? Oh, yes.”

 

“Do you accept this marriage of your own free will?”

 

My mouth opened, then closed again.

 

Saying no wouldn’t help. They wouldn’t respect my will. They’d just call me a heretic and throw me on the execution block. Can I even say no?

 

I held back tears and responded:

 

“…Yes.”

 

My vision blurred with tears.

 

* * *

 

Is this what it feels like to walk into hell on your own two feet?

 

Through the carriage window, I stared at the grand mansion, flaunting its grandeur.

 

“So this is the infamous place…”

 

There was no reception after the wedding, as if telling me not to even think about running away. I was immediately shoved into a carriage and taken to Seniel’s estate.

 

The path from the gates to the mansion was so long the carriage kept moving for ages.

 

A wide lawn with perfect symmetry and angel statues with heavy religious themes. I admired the garden more out of a desire to survive than out of appreciation for its beauty.

 

And finally, beyond the long stretch of grass, the mansion came into view.