“…Don’t you think I’m more of a monster?”
“Yes. I just think you’re quite handsome,” Chartines replied casually.
“Uh, really? You’re not lying?” Nex stammered, his purple eyes meeting her red ones, filled with curiosity and a bit of disbelief.
They gazed at each other, his expression growing more puzzled.
“So, does that mean I’m a monster too, since I’m a vampire?” she asked playfully.
“…Probably not. I guess.”
“Well, I’m glad you think so, Count.”
With that, she gently placed her hand on his cheek, using her holy power to heal the small cut from the glass shard. The wound sealed up smoothly.
“People aren’t just what they appear to be on the outside.”
“W-Wait, Saintess… why?”
Nex’s face, likely from the alcohol, turned a shade redder than before as he gazed at her.
“You wouldn’t want to ruin that handsome face,” she teased.
“…”
Later, Nex would admit that this was the first time someone had spoken to him about himself, not just about his spirit or his family.
And from that day on, Nex’s affection for Chartines grew, starting a series of heartfelt attempts to win her over. He began his pursuit of love with the awkwardness of someone experiencing his first crush. Surprisingly, Chartines found this endearing.
“Count Aureus…?” Chartines had said one day, confused by his presence.
“I came for morning prayers, Saintess. It’s been a while.”
“The church doesn’t open for another three hours.”
“…Is that so?”
His innocent demeanor, as if he was completely new to the idea of romance, made him all the more charming in her eyes.
“Here, Saintess Chartines, this is a donation from the Aureus family to the Church of Light.”
“Thank you, Count Aureus.”
“By the way… do you have any free time this evening, Second Saintess?”
“I’m afraid I don’t.”
“Oh… I see. My apologies, then.”
Day by day, she saw more of this purple-haired man visiting the church, donating small sums of money, and offering prayers.
“And why are you volunteering all of a sudden?” she had asked him once.
“Ah… well! I got in trouble with the family, so I’ve been tasked with cleaning the church. Nothing to worry about, Saintess.”
“Still, this doesn’t seem like a job for a nobleman…”
“W-Well, it’s a special circumstance, you see.”
One day, she caught him cleaning off graffiti near the church—a series of slanderous remarks about him. She noticed traces of magic on his hands, indicating that it wasn’t really punishment from his family.
“Should I move this organ, Saintess?”
“Eek! No! You can’t lift the holy organ with your bare hands like that!”
“Ah, my apologies, Saintess.”
Their awkward interactions went on for months. Chartines tried to push him away or pretend not to care, but Nex’s sincerity and awkward kindness slowly melted her heart.
“Look, Saintess! My spirit!”
“Oh, Count Aureus, congratulations!”
“…Can you stop calling me Count now, Saintess?”
“I’ll stop if you do.”
Not long after, thanks to his passionate efforts, Nex’s spirit awakened—a small, purple phoenix, more like a sparrow than the grand bird he was destined to summon.
“Tweet!”
***
“So… you’re telling me that you two are in a relationship now,” I said, trying to process what I’d just heard.
“Nex loves me a lot, and I guess that’s how things turned out, junior,” Chartines replied with a gentle smile.
It was clear from the way she spoke that they were genuinely happy together, their feelings evident even in just thinking about each other.
‘So this is why Nex is so different here. It must be because of this Saintess, Chartines,’ I realized.
To everyone else, Nex was a bad guy, but to her, he was endlessly gentle. How could someone not fall for that, especially when they shared similar wounds?
‘It’s similar to my situation.’
I understood how it felt, so I nodded slightly, thinking of the white-haired wolf who only softened his expression when he looked at me. I recalled his smile—it had been so endearing.
The image of her, standing strong as a Saintess, came to mind. I wondered if she had ever faced cruel words because of her animal ears, like my Saintess had.
For a moment, my heart felt heavy.
“Junior Licht, why did you ask all of this?” Chartines inquired, tilting her head curiously.
“Just… you seemed so happy,” I replied, a small, nostalgic smile forming on my lips.
Has it really been five years since I last saw her? How on earth am I supposed to find and protect her? There are bound to be harsh routes here too. I wish I could help her if it’s possible.
“…What?” Mardol suddenly asked, his gaze fixed on me.
“It’s that fuzzy, heartwarming feeling, you know? When people talk about love, it makes you feel like that,” I quickly said, scrambling to come up with an excuse. I couldn’t afford to give the crown prince more flags.
“I don’t understand.”
What? Hey, I wasn’t talking about you. Look somewhere else!
His senses were unusually sharp at times.
Whether it was keen insight or instinct, he had a way of seeing through things, even with his helmet on. I turned my head away, trying to appear indifferent.
“Fufu, you two get along well, don’t you?” Chartines remarked, a teasing smile on her lips.
“Th-that’s not… I mean… no!” I protested, gritting my teeth, but she kept smiling at me like Nex would.
This was exactly like dealing with Nex. How had I ended up with these people? To think I’d experience the phrase “people in love grow to resemble each other” in a game world—it was honestly fascinating.
Chartines giggled as she looked between me and Mardol, then suddenly glanced at the clock tower and stood up.
“Oh my, it’s already this late. Sorry for keeping you so long, junior.”
“Thank you for sharing such a nice story with us today,” I said, standing up as well.
“Take care,” Mardol added.
As it was getting too late, Chartines excused herself and left.
But not before leaving me with one last piece of responsibility.
“Junior Licht! Please keep being good friends with my Mardol!”
Just before disappearing from view, the Second Saintess tossed me a final, burdensome request.
And with that, something pink and glittery popped up right in front of me.
My status window.
[Congratulations! You’ve discovered a hidden love line!! (*^▽^*)]
So it wasn’t synced in real-time. I should’ve known after the situation with Kainel and Ariel.
[Of course, the one and only Licht, the “Pure Love Dark Knight” expert! Lee Soo-hyun!]
[You’re as dedicated to the Nameless Saintess route as ever!]
[If you hadn’t found this, you wouldn’t have been able to see the Grand Route… good job! (^-^)]
Was the *Black Heart* developer even human? Where on earth have you hidden my precious Blue Rose now?
[Chartines♡Nex 55%]
This useless status window—I can’t even sell it off somewhere.
I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on. Of course, this game company, obsessed with Easter eggs, had laid this trap for me.
This is why I just want to find my Saintess and make her happy. This world is too harsh and unforgiving.
“The purple fox… and the vampire saintess,” I muttered under my breath.
I guess I’ll have to protect them too.
I sighed softly. I knew a few things about Nex’s route, but Chartines was an unknown variable.
I had a feeling something big was about to happen soon.
“Yeah, that’s right,” Mardol said, responding to my muttering.
I decided to ignore him for now.
If I was going to stay on the Nameless Saintess route, I couldn’t let myself get involved with the crown prince anymore. Time to stay far, far away.