Death by overwork? Check. 

Isekai’d into a glittery kingdom called Aelthryndivoryssalindria, yes, that's the name but I call it Aelthryn, because who has time for that? Double check. 

All I wanted was a soft life filled with pastries, naps, and no husband. But five years into my new life as Princess Elyndravyssorathielindria Sylvarindelthys—Elyn, please, God knows why the names are so difficult to pronounce—my father demands I marry. 

But explain to me why all the potential suitors look like they were picked up from the fucking gutter? I kid you not. one of them literally suggested teaching me to ride a horse and guess who found out he could not ride one at all and at the end of the day cried begging for his mother...me.

And that's just one. There's also the fact that I don't want to even get married. So in a panic, after scaring my suitors away, I tell my father I'm in love with Zorathys Vaelkyrion. 

What I didn't plan for was the fact that Zorathys is real, he’s at our annual ball, and he’s calling me his lover to settle Dad’s debts.

Now I’m stuck in the Underworld, managing Hell’s paperwork, babysitting demon nobles, and dodging a giant snake with a sweet tooth. 

Oh, and Zor? A lazy, body-pillow-hugging tease who makes my heart race. Worse, every escape portal dumps me in his bedroom, and he’s not so bad. 

But when I stumble into a plot to overthrow him, my soft-life dreams might cost me everything—unless I fight for the husband I never wanted. Send help please, I just wanted a soft life and not a demon husband..

---------------------

"...you can't marry my daughter," my father said to the demon king and I nodded. "...she...she's gay. Yes," he said with a nod like that was the most reasonable explanation ever. "She's into girls."

I was shocked and stared at him then back at the demon king who paused. Maybe this could work after all. I nodded too, supporting my father's words.

The demon king smiled then. "What good taste you have, there's a reason why we belong to each other after all. I'm into women too."


What?

Versha's question lingered in the air between us.


I didn't answer immediately. I exhaled slowly, letting the tension ease from my shoulders before I looked back at her.


"Because gargoyles forget," I said simply.


Versha just stared at me, eight eyes blinking.


"They forget where they're going," I continued, my voice calm but firm. "They forget who sent them. And sometimes, they forget what they were sent for entirely. I don't want a message delivered later. I want it delivered now."


Azerion shifted beside me, clearly listening.


"And besides," I added, gesturing lightly with my hand, "I only want to have a picnic. A simple one. If a gargoyle is sent, there's a good chance we'll end up having the picnic hours from now instead of when the food is ready."


I paused, then added the final point. "And we're all hungry."


Chapter 171 - The One Sent Instead