Epilogue

Weeks had passed since Reina and Chris were married.

Tonight was a full moon. Waiting for her husband in the royal bedchamber, Reina had drifted into a light, dozing sleep.

“Where… am I?”

Reina realized she was standing atop a sea of clouds. Looking up, she saw a full moon so massive it felt surreal. Given the impossible circumstances, she immediately realized this was a dream.

“Another strange dream…”

“It’s a bit different from a dream, actually.”

“Eh?”

A woman’s voice, resonant and gentle, answered her. Looking around, Reina watched as the clouds before her billowed and churned, taking the form of a woman.

She was a lady of lithe limbs and radiant, ageless beauty. Her thick, black hair flowed all the way down to her ankles. She wore a loose, floor-length robe, reminiscent of the goddesses from the myths Reina had read long ago.

Somehow, Reina knew exactly who she was. She had seen statues of this figure in the temple and throughout the land.

“…The Moon Goddess, Lady Selene…”

As Reina whispered the name, the Goddess beamed.

“Correct. It saves me the trouble of an introduction. Good evening, Reina.”

‘She’s surprisingly down-to-earth for a goddess,’ Reina thought as she bowed her head.

“Good evening… Um, this isn’t a dream? I was supposed to be in the royal palace…”

In response to Reina’s confusion, the Goddess pointed beneath the clouds. “It’s fine, look.” There, she could see the palace. From directly above, the royal residence glowed brilliantly amidst the darkness, looking utterly ethereal.

“I just pulled your spirit up here for a moment. Once our business is done, I’ll take responsibility for returning you. Don’t worry.”

“…I see. Then, do you have some business with me?”

Realizing that arguing with a goddess who could “pull spirits” at will was futile, Reina decided to get straight to the point. She wanted to be back in her room before Chris arrived.

Perhaps reading her mind, the Goddess looked at her with eyes full of affection.

“You really do love that husband of yours, don’t you? Good. I called you here because I felt I had to meet you once and apologize.”

“Apologize?”

Reina tilted her head. The Goddess waved a hand, and the clouds shifted again, forming two comfortable-looking chairs.

“Shall we sit while we talk? Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you…”

Reina briefly considered the scientific fact that clouds are made of water vapor, but since she was dealing with a deity, she abandoned all common sense and sat down. It felt like sitting on the highest quality memory foam.

The Goddess sat as well, then lowered her eyes apologetically.

“First of all… I’m sorry for setting my sights on you. We happened to lock eyes exactly when the summons was being performed, and I just couldn’t help myself.”

Reina nearly bolted upright. “Eyes?”

“Yes. You were looking up at the moon from that building you called a school, weren’t you? It was a coincidence, but our eyes met… and how should I put it… I felt a spark. I thought, ‘Ah, this is the one.’“

“…”

Reina desperately wanted to point out that this sounded like a case of love at first sight, but she restrained herself and sat back down to listen.

The Goddess continued nostalgically.

“Your age was perfect, and your black hair was beautiful. And—because you were a virgin. I thought, ‘This is it,’ and just… brought you along.”

The Goddess’s casual tone made Reina press a hand to her forehead.

“You... ‘brought me along’… I see. Um, Lady Selene, I’ve always wondered… why go through the tedious process of summoning someone from another world? Wouldn’t it be easier to just make someone from your own world the Saintess”

This was a question Reina had harbored for a long time. The summon seemed to have more disadvantages than advantages for everyone involved.

The Goddess nodded understandingly.

“I wish I could have. But the humans of this world are terribly weak to miasma; they simply can’t handle being a Saintess. Yet, for some reason, the humans of your world all have a perfect, natural resistance to it. It’s practically a racial trait. Since we can’t have a Saintess who can’t even get close to the center of the miasma, it’s much faster to call someone we know already has the resistance.”

Reina blinked. So it wasn’t because she was a “Saintess” that she was fine; it was because she was an “Earthling.”

“I see. Then one more thing… why must the Saintess have black hair?”

“Feel free to ask anything. As for the hair, it’s simply because it’s the same color as mine. Plus, it’s a shade that doesn’t exist in this world. It creates a strong visual impact, and it’s easier for the populace to worship someone with a clear, divine characteristic. Black hair like the Goddess’s is the ultimate symbol, isn’t it?”

It made sense, but Reina felt a headache coming on.

“…And, um, the last condition… being a virgin…?”

The Goddess replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“You underwent the ritual of the Saintess, didn’t you? If you aren’t a virgin at that stage, you can’t receive my power. I am a virgin goddess, after all.”

Reina recalled Chris saying that priests were required to be pure. It made sense that a priest serving a virgin goddess would need to remain chaste.

“Our eyes met, and you fit every condition. I thought it was destiny. So I brought you here… but I am sorry. I didn’t intend for you to be tied to this world forever.”

“…”

Realizing the Goddess was referring to her being “captured” by Chris, Reina fell silent.

The Goddess continued.

“If you had wished it of me on that night of the full moon, I could have returned you to your world. But for some reason, the Saintesses I bring here always end up tied to someone they’ve fallen for… I suppose letting go for the sake of the other’s happiness is an option, but…” The Goddess rested a cheek on her hand. “Fortunately, everyone is happy with the arrangement, but as the one who brought you here, I still feel a sense of guilt.”

“I see…”

“Also, since you’ve chosen to stay, there’s something I must tell you.”

“Something you must tell me?”

The Goddess looked at her with a serious expression.

“I have good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?”

“…The bad news, please.”

The Goddess nodded, stood up, and looked Reina in the eye.

“The moment you chose to live in this world, your existence vanished from your original world. No one remembers you anymore. A person cannot exist in two worlds simultaneously.”

“I see… I thought as much.”

Reina took the news with surprising calmness. She had felt like an outsider until she married Chris. When they wed, she felt a strange sense of finally being “accepted” by the world. If she was no longer an outsider, it meant this world had become her true home.

“How surprising. You aren’t shocked. Most Saintesses I’ve spoken to are stunned; some even cry.”

“…I felt it, somehow, when I married Chris.”

“I see,” the Goddess nodded. “Every once in a while, a sharp girl like you appears. Those girls are usually the ones who insist most stubbornly on going home. Subconsciously, they realize that if they get used to this world and stay, their place in the old world will disappear.”

“Did those Saintesses… all get to go home?”

The Goddess gave an ambiguous smile. “Some did. But most were wooed by someone and ended up acclimating to this world. Just like you.”

Accepting the truth, Reina looked at the Goddess. “I understand the bad news. So… what is the good news?”

“…Just once, I can show you how your family is doing now. Though they have forgotten you.”

“Is that… so?”

Reina hadn’t expected this. As she hesitated, the Goddess pressed her.

“What will you do? The opportunity is only now. Your connection hasn’t been completely severed yet, so I can trace the bond. But once this full moon passes, even I won’t be able to do it.”

“Please… show me.”

Her voice trembled, but her resolve was clear.

“Please show me my family, smiling and happy even without me. Please.”

“You are strong. Very well.”

The Goddess turned her back and waved her hand in a circle. A vivid image appeared in the air, like a movie screen.

“…Mom.”

A raspy voice escaped Reina’s lips. It was her mother, seen for the first time in nearly a year. She was clutching a large bag, looking busy as she headed for the door—likely going to her part-time job. Reina’s younger brother called out to her.

“Mom, wait! Where’s my lunch?”

“It’s in the fridge! Honestly, you never listen. And remember, today is cram school, so don’t forget to go! You’re not exactly a genius, you know.”

“I know, I know. You’re so loud.”

Reina watched their perfectly normal interaction with rapt attention. Then, a man’s voice joined in. Her father appeared in a suit, holding a tie.

“I wanted to ask before you left, which tie should I…?”

“I told you yesterday that the blue striped one goes best with that shirt! Did you forget already?”

Her father nodded as if just remembering.

“Ah, that’s right.”

“Honestly… well, I’m off! Make sure the house is locked up!”

With a sigh at her “difficult” family, Reina’s mother put on her shoes and headed out energetically. Soon, the sound of a bicycle could be heard. Then, her brother in an unfamiliar school blazer rushed out, followed shortly by her father locking the door and leaving for work. The image cut to black.

“…Mom. Dad. …Masato.”

Tears streamed from Reina’s eyes. They were all smiling. They were living their ordinary, happy lives even without her.

She felt a pang of loneliness, but her joy that they were happy was far greater. If her disappearance had broken the family or cast them into eternal grief… that would have been far more painful.

“I’m sorry. With my power, this is the limit. You are now a resident of this world.”

Reina shook her head silently. “It’s enough. Thank you for showing me. They were smiling like always. That makes me so happy.”

Now, she had no lingering regrets. She would carry the memories of her family in her heart. She was the only one who remembered, but she knew that was the price of choosing Chris.

“Thank you,” she whispered again.

The Goddess smiled, then reached toward the moon. A pale blue light stretched down, enveloping her.

“Time is up. I must return to my realm. And you… your dear husband is waiting for you.”

“Eh…?”

The Goddess’s figure faded into the moonlight.

“I won’t come to see you again, but my protection will remain. Thank you for clearing the miasma and for staying in this world. I, Selene, Goddess of the Moon, pray that you never regret your choice and that your path ahead is filled with happiness.”

The Goddess paused, then laughed mischievously.

“Give my regards to your priest husband. Tell him… just because his wife is ‘ignorant,’ he shouldn’t play too many ‘pranks’ on her. Not that I’ll ever meet him.”

“Pranks? What do you mean?”

Confused, Reina watched as the Goddess blew a wink.

“The Ritual of the Saintess. To do that in front of my statue… he certainly is bold. Tell him I’m watching, so he’d better be careful.”

Now, wake up.

With a whispering echo, Reina opened her eyes. The first thing she saw were the red eyes she loved so much. Staring into those ruby-like eyes from inches away, Reina blinked.

“…Um, Chris? What’s wrong?”

“Reina! Ah… thank goodness. I kept calling you, but you wouldn’t respond… I was so worried.”

Chris, who had been peering into her face as she lay on the bed, let out a massive sigh of relief.

Remembering she had been waiting for him, Reina reached out and gently stroked his head. His platinum blonde hair was silky and soft, like a girl’s. Stroking it had become her favorite thing lately.

“I’m okay. I was just… called away by Lady Selene for a bit.”

“By Lady Selene?”

Surprised, Chris looked up sharply. Reina nodded and slowly recounted the conversation. Chris sat on the edge of the bed and listened in silence.

“…And that’s what happened.”

When she finished, Chris had a look of understanding on his face. “I see… Lady Selene…”

“She showed me how my family was doing. They were all… just the same as always. I was so happy.”

“I’m sorry…” Chris pulled her close. “Because I wanted you, because I wished to have you, you can’t go back. I don’t regret the result, but I didn’t consider your circumstances enough. For that… I am truly sorry.”

“Chris…”

Reina leaned her cheek against his chest, listening to the steady thump-thump of his heart. She savored the happiness of being the one who could hear it from this close.

She couldn’t let go of him even if she wanted to. That was her answer.

“It’s okay. I don’t regret staying either. I think I would have regretted it more if I had gone back. Because there’s no one I could ever love more than you.”

His arms were her home now. There was nowhere else she’d rather be.

“I am a lucky man…” Chris closed his eyes as if overcome with emotion. “To meet the one woman I would stake my life on, and to have those feelings returned… I love you, Reina. I will love only you for the rest of my life. I promise never to do anything to make you sad.”

Sweet words, but spoken with such sincerity that Reina’s expression softened. His words of love always gave her the courage to move forward.

‘I’m glad I stayed… I’m glad I chose Chris.’

Then, she remembered the Goddess’s final words.

“Hmm?”

“What is it, Reina?”

At her pensive voice, Chris tilted his head. Reina spoke while furrowing her brow.

“Well, Lady Selene had a message for you…”

“For me?”

Reina repeated what she had been told. “She said, ‘Just because she’s ignorant, don’t play too many pranks on her.’ And that she saw the Ritual of the Saintess… huh?”

Saying it out loud, Reina finally understood the meaning. She froze in Chris’s arms.

In contrast, Chris chuckled. “Ah, so she was watching. My mistake. I’ll have to be more careful.”

Reina, however, was past the point of calm.

“She… she… she saw THAT?!”

Reina shrieked in embarrassment.

By “that,” she meant the incident at the temple when she first arrived. The Ritual of the Saintess was supposed to be just words of blessing. Yet, Chris had stripped Reina—who knew nothing—and had the audacity to touch her skin. He had kissed her repeatedly, too. The Goddess had seen all of it and was telling him his “pranks” had gone too far.

Reina trembled with rage.

“T-That’s right! That ritual! I meant to bring it up but forgot! Chris! The ritual was just supposed to be words! Why did you do that?! You idiot!”

She beat her fists against his chest in anger, but Chris remained unfazed.

“Because I wanted to touch you. I couldn’t help it. I was in a private room with my first love, the one person I wanted more than anything. I’m a grown man; I think I should be praised for stopping where I did.”

Reina’s eyes narrowed at his lack of remorse. “Chris…”

“It was my first love at over twenty years old. I’m aware I’m a bit… obsessed. Yet, with you naked before me, I stopped at just kisses… I was quite impressed with my own self-control back then. If it were now, I’d definitely have pinned you down and taken you then and there.”

“Chris…!”

Her voice rose in anger, but Chris didn’t mind at all. He leaned in with a bright smile.

“You might have felt differently, but I was already head-over-heels for you then. As a priest, I knew you had to be pure to awaken as the Saintess. So I endured with everything I had.”

Seeing him look so genuinely proud of himself, Reina’s eyes went wide, and her anger evaporated into a defeated sigh. It was no use. He didn’t feel bad at all.

“…Chris… you really are the worst.”

It was her honest opinion, but Chris countered immediately.

“What are you saying? You’re far worse than I am. You made me a prisoner of your charms and then led me on a wild chase. You have to take responsibility for that.”

“…I feel like I’m taking plenty of responsibility every single night.”

Held by him every night and taught pleasure by his hands, Reina had become someone who couldn’t sleep without him. Her body had been reshaped into one that craved him; she was the one who wanted to cry.

As she sent him a reproachful look, Chris laughed happily.

“Didn’t I tell you? I was going to make your body so that only I would do.”

“You didn’t have to follow through on that…”

Looking at his satisfied face, Reina sighed. Chris hooked a finger under her chin and tilted her face up.

“Hehe… I’ll love you plenty tonight, too. Don’t worry. No matter how wanton you become, my love will never waver. If anything, I think it only increases. So be at ease? Since I’m the one who changed you, I’ll take full responsibility and love you every night.”

“Idiot…”

As she whispered the word, Chris’s eyes softened with happiness. He pushed her down onto the bed.

The eyes of her beloved husband, who was now hovering over her, burned with an intense desire for his wife.

Chris pressed a finger to her lips.

“That’s not right, is it? In times like this, the correct answer isn’t ‘idiot’—it’s ‘I love you.’ Reina, my Queen. I love you from the bottom of my heart.”

The heat of his lips touched hers, and Reina felt her own body begin to burn.

She wrapped her arms around his back and whispered into his ear.

“You’re right. Chris, I love you too—”

And so, once again, the sounds of water and sweet sighs filled the royal bedchamber as the newlyweds shared a night of passion.