𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐮𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
Following my dismissal as the leading saint, the annulment of my engagement, an assassination, and the appearance of my husband who is also Kami-sama. . . . . .
ㅤ
“All these things happening at once—it’s too much for me to process. . . . . .”
ㅤ
When I welcomed the morning, I was elegantly savoring breakfast in my room at the inn where I was staying.
In a suite of an extremely luxurious, famous, first-class hotel in the castle town of the royal capital.
ㅤ
“This isn’t a dream, is it?”
ㅤ
The toasted baguettes, the provided honey and butter, the salad, the omelet, the herb tea, every item was simple yet of the highest quality.
You couldn’t get fresh vegetables and semi-cooked eggs for breakfast unless it was a high-end hotel.
ㅤ
“. . . . . .delicious.”
ㅤ
It’s delicious, so it seems it’s not a dream.
Kami-sama, who’s seated across from me, is watching.
ㅤ
“I’m glad. I like having meals with Charlene.”
“You’re not eating, Kami-sama.”
“I am God. I don’t need food. . . . . .But, as a couple, should we be eating the same things? If so, I will remake my insides to be more human-like.”
“No. . . . . . uh. . . . . .you don’t have to go that far.”
ㅤ
Kami-sama, sitting in front of me with one elbow on the table, looks extremely pleased.
Looking at him in the morning light, he is still unbelievably handsome. His eyes don’t seem to match the morning, but his glossy black hair is always gleaming a wet-feather color, and even his tear-marks are sexy. He’s staring at me without even blinking.
ㅤ
“Why didn’t you show yourself before? I’ve always been bathing in the spiritual spring.”
“. . . . . .”
ㅤ
To my question, Kami-sama showed a moment of hesitation.
But he answered soon after.
ㅤ
“I couldn’t become human when I was enshrined in the cathedral. Being with Charlene, even if I wasn’t in the same form, was enough for me.”
“Oh, I see. . . . . .”
“Most importantly, Charlene, you’ve never asked me for help.”
ㅤ
God was looking at me as if he could see right through me with his dark eyes.
“I thought it would be unsophisticated to interfere with you trying to overcome your hardships by yourself. . . . . .It’s because Charlene was noble that I was able to remain a god.”
“I see. . . . . .You’ve been watching over me all this time, Kami-sama.”
ㅤ
I feel like my way of life has been acknowledged, and my heart is warmed.
Contrary to my growing happiness, Kami-sama’s expression turned cloudy.
ㅤ
“. . . . . .But because I didn’t take human form, I couldn’t protect you when it mattered. . . . . .I’m sorry for making you suffer because I was late.”
“It’s fine. I’m actually grateful. If you hadn’t been there, I would have died. . . . . .But more importantly.”
ㅤ
I looked down at my body, still clad in a negligee.
ㅤ
“I didn’t know that when Kami-sama heals wounds, the body shrinks.”
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I’m going to forget the fact that he even took care of my underwear (please, let me forget about that for now, I’m still in shock. What’s with this negligee, is it your preference? Or did you just put on what was provided? I hope it’s the latter. Right, Kami-sama? Ah, no, you don’t have to answer now. Please don’t bring it up). Having been healed by Kami-sama, I had physically regressed to my younger self.
ㅤ
Maybe around eight years old?
My limbs were buried in the negligee, and even though I was taller than most girls, being reduced to an eight-year-old was noticeably different in many ways. My legs dangled when I sat in a chair, and the table was slightly high. When I held the mug with both hands to drink milk, Kami-sama would watch with a smile.
My hair, which I’d forced straight, had returned to fluffy curls, but the length was the same.
ㅤ
“Cute.”
“Inside, I’m an 18-year-old girl.”
“For me, appearance and age are trivial. Charlene is adorable.”
“. . . . . .Truly, I am loved by God.”
ㅤ
According to Kami-sama, the best way to heal a dying person is to rewind the time of their body. In this form, no one will realize that I’m Charlene, lucky me.
ㅤ
“But really, Kami-sama.”
“Hmm?”
“Bringing such a small child alone to a hotel with just the clothes on your back, were you suspected? What about money? Identification? You don’t have anything.”
“No problem.”
“. . . . . .Can I really depend on you? Truly?”
“Yes. Rest assured, I want you to eat a lot.”
ㅤ
As he says this, Kami-sama scoops a strawberry from the pancake dessert with a fork, drizzles it with plenty of honey, and offers it to me.
ㅤ
“Hmm. Charlene.”
ㅤ
Just as he wishes, I open my mouth to accept the strawberry.
ㅤ
“. . . . . .Well, if that’s the case, I’ll believe and rely on you.”
“A husband does not lie. I want you to believe.”
ㅤ
You can’t think on an empty stomach. Eating is the first order of business.
Having filled my stomach, God asked me.
ㅤ
“What do you want to do from now on? Charlene. I’ll follow you.”
“Hmm. That’s right. . . . . .”
ㅤ
I look out the window. There, the sea and the harbor spread out.
To think, I’ve never been so free.
ㅤ
(My, what I want to do. . . . . .)
ㅤ
“. . . . . .I just realized, I. . . . . . haven’t thought about what I want to do.”
ㅤ
Even when the shell is peeled off, the inside is empty, and I can’t help but give a bitter smile.
Since I was kidnapped, I’ve been desperate to live as a saint, I’ve never thought about being myself.
I used to use my natural language only during bath times, for fear of forgetting my true origins.
ㅤ
Before I was kidnapped, I was too young, and all I thought about was being by my father’s side and living together.
Suddenly free, I feel like a kite with its string cut off――
Then, a knock sounds.
ㅤ
“Excuse me.”
ㅤ
A staff member comes to remove the meal from the room.
Scared of being seen, I hid behind Kami-sama instinctively.
I must look like a shy child, as the staff member smiles at me and bows to Kami-sama.
ㅤ
“We have prepared clothes. They’re ready-made, but we’ve prepared them in the next room.”
“Cl. . . . . .clothes. . . . . .?”
“It would be problematic to wear your sleeping clothes all the time. I’ve made preparations. I didn’t know what to get, so I asked them.”
“The service at a high-end hotel is really thorough, huh.”
ㅤ
As Kami-sama tries to follow me to the changing room, I hurriedly push him back.
ㅤ
“Wait. Don’t come when I’m changing.”
“Even though I’m your husband?”
“Even though, that’s, no. . . . . .!”
ㅤ
I was in a rush, but the well-trained staff doesn’t seem to mind at all. Is that okay, hey? The world is scary.
Standing on tiptoes (as Kami-sama naturally bends down for me, helpful), I whisper in Kami-sama’s ear.
ㅤ
“Whether you’re my husband or not, don’t come into a woman’s dressing room, okay?”
“Understood. I respect Charlene’s feelings.”
“Thanks.”
“But there’s a risk in every situation, so I’ll sit next to the door. . . . . .that’s right, I’ll only bring the snake.”
ㅤ
Just as Kami-sama starts to bring a snake out of his sleeve, I hurriedly tighten the sleeve opening.
ㅤ
“Stop it, no snake, that’ll be too shocking for the staff.”
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After some back and forth, I managed to head to the changing room by myself.
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“You are truly loved.”
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The staff member says with a smile. I respond with a feeble “Ehehe. . . . . .,” flashing an awkward smile.
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