I Healed the Cold Dark Goddess’s Loneliness, and Now She Won’t Let Me Go! - Chapter 11

I didn’t intend to be leisurely and wait until tomorrow. I wanted to talk to Lady Reine right now. Lord Sulug granted my wish; using his power, he sent me back alone to the upper level of the temple.

The moment my vision shifted, I cried out.

“Lady Reine!”

However, Lady Reine, still seated upon her throne, didn’t even look at me. Looking down, she replied in a low voice.

“…What is it now?”

“I’ve come to talk to you alone, Lady Reine!”

I realized then. I couldn’t back down when dealing with her. If I let a little rejection intimidate me, I’d never get close to her.

“There is nothing left for me to say to you.”

“No, no, no! Today you spent all your time talking to Lord Sulug and barely said a word to me! That doesn’t count, it totally doesn’t count!”

“…Sulug.”

Reacting to his name, Lady Reine muttered it with a voice laced with resentment. …This was strange. Obvious, even. She had been moody before, but it shouldn’t have been enough to cause this level of intense rejection.

“Um, Lady Reine…?”

“In the end, you too… everyone is drawn to Sulug… Begone, human.”

“Wait! Just—just listen to me!”

Lady Reine was spiraling into a deep depression over something I had absolutely no memory of causing. What could have happened in those few minutes? Actually, only one thing had happened during that time.

“Wait, are you sulking because Lord Sulug and I were talking where you couldn’t hear us!?”

“Talking to him so that I wouldn’t hear. I suppose you were seeking his help? He would not treat a human poorly, even an outlander. It is a wise decision. Forget the contest and the bet. You may flee wherever you wish.”

“Laaaaaady Reeeeeine!”

Unable to take it anymore, I forced myself closer and shoved my way into her field of vision. When I touched her shoulders to make her look up, they felt so fragile it seemed as if they might break at any moment.

“The reason I was talking to Lord Sulug… well, I was listening. About how the two of you, became two separate beings.”

“…!”

Deception wouldn’t work here. Making that judgment, I confessed what I had heard from Lord Sulug. Ugh, his thoughtfulness had backfired but then again, if I’d listened without the soundproofing, Lady Reine probably would have interrupted us anyway.

“…I see. Then you understand, do you not? I am but the dregs cast off from him. It is only natural that you would loathe, fear, and avoid me. Though even I would find being adored and loved by humans like him to be utter.”

“Lady Reine! I, Haruno Hiiragi, can’t do anything!”

“…………What?”

I shouted to cut off her self-cursing words before they could become reality. My outburst was so sudden and nonsensical that Lady Reine’s eyes went wide, so I doubled down on what I wanted to say.

“I was suddenly thrown into this world and had no idea what was going on. If the villagers hadn’t found me, I would’ve died right then and there. Even after that, nothing I learned back home has been of any use in village life. If I didn’t have the position of Priestess, I think they would’ve abandoned me long ago!”

“…That much is obvious.”

In other words, what I was trying to say was:

“That’s why I can’t survive without you, Lady Reine!”

“…Is that something to be proud of?”

Lady Reine gave a small, exasperated laugh. Seeing my chance, I grabbed her hands.

“So, please make me your true Priestess. I’m weak and can’t do anything, so I want you to protect me!”

It was blunt and lacked any shred of dignity. But this was my situation as seen objectively, and these were my feelings stripped of all decoration and reserve. It might be ugly and selfish. Perhaps the very image of the humans she despised. But.

‘Even if she is scorched by anger, imprisoned by suspicion, or loathes humanity… even so, she wants to be needed by someone.’

Those were Lord Sulug’s words regarding Lady Reine’s heart. If that was the case, then what she needed was someone who would always and forever need her.

“…You. You have nothing to offer, and you provide me with no contribution. You simply seek my protection for your own sake?”

“Yes, exactly!”

“…Hmph.”

Contrary to her thorny words, Lady Reine’s tone was soft. When I answered with ultimate shamelessness, she laughed.

“But surely Sulug would be better for that. If it is protection you seek, he is far more reliable.”

“No! If Lord Sulug heard what I just said, he’d probably lecture me on my attitude, and he wouldn’t prioritize me over everyone else. Plus, I don’t think he’d create the things I want and spoil me like you do!”

“Hehe… that is certainly true.”

Perhaps it was just a whim, but Lady Reine had manifested the seasonings I’d wanted before. Based on their earlier argument, I didn’t think Lord Sulug would provide help that relied so heavily on divine power like that. …I was starting to feel a bit pained as I realized I was saying some pretty terrible things.

“I understand that you need me, at least for now. As my Priestess, I may grant you my favor.”

“Then…!”

“However, the hearts of humans are fickle. I know this to be true. And yet, I do not think I could allow you to leave once I have taken you into my fold.”

At the very least, my sincerity had gotten through. But Lady Reine still couldn’t shake her fear of future betrayal. Such a concern is something that can never truly be dispelled in a relationship between humans; it’s usually pointless to even think about. But for Lady Reine, it was a deep-seated emotion she had carried since the moment she became herself.

“How do you intend to address this? I do not know what I might do if that time comes. Even so, will you become my Priestess?”

“…I can’t give you a guarantee for the future. I’m human, after all.”

That was a fact that couldn’t be overturned no matter how hard I tried. Lady Reine knew that well, and there was no point in saying baseless pretty words here.

“So… you can bind me enough so that you feel safe. Since you can do anything, Lady Reine, I think you should just put me in a situation where I can’t leave or turn against you!”

“But then… you would…”

“I’m prepared for that! Or rather, that’s the only kind of resolve I can show to appeal to you.”

It was fine. I was dead serious. The story from five thousand years in the future which probably wouldn’t even happen now didn’t matter. Lady Reine needed someone. And I wanted to be that someone. Besides, despite everything, she was kind. As long as the “what if” didn’t happen, I didn’t think she’d do anything too terrible to me.

“Why…? Why go so far…? Just what is it that drives you…?”

“Why? Hmm…”

Why go this far? Where did this resolve come from? What came to mind was the expression Lady Reine made when she finally gave in and went along with my whims with a “good grief” sort of air.

“Well, it’s because I like you, Lady Reine! I want to be with you properly!”

“…——”

“So that’s how it is… What do you think? Will you make me your Priestess?”

“Ah… Haruno.”

Haruno. The sound of it felt fresh, and then it hit me. That was the first time she’d actually called me by name while I was dazed by that thought.

Squeeze. Lady Reine pulled me into an embrace, as if to confirm my existence. I wondered if this was a bit too disrespectful, but it was definitely too late for that now, so I wrapped my arms around her back as well. Wow! This feels kind of nice.

“From this day forward, I shall not permit you to open your heart to any other.”

“Okay.”

So, no cheating? Well, it’s not like Lady Reine is going to get another Priestess, so this is basically marriage. That sounds fair.

“I shall not permit you to go anywhere my reach cannot find you. I shall not permit you to associate with anyone I do not approve of.”

“Okay.”

So, I shouldn’t go anywhere dangerous where she can’t help me, and I shouldn’t hang out with shady people. Well, those places are dangerous anyway. I’m a scaredy-cat, so even if she hadn’t insisted, I probably wouldn’t do it.

“I shall not permit you to return to your homeland.”

“…Okay.”

I’d prepared myself for that. It’s not like my lingering attachments would vanish easily, but there was no prospect of going back anyway. Maybe I could even visit home with Lady Reine in tow someday.

“Furthermore, from this day forth, you shall spend every day here with me. I shall provide anything you require.”

“Ah, okay.”

…Oops. I didn’t say anything to Mina-chan. But “anything I require,” huh? If that’s the case, I’m going to let her spoil me for all I’m worth. My dreams are expanding!

“I shall not permit you to break. I shall not permit you to forget. I shall not permit you to disobey. I shall not permit you to refuse.”

“…………Y-yes.”

Wait, things are getting a bit abstract and confusing. Are things starting to look a bit ominous?

“And… I shall not permit you to desire death.”

“…………………………………………”

Uh-oh. I suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. Wait, did I just…?

“I will never let you go again, Haruno.”

Did I… did I just mess up big time…?