Chapter 159 – The Bride the Night Before

“Dress: check. Shoes, gloves, accessories: check. Bouquet’s perfect too!”

Today, I’m staying overnight in the church’s preparation room.

The room is filled to the brim with pink and white fresh flowers, no matter where you look.

Note set this room up for me, saying it was more efficient than rushing over in the morning tomorrow.

“Hehe. I never thought Note would be so overjoyed.”

It might be the first time I’ve seen her wear her emotions so openly.

But it makes me happy.

For me, Note was the only adult woman close to family.

She was more of a teacher than a mother, though.

Back then, everyone envied me for getting to study under Note.

They said it was the surest shortcut to becoming a White Priest.

“Ehehe. In a world without wedding bouquets, I got one made specially for me.”

I gently stroke the ribbon on the bouquet propped up in its stand on the flower table.

I’ve always dreamed of this.

As expected of Bordo and Coden.

To think they could make something this proper from my crappy sketch…

Next to the bouquet sat soap and oils, filling the room with my favorite scent.

“Haa… So I’m finally getting married too, huh.”

I open the window and gaze up at the night sky.

The spring storm had passed, leaving the stars twinkling beautifully.

This summer marks nineteen years since my reincarnation into this other world.

A lot happened, but I’ve pushed forward relentlessly to get this far.

When my blessing was taken away, I fell into despair like the end of the world had come—but it led me to wonderful encounters.

“When I met Gain, I never imagined we’d end up like family.”

Gods and goddesses don’t interfere in our lives.

They simply grant life and blessings.

Even so, this encounter makes me want to thank the gods.

My mom back in Japan before my reincarnation used to say:

God watches everything through my eyes, no matter the time.

You don’t have to try to be a good person. There’s no such thing as a life without failures.

But don’t make choices that would leave you feeling ashamed if God saw them.

“Mom in that world. I’ve found someone I love, and I’m getting married.”

I wish I could show her Heart.

Growing up in a single-mother home with two cheerful high school sisters meant I was surrounded by women.

We were a little poor, but it was a bright home full of laughter.

Recalling it now makes my heart ache like it’s tearing apart, which is why I’ve kept my memories of my pre-reincarnation family sealed away for so long.

“No way. If I cry now, my face will be a mess tomorrow.”

But maybe just for today… It’s tempting to indulge myself a little.

My sister who threw herself into slapstick comedy for laughs… She was hilarious.

Knock knock knock.

“Coming~!”

I hurriedly dab at the corner of my eyes, force a smile, and open the door.

“What’s this? Marriage blues?”

That glib-tongued priest Sassis breezes in, shoving me aside without a care, a pleasant fragrance trailing behind her.

“I knew it! What a gorgeous room! I’ve always wanted to peek inside!”

“What brings you here?”

Sassis sets the basket full of oil bottles on the table, then looks up after inspecting each furnishing in the room one by one.

“What do you mean? Tomorrow’s the wedding, right? Hehe. Who else is gonna do your hair and makeup if not me?”

I’d heard rumors she became the exclusive stylist for some high-ranking noble…

“Is that okay?”

“I’ve been independent and freelancing for a while now. Hair and makeup for the Saintess’s wedding? That’s gonna add some serious prestige! That’s why I begged Note for this!”

She’d gone freelance without me even noticing… As expected of Sassis.

Even her background as an orphan Black Priest couldn’t stand up to her communication skills.

It’s tough to make it without real talent and connections, but at this rate, she’ll be just fine.

“Congratulations!”

“Hehe. So hit me up sometimes, okay? Absolutely for any events!”

“Haha. Of course.”

From now on, I won’t be able to hire anyone else for hair and makeup.

Things around me are about to get even livelier.

“Now, lie down there—lie down! Time for a massage!”

“Y-yes!”

Sassis’s chatter is always hilarious; she had me laughing nonstop.

After cracking me up to no end, she said, “I’ll be back in the morning,” and headed out late into the night.

Hehe. Tomorrow’s gonna be full of laughs too.

The next morning, I woke early and stood barefoot before the large mirror adorned with lavish golden decorations.

“I’ve really grown up, haven’t I…”

The girl who’d always seen herself as a child had become an adult before she knew it.

“I need to give proper thanks and report my marriage too.”

I never dreamed goddesses actually existed.

But that day, I spoke with one.

I can still recall it as vividly as if it happened yesterday.

“I resolved to live strongly and gave it my all. Now, I’m getting married.”

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