Saint, You Should Quit Smoking

In the end, Rinet and I ended up entering the same room.
Upon entering the room, we see a single bed.
Yes, it wasn’t twin beds.
“…”
The village chief’s unnecessary but thoughtful consideration was truly remarkable. It seems he wanted us to sleep together cozily in a double bed.
Anyway, since the water was already spilled. I spoke without being conscious of the bed.
“It’s a bit early to go to bed yet. What would you like to do?”
“I wonder.”
Rinet didn’t give a proper answer to my question. She fidgeted with her fingers a little, looking around, but no significant action followed.
That was less because there was nothing to do in an unfamiliar place, and more.
It seemed as if she didn’t know what to do.
For now, it might be better to ignore Rinet and do my own thing. I put my hand in my pocket and spoke.
“I’ll read some writings before sleeping. I got something from the village chief.”
What I showed her was a newspaper that I had requested and received separately before entering the room.
One of my few hobbies is looking at printed words, and also learning about world affairs. The newspaper was something I always carried around in the imperial palace.
I also looked at it whenever I had time at the academy. That’s why I made a separate request for it.
As I sat down on the bed and unfolded the newspaper. Mmm- Rinet trailed off slightly, and then.
“Sigh. I should pray.”
She muttered as if not particularly inclined to do so.
The Saint kneels by the window where moonlight shines. Then she neatly clasped her hands together and closed her eyes.
“…”
She might have already entered meditation, as Rinet quietly closed her mouth.
‘Does she have to pray even at times like this?’
She could take a rest while doing other activities. It’s peculiar that she shows such a devout appearance even here.
But since it wouldn’t be good to interfere presumptuously. I also took my gaze off her and scanned the newspaper.
Since there wasn’t much time left until sleep, I was planning to quickly look at only the major topics.
“Hmm.”
The subject that first catches my eye is.
A figure I had also heard about from the head maid earlier.
The ‘Knight Hunter’.
[The man who surprised the Empire and shocked the Imperial Family!
Is the controversial protagonist, the Knight Hunter, actually a secret knight directly under the Imperial Family?!]
“…Even journalists do lowly things these days.”
With such a cheap title plastered prominently, how could one not be intrigued?
I was deeply concerned that the Empire’s citizens might be deceived by this.
Although the journalist’s low-grade trick didn’t sit well with me. I trusted in my literacy skills, honed over the years, and proceeded to read.
[Hello~ I’m Juliana, a reporter for the Imperial Daily~
Today, I’m going to learn about that very person who has caused a stir in the world~
Oh my! You don’t know who that person is?
Then I recommend you read our previous issue first~ Contact the Imperial Daily to subscribe~]
“…”
I almost crumpled the newspaper for a moment.
‘Let’s read more.’
I skipped the unnecessary content and moved my gaze directly down.
Fortunately, the information I wanted was written to some extent in the lower part.
[Based on the information I’ve gathered so far, if I dare to guess~
I think the Knight Hunter was probably originally from a knight family~]
“Hmm.”
Seeing that passage, my brow furrowed.
‘A ruffian who hunts knights, was originally a person who would have become a knight.’
If so, it’s quite an ironic fact.
[Why did I think so? The reason can be found in the movement path that the Knight Hunter has shown so far!]
Below was a picture. The image embroidered with magical power depicted the Knight Hunter’s trail.
[Looking at it, you can see it starting from the ‘Valter’ knight family in the southern Empire and moving up~ By the way, you can confirm the content about the annihilation of the Valter family in our previous issue~
Killing all the knights encountered along the way, and the place where he recently appeared is near Bardishe Academy~
It’s really scary! I hope all subscribers take care~ Goodbye~]
“…”
My head tilts.
“So where is the mention of being a secret knight directly under the Imperial Family?”
Even if they’re trying to attract attention with the title, not mentioning it at all in the main text is too much.
Moreover, isn’t there a weak correlation between the Valter knight family being annihilated and rumors of the Knight Hunter spreading from that point? At this level, it’s just speculation.
Should I speak to father about the need to inspect the newspaper companies once?
Anyway. Although the main article is written quite playfully, making it hard to believe.
‘I’ve gained quite useful information.’
The Knight Hunter was originally from a knight family, they say.
Plus, his existence became known from the Valter family, and that family was annihilated.
“Hmm.”
I combine the information in various ways in my head. But it’s still too early to make a clear judgment.
It’s late, too. It would be better to stop thinking and sleep.
Thinking so, I folded the newspaper.
“…?”
Rinet was already sitting right next to me.
Moonlight passes through the window, covering the Saint’s body. Glowing white, Rinet was extremely beautiful, like her epithet as the daughter of the Sun God.
Rinet stared at me blankly, repeatedly opening and closing her mouth slightly, and then.
“Your Highness.”
She carefully brought up the topic.
“Shall we, talk for a bit?”

Midnight.
It was already time to sleep, but. My mind was very clear.
Inevitably so. Because the Saint and I were lying on the same bed.
A situation where we were lying on our sides, facing opposite directions. Neither I nor Rinet could see each other’s faces.
The reason for lying like this wasn’t just because of embarrassment.
Rinet had requested it directly.
“…”
Rinet seemed to have difficulty starting the conversation and couldn’t open her mouth.
Only the sound of breathing resonated in the room. At this rate, we were on the verge of falling asleep in silence.
So, I first brought up a topic so that she wouldn’t feel uncomfortable.
“Is it because of Sophie?”
“…!”
Flinch.
Although I couldn’t see it with my eyes. I felt Rinet’s body jerk significantly.
Then she was silent for a moment.
Letting out a small sigh, she answered honestly.
“…Did you already know?”
“There’s nothing else it could be.”
When walking to the village with Sophie.
I clearly remember Rinet’s expression obviously hardening when she heard Sophie’s words.
Anyone could tell that her heart was stirred upon hearing Sophie’s story.
Rinet continued with a bitter tone.
“That’s right. Actually, I said I was praying, but… I was just sorting out my feelings.”
“Which part of what the child said bothered you?”
“…”
Again, a small sigh sound resonated, and.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes.”
“Have I ever told you when I started smoking?”
“I heard it was from the day of your adult ceremony.”
The day I first met Rinet. It was a fact I learned directly from her mouth.
Rinet chuckled at my answer. She seemed amused that I remembered so clearly.
“Yes. That’s right. …Then, why do you think I acquired a hobby like smoking, which is unbecoming of a Saint?”
‘I wonder.’
A reason for a Saint to have a hobby of secretly smoking.
What could have been the reason for someone like Rinet, who normally lives diligently as a Saint, to start smoking?
When there was no answer, Rinet revealed the reason herself. I couldn’t quite imagine what expression she might be making with her head turned back.
“Actually, you know. I asked the Pope.”
“…”
“I said, when I become an adult, I really want to try smoking. At first, he didn’t allow it, but in the end, he agreed.”
“I see.”
“That was my first ‘bad deed’.”
The term ‘bad deed’ was laden with various emotions.
Shame.
Liberation.
Self-deprecation.
Pleasure.
While I couldn’t easily open my mouth due to the density of those emotions.
Rinet spoke quickly. As if trying to move past the awkward situation.
“Others may praise me as the greatest Saint in history. But do you think I don’t have any bad thoughts either?”
“Is that so?”
“Of course!”
Suddenly.
Rinet sits up. The blanket covering her body slipped down.
Noticing her movement, I also raised my body. My gaze passes over Rinet’s significantly protruding chest, meeting her ash-gray pupils.
Rinet smiled with mischief on her white face.
“Actually, pretending to be Your Highness’s girlfriend. Although it was embarrassing, it felt good.”
“That’s quite unexpected.”
“Well, that’s because it’s the ultimate ‘bad deed’ for a Saint, isn’t it? For a holy virgin to become someone’s lover, it’s unthinkable.”
“…”
Hearing those words, I had no answer to give.
Rinet was speaking with a seemingly cheerful laugh, but. I could feel the sadness contained in that playful tone.
When I was silent, however Rinet interpreted that.
For a moment she blushed slightly. Pointing at me with her index finger, she exclaimed.
“But no misunderstandings allowed! I have no intention of actually dating Your Highness. It’s just a temporary deviation. Understood?”
“Ah. Yes.”
“I’m not interested in boring people. I like thoughtful men.”
Who said anything?
I shook my head. She seemed to be guarding unnecessarily.
I opened my mouth to prevent any unnecessary misunderstandings on her part. I returned the topic to its original point.
“I see. So you felt something in your heart when you saw Sophie’s behavior.”
“…Well. That’s right.”
Rinet regained her composure and nodded.
She stretched out her arm to pull the blanket towards her. The sight of her curling up with the blanket pulled up to her shoulders was pitiful.
“A life consumed by things you have to do…. A life of always fulfilling duties and having no freedom. Perhaps that’s why I was speechless. It’s too similar to mine.”
“Hmm.”
“I must be immature. Doing the same thing as a young child like Sophie.”
‘I don’t think that at all.’
Rather, I think it’s perfectly understandable.
Based on the information I’ve gathered from conversations with Rinet so far, there were similarities between Rinet’s life and Sophie’s life.
Therefore, it’s not unreasonable for her to empathize with Sophie and project herself onto the child.
“…Geez. What am I doing in the middle of the night. How embarrassing.”
As if she suddenly felt shame. Rinet sighed, closing her eyes.
And then she smiles awkwardly. It seemed like she wanted to end the conversation.
“Your Highness, don’t take it too seriously. Just forget it.”
Rinet, having finished speaking, put her hand to her mouth. Judging by her yawn, she must be thinking of going to sleep.
Just as Rinet was about to lie down.
Before that, I spoke first.
Because there was something I really wanted to say to her.
“Saint.”
“Yes?”
Rinet stopped in the position she was about to lie down.
To her, who tilted her head, my lips softly confessed my inner thoughts.
“Don’t blame yourself.”
“…”
At that moment, Rinet’s facial muscles relaxed. It seemed like she had heard a statement she absolutely hadn’t expected.
To her, who was looking at me with a blank gaze.
‘Since you shared your true feelings.’
I decided to share my true feelings as well.
“You’ve grown up as a Saint since childhood, haven’t you? And you’ve lived a life faithfully fulfilling that mission. Without resting for even a single moment.”
“…”
“Even if you secretly smoke, there’s no need to blame yourself for doing a ‘bad deed’. Everyone needs a breathing hole.”
“…Ah.”
“You’re already doing well enough. As for the smoking, well….”
I shrugged my shoulders and.
“Let’s keep it a secret. A secret just between you and me.”
Just like children hiding things in a secret base away from adults.
Putting my finger to my mouth, with a “Shh-” I smiled with my eyes.
“…”
Rinet didn’t speak for a while.
Her cheeks turned bright red. The speed was so fast, it was like red paint spilled on a white canvas.
“…Hmph.”
Rinet turns her head. In her eyes that briefly passed by, I thought I glimpsed moist dampness.
After raising her fine fingers to rub her eyes.
“Thank you.”
The Saint’s voice is slightly wet.
“It’s the first time I’ve heard such words from someone.”
On that white face.
Although signs of fatigue were still faintly visible.
“Being Your Highness’s girlfriend might not be so bad after all.”
Even more than that, there was a smile blooming as bright as the sun.
I truly thought I had made a good promise with the smoking Saint.