Saint, You Should Quit Smoking

Leaving the magical beast’s corpse behind.
Rinet and I followed Sophie toward the village. This was because Sophie said she was a local and knew the geography well, so she would guide us.
“This is the first time I’ve met outsiders. I need to hurry home and tell everyone.”
The child spoke excitedly to us, chattering away. Looking at her bright smile, she seemed genuinely amazed to have encountered us.
Seeing Sophie like that, Rinet also smiled and responded to the conversation.
“I’m glad to meet you too. But, Sophie.”
“Yes!”
“How did you end up in a place like that? It seems quite far from the village.”
Indeed, it wouldn’t be easy for the young Sophie to come alone from the village to a place this distant.
If she came all the way here, there must be a reason.
To Rinet’s question, Sophie puffed her cheeks.
“But I was so bored!”
“Bored?”
Is she saying life in the village is boring?
But if that’s the case, it would be better to go to a different village, not necessarily the nearby forest.
Sophie supplemented her reason afterwards. Her lips were protruding greatly, suggesting she had accumulated quite a bit of dissatisfaction.
“Studying all day, studying, studying, studying! Grandpa makes me study all the time.”
“…”
“Today I was so irritated that I skipped out to see some flowers, but I didn’t expect to meet a magical beast.”
Quite childish if you call it childish, but for that age group, it’s a fairly serious reason to be stressed. Rinet didn’t respond.
Rather, her facial muscles were stiff after hearing what Sophie just said.
“…?”
She probably didn’t expect no answer to come back. Sophie held a slightly confused expression.
“Um… did I say something wrong?”
“Huh? Ah, no.”
Rinet hurriedly composed her expression and spoke with a smile, but.
Sophie seemed quite perceptive, rolling her eyes. She must have realized she had upset Rinet somehow.
‘Hmm.’
Of course, it’s not easy to have a conversation at a child’s eye level, but.
There seemed to be a more complex reason behind Rinet’s sudden silence.
Anyway, it would be awkward if the situation flowed uncomfortably from here, so I picked up the conversation again.
“From what I hear, it seems you usually study diligently.”
As I eased the atmosphere, a smile bloomed on Sophie’s face again.
The child proudly boasted about herself.
“Of course! Since I was young, I’ve been ‘Good Sophie’ who listens well to Grandpa and adults.”
“You look like it. For a good child like you to secretly try to see flowers, you must have been really struggling. You’ve done well so far.”
“…!”
Sophie’s cheeks turned bright red after hearing my comfort.
Then, opening her small mouth wide, she exclaimed.
“S-So cool…!”
“…”
I just said a few words to appropriately soothe the child’s heart, but such an exaggerated response returned, making me embarrassed instead.
Regardless, Sophie jumped around and babbled.
“You’re definitely a nobleman, right?! Both your appearance and way of speaking are so noble!”
“Hmm.”
“A-And your features are so outstanding….”
Sophie blushed as her words trailed off.
I was happy to be flattered, but on the other hand, it was also proof of how young Sophie was.
‘If she had guessed I was a nobleman, she would have been more cautious.’
It’s an attitude only a child unfamiliar with the class system would show.
It felt different to me, who had lived as a prince for over 20 years. The response that comes from not knowing I’m royalty is refreshing.
Perhaps that’s why I playfully added one more comment.
“I think when you grow up, you’ll be a lady who will make several young men cry.”
“Oh my! You shouldn’t say such things!”
But.
Instead of being pleased with my compliment, Sophie scolded me, placing her hands on her hips.
Wondering what kind of reaction this was, I threw a questioning glance, and Sophie pointed at Rinet with her small finger.
“How sad do you think the sister beside you must feel!”
“…?”
Rinet is feeling sad?
‘Why?’
Is there any reason Rinet would be upset by me complimenting Sophie?
I tilted my head, not understanding the child’s words. It probably sounded quite out of the blue to Rinet as well.
However.
“W-What are you saying!”
Maybe not for Rinet. A shrill voice resonated from beside me.
When I turned my head, I saw her face had turned bright red. Rinet was very flustered as she tried to reason with Sophie.
“Don’t misunderstand. There’s nothing between this person and me!”
“Eh- Really?”
Sophie slumped her shoulders, seemingly very disappointed.
Seeing that, I grasped the situation.
‘Did she mistake us for a couple?’
It was the kind of imagination girls of that age would have. Embarrassingly speaking, both of us are attractive enough to appear in a love story.
Honestly, I didn’t feel much about it, but it seemed different for Rinet, who continued to reason with Sophie.
“Of course! Who would be with such a boring person-”
I lightly tapped her as she shouted shrilly.
“…?”
I approached Rinet, who tilted her head, and put my mouth to her ear.
‘Saint. Let’s just go along with it for now.’
‘What…?! No, Your Highness, you’re not actually interested in me, are you?! Don’t do this, seriously!’
Rinet’s face heated up as if it might burst. I quickly whispered in succession.
‘Don’t misunderstand. I have absolutely, not even the slightest desire to act as your lover.’
‘Well, that’s kind of insulting in its own way…. So what then?’
‘Let’s be considerate to Sophie, is what I’m saying. She’s been stressed from studying all the time at such a young age, hasn’t she?’
Rinet fidgeted with her lips after hearing my words. Understanding the intention of my statement, she muttered softly.
‘But, still, that’s a bit….’
‘How difficult must Sophie have been to secretly come this far? Plus, she was in mortal danger after encountering a magical beast.’
‘Hmm….’
‘She must have been deeply shocked, even if she doesn’t show it. As adults, let’s protect the child’s girlish heart.’
I wonder if my persuasion was well conveyed to her. She whispered softly.
‘…Right. She must have been really struggling if she’s been studying all the time…. I understand that feeling well. If that’s the case….’
Nngh- Rinet made a groaning sound, furrowing her eyebrows. She seemed to be having a significant internal conflict.
However, she finally made a decision and opened her mouth.
“Oh my, I was trying to hide it, but we’ve been found out? Sophie, you’re quite perceptive, aren’t you? Hoho!”
Her gestures and tone were so exaggerated that anyone would see she’s not talented in acting.
Looking closely, her cheeks were subtly trembling. But Sophie didn’t seem to notice, as the child’s face brightened up.
‘Indeed, befitting of a Saint.’
How embarrassing must it be to suddenly have an unexpected boyfriend?
She is truly a model for clerics, choosing Sophie’s happiness over her own shame.
“I knew it! I thought so!”
Sophie jumped up and down while chattering.
“You two look so good together!”
“S-Stop it….”
In the end, Rinet couldn’t bear the embarrassment and had tears welling up in her eyes.
Afterwards, until we reached the village, it was a struggle not to break Sophie’s girlish heart.

After arriving at the village, we were greeted by an elderly man.
Compared to other residents, he was dressed quite well, indicating he held a high position in the village.
He must have been worried about Sophie’s absence. With a face full of concern, he finally seemed to relax as he spotted Sophie, breathing a deep sigh.
However, soon after, he gave Sophie a strong rap on the head, scolding her severely.
“You, Sophie! Where have you been!”
Whack!
“Uwaah!”
“Didn’t this old man tell you not to go outside the village carelessly! The magical beasts have been prowling around lately!”
“I-I’m sorry….”
Sophie rubbed her head with a tearful expression. The old man sighed again at her voice, which indicated remorse.
Then he turned his body towards us. Perhaps guessing from our appearance and attire, he bowed politely.
“My lords have brought Sophie back. I sincerely thank you.”
“No! We only did what was natural.”
Rinet also bowed her head, responding to the expression of gratitude. The old man’s words followed.
“…Both of you are noble guests. So much so that I dare not speak your names with my mouth.”
In the old man’s eyes as he raised his waist, wisdom befitting his age was glimpsed.
Unlike Sophie, he probably knows our status.
I shook my head.
“Don’t mind it. We are just passing through this village as academy students.”
“I’ve heard. You came to examine the sealing stone, they say.”
“Yes.”
“I am Jeff, the chief of this village. This child is Sophie, my granddaughter.”
‘I see.’
Hearing the village chief’s words, I understood what Sophie had said.
Of course she’s a local, being the village chief’s granddaughter.
And the comment about only studying makes sense if she’s to inherit the position of village chief.
The chief turned his body to point at his house.
“First, since it’s late, would you like to stay overnight? I will send a message to Lord Boderod.”
“We shall do that.”
The sun had already set by the time we got here. Since it would be impolite to visit the Boderod family late at night, Rinet and I accepted the chief’s proposal.
We entered the house, guided by him. The chief carefully asked us.
“I apologize for saying this, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to provide hospitality that won’t disappoint my lords.”
Although he didn’t mention it specifically. I quickly understood his intention and eased the chief’s worry.
“Don’t worry. I won’t be disappointed by whatever food you serve.”
“If that’s the case, I’m relieved, but….”
The chief trailed off, as if he didn’t quite believe my words. Certainly, it might not sound trustworthy coming from a prince.
‘But I really don’t mind.’
Since I was young, I’ve never been someone who was particular about the taste of meals. I genuinely didn’t care what kind of food the chief would serve.
Next, when the chief looked at Rinet, she also smiled and answered.
“Don’t worry. I’m not picky either. Rather, I prefer food eaten in villages like this.”
“I understand.”
Considering that the Saint was originally a commoner and would have had modest meals in the Order, it was a reasonable statement.
The chief finally seemed somewhat relieved, nodding his head. But still anxious, he continued with another question.
“But I’m not sure if you’ll be alright with the sleeping arrangements…. My house is the best in the village, but I’m not sure if it will satisfy my lords.”
Sleeping arrangements.
Like with food, I wasn’t the type to be particular about sleep. I turned my head and nodded to Rinet.
‘Are you okay with it?’
She nodded slightly to the question thrown by my gaze. Rinet probably wouldn’t be uncomfortable for the same reason as with the meal.
Recognizing that we were on the same page, I was about to open my mouth to reassure the chief.
However, before that.
Sophie shouted loudly from beside the chief.
“Grandpa, don’t worry. Big brother and big sister are really nice people! They saved me from a magical beast! They’re kind!”
“…!”
For the chief who knew our identities, it must have been a very disrespectful way to speak.
He was very flustered and tried to scold Sophie.
“You kid! How dare you speak like that in front of such high personages!”
Just as the chief’s knuckle was about to strike Sophie’s small head again.
Sophie giggled and dropped a bombshell.
“And since they’re dating, they’ll use the same bed! We shouldn’t disturb them!”
“…”
Hearing Sophie’s words, the chief’s mouth fell wide open. So wide that one might wonder if a human could open their mouth that much.
His two eyes trembled relentlessly as he looked at us.
“Uh, urgh….”
Unable to produce articulate language from his mouth.
With his pupils containing pure shock, the chief swallowed hard, and.
He barely opened his mouth.
“…I-Is it true?”
“…”
Both Rinet and I wanted to deny it right away, but. We couldn’t open our mouths for fear of breaking Sophie’s girlish heart if we revealed the truth here.
In the end, the chief, as the price for obtaining the absurd information that the prince and the Saint were actually lovers.
“I-I apologize…! I will absolutely not tell anyone. I will keep this fact to myself and take it to my grave…!”
He recited an oath to avoid being completely destroyed.
“…”
Rinet, who had been watching the situation unfold, quietly reached out and pinched my waist.
The pinch was so strong that it felt like a piece of flesh might be torn off.
When I turned my gaze to meet Rinet’s eyes.
Her two cheeks were burning red with shame. Her gray pupils were filled with moisture, and.
A trembling voice resonated in my ear.
“…Your Highness. Just wait and see….”
To Rinet’s words, whispered close to my face.
“…I apologize.”
I sighed deeply and admitted my wrongdoing.
Having fallen for my persuasion, she had become my girlfriend overnight, so how could she not be embarrassed?
“?”
The little girl, unaware of the inside story, was just smiling brightly.