“I’m… aware that I’m not reliable.”
I slowly took a chance.
“It’s not that I don’t trust you, Sister. It’s just that I find that guy’s stubbornness annoying.”
Still, being someone experienced in social circles, she spoke kindly to me.
Turning toward Ria’s father, I inclined my body slightly as a gesture of thanks.
Ria’s father observed my action with a hint of interest, while Ria shot a glare at her father.
“If Ria is by my side, there will surely be dangerous situations. It has always been that way. So I understand your worries.”
“The position of a hero is meant for dealing with such matters. Considering that Chaeun is someone who could rise to that position, it’s really nothing.”
“But it’s not in front of you, Father.”
I cautiously looked up at Ria’s father as I spoke.
“It’s not just in front of you; more importantly, if that becomes a matter of a ‘lifetime,’ the story changes. I will probably continue living this kind of life from now on.”
The original story didn’t mention Ria’s father visiting the Church. If such an event occurred, the dialogues between the Saintess and Lee Chae-eun, who always bickered, would have been brought up at least once.
That’s why he must have been worried.
Ria is in a far more precarious situation now than in the original story. Isn’t that only natural? We’ve met several times when we shouldn’t have. Magic orbs like that are something I discovered first in this world—alongside Ria.
Moreover, the fact that I almost died once is a story that could be easily heard if one wanted to. Though it wasn’t publicly shared, Ria’s father is a hero.
So Ria could very well end up in that situation too—that’s what he must have thought.
Just like Ria’s mother.
“… Ria, I’ll be honest with you.”
I turned to Ria and said.
“I would definitely be happy if you became my knight.”
Suddenly saying that, Ria recoiled in shock and her face slowly turned red. I’ve seen her blush in embarrassment before, but this was the first time she turned this red.
“But… Ria.”
However, as I continued my sentence, Ria’s expression shifted to one of neutrality.
The ‘but’ that follows every statement negates what came before it.
“Ria, are you really okay with that? Are you really okay with living your whole life like this? Is it really fine to give up on what you want to do? Ria, if it’s to see me, you could do anything. Time will pass and we could be friends anytime.”
Right.
I was in a convent, but just like Ria’s father requested a meeting, Ria could request a meeting too. No matter how difficult it is for a nun to hold a meeting, considering our relationship, Ria’s position, and mine, it wouldn’t be entirely denied.
I could go see Ria. I could still see her when I go to the association.
“But being a nun, being a knight, is different. I’ll be able to see you every day. As my knight, I can eliminate any threats that come close to me immediately. But Ria, that position would be just that—it’s a placement without a role to do anything else. You wouldn’t be able to do all the things you can’t do as a nun. Still, would that be okay?”
“…”
Ria remained silent and expressionless at my words.
Ria’s father quietly observed the situation.
“So?”
Ria kept silent for a few minutes, then barely opened her mouth.
Her voice seemed to simmer.
Ria was angry with me.
“So what do you want? Are you telling me to leave now? Or are you saying that someday I should go? You told me I could be your knight and whatnot, but now you’re saying you can’t allow it?”
“No, Ria. I have no right to refuse your words.”
“What does that even mean?”
“How could I refuse such a dazzlingly pure favor?”
“…”
At my words, Ria looked somewhat dazed.
Her flushed face showed no signs of returning to its original color.
I felt a little sad.
Right.
Let’s be honest.
I… don’t dislike Ria. Rather, if I were to categorize my feelings, it would be closer to affection.
Even after so long, and even though I’m a guy, I feel attracted to Ria. With a face so beautiful, so kind, and so joyfully expressive, I simply can’t help but be swayed by my feelings.
She is far removed from the notion of a saintess.
And because of that, I was a little scared of Ria.
When she approaches me with such pure goodwill, what if she finds my thoughts dirty someday?
What if she finds them disgusting?
Still, I understand. Living together in a convent, with just a paper wall separating us for showers, changing clothes right behind each other, wearing swimsuits, and taking pictures close together—it would be perfectly reasonable if I had impure thoughts during those times.
But because of that, I can’t refuse. Hurting someone I have feelings for is something I’m far too afraid of.
“But that’s why I’m asking. I’m worried that because of that favor, Ria might sacrifice something.”
“… What about you?”
“…”
“So if I said I’m going to stay here, what will you do? Are you going to send me away whenever I want to do something?”
“… No.”
“Then?”
“To put it another way, I won’t refuse that favor. I wouldn’t want to, either. However, I’ll take some responsibility for it.”
“Responsibility?”
“As much as Ria protects me, I will protect Ria.”
“…”
Right. This is sincere.
Even if it means sacrificing something, I must do it.
This isn’t something I’m saying just to repay her kindness. I do have feelings for Ria in my own way.
Ria has many possibilities ahead of her. Of course, I do too, but looking at the current situation, I feel like I can’t just live freely like that.
Moreover, I’ve already lived through my past life. If it comes down to it, Ria’s life is far too precious.
Ah, that doesn’t mean I’m trying to sacrifice myself thoughtlessly.
“Hey.”
Before I could continue speaking, Ria interjected.
Then, she jumped up from her seat and approached me.
“You called me your knight.”
“… Yes. I still think that way—”
“Do you even understand what it means to be a knight?”
… Um, a relationship built on loyalty to a lord?
Of course, I know that the relationship between knights and lords in the medieval times isn’t just that. Loyalty is essentially a service provided for payment. I’m not saying there weren’t knights who felt genuine loyalty, but that’s basically what it comes down to.
However, Ria doesn’t seem to say that just because she’s desperate for money.
“Honor.”
Ria said that word.
“The profession of a knight in modern times is essentially an honorable position. It’s the same for receiving medals in another country and for the knights of other religions. It’s a position you can’t hold without honor.”
“… Is that so?”
“Yeah. And your being my knight also means that protecting you is my way of protecting my honor.”
Ria looked down at me as she said that.
“So don’t go talking nonsense. It’s my job to protect you, not yours. Or do you mean to say that you’re going to take my honor away now?”
I couldn’t find any way to refute her words.
While I was fumbling for words, Ria added more.
“And you said you’d quit if you become a saintess.”
“Eek!?”
That took me by surprise, and I quickly turned to Ria’s father. His face, while looking at us, was more amused than horrified, but I quickly raised my hand to cover Ria’s mouth.
But my hand was caught by Ria, who stretched both sides and pried it open.
Ria was grinning.
“Why? You said you’d quit, right? You’re going to be free anyway. So it’s only until then—why are you saying this so dramatically, huh? Wait, wasn’t your goal to not become a saintess? You don’t believe in some god, right?”
“Ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh! What are you saying!? Other people are listening!?”
“I just can’t understand it. You boldly say such things in front of others, and even planned to collude with the evil lawyer, but now, in front of my dad, you act like this?”
Why?
Because!
So!
So, huh!?
All the things I said a moment ago feel completely nullified!
The resolutions I made suddenly seem embarrassing!
I meant it sincerely! I said that after careful consideration!?
Can’t I just imagine the worst-case scenarios!?
“Ugh.”
As I struggled to break free from Ria’s grip, a sound came from behind.
“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!”
It was the sound of Ria’s father laughing.
It was a hearty laugh, just as cheerful as his appearance.
Ah.
I want to shrink away.
I wish I could completely shrivel up and become some earthworm or a snail or something.
I want to hide underground.
Cautiously glancing back, Ria’s father was holding his belly while roaring with laughter. He waved a hand toward us a few times before turning and leaving the room.
And just as he was about to go—
Peek-a-boo.
He peeked his face around the door and gave me a thumbs up.
Then he truly left.
“… Sob.”
Ah, I’m getting snot everywhere.
And tears too.
Just a little bit, though.