The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 103

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Saint is Such a Good Liar! Chapter 103
The Cathedral conducted additional interrogations of Clarissa and Lumiel, but ultimately released them without substantial results.
Yet the shadow of suspicion had not entirely lifted from either of them. The investigation was ongoing, after all.
Moreover, after an affair like this, Clarissa’s activities in high society would surely contract for some time.
“I can’t tell you how much I’ve wanted to speak during all this. But you see, the Saint is simply too kind.”
“You kept silent because you were worried about falling into the Cassini Family’s disfavor.”
“So the two of you grew close starting from that day, then?”
……or so I had thought. In reality, Clarissa was moving through high society with even greater confidence than before.
Because we had agreed beforehand to keep our distance for a while, I hadn’t had a proper chance to speak with her.
But from the rumors that reached my ears, there seemed little cause for concern.
“The Cassini Noblewoman’s stubborn denials only prove your judgment was right, Saint. Even if you’d been frank that day, the outcome would have been the same.”
Because Clarissa had thrown herself into high society activities with such fervor, Lumiel found herself with proportionally less ground to stand on.
Perhaps for that reason, she seemed to have withdrawn into seclusion for a time.
Then one day, shocking rumors about Lumiel began to circulate through high society.
“They say the Cassini Noblewoman tried to take her own life. She was found with blood dripping from her wrists, they say?”
“My goodness, is that really true? Nothing serious happened, I hope?”
“Well, since she’s safe, perhaps the Cassini Family will settle down now?”
A suicide attempt, then. How predictable.
Of course she would think that was the only way to escape this predicament.
‘How vicious of her.’
As I shuddered and left the chapel, I felt Nora’s eyes on me.
“Even if it’s true, Saint, it’s not your fault. I hope you won’t blame yourself needlessly.”
“Of course it’s not my fault, Nora. Don’t worry. If anything, I hope Clarissa doesn’t torment herself over this.”
Ordinarily I would send a letter to inquire after her, but…… if I knew Clarissa, she would be fine. Still, the worry lingered.
‘I suppose I’ve come to care for Clarissa more than I realized.’
It makes sense, of course. She was the one who wanted to testify truthfully for me from the beginning, and this time she exposed the Cassini Noblewoman as a Devil Worshipper.
‘It pains me that we’ll be parting soon. That’s why I was trying not to grow close to her.’
I sighed and turned to Nora.
“I need to go to the Cassini Mansion.”
With no other appointments scheduled, I could leave at once. When I arrived at the estate, the atmosphere was visibly unsettled.
Though I arrived unannounced, the butler readily agreed to guide me to Sergio when I said I wished to see him. It was Lumiel’s room.
“Brother.”
Sergio, who had been absorbed in thought, startled and turned at my approach.
It was clear he hadn’t slept properly in days; his eyes were hollow and sunken. I approached him with a look of concern.
“The rumors were true, then.”
Bandages wrapped around Lumiel’s slender arms were visible as they peeked out from beneath the bedclothes.
Sergio bit his lips hard, then covered his eyes with his hand.
“……What brings you here?”
“I came because I was worried about you. I was hoping it was just idle gossip.”
“The rumors have already spread?”
I glanced at Lumiel, who lay motionless as if dead, and spoke.
“Is her condition not serious?”
“Fortunately it’s not that bad. But she shows no sign of waking.”
“It may be a psychological matter.”
I gazed at Lumiel with sorrowful eyes, then quietly sank to my knees before Sergio.
Sergio was taken aback when he belatedly noticed what I was doing.
“I’m sorry, brother.”
“……What are you doing?”
“It all feels like my fault.”
I spoke with my head bowed low.
“I should have managed things better that day, but I……”
“Get up, Justitia. It’s not your fault.”
Sergio narrowed his brow and helped me to my feet.
I rose as though unable to resist. He then handed me something.
“This was found in Lumiel’s room.”
A letter. My hands trembled as I took it.
Inside were the predictable contents.
That she was innocent. That she had never pushed me, and that calling her a Devil Worshipper was absurd.
That she would prove her innocence through death rather than bear such shameful infamy.
‘She’s playing games.’
How dare you use your life as a bargaining chip? I barely managed to keep my expression from turning cold.
“Brother.”
Instead, I steadied my voice and spoke.
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle this.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I’ll bury this matter using the Saint’s Prerogative.”
“……But that goes against protocol. It would be a burden on you as well.”
“Lumiel nearly came to serious harm, and I can’t continue the interrogation. I don’t want to see you suffer any more than you already have.”
Speaking those last words, my insides churned. I swallowed back the bile and continued with all the gravity I could muster.
“Rest assured. I’ll persuade the Archbishop. Once I conclude the matter, no one will dare raise an objection.”
No, they absolutely will. Everyone will think I’m being lenient out of guilt over Lumiel’s suicide attempt.
‘They’ll focus on my mercy, Lumiel, not your innocence. You’ve made a grave mistake.’
True, she might escape immediate danger. But that makeshift solution will only tighten the noose around her neck further.
“……So what you’re saying is.”
Sergio pressed his forehead and muttered without lifting his head.
“Lumiel is still lying.”
“…….”
I stared at Sergio instead of answering. He exhaled shortly and rose from his seat.
“Let’s move somewhere else. There’s something I need to tell you.”
Exactly what I wanted. I had no desire to spend another moment in the same room as that wretched woman.
Before leaving, I glanced at the sleeping Lumiel.
Stop feigning illness and wake up already. There’s still plenty of hell left for me to show you.

* * *
Sergio led me to the Reception Room and brought tea himself.
I stopped him from drinking black tea and had a maid replace it with chamomile instead.
“It’s not good for insomnia.”
When I looked at Sergio with concerned eyes, his gaze wavered faintly before he turned away.
He sipped the chamomile tea the maid brought and finally spoke.
“I intend to investigate Lumiel’s past activities.”
I barely held back a laugh.
Ah, so you’ve finally realized your sister is abnormal?
“I heard Lumiel refused to testify about what happened before she returned to the Cassini Mansion. Even if the Cathedral officially suspends the interrogation, I won’t end the investigation into this matter.”
He set down his cup as he summarized.
“I mean to cooperate with the investigation. And keep it from Lumiel.”
“Are you certain about this? Of course, I trust the Noblewoman, but…….”
Knowing the truth, I feigned concern as I asked.
“One can never be certain of the truth. I’m afraid of something that might hurt you.”
Sergio spoke with an odd expression.
“You worry about me quite a lot, don’t you?”
“I’ve always worried. You just never noticed.”
“……I see. How could I not notice?”
Caught off guard by his unexpected reply, I paused before looking at him.
“Then you were turning a blind eye all this time.”
“You must resent me quite a bit.”
“Rather, I’m curious why you did.”
When I met his gaze and asked, Sergio fell silent for a moment before speaking.
“……Because I disliked it. You worrying about me.”
What kind of nonsense was this? Unable to understand, I narrowed my eyes and asked again.
“Then should I stop worrying about you?”
“No.”
What? He said he disliked it—now? The contradiction in his words only deepened my frown.
“Yet it still seems good. You worrying about me.”
“You speak in contradictions, brother. I can’t fathom what you truly think.”
“I won’t tell you. Never my innermost thoughts.”
Sergio slightly curved his lips upward, speaking as if to provoke me.
“I’m only glad that you worry about me now. That’s all you need to know.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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