The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 110

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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 Saintess Is Too Good at Lying! — Chapter 110
The grip in Cassandro’s hands went slack, and the sword he’d been holding clattered to the floor. By the time he registered this rare mistake, he was already scrambling.
He hastily pulled on the shirt that had fallen askew. Though from where I stood, I could barely make it out in the darkness anyway.
“My apologies.”
“No, it’s—that’s fine. I didn’t expect you to be here at this hour either.”
Though honestly, I hadn’t expected to find anyone wielding a sword at this ungodly hour either!
“Do you always train this late? Wouldn’t it be better to sleep early and wake early?”
“I can’t fall asleep. And you, Saintess—aren’t you leaving tomorrow?”
“I can’t sleep either. I was just taking a walk.”
“Is something troubling you?”
Cassandro’s expression darkened in an instant as he asked.
Anyone watching would think he was deeply concerned for me. As if he weren’t already counting me as a five-year assignment.
“I couldn’t sleep because of what you said earlier. It was quite shocking.”
I’d meant it playfully, but Cassandro’s face grew even more confused. Yes, I’d known he would react this way.
“That was—I misspoke. I meant no disrespect.”
“It’s alright. I know how careful and sincere you are. You don’t need to explain. A walk should clear my head of the shock.”
“I’ve never thought of you as a five-year assignment.”
Cassandro spoke urgently.
“I’m serving the Saintess now, and all I mean to do is give you my best. Beyond that—I haven’t thought about it, and neither should you worry about it.”
……
“That’s all.”
It was a clean explanation. Normally, I would have laughed it off as a joke on my part. But for some reason, I couldn’t this time.
He said he’d never thought about what comes after, but the fact that there would be a next Saintess bothered me in a way I couldn’t quite name.
“I see.”
Since my own resolve to leave was firm, I couldn’t very well show my displeasure at this contradictory feeling.
“It was just a joke, that’s all.”
In a sense, I’d lied. My heart felt uneasy because of it.
“But I still hope you won’t blame yourself for what happened then. It was an accident, and if we’re assigning fault, it belongs to me. If you keep blaming yourself, it troubles my heart.”
“Understood.”
Yet there was no word of reconsidering his decision.
“The Vice Commander is capable. He will serve the Saintess better than I could.”
“Well then, why not hand over your position to him?”
“If there had been more Holy Knights last time, such things wouldn’t have——”
“Ah, let’s not talk about that anymore. I feel like I’m getting angry again.”
I cut the conversation short, and Cassandro fell silent as well. A natural quiet settled between us.
“So why can’t you sleep? Surely not because of what you said earlier?”
As I sighed and changed the subject, Cassandro’s expression became peculiar.
He seemed to hesitate before answering, so I prompted him with a look. He opened his mouth tentatively, his voice soft.
“……It seems I’ve developed insomnia.”
“Suddenly? Even with all that training?”
“I think it’s from the nightmares I’ve been having lately.”
“What kind of nightmares?”
……
Cassandro said nothing. He always does this when cornered.
“Would you let me help? Holy Power might be of use.”
Cassandro looked at me quietly, then shook his head.
“I doubt it will help.”
“Don’t jump to conclusions. Come here.”
I beckoned, and Cassandro hesitated before approaching very slowly.
What was he so embarrassed about?
“I’m filthy……”
At his quiet murmur, I let out a short laugh and objected.
“What do you mean, filthy?”
“I should bathe first——”
“And what am I supposed to do in the meantime? Stand here? Or wait in your room?”
Finally realizing that neither option would do, Cassandro approached me without another word.
Despite his worry, there was no smell of sweat at all.
Instead, the fresh forest scent that was always his natural fragrance grew stronger, deepened by the exertion of his training.
As he stood before me, the moon hung behind him. In its faint light, his face was beautiful as sculpture, sacred as a holy icon.
No wonder he was a Holy Knight.
‘Handsome,’ I thought absurdly.
With that notion in my head, I drew him into an embrace, wrapping my arms around his neck.
Cassandro stiffened, his breath catching. I felt the tension coil through his neck.
I stroked the nape of his neck gently, smiling.
“Why so tense? I’m not going to bite.”
When his body began to relax, I pressed my forehead against his and channeled Holy Power into him. In the pitch darkness, the white light blazed all the brighter.
“How’s your headache? You startled me last time with that sudden spell.”
I withdrew carefully and asked. Cassandro flinched, then opened his mouth.
“……It’s fine. It was temporary.”
“See? The Holy Power worked.”
I looked at him with a smug expression, as if to say I told you so.
“It ought to help with nightmares too.”
“I trust it will.”
His words, sighed more than spoken, scattered on the wind that had just begun to blow. Long strands of hair drifted about in the breeze.
Cassandro watched quietly for a moment, then reached out to me carefully.
His slender fingers brushed against my cheek before gently gathering up a strand of hair and tucking it away.
“Travel safely.”
He wasn’t saying he’d come along. I laughed with hollow disappointment and spoke.
“I’ll miss you.”
It occurred to me belatedly that this might sound strange, so I added hastily,
“You’ve always accompanied me wherever I’ve gone. I’ll feel the loss.”
“…….”
“Well, at least you’ll be comfortable enough. It’s not such a long journey to Birrelli…….”
That was when I turned and found Formoso standing there.
His face was rigid, drawn tight.
Cassandro, following my gaze, turned and went very still.
“Archbishop.”
I greeted him casually, but Formoso’s expression did not soften.
He approached with that frozen face and issued a cold command to Cassandro.
“Return to your quarters, Cassandro.”
Cassandro fell silent for a moment, then lowered his head and withdrew.
I understood what he must be thinking and opened my mouth to explain.
“It wasn’t——”
“Saintess.”
Formoso spoke in a cold voice.
“The King is a jealous man. He has lived his whole life in the grip of the fear that what is his might be taken from him, and nothing has changed since he came to the throne.”
That’s why he’d be so calculating. I barely restrained myself from retorting and stared at Formoso.
“It’s only because I saw what just happened that this hasn’t become a disaster. If the King had seen it, we’d be in serious trouble.”
“He couldn’t sleep and came on a walk, and I heard he was suffering nightmares, so I gave him Holy Treatment. That’s all.”
It bothered me to receive such a reprimand from Formoso of all people, and not from some other man.
“You know as well as I do that direct forehead contact is most effective for issues in that area. I do this with everyone.”
“But there was no need to do it in such a remote place at this hour.”
“This was the most open location. Should I have gone to his room instead?”
I let out a bitter laugh and shot back.
“I was careless. At least I wouldn’t have had to deal with the Archbishop catching me and sparking these ridiculous misunderstandings.”
I fixed Formoso with a cold glare and finished speaking.
“I’ll be more careful going forward.”
I turned to leave, intending to pass by him.
Suddenly Formoso seized my wrist. I narrowed my eyes and looked at him.
“What are you doing?”
“Do you not wonder why I am here at this hour?”
Formoso held my gaze as he spoke.
“I, too, have suffered nightmares. I could not return to sleep and came out for air.”
“You could take a walk. Or go to prayer.”
I answered dismissively and tried to move on, but Formoso still held my wrist, refusing to let go.
“Archbishop.”
“I, too, am in need of the Saintess’s mercy.”
His bald request drew a bitter laugh from me.

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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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