The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 12

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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! Episode 012
“Break off the engagement.”
At his firm declaration, I stared at Formoso with a dazed expression. His tone was far too serious for a jest.
“Are you sincere?”
Before I could stop myself, I asked, and Formoso nodded immediately without the slightest hesitation.
“But the Temple’s honor… The Temple might be engulfed in scandal.”
Especially this Temple—it was an exceptionally conservative institution. The kind of place that would spout nonsense about how a spouse’s infidelity was merely a sign of their abundant love, then pressure one to forgive and move on.
And if a Saint were to break off her engagement, the repercussions would be tremendous.
“It does not matter.”
Just as I was struggling to believe that the Archbishop, who treasured the Temple’s honor like gold, would say such a thing, Formoso added:
“This was never your rightful place to begin with.”
Ah, so that’s what he meant? As if someone like you deserves to speak of a queen?
Sigh, typical of you.
“Are you saying my position was never rightful because I’m a false Saint?”
I asked Formoso with an amused smile, and he immediately shook his head.
“His Majesty never promised to marry you from the beginning. He simply needed a queen of Saint origin.”
“I’m aware of that. But Archbishop, it’s been seven years. I’ve stood by His Majesty for as long as the Cassini Noblewoman has.”
“Yet you remain composed despite witnessing such a sight.”
Formoso narrowed his brows and spoke in a reproachful tone.
“What you witnessed today may well be God’s will for you to step aside.”
“…”
“From the start, I believed you were not suited to stand beside His Majesty.”
I watched Formoso in silence as he continued his earnest prattle.
On the surface, he appeared to be condemning Alfonso for his indiscretion and sheltering me.
But ultimately, he was diminishing Justitia by insisting she was never meant for this place. It left a bitter taste.
This was precisely why I found Formoso so repugnant. Alfonso and Sergio were openly villainous toward Justitia, but Formoso—he feigned concern while being utterly contemptible.
Well, it hardly mattered. My public position was ‘unwilling to break the engagement’ regardless, since I had to lie.
For some reason, Formoso seemed intent on my breaking the engagement.
‘I refuse to move at your whim so obediently again.’
I smiled faintly and spoke to Formoso.
“It seems I lack the charm to be His Majesty’s match, don’t I?”
Formoso visibly flustered.
“Saint, that is not what I meant.”
“It’s fine. Even from a woman’s perspective, the Cassini Noblewoman is charming. She has a certain cuteness, a lovability…”
“You possess those qualities as well.”
“There’s no need to flatter me. Isn’t that what you truly believe, Archbishop?”
“I harbor no such worldly desires.”
As I continued to belittle myself, Formoso’s expression hardened.
Anyone watching would think he genuinely revered Justitia.
But in the end.
“I hope you will acknowledge your wrongdoing and repent your sins, Your Holiness. Then I will save you by any means necessary.”
As if he were offering his hand at the cliff’s edge, only to let go.
I smiled brightly and shrugged my shoulders.
“I don’t want to break the engagement.”
[Lie Gauge increased by 0.1%]
[Current Gauge: 3.0%]
[Today’s limit has been reached]
“I won’t break it. I don’t harbor such worldly desires as wanting to be loved as a woman. My only wish is to become a virtuous queen and make Scalia a better place to live.”
“….”
“I choose to see this as a trial necessary to fulfill God’s will.”
I smiled faintly and gave a small nod. When I looked at him again, Formoso’s expression had grown rigid, though I couldn’t fathom what had displeased him.

* * *
Word of what happened at the engagement celebration spread through society in no time.
“They say His Majesty was in bed with the Cassini Noblewoman. And Your Holiness witnessed it.”
At first, only the accurate information circulated.
“They say Your Holiness was so shocked by the sight that she fainted.”
“His Majesty apparently said Your Holiness has no appeal as a woman whatsoever.”
“How could he say such a thing! And the Cassini Noblewoman just stood by and watched?”
Then the rumors grew more and more outlandish.
“In the end, they say the engagement will be broken off?”
“My goodness, ending a six-year engagement so disgracefully?”
“Well, the Cassini Noblewoman was the original fiancée anyway….”
“Still, this is hardly honorable. Your Holiness devoted herself for seven years.”
Neither side had said anything, yet people had already drawn their own conclusions.
But as the heroine of the original story, she wouldn’t simply allow herself to become the other woman.
“I feel so wronged. His Majesty said he was unwell, so I only went to visit him out of concern….”
“Oh, is that what happened?”
“Yes, I don’t understand why there was such a misunderstanding. I truly had no improper intentions whatsoever….”
…was the repertoire that Lumiel was spreading at every social gathering she attended, according to what Nora told me.
Meanwhile, Alfonso was hiding behind Lumiel’s skirts and saying nothing. Well, I was doing the same, but still.
‘In any case.’
Haven’t I waited long enough?
I began my preparations with a cheerful heart. It was for the monthly Mass where everyone would gather.
“You look truly beautiful today as well, Your Holiness. People say their mouths hurt from complimenting your beauty so much.”
Nora brushed my hair while watching my expression carefully.
When I merely smiled faintly without responding, Nora continued, growing more anxious.
“If you’re feeling unwell, perhaps you should rest today?”
“My, Nora. That’s impossible. How could I miss the monthly Mass that happens only once a month?”
At my dismissive response, Nora’s expression grew troubled.
“His Majesty the King will be attending. And the Cassini Noblewoman as well…”
So she’s attending, then.
Instead of answering honestly, I offered a faint smile. Nora’s expression grew even more sorrowful.
“Saint…… I truly wish you would make a choice that brings you happiness.”
“Don’t worry, Nora. I assure you, I am.”
My happiness lies in filling this gauge quickly and returning to where I came from.
I placed the halo crown upon my head one final time and stepped outside.
Cassandro, who had been waiting, bowed his head and followed after me.
“I trust you are not uncomfortable?”
He, who had remained silent throughout our walk, broke the silence as we drew near the Cathedral.
“I understand His Majesty and the Cassini Family will also be in attendance.”
It was strange to see him pose such a loaded question without so much as a flicker of hesitation.
When I simply stared at him, Cassandro seemed to think he had overstepped and hastily retracted his words.
“Forgive me. That was presumptuous.”
“Not at all. Thank you for your concern.”
I lifted the corners of my mouth slightly as I spoke.
“I was simply surprised. I never knew you were capable of asking me such things.”
“…”
“Do you also wish for me to break the engagement?”
“His Majesty is not worthy of you, Saint.”
“…… His Majesty?”
“Yes.”
His blunt assessment gave me pause, and I asked again, but his answer remained the same.
“You are too precious, Saint. Incomparably so.”
At those words, laughter burst forth uncontrollably.
Cassandro’s eyes grew tense, as though startled by my reaction.
I barely managed to stifle my laughter and offered my agreement.
“Ah, I think so too.”
I’m not cruel enough to wound a man speaking from the heart with lies like “that’s not true.”
Cassandro seemed half-astonished and half-bewildered by my response.
After all, everyone in the Temple knows I declared I would not break the engagement.
Of course, there was no need to explain further. We resumed our walk toward the Cathedral.
The nobles and royalty who had already arrived were visible. The Cassini Family was there as well. Sergio and Lumiel among them.
“Saint Justitia has arrived.”
As I entered the Cathedral, all eyes turned toward me. Their gazes soon shifted to Lumiel, flickering between us.
This was our first reunion since the party, and they made no effort to conceal their fascination.
Hardly the demeanor of people who had come to repent their sins before God.
Of course, they would serve as the audience God had prepared for my performance.
I walked toward the altar with a sorrowful expression.
I had reduced my meals somewhat, and my already gaunt frame had grown positively skeletal. My body was proving to be quite fuel-inefficient.
“Look how gaunt the Saint has become. It’s heartbreaking, really. She must be suffering terribly from all this turmoil….”
“Of course she is. The real one shows up, and she loses not just her position as Saint but her fiancé too. I wouldn’t be able to eat either, in her shoes.”
“The Saint’s position is one thing, but the fiancé—that’s genuinely cruel. A person’s heart isn’t some object to be traded away.”
The whispers around me were largely sympathetic. As I’d anticipated, I quietly curved my lips into a subtle smile.

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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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