The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 13

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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 013
“But the Cassini Noblewoman has also lost considerable weight. She goes around claiming how wronged she feels.”
I glanced toward Lumiel and saw it was true. Well, people needed to see her suffering to believe in her innocence.
Either way, it was terrifying.
“But how could that be a misunderstanding? The two of them being alone in the King’s Chamber seems rather suspicious.”
“Well, she claims she was visiting him while he was ill.”
“Then she should have gone with the Saint. Why do something that invites such misunderstanding?”
The whispers of the faithful grew louder, filling the chapel with noise. Everyone was gossiping while maintaining an air of propriety.
“His Majesty the King enters.”
At the chamberlain’s announcement, the cathedral fell silent as a tomb.
Unlike the two gaunt women, Alfonso in his white ceremonial robes cut an impressive figure, his arrogant smile playing at his lips as though nothing had happened.
His brilliantly gleaming golden hair looked insufferably radiant.
But I just needed to wait a little longer. That handsome face would soon shatter.
Shortly after, Archbishop Formoso appeared. His elaborate white vestments, worn only during mass, stood in striking contrast to his dark crimson hair.
He met my eyes and nodded slightly, offering a thin smile.
This was my first reunion with Formoso since the betrothal party, when I’d heard demands for the engagement to be broken. I’d expected it to be awkward, but I felt surprisingly unmoved.
“Your Majesty, and beloved children of the Barion Faith. We gather in gratitude to fulfill the will of the divine, and I hereby commence the March monthly mass.”
What followed was no different from an ordinary service. I waited for my blessing prayer, my mind wandering.
“…Thus concludes the scripture reading.”
And finally, it was my turn. I found myself smiling as I looked toward Formoso.
‘What’s this?’
Formoso met my gaze and smiled identically. It was an ordinary response, yet something felt off.
“Before the Saint offers her blessing prayer, I have something to say.”
At Formoso’s sudden words, the faithful stirred with bewildered expressions. Formoso regarded them with a gentle countenance and….
“Due to recent improprieties, the Cathedral has decided to support the dissolution of the Saint’s betrothal.”
…dropped a bombshell.
Everyone’s jaws fell open. Alfonso, Sergio, Lumiel—none were exceptions.
Startled, I turned to Formoso, and he smiled with perfect courtesy, his gaze fixed precisely on me.
What the hell? Was this man truly insane?
“Archbishop, isn’t that a rather inappropriate statement to make during a sacred monthly mass?”
Alfonso shot back with a bewildered expression at the Archbishop’s mad outburst.
“Such vague remarks seem reckless in damaging the dignity of the royal house—hardly befitting your station.”
“Indeed. I refrained from speaking explicitly, as doing so in the presence of children would damage the royal dignity even further.”
Formoso continued scratching at Alfonso’s pride, his smile never wavering.
“Moreover, the union of man and woman to establish a household is among the most sacred of ceremonies. It is hardly a topic unfit for discussion at a monthly mass.”
Well spoken. One cannot underestimate the skill of a man who presides as master of ceremonies every week.
Before I knew it, I’d forgotten my initial shock and was watching the two men’s clash with genuine interest.
Fight, fight.
Whichever side won wasn’t my concern—I had my own separate plan regardless of the outcome.
‘Though I wouldn’t mind if Formoso won.’
I don’t particularly like Formoso, but watching that shameless adulterer squirm in embarrassment is rather entertaining.
Besides, my stance against breaking the engagement was only maintained because of the lie detector—if he truly wanted to dissolve it, I had no reason to refuse.
“Saint Justitia is a symbol of the Barion Faith in the Scalia Kingdom. According to my conscience as Archbishop, I cannot in good faith preside over an unsuitable marriage for the Saint.”
“Excuse me, did you just say unsuitable?”
“Indeed. Presiding over a marriage that betrays a seven-year betrothal would be something even God would not condone.”
“Nothing happened!”
Alfonso’s face finally twisted into a scowl as he bellowed the words.
“Nothing happened, you say? Archbishop Formoso, can you take responsibility for what you’ve just said? Are you telling me the Church can deceive the kingdom with lies and slander the royal family?”
The tension in the air escalated. Alfonso’s breathing grew harsher. Just as he was about to speak again—
“Please stop, Your Majesty.”
I closed my eyes as if in anguish, my body trembling slightly as I stepped forward.
Silence fell over the Cathedral in an instant. All eyes turned toward me.
I stopped directly in front of Alfonso. The man, towering well over 180 centimeters, sighed as he looked down at me.
“Justitia, I believed the Saint would be different.”
Alfonso spoke while staring directly at me.
His face, so rigid unlike when he’d entered, was pleasant to behold, and the way he seemed to find hope in my intervention was almost amusing.
“I believed your eyes wouldn’t be clouded by these ridiculous rumors.”
“Your Majesty.”
I smiled pitifully. Had Alfonso been more perceptive, he would have silenced me right then.
“I understand you, Your Majesty.”
“Yes.”
A satisfied smile bloomed across Alfonso’s lips.
“Only you truly comprehend my suffering…”
“Because the real one has returned, your heart must have wavered.”
“…What?”
Alfonso stared at me with a vacant expression. I smiled at that foolish face and continued in a whisper.
“How could I possibly condemn such a natural feeling in your heart?”
“What are you saying, Justitia? I would never—absolutely never—!”
“Don’t deceive yourself. That is a sin. Whatever your true feelings are, Your Majesty, I can… accept them all.”
As I spoke, I bit my lip slightly, swallowing back a sob.
The vast Cathedral was so silent that even that small sound seemed to echo loudly.
“Justitia, don’t you know my true heart belongs to you?”
Alfonso responded a beat too late, as if caught off guard. His expression remained flustered.
I smiled faintly and said nothing.
No one spoke. Even Lumiel remained silent.
A wise choice. Had she intervened, all the blame would have fallen upon her.
But because Lumiel stayed quiet, all the uncomfortable gazes fell squarely on Alfonso.
“That would truly be wonderful.”
I murmured the words almost to myself.
“Even if it isn’t, please remember this. My love for you, Your Majesty, is…”
I bit my lip gently and lowered my head. After waiting about three seconds, I lifted it again, adorning my face with a tender smile.
“I mean it. I still do.”
[Lie Gauge increased by 1%]
[Current Gauge: 4.0%]
[Today’s limit has been reached]
A whole percent jumped at once?
Caught off guard by unexpectedly reaching my daily limit, I froze in shock. The nobles, witnessing my reaction, began whispering among themselves once more.
“Yet she speaks so gracefully—her heart must be burning with anguish.”
“She is the very model of a virtuous wife. But if my own daughter behaved this way, I’d be seething with rage.”
“That’s precisely why the Archbishop publicly endorsed the annulment at an occasion like this.”
Their murmurs, though individually soft, merged into a cacophony when gathered together. Amid the gossip, Alfonso alone stood frozen, as though struck by a blow.
Now that I’ve filled my lie gauge completely, there’s no need to bother with the remaining people, is there?
“Forgive me, Archbishop. Regarding today’s blessing prayer….”
“You don’t appear to be in good health.”
Formoso stepped in to help me, as though he’d been waiting for this moment. Ah, I’m actually impressed by him for the first time.
“I shall offer the blessing prayer in your stead. Everyone is fine with that, I presume?”
No one was tactless enough to shake their head.
I covered my face with both hands and passed by Alfonso, who remained frozen in place. Concerned gazes clung to me like sticky residue.
“Ha….”
As I stepped outside with a shallow breath, Cassandro was standing there. I regarded him quietly for a moment before asking.
“Did you see everything?”
“Yes.”
“Do you still think I’m pitiful?”
He nodded. I barely managed to suppress the laughter threatening to burst from my lips.
Even if it was a lie, it was pleasant to hear.

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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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