The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 17

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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 017
“I’m fine. Anyone who saw me would think I was a patient.”
“I heard you weren’t feeling well.”
“It’s not severe enough to require Your Majesty’s support. Rather than that.”
I spoke as I slipped on the gown Nora had brought me.
“You enter my room far too casually. It’s true that the Saint and the Archbishop share a closer relationship than other priests, but.”
“Ah.”
Formoso pretended to only then realize his mistake.
His feigned composure was so brazenly transparent that I nearly burst out laughing.
“My apologies. I was careless.”
“Careless, indeed.”
I continued speaking as I tied the sash of my gown securely.
“I mention it only because I fear others might misunderstand. There are gossips even within the Temple, after all.”
“Who would dare entertain such misunderstandings?”
Formoso laughed dismissively as he spoke.
“You still maintain your engagement with the King.”
So that was what bothered him. I chuckled softly and replied without concern.
“Is that what you came to argue about?”
“Not at all. I was simply curious.”
Formoso suddenly knelt on one knee before me.
Not understanding his intentions, I stared at him—only to watch as his hand moved to the sash tied around my waist. With practiced ease, he began fashioning a ribbon.
“Do you love the King so much? Enough that even with the Temple’s protection, you cannot break the engagement?”
“Sigh… I wish you had come tomorrow instead.”
I sighed openly and deflected, causing Formoso to regard me with a slightly flustered expression.
Yes, if I were the true Saint Justitia, I would have smiled brightly without showing displeasure and conversed with him.
But I am not so virtuous, and I have no reason to tolerate you.
“As I mentioned, I’m not feeling well. If breaking the engagement is your business, I’ll receive you tomorrow.”
“Where exactly are you unwell?”
“Simply exhausted. I’ve been going out frequently lately.”
And I added a pointed remark.
“Haven’t I been rather busy lately cleaning up after the Archbishop’s previous remarks?”
Formoso seemed quite taken aback by this.
He apparently hadn’t expected the person in question to belittle something he thought he’d done for Justitia’s sake.
How could he be so self-centered?
“Saint.”
“Let’s meet again tomorrow. I won’t go anywhere and will remain at the Temple.”
“….”
Formoso stared at me with persistent eyes, then suddenly grasped my cheek.
Where on earth did he learn such terrible manners—touching someone’s body without permission? The Holy Kingdom surely didn’t teach such behavior.
As I tried to brush his hand away, he moved his thumb to caress my wounded lip.
“Ugh…”
As I winced at the sting, Formoso’s brow furrowed deeper.
“Where have you injured yourself this time?”
“I bit my lip too hard. I’ve applied medicine, so it should be fine.”
I tried to pull my cheek away from his hand, but Formoso wrapped his other hand around my wrist instead.
‘What is he doing?’
Regardless of my furrowed brow, he whispered.
“Do not hesitate to call upon me.”
Formoso’s fingers still rested against my lips.
“You are the Saint, the embodiment of the divine, and I am God’s servant. Why would you hesitate to command a servant?”
“That is presumptuous. I would never address the Archbishop in such a manner.”
“Your injuries are of no concern. I can heal you whenever you need.”
Formoso held my gaze steadily as he continued.
“But if you do not call upon me, my heart grows troubled. Are we truly so distant with one another?”
“Your power should be used for God’s servants who are far weaker and more pitiful than I. The same applies to me.”
I regarded Formoso with a flat expression and continued.
“As I have said before, I do not wish to receive special treatment for being a Saint. It seems the Archbishop does not listen to my words very carefully.”
“…So resolute, aren’t you.”
At Formoso’s meaningful murmur, I narrowed my eyes.
It was absurd. Was I to be praised for simply speaking my mind? Did he think I was some puppet that only says what he wants to hear?
Just as I was about to tell him to remove his hand, white light began to emanate from his palm against my cheek.
“Ah…”
As the white light flowed into my body, I felt instantly refreshed.
No one dislikes the sensation of fatigue melting away. Yet that did not change the fact that my will had been blatantly disregarded.
Keeping my eyes narrowed, I stared at Formoso until he smiled faintly and finally withdrew his hand.
“Forgive me. But I hope you will understand my heart, which acts only for your sake.”
For my sake? I let out a hollow laugh at yet another empty apology repeated from before.
“Rest is paramount. Please take care of your precious self.”
Fine, I hadn’t expected anything anyway. Best to send this parrot that won’t listen to reason on his way and get some sleep.
“…Please take care of yourself as well, Archbishop.”
I nodded to show courtesy, and he turned to leave with a faint smile.
Disgustingly virtuous, yet utterly selfish.
I untied my ribbon, removed my gown, and lay back down on the bed. Whether from the lingering effects of divine power or not, sleep came quickly.

* * *
The next day, I sought out Formoso as promised. I had cleared my schedule of any other appointments.
I was confident that a dozen lies would flow effortlessly during our conversation.
“Welcome.”
When I arrived at his office, Formoso was pouring tea. A fragrant aroma filled the room. He asked with a faint smile on his face.
“How are you feeling?”
“Thanks to you.”
I answered with a smile that seemed to radiate sincerity, and Formoso stared at me intently.
What was he looking at?
When I met his gaze directly, Formoso quickly turned his eyes away. Only then did I notice his ears had flushed red.
“You seem warm.”
Well, it was certainly hot at midday now.
“Why don’t you open the window?”
“I prefer the quiet.”
It didn’t seem like it would be particularly loud even if opened, but I didn’t press the matter further.
We sat across from each other, and after taking a sip of the green tea, I spoke.
“Did you come yesterday because you were displeased that I haven’t broken off the engagement?”
“Displeased? I merely said I had questions.”
“Archbishop, it’s been seven years. Seven years I’ve lived as the King’s beloved.”
I set down my teacup and uttered a lie that had grown quite stale by now.
“I love him. How could I be the first to let go of someone I love?”
My vision remained steady. I had told this lie so many times that my status gauge didn’t even budge at this point.
Damn it, when did lying become something I had to make creative?
“What is it about him that you find so appealing?”
Formoso asked as if he couldn’t possibly understand.
“Surely it’s not just a sense of responsibility?”
“Of course not. The King is kind, capable, and handsome. He cherishes me.”
Thanks to this, I was becoming an increasingly shameless liar.
My status window flickered rapidly before my eyes. Unlike my smile, Formoso’s expression had grown rigid.
“The Saint says the King cherishes her.”
Formoso asked incredulously. When the reaction was this good, I wanted to tell even more outrageous lies.
My concept was… well, a flower-filled mind that mistakes a clunker for a luxury car no matter how much people try to convince her otherwise.
“Even with this scandal, he hasn’t broken off the engagement with me. If he truly loved the Cassini Noblewoman, there would be no reason not to end it with me. She’s the ‘real’ one.”
And with an expression overflowing with emotion, I delivered the final blow.
“He must love me more.”
“….”
Formoso stared at me blankly for a moment, at a loss for words, before speaking coldly.
“That’s because he doesn’t want to openly antagonize the Temple. Not because he loves you more. Don’t you realize the King is currently weighing you against the Cassini Noblewoman?”
Yeah, don’t worry. I know that well enough.
I fixed my expression and rebuked him.
“Are you slandering the King right now, Archbishop?”
“…What?”
“Apologize for what you just said. His Majesty is not the sort of person to be so calculating.”
At my words, Formoso’s expression went blank before he let out an exasperated, hollow laugh.
I felt my lips twitch as I fought back the urge to laugh in the same way.

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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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