The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 3

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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 003
From that day forward, Cassini Duke began searching for a girl who was the same age as Lumiel, bore a similar appearance, and possessed divine power.
The girl selected through this search was Justitia, who had grown up in the Orphanage.
She was immediately registered as Cassini Duke’s adopted daughter and sent to the Temple as the new Saint.
With such swift action, the confusion caused by Lumiel’s disappearance seemed to fade away, but Sergio was deeply displeased with the situation.
“I believe Lumi will return someday. So you shouldn’t expect me to treat you as an older brother. I have no intention of acknowledging you as my sister.”
He, who had cherished his sister dearly, denied Justitia’s existence and drew a firm line between them.
That very attitude only fueled Justitia’s desperation, having a family for the first time.
She persistently called him “brother” despite his dislike, yearning for his attention.
So everyone could see that Justitia was the only one clinging to this one-sided relationship.
That’s why everyone believed Justitia would fear losing her family when Lumiel appeared.
But I had no intention of regarding a man whose execution on the guillotine I had foreseen as my brother.
“This is what you wanted too, isn’t it, Duke?”
As I asked with a bright smile, Sergio’s expression hardened and he gave no answer. He even looked slightly taken aback, which was amusing.
Until now, no matter how many times I called him “brother,” he pretended not to hear. So he’s upset that I’ve suddenly drawn a line?
“Yes.”
Sergio slowly opened his mouth.
“From now on, I will also be careful in official settings. After all, you are the Saint.”
….
“I’ve been far too casual with you until now.”
“Please don’t mention it. I was equally so, so think nothing of it.”
I laughed it off lightly and tidied up the situation.
Because of this, even though the Saint who had desperately wanted to win her brother’s heart had drawn a line for the first time, people didn’t seem to find it strange.
“By the way, Saint, would you mind looking at something I’m planning to submit to the Charity Bazaar today? I’m worried it might be too shabby.”
Just then, Lumiel conveniently changed the subject. I smiled slightly as if to say, let me see.
But when I saw what was in Lumiel’s hand, my expression stiffened without my realizing it.
“It’s this.”
It was a pearl earring with a pink ribbon that Justitia had worn frequently until her coming-of-age ceremony at fifteen.
After her coming-of-age ceremony, Justitia rarely wore accessories.
So most of the accessories she had worn in childhood were kept at Cassini Duke’s Residence.
Lumiel had brought one of them. Without even asking the owner’s permission.
“It’s gotten a bit worn, and the design is too childish for my taste. But would something like this be too shabby to put up for the Charity Bazaar?”
I was momentarily speechless and looked at Sergio. He surely knew this earring belonged to Justitia.
Yet the moment his eyes met Justitia’s, he simply averted his gaze. Just as he had avoided Justitia’s eyes when she stood on the guillotine at the end.
But if I got angry here, saying it was mine and demanding why she was disposing of it without the owner’s permission—
“I’m truly sorry, Saint. I’ve only just returned home, so I didn’t know. Please forgive me…!”
How predictable.
Then I would become a hypocritical Saint who tells others to donate while refusing to do so myself.
And the added image of tormenting the “real” one who had only just come home.
“That couldn’t be further from the truth, Miss. What matters is the heart behind any gift.”
I shook my head nonchalantly.
“Isn’t this the measure of a noblewoman’s heart in wanting to help the poor?”
At my words, Lumiel’s smile wavered slightly.
It had to. After all, I’d just mocked her supposedly ‘genuine saintly’ compassion by pointing out that her charitable contribution amounted to nothing more than a single unused children’s earring.
“Many noblewomen with young daughters will surely appreciate it.”
I smiled faintly and turned away. I felt a slight pang of regret that I hadn’t technically lied, so my gauge hadn’t increased.
‘Still, it’s better to avoid entanglement when possible, just as Nora said.’
After all, I could always lie in other situations.
“By the way, those pearl earrings that Cassini Duke’s daughter brought earlier—weren’t those the ones you used to wear often when you were younger?”
“Hmm… No. They aren’t mine.”
I raised my gauge by approximately 0.3% while conversing with the other nobles.
Half of high society conversation is lies, after all.
I was turning to find another target for deception when it happened.
“Oh!”
The sensation of colliding with something, the sound of a glass shattering, and a familiar groan followed.
With an ominous premonition, I immediately looked down to see Lumiel standing amidst the broken glass, her dress stained with wine.
Ah, you again.
“Are you alright, my lady? Are you hurt?”
I hurried to examine Lumiel’s condition with an expression of concern. She gasped in surprise.
“I, I was just waiting to speak with the Saint…”
“Yes, it happened because I didn’t realize you were behind me when I turned. You must have been startled.”
I completely shut down Lumiel’s attempt to make it sound as though I’d deliberately struck her, and personally wiped the wine from her soiled dress.
“Are you alright? It seems you’ll need to change your dress.”
“Ah, yes…”
“Please escort the lady.”
I spoke to the maid fidgeting beside Lumiel. It was a face I’d often seen at Cassini Duke’s Residence.
While the servants cleaned up the broken glass, those around me expressed their concern.
I reassured everyone that I was fine and continued the conversation naturally.
Shortly after, Lumiel reappeared in a fresh dress and apologized to me.
“Saint, I’m sure I startled you greatly. I’m so sorry.”
“There’s nothing for you to apologize for. That was simply an accident.”
I concluded the conversation with a kind, service-industry smile.
“The Charity Bazaar will be starting soon, so I should be going.”
And I quickly left the area where Lumiel was. Nora squeezed my hand as if to say I’d done well.
“Why does Cassini Duke’s daughter always seem to have accidents only around the Saint?”
“Don’t overthink it. We need to start the Charity Bazaar now.”
Traditionally, the Queen’s lady-in-waiting oversaw the Charity Bazaar proceedings, but since the Queen’s position was currently vacant, I, as the Crown Princess, had taken on the role.
Some items had been submitted in advance for the auction, while others were accepted on the spot.
After conducting the auction for the third charitable item, I walked through the Hall carrying a beautiful basket into which the nobles placed their contributions.
“Thank you.”
Each time the nobles placed precious metals into the basket, I offered a subtle smile and bowed my head.
It felt somewhat like begging, but… it was still a good deed, after all.
And finally, my steps carried me to where Lumiel stood. I wanted nothing more than to pass by quickly, but Lumiel was searching through her pocket with such earnest determination.
Yet….
“Hm?”
In an instant, Lumiel’s expression turned ashen.
Sergio, who had been standing beside her like a bodyguard, reacted immediately.
“What’s wrong, Lumi?”
“Brother….”
Lumiel turned her head, her face crumpling with distress.
“My earrings… they’re gone.”
“The pearl earrings with the ribbon?”
“Yes, I was certain I had them safely tucked away….”
“Did you perhaps drop them when you changed dresses earlier?”
“Oh.”
Lumiel clapped her hands as if suddenly remembering.
“Now that you mention it, I forgot to remove the earrings from my previous dress. Lila, go fetch them at once.”
“Yes, Miss.”
“I shall take another turn around the hall, then.”
I was about to leave with those words, but in that moment, someone seized my wrist.
When I turned, Sergio was gazing at me intently with those water-blue eyes. I met his stare with composed indifference, as if asking what the matter was.
Sergio slowly removed a crescent-shaped brooch from his chest.
It was an exquisite piece, densely set with finely carved black onyx and lustrous white pearls.
He placed it into the basket without once breaking his gaze from me.
I averted my eyes from his stare and looked only into the basket, then nodded slightly.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
[That is a lie.]
[Lie Gauge increased by 0.1%]
[Current Gauge: 0.5%]
This status window is remarkably perceptive. How did it know I was lying?
Truthfully, I felt no gratitude whatsoever for whatever Sergio chose to donate.
After all, he was nothing but garbage—he never treated Justitia as family, and he was the first to abandon her.
I was about to turn and leave when Lila, Lumiel’s maid who had disappeared earlier, came rushing back urgently.
“Lila, did you find the earrings?”
“Miss…!”
Lila answered through tears.
“The earrings are gone.”
“What? What do you mean they’re gone? Did you search properly?”
“I searched the entire room where you were, but they truly weren’t there.”
At those words, Lumiel’s face registered shock.
Sergio forced a gentle expression onto his cold face as he comforted Lumiel.
“Don’t trouble yourself, Lumiel. I’ve already paid for the brooch on your behalf.”
“Brother, but….”
“It wasn’t worth much anyway.”
I found myself stopping in my tracks at those words.
Even though I knew perfectly well it was the earring Justitia wore constantly.
‘What a despicable bastard.’
I was about to resume walking, concealing my displeasure, when—
—clink!
Something fell. From very close by, in fact.
The pearl earring that Lumiel claimed to have lost lay at my feet.

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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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