The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 30

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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 030
“….”
Even after the Archbishop’s command fell, Cassandro remained standing firmly in place. Formoso, observing this, narrowed his eyes.
“Sir Cassandro.”
When he called out the name as a warning, Cassandro finally offered me a brief bow before departing.
Watching his retreating figure, my heart felt unsettled.
“Why must you speak so sharply?”
I was irritated enough to vent my frustration on Formoso.
“You saved me from nearly getting hurt.”
“You nearly got hurt because you’re practicing dance in a place like this.”
Formoso replied with an expressionless face, unlike his usual manner. I met his tone with equal coldness.
“Then where should a Saint practice dancing? Should I perform a polka in front of all the priests?”
“You should have come to me.”
Formoso clenched his teeth and offered his answer. In truth, it was only his answer.
I would have simply skipped dancing and gone to the ball instead—he was never an option from the start.
“Surely you’re aware that I’m the only one in the Cathedral skilled in high society dances.”
“I didn’t want to take up the time of someone so busy.”
“Is the Holy Knight Order Commander so idle? I heard tonight’s training was cancelled. Because of you, the Saint.”
I faltered at this unexpected revelation.
‘…But I was told there were no evening plans.’
Yet I responded without showing my surprise.
“There’s nothing wrong with taking a day’s rest. Training actually improves with proper breaks.”
“So you’re lenient with others but strict only with my circumstances.”
Formoso muttered with a deflated expression. I replied as though it were obvious.
“Because you’re the Archbishop. How could I impose personal requests on someone so important, leading the Barion Faith?”
“How is it private when a servant of God serves the incarnation of God?”
Formoso tightened his jaw and drew his face closer to mine.
“It is only natural that I exist to serve you. We call this truth, Saint. Why do you continue to keep your distance from me?”
So he had noticed after all. He wasn’t completely oblivious.
Then all this time, his apparent lack of awareness was intentional?
Upon realizing this, I felt genuinely displeased.
“It makes me uncomfortable.”
When I spoke bluntly, Formoso’s eyes wavered.
I met his gaze directly and spoke with deliberate clarity.
“As I’ve said before, both you and the Archbishop should be devoted to those in far more humble and lowly positions.”
I finished everything I had to say without avoiding his eyes.
“If I sought out the Archbishop for dance lessons, what would everyone think of me?”
“That’s hardly a concern befitting someone who dragged the Holy Knight Order Commander to a place like this.”
At his subtly pointed remark, I narrowed my eyes and asked.
“What do you mean by that?”
“It is exactly as I stated. If another Priest had witnessed that scene instead of me, what would have happened?”
“What would have happened?”
At my prompt to elaborate, Formoso continued with an exasperated expression, as though I truly didn’t understand.
“Rumors might have spread….”
“Who would dare entertain such a misunderstanding?”
Before he could finish, I cut in sharply.
“I still maintain my betrothal to the King. Do I truly appear to be the sort who would harbor feelings for another while he awaits me?”
Drawing my lips into a long smile, I returned to him the very words he had once spoken to me.
And passing over the wavering light in Formoso’s eyes, I whispered directly against his ear.
“Never.”
I pressed the words into his ear with deliberate clarity.
“So long as I remain Saint Justitia, I have not the slightest inclination to spare a glance for any other man.”
It was the truth. Not because I loved King Alfonso so deeply, but because engaging in romance here—when I would soon depart—seemed the most pointless endeavor imaginable.
As I slowly straightened, my eyes met Formoso’s rigid expression. I offered him a gentle smile and decided to end the conversation.
“So you may rest assured. I have no wish to see Lord Cassandro ensnared in scandal either.”
It was spoken with genuine sincerity. For the first time in my exchange with Formoso, I had not uttered a single lie. The strangeness of this realization was just beginning to settle upon me when—
“Yes, I trust you, Saint.”
Formoso, who had remained silent throughout, exhaled softly and finally spoke.
“As it happens, I have no evening engagements. Come to the Archbishop’s Chamber. There is a space suitable for practicing dance….”
“No, that won’t be necessary.”
I refused firmly before he could finish. Formoso looked at me with a momentary expression of bewilderment.
“Saint.”
“I mean it sincerely. As you know, I am hardly someone who cannot dance. It’s simply been so long since I last danced that I was concerned I might have lost the feel for it, so I merely wanted to practice once. That’s all.”
I smiled faintly and concluded the conversation.
“I’m rather tired, so I must retire early. Please do not overexert yourself either, Archbishop.”
And with a respectful bow, I departed the Choir Loft.
Fortunately, Formoso did not attempt to detain me, but….
‘He’s not here.’
Looking at the empty Choir Loft, I felt an inexplicable sense of disappointment. I had thought Cassandro would be waiting here.
Realizing belatedly how absurd the thought was, I found myself laughing.
The Archbishop had told me to leave; remaining here would itself be disobedience.
And Cassandro is not that sort of man. He is upright, proper, and loyal.
There must be reason enough that I chose him without hesitation as my practice partner.
In truth, anyone would have sufficed if not for Formoso, but having Cassandro among my options was decidedly satisfying.
As I stepped outside the Cathedral and turned toward my Quarters, I noticed a figure moving about in the shadows near the Cathedral.
Then the wind blew.
A faint grassy scent brushed against my nostrils. A massive dark silhouette drew near.
Though the surroundings were dark and the light dim enough to inspire fear, I felt nothing of the sort.
It was surely because the grassy scent grew stronger as the shadow approached.
I drew up one corner of my mouth.
“You weren’t leaving?”
Cassandro stood before me, studying my face intently before nodding.
I laughed lightly and continued speaking.
“Don’t worry about what happened earlier. The Archbishop has a rather delicate constitution.”
“I am not concerned.”
Cassandro replied curtly.
“I did not expect you to leave so early.”
“So someone who thought that way just happened to still be here?”
“….”
Cassandro fell silent, embarrassed. I chuckled and asked.
“Were you waiting for me?”
Cassandro nodded.
“Why?”
“It is late at night.”
Cassandro replied matter-of-factly.
“It is dangerous for you to walk alone.”
“Anyone listening would think this place was a lawless wasteland. Where else could you find a sanctuary as peaceful as the Grand Cathedral?”
I laughed softly and spoke to Cassandro, who continued to gaze at me steadily.
“Thank you for your concern. I would appreciate an escort.”
Cassandro nodded and began walking beside me.
The night was quiet all around, and only the sound of our footsteps echoed as we walked. It felt quite poetic.
I could have asked about canceling the evening training, but I decided against it. The response would be predictable anyway.
We walked in silence together, and as we approached my quarters, Cassandro broke the silence first.
“I am uncertain whether I made for a good practice partner today.”
I answered him with a broad smile.
“You were excellent. You truly surprised me. I had no idea you could dance so well.”
“….”
“If you were displeased by what happened earlier, simply overlook it for my sake. I was truly grateful for today.”
With those words, I stepped into my room.
At the same moment, Nora, who had been silent as a ghost the entire time, released a deep sigh.
“The Archbishop’s mood earlier was so frightening. I got scolded.”
“Tell me about it. He just took out his frustration on an innocent person.”
“It seems he was displeased because the Saint requested practice with someone else. Like a child who had his favorite toy taken away….”
Nora stopped abruptly and clamped her mouth shut. I burst into laughter.
“That’s absurd, Nora.”
Who would push the woman they loved toward the guillotine?

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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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