The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 34

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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 034
What was this nonsense about money now? I stared at Sergio, who stood with an air of nobility, with a bewildered expression.
“Why aren’t you writing it down?”
Nora looked at me with a flustered expression.
Just write it down. I mouthed the words to her.
Money has no sin.
In an instant, Sergio’s name shot to the top of the list. It was only natural—his donation was five times the amount of the original top donor.
He said nothing more, merely looked at me, and then silently left his seat.
“Your Majesty, you’ve saved 500,000 Cals.”
When I made this remark to Alfonso, who had been standing there the whole time, his previously calm expression soured again.
What? I was trying to make him feel better.
“Justitia, do you think I’m doing this because I lack 500,000 Cals?”
“That may not be the case, but… if it weren’t for the dance slots, no one would have donated at all.”
“I’m donating too. 500,000 Cals.”
“Truly? Even so, I cannot dance with you twice. Please decide carefully…”
“I know. I’m donating. 500,000 Cals!”
Why was he getting angry about this?
Unable to make sense of it, I stared at him intently, and Alfonso snatched the donation ledger from Nora’s hands, then erased the name of the tenth nobleman—the final slot.
“Then I have the right to ask for this much, don’t I?”
“That would be difficult, Your Majesty.”
My status window had instructed me to fill all the dance slots.
When I spoke firmly, Alfonso asked with an incredulous expression.
“I donated 500,000 Cals, and you won’t even grant me this small favor, Justitia?”
“Are you trying to make me submit with money?”
If the money were going into my own pocket… I might have been tempted. But it wasn’t.
When I replied indifferently, Alfonso glared at me again. I spoke with feigned kindness.
“If you wish, I shall withdraw.”
“What?”
Alfonso’s expression became even more incredulous at my words.
“Don’t treat me like a fool. I have no intention of withdrawing.”
“Then I am grateful.”
I smiled sweetly to end the conversation, but something strange flickered across Alfonso’s expression as he looked at me.
Ah, did my artificial smile give me away?
“Then I shall fill in the dance card in this order and inform the respective nobles accordingly.”
“Thank you for your trouble, Nora.”
At last, I had a moment to rest. As I savored this final respite, I glanced around the ballroom.
In my line of sight, I could see Lumiel dancing. The way she moved her feet in quick, light steps to the cheerful rhythm was…
“…quite lovely.”
It was then that the music entered a section with an accelerated tempo, and Lumiel’s dancing became noticeably unstable.
And then disaster struck. Lumiel’s steps tangled, and she fell.
“Ah!”
What was that dance partner doing? He couldn’t even properly support such a delicate frame.
I clicked my tongue and continued watching intently.
Falling at a debutante ball due to poor dancing skill was quite shameful indeed.
The music didn’t stop, but every eye turned toward Lumiel.
“Oh….”
Lumiel’s expression crumpled instantly. The man dancing with her fidgeted nervously, checking on her condition.
“Y-Your Highness. Are you alright?”
“Yes, sob….”
Her words said one thing, but her expression said another entirely. Lumiel looked as though she might burst into tears at any moment.
“Lumiel.”
Sergio rushed to her side belatedly. At that, Lumiel’s expression grew even more distressed.
“Brother, sob….”
“Are you hurt? Is anything injured?”
“I’m fine. But… I made a mistake….”
“It’s alright. Everyone makes mistakes.”
…What did he just say?
“The Cassini Noblewoman must never make mistakes. Even if you were fortunate enough to gain this position, shouldn’t you demonstrate responsibility befitting it?”
That cold voice scolding Justitia came flooding back. The emotions she had felt then were vivid and clear.
Feeling sympathetic, I patted my chest as if comforting myself. Of course, it was comfort directed toward Justitia, not me.
It’s alright. You will never make mistakes again now. You don’t even need such hollow comfort.
“You should rest for a while.”
Sergio helped Lumiel to her feet and led her away.
Those around them marveled at Sergio’s tenderness.
“He’s truly such a kind brother. I really envy the Cassini Noblewoman.”
Of course, there were also whispers about Lumiel, who had made the mistake.
“But to fall at a debutante ball… I would be so embarrassed I’d want to crawl into a hole.”
“Well, that’s true… She hasn’t lived as nobility for long, so it can’t be helped. This is her first time, and she’ll improve gradually.”
People are so lenient with those born with silver spoons. I watched the scene unfold without particular thought, when suddenly an important fact occurred to me.
“Nora, my second slot isn’t the Cassini Duke, is it?”
“That’s right.”
“Oh my, how unfortunate. Since the Duke had to leave due to this regrettable accident, I suppose I’ll have to cancel that slot.”
I drew a line through Sergio’s name on the dance card with a deeply sympathetic expression.
The mission was to fill the dance card completely, not to dance with all those people.
“B-But it seems he’ll return soon….”
“No. From what I could see, the Cassini Noblewoman twisted her foot quite badly. If they call a doctor, it will take considerable time.”
I smiled slightly and continued.
“It’s unfortunate, but we can’t have other people’s turns delayed because of one Duke. That wouldn’t be fair, would it?”
“I suppose you’re right….”
Nora nodded in agreement. Just then, the music that was originally meant for Sergio and me began to play.
Thanks to the extra break time, I was contentedly sipping a cocktail while enjoying the music when he appeared.
“Justitia.”
Sergio suddenly materialized before me.
His usually immaculate appearance was disheveled—his hair tousled, his bow tie askew.
What was so urgent that he’d rushed over without regard for propriety?
“I’m a bit late. You saw what happened, I’m sure—Lumiel took a fall while dancing, and I had to escort her out.”
“Yes, I saw. I even watched as you left with the Noblewoman.”
At my words, Sergio’s expression grew oddly uncomfortable. I was beginning to wonder why when—
“It was unavoidable. I couldn’t very well leave Lumiel in the care of another man.”
“Of course not. You needn’t explain yourself to me.”
His expression was brightening at my words when—
“Unfortunately, your slot has already passed.”
“My slot has passed?”
“Yes. This music playing now is the piece you were originally meant to dance to.”
Sergio’s face crumpled instantly. He clenched his jaw and opened his mouth.
“That sounds like you’re refusing to dance with me.”
“You’re misunderstanding. It’s not that I won’t dance with you—it’s simply that your slot has already gone.”
I shrugged as I spoke.
“It can’t be helped. The dance card has a fixed order. If I accommodate your lateness, it will throw off everyone else’s timing.”
“Then I’ll take the last slot.”
“…Are you serious?”
I narrowed my eyes and studied Sergio carefully.
I still didn’t understand why he’d made such a substantial donation, but I understood why he’d claimed the first slot—slot order was tied to authority and status.
For him to voluntarily take the last slot was difficult to comprehend.
It was as though he genuinely wanted to dance with me…
‘That can’t possibly be it.’
But the thought was rather amusing, so I asked with a smile.
“You really want to dance with me that badly?”
I’d expected him to scowl and protest indignantly.
Instead, Sergio pressed his lips firmly together and said nothing.
What… could he actually be serious?
“You.”
Then Sergio finally spoke.
“I find it uncomfortable watching you sell your slot to the highest bidder.”
It was similar to what Alfonso had said. I responded with an expressionless face.
“When you put it that way, it’s uncomfortable for me to hear.”
“What I mean is—”
“The order cannot be changed. The dance card is already full, and I will be leaving after my eleventh dance.”
I spoke firmly, then gave him a slight nod. The music ended at that very moment.
I spoke firmly and then gave him a slight nod. Just then, the music ended.
The man in the third slot approached me. I quickly smiled and spoke to him.
“Shall we head over there?”
As I moved toward the center of the Ballroom with the third man, I glanced back over my shoulder.
Sergio was staring at me with a visibly strained expression. I had to resist the urge to smirk at the sight.
‘He’s certainly changed.’
In the past, whether Justitia sold off her dance slots or not, he wouldn’t have even considered putting his name down.
I really couldn’t fathom what he was thinking these days. Had he suddenly decided he wanted to look after both his younger sisters?
Why, because it seemed more advantageous to the Cassini Duchy? But it was already too late.
‘As long as I’m Justitia, I can’t have it both ways with two sisters—the real one and the fake. Sorry, Sergio.’
So he should have been kinder to Justitia from the start. It was his own doing.

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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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