The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 36

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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 036
What brings someone who should be at the Temple to a place like this?
I was puzzled, but the confusion didn’t last long. The music hadn’t ended yet, and I had a partner.
“Why do you ask?”
“It’s nothing.”
The perceptive Cassandro turned his head, but I cupped his cheek and held his gaze before speaking.
“I’ll tell you when the music ends.”
His steady gaze trembled slightly, and then Cassandro nodded.
We danced the waltz faithfully, and when the music stopped and he exhaled softly, I told him.
“The Archbishop is here.”
Cassandro’s brow furrowed as he turned. Formoso approached us with an expressionless face.
“Isn’t that the Archbishop?”
“Indeed. What brings him here…?”
The Archbishop’s sudden appearance left those around us murmuring in confusion. His clerical vestments made him stand out even more.
“Archbishop, what brings you here?”
“Your departure was delayed.”
“It’s not even midnight yet.”
Even Cinderella enjoyed the ball until midnight. I replied with exasperation, but Formoso’s demeanor remained unchanged.
“You never skip evening prayers, so I grew concerned. I wondered if something had happened.”
“Lord Cassandro is with me—what could you possibly worry about?”
I smiled as I spoke, but Formoso’s expression darkened further.
Why was I engaging in this battle of wills with this man?
“Let’s go, Lord Cassandro.”
I slipped past Formoso and stepped outside. Nora quietly followed, having arrived at some point.
“How did you know I was here?”
“I was coming out with some provisions when everyone was talking about you. After receiving so much attention like that.”
“All for dancing one waltz.”
“But it truly looked like a painting. Lord Cassandro, you were magnificent!”
Nora popped the snacks she’d brought into her mouth and gave a thumbs up while chewing.
Cassandro only laughed awkwardly and said nothing more.
We rode in the repaired carriage back to the Grand Cathedral.
Formoso descended from the carriage moments later. I spoke as if for his benefit.
“Let’s go to the Main Chapel, Nora.”
“Now? To pray?”
“The Archbishop came to scold me for not praying. I should go pray.”
“Saint.”
Formoso objected with a hardened expression.
“That’s not it. I was genuinely worried…”
“You could have sent an attendant, but you came yourself.”
I cut off his words and spoke.
“I can’t even fathom the depths of your heart. You must have been terribly worried.”
“…Yes.”
Formoso bowed his head deeply and answered in a small voice.
“I was worried.”
“I know well that the Archbishop is someone who worries easily.”
I spoke with a faint smile, and Formoso’s eyes suddenly softened. But I scoffed at that expression and continued.
“However, if you have worries to spare, use them for the poor in the streets, not for me. Since I’m under the protection of Cassandro, it would be excessive for the Archbishop to worry further.”
“Saint.”
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
I bowed politely and was about to head toward the Cathedral when—
Suddenly, someone grabbed my wrist from behind. I turned my head to see Formoso, his expression anxious, speaking urgently.
“It’s getting late. Why don’t you rest for today?”
Truth be told, I wanted to do exactly that, but seeing Formoso’s flustered face, I suddenly felt like being contrary.
I smiled and shook off his hand.
“How could I, considering the Archbishop’s sincerity?”
“Saint.”
Formoso’s jaw tightened.
“I was reckless. I was merely startled by something so unusual.”
Getting even one apology was difficult. I gazed at Formoso’s tense face for a moment, then smiled.
“I was startled too, so let’s call it even.”
Only then could I return to my room.
Nora immediately attended to my bath. As I sank into the warm water, my fatigue seemed to melt away entirely.
“Still, today’s harvest was quite good….”
“That’s right! The donations collected today came to 1.5 million cal!”
I had been referring to the gauge, but Nora, unaware of the situation, seemed to have interpreted it as donations.
“You were truly at the height of popularity today. Everyone will surely think of you as ‘the flower of high society.'”
“A flower bought with money, then?”
“That’s nonsense. You didn’t give it—you received it! And with the donations on top of that, you seemed even more popular.”
That was true. It had been an impulsive idea born from regret at how many people had gathered, but in the end, everyone was satisfied, so it had worked out well.
“Who decides the verdict?”
“The people do.”
Nora spoke with gleaming eyes.
“Very soon, a great many invitations will arrive at the Cathedral.”

* * *
Nora was right. Starting the next day, an enormous flood of invitations to social gatherings arrived at my doorstep.
“I don’t think I can possibly attend all of these.”
“Of course not. You’ll need to be selective about which ones you attend.”
After saying that, Nora added as if she’d almost forgotten something.
“This isn’t discrimination against people. It’s simply that your time and energy are limited, so there’s no helping it.”
“Right, I understand.”
It seemed the words I’d spoken at the ball had made quite an impression. Though I had to admit, it was a rather hastily constructed justification…
“Well, let’s exclude this one, and this one too…”
“Why?”
It was rare for Nora to remove invitations without asking my opinion first. She hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“It would be better if you didn’t attend that gathering.”
“Is it an unsavory place?”
“No, it’s not that…”
Nora answered with an uncomfortable expression.
“It’s a gathering favorable to the Cassini Family. I suspect… the Cassini Noblewoman will receive the same invitation.”
Just like Sergio, everyone seemed determined to have it both ways.
There had been quite a commotion, but it had ultimately ended as merely an incident. Once word spread that the two of us had cooperated in preparing for this debutante ball, everyone seemed to have decided to pretend nothing had happened.
I gathered the invitations Nora had set aside and handed them back to her.
“Then I’ll make sure to accept these invitations.”
Nora looked at me as if doubting her own ears.
“There are still people who might misunderstand. People who might think I’m on bad terms with the Cassini Noblewoman.”
Nora gave me a questioning look. I smiled and spoke.
“I want to clear up that misunderstanding.”
Honestly, with Lumiel around, I have plenty of opportunities to tell lies. She’s practically a honey pot for me.
“Your Holiness, you don’t need to get along with everyone. Even Barion dislikes certain people, you know.”
Nora admonished me with a serious expression. I laughed brightly and replied.
“I know, Nora. But to be honest with you—I don’t mind seeing the Cassini Noblewoman.”
Of course, Nora didn’t look convinced. Instead, she gazed at me with pitying eyes, as if thinking, ‘Our Holy Saint is simply too kind-hearted for her own good…’

* * *
Among the selected invitations, the first to open was a tea party at Follia Mansion.
“Can the flower of high society really be this plain?”
My attire remained just barely respectful, which earned Nora’s disapproval. Yet as always, once the preparations were complete, she wore a satisfied smile.
“Well, no dress could outshine our Saint’s face anyway.”
“Your flattery skills are improving, Nora.”
“What? It’s not flattery, though?”
Nora protested indignantly as she followed me outside, then pulled Cassandro, who had been waiting, into the conversation.
“I can’t be the only one who thinks this way, right? Lord Cassandro, you also think there’s no dress more radiant than the Saint’s face, don’t you?”
“Enough, Nora.”
I laughed awkwardly and caught hold of Nora.
“Everyone would think the same.”
“Your flattery skills are rather dull, Lord Cassandro.”
“…It’s not flattery.”
Cassandro’s expression looked genuinely aggrieved. After a moment of contemplation, he asked.
“Then were the kind words you spoke to me also flattery?”
“What? I would never do such a thing.”
“Then I don’t understand why you would think I would.”
Cassandro spoke with such sincerity that both Nora and I went blank.
Nora quickly nudged my ribs as if urging me to fix this.
“Ah, I understand. I believe you.”
“Then I shall believe your words were spoken with genuine sincerity as well.”
“Yes, it wasn’t flattery.”
I nodded awkwardly.
I had the strange feeling I’d been drawn into something, but seeing the faint smile playing at Cassandro’s lips, I decided not to dwell on it further.

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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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