The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 40

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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 040
Cassandro carried me down from the carriage. Formoso, who happened to be strolling through the Central Courtyard, caught sight of me and approached with a furrowed brow.
“Saint?”
“She fell down the Staircase.”
At Cassandro’s words, Formoso’s complexion drained to white in an instant.
“How on earth did this happen…!”
“I mistepped.”
I lied with a weary expression.
“I was lost in thought. That’s how it happened.”
For some reason, Cassandro didn’t mention his suspicion of Lumiel. Did that mean he trusted my judgment?
“One leg is fractured, and the contusions are severe. Without using your divine power, you’ll have difficulty moving properly for some time.”
At Cassandro’s report, Formoso narrowed his brow and did something absurd.
“What were you doing while the Saint fell into such a state?”
Why was this Cassandro’s fault? I was so exasperated that I quickly interjected.
“Sir Cassandro is not at fault, Archbishop. It happened when I was alone.”
“It is Sir Cassandro’s duty to ensure the Saint is never left unattended.”
“But you can’t expect him to accompany me to the Powder Room.”
While Formoso hesitated at those words, I continued my defense.
“Though Sir Cassandro is tasked with my protection, he can’t follow me everywhere at all times. It would make others uncomfortable, and besides….”
“Saint.”
Then Cassandro interrupted me. It seemed unprecedented, so I looked at him in surprise, and he continued with a serious expression.
“You need not defend me. Primarily, this is my fault. My negligence.”
“Sir Cassandro.”
“I apologize.”
He bowed his head to me, then spoke to Formoso.
“Your Eminence, the Saint’s treatment takes priority. Her injuries are severe.”
“…For now, escort the Saint to her Room.”
Formoso issued instructions calmly, and Cassandro nodded before leading me to my Room. As he laid me on the bed, he spoke.
“Rest now. His Eminence will be here shortly.”
“I hope you don’t blame yourself for this.”
Cassandro stopped in his tracks at my words. I sighed and continued.
“Please. I don’t want this incident to make things awkward between us.”
“…There’s no need for concern.”
Those words sounded like he would blame himself but show no sign of it, so I furrowed my brow.
“Such a frustrating man.”
I said it loud enough for him to hear, and Cassandro bowed his head before leaving the Room. Well, once I’m healed, things will be fine again.
Shortly after, Formoso came to my Room. I watched silently as he examined my condition.
“The leg fracture is severe. Thanks to that, the other injuries seem to be mere contusions.”
“….”
“For some time, it will be difficult for you to leave the bed.”
“I apologize for the trouble I’ve caused.”
I offered the courtesy words, and Formoso’s expression grew peculiar. Then he said something I hadn’t anticipated.
“I cannot use holy power at the moment.”
“What do you mean by that?”
He used it freely when I told him not to, but now he can’t use it when I actually need it?
I stared at him blankly, and he nodded with a regretful expression.
“Actually, I began a fasting prayer yesterday.”
“All of a sudden?”
“I felt my spiritual discipline had grown lacking lately, so I decided hastily.”
My brow furrowed without my realizing it. According to doctrine, one could not use holy power while observing a fasting prayer.
Not only the user of holy power but also the recipient could become spiritually defiled, or so the reasoning went.
‘The other priests’ holy power isn’t even sufficient to treat a fracture.’
As the saying goes, even dog droppings have their use in medicine—when you can find them. I sighed and nodded.
“I understand. There’s nothing to be done about it.”
The problem was that a fasting prayer typically lasted about a month. By then my leg would be healed and more, but….
‘What about my gauge by then?’
What good is a 10% bonus reward? If I can’t leave the house anyway, it’s actually a loss!
“Sigh… Perhaps it was fortunate after all that I didn’t tell the truth.”
Lumiel’s reputation hadn’t yet been damaged. While I remained confined to the Temple, she would make the rounds through High Society proclaiming her innocence.
‘She must have believed that when she pushed me down the Staircase. My lie at the tea party may have annoyed her, but surely she wouldn’t act so impulsively?’
So by the time I recovered and returned to social activities, I might well be branded as the ‘wicked woman who falsely accused the pitiful noblewoman.’
“Ugh…”
As I lay still on the bed, pain suddenly erupted across the areas that had only tingled before.
I would repay what happened today before I left this place. I ground my teeth and clenched my fists.
Never imagining I would receive a helping hand from such an unexpected person.

* * *
“It seems the rumor spread that the Saint stumbled on the Staircase and tumbled down.”
Nora smirked as she sorted through the endless bouquets and letters of concern that had arrived since that day.
So Nora didn’t believe my account either. Well, I suppose that was only natural.
“Your Holiness is far too kind. It’s not right to forgive everyone’s mistakes.”
“Of course.”
I hadn’t yet managed to say that I would repay them someday when someone called for Nora from outside.
When Nora returned a moment later, her expression had grown clouded.
“What’s wrong?”
“Someone’s come to visit you while you’re ill, but the person is….”
The Cassini Duke. At her added words, I narrowed my brow.
I told her to let him in.
“Bringing illness and then medicine—what nonsense.”
Nora grumbled as she left the room.
Shortly after, Sergio entered the room. Upon seeing my condition, he looked genuinely startled.
“…This looks quite serious.”
It would be. The bruises were turning a vivid shade of blue right where I’d struck myself.
“The Archbishop is here—why haven’t you received Holy Healing yet?”
“He entered a fasting prayer the day before I was injured.”
“Damn it… of all the timing.”
The way Sergio furrowed his brow seemed to suggest genuine concern for me, which felt oddly disconcerting.
Since when did he regard Justitia in such a manner?
Then my gaze shifted to the bouquet hidden behind him. He noticed my eyes and flinched.
“Did you bring that to give to me?”
“…It felt awkward to come empty-handed.”
He quietly produced the bouquet from behind his back. Upon seeing it, my eyes narrowed.
“White lilies?”
Of all the flowers in the world, he’d chosen white lilies.
“Are you telling me to die?”
“What?”
Sergio looked as though he’d only just realized the problem with the bouquet, his eyes widening in alarm.
“No, that’s not what I meant…!”
“Unfortunately, I’m not quite at death’s door yet.”
“No. That’s not what I meant at all….”
His face flushed crimson—apparently he was quite flustered.
Seeing him like this for the first time made me wonder if this was genuine. Then came an unexpected confession.
“They were your favorite flowers.”
…He remembered that? Why?
Unable to believe such words could come from Sergio’s mouth, I narrowed my brow further, and he seemed to think I was angry.
“I brought them because I remembered, damn it. I didn’t think to recall that particular meaning….”
“Did the Duke’s Daughter perhaps recommend it?”
“….”
So that was it. The uncomfortable feeling finally dissipated.
Of course—Sergio Cassini would never have taken such meticulous care with his attention toward Justitia.
“It seems the Duke’s Daughter wished for my swift demise.”
“That’s absurd. She merely said white flowers would suit you well.”
“Still, people don’t typically choose white flowers when visiting the sick.”
I’ll have to use this story later when I’m around others.
With that thought, I reached for the bouquet he was holding.
Sergio, caught off guard, moved to stop me.
“Give them here. I should throw them away. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“Please don’t. It’s not a fatal illness anyway, and the flowers bear no blame.”
As I lowered my head, the rich fragrance of lilies enveloped me. The scent was lovely.
I closed my eyes and savored the aroma quietly, then lifted my head. Sergio averted his gaze before speaking.
“You must be restless, confined to bed like this.”
“What can I do? My leg is broken.”
I answered without much thought, but an unexpected proposal followed.
“Would you like to come to my house?”

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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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