The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 41

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Saint Is Such a Good Liar! Episode 041
…? Why me?
The words nearly escaped my lips aloud, but I barely managed to hold them back.
I found myself irritated, sensing the reason behind this absurd proposal.
‘He must have noticed that I’ve been acting differently from Justitia.’
I hadn’t given the impression of being ensnared by Lumiel’s schemes or jealous of her, my reputation remained untarnished, and above all—
At the debutante ball, I had drawn a line so unmistakably clear that he couldn’t possibly have missed it.
Sergio had simply realized too late that I was still the Saint, and there remained advantages to seeing me as such.
I’d known for some time he didn’t regard me as family, but still…
“Why would I?”
It was infuriating.
“Are you asking me to heal you with my holy power?”
“Ah…”
But Sergio’s expression shifted into discomfort.
What, no? You came to appease Justitia, but you can’t even manage that much?
“That would be difficult. Lumiel can’t use her holy power right now.”
“Why not?”
“You mentioned she’s been doing charity work excessively. It seems her holy power has been depleted.”
The explanation made sense. Using holy power was similar to donating blood—once you expended your allotment, you needed time for it to replenish.
‘But Lumiel’s holy power should be greater than Justitia’s, shouldn’t it? How much charity work has she been doing?’
In any case, this gave me even less reason to visit the Duke’s Residence.
“To recover quickly, eating plenty of meat would be best. But the Temple typically maintains a vegetarian diet.”
“You’re asking me to go all the way to the Duke’s Residence just to eat meat?”
My incredulous response seemed to make Sergio realize how unreasonable it sounded, and he fell silent.
No, even if it weren’t meat but the finest delicacies, I despise your household…
‘Wait.’
Come to think of it, wasn’t this an excellent opportunity to settle accounts with Lumiel?
‘Lumiel has done things to me, so there’s no way I’d enjoy staying at her residence.’
Knowing that, would Sergio still have me stay at the estate? Perhaps this would be the perfect way to torment both siblings.
‘Besides, being around Lumiel means plenty of opportunities to lie. There’s really no reason not to go.’
I broke into a radiant smile and changed my answer.
“I’d love to!”
Sergio’s expression turned bewildered, as if this was unexpected.
“Why the sudden change? Have you reconsidered?”
“…That’s not quite it.”
“You’ll need to prepare delicacies at every meal. After all, I’ll be there with a broken leg.”
Sergio nodded with a dazed expression and spoke.
“I’ll assign my personal physician to you.”
“A physician that skilled isn’t necessary for a fracture. Time is the best medicine.”
“Even so. There should be some reward for you coming to our home.”
You keep mentioning home, home, home. Since when did you start thinking of that place as Justitia’s home?
It was absurd, but if they were going to provide decent medical care, there was no reason to refuse.
‘Strangely, the Temple’s Doctor seems rather half-hearted when treating me.’
Was it because I had no need for anyone else after receiving one-on-one treatment from Formoso?
“In any case, we need to get the Archbishop’s permission.”
“I’ll obtain it.”
Sergio was quite eager about it. Well, I was grateful for his help.
But when Sergio returned, his expression seemed displeased somehow.
“What’s wrong?”
“The Archbishop said he needs to see you himself and confirm the doctor. As if I were trying to forcibly take you somewhere against his wishes.”
“I’ll meet with him and explain. It’s not a difficult matter.”
Shortly after, Formoso appeared in my room. His expression was openly reluctant.
…Even so, he’s a Duke. Had Formoso always been this poor at managing his expressions?
“The Duke said the Saint wishes to go to Cassini Duke’s Residence.”
“That’s right.”
“That’s not a good idea. How can you travel with an injured leg? You could worsen the injury in the process.”
Sergio interjected upon hearing those words.
“You’ll recover faster there than at the Temple, Archbishop. You’ll receive treatment from a superior doctor and eat superior food.”
“It’s not a serious illness, just a fracture. You’ll heal fine if you remain still.”
Logically speaking, Formoso’s words weren’t wrong.
“I would have stayed here too, Archbishop. If only you could use divine healing.”
It was simply that what I needed to hear right now wasn’t what he was saying.
When I pointed out what he couldn’t do for me, Formoso flinched and looked at me.
“Then should I stop my fasting prayers….”
“No, please don’t stop because of me. I couldn’t bear the guilt.”
I shook my head quietly.
“I want to go home.”
At those words, Formoso’s eyes narrowed.
“This place is now your home, Saint.”
This time Sergio’s eyes narrowed, and he immediately countered.
“Justitia’s surname is still Cassini, Archbishop.”
“Then who calls the Saint by the name Cassini? She has already devoted herself to the Barion Faith.”
“Now, you two. Don’t fight.”
If you’re going to argue, take it outside—it’s too loud. I smiled gently as I spoke.
“You can both call it your home. So right now, I want to go to the Cassini home.”
“Saint, you won’t receive divine healing at the Cassini Mansion either.”
“But I can eat meat dishes to my heart’s content there.”
As I answered with ease, Formoso’s expression went blank for a moment before his voice rose.
“We can provide it. Here is more than sufficient….”
“There’s no need for that, Archbishop.”
Sergio interjected in a low voice.
“How could Justitia swallow even a sip of water with ease when the Archbishop is fasting?”
Formoso turned to him with a sharp gaze. Of course, Sergio met that look without flinching, staring back just as intently.
“I fail to understand your objection. You said yourself you couldn’t even administer sacred healing to Justitia.”
“It’s unthinkable for the Saint to abandon the Temple.”
“Besides, she’ll be confined to bed for some time anyway, won’t she? Her room overlooks the garden, so it will be far less tedious than this place.”
With that, Sergio approached my bed as though no further consent was necessary.
The problem was that he lifted me into his arms without asking my permission either.
Startled, I reflexively grasped his shoulders, and our eyes met. In that instant, I felt his shoulders stiffen.
“…There’s no need to go to such lengths. Sir Cassandro will attend to me.”
“You’re bringing that knight along?”
“Of course. He’s my escort.”
Sergio’s brow furrowed.
“Who brings an escort to their own home?”
“Well, as the Archbishop said, I belong to the Temple.”
At those words, Formoso’s stern expression softened somewhat. I smiled gently and spoke.
“Then you needn’t worry, yes? You were the one who came all the way to the Ballroom before midnight last time, concerned about me.”
“….”
Both Sergio and Formoso fell silent. Sergio glanced at Formoso briefly, then nodded and left the room.
Sergio placed me in the carriage. Our departure was delayed as Nora gathered the luggage and we waited for Cassandro to arrive.
In the meantime, I found myself sharing the carriage with Sergio. This was an unexpected hardship.
‘I’ll have to adapt. After all, I’ll be living under the same roof for several weeks.’
I might as well make this time more useful. I broached the subject cautiously.
“…Ah, that’s right.”
Sergio looked at me.
“Does the young lady know about this situation?”
“….”
“Duke?”
So he hadn’t told her. Sergio frowned and answered.
“No. I made the decision impulsively.”
Impulsively? I’d assumed it was a carefully considered proposal….
‘No, how could I believe everything this man says?’
This must be part of his efforts to win Justitia’s favor. It would certainly appear more dramatic that way.
In any case, that’s not what matters now. I asked with a worried expression.
“Still…shouldn’t you obtain the young lady’s permission?”
“Does family need permission to come home?”
I hesitated, then sighed.
“It’s just that the young lady doesn’t seem to approve of me going.”
“Why would Lumiel object?”
“…Duke.”
I furrowed my brow slightly and opened my mouth, only to exhale a sigh and close it again.
“It’s nothing, really.”
“Why are you stopping mid-sentence?”
Indeed, nothing frustrates people more than someone trailing off like that.
“Tell me, Justitia.”
And second only to that is the torment of someone dangling information just out of reach.
“It doesn’t seem like something I should trouble the Duke with.”
“I am still your guardian.”
Sergio replied with considerable arrogance.
“Whatever it is, I need to know.”
“….”
“Justitia, speak now. Unless you’re trying to drive me to madness.”
At those words, I hung my head as though consumed by anguish, waiting until Sergio’s patience was nearly exhausted before finally opening my mouth.
“…Do you know why I ended up like this?”
“What are you talking about? You said you tripped on the Staircase.”
“That’s what everyone believes.”
I fell silent after that. Fortunately, the status window didn’t resort to such petty tricks as stripping away my additional rewards.
“It sounds as though there’s another reason.”
“It’s….”
I drew out my words as if about to speak, and just as his expression grew intensely focused, I shook my head.
“I cannot say.”
“Justitia!”
“Please.”
I made my plea with deliberate earnestness.
“Don’t let the discipline I cultivated at the Temple go to waste. I’m enduring this as well, after all.”
“What on earth are you saying?”
“The truth is, I was so happy when you asked me to come home. But….”
I sighed and arranged my expression into something quite wistful.
“I worried greatly, knowing full well that the Young Lady would disapprove.”
“What? Why would Lumiel disapprove?”
“That’s….”
When I still couldn’t continue, the exasperated Sergio exhaled a heavy sigh.
“Fine. I’ll just ask Lumiel myself.”
Is he truly that foolish?
“Duke, then I cannot go to the Duke’s Residence. Please stop the carriage.”
Speaking firmly, Sergio’s brow furrowed.
“Please don’t tell the Young Lady about this conversation now. She’ll surely feel wronged, not understanding why I said such things.”
“What?”
“I’m asking you. I don’t wish to sow discord in this household.”
I deliberately bit my lip and cast my eyes down pitifully, then looked up at the bewildered Sergio and pleaded with him.
“You will promise me, won’t you? Please….”
“What on earth are you saying….”
Yet when I remained steadfastly silent, Sergio finally exhaled as though in surrender.
“Sigh, very well. I promise.”
Only then did I offer a reassured smile. Sergio stared at my face for a moment before turning away.
His profile as he gazed out the window afterward seemed somehow unsettling.
‘Of course, I harbor no illusions that Sergio’s disposition will undergo any profound transformation from this.’
I knew better than anyone how powerfully the image of Lumiel as the “virtuous and pitiable younger sister” had taken root in his mind.
Yet once a crack forms, collapse follows in an instant.
‘Why did you have to push an innocent person down the Staircase anyway.’
It seems we were never meant to be close companions, were we, Lumiel?

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————