The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 43

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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 043
“Please eat more, Saint. You’ve left quite a bit.”
“I can’t eat anymore.”
My earlier request for lavish cuisine at every meal had been a joke.
Yet Sergio was preparing three meals a day as though we were dining at a fine establishment, with portions so generous that I felt myself gaining weight by the day.
“You’ve finally shed that gaunt frame of yours. If you return like this, the Archbishop will be quite astonished. ‘The Temple’s food must have been unpalatable,’ he’ll say.”
Nora giggled as she mimicked Formoso’s voice. To be honest, the Temple’s cuisine was far too austere—nothing but whole wheat bread.
How fickle humans are. Once the matter of food was resolved, my attention turned elsewhere. I gazed wistfully out the window and murmured.
“I want to take a walk.”
“With that leg? Where do you intend to go? You should rest thoroughly.”
“But staying confined to bed is truly suffocating. Merely gazing at the garden through the window has its limits.”
“Then I shall fetch a wheelchair for you.”
Nora spoke with determination and left, returning moments later with a wheelchair in tow. Cassandro helped me into it.
“I thought you’d tell me not to go out.”
“Spending the entire day in your bedroom must be tedious.”
“The garden is truly beautiful. You’ll feel much better after a stroll.”
Nora pushed the wheelchair outside with enthusiasm.
When had she explored so thoroughly? I let out a hollow laugh and asked.
“It seems you’ve taken quite a liking to the Cassini Mansion, Nora. Would you like to stay here?”
“What an absurd thing to say. I merely conducted a preliminary survey in case you wished to take a walk.”
Nora immediately objected and guided me to the garden where flowers bloomed most abundantly throughout the estate.
Before Justitia departed for the Temple, she had spent considerable time in this garden, so it felt familiar to me as well.
“The weather is lovely, isn’t it? I was worried when I first arrived here, but I’m relieved nothing has happened.”
In truth, I hadn’t seen Lumiel since the first day. She understood that any harm befalling me here would be her loss.
So I should stop waiting for her to make a move. I couldn’t simply convalesce here and leave, could I?
As I thought this, a familiar figure entered my line of sight. Sergio was in the garden, apparently taking a walk.
“Duke?”
But did that man enjoy walks? He always seemed to be shut away in his room working.
I narrowed my eyes to observe him, but he turned his head and our gazes met.
Upon noticing me, his eyes narrowed slightly before he approached.
“You must have been quite restless, venturing out for a walk.”
Then, naturally, he took the wheelchair handles from Nora’s grasp.
“It must be heavy for a maid to push. I’ll do it.”
“No, it’s not heavy at all…?”
Nora responded with a bewildered expression, but soon, as if understanding something, she readily surrendered the handles.
Nora…?
‘Enjoy your time together.’
Nora mouthed the words.
Ah, I suppose in her eyes I’m still a younger sister who wishes to spend time with her older brother.
‘Well, I did need some time alone with him anyway.’
Sergio pushed my wheelchair as we strolled through the Garden. A brief silence settled between us.
“Is there anything uncomfortable about your situation?”
Surprisingly, it was Sergio who couldn’t bear the awkwardness first.
I gazed at him for a moment, then nodded my head a beat too late.
With an awkward smile playing at my lips, I looked like someone with genuine discomfort.
“Doesn’t seem like it.”
Fortunately, Sergio wasn’t foolish enough to miss even that.
“I didn’t know you could lie.”
“…It’s not a lie.”
“Look.”
Sergio suddenly grasped my cheek and drew his face close to mine.
We were near enough that each of our faces was perfectly reflected in the other’s eyes.
As the distance closed, the rich scent of sandalwood seeped deep into my lungs.
“See? What your expression looks like right now.”
“…”
“Is it because of what you said back then?”
I thought he’d forgotten. I flinched in surprise.
“You remembered?”
“You think I’m a fool.”
“…Please don’t worry about it. As I told you then, I have no desire to sow discord in this household.”
“Surely not.”
Sergio observed me quietly before pointing out the truth.
“You’re not trying to say that Lumiel pushed you down the Staircase.”
That was exactly it. I suppressed the sullen expression threatening to surface and instead flinched, averting my gaze from Sergio’s.
Sergio made no effort to hide his bewildered expression, as if he’d heard nonsense.
At that, I made as if to protest hotly before turning my head away.
“I don’t want to discuss this. Don’t make me out to be a bad person.”
“You’ve already done that yourself.”
When I looked at him with an incredulous expression, Sergio’s lips curved slightly upward.
Was this man actually joking right now?
“Lumiel doesn’t dislike you. She’s been so happy since you arrived. This morning at breakfast, she paid attention to every detail.”
“You’re saying it’s my misunderstanding.”
“She can be sensitive. My own sister just appeared, after all.”
I’m grateful to tears that you didn’t say “real” sister, you bastard.
“There’s nothing more dreadful than being misunderstood in such a way.”
I sighed and looked at him.
“So please, keep your promise, Duke. You won’t tell the Duchess about this, will you? If she were to learn of this fact, I would…”
I’m afraid. As I whispered the words to a close, Sergio gazed at me intently before the faintest smile played at his lips.
“I’m not such a fool either. But there’s something I don’t understand. By your account, you wouldn’t have wanted to come to this house. And I have my own grievances.”
“Me?”
“And selling off your debutante dress like that.”
Wait, I’ve seen Lumiel’s debutante dress before—why would he say something like that?
I stared at him in disbelief. Shouldn’t I at least match the dress price when I send it and act disappointed?
“To be precise, I didn’t just sell yours. I sold all the dresses I received as gifts and donated the proceeds.”
“And you keep calling me ‘Duke’ like that too.”
“Is that title displeasing to you? You said it was fine at first.”
His unexpected observation drew an involuntary laugh from me.
“As I mentioned, now that I’ve come of age, I’m simply being more careful with my conduct.”
“But this is our home. When it’s just the two of us, there’s no need to be so formal.”
His words carried an odd undertone—as if he longed for me to call him “brother” again, like before.
I turned my head back. Those murky gray eyes, impossible to read, were identical to Lumiel’s.
“Brother.”
I whispered it softly, and his pupils dilated visibly. I lifted the corners of my mouth into a smile and asked.
“Is that what you wanted to hear?”
“…It’s not so much that I wanted to hear it.”
“Why wouldn’t I want to call you brother?”
I watched Sergio’s gaze flicker at the changed form of address. I continued with a smile on my face.
“You’re precious family to me too.”
His affection gauge surged instantly.
But my honeyed words weren’t motivated solely by the gauge.
To successfully drive a wedge between them, I first needed to grow closer to Sergio.
“I’ve never been anything but that to you. Perhaps I wasn’t the kind of sister you wanted, but.”
“Then I wouldn’t have brought you here in the first place.”
Sergio seemed flustered at first, but ultimately satisfied. His loosened expression and softened tone were proof of it.
“Is there really nothing else you need? Any discomfort? Don’t hesitate—tell me anything.”
“There isn’t. Oh, but…”
I pretended to gauge his reaction carefully. Sergio gestured for me to continue.
“If anyone says strange things about me, I’d really appreciate it if you’d ask me about it.”
“What do you mean?”
“…I’m afraid someone might misinterpret the relationship between us. I’m scared a misunderstanding could arise between us.”
Sergio laughed as if he’d heard something absurd.
“Who would be foolish enough to speak ill of the Saint? Especially to me, your own brother.”
“…Still. There are people who dislike me.”
I made a hint about it being Lumiel, but he didn’t seem to catch on.
Well, I suppose that’s enough for today.
I began a dry cough to wind down the conversation. Of course, it wasn’t my throat that hurt—it was my leg—but it was rather effective at making me appear pitiful.
As I feigned fragility and composed myself, my eyes met Cassandro’s. He no longer looked startled; instead, he quietly averted his gaze.
Ugh, how embarrassing.
“Go inside now. You’ll catch a cold.”
Sergio sighed and suddenly removed his jacket, draping it over my shoulders. No, I don’t need it. Summer’s coming soon—it’s hot.
“I’m fine.”
“While coughing.”
Ah, I coughed unnecessarily. How annoying.
Just as I was about to refuse once more, I spotted a figure watching from afar.
It was Lumiel.
Ah, well, that changes things entirely. I smiled as I hastily fastened my jacket.

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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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