The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 57

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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 057
“Safe travels, Your Majesty.”
No matter what, he was the King, and a mere nod seemed disrespectful. I bowed deeply, just as Justitia would have done with proper courtesy.
I thought that would be the end of it, but when I glanced at Alfonso again, I noticed a faint crease between his brows.
What was that? Had my bow not been deep enough?
“You don’t seem very reluctant to see me go.”
Alfonso tossed out those words and turned to leave. I stared after him with a vacant expression.
‘What, was I supposed to look sad so he’d ask me to stop him from leaving?’
He really did expect everything. I was exhausted, truly exhausted. Though now that I thought about it, the real Justitia probably would have acted that way…
‘Speaking of which, I should send word to Clarissa.’
I had been thoughtless. She had visited me several times while I was ill, and now that I was better, it was only right to share the news with her.
“His Majesty was quite thoughtful with his gift.”
Meanwhile, Nora showed interest in the gift Alfonso had left behind. She opened the bottle cap and sniffed it, then immediately made a face.
“Ugh, it smells terribly bitter. Though I’m sure it’s good for the body.”
“Would you like to take it?”
“Me? But His Majesty gave it to you! You should be the one to take it, my lady.”
Nora carefully carried the medicine box to my room.
I immediately wrote a letter to Clarissa.
Dear Clarissa, my leg has healed completely, so there’s no need for you to visit the Cassini Mansion anymore. If you’re free, I’d like to invite you to the Grand Cathedral as thanks for all your visits while I was ill.
Not long after I sent a letter with roughly that content, a reply arrived.
I’d love to!
Those words were stretched across more than ten lines. I sent Clarissa another letter asking her to come to the Grand Cathedral at her earliest convenience.
Just a few days later, Clarissa visited the Grand Cathedral, her arms laden with various bundles.
“Welcome, Polia. But why did you bring so much?”
“I couldn’t possibly come empty-handed to someone’s home. Especially not to a Temple. You can think of it as an offering if you’d like. It’s nothing much.”
Clarissa set down what she had brought on the table and began explaining each item one by one.
“These are cookies baked with plenty of butter. This is a jelly that’s good for bone health—I bought it from the famous Naume Pharmacy. And this… are flowers. I happen to love receiving flowers, so I thought I’d bring some.”
“They’re beautiful. Thank you so much.”
I accepted the bouquet of red roses Clarissa had brought and breathed in their fragrance.
“You must love roses?”
“There are hardly any women who dislike them. I’m particularly fond of them myself.”
“Then you must be looking forward to the rose festival.”
“I am. Actually, my lady, about the rose presentation ceremony being held this year…”
The rose presentation ceremony was an event held during the rose festival where the Saint and her attendants distributed roses to the public in the Plaza.
“Would it be possible for me to participate in that ceremony alongside you?”
“I’d be grateful if you would.”
Since the ceremony involved meeting with unspecified crowds in the Plaza, not many nobles were eager to participate in the rose presentation.
Usually, the young ladies from the Volunteer Social Circle that Justitia had organized would volunteer instead.
“I’m embarrassed to say it, but my request isn’t entirely selfless. I thought it might be a good opportunity to grow closer to you.”
“I’m delighted to hear you say that.”
Faced with Clarissa’s straightforward honesty, I found myself reluctant to lie. She shifted the conversation with a slightly flushed expression.
“More importantly, I’m not sure if butter cookies will suit your taste. They’re quite different from Temple cuisine…”
“I enjoy them. In fact, I made cookies with plenty of butter not long ago and distributed them to the Knight Order.”
“Oh my, do you enjoy baking? Actually, I baked these cookies myself today.”
“Really? Your skill is remarkable.”
“You’re too kind. My abilities are quite lacking. It would be fun to bake cookies together sometime.”
In the end, I never checked my status window during that conversation. We exchanged only genuine, heartfelt words—no pretense, no artifice.
“Today was truly enjoyable, Saint. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Travel safely, Polia.”
Only after seeing Clarissa off did I realize what had happened, and suddenly I felt deflated.
What was that? I acted like I was just chatting with a real friend.
“You weren’t very saintly today.”
Nora had noticed too and made a comment. I was about to say I’d be more careful, when—
“This is the first time I’ve heard you laugh so often, Saint. It seems you’re happy when you’re with Polia. Please invite her more often.”
“It was enjoyable, but… I didn’t come here to play.”
Not to waste time filling some gauge before leaving.
I laughed awkwardly, and Nora’s eyes widened as she continued.
“That doesn’t mean a Saint shouldn’t laugh. Besides, you’ll soon be Queen.”
Nora spoke as if she’d been waiting for this moment all along.
“If you’re concerned, think of it as managing connections for the future. I just hope your life becomes a little more joyful. Don’t live only for others—laugh and chat with your peers like you did today.”
Then, realizing she’d overstepped, Nora fell silent. But she wasn’t wrong.
‘Justitia acted as though she had no value without being a Saint.’
Perhaps that’s why, even when persecuted by Lumiel’s schemes, she refused to relinquish the title of Saint.
‘But that’s not really true.’
Yes, Justitia truly needs a friend.
In preparation for her eventual return, I should maintain a close friendship with Clarissa for now.
‘I hope that when you come back, you’ll be happier than before.’
For that to happen, it seems necessary that she escape from the things binding her now.
‘What do you think, Justitia?’
I wanted to confirm my judgment with her. After all, this is her life.
But if that’s impossible…
‘When you return, reclaim it. For now, I am you.’
I need to act as though this is truly my life.
And I had no intention of letting my life be surrounded by garbage.
* * *
Not long after, Alfonso visited the Grand Cathedral again.
I glanced around wondering if he’d brought a gift this time, but his hands were empty.
What? Then why did you come?
“Seems like you’re busy, Jus.”
I shook my head in response to Alfonso’s casual remark.
“Not nearly as busy as Your Majesty.”
“Is that so?”
Alfonso’s lips curved into a lopsided smile.
“Then you’re not so busy that you’d forget our promise.”
A promise? What promise had I made with this man?
As I searched my memory, a furrow deepened between Alfonso’s brows.
“Bread.”
“Pardon?”
“You promised to bake some for me.”
Ah… that’s right. I had made such a promise.
Truth be told, I’d completely forgotten about it. It hadn’t seemed like Alfonso was being sincere when he asked.
But Alfonso appeared to find this fact quite displeasing, his expression hardening further.
“It’s strange. I would have thought the usual you would drop everything and bake bread for me without hesitation.”
Of course, the real Justitia would do exactly that. This was my minor oversight.
The palace was surely full of pastry chefs more skilled than I, so I hadn’t thought to remember such a thing.
In any case, since he looked displeased, I decided to apologize.
“I’m sorry.”
“No. That’s not what matters.”
Alfonso muttered without taking his eyes off me.
“You didn’t even remember that promise until I came looking for you because I couldn’t wait any longer.”
His expression as he dwelt on this seemed quite grave. Alfonso stepped closer to me.
“Jus.”
Still keeping his gaze fixed on me, he asked.
“Do you love me?”
I responded with a bewildered expression.
“What on earth are you saying, Your Majesty?”
And I stepped toward Alfonso first, gently taking his hand.
“Do you really doubt my sincerity just because I forgot a promise to bake you some bread?”
“…Just?”
One of Alfonso’s eyebrows twitched.
Well, it was just bread. What was so important about breaking that promise?
As I grumbled inwardly, Alfonso’s gaze never left me.
Why does he stare at me like that? It’s unsettling.
“…Yes.”
At some point, Alfonso spoke with a calm, settled light in his eyes.
“You still love me.”
I nodded with a smile on my face.
“Otherwise, why wouldn’t I have broken off our engagement with Your Majesty back then?”
Unintentionally, an awkward topic had slipped out.
Perhaps because of that, Alfonso’s eyes widened slightly. It was the expression of someone who had just realized something.

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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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