The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 60

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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 060
When early June arrived, roses bloomed abundantly throughout the Scalia Kingdom. Thus, the rose was the national flower, and the Rose Festival was held in grand celebration around this time each year.
The Royal Palace hosted rose banquets throughout the festival period, while the streets filled with various vendors. Performers showcased their talents, and fireworks displays lit up the nights.
“It’s a shame you’ve dressed so modestly today.”
On the first day of the rose banquet, Nora carefully arranged my hair as she spoke.
“But you won’t fall short of today’s competition at all, I assure you.”
“Today’s competition? The Cassini Noblewoman?”
“The roses, of course. No matter how abundantly they bloom, they’ll envy your beauty, my lady.”
…Nora clearly needed to fill her lie quota as well.
Her shameless flattery delivered without a single blink no longer surprised me.
“Should I give you a raise, Nora?”
“What? I’m not flattering you! Ask Cassandro if you don’t believe me!”
“I won’t. I’ve decided to stop teasing him so much.”
I arrived at the Royal Palace Ballroom by carriage.
True to its name, the Rose Banquet was adorned with roses everywhere, and the air was thick with rose perfume—everyone seemed to have applied it generously.
The green dress code was easy on the eyes, but as the overwhelming fragrance lingered, I began to feel a headache coming on.
“Ah, the Saint has arrived!”
A group approached me with greetings. Lumiel happened to be among them.
I smiled and accepted their salutations.
“How have you all been?”
“Well, my lady. We heard you injured your leg. How are you feeling?”
“Thank you for your concern. Thanks to the Archbishop’s use of holy power, I’ve made a full recovery.”
Everyone’s expressions brightened with relief.
“One must be so careful on the Staircase. You nearly had a terrible accident.”
“The Cassini Noblewoman was there with you as well, wasn’t she? You must have been quite startled.”
“Yes. She fell so suddenly there was nothing I could do. I was quite shocked.”
Lumiel then studied me carefully, like someone waiting for my reaction. I smiled reassuringly at her.
“Yes, I’ll be more careful going forward.”
I had no intention of bringing up that day’s events myself right now. I’d also promised Sergio I would let him handle it.
“By the way, about this year’s rose presentation ceremony. Would it be alright if I participated as well?”
Lumiel then changed the subject and asked. Everyone focused on what my answer would be.
I nodded readily with a smile.
“Of course. That was originally your event to host, after all.”
What scheme was she plotting now?
I was already imagining what problems might arise during the rose presentation ceremony.
“But I wonder who will be this year’s Rose Queen.”
Someone casually brought up the topic, and everyone’s eyes sparkled with interest.
The Rose Festival had a tradition where men would pin a single red rose to the dress of a woman they favored.
The woman whose dress was decorated with the most roses became that year’s Rose Queen.
In a way, it was a more tangible recognition of being the queen of High Society than even the debutante ball.
The Debutante Ball only has debutantes competing against one another, but at the Rose Festival, every noblewoman becomes a candidate for queen.
“This year’s flower of High Society seems to be the leading candidate, wouldn’t you say?”
Someone pointed at me and laughed. I shook my head, embarrassed.
“Luck couldn’t possibly favor me twice.”
“Good heavens, do you truly believe it’s mere luck?”
“Of course. Is there anyone here who isn’t as beautiful as a rose?”
At my casual response, everyone laughed pleasantly.
I was watching Lumiel laugh along with the others.
“The King will naturally present his rose to the Saint, of course….”
“I’m terribly curious whose rose the Cassini Duke will give.”
“Indeed. He’s never given his rose to anyone before.”
“Will he do the same this year?”
An unexpected person had become the topic of conversation. I answered casually.
“That’s unlikely. The Cassini Noblewoman is here this year.”
At those words, Lumiel seemed flustered, but everyone knew she was the center of attention.
Wasn’t it obvious? Hadn’t he been saving his rose all this time for this very moment?
‘Justitia yearned so desperately for her brother’s rose.’
Of course, it wasn’t because she desired his admiration, but because she wanted to be truly recognized as family.
Many men pinned roses to their mothers’ dresses as a sign of respect.
But Sergio never granted Justitia’s wish.
‘I feel sorry for Justitia, but Sergio did the right thing.’
If her brother, who had formally given her a rose every year, suddenly gave it to his true sister the moment she appeared, Justitia would have been wounded far more deeply.
It was better that it was never hers to begin with.
Everyone seemed to be watching my reaction, as if thinking the same thing. Lumiel, with an expression of clear bewilderment, moved to smooth things over.
“He may not give it to anyone this year either. My brother finds such romantic customs rather embarrassing.”
“Hmm, that may well be true.”
Since I genuinely didn’t care who he gave it to, I answered carelessly—but then Lumiel looked at me with eyes that seemed ready to cry at any moment.
“Are you… are you perhaps angry?”
“Me? Why would I be….”
I responded as if I had no idea what she meant.
“Not at all. There’s no reason for me to be, is there?”
I answered brightly and without pretense, yet their gazes only grew more pitying.
Everyone knew that Justitia had longed for her brother’s rose, so they seemed to think I was putting on a brave face.
Well, fine. With Lumiel present, pity was better than being cast as the villainess.
“I’m relieved you feel that way. I was worried you might be hurt….”
“Not at all. I’m content with just one rose from the King.”
“Forgive my interruption, my lady.”
At that moment, a man stepped between us. He held a single rose in his hand.
He hesitated, then turned to Lumiel and asked.
“Would it be permissible for me to pin this rose on you?”
“Oh my.”
Lumiel, experiencing this for the first time, wore an expression of utter surprise and hesitated. The other noblewomen urged her to accept it quickly.
Lumiel nodded, and the man, beaming with joy, pinned a red rose to her dress before disappearing into the crowd.
“Miss, if you don’t mind….”
After that, countless men approached where we stood. Not only Lumiel but I too found myself surrounded by a considerable number of suitors.
Most of those approaching me were devoted followers of the Barion Faith whose faces I recognized. Perhaps it was because I already had a betrothed.
Soon, roses began adorning both Lumiel’s dress and mine in similar profusion, while the surrounding noblewomen watched this spectacle with keen interest.
“The two of you are so alike that it’s becoming difficult to keep count.”
“It would certainly be more accurate to tally everything after the ball concludes.”
Yet I, the one at the center of all this, found the situation rather tedious. And for good reason….
‘There’s nothing here worth lying about.’
I hadn’t come here to become some actual rose queen!
I decided I should venture elsewhere and engage in conversation with new people when it happened.
“Pardon me, Saint.”
An attendant approached me, and in his hand he held a rose.
I was puzzled, since in principle, the ball attendants were not permitted to pin roses on the guests themselves.
“Could it be…!”
Gasps erupted from those around us. Before I could even wonder at their meaning, the attendant spoke.
“A certain gentleman has sent word that he wishes to pin a rose on you, Saint.”

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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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