The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 66

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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 066
“A noblewoman couldn’t possibly be a heretic, so it seems you dislike me quite a bit.”
As I smoothly redirected the conversation, Formoso laughed as if to say it was nothing to worry about.
“Yet you didn’t attend today’s rose presentation ceremony either. Perhaps the Saint was simply exhausted, which is why you felt that way.”
Gaslighting, really?
“Yes, that could very well be the case.”
I smiled while concealing my true feelings, and Formoso’s expression seemed to relax somewhat.
For now, I’d let this pass. There was no telling what Formoso might do if I pressed further with suspicion.
“Will you truly become Queen?”
Then Formoso posed an unexpected question.
I regarded him with curiosity at this sudden remark, but Formoso continued with surprising seriousness.
“It will be difficult to focus on a life devoted to serving God as you do now. Moreover, life in the Royal Court is far less peaceful than the Cathedral.”
“Unfortunately, it’s unavoidable. Since I love the King as much as I love Barion, I must accept it.”
“I see.”
Formoso murmured calmly.
“I understand your resolve well.”
“The Cassini Noblewoman will remain at the Cathedral for the time being, then?”
“Yes. If it causes you any inconvenience—”
“How could it? Even if it did, where would I send a critically ill patient?”
I nodded with a smile, then turned my back to Formoso.
‘So Formoso also felt that sensation of holy power bouncing back….’
As he said, such things often occurred when the target of holy healing was a heretic.
‘But if someone possesses holy power, they couldn’t possibly be hostile to God.’
It was most natural to assume he disliked me, but the fact that Formoso experienced the same abnormal reaction bothered me.
‘Then could Lumiel really be…?’
No, more importantly—why did Formoso lie?
If Lumiel were exposed as a heretic, not only would my position as Saint be lost, but she would be completely destroyed socially.
‘If Formoso didn’t lie simply to investigate this matter alone….’
Did he want to elevate Lumiel to the position of Saint?
‘But Formoso has been the only one consistently to recognize Justitia as the true Saint….’
I didn’t know what he was thinking, but one thing was certain.
‘If Lumiel is exposed as a heretic, Justitia must continue living as the Saint. She would want that too. In truth… that would be right.’
With that thought, I suddenly fell into anguish. Whether I should uncover this truth or not.
‘Still, I must break off the engagement first.’
Even if it came to pass again, it was right to step down from the position of Saint at least once.
* * *
Sergio gazed intently at Lumiel’s face as she lay motionless.
Contrary to the Archbishop’s words that she would wake soon, Lumiel had not regained consciousness even by the following morning.
‘The priests are continuing to watch over her, so I should be reassured… but I ought to meet with the Archbishop around noon.’
When I saw Lumiel covered in blood, I thought her eyes might never open again.
He was engulfed by the same terror he had felt when he first lost Lumiel.
“Come now, wake up, Lumiel.”
With that thought, he could willingly bury the questions he had desperately wanted to ask her until that moment.
“You did well, brother.”
“What are you suddenly talking about?”
“The Saint mentioned it. She said you gave her a rose.”
On the evening the rose ball ended, Lumiel’s casual remark made him understand what it meant to feel his blood run cold.
I still don’t know why I chose to send that anonymous rose to Justitia.
…I had endured so well for all these years.
The complacency of thinking it would be fine since Justitia wouldn’t know was the problem.
‘Justitia knew?’
Startled, I looked at Lumiel, and she smiled innocently as she spoke.
“It’s alright. I’m not hurt. She said you’ve never given her a rose even once.”
“…Did Justitia really say that? That I gave her a rose?”
“Could it be that the Saint was lying?”
I wavered at her question, asked with wide eyes.
“No, that’s right.”
Sergio nodded with a strangled feeling in his throat.
“She’s always wanted one.”
“Ah….”
Lumiel murmured with a wistful expression.
“I wanted one too. Your rose, brother.”
“From next year on, it will always be yours.”
“Really? Thank you, brother.”
…There had clearly been an opportunity to mention that she received it as a wedding gift.
Lumiel’s silence felt as though she knew his secret.
Had she caught him coming and going from Justitia’s room? But could one easily infer that alone? Or had she witnessed something more?
Perhaps the one who had been lying all along was….
“…Brother?”
Sergio felt something inside him shatter as he forced a trembling smile.
“Lumiel.”
My virtuous sister who knew not how to harm others, who knew not how to lie.
“You’re awake.”
How had Lumiel survived those seven years I knew nothing of?
Since she seemed reluctant to speak, I did not press her for details.
Perhaps she had endured something so terrible that she could not bring herself to tell me.
‘If that’s the case….’
Then I shouldn’t expect her childhood goodness and innocence to remain unchanged.
“Do you know how much I worried? I should call the doctor.”
Before finding Lumiel, I had prayed that any condition would be acceptable, that she would only live.
Now I found myself wondering if perhaps, outside the Duke’s household, I had lost my innocence and lived a life steeped in deception.
Lumiel had become uncomfortable. Even more so if she knew of his dark secrets.
It was when Sergio rose from his seat that Lumiel grasped his wrist.
“Brother, please don’t go.”
Lumiel pleaded with vulnerable eyes.
“Stay by my side.”
The grip was oddly resolute for someone who had just awakened from unconsciousness.
Sergio hesitated for a moment, but then nodded and sat back down.
“Of course, if that’s what you wish.”
Then Lumiel smiled.
Sergio asked the Priest to summon the Doctor, but somehow the Archbishop came himself instead.
“Archbishop, you must be busy, yet you came all this way….”
“I heard that the Noblewoman had awakened, and I couldn’t possibly stay away.”
Formoso offered a gentle smile and examined Lumiel’s condition.
“Fortunately, there are no serious complications, but she must maintain absolute rest for the time being.”
“I didn’t realize the Archbishop treated me directly.”
“I arrived later. Justitia provided the emergency care first.”
“I have so much to be grateful for….”
Lumiel’s expression grew moved.
“You are both my saviors. I don’t know how to repay such kindness….”
“As servants of God, we merely did what was natural. Think nothing of it.”
In the warm atmosphere, Formoso advised Lumiel to stay a few more days.
“Really, I’m fine. I don’t wish to impose any further.”
But as Lumiel persistently declined, she ultimately stayed only one more day before returning to the Cassini Mansion.
And that evening.
“Master.”
The Butler called to him urgently.
“Word has come from the Public Security Office. They’ve caught him—the one who hit Miss Lumiel and fled!”

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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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