The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 7

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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 007

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We reconvened when lunchtime arrived.
“Cassini Noblewoman worked so hard today. I have to say, using our sacred power together really did speed up our rounds through the Ward.”
I preempted Lumiel’s praise with my own words. Since I had genuinely received her help, my status window remained quiet.
“I saw it too. You treated the children with such dedication.”
“You’re too kind. Since it was my first time, I was clumsy… I worried I might be a burden to you, Saint.”
“Clumsy? Actually, the Noblewoman is the real Saint—”
Someone had made a proper slip of the tongue. They closed their mouth too late, but the meaning had already been conveyed perfectly.
Everyone looked at me with flustered expressions, but perhaps because I’d already built immunity to this once before, I calmly completed the interrupted sentence.
“That’s exactly right. Since you were originally the Saint, there’s no way you could be clumsy, no matter how new you are to this.”
“Saint…”
Lumiel opened her mouth with a pained expression.
“I… I’m uncomfortable with those kinds of words. Whether it’s the real Saint or the original Saint… there’s already a proper Saint here right now…”
“It’s fine, Noblewoman. Please, don’t worry.”
I soothed Lumiel while maintaining a gentle expression.
“After all, you were the one God originally chose. Though I’ve inherited this position due to an unfortunate accident, that fact doesn’t change.”
“But still…”
“As you said, what matters is the present. Please don’t concern yourself with it. God will decide what comes next.”
I wrapped up the conversation with an ambiguous but ultimately clear message: “Right now, I’m the real one.”
Still, Lumiel continued to regard me with discomfort, and the other noble ladies kept watching my reaction.
I was about to say something more to lighten the mood.
“Actually, Saint, I’m truly sorry about yesterday.”
Ah, this time I was a step behind.
I looked at Lumiel with the most composed expression I could manage.
What is she trying to say now?
“Yesterday, you accidentally tripped over my foot… and it looked like your knee was bleeding.”
No, wait—if there was an accident, you caused it, not me. She really does have a strange way of speaking.
“My, did you fall that hard?”
Naturally, everyone’s gaze turned to my knee, but it was, of course, completely unmarked. I’d healed it with sacred power yesterday.
Is she hoping I’ll mention that I used sacred power on a mere scraped knee in a Hospital where even a small amount of it is precious? Is that what you’re after, Lumiel?
Perhaps she did that yesterday knowing I’d be volunteering at the Hospital today. Of course, there was also an element of venting her frustrations.
“The Archbishop is someone who can never turn away from the injured right before his eyes.”
I smiled with a touch of embarrassment and spoke up.
“I told him such a minor injury was fine, but he insisted on using his power anyway. He said my body needed to be in perfect condition to move around a lot at the Hospital today.”
“Well, the Saint does seem quite passionate about volunteering. The Archbishop’s judgment was wise.”
Fortunately, the atmosphere moved past it without incident. But if you provoke someone, you should return the favor—that’s just human nature.
“Still, I’m so grateful you came here, and frankly, it’s a relief.”
I smiled brightly and turned the spotlight back to Lumiel.
“I was quite worried, you see. I feared that if you had secluded yourself yesterday due to my carelessness, what would become of us…”
“….”
“But I’m so glad you’ve come out and lent your support to such a worthy cause.”
Though I’d framed it as ‘my carelessness,’ I was really alluding to the embarrassing charade Lumiel had orchestrated to avoid donating.
Watching Lumiel’s lips tighten, I offered a smile that feigned genuine emotion.
“I’m ashamed of my own narrow-mindedness for even thinking the Noblewoman might be embarrassed by such a trivial matter.”
“That can’t be true.”
Lumiel’s mouth curved upward, but her eyes remained hollow. I had to suppress the laughter threatening to escape.
“Rather, I’m grateful for the Saint’s magnanimity in trying to cover for my timidity. I’ve even resolved to accompany you on volunteer activities more frequently from now on.”
“I’m so pleased and grateful that yesterday became such a turning point for you. There’s no need to be embarrassed. Everyone finds sharing difficult at first.”
I smiled and grasped Lumiel’s hand, patting it gently. Everyone watched this touching scene with satisfaction and offered their own words of encouragement.
“That’s right, Noblewoman. The beginning is always hard, but once you start, it becomes quite fulfilling and rewarding.”
“Please come with us often from now on.”
Lumiel continued to repeat her thanks with a smile on her face. As this rather heartwarming atmosphere continued.
Suddenly, a group of sturdy men began rushing into the Hospital carrying enormous boxes.
Everyone turned to look with puzzled expressions, and the Hospital Director appeared in my field of vision.
He approached us with an excited face and spoke to Lumiel.
“Are you the Cassini Noblewoman?”
“Yes, but what is this about?”
The Hospital Director bowed his head with an moved expression and spoke.
“The Cassini Duke has sent a large quantity of relief supplies in the name of Lumiel Cassini. We are truly grateful.”
Everyone was startled by the sudden situation.
Meanwhile, boxes of relief supplies continued to pour in without pause. The young noblewomen watching let out exclamations of admiration.
“The Duke is truly remarkable! To donate such an enormous amount.”
“And in the Noblewoman’s name, no less. He must love you dearly.”
“He must have done this so you wouldn’t feel intimidated on your first volunteer visit.”
But unlike the cheering noblewomen, Lumiel’s expression seemed somewhat melancholy.
“I’m grateful for the donation, but… please don’t speak of it that way.”
What nonsense was she about to spout now? I watched with interest.
“I’m concerned it might upset the Saint.”
Me?
“My younger sister isn’t alone, yet my brother made the donation only in my name. He was lacking in consideration.”
Ah, so it’s that tiresome true-versus-false frame again. But Lumiel keeps pushing this narrative, and we keep falling for it for a reason.
From the memories I inherited, Justitia fell into this frame and died bearing the absurd accusation that she was jealous of Lumiel.
That’s how effective it is.
“There’s no need to think that way, Noblewoman. The Duke’s true younger sister is Lumiel, after all.”
Everyone looked at me with startled expressions. Even Lumiel. She raised her voice with a flustered expression.
“Saint, you shouldn’t say such things…!”
“That’s not to say I’m his false younger sister, but we don’t share blood relations, do we? I know the phrasing is inappropriate, but I hope you’ll forgive my candor.”
I continued with a smile on my face.
“I’m not disappointed at all. Rather, I’m grateful to the Duke. Such generous patronage must be his way of encouraging the Noblewoman to cultivate a kind heart, wouldn’t you say?”
I paused briefly before adding,
“He’s always been a compassionate person, after all.”
[Lie Gauge increased by 0.4%]
[Current Gauge: 1.4%]
Even the status window recognized that as my strongest lie yet. Compassionate? Not a chance in hell.
“D-Duke?”
The young noblewomen’s eyes widened in surprise as they looked past my shoulder. A terrible premonition seized me.
…No. It couldn’t be. Please, let it not be.
“Brother!”
But my desperate prayer went unanswered.
When I turned around, Sergio was approaching me.
Please, tell me you didn’t hear what I just said.
I watched Sergio with mounting dread.
The moment our eyes met, I saw him flinch slightly.
…He heard it.
I wanted to bury my face in my teacup and disappear.
Of all the moments for him to appear, it had to be when I was singing his praises as a “compassionate person.”
“Duke, what brings you here…?”
But I steeled myself and met his gaze as though nothing were amiss.
After blinking a few times, he finally spoke.
“…I was curious to see how Lumiel was doing.”
His words seemed rather curt.

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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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