The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 71
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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 071
“You must be pleased.”
At my subtle question, Sergio’s eye twitched slightly before he responded.
“What do you mean?”
“Because Lumiel has become a Saint again.”
I spoke with a faint smile.
“It was always her position, after all. I thought you must have been longing to reclaim it in your heart.”
“That’s… well.”
“You don’t need to pretend for my sake. Even I wished for Lumiel to become a Saint again.”
I offered a bittersweet smile.
“It never felt like my place. None of it did. In truth, returning to the Cassini Mansion either…”
“Enough.”
Sergio cut me off curtly.
“There’s no need for such words. If you wish to cease being a Saint, I have no intention of stopping you. And if you return to the Cassini Mansion…”
He swallowed dryly before continuing.
“There is no reason to object to that either. In fact, it would be welcome. You may stay not just for a time, but indefinitely.”
“Truly?”
“Of course. Where else would you go if not the Cassini Mansion?”
“I was simply planning to find a separate residence.”
At those words, Sergio’s expression crumpled.
“You are a daughter of the Cassini Family, Saint or not. Do you truly believe it makes sense for you to live alone outside?”
“I appreciate you saying so.”
As I met Sergio’s gaze and smiled, he winced slightly at the corners of his eyes before slowly turning his gaze away.
In any case, everything was proceeding smoothly, and I was pleased. At last, everything felt as though it had returned to its proper place.
“What of your betrothal?”
“That is…”
For the first time since my conversation with Sergio, I spoke my true thoughts.
“Do you not think the King will request the dissolution first?”
There was no reason for Alfonso not to.
* * *
Upon arriving at the Cassini Mansion, the Butler and other servants appeared quite bewildered. Even more so because I had brought Nora with me.
“From now on, Justitia will be staying at the Cassini Mansion.”
“Pardon?”
When Sergio made that announcement, everyone looked as though they might faint. I greeted them with a radiant smile.
“I look forward to working with all of you.”
And leaving behind their bewildered stares, I ascended to my room with familiar ease. It was impressive how meticulously it had been maintained.
“What shall we do now, Saint? Ah, I mean, Miss Justitia. My apologies. I’m still not accustomed to it.”
“Well, you were calling me a Saint just an hour ago, so it’s fine. You’ll adjust in time. Just make sure not to slip up in front of Lumiel.”
“Don’t worry. But shouldn’t we go out first?”
At the sudden suggestion, my eyes widened. Go out again?
“You just arrived?”
“You need to purchase a dress. Isn’t it a noblewoman’s duty to wear a beautiful gown?”
I narrowed my eyes and studied Nora, who seemed practically vibrating with excitement.
“So you wanted to become a noblewoman’s maid after all?”
“Not at all. I was content serving the Saint. But now that the Saint has become a noblewoman—or rather, a princess—it’s even more delightful. Oh, that’s right, a princess.”
Nora continued in a faster cadence than usual.
“In any case, this Estate doesn’t have a single dress for the Saint or princess. I brought several before, but this time I only packed essentials, so there was no room for extras.”
“That’s true.”
I’d packed with the intention of leaving entirely, so I couldn’t afford to bring spare clothing. If I’d known better, I wouldn’t have avoided bringing Justitia’s belongings to the Temple.
“So we need to buy a dress first. Fortunately, we still have several hours before sunset.”
“Fine, I understand.”
I needed clothes to wear immediately, and borrowing Lumiel’s wardrobe didn’t appeal to me, so I rose from my seat.
“I don’t have a dress to wear right now. I was too scattered to pack properly.”
When I went to Sergio and mentioned it, he glanced at me and handed Nora five blank checks.
Nora gasped, muttering, “Blank checks…!”
“That’s too much, brother. Blank checks, and not just one but several…?”
“According to Lumiel, there are five famous boutiques in the Convent right now.”
Sergio naturally cut me off and interjected.
“You might find a dress you like at all five of them.”
No, considering the time it would take just to reach the shopping district where the boutiques were located, I wouldn’t have time to visit more than one today.
I was exasperated, but Nora’s eyes sparkled so brilliantly, and I didn’t want to argue further with Sergio, so I nodded.
“Thank you, brother.”
“Yes, Justitia Cassini.”
My full name, out of nowhere. I furrowed my brow and looked at him, and Sergio explained with a cold smile.
“When I told the Archbishop I’d come to see you, he rebuked me for not using the proper form of address.”
“…That happened?”
“Yes, though I never did see you in the end.”
Learning of Formoso’s unexpected conduct made me laugh hollowly, though I wasn’t truly surprised.
“The Archbishop confined you, didn’t he?”
Sergio’s expression quickly grew somber as he asked. I wore a distant look and shook my head.
“The seclusion was my choice.”
[Lie Gauge increased by 0.1%]
[Current Gauge: 56.0%]
[Today’s quota has been achieved]
Seeing the clean number, I smiled.
Good—my daily task is complete, so I might as well enjoy shopping without worry.
And at the very first boutique I visited, I encountered an unexpected person.
“Clarissa?”
“Oh my, the Saint!”
The moment I stepped into the boutique, Clarissa caught my eye and immediately covered her mouth.
“No, you’re a noblewoman now. My apologies. I’m so accustomed to that title, it slips out naturally.”
“Don’t you think Ella is adapting to that new title far too quickly?”
“You’re no longer the Saint, after all. One must adapt swiftly to change, or risk being left behind.”
“Left behind over something like that?”
“It matters. If I don’t demonstrate respect for your decision, the rapport we’ve built might vanish like a mirage.”
Then Clarissa corrected herself, saying “Ah, noblewoman,” before adding sheepishly.
“It wasn’t intentional, I assure you.”
“Of course not. But what brings you here?”
“Ah, actually I was in the middle of ordering a dress as a gift for you.”
Clarissa seemed quite pleased with herself for using the corrected title properly this time from the start. I, however, was too preoccupied with the content of her words to fully register that fact.
“A dress? So suddenly?”
“Now that you’ve stepped down as the Saint, you’ll be leaving the Cathedral, naturally heading to the Cassini Mansion. I assumed as much. But I understand you disposed of all the clothes you wore at your residence before becoming the Saint. You wouldn’t have anything suitable to wear immediately, would you?”
Everything Clarissa explained was entirely accurate, and I was inwardly astonished. She smiled at me.
“That’s why you came to procure a dress, isn’t it?”
“…Yes, you’re right.”
“Of course, I’m well aware of the Cassini Family’s wealth, but please accept this. I’ve wanted to make up for my rudeness at the estate sometime.”
Clarissa added with a playful wink.
“Or you could see it as supporting a friend’s new beginning.”
“Either way, I appreciate it. I won’t refuse.”
“Really? I was so worried you might decline.”
“Then I was the Saint, and now I’m not.”
“I think I prefer Justitia as a noblewoman.”
It sounded oddly like something Nora would say. Beside me, Nora nodded enthusiastically in agreement.
“However, the dress I’m gifting you isn’t particularly extravagant for a noblewoman.”
“That’s even better. I was planning to order something similar anyway. I want to live normally for a while.”
“A wise choice. I…”
Clarissa opened her mouth carefully.
“Actually, I visited the Cathedral not long ago, but was turned away repeatedly, told you were in seclusion. So I sent a letter, but…”
“I never received it.”
So he even intercepted my letters?
I answered with a bewildered expression, and Clarissa looked equally taken aback.
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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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