The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 72

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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 072
“Well, it seems there was a problem in how the message was conveyed. The important thing is that Justitia’s reputation in High Society isn’t very good right now. The Cassini Noblewoman has been spreading rumors in a rather subtle way.”
I didn’t need to hear more to understand what she meant. She’d probably made it sound like I was the one pulling the strings behind everything.
“However, since you’ve stepped down from the position of Saint, I’m not sure what will happen. I think there’s still a chance to recover.”
Of course there had to be. Not just for Justitia’s honor, but for my gauge as well. I nodded and spoke.
“I was planning to fulfill my duties as a noblewoman anyway. I’ll need to gradually increase my attendance at social gatherings.”
“That’s a good idea. There’s actually a suitable event coming up. I’m not sure if you received an invitation, but…”
“If you’re talking about Madame Belloran’s tea party, I did receive one.”
“That’s the one. Let’s go together.”
We exchanged a few more words before parting ways.
The unexpected encounter meant the sun had set quickly, and since Clarissa had gifted me a dress, I ordered about three more from the boutique before leaving.
“There’s no need to be disappointed, Nora. You just need to be patient for a little while longer.”
“I’m not disappointed. You’re acting very much the noblewoman.”
As I smiled at her quickly changed way of addressing me, Nora continued with determination.
“But at Madame Belloran’s tea party, you could wear an even more elegant dress than what you have now.”
“Of course. Let’s go get one tailored tomorrow.”
“Hooray!”
Just as I was about to return with an excited Nora, I spotted a shabby-dressed girl selling flowers. Notably, they were white flowers.
“Ah, since this is on the way to the cemetery, she must be selling flowers here.”
“The sun will be setting soon though.”
Fortunately, I had a few spare coins with me. I bought all the flowers the girl was selling and returned. Nora looked displeased.
“Why did you buy white flowers, which are mainly offered at graves?”
“What fault do flowers have? There’s no reason white flowers should be looked down upon.”
Nora muttered, “As expected of the Saint…” before slapping her own lips.
“Besides, it’s known that I like white flowers in this household.”
By coincidence, as soon as I arrived home, I encountered the very woman who had given me that reputation. Lumiel’s eyebrows drooped the moment she saw me.
“Saint.”
“It seems the new way of addressing you still feels awkward, doesn’t it, Saint?”
At my changed form of address, Lumiel’s brow furrowed before she spoke.
“That matter is… never mind. For now, I think it would be best if you rested today.”
“I should say the same to you, Saint. The shock from the accident must still be affecting you.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
Lumiel answered briefly, then glanced at what I was holding and spoke.
“The white flowers are lovely. They resemble you, Saint.”
“Now that you mention it, they’re similar to the flowers you gave me when you visited during my illness.”
I smiled softly and held out the bouquet of white flowers to Lumiel.
“Since we’ve met, I’ll give these to you. I felt sorry for the child selling them on the street, so I bought them all. Aren’t they beautiful?”
Strictly speaking, Lumiel was also in a state of poor health right now. So giving white flowers as a gift was inappropriate.
But perhaps because of what I’d just said, Lumiel’s servants gasped in alarm yet couldn’t easily step forward.
Lumiel gazed at the bouquet I offered for a moment before accepting it.
“Yes, it’s quite lovely. And the Saint’s heart is even lovelier.”
“I’m glad it pleases you, Saint.”
In this amusing situation where neither of us yielded, both insisting on calling the other “Saint,” Lumiel finally broke the silence.
“I had originally planned to tell you tomorrow, but this isn’t something I can put off.”
Lumiel exhaled deeply and continued.
“Saint, I don’t want you to step down from that position. I’ve already spoken with the Archbishop about this. There is only one Saint of Scalia—Saint Justitia.”
No, they can agree all they want, but I’m not doing it.
“I’m grateful that you need me, but… I’m exhausted.”
I shook my head with a bitter smile.
“I don’t want to hold onto that position while bearing the stigma of usurping someone else’s place. And I truly hate seeing you consumed by unnecessary guilt, Saint.”
“Saint.”
“I think it’s best you rest now. That’s all.”
I passed by Lumiel and returned to my room.
After washing up and as hunger began to set in, the servants entered carrying plates of food.
“Your dinner, Miss.”
I could sense the servants’ discomfort with that title. But wait—weren’t we supposed to dine in the Dining Hall?
“Do you always eat separately like this?”
“No, ma’am. The master dines with Miss Lumiel in the evenings.”
“I see…”
After the servants finished setting up dinner and left, Nora grew indignant.
“Is he trying to exclude you, miss?”
“That can’t be it. My brother was the one who insisted on inviting me to sit at his table in the first place.”
To me, this felt more like a crack in Sergio’s resolve—he knew that having me present alongside Lumiel made things uncomfortable.
Seeing the cutlery arranged so neatly, I smiled.
“So my hard work here wasn’t entirely in vain.”
The food was delicious, and I slept soundly that night.
The next day, a visitor arrived at the Cassini Mansion.
“His Majesty the King has come to call.”
It wasn’t particularly surprising news. When I entered the Reception Room, Alfonso regarded me calmly.
He didn’t look pleased. Had he perhaps felt like I’d stabbed him in the back?
“Justitia of Cassini, I pay my respects to Your Majesty.”
As I offered my courtesy as a noblewoman rather than a Saint, Alfonso twisted his lips and spoke.
“It suits you well, Cassini Noblewoman. You’re the same age—which one should I address first?”
“Lumiel is now the Saint, so she won’t be called by that name anymore.”
“Jus.”
Alfonso called me by that name with a hardened expression.
“Enough with the games.”
“Games, Your Majesty?”
“Yes, I understand. That position must have been quite burdensome for you.”
His voice, as if he knew everything, was remarkably tender. Had I still been Justitia, I might have wept with emotion.
“Yes.”
I couldn’t quite manage tears, but I could offer a wistful smile.
“It was never my rightful place to begin with. Neither was the seat beside Your Majesty.”
“Why are you like this? Really.”
Alfonso brushed his hair back in frustration.
“You’re not this kind of woman.”
“This kind of woman?”
“You wanted to become queen. You wanted to keep your position as the Saint. That’s why you pretended to fall for me at first sight even though you didn’t care for me. For seven years!”
The last words came out almost as a cry. At last, Alfonso had torn away the veil that hung between us. I watched him in silence for a moment.
“Isn’t that right?”
He demanded an answer, breathing heavily. I exhaled softly and opened my mouth.
“Your Majesty.”
And I drew the veil he had torn away back into place.
“I’m hurt that you would say such a thing. My feelings were genuine.”
Alfonso stared at me with a dazed expression before letting out a bitter laugh.
“We both know the truth—stop the lies. Only I know you’re a woman capable of lying without changing your expression even once. Only I know your true self in this entire world.”
There was something oddly possessive about his words, and I found myself laughing. Is it really only you? There’s another man who comes to mind immediately.
Even if it truly were only Alfonso, what would change?
“And then?”
I asked in an indifferent tone, and Alfonso’s expression went blank. Amusingly, he seemed to have expected me to turn pale and say nothing.

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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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