The Saintess Is Too Good at Lying - Chapter 94

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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 Holy Maiden Is Such a Liar! Episode 94
“If the next king is a Holy Power User as the Archbishop says, the people will be delighted, won’t they?”
When I pointed out the absurdity of her envisioning the child’s father as herself despite already having a fiancé, a crack appeared in Formoso’s smile.
“Your resolve to become queen—it hasn’t wavered?”
“No.”
I nodded as though I’d heard something obvious.
“While I was at the Cassini Mansion, I rediscovered the feelings I’ve held for His Majesty. I simply cannot leave him. Just as I cannot abandon the Barion God.”
Knowing that Formoso held affection for me only made me want to display my love for Alfonso more passionately. Each time he heard it, his heart must have been torment.
“Then let me take my leave. You must be exhausted, and I’ve kept the Holy Maiden far too long.”
Formoso changed the subject and turned to go. I followed him upward from the basement with a sneer.
When I returned to my room, it was as spotless as it had been before my departure.
That entire day was spent organizing my belongings.
The next day, a welcome visitor arrived—complete with homemade cookies.
“I told you, the Holy Maiden is far too extraordinary to live quietly as an ordinary noblewoman.”
“I was trying to live quietly. If only the Demon Worshippers hadn’t committed that terrorist attack.”
“Exactly. They lay dormant for so long—why suddenly resort to such recklessness?”
Clarissa furrowed her brow as she replied.
“The Cathedral seems to want to let this matter pass quietly, but the Royal Family’s position appears different. His Majesty seems intent on using this opportunity to root out the Demon Worshippers entirely.”
“How just of him.”
“Well, when there’s a clear external enemy, royal authority strengthens and it’s easier to unite the people.”
“But in the process, innocent people could get hurt.”
Thinking of witch hunts, Formoso’s judgment might well be correct.
Clarissa nodded in agreement.
“The terrorist claimed there are Demon Worshippers even among the nobility and bit his own tongue. Hearing such a statement, the Royal Family can hardly overlook it.”
“Among the nobility as well.”
“Yes. So whenever anyone mentions it, everyone watches for tells. They wonder if their companion might be a Demon Worshipper. Even if there are only a few, an atmosphere of mutual suspicion has taken root.”
Clarissa continued her complaint without pause.
“For what it’s worth, I’m not one.”
“A Demon Worshipper would hardly befriend a Holy Maiden, I suspect.”
“Are you and I friends?”
Clarissa asked, startled. I flinched and asked in return.
“……Aren’t we?”
“No, no. Of course we are.”
Clarissa hastily shook her head in response.
“Friends. I like the sound of that. To be friends with someone as remarkable as you.”
“I have plenty of friends.”
“One cannot call everyone you engage with socially a friend. True friendship requires deeper bonds and the sharing of intimate secrets.”
As I considered whether we possessed such things, Lumiel’s image surfaced in my mind. Clarissa snapped her fingers as if to confirm this very thought.
“The Cassini Noblewoman rejoices at your return. She praised you as Scalia’s guardian, and at least on the surface, it seemed sincere.”
“It is sincere.”
I considered telling Clarissa that Lumiel was a Demon Worshipper, but decided against it.
The only evidence was the mask I’d seen in her wardrobe.
‘Of course, Clarissa isn’t reckless enough to denounce Lumiel the moment she learns that.’
But being a just person, she would probe for the truth—either with me or alone.
To leave no “alternative,” I had resolved to expose Lumiel as a Demon Worshipper before I departed.
But I still needed more evidence, and above all, this involved demons. I didn’t want to see her dragged into danger without thought.
“So the noblewoman would gain no benefit from this.”
Her expression held no inclination to interpret this as pure goodwill, and I found myself laughing—when a sudden hypothesis crossed my mind.
‘Oh, is she trying to frame me as a Demon Worshipper?’
Falls from great heights strike harder.
Moreover, I’d stayed at the Cassini Mansion recently—she could hide the mask in my room, and if it were discovered…….
‘They could claim I was in league with the Demon Worshippers all along, knew when the terrorist attack would occur at the theater, and earned people’s praise by stopping it.’
The scenario was quite plausible, and I found myself nodding. The only thing that caught—the fact that Sergio had chosen the date and location.
‘If Sergio had to choose between Lumiel and Justitia, he’d pick his real sister.’
It was a perfect plan, but since I’d personally resolved the kidnapping, it ultimately amounted to only half a scheme.
Since my reputation isn’t yet that damaged and is linked to the Cathedral’s standing, Formoso would cooperate as well.
‘My relationship with Sergio has improved too, and if he chooses Lumiel and shoulders heavy guilt for it, that’s not the worst outcome.’
However she attacked, I could defend. So I erased that problem from my mind.
It was the day after that Alfonso came seeking me out.
He was dressed quite handsomely, holding a generous bouquet of summer roses. He really does love roses.
“Welcome back, Justitia. Congratulations on your return as the Holy Maiden.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
I breathed in the fragrance once, then handed the bouquet to Nora.
Nora brought out white rose tea to match Alfonso’s gift. After he took a sip, he opened his mouth.
“Aren’t you going to praise me?”
It came out of nowhere.
Isn’t that what I should be saying? You’re the one who wanted to keep the engagement intact.
“Because I came looking for you, you got the justification to return to your original position.”
He seemed to believe I’d painted a picture of reluctantly returning as the Holy Maiden, captured by his pleading.
How does he manage to interpret everything so conveniently? That’s a talent in itself, I suppose.
“I created the justification for my return myself, Your Majesty. The one who helped me was the Archbishop.”
Faced with his relentless, irritating arrogance, I couldn’t bring myself to mouth empty pleasantries like ‘Yes, yes, it’s all thanks to you, Your Majesty.’
“It’s strange, though. The terrorist attack happened exactly where you were, at exactly the time you were there. Perfectly timed, as if orchestrated.”
I lifted my head and looked at him.
Because Lumiel had suggested yesterday that she might frame me using that very fact, I felt a sharp pang. Though Alfonso didn’t seem to mean it that way.
“Does the Barion God favor you?”
“It appears I’m destined to become Your Majesty’s queen.”
I answered with a lie without batting an eye.
“Since I’ve achieved such merit as you said, Your Majesty won’t let me go, will you?”
“Exactly. That’s why I came to ask you out on a date.”
A laugh escaped at the sudden remark. I answered willingly.
“How calculating. I like it.”
“You’re not just pretending to like it?”
“Think whatever pleases you.”
Now we both understood each other’s true nature, but it was actually better for me this way.
I had no intention of seducing Alfonso by declaring I’d become an irreplaceable queen. He wasn’t the kind of man classical seduction would work on.
The way to become part of such an arrogant, calculating man was not to be his charming lover, but to be an elusive fish that couldn’t be easily caught.
And if I simultaneously provided help that couldn’t be replaced, it would be even more perfect.
I could confidently say this strategy was far more effective than playing coy with conventional flattery.
“True. Since we look good together, there’s nothing bad about it for you either, Justitia.”
Alfonso rose from his seat and offered me his hand. I took it, but that wasn’t the end of it.
“I’ll allow you to link arms with me.”
This man is ridiculous, truly.
“I’ll have to decline.”
I left with a hollow laugh, only to come face to face with an unexpected person. Cassandro’s eyes met mine, his expression registering mild surprise.

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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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