Everyone Realized the Saint Was a Fake, but She Still Thought She Was Fooling Them - Chapter 11

Wallace kept sighing so much that Lianna made a strange face.

Then, trying to bring the conversation back, she asked about Lucilda.

“Hey, about Lucilda… How was it decided that she’s a Saintess in the first place?”

Lianna was very curious. Wallace had said that Lucilda lacked power, and Lianna had overheard Lucilda talking about needing money to prove she was a Saintess. That strange conversation had stuck in her mind.

“Huh? Lianna, you were involved in that, right? How do you not know?”

Wallace looked at her accusingly.

Lianna scratched her head awkwardly.

“Even if you say that… I was more of a victim in all this. All I heard was that Lucilda had a holy mark. Is that mark real?”

“…”

Wallace looked down, lost in thought, and stayed silent.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

Lianna pouted.

Wallace kept looking down, as if he wasn’t even listening. But since he couldn’t just ignore her question, he slowly raised his eyes.

“I was wondering if you’re really planning to get involved.”

“Why? You already told me about Lucilda. I’ve heard this much, so don’t start hiding things now. Just tell me everything.”

“Well, yeah, but… I really don’t want to.”

Wallace let out a loud sigh and looked up at the ceiling.

From past experience, Lianna knew that whenever Wallace acted like this, he would dodge the topic no matter what. He would never reveal anything.

Lianna had no idea how to make him talk.

It wasn’t like Wallace had to tell her anything. That meant she needed to offer something in exchange. But what could she offer? The only thing she had was the strange conversation she had overheard about Lucilda.

“Hey, Wallace. I happened to overhear Lucilda talking to someone in the dark. She said that proving she’s a Saintess costs money.”

As soon as Lianna said that, Wallace looked shocked. He stared at her intensely.

“Lianna? What do you mean? Proving she’s a Saintess? Money? Who was Lucilda talking to?”

Lianna knew she had no more information to offer. But if she wanted to get more out of Wallace, she had to use what she had.

“Will you tell me about Lucilda’s holy mark? And why Lord Ernst is against her?”

Wallace’s expression turned grim.

He opened his mouth slightly, but then shut it tightly and looked down, thinking.

Even if he explained the holy mark, revealing why Ernst opposed Lucilda would completely drag Lianna into this mess. And he didn’t want that.

“Wallace, in a way, I’m involved too. I didn’t care about Lucilda before, but now I do. I want to know. If there’s something I can do, I want to help.”

Lianna leaned forward, speaking earnestly.

“I really don’t want you getting involved, Lianna.”

Wallace answered honestly.

“Why not? I might be useful, you know.”

She was referring to her ‘night strolls.’

But Wallace, unaware of that, pursed his lips and crossed his arms, shaking his head.

Wallace knew the real problem. Lianna liked Ernst.

Just like Bartlett had warned her before, if Lianna openly showed feelings for Ernst, it would provoke his fiancée, Yelena.

After all, the one who stabbed Ernst was Yelena’s lover!

If Lianna got too involved, it would be exactly what Yelena wanted. She could easily frame Ernst for ‘cheating’ and justify everything, including her lover’s attack.

She might even say, “You cheated first, so we’re even.”

If that happened, their whole plan to expose Lucilda as a fake Saintess would be ruined.

Wallace and the others believed Lucilda was somehow behind Ernst’s attack. They were still investigating it.

But most of all, Wallace just didn’t want to see Lianna caring about Ernst.

And the worst thing would be if Lianna and Ernst became closer because of this.

“Um…”

Wallace hesitated.

There was a lot he wanted to say, but none of it was easy to put into words.

Lianna pressed forward.

“Wallace, you’re worried about me, right? And you don’t want weird rumors about me and Ernst, right? Bartlett already warned me about that. I get it. But if you shut me out, I’ll just investigate on my own. Wouldn’t it be better if I worked with you instead of acting on my own?”

Wallace’s eyes widened in shock.

“Are you threatening me?”

“No. I don’t want to cause trouble for you. This is just a suggestion. If I’m going to be involved anyway, let’s work together. I’ll consult you about everything, and I’ll listen to you. So let me be part of this.”

Lianna’s honest gaze made Wallace waver a little. But he still looked hesitant.

“Then… can you stop liking Ernst?”

“Huh?”

“Lianna, if you have feelings for Ernst, it makes things really complicated. He has a fiancée. If Yelena starts making a fuss, the public will turn against us. I don’t want that.”

Wallace looked troubled.

“That’s…”

Lianna hesitated.

“Can you do it?”

Wallace pressed her for an answer.

“Um… I want to say yes. I never expected anything to happen between me and Ernst. But what if I accidentally look at him too much, and people start rumors? That’s what you’re worried about, right?”

Lianna looked down, unsure of herself.

“…”

Wallace stared at her sadly.

“…”

Lianna also fell silent, feeling guilty.

Then, after a long hesitation, Wallace suddenly made a ridiculous suggestion.

“Then… Lianna, why don’t you get engaged to me?”

“What!?”

Lianna thought she misheard him.

But Wallace was serious. He looked a little guilty but kept a straight face.

“Even if it’s just for appearances, if we’re engaged, it’ll be a shield. If we always act together, Yelena won’t be able to accuse you of anything. What do you think?”

“What do I think…?”

Lianna was too shocked to answer.

“Do you hate the idea?”

“I don’t hate you, Wallace, but… You came back to find a real fiancée, right? If you get engaged to me, you won’t be able to find your real wife.”

Wallace sighed and looked straight at her.

“Then just marry me.”

“Huh?”

Lianna was stunned by his intensity.

“I said anyone would do. You’re anyone. So just marry me.”

Wallace spoke bluntly, then looked down at his cup and took a sip of tea.

Anyone? If not Lianna, then anyone else?

Wallace seemed a little annoyed, and Lianna didn’t know what to say.

Marriage…?

But thinking calmly, Lianna realized it wouldn’t be a problem.

She had no romantic future with Ernst. Since her engagement to the crown prince was broken, no one else had come forward. Her father, Duke Gruber, wasn’t pressuring her about marriage either.

Wallace was someone she trusted. He wouldn’t use or deceive her.

Lianna took a deep breath.

Wallace looked up, slightly nervous.

“Fine. If that condition is good enough, I’ll get engaged to you.”

But instead of looking happy, Wallace looked guilty and lowered his gaze again.

This was Bartlett’s idea.

“It’s settled, then.”

Wallace spoke in an oddly calm voice.

Then, the two of them silently drank their tea.