Everyone Realized the Saint Was a Fake, but She Still Thought She Was Fooling Them - Chapter 9

When Lianna went on a “Night Stroll,” she happened to run into Saint Lucilda. But what shook her even more was the shocking information she overheard—that the person who stabbed Ernst was the lover of Ernst’s fiancée, and that Lucilda might be involved in it.

She wanted to return home to organize her thoughts, but since she was already out, she decided to check on Ernst’s condition.

From what Wallace and Bartlett had said, it seemed Ernst’s life was not in danger. Still, Lianna was worried. Was he bedridden? Was he in pain?

And if his injuries were connected to Lucilda, then—maybe, just maybe, she bore some responsibility as well.

So, sticking to her original plan, Lianna made her way to the Lynbrick Duke’s residence, where Ernst lived.

However, once she arrived, she realized she had no idea which room was his.

As expected of a ducal household, many servants were bustling about, even at this late hour. Feeling uneasy about wandering through someone else’s home, Lianna searched for Ernst’s room.

Then, in one of the reception rooms, she spotted Ernst’s fiancée, Lady Yelena Maselesten, daughter of a marquis.

“Why is his fiancée here at this hour?”

Yelena had brought her maid with her, so it seemed to be a legitimate visit, yet the timing was strange. Who visits at this hour?

Suspicious, Lianna stepped into the reception room.

Yelena’s maid looked uncomfortable, shifting her gaze around restlessly, clearly aware of the inappropriate timing.

“My lady, visiting at this hour is improper…”

But Yelena, unfazed, sat back deeply on the couch with an air of defiance.

“As long as they haven’t thrown me out, it’s fine.”

“Not getting thrown out doesn’t mean it’s fine! You’re the one who refused to leave until you could see him!”

The maid tried to scold her, but Yelena just laughed, completely indifferent.

“This is just part of the act. It creates the image of an urgent situation, doesn’t it? I’m showing them that I’m too worried to leave until I see him.”

The maid let out an exasperated sigh.

“My lady… you’re just pretending to be worried?”

“That’s a harsh way to put it. I am worried… at least a little.”

Yelena suddenly put on a serious face.

Hearing this exchange, Lianna thought, Liar.

After all, according to what she overheard from Saint Lucilda, Yelena’s lover was the one who attacked Ernst. If that was true, then Yelena knew everything. There was no way she was actually concerned.

She was only here to avoid suspicion.

But this was a bad move. Showing up at such an odd hour and acting so composed—it only reinforced Lianna’s initial impression that something was off. She didn’t look like someone worrying over her injured fiancé.

A deep sadness filled Lianna as she turned to leave.

This woman is Ernst’s fiancée. And because of people like her, Ernst was hurt…

Did he know the truth?

Lianna’s heart ached for Ernst.

Now, more than ever, she wanted to check on him before leaving.

Since she still didn’t know his room, she trailed behind the maids, aimlessly wandering the mansion.

Then, she noticed an older maid walking quickly with a water pitcher filled with hot water, a stern expression on her face.

Lianna guessed she was heading to Ernst’s room.

She was right.

Following the maid, Lianna entered the room and saw Ernst lying on the bed.

Her heart pounded, tightening with emotion at the sight of him.

She floated closer in her spirit form.

She didn’t need to peek—Ernst was already awake.

Though he looked like he was in pain, his condition didn’t seem as bad as she had feared. His body was covered in bandages, but his eyes were clear.

“How are you feeling?” the older maid asked.

From her tone, Lianna guessed she wasn’t just a regular maid—perhaps a wet nurse or someone close to Ernst.

“Ah, I’m feeling much better,” Ernst answered with a faint smile.

“You’ve recovered remarkably well. When you came home covered in bl00d, I thought it was the end,” the maid said with relief.

“Yeah… the wounds weren’t as deep as I thought.”

“And the pain?”

“Oh, it’s bad. Feels like I’ve got thick nails stabbing into me over and over.”

“You poor thing. I hope they catch the culprit soon!”

The maid looked up at the ceiling and let out a desperate plea.

But beside her, Ernst let out a small, awkward smile.

Lianna froze.

A wry smile…

Could it be—Ernst already knew everything?

She watched him closely, heart pounding.

Ernst sighed quietly, making sure the maid wouldn’t notice. Then his face grew serious as he looked down.

He does know.

Lianna’s chest tightened.

It was painful to even imagine what Ernst must be feeling. His fiancée had a lover, and that lover tried to kill him. What a humiliation.

At that moment, the maid, unaware of his thoughts, frowned and said,

“By the way, Lady Yelena is still here. Are you just going to let her stay?”

“Yeah, I don’t mind. It’s just an act on her part.”

“An act…?”

“Yeah. She doesn’t really care. But if I leave her alone, she’ll just stay here forever. That would be a nuisance for the household. I guess I should see her briefly and send her away.”

Ernst rubbed his chin, considering.

“Young master, that’s exactly the problem with you! Lady Yelena is worried about you!”

The maid looked teary-eyed.

Lianna, having overheard Yelena’s conversation earlier, knew Ernst was right. She felt sorry for this kindhearted maid who believed in Yelena.

Ernst must have felt the same.

He gave the maid a gentle look, his eyes full of warmth.

“Alright, I won’t say it like that. Tell Yelena and my parents that I’ll meet her tomorrow when they’re present.”

“Understood, young master.”

The maid seemed relieved and left the room in a hurry.

Now that Lianna knew Ernst was fully conscious, she also felt relieved.

She shouldn’t stay too long. It was time to go home.

This marked the end of her “Night Stroll.”

Her head was already bursting with too much information to process.