Sierra swallowed hard and brainwashed herself again. She recalled the massive gap between him, a Duke, and herself, a commoner. A Duke and a commoner. Under Imperial law, they shared a destiny where they would rarely meet, nor should they meet. Unless she became a mistress or a courtesan, they had no reason to intertwine. He is an unreachable fruit. He is a poisonous apple I must not eat, salty seawater, a destiny bound to fall apart anyway once the misunderstanding clears. S

[Hentel] "......Did you create that medicine yourself?" She offered a friendly smile. [Sierra] "It is nothing special. Just a headache remedy." [Hentel] "A headache remedy? I have never seen one with such a color!" Sierra had no reason to hide her abilities anymore. She lifted her chin and replied with ease. [Sierra] "I developed the method myself." In contrast to her casual attitude, Hentel narrowed his eyes and shook his head. [Hentel] "I sense pure magic power and remarkab

[Sierra] "Did you know you have a second mommy?" [Hanael] "......No." She spoke in a babyish tone and buried her face in Sierra's chest. [Hanael] "I only have one mommy!" Tears soaked her chest. She knew without looking that tears filled Hanael's large eyes. I held back until now...... I worried she might think she had no mother just like she has no father. Sierra stroked Hanael's hair, lost in deep thought. Initially, she taught Hanael to call her "Aunt." After calling her A

Cassius stared out the window. His second-floor office offered a perfect view of the landscape. From here, the garden paths of the Duchy spread out clearly. This meant the sight of Sierra and Abel walking together remained in full view. While working in the quiet room, he had opened the window and accidentally caught sight of their cheerful moment. [Sierra] "Ha, it’s...... it’s......." [Abel] "Yes! It’s exciting...... hurry......." Though the distance muffled their words, Sie

Cassius stared out the window. His second-floor office offered a perfect view of the landscape. From here, the garden paths of the Duchy spread out clearly. This meant the sight of Sierra and Abel walking together remained in full view. While working in the quiet room, he had opened the window and accidentally caught sight of their cheerful moment. [Sierra] "Ha, it’s...... it’s......." [Abel] "Yes! It’s exciting...... hurry......." Though the distance muffled their words, Sie

[Cassius] “......Who are you?” They stood before the gates of the ducal mansion. Duke Ideos questioned Abel. Abel looked up at the man, who stood a full head taller than him. Does he not know me? I thought he would! Abel bowed with a bright smile. [Abel] “Ah, you are Duke Ideos, right? I’m Abel. I lived with Miss Sierra!” [Cassius] “Lived with her......?” As a shapeshifter, Abel frequently heard news from the human world, but he didn't understand the finer points of human nat

Every eye in the room fixed on Sierra. She looked at Andante, who trembled with a mix of shock and petty fear. [Sierra] "I... I'm fine." Sierra wanted to say she didn't mind the confrontation, but she caught Cassius' terrifying gaze. She stared back at him. To her surprise, the rims of his eyes shimmered with red. [Cassius] "I told you I would protect you." Oh, heavens. No. He must not cry! Sierra loved a handsome man's tears, but she certainly didn't want them now. She grabb

Andante cleared her throat. She never expected Sierra to agree so easily. However, her goal remained the same: remove the woman who threatened to stain the family's reputation. Even if she felt momentarily pushed back, she had no intention of retreating. [Andante] "Hmph. Sharing a table with a commoner leaves a bad taste in my mouth." She shot a look at Sierra that clearly said, 'A commoner like you is pathetic.' Receiving her glare, Sierra spoke with a modest and kind tone.

Sierra scanned the interior of the restaurant. Since the Duke of Ideos chose the location, she expected a stiff, aristocratic atmosphere. Tension gripped her. However, as she stepped inside with Cassius, admiration replaced her worry. [Sierra] "This place is......" [Cassius] "Let's go inside, Sierra." She couldn't hide her surprise with every step. Back in the Academy, Sierra once described her dream home. She had mentioned a preference for a cozy house, much like a humble re

[Maid] "Yes. I hate to say it, My Lady, but rumors even claim the Grand Madam has gone senile......" [Andante] "......It must be a baseless rumor." Andante dismissed the gossip immediately. However, the maid hesitated, clearly holding back more information. Andante clenched her fists so hard her knuckles turned white. She spoke quietly, urging the maid to continue. [Andante] "Go on. Tell me the rest." [Maid] "Yes, My Lady. According to a maid who visited the Duke's mansion, t

Sierra stiffened like a deer facing a predator while the Grand Madam remained silent. She still hasn't said a word. Does she hate me? Well, I did take the money five years ago and came back...... Sierra prayed the woman wouldn't direct her hatred toward Hanael. Just then, the Grand Madam reached out and gripped Sierra's hands. [G. Madam] "......You finally came, Sierra." Sierra flinched at the burning intensity in the woman's eyes. This is strange. Sierra studied her expressi

[Lexel] "Lady Sierra, it is Lexel, the Head Maid." Lexel, the Head Maid of the Duke of Ideos, visited their quarters. Sierra hurriedly adjusted her indoor dress and stood. [Sierra] "Come in! What brings you here?" The door opened, and Lexel stepped inside cautiously. [Lexel] "I am Lexel, the Head Maid of this mansion. Please call for me as you wish." The Head Maid. Even if her rank remained low, she held the status of a fallen noble. For a Ducal

A strange heat filled the maid's room within the Duke's castle. The servants, having just welcomed two new guests, couldn't stop thinking about Sierra on the floor above. [Maid 1] “.......” [Maid 1] “Hah.......” They sat in silence. Each face wore an expression of total confusion, as if no one knew what to say. [Maid 1] “I don't know much, but.......” [Maid 2] “We have to treat her well, don’t we?” [Maid 3] “Of course.” Everyone pictured Sierra and the little girl at her side

Cassius handled every detail of their departure himself. Everything moved with a speed that left Sierra stunned. First, he hired a substitute pharmacist to guard the shop while she was away. [Sierra] "A top graduate from the Academy of Pharmacy?" Why would a top graduate work as a temp in a rural pharmacy? Isn't that a waste of talent? But the next detail was even more shocking. [Knight] "I am a Dragon Knight." Cassius appointed a knight to ensure no one robbed the house whil

[Abel] "The only way to clear up this misunderstanding is a paternity test." He suggested a single solution: a paternity test kit from the Hippo Kingdom, a land famous for its medical skills. The medical team of the Hippo Kingdom created the first paternity test kit, causing a stir. This revolutionary kit identifies illegitimate noble children in just three months. [Sierra] "Wow, a paternity test kit exists. The world has changed for the better." Joy filled her as she read th