She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 10

Two Starting Points

[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, the Grand Madam openly offered to act as a chaperon for that insignificant commoner."

Andante bit the inside of her cheek. Her eyes sharpened.

Who exactly was her mother-in-law? The Grand Madam never acted as a chaperon for anyone. She couldn't show such mercy to a lowly commoner.

[Andante] "That can't be. Even I, who was chosen as the fiancé since childhood and became her daughter-in-law, never received such favor."

The Grand Madam was the definition of noble dignity. Since a certain incident five years ago, she had withdrawn from society. Yet, she remained the record holder for the most wins in the ‘Cannes Fleurs,’ the competition to select the most beautiful and influential lady in high society. Decades later, no one had broken her record.

In her youth, the Grand Madam possessed a tongue like a viper, capable of making any noble lady weep. The only person she ever cherished was her nephew, Cassius Ideos, who shared her aristocratic coldness.

[Maid] "People also say that the woman has the Duke's child."

[Andante] "A blasphemous rumor."

Whether a child existed or not, Andante felt the urgent need to restore order.

[Maid] "Yes, My Lady."

The Mails and Ideos families shared a long, intimate history. They were linked by generations of marriage and joint business ventures. As the Ideos family's status rose, so did that of the Mails family.

Because of this special bond, the Marchioness had to manage any foul rumors surrounding the Duke's house.

Andante pressed her throbbing temples and took a deep breath. Her heart hammered against her ribs from the brief excitement.

A nearby maid gently placed a hand on Andante's neck to help her find her rhythm.

[Maid] "......My Lady, please, breathe."

[Andante] "Whew...... Fine."

[Maid] "Shall I call the doctor?"

[Andante] "No. He will only prescribe more sleeping pills."

Andante suffered from a terminal illness. Her heart beat irregularly and violently. According to her doctor, her time was running out. No physician had yet found a cure for her condition.

[Maid] "Rest is most important. Don't overexert yourself, My Lady."

[Andante] "I must erase the scandal surrounding the Duke's mansion. This is a critical time."

Currently, the two families were collaborating to import rare goods from the East. The business targeted the ladies of high society. The Mails family had even taken out loans to invest hundreds of millions. They couldn't afford even a tiny stain on their reputation.

[Andante] "For the time being, there must not be a single flaw in our family's name."

The maid shrank back. Although the Grand Madam's aura usually overshadowed her, Andante was still a predator in the social world.

She is someone who can drag a favored commoner straight into the abyss.

No matter how much a commoner flew, they could never manipulate someone as sharp as Andante.

[Andante] "Yes...... I must sweep this away quickly before the ship from the East drops anchor."

Her gaze burned with resolve.

*****

Meanwhile, Sierra remained blissfully unaware that Andante was targeting her. She spent the day rolling around on a massive bed with Hanael.

Life as a rich slacker is the best.

As she lounged, she occasionally missed the days of selling medicine in Sufe Village.

My elderly patients with arthritis are probably waiting for me.

Even a top graduate of the pharmacy department couldn't compare to Sierra's innate genius.

Sierra was exceptionally brilliant. Her sister, Amille, had strictly warned her to hide her power until she became an adult, so she had held back during her academy years.

I envy Rina. She's so good at her job.

Recently, with the Grand Madam's help, Sierra contacted Rina.

Rina was now a full-fledged doctor and so busy with her clinic that she couldn't meet immediately. Fortunately, they could still exchange letters. Another letter from Rina arrived today.

[Phew, do you have any idea how busy my clinic is? I’ve become famous among noble ladies lately. They often seek me out.

Sierra, don't you want to open a pharmacy in the capital? Instead of that Sufe Village with the tacky name, why not make a name for yourself here?]

This brat! How dare she insult Sufe Village!

Sierra felt a brief flash of annoyance, but she also felt envious of Rina, who could display her skills without hesitation.

I want to open a pharmacy in the capital later, too. I’m confident I can heal people perfectly.

Her sister, who had told her to hide her abilities to avoid danger, wasn't here.

Come to think of it, neither my sister nor our puppy has sent a single letter. I hope nothing is wrong.

She sighed and folded her letter.

I’ll reply later.

She stroked Hanael, who had been sleeping more than usual lately. Just then, a neat knock sounded at the door.

[Lexel] "Lady Sierra."

Sierra perked up. It was the Head Maid's voice.

[Sierra] "......Ah, yes. Come in."

[Lexel] "The Duke has sent a letter."

The Head Maid's expression and tone were solemn, as if she were assisting star-crossed lovers in a secret meeting.

[Sierra] "Oh, alright. Give it to me."

She took the letter from Cassius.

[I plan to go to a fine dining restaurant at six today, so get ready. We will eat and then fill out the request form for the Kingdom's paternity test kit together.]

If Cassius had simply asked her to dinner, she would have rejected it as a date.

Her main goal was to finish the paternity test and get away from him as quickly as possible. However, he had dangled an irresistible bait: the request form.

Sierra had only one choice.

[Sierra] "Head Maid, I will be going to a restaurant outside the mansion at six. With the Duke."

The Head Maid looked at Sierra's indifferent face and then raised her eyes with a serious glint. The maids under her command had watched Cassius obsess over every detail of the mansion's remodeling. They had witnessed the Grand Madam doting on Sierra.

Cassius, who used to radiate bloodlust, laughed often now. The Grand Madam, who used to be picky about every minor mistake, had grown gentle. All of this was thanks to Sierra, a woman who brought the warmth of spring to a desolate house. To the Head Maid, Sierra was a treasure that had to stay.

[Lexel] "The two of you are going to dinner...... Understood. I will prepare you, on my honor."

Sierra had no idea how terrifying the atmosphere in the mansion had been before her arrival.

[Sierra] "You don't need to put your honor on the line......"

[Lexel] "No. I will make you beautiful."

[Sierra] "If you insist......"

Sierra had lived like a commoner for a long time. She thought being pampered like a noble might be fun. After checking the note, the transformation began.

With light makeup and a bright yellow antique dress with a square neckline, she looked radiant. The beautiful dress, adorned with a delicate floral pattern, perfectly complemented her pure appearance.

[Lexel] "......You are stunning, Lady Sierra."

The only problem was that the Head Maid worked with such passion that the preparations finished too early.

[Lexel] "Would you like to take a walk?"

Sierra nodded. Of course, the Head Maid had a hidden agenda to bring Sierra and Cassius closer together.

---

[Lexel] "Oh, I-I made a mistake and took a wrong turn. We have arrived at the training grounds."

The Head Maid stammered, her eyes darting around. Anyone could see through her terrible acting.

Her acting is a disaster.

Sierra decided to be generous. Since she had to meet Cassius anyway, she figured she could wait by the training grounds and leave for dinner from there. The exterior of the training hall was made of glass, allowing a clear view inside and out.

[Lexel] "It seems the Duke has turned the training hall upside down again. Ha, hahaha."

[Sierra] "Ah......"

Sierra didn't know how to respond. She turned her attention to Cassius, who was in the middle of a duel.

So, this is the real Cassius.

Sierra nodded to herself. She realized she had to accept that he had changed significantly from the past.

Cassius was training in comfortable clothes. His white shirt, soaked in sweat, turned translucent against his skin. His chest muscles flexed with every movement of his sword.

Sierra blinked rapidly, looking away for a second.

In that brief moment, Cassius spotted her. He threw open the door and stood before her.

He stared at Sierra and the light pouring in behind her, looking as though he were facing a dream.

Feeling awkward, Sierra cleared her throat.

[Sierra] "I enjoyed watching you. You’re good with a sword."

[Cassius] "......I worked hard."

His deep, resonant voice sounded emphasized.

[Cassius] "You said you liked swordsmanship."

It sounded like he was saying, I worked hard because you said you liked it.

She laughed awkwardly and looked away.

[Sierra] "......Did I? I don't remember."

Cassius, showing no intention of changing the subject, replied softly.

[Cassius] "Yes."

He reached out to touch a stray lock of hair near her neck, but paused.

[Cassius] "Sorry. I'm covered in sweat. I must be dirty."

He picked up a worn but clean handkerchief from his scabbard and wiped his hands. Sierra watched him closely.

That handkerchief looks familiar.

The knights nearby were horrified to see the "Demon of the Battlefield" acting like a dejected puppy. But Cassius and Sierra were in their own world. He stared at her intensely while she was lost in thought.

Come to think of it, she did remember admiring free-spirited swordsmen back at the academy. She had once told Cassius, "Your swordsmanship is so cool!" At that time, his ears had turned bright red with embarrassment. He had promised to work even harder. Of course, back then, his ears turned red at almost anything she said, so she hadn't thought much of it.

Perhaps it was the old memory, but she hadn't noticed him leaning in. His face was now inches from hers.

[Cassius] "How was my sword?"

[Sierra] "Um......"

Sierra knew nothing about swords. Not knowing what to say, she scratched the back of her head awkwardly.

[Cassius] "Tell me I did well."

Cassius tilted his head. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. When a smile touched his cold face, he looked as kind as he had in the past.

[Cassius] "Not good enough? Then I will work harder."

He raised his hand as if to escort her.

Sierra made a firm vow to herself: Don't be seduced.

His fingertips brushed against hers.

[Cassius] "......And, Sierra."

He looked down at her and whispered in a low voice.

[Cassius] "You look very beautiful today."

His words were sweet enough to melt honey.

[Cassius] "You make me want to tell you how lovely you are every single day."

His voice was so full of affection that anyone watching would assume he was deeply in love.

He smiled, his eyes curving flirtatiously. It was an undeniable temptation.

---

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