She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 11

Cassius' Temptation

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 restaurant in a rural village. She wanted to live in such a place forever. A sturdy wooden house where dandelions and azaleas bloomed, and butterflies danced in the garden.

This fine dining establishment looked exactly like her dream. Once inside, the atmosphere felt even more like a warm, private home.

They even used lilies for the centerpiece......

Sierra loved lilies. Her affection wasn't romantic; she liked them because they were expensive and possessed excellent medicinal properties.

As she stared at the lilies, Cassius handed her a bouquet of blue roses that had been sitting beside the table.

[Cassius] "Blue roses."

[Sierra] "Oh...... You put a lot of effort into this. I didn't prepare anything. Thank you."

Finding a restaurant that perfectly matched her taste might have been a coincidence, but the thoughtful gift of the bouquet surprised her. Suddenly, a chill ran through her.

Does he still like me? No way. Surely not.

They had only known each other briefly at the Academy. He couldn't harbor feelings for over five years.

Sierra considered herself an objective person. While she had once dreamed of a romantic relationship, she knew her place. A man like Cassius Ideos, who could have any woman he desired, had no reason to pursue a commoner like her.

While she tried to shake off her growing suspicion, Cassius pulled out a chair for her.

[Cassius] "Sit here, Sierra."

[Sierra] "Ah, thanks."

As soon as they sat, the chefs served the appetizers with perfect timing.

Along with the food, Sierra received the 'Hippo Kingdom Paternity Test Application and Consent Form.' It contained the same information she had read in the newspapers: medical staff from the Hippo Kingdom would stay for three months to conduct the test.

Cassius ignored his appetizer. He leaned his chin on his hand and spoke with a cynical edge.

[Cassius] "There are two ways to conduct the paternity test through the Hippo Kingdom."

Sierra looked up from the documents and met his gaze.

[Sierra] "One is bringing the doctors here, as I said."

[Cassius] "And the other?"

Sierra picked up the quill next to the form. She intended to sign and proceed with the test regardless.

He spoke, his voice dripping with affection.

[Cassius] "The other option is for you, me, and Hanael to travel to the Hippo Kingdom together. We would spend those three months there as a family."

She ignored the sweat trailing down her back and cleared her throat.

[Sierra] "No. Absolutely not."

[Cassius] "I thought so."

He gave up on that rather quickly.

She looked up at him with a questioning look. He whispered.

[Cassius] "Do whatever you want to do."

His constant consideration sparked a heavy sense of guilt in her. Still, she spoke firmly.

[Sierra] "......Forget the trip. Let's just invite the doctors to the mansion."

Sierra signed the document. Cassius added his signature with a brief stroke.

A comfortable silence followed until the main course arrived. Cassius skillfully poured red wine into their glasses.

[Cassius] "This is a good vintage."

[Sierra] "Ah...... Thank you."

The wine shimmered in the clear glass. She rested her chin on her hand, thinking about how much time had passed.

Cassius couldn't even drink in the past.

She let out a small laugh, remembering how his face used to turn bright red after just one drink.

[Cassius] "Sierra."

[Sierra] "Yes?"

He pushed the wine glass toward her, his face calm.

[Cassius] "When you are with me, only think of me."

He lowered his gaze, looking thoughtful.

I was thinking about you, just the past version of you.

But she couldn't admit it. Cassius was already trying to win her forgiveness; admitting she was thinking of him would only complicate things.

He watched her quietly.

[Cassius] "......Forgive me for being so bold. But, Sierra."

He leaned forward. The table was narrow, bringing them dangerously close. His movement nearly caused their lips to brush.

[Sierra] "N-No."

She squeezed her eyes shut.

[Cassius] "Open your eyes."

Sierra took a few deep breaths and peeked. His eyes, blue as the deep ocean, were right in front of her. He whispered in a low, heavy voice.

[Cassius] "I get impatient just looking at you."

The moment she looked at him, memories of their one night together flashed through her mind. The hot breath, the scandalous whispers, and the sound of the creaking bed......

Her cheeks burned red. She grabbed his shoulders and pushed him back.

[Sierra] "Don't...... Don't tempt me. Everything will be over in three months anyway......"

[Cassius] "I want to make it so you can't even think about running away."

She blinked. His face remained inches away. Their noses nearly touched. In that dizzying moment, another memory from the past surfaced.

[Cassius] "I want to keep tempting you."

[Sierra] "Mmm, you can."

She froze as the memory hit her.

[Cassius] "Do you remember?"

It was a bold move on his part.

[Cassius] "You told me I was allowed to tempt you."

He clearly remembered the details from five years ago. She quickly placed her hand over his lips, but it was a mistake. He pressed a short kiss to her fingertips. She could feel his warm breath against her skin.

She struggled to find her voice.

[Sierra] "Not anymore. You are under a massive misunderstanding, and that's why you keep bringing up the past."

He neither agreed nor denied it. He simply watched her with a heavy gaze.

[Cassius] "I won't do anything you tell me not to do."

Sierra finally understood why people called him the cold-blooded Duke. He had changed so much.

[Cassius] "But, Sierra."

She kept her mouth shut and watched him. He ran his tongue over his lips.

[Cassius] "If you can just forgive me and like me again......"

He keeps talking about forgiveness!

She didn't need to forgive him because there was nothing to forgive. However, Sierra couldn't find the words to argue.

His eyes curved in a dangerously attractive way. His lips were slightly swollen, and his dark blue eyes burned with longing.

[Cassius] "I will do anything."

She stared at his moving lips and realized she had fallen into a trap.

[Cassius] "So, fall for me again soon."

[Sierra] "......"

[Cassius] "Fall for me."

He declared it like a vow before taking a sip of wine.

Her heart dropped. She shook her head quickly.

Stay calm, Sierra. You want to be a genius pharmacist, not Cinderella!

He is out of my league.

A romance between a commoner and a noble? Impossible.

She had read novels about such things, but they were just fiction. She didn't believe in eternal love. She was a bit of a realist and knew how the world worked.

I can only trust my health, my hard work, and my money.

Besides, Cassius was only pursuing her because he was obsessed with his bloodline and Hanael. She couldn't trust his feelings. She made a firm declaration to herself.

[Sierra] "I will never fall for you again."

She had to leave as soon as the paternity test finished. Sierra bit her lip.

---

The next morning, Sierra avoided Cassius and went to a small tea house in the capital.

Hanael, who loved sweets, ran straight to the glass display cases. Sierra sipped her tea while keeping an eye on the girl.

Suddenly, someone blocked her view.

[???] "You...... You are quite difficult to meet."

A noblewoman with an elegant and dignified aura stood before her. She reminded Sierra of a black swan. She wore a black dress, a velvet feathered hat, and carried a butterfly fan. Her hair and eyes were as black as coal.

[Sierra] "......Who are you?"

[Andante] "There is no reason for me to identify myself to you."

The maid assigned to protect Sierra and watch over Hanael spoke up quickly.

[Maid] "M-My Lady. I apologize, but Lady Sierra is a guest of the Ideos family......"

[Andante] "Shut up. Since when does a mere maid give me advice?"

[Maid] "That is......"

[Andante] "Besides, rumors say she is a commoner. How is she a guest!"

The woman fanned herself vigorously and looked down at Sierra with contempt. Sierra gave a small nod.

[Sierra] "I see. I don’t know why, but you clearly dislike me."

She met the woman's gaze. She felt a strange surge of energy meeting someone who openly hated her.

[Maid] "M-My Lady. If the Marchioness Dowager finds out......"

Sierra's eyes sparkled. This woman was connected to the Grand Madam. She noticed the woman's brooch featured a hawk.

A hawk is the seal of the Mails family......

This woman had to be Andante, the Marchioness of Mails and the Grand Madam's daughter-in-law. She finally understood the situation.

[Sierra] "It is a pleasure to meet you, Marchioness. I am Sierra."

Andante sat across from her. Before the battle began, Sierra decided to move Hanael. She didn't want the child to hear the insults that were surely coming.

[Sierra] "Please take Hanael outside for a moment."

[Maid] "......L-Lady Sierra."

[Sierra] "Go, now."

The maid bit her lip but eventually obeyed, bowing her head.

Andante watched Sierra with a cold gaze before speaking.

[Andante] "I heard you are living as a leech in the Duke's mansion."

[Sierra] "Yes, I am living there as a leech."

Sierra nodded seriously. It was, after all, the truth.

[Andante] "......"

Andante stared at her, stunned by how easily she admitted it.

---

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