She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 119

The Proposal and Wedding Preparations

She chuckled to ease the atmosphere, gazing around the garden.

[Sierra] "In the end, we couldn't plant our tenth-anniversary tree."

His chest froze mid-breath. Sierra laughed and waved her hand.

[Sierra] "Still, we are together now, so that is enough."

[Cassius] "......Yes, Sierra."

He called her name once more. Curiosity began stirring inside her. What could make him hesitate like this?

[Cassius] "We were married back then."

He gently took her hand.

When that sudden warmth reached her, her eyes widened. Cassius locked his gaze onto hers, his voice low and steady.

[Cassius] "So......."

Tense air, trembling breath. She instinctively knew the words about to follow.

Fixing his moist eyes upon her, Cassius spoke with absolute clarity.

[Cassius] "Let us marry in this life too."

It really was a proposal. They say certain moments in life need no explanation.

Hearing those words, Sierra opened her lips slightly. Instead of surprise, panic, impatience, or anxiety—feelings that weighed down her heart for so long—sheer happiness and fluttering excitement filled her chest.

The sensation was wonderful; she wanted to savor this exact moment. The air, the mood, the wind—every single detail.

Sierra stared at Cassius without a word, a faint smile resting on her lips.

The fresh scent of greenery and the cool early spring air brushed against her skin, alongside the gentle breeze rustling her hair. She closed her eyes tightly and embraced the warm wind.

Through it all, Cassius stood motionless, waiting for her answer. Nervousness clung to his posture.

Time passed—anxious for one, tranquil for the other.

And finally, Sierra slowly withdrew her hand from his grip. Confusion flickered across his face.

She stood on tiptoes and pressed her lips against his cheek.

Ending the brief kiss, she lowered her heels and looked up at him.

[Sierra] "All right. Let us marry."

She knew with total clarity what to say next.

[Sierra] "Now, give me a kiss to celebrate our proposal."

His lips descended upon hers, delivering a kiss as sweet as blossoms blooming in early spring.

---

Starting the very next day, news of Duke Ideos' wedding spread rapidly throughout the Empire. Rumors circulated that the wedding would take place in June, at the threshold of early summer.

Stories regarding Duke Ideos' romance previously circulated in secret, but public perception shifted dramatically as details of his actions for this marriage came to light.

Salons buzzed with chatter focused heavily on Sierra, Hanael, and Cassius. Gossipers chattered daily, yet their conversations followed distinct patterns:

First, unconditional admirers who worshiped Duke Ideos as a national hero.

[Noble] "Is it not romantic?"

[Noble] "They say the wedding will take place in a flower garden. I desperately wish for an invitation......"

[Noble] "Word has it the young lady is adorable!"

Despite the conservative nature of noble society, many held admiration for the Duchy of Ideos.

However, because Sierra was a commoner and bore the scandalous reputation of conceiving a child before marriage, a significant number of nobles snorted in disapproval. These noblewomen spent their days gossiping in high-society salons, wielding considerable influence over social rumors.

[Noble] "Even so, conceiving before marriage......"

[Noble] "Indeed. How disgraceful."

They hurled malicious slander at Sierra and Hanael, heating the salon atmosphere with bitter venom.

Finally, a few figures remained distant from such idle chatter, including the Imperial Princess. Though she rarely frequented salons......

[Noble] "We greet Your Imperial Highness."

......she appeared today, boldly claiming the head seat at the central table.

[Iliena] "Very well."

The salon atmosphere turned ice-cold the moment Princess Iliena made her entrance.

Following the Crown Prince's death while possessed by a demon, imperial authority crashed to the ground. The Emperor lived in seclusion, leaving the three leaders of the Noble Faction to chair council meetings. Only Princess Iliena frequented high society, enduring the disgraceful glares surrounding her.

Cold stares greeted the Princess today as well. Furthermore, a juicy topic presented itself. Everyone present knew that marriage talks had once occurred between Princess Iliena and Duke Ideos. Yet he chose Sierra instead.

A princess robbed of the title of Duchess of Ideos by a commoner woman. To those who already viewed the Imperial Family as an eyesore, the Princess made an easy target for vicious mockery.

Aiming to trample Princess Iliena, who had just stepped into the salon, they casually brought up Sierra.

[Noble] "Your Imperial Highness, that commoner woman now claims the title of Duchess of Ideos."

[Noble] "......Indeed, what are your thoughts on the matter?"

[Noble] "That position originally belonged to Your Imperial Highness."

Despite their polite tone, contempt and condescension gleamed in their eyes.

A pitiful woman who failed to win Duke Ideos' love.

However, Princess Iliena fully anticipated this topic. Unbothered, Princess Iliena spoke with indifference.

[Iliena] "Sierra is Duke Ideos' true companion. She is far better suited for the role than I am."

Color drained from the faces of those who never expected the Princess to openly defend Sierra.

The princess' icy gaze sliced through the room. Though no one in attendance held goodwill toward her, her overwhelming presence crushed them into silence.

Seizing the momentum, the Princess raised her head arrogantly.

[Iliena] "If you have a problem with it, why not state it directly to Duke Ideos instead of whispering behind his back?"

The noblewoman seated in the center who led the gossip panicked, blurting out a defense.

[Noble] "W-What...... We never said there was a problem."

The Princess' cold gaze settled upon the noblewoman.

[Iliena] "Or shall I inform him myself?"

The noblewoman flinched. Faces drained of color throughout the room. Princess Iliena offered a quiet smirk.

The damage was done.

Having already memorized their names and titles, Princess Iliena intended to give Duke Ideos a subtle tip-off.

---

Sierra and Cassius grew busy preparing for the wedding, leaving Hanael to spend extended time playing with her grandmother.

The Grand Madam and the Countess gathered in the estate garden today as well to watch Hanael's adorable antics.

Hanael toddled around energetically in the courtyard. Ever since the news broke of Cassius and Sierra marrying, she has cheered at the top of her lungs with excitement.

[Hanael] "Follow me!"

[Maid] "Yes, Princess!"

The maids quickly catered to her every wish. She grinned brightly, swaying her tiny body. She received treatment as a true princess, recognized as the daughter of Sierra and Cassius.

The maids already doted on Hanael, but after her official recognition as a princess, she adopted a dignified air, and the maids adored her even more. Like a child raised on pure love, Hanael's complexion grew healthier day by day.

Then, the Grand Madam—one of the people who cherished Hanael most in this estate—appeared before her.

[G. Madam] "My baby."

[Hanael] "Grandma!"

Hanael scampered over and threw herself into an embrace.

Smiling warmly, the Grand Madam hugged Hanael tightly. A radiant smile, rarely seen on her face, softened her features as she doted on Hanael.

[G. Madam] "Look at how sweet you are."

[Hanael] "Yup! Hanael is pretty!"

She pulled Hanael closer with a gentle squeeze.

Yet despite her fond words, worry weighed heavily on her mind regarding Hanael's birth status. Even if she embraced Hanael and secured her status as an official princess, high society would not look upon her kindly.

What if my baby gets pushed aside in high society?

Arrogant factions would secretly despise Hanael for being a commoner's daughter. Furthermore, Hanael possessed a history of living as an illegitimate child like a commoner.

Though Cassius would never overlook such slights, a bitter taste remained in her mouth. Aside from Hanael, Sierra presented a concern as well.

A delicate soul like Sierra will suffer even deeper wounds.......

Thinking of Sierra brought heartache to the Grand Madam. She would shield them as much as her hands allowed, yet stopping cowardly gossip behind their backs proved impossible.

If only Hanael and Sierra possessed a powerful faction to support them.......

Her worries deepened.

---

Meanwhile, Sierra remained fully consumed by wedding preparations. Selecting guests to invite for the early summer ceremony required considerable time. Visiting Amille daily at her bedside further reduced Sierra's available hours.

Still, I can rest easy only when I see Sister healthy with my own eyes.

She arrived at her sister's bedside again today. She looked down at Amille's face, now glowing with health. Amille had regained most of her usual lively spirit.

However, she acted strangely today. Distracted throughout the visit, she struggled to respond properly to Sierra's words.

Curious about her behavior, Sierra spoke gently.

[Sierra] "Sister."

[Amille] "......Yes."

[Sierra] "What is wrong? You can't focus on our conversation. Are you in pain anywhere?"

[Amille] "No, that is not it......"

She stared at Sierra with a gaunt face. Her lips trembled as if debating whether to speak. Sierra gestured for her to continue.

[Amille] "......Actually, something feels wrong. I hesitated to speak out of fear of ruining your wedding preparations......"

[Sierra] "What is it?"

[Amille] "It concerns Hanael, so I must speak."

Sierra's gaze sharpened instantly.

[Sierra] "......What about Hanael?"

Hanael was Sierra's sacred line, never to be crossed. Knowing this truth, Amille swept back her wavy hair and offered a weak laugh.

[Amille] "How did Hanael appear before me—and before us?"

[Sierra] "......Pardon?"

[Amille] "It makes no sense. You never gave birth......."

Bound by her restriction, Amille couldn't utter the truth about turning back time.

Upon hearing those words, Sierra caught her breath. Preoccupied with the joy of seeing her sister alive, she had failed to consider that detail.

Amille spoke the truth. Hanael shouldn't exist here in this timeline. Sierra bit her trembling lip firmly.

[Sierra] "I will look into it."

[Amille] "Right......"

In contrast to Amille's fading words, Sierra spoke with absolute determination.

[Sierra] "If even a Great Archmage like you doesn't know, then is this not a domain known only to God......?"

Amille offered no response, unable to give one. Sierra rubbed her dry face in fatigue and spoke to her.

[Sierra] "Then perhaps the Pope knows the answer."

The Pope had remained in complete seclusion. Neither Sierra nor Amille knew whether they could call upon him for personal matters.

However, the opportunity to resolve this lingering mystery arrived far sooner than expected. The Pope, reportedly hiding in total seclusion, reached out to them first.

Furthermore......

For an exceedingly personal reason: requesting to officiate their wedding.

---

A reader request—hope you enjoy it. If you do, feel free to leave a rating or review on Naver Series and Novel Updates.