She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 120

Married at Last

[Sierra] "Why is Her Holiness the Pope suddenly......?"

In contrast to Sierra's bewildered expression, Cassius remained calm. Staring at his face, she asked again.

[Sierra] "What do you mean by that, Cassius?"

[Cassius] "Literally that. The Pope sent a letter."

A letter from the Pope. Receiving a formal letter carried entirely different weight than a passing mention. Though citizens of the Empire didn't believe in God, as nobles, they still maintained respect.

She tilted her head and asked.

[Sierra] "......Then we can't ignore it, can we?"

Seriously, a question entered her mind. Why would the secluded Pope offer to officiate their wedding out of nowhere? The situation bordered on strange.

Fortunately, Cassius proved exceptionally well-prepared.

[Cassius] "They say the current Pope possesses remarkable divine power and communicates directly with God."

Sierra didn't believe in God. Yet she acknowledged the possibility that God existed. If they had indeed turned back time, it meant relying on God's mercy. Perhaps meeting the Pope would allow her to ask about Hanael.

Her eyes sparkled.

[Sierra] "All right, let us accept her offer. But to ensure our wedding is not ruined, how about asking to review the officiant's speech beforehand?"

Neither had anyone else in the Empire to ask. Duke Ideos' master crossed to another continent to nurture younger scholars, while the Imperial Family, including the Emperor, lay low due to the Crown Prince's atrocious acts. Bringing the chief of Sufe Village, who was close to Sierra, was hardly an option either.......

Even if the Pope harbors impure intentions, if she wants to meet us, she can do so anytime, not just at the wedding.

Reaching a firm decision took little time.

[Cassius] "If you wish."

He agreed with Sierra's opinion. Having died once and turned back time, nothing remained to fear. If the Pope intended to disrupt their wedding, Cassius planned to prepare defenses accordingly.

---

News spread far and wide that the Pope herself would officiate Duke Ideos' wedding.

Rare believers and non-believers alike gossiped incessantly about the wedding attended by the Pope. In this regard, no distinction existed between nobles and commoners.

The only difference lay in the tone: common women babbled curious remarks in explicit terms, while noble high society expressed curiosity through polite, indirect language.

[Commoner] "Why did Her Holiness the Pope step out of seclusion?"

[Commoner] "How could I know that?"

[Commoner] "Hah...... It is fascinating, isn't it?"

Had the Pope ever officiated a wedding before? No, she rarely saw the light of day. Famous for remaining inside her temple in silent prayer even when monsters ran rampant across the land.

Consequently, her image among non-believers had fallen into the gutter. Yet here she appeared out of nowhere to officiate Duke Ideos' wedding.

Thanks to the massive influence of the Pope's title, criticism surrounding Sierra and Hanael's birth origins vanished instantly. Princess Iliena's threats played a role, but the Grand Madam's strict enforcement of silence contributed heavily.

[Noble] "At any rate, I hope they hold the wedding soon."

[Noble] "Why on earth is Her Holiness attending......?"

Their gazes gathered in one direction.

[Noble] "We will find out on that day, right?"

At the end of their gazes hung a newspaper. Its contents focused primarily on whom Duke Ideos invited to his wedding.

[Noble] "Stories will pass from mouth to mouth through these guests."

Reports indicated a small-scale ceremony with immediate family, select noble faction allies, the Pope, and several priests.

An outdoor wedding held in the Esit Flower Garden. A tip from the wedding planner noted an astronomical sum spent transforming the area around the flower garden into a perfect wedding venue.

Reading through every detail, they exhaled a collective sigh, regretting their inability to witness this wedding of the century in person.

---

Time passed, bringing the day of Sierra and Cassius' wedding.

Though all eyes remained fixed on her, Sierra spent a tranquil day. Yet a peaceful day didn't erase wedding nerves.

Sierra stepped inside the Esit Flower Garden first. She had not donned her dress yet, as staff prepared a temporary bride's waiting room inside the garden.

Entering the garden, she opened her eyes wide.

[Sierra] "This is......."

Radiant petals fluttered along the breeze—a floral wind born of magic yet flowing naturally. She caught a blossom passing through her line of sight and smiled.

Looking back, memories surfaced of standing beneath a falling flower rain alongside Amille during childhood. Amille used to catch fluttering petals and make a wish, never revealing what she wished for.

Watching this flower rain makes me sentimental.

Perhaps because today was her wedding day. Still, Sierra closed her hands around the petal in her palm and shut her eyes, offering a brief wish for long-lasting happiness alongside her loved ones.

Right at that moment, a familiar voice reached her ears.

[Amille] "Sierra."

[Sierra] "......Sister?"

Appearing like magic the moment Sierra thought of her, Amille retained a pale complexion, yet her expression looked bright. Sierra waved her hand energetically toward Amille.

[Sierra] "You caused this flower rain, right, Sister?"

At her confident words, Amille offered a vague response.

[Amille] "Yes, but I didn't do it all alone....... I simply joined the plan."

Who else participated then?

Sierra tilted her head, but Amille pressed her lips firmly, showing no intention of elaborating further.

[Sierra] "Is that so?"

[Amille] "Yes. How is it?"

[Sierra] "It is wonderful!"

Sierra smiled brightly and surveyed her surroundings before pausing. Anxiety replaced the brief happiness brought by Amille's surprise event.

Was Amille, still a patient, allowed outside? Was using mana safe? Sierra chose to express her concern openly.

[Sierra] "Sister, are you all right coming outside while recovering?"

[Amille] "Mmm, my body feels better. I couldn't attend your wedding in the past....... So I wanted to participate this time."

Her physical appearance contradicted her spoken words; expending significant mana left her pale.

Nevertheless, Sierra couldn't push further. Despite looking unwell, Amille's face radiated happiness. Rather than scolding or worrying, she stared at Amille and answered.

[Sierra] "......Yes, thank you."

[Amille] "Let us head inside now to put on your dress. Hanael is already making a fuss about being a flower girl."

Amille gave her a light wink.

Now came the time to prepare for the wedding.

---

The Grand Madam thoroughly inspected Sierra's veil and wedding dress.

Empire tradition dictated that a mother-in-law present a bride with three items: something old, something new, and something beautiful.

Taking on the mother-in-law role, the Grand Madam treated Sierra with absolute devotion. She dressed Sierra in an heirloom veil passed down through the Ideos family, a wedding dress crafted stitch by stitch at a boutique, and a beautiful bracelet set with elegant garnets.

With boutique staff and maids rushing about to apply radiant makeup, Sierra felt like a completely transformed person.

Assisted by maids holding her dress, she moved slowly toward the center of the garden where the aisle lay.

[Maid] "You look like a nymph."

[Maid] "Or perhaps a forest fairy......?"

Overhearing the maids' affectionate praise, Sierra could barely formulate a proper response, overwhelmed by the reality that she was marrying.

Pure nerves consumed her.

Sierra quietly observed the aisle extending beyond the wedding arch and the guest seating surrounding it. Seeing so many guests heightened her anxiety, but spotting Amille and Abel seated among the guests offered comfort.

I feel much calmer now.

Taking a deep breath, she walked toward the wedding arch. Gentle melodies from the orchestra hired for today eased her mind.

Near the wedding arch stood her adorable daughter.

Wearing a pretty flower crown, Hanael stood beside the arch carrying a flower basket. Walking alongside her maids, Sierra blinked at Hanael.

[Sierra] "Hello, Hanael."

Bored of waiting, Hanael rummaged through her flower basket before snapping her head up, her mouth agape as if seeing a ghost.

This is embarrassing.

Ignored her greeting! Sierra asked Hanael once more.

[Sierra] "Why, does Mommy look strange?"

Lately, Sierra adopted a habit of referring to herself as "Mommy" when speaking to Hanael—a so-called "Mommy complex." Having adapted to this habit, Hanael shook her head and stammered.

[Hanael] "No! I stared because Mommy is the prettiest in the whole world!"

[Sierra] "Hanael is the prettiest."

[Hanael] "No! Hanael is second!"

Sierra chuckled softly and stroked Hanael's hair with a gloved hand.

And finally...... the orchestra's melody came to a slow halt. Sierra stood before the wedding arch, while the Pope, serving as officiant, took her position at the altar.

Now came the moment for the actual ceremony to begin.

The Pope tapped the altar twice with her fingertips. Alongside a faint sound, lively music resumed.

As planned, Hanael walked forward carrying her flower basket. A precious scene of scattering petals across the vibrant aisle.

---

A few minutes later, just as Hanael finished coating the snow-white path in flowers, the officiant announced in a low voice.

[Officiant] "The bride enters."

Sierra walked down the floral path Hanael prepared.

I am nervous.

She bowed her head before looking toward the Pope. But.......

What is this? Why does she look familiar......?

The Pope was a woman older than the Grand Madam, bearing a strangely familiar face. As if she had met her somewhere, though she couldn't pinpoint where.

She tilted her head mentally. Given that the Pope lived in seclusion, Sierra should never have laid eyes on her. Why did this sense of déjà vu strike?

Yet the Pope offered no answers. After exchanging a brief glance with Sierra, the Pope nodded toward the officiant.

[Officiant] "The groom enters."

The moment the announcer spoke, Sierra froze. In deep anticipation, she listened to the orchestral music welcoming the groom. Sweet string melodies lingered in her ears like a serenade.

Cassius stepped firmly to her side.

Dressed in a tailored tuxedo, he looked as striking as ever, making Sierra so nervous she struggled to meet his eyes. She stole a side glance at him and paused as he silently mouthed words to her.

[Cassius] "R-e-l-a-x."

Sierra offered a nod and looked forward again. Hearing those unspoken words from him released her tension.

Once both focused on the altar and the musical serenade subsided, the Pope opened her mouth to speak.

---

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