She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 13

Sierra's Sister, the Great Archmage

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 grabbed his wrist firmly.

[Sierra] "Th-thank you for protecting me. Let's go inside. I’m cold."

As someone who prioritized health, she had wrapped herself in a shawl and muffler, but the excuse served its purpose.

[G. Madam] "Yes, let us go. And Andante."

Her chilling gaze landed on the woman.

[G. Madam] "......You only get one warning, child."

The Grand Madam and Cassius left together, shielding Sierra between them. Hanael followed close behind, holding her plump cheeks with both hands.

Clink!

The tea house owner dropped a precious cup, shattering it. The sound marked the end of the encounter—at least for now.

Left alone, Andante collapsed into her seat with a hollow expression.

[Andante] "How could this happen......"

Their affection for Sierra ran deeper than she imagined. It wasn't just kindness; it was extreme favoritism. There was no room for her to interfere.

---

Sierra had faced an insult during her rare outing. While she didn't care, the Grand Madam and Cassius certainly did.

At the Ideos mansion, a situation resembling a special military operation began.

[G. Madam] "Find out what she likes."

Discovering Sierra's desires became the Grand Madam's top priority.

The head maid began testing Sierra with the secrecy of a spy. Meanwhile, Cassius remained unexpectedly quiet.

A few peaceful days passed, but Sierra realized it was merely the calm before the storm.

While drinking tea and reading the morning paper, Sierra dropped her snack.

— BREAKING NEWS: A Mystery Commoner Woman Appears at the Ideos Mansion.

Wait. Is this mystery woman me?

Sierra let out a dry laugh. It shouldn't be a problem since the article didn't mention her name. But then, after lunch, she checked a magazine, and her jaw dropped.

— Ideos Mansion Bans All Visitors.

— Is the Ban for the Mystery Woman?

— Will the Commoner Become the Duke's Mistress? Or Will the Grand Madam Adopt Her?

Adoption? People are delusional. That will never happen.

Closing the townhouse to visitors was unheard of. Usually, noble families kept their doors open for social events. This was a statement.

Sierra hoped it was a misunderstanding, but the headlines seemed too specific. She couldn't bring herself to read the details. The titles alone made her dizzy. She picked up another magazine.

— Ideos Family Buys Every Shop Within One Kilometer of the Town House.

[Sierra] "Haaa......"

A heavy sigh escaped her.

Why is the Grand Madam doing this much for me?

Was it because of Hanael, or guilt? She didn't want to know. Digging deeper would only double the pressure.

I warned them not to do this. They just didn't listen.

Sierra decided to let them create their own future embarrassment. Since they ignored her warnings, she would record everything as evidence.

If they sue me for fraud later, I'll need a lawyer......

She began collecting proof of her protests. At the same time, she didn't stop enjoying the luxury. If she couldn't escape, she might as well enjoy it.

[Sierra] "Um, Head Maid."

[Lexel] "Yes! Yes, Miss Sierra!"

Sierra smiled at the stiff, nervous woman.

[Sierra] "Can I have another plate of Omelet de Fromage?"

[Lexel] "Of course! Anything you desire!"

This really is wonderful.

Her shoulders shook with joy. Eating the omelet with strawberry jam felt like heaven. Her desire for her sister to arrive and fix everything began to fade—just a little.

---

Meanwhile, Sierra's older sister, the Great Archmage Amille, sat in the Magic Tower drinking wine. She had been drinking until her nose turned red.

Abel stepped into her messy room.

[Abel] "Great Archmage!"

She looked up, her eyes bruised and her voice raspy.

[Amille] "Oh, hello, Abel."

[Abel] "You were here? Why didn't you answer my calls?"

[Amille] "Ah, well......"

[Abel] "It's urgent! Please go to Miss Sierra!"

[Amille] "What? What happened?"

[Abel] "Everyone thinks Hanael is Sierra's daughter. I know you like your freedom, but it's time to take Hanael back......"

She waved her hand dismissively.

[Amille] "I know exactly what happened."

[Abel] "......Then we need your help."

[Amille] "Forget it. That monster Cassius Ideos is obsessed with Sierra, right? They dated at the Academy. He thinks Hanael is his, and Sierra is losing her mind because it's not true."

Abel was stunned. Amille was a weirdo, even for a mage. He thought she was just drinking and wasting time.

[Abel] "How did you know?"

[Amille] "A Great Archmage is a sage who knows the world's secrets, little puppy."

[Abel] "......I see."

His cheeks turned red.

[Amille] "Anyway, I can't help with what Sierra wants."

[Abel] "What?"

[Amille] "You want me to prove Hanael isn't her daughter."

She rested her chin on her hand.

[Amille] "I can’t enter the capital. There are 'adult reasons.'"

[Abel] "But you went yesterday! That bread over there is only sold in the capital."

She frowned.

[Amille] "Listen...... I just can't. If I go near them, both Sierra and Hanael will be in danger. Real danger, far worse than this."

She hid a magic recording orb behind her back. She cut Abel off before he could argue.

[Amille] "Tell Sierra to stay at the Ideos mansion for three months. It's the safest place for them. Oh, and tell her what she wants to hear most."

She stood up. The Magic Tower was over thirty stories high. She sat on the windowsill, ready to jump.

[Amille] "Tell her she can use her powers freely now. She worked hard following my orders to hide them. If things get dangerous, Cassius Ideos will protect her."

[Abel] "Wait—"

[Amille] "I’m off!"

[Abel] "Great Archmage! You can't just leave!"

[Amille] "I'll see you in three months! Sierra will have quite the story by then!"

Her voice echoed as she vanished. Abel rushed to the window, but she was gone.

[Abel] "She didn't even finish dyeing her roots......"

Amille hated her gold hair and used dye to turn it pink, but she never bothered with the roots.

Abel sighed, looking at the messy room.

I feel like a shrimp caught between whales......

He checked Sierra's latest letter.

[Abel, what did my sister say? I’m going to punch her when she gets back. Did you tell her to grit her teeth?]

Punching her seemed unlikely. The Archmage was gone, and the tower was empty.

[Abel] "Miss Sierra, we have a problem."

He shook his head. He had to deliver the truth, even if it was dangerous. Then, he found a small envelope. A scroll was inside.

If you found this, Sierra, it means things are getting dangerous.

He opened the envelope.

---

Abel felt lost when he entered the capital. Stories of the "Ideos Cinderella" filled the streets. Reporters tried to break through the Duke's guards but failed. People speculated the lady would receive a title soon.

[Abel] "What on earth is this......"

Cinderella? That had to be Sierra.

[Abel] "This is too much......"

He needed to see for himself.

Gritting his teeth, Abel arrived at the massive mansion. It looked like something from a fairy tale, complete with sharp towers and a clock tower in the courtyard.

He spoke to a guard in a helmet.

[Abel] "I’m here to see Miss Sierra."

The knight removed his helmet quickly.

[Knight] "Who are you?"

[Abel] "Tell her it's Abel. We used to live together......"

The knights exchanged looks. The Duke had ordered them to let in anyone related to Sierra, but a light-blue-haired youth seemed suspicious.

[Hanael] "Abel!"

Hanael ran toward the gate, her hair in pretty pigtails.

[Abel] "Hanael!"

Abel hugged her, feeling a lump in his throat.

Hanael stood tall, looking at the guards with confidence.

[Hanael] "Hey, Mister Knights!"

The knights immediately began to grin.

[Hanael] "Let my Abel in right now."

No one could resist her. The knights opened the gates. But then, the Duke appeared from inside the gate, staring at Abel like a bitter rival.

---

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