She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 15

The Doctors Have Arrived

Cassius stared out the window.

His second-floor office offered a perfect view of the landscape. From here, the garden paths of the Duchy spread out clearly. This meant the sight of Sierra and Abel walking together remained in full view.

While working in the quiet room, he had opened the window and accidentally caught sight of their cheerful moment.

[Sierra] "Ha, it’s...... it’s......."

[Abel] "Yes! It’s exciting...... hurry......."

Though the distance muffled their words, Sierra laughed brightly. She reached out and ruffled Abel’s hair without hesitation.

The healthy young man with sky-blue hair and the fragile Sierra matched each other wonderfully. She looked different now—not like the trembling wildflower or the nervous daffodil she became whenever she stood before him.

A long time ago, Cassius and Sierra shared such happy moments.

However......

Abel’s voice, confirming that Sierra had suffered when asked, echoed in his mind.

A knock sounded, and his aide entered the room.

[Aide] "Your Grace, I have finished the investigation. That man is Abel, a wolf shapeshifter."

[Cassius] "......Continue."

[Aide] "According to the villagers, Lady Sierra fed and housed him after he lost his way. His loyalty is immense. It is not yet certain, and I must check further, but they have lived together for a long time."

This man had protected Sierra and Hanael during his absence. Cassius wondered if he even possessed the right to feel jealous. He suppressed the rising emotions in his chest and spoke calmly.

[Cassius] "You may leave."

[Aide] "Yes, Your Grace."

The aide closed the door carefully and left. Instead of closing the window, Cassius looked at the items on his desk. He wanted to empty his mind.

His gaze moved past the quills, fountain pens, and parchment, finally landing on an old rabbit doll. It sat near the flashlight, looking completely out of place as a decoration.

He stared at the pink rabbit Sierra had given him, the one that had stayed by his side throughout the war. It was the first gift she gave him when they became friends.

[Sierra] "This doll is a gift. Take it."

[Cassius] "......A rabbit?"

[Sierra] "Yes, I bought it because you remind me of a rabbit!"

[Cassius] "I look like a rabbit?"

[Sierra] "Yes. Actually, you are closer to a puppy, but the shop only had rabbits."

From that day on, he carried that unfitting rabbit doll through the battles. It served as a grim promise to himself that he wouldn't die.

He had missed her constantly.

Yet, he still didn't know how to approach her. In front of Sierra, he became clumsy and awkward.

Laughter drifted through the window. It was Sierra’s bright, lively voice—a sound he had never heard her make recently.

At that moment, a short knock sounded.

He raised an eyebrow, thinking the aide had returned. However, the door slid open naturally. A young girl with cute, chubby cheeks peeked through the gap.

[Hanael] "Stupid Mister."

It was his daughter, Hanael. Clutching a stuffed toy to her chest, she spoke in a curious tone.

[Hanael] "I came because I have something to ask."

He looked at her. She looked exactly like Sierra, yet she also carried his own features.

He could only nod at the tiny child.

---

Hanael sipped her warm hot chocolate and laughed happily. Cassius tried to wipe the foam from her lips.

She slapped his hand away and spoke crossly.

[Hanael] "The maid ladies say I look like you."

[Cassius] "Yes......"

Looking closely, he saw it. Though Hanael had Sierra’s hair and eye color, she was undeniably Sierra’s image. But a detailed look revealed her resemblance to him.

For instance, she blinked her left eye when she laughed, and she had a faint tear-mark mole under her eye.

[Cassius] "Yes, we look alike."

She swung her legs, which were too short to reach the floor.

[Hanael] "Mister. I’m curious about something. You......"

[Cassius] "Yes."

Hanael tried to say something, but she pouted and grumbled instead. She didn't know how to speak to the man who was her father.

She was still a child, and like any child, she struggled to express her feelings. So, she decided to talk about her mother. To Hanael, her mother’s happiness mattered most.

Holding the teacup tightly with her small hands, she spoke.

[Hanael] "Mister, will you be good to my mommy forever? The maid ladies said I can trust you."

He answered sincerely. He spoke softly, as if telling Sierra the words he couldn't say to her face.

[Cassius] "Daddy...... no, this mister will...... even if it costs my life......."

[Hanael] "Yes."

[Cassius] "I plan to treat her well."

She threw out a fundamental question.

[Hanael] "Then why did you abandon my mommy?"

Those words stabbed him in the heart like a dagger. He closed and opened his eyes slowly.

[Cassius] "I didn’t...... abandon her. There were circumstances, and I misunderstood, so......."

She pouted and slammed her hot chocolate cup down.

[Hanael] "Hmph. There’s no such thing. You’re a liar."

The door slammed open, but Hanael kept talking.

[Hanael] "You abandoned my mommy—"

Suddenly, a white hand reached out and pinched Hanael's plump cheek, stretching it.

[Sierra] "You little girl! What kind of bad, wicked thing are you saying?"

It was Sierra.

[Sierra] "He didn’t abandon us. He didn’t. Hanael, why are you bothering the Duke? I looked everywhere for you!"

[Hanael] "Hanael didn’t bother the bad mister!"

Sierra shrugged. Cassius stared at Abel’s confused face as he walked in behind her.

However, Sierra looked at Cassius, not Abel.

Cassius hated that this fact made him happy. He gave a dry laugh and looked back at her. Sierra watched him with a slightly embarrassed expression.

[Sierra] "Cassius, I’m sorry. Did Hanael cause trouble?"

The bright, happy laughter from earlier was gone. Seeing her downcast eyes, Cassius let out a long, silent sigh.

[Cassius] "No, she wasn't a bother."

[Hanael] "See! He says I'm not a bother! You always make me the bad person!"

[Sierra] "Where on earth do you learn to talk like an adult......"

Hanael grumbled. Sierra poked the girl's chubby nose to warn her.

But Sierra noticed Hanael kept watching Cassius out of the corner of her eye.

Hanael’s cheeks flushed pink. It meant she liked him very much.

I can see exactly what's happening.

Hanael was a mischievous girl, but she had a soft heart. She was easy to win over if someone treated her even a little bit well.

When she was younger, she always asked for her daddy. It makes sense.

But if Hanael gave him her heart, she would be the one to get hurt. Sierra opened her mouth to scold her properly.

Just then, a knock echoed through the room, cutting through the chaotic emotions of the four people—the dark-eyed Cassius, the huffing Hanael, the flustered Sierra, and the awkward Abel.

The butler opened the door carefully.

[Butler] "Pardon the interruption, Your Grace."

Cassius, who had been quietly watching Sierra and Hanael, spoke.

[Cassius] "What is it?"

[Butler] "The doctors from the Hippo Kingdom just arrived using a teleport scroll."

Sierra’s eyes widened. Finally, a ray of hope—her lifeline—had arrived.

---

Meanwhile, in the mansion’s drawing room.

Three medical experts from the Hippo Kingdom, formally invited by Duke Cassius Ideos, sat enjoying refreshments while waiting for him. They were powerful figures who wouldn't move unless the Ideos family invited them.

Hentel, Lanya, and Kilo.

The red-haired, blue-eyed Lanya and Kilo were twins and currently the best doctors in the Hippo Kingdom. However, their excellence faded next to Hentel.

Hentel, the oldest of the three, was a genius among geniuses, called the reincarnation of the God of Medicine. Although he had stepped back from treating patients to teach students and create medical kits, his bright red eyes still shone with sharp intelligence.

Stroking his white beard, the old man spoke quietly.

[Hentel] "We have received an official invitation from the Duchy. We must maintain perfect behavior no matter what."

[Lanya & Kilo] "Yes, we understand."

After a short silence, they began to chat excitedly about medicine. Lanya, the woman with long red hair, spoke first.

[Lanya] "I am so proud to finally have a chance to test the paternity kit."

[Kilo] "Yes, Lanya! Besides, we will stay in this kingdom for three months. I look forward to seeing the medicine here. Right, Hentel?"

Lanya scolded her twin, Kilo.

[Lanya] "Stop it. Do you think there is anyone here who even knows proper medicine or pharmacy?"

[Hentel] "Hmm, yes. Smart doctors are rare in our kingdom these days as well. Pity......."

The atmosphere turned quiet again.

The drawing room door clicked open. The butler entered first, clearing his throat.

[Butler] "Presenting Duke Ideos and Lady Sierra."

A man like a knight appeared, accompanying a delicate woman who looked like a soft iris with flushed cheeks. The doctors assumed this was Sierra, the Duke’s hidden first love.

[Hentel] "Greetings, Your Grace. I am Hentel, a doctor from the Hippo Kingdom. These are my students, Lanya and Kilo."

Hentel offered a handshake.

[Cassius] "Welcome."

He accepted the handshake stiffly and nodded.

Then it was Sierra’s turn. Everyone’s eyes naturally fell on her.

The young twins couldn't hide their curiosity. Because the Duke had kept her behind him like a shield when they entered, they had not seen her properly.

Finally, Sierra stepped forward. A very soft voice, matching her lovely appearance, came from her pink lips.

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

The fragile woman looked down and bowed. Hentel, Lanya, and Kilo gasped quietly.

The sharp Duke and the soft, flower-like woman were both beautiful, but they didn't look like a match. Furthermore, the woman trembled so much that they wondered if the Duke had kidnapped her.

The doctors from the Hippo Kingdom exchanged careful glances.

---

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