She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 25

The Attention Pouring Toward Sierra

[Maid] "She suffers from a lack of energy, frequent fainting, stress, burning heartburn, pain, and sudden spikes in heart rate......."

The maid listed the symptoms of her mistress, Andante, while carefully omitting the fact that the Marchioness was terminally ill.

The twin doctors diligently recorded every symptom. They resolved to find a way to treat these conditions properly.

---

After receiving the Grand Madam's order to treat Andante, the twins stepped outside. The prospect of handling a new patient left them quite energized.

Lanya, the female twin doctor with red hair, spoke cautiously.

[Lanya] "......Shall we try an experiment?"

[Kilo] "What kind of experiment?"

[Lanya] "About Lady Sierra."

Kilo's blue eyes sparkled at Lanya's suggestion. Indeed, they had spent much time pondering Sierra's true abilities. Their curiosity stemmed from a recent comment made by their master.

[Hentel] "I attended a symposium with Lady Sierra."

[Twins] "Yes, Master?"

[Hentel] "It appears Lady Sierra is quite brilliant."

For their master to say such a thing! It meant she possessed the talent of a continental-level genius.

However, the master's tone differed from his usual confident way of discovering talent, which confused them. It sounded as if even the master didn't fully grasp the extent of Sierra's skills.

Sierra's mysterious pharmaceutical skills only deepened the twins' curiosity. They wondered if their master was right or wrong. They decided to place a high-stakes bet.

[Kilo] "Honestly, I see no way to solve this just by looking at these symptoms."

[Lanya] "True. We can't know for sure without examining the patient directly."

Kilo, walking leisurely, trailed off.

[Kilo] "But if she is a genius....…"

[Lanya] "Then she would naturally identify the illness and the cure based on these minor symptoms alone."

She hummed, finalizing the terms of the bet.

[Lanya] "Fine, let us bet. I bet she is a genius and that Master is right."

[Kilo] "Then I bet he is wrong. For some reason, she doesn't inspire much confidence. She looks so fragile....…"

[Lanya] "Hmm, really?"

[Kilo] "Yeah. Let's keep it interesting. I won't feel bad about losing a bit of money."

In the Hippo Kingdom, doctors held a sacred and untouchable status. This essentially meant they possessed a vast amount of wealth.

[Lanya] "Shall we slip a note to her through a maid?"

They grinned at each other. Lanya pulled out a memo pad and a quill she always carried in her pocket and scribbled a message.

—Lack of energy, frequent fainting, stress, burning heartburn, pain, and sudden spikes in heart rate. What is this illness, and what medicine is required? I wish to hear Lady Sierra's expert opinion.

As doctors from the Hippo Kingdom, Kilo and Lanya felt their hearts race at the thought of solving a case based solely on text.

If Sierra were a genuine pharmacist, she would surely feel compelled to respond to this note.

They looked at each other playfully.

[Lanya] "Let's deliver this note and then go meet Marchioness Andante."

The moment they returned, they would discover whether Sierra's skills were real or a fraud.

---

Sierra remained unaware that the three doctors from the Hippo Kingdom held a special interest in her, or that she stood at the center of the Empire's spotlight. She simply sat in her room, feeling perfectly relaxed while reading a romance novel.

Living a happy life, munching on cookies while reading the new romance novels the maids kept stocked in her cabinet!

Real love only exists in romance novels. This is so much fun.

Love in reality and love in novels differed significantly. Unlike reality, where status gaps often proved impossible to overcome, novels offered eternal happy endings.

Sierra grinned with satisfaction and kicked her feet.

Right as she focused intensely on the book, a low voice whispered from behind her.

[Cassius] "What are you reading? 'That Hot Night', or 'What Medicine Did the Duke Give the Commoner'?"

[Sierra] "Augh!"

Startled, she accidentally dropped the romance novel on the floor.

[Sierra] "You should have said something if you were here!"

[Cassius] "You looked so focused."

He sat across from Sierra. His expression appeared brighter than it had in a long time. He seemed quite motivated by the fact that Sierra had finally asked for something she wanted.

She pointed to the table where they sat—specifically, to the mountain of letters and invitations piled upon it.

[Sierra] "Cassius, are all of these addressed to me?"

[Cassius] "Yes. I blocked them until now, but......."

As he trailed off, she nodded, looking surprised by this new reality.

[Sierra] "I am shocked! Letters are pouring in. They said the maids' work is nearly paralyzed. Everyone must be curious about me......."

He nodded as he gazed at her beautiful face and her soft green eyes.

[Cassius] "Yes, you're right. Everyone would be curious about you."

[Sierra] "More accurately, they are curious about the woman by your side."

His smile widened at her correction.

Sierra winced internally. She hadn't meant it that way, but her words effectively confirmed that she was indeed by his side.

He shouldn't form any more attachments to me. He needs to meet other people.

[Sierra] "Technically, even though I'm a commoner, this is a debutante stage of sorts, isn't it?"

[Cassius] "Do you want a debutante ball?"

[Sierra] "Everyone does. In a way, a debutante ball is every girl's dream, isn't it?"

He looked overwhelmed with emotion at her casual remark. He hesitated for a moment before speaking to her.

[Cassius] "Let's have a debutante ball. I just need to have you adopted into a noble family."

[Sierra] "No......."

She only mentioned it was a dream, but Cassius immediately took it a step further.

She shook her head, but he continued seriously.

[Cassius] "If it makes you uncomfortable, I will find parents whose faces you never have to see. Do whatever you want to do."

[Sierra] "No....... No, you don't need to go that far, Cassius."

He nodded like an obedient lamb at her refusal.

He really doesn't match the rumors. He is so gentle. Why are there such terrifying rumors about him....…

Is it because of the war?

Well, it wasn't her concern.

Sierra flipped through the letters, trying to forget his suggestions about debutantes and adoptions.

[Sierra] "Instead, I think I'll select a few high-quality ball invitations, Cassius."

She pointed to the invitations scattered across the table. Cassius also began reading through them.

He declared firmly.

[Cassius] "No Viscounts or Barons; their status is too low. No salons with gossiping noblewomen who lack dignity. I will choose a place where you can feel comfortable."

She nodded and began checking the invitations one by one.

Oh? This is an invitation to Marchioness Andante's ball.

—I hosted this masquerade myself, so I believe it won't be a burden. I also wish to offer a brief apology as a sign of my regret.

Sierra carefully set the note aside.

Hmm, she has poor health and faces so many misunderstandings. How unfortunate. Should I attend?

However, Andante disliked her, and Sierra had no intention of taking unnecessary risks. Next, she found a short note.

What is this? This isn't an invitation.

She checked the note with a puzzled expression.

—Lack of energy, frequent fainting, stress, burning heartburn, pain, and sudden spikes in heart rate. What is this illness, and what medicine is required? I wish to hear Lady Sierra's expert opinion.

I should research this soon. But how do they intend to hear my opinion?

Her heart pounded with excitement and competitive spirit. Someone had presented her with a riddle.

I don't know which fool challenged me, but they will regret it.

A sharp smile played on her lips. Cassius looked straight at her.

[Cassius] "I thought of a great idea, Sierra."

[Sierra] "Hmm? What is it?"

He leaned forward and swept every invitation on the table into the nearby trash can. Then, he whispered his idea into her ear.

Her eyes widened like a startled rabbit.

[Sierra] "Are you serious?"

[Cassius] "I am always serious."

Isn't that way too much......?

Her eyes remained round with shock, but Cassius only smiled softly, as if telling her not to worry.

---

No response arrived for the invitations sent to the Ideos Ducal family. Consequently, Andante sat alone with the Princess.

[Iliena] "It seems Miss Sierra has decided to ignore all our invitations."

[Andante] "It won't work. I have done what you asked, so I will return now....…"

[Iliena] "You're leaving?"

[Andante] "Yes. Cou—cough."

Blood stained the handkerchief she pressed to her mouth. She was coughing up blood. She placed the bloodied handkerchief on the table and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. The words of the Grand Madam echoed in her mind.

[G. Madam] "I have called for a skilled doctor, so you will be healthy soon."

[Adante] "Mother. I am not doing this because I like you, so leave."

Andante bit her lip tightly. No one knew she was terminally ill. She could never let them know. No matter how skilled the doctor, they couldn't cure her illness.

[Iliena] "You appear to be in a critical state, Marchioness."

The Princess, who knew everything, wore a mocking smile.

[Iliena] "But you can't leave."

Andante looked straight at the Princess and gripped her quill again. Since she already shared the same boat with her.......

[Andante] "......Please command me, Your Highness."

It was clear that Sierra would cause trouble for the Ideos family and her own household.

The Princess tapped the parchment twice with her index finger and chuckled.

[Iliena] "Write that you are exercising a Noble's Absolute Mandate to invite her to our salon."

The Noble's Absolute Mandate. It was one of the evil laws a noble could exercise over a commoner. High-ranking nobles of Marquess rank or higher could force a commoner to do anything—excluding extreme punishments like forced labor—exactly once.

Even other nobles couldn't easily interfere with an 'Absolute Mandate.' However, issuing an 'Absolute Mandate' to a lowly commoner would also stain a noble's reputation. After all, nobles detested being associated with commoners in the first place.

[Andante] "That is......."

Everything she did was for the family. But now she was being told to use an Absolute Mandate that could ruin her noble honor......?

As Andante's expression twisted in distress, the Princess smiled brightly.

[Iliena] "Don't worry. I will guarantee that this matter doesn't leak out. Well, Marchioness?"

[Andante] "......."

[Iliena] "Hurry and write."

Andante grasped the quill with a trembling hand. Her handwriting didn't come easily. The Princess then calmly offered a reward.

[Iliena] "I will help your family with their shipping issues, Marchioness."

Finally, the sound of the pen scratching against the paper filled the room. Soon, an invitation would go out that Sierra could never refuse.

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