She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 29

The Person Cassius Likes

Cassius watched Sierra and reflected on her past. Thinking of her raising a child alone without a single friend made his chest tighten.

Sierra was so lively back at the Academy.

During their school days, she had many friends. He remembered her meeting a friend named Rina and how kindly she had treated him as well. Sierra always spoke with such honesty that everyone admired her.

But things changed. Perhaps the struggle of raising a child in the countryside hardened her heart, as her tone now carried a cynical edge.

He bit his lip and spoke to Sierra.

[Cassius] "Look through the registry. We will fill the guest list with people you like."

[Sierra] "Oh......"

She examined the registry. Portraits of nobles, their names, and their traits filled her vision.

[Sierra] "This even lists their personalities?"

[Cassius] "Yes, because it's necessary. These are just rumors, but keep them in mind."

He had filtered the list before presenting it. He chose those who kept secrets, held good reputations in society, and knew how to behave with manners. Most importantly, he selected people over whom the Ideos family held power.

I have no intention of inviting anyone who would dare to hurt Sierra.

His jaw tightened as he thought of the Princess. He heard the news that the Princess was spreading rumors about a marriage between them. He thoroughly removed her allies from the list.

[Sierra] "Good. I need your opinion too. Tell me about the kind of person you like."

Sierra's direct question felt like a thorn stuck in his throat. He nearly blurted out, I like you. But such a confession would only burden her while she already faced a difficult situation.

He lowered his eyes and whispered.

[Cassius] "The person I like....…"

[Sierra] "Yes?"

[Cassius] "She listens well to others."

Sierra was a good listener. She was that way five years ago, and she remained so now.

She nodded and met his eyes.

[Sierra] "And?"

He looked into her eyes and quietly recalled the past.

[Cassius] "She offers kind comfort."

When he first placed second at the Academy, his father hurled insults at him. As he walked away from that encounter, Sierra found him.

[Sierra] "Cassius, you got second place! Congratulations!"

[Sierra] "Oh, you look upset. Is it because you usually get first? You still have one more step to climb! I feel like a worthless person."

She shook her head and held up her own report card with a grin.

[Sierra] "I landed right in the middle! Do I look like a worthless fool to you? No, you're smart. Exactly! See, grades don't prove your worth!"

Back then, Cassius grew because of Sierra. Her words prevented him from feeling pathetic.

Now, she tilted her head as she watched him.

[Sierra] "Offering comfort? Hmm...... I'd have to get to know someone to find out."

Sierra went through the registry, placing bookmarks as she thought.

[Sierra] "And what else?"

[Cassius] "I like a kind person who loves flowers."

He pictured the flower beds Sierra used to walk through at the Academy. She used to walk along the paths with a funny, hopping step.

[Sierra] "I'm scared of stepping on the flowers. Do I look strange walking like this?"

[Cassius] "No, it's not strange."

[Sierra] "Goodness, these represent money. I must never, ever step on them! What?"

At that moment, Cassius was too busy smiling at her movements to hear her words clearly.

[Cassius] "Oh, never mind. It's nothing."

Only her laughter remained vivid in his mind. How could he ever let her go?

A smile formed on his lips as he remembered the time their love deepened, but it vanished quickly. A hallucination—a voice that had haunted him for years—rang in his ears.

You are trash.

He flinched at the sound of a woman's sharp scream echoing like a memory.

Sierra was pregnant back then.

The voice telling him about Sierra's pregnancy remained vivid. The trauma from five years ago continued to torment him. He had spent years in a war that numbed him to the blood of his comrades, all while drowning in self-reproach. Every moment passed through his mind like a panorama.

Sierra glanced at his face when he suddenly stopped talking.

[Sierra] "You......."

Cassius closed his eyes and opened them to face her. He couldn't tell if he was smiling or crying.

[Sierra] "Your face is pale. Is something wrong?"

He realized she was looking at him strangely. He shook his head and whispered.

[Cassius] "No, I'm fine."

He felt grateful to Sierra. Even though she suffered while raising a child alone, she still treated him—the man who didn't do anything for five years—with such kindness.

He closed his eyes.

Hanael, who was quietly reading a storybook, spoke with sharp eyes.

[Hanael] "About the person the bad mister likes."

[Cassius] "What?"

Cassius and Sierra looked at Hanael. Feeling the spotlight on her, Hanael smirked.

[Hanael] "It's Mama...... I mean, Aunt...... No, that's not it either. Hmph! It's Sierra!"

[Sierra] "......Huh? Really?"

Sierra's eyes widened as if she hadn't even guessed. She looked past Hanael and stared at Cassius.

[Sierra] "......Is that true?"

Under her gaze, Cassius nodded slowly. His neck turned red, just like when he first became friends with her and fell in love years ago.

[Cassius] "We...... need to take etiquette and social dance lessons, Sierra."

[Sierra] "Uh...... what?"

[Hanael] "Go on. I'll stay here and read."

Both adults paused at Hanael's mature behavior. Hanael raised her chin and rolled her eyes at them.

[Hanael] "What are you doing? Hurry up and go learn to dance and behave."

She hummed and picked up a cookie from the table.

[Sierra] "Can you stay here with the maids?"

[Hanael] "Of course!"

She nodded while crunching on the cookie.

Relieved, Sierra signaled to Cassius. He gave Hanael a light wave.

[Cassius] "We'll be back, Hanael."

The two left. Left alone on the sofa, Hanael closed her storybook.

Strange. Are they dating or what?

Children have good instincts, and Hanael's were twice as sharp.

Mama doesn't seem to hate the bad mister. Actually, she might like him.

Hanael pouted.

But strangely, they seemed to suit each other. The fact that those two were her mother and father.......

But why does Mama keep telling me to call her Aunt? She isn't the type to lie.......

A doubt crossed her mind, but it didn't last long. She had called her "Mama" for too many years to keep questioning it.

---

After leaving Hanael, Sierra headed to the library with Cassius. The etiquette lesson took place there.

Sierra sat at a desk and sighed at the pile of books waiting for her.

When will I ever live in a ducal manor again? I'll just think of this as paying for my room and board by helping Cassius.

She assumed she could learn basic etiquette quickly, just as she did at the Academy.

She thought naively.

[Sierra] "Let's study."

She looked at Cassius sitting across from her and felt flustered.

[Sierra] "......Cassius? You are the teacher?"

[Cassius] "Yes."

He nodded and lit the lamp on the table.

[Sierra] "Uh...... aren't you busy?"

[Cassius] "Nothing is more important than you."

He was becoming quite natural at flirting. He smiled softly, and his cool face transformed into a kind one. His handsome features made Sierra clear her throat and fix her gaze on the book.

[Sierra] "So, where do we start?"

[Cassius] "I'll give you a crash course. First, the host of a salon must be the first to enter and greet guests at the door. That is common politeness."

[Sierra] "Oh......."

It felt like an Academy lecture from long ago. Sierra listened with sparkling eyes. Cassius taught her honestly, and her ability to learn felt limitless. The first etiquette lesson ended successfully.

Next was dancing. The problem was.......

Now that I think about it, I have two left feet.

She was a terrible dancer.

---

Regardless of Sierra's skill, the two entered the small hall of the manor to practice.

[Sierra] "Are we learning to dance here?"

[Cassius] "Yes."

[Sierra] "Are you teaching me social dance, too?"

He had hired a professional teacher, but after hearing her question, he nodded.

[Cassius] "Yes."

At that moment, the dance teacher lost their job for the day.

[Sierra] "Oh...... I guess you're good at dancing. What dance is popular in society these days?"

He hadn't been in society lately, so he didn't know the trends exactly. But his sharp mind recalled a name.

[Cassius] "The Tango."

[Sierra] "Oh...... the Tango!"

He was clumsy because he hadn't learned how to approach Sierra.

He cautiously took her hand. His heart raced, and he felt breathless.

[Cassius] "I will teach you."

Sierra stared at him. Cassius held his breath. Whenever she looked at him, the world went quiet. Her eyes were a lush green, yet they felt as clear as glass reflecting a distant sky.

[Sierra] "Are you good at the Tango?"

Naturally, Cassius knew how to dance. He had been formally trained as the heir to the Duchy. The former Duke had hired teachers who flattered Cassius for his physical grace.

Cassius never forgot what he learned once. But if he said that, he might lose the chance to practice with Sierra.

[Cassius] "I know a little. I think I need to practice steadily with you."

He lied with a straight face, and she shrugged.

[Sierra] "Then I guess we have no choice."

She took his hand without hesitation. To her, it was just the start of a dance. But to Cassius, it was everything.

[Sierra] "Then let's dance together. The host shouldn't be embarrassed."

He inhaled sharply. It took a level of courage she couldn't imagine just to hold her hand and dance with her.

She smiled.

[Sierra] "Now, shall we try once without music? Even though I know nothing."

It was their first dance, though unofficial. No beautiful orchestra played.

He tightened his grip on her hand.

[Sierra] "Right, I just need to let you lead."

She smiled at him kindly, as if her heart were opening. Cassius felt like his heart would explode from the tension.

---

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