She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 31

Let's Find Cassius a Friend

The Head Maid babbled for a long time, insisting that Cassius and Lady Macbeth shared no connection, before she slammed the door and hurried away.

There was no need for such panic. Even if Cassius and Lady Macbeth shared a past, it wouldn't upset me.

Sierra's life always remained calm, and she cherished that peace. She once hungered for success, but that was the extent of her ambition.

She shook her head.

I have no use for unexpected storms in my life.

Sierra leaned deeper into her chair and read through the gossip magazines. However, these pages failed to provide the full truth.

Maybe it is best to meet her once.

Lady Macbeth was the woman whose name appeared everywhere as his first love. As a daughter of a noble family, she was a stranger to Sierra.

It appeared Lady Macbeth and Cassius had reached the stage of discussing an engagement. However, the arrival of the Princess and Sierra seemingly pushed her aside.

Since they left the rumors alone...... Lady Macbeth must like Cassius.

Usually, such rumors acted as a scandal for a noble lady. Noble etiquette required a woman to appear pure and innocent, regardless of her private thoughts. Given the Macbeth family's wealth, they could have silenced these rumors easily. Yet, Lady Macbeth did nothing. It was as if she wanted the rumors to spread.

Since everyone called her Cassius' first love, perhaps they suited each other.

Lady Macbeth. I must invite her.

The woman likely wouldn't like Sierra. However, if Cassius decided he didn't like Macbeth, Sierra could simply introduce him to another friend.

Cassius should meet someone who likes him.

Sierra cleared her throat. She finished her list of guests and leaned back in her rocking chair to rest. Suddenly, a knock sounded, and Hanael ran into the room.

[Hanael] "I'm here!"

Hanael climbed onto Sierra's lap with a wide grin. She placed her ugly stuffed doll on the table. Sierra naturally pulled Hanael close.

[Sierra] "Did you play jacks again today? Your hands are dirty."

[Hanael] "Hmph."

Hanael wiggled her fingers and wiped them against the lace of her dress—the one she called her "princess clothes."

Sierra stroked Hanael's hair and let out a short laugh. Her childish charms remained the same, whether in the village or the ducal manor.

[Hanael] "You know."

Unlike Sierra, who was lost in soft memories, Hanael sounded sharp. She clearly had something to say.

Sierra looked down at the top of her head as the girl leaned against her chest.

[Sierra] "Yes?"

[Hanael] "Sierra Mama said Hanael has another mama."

She turned around. Her wide eyes searched Sierra's face.

[Hanael] "Did that mama abandon Hanael?"

Abandon?

The word choked Sierra. This was exactly why she had hesitated to tell the truth.

[Sierra] "No. She didn't abandon you. She loves you deeply."

[Hanael] "Then why doesn't she come to see me?"

She puffed out her cheeks, clearly sulking. Sierra hugged her tight and whispered.

[Sierra] "She couldn't come because of an urgent situation. She'll come soon. Let's go see her, okay?"

Regardless of her sister's circumstances, Sierra resolved to go to her.

[Hanael] "I feel a little strange."

She buried her face in Sierra's chest. Sierra pinched the child's warm, chubby cheek.

[Sierra] "What is strange?"

[Hanael] "Just everything. Honestly, I don't really understand what's happening."

[Sierra] "Even if I'm not your mama, I will stay with you forever."

Hanael let out a small laugh at Sierra's words. She was still a baby. It was surely difficult for her small mind to accept a family history so different from others.

Sierra squeezed Hanael's hand.

[Hanael] "......Still, Hanael believes you."

Hanael's lips moved as if she wanted to say more.

Sierra knew the look. She was right; Hanael asked her carefully.

[Hanael] "But you know."

[Sierra] "Yes?"

[Hanael] "About that stupid mister."

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

She meant Cassius. An uncomfortable feeling settled in Sierra's heart. Not understanding the emotion, Sierra gripped Hanael's hand a little tighter.

[Hanael] "He keeps saying weird things. He says it doesn't matter even if you aren't my mama."

[Sierra] "......That stupid mister, no, wait."

Sierra bit her tongue. She was starting to copy Hanael's nickname for him. She cleared her throat to hide her embarrassment.

[Sierra] "What does that mean?"

[Hanael] "That stupid mister said it's enough as long as Mama, Hanael, and he are happy together."

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

Sierra already suspected Cassius' feelings. A strange emotion rose within her. It felt as if someone were patting her shoulder as she sat alone. The surge of emotion vanished as quickly as it appeared.

[Sierra] "I see."

[Hanael] "How much does that stupid mister like Hanael to say that?"

[Sierra] "....…"

[Hanael] "That stupid mister might die without Hanael!"

Hanael puffed out her cheeks and shrugged. She leaned her small body completely against Sierra.

[Hanael] "That stupid mister even made a doll while thinking of Hanael."

[Sierra] "Do you like the stupid mister?"

Hanael looked at the doll she always carried around.

[Hanael] "I only like this doll!"

It seemed Cassius and Hanael had become much closer than expected.

Sierra let out a soft sigh. She needed to find her sister quickly, and she needed to find a friend for Cassius.

Where did Abel go, anyway?

She missed the blue-haired Abel.

Sierra stroked Hanael's head and sighed again.

---

The day of the salon debut arrived.

On the surface, the event connected the minor noble Sierra with her patron, the Ideos family. Everyone wanted to see Sierra's face. However, only a select few received invitations.

Under the Grand Madam's direction, the salon looked like a small ballroom. Every decoration served a purpose. Despite the cost, nothing looked tacky or cheap.

Sierra entered with a serious expression.

Finally, I will meet the candidates for Cassius' friends. Especially Lady Macbeth.

She recalled her conversation with him before arriving.

[Sierra] "How are these people? Do you have any friends?"

She had asked to dig deeper into his social life. Cassius avoided her eyes and whispered.

[Cassius] "......Yes. Everyone I invited is my friend."

[Sierra] "Really? What does Young Master Felice like?"

[Cassius] "....…"

[Sierra] "Then do you know what I like?"

[Cassius] "You like medicine, flowers, and cute things. You surprisingly dislike romance. Should I continue?"

Sierra confirmed once again that he lacked any friends besides her.

He looked flustered and quickly changed the subject.

[Cassius] "Let's remove Lady Macbeth from the list. She might hurt you."

[Sierra] "......Really? I don't think I'll be hurt."

He looked panicked as he explained.

[Cassius] "The rumors about an affair between her and me are fake, Sierra. Please, believe me."

[Sierra] "Okay, I believe you."

Sierra replied simply, but Cassius grew restless every time he saw the name Macbeth.

Now, the salon she named the "Cassius Friend Interview" finally began. Sierra entered with a racing heart.

[Cassius] "Shall we go in?"

As a minor noble, she received the luxury of Cassius' escort. It felt awkward, and she worried he might be labeled an outcast for this, but.......

[Sierra] "Let's go."

Sierra nodded. They entered the massive salon together. She took a long, deep breath.

Outside the window, carriages arrived one after another.

[Cassius] "Don't tremble, Sierra."

[Sierra] "Okay."

[Cassius] "You can do anything. You are Sierra."

Those words brought back memories of their Academy days.

You can do anything.

She remembered saying those exact words to him back then. She realized just how much Cassius had grown.

He squeezed her hand to calm her, but her heart thundered in response.

---

Outside the salon, nobles nervously tried to peek inside through the windows. The pressure from the knights guarding the area already overwhelmed them. Aside from Lady Macbeth, whom Sierra insisted on inviting, the guests consisted only of those closest to the Ideos family.

Sierra and Cassius stood at the door to greet the nobles. One by one, the guests entered, struggling to hide their curiosity. Sierra smiled brightly and bowed.

[Sierra] "Thank you for coming to the salon. I am Sierra."

Custom required a gentleman to kiss a lady's hand at a salon. Sierra bowed her head, and the noble offered a simple nod to finish the greeting.

[Delpi] "Pleasure to meet you. I am Delpi of the Shally family."

[Shell] "I am Shell."

The man named Shell stared at Sierra with an uncomfortably intense gaze. He was handsome, but he triggered a strange sense of disgust.

Sierra cleared her throat and nodded.

The noble ladies and young masters Sierra recognized from the registry were all present. There were about fifteen people in total, a perfect number for a small salon.

After the greetings, Sierra watched the room. It was time for the first dance. Cassius, ever quick to catch on, reached out his hand.

[Cassius] "Shall we dance?"

The orchestra began to play immediately. Cassius took Sierra for their first dance. Since he had never danced in high society before, the nobles stared as if their eyes might pop out.

Cassius stared at Sierra with a shy, awkward expression.

The nobles gaped, their jaws dropping at his shy face. As time passed, they struggled to tell if this situation was a dream or reality.

---

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