She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 32

The Woman Called Cassius' First Love

High society recognized Cassius' face only as a biting winter wind or a cold, empty void.

Now, everything changed. He gazed at the woman before him with a face full of tenderness while leading her in a dance.

Shock gripped every noble in the room. Their tongues itched to gossip, but fear kept them silent. They merely exchanged frantic glances, swallowing their words.

One thing remained clear: Duke Ideos cherished this commoner—now a minor noble—beyond all measure.

The orchestra ended the lively, soulful tune with a powerful flourish at that exact moment of collective confusion.

Finally, the woman, Sierra, spoke to Cassius in a bright tone.

[Sierra] "Your Grace, I think it is time to eat."

Custom dictated a light meal after the first dance. However, Sierra acted as free as a bird. As long as Cassius Ideos allowed it, no one in the room dared speak a word against her.

A quiet tea time began, a period where no one dared to cross her.

The servants prepared the tea tables quickly after the dance. Sierra studied the room with a serious expression, hoping to find a friend for Cassius.

Silence reigned. Aside from Lady Macbeth, Cassius had hand-picked every guest to suit his own taste.

[Noble]  "Well...... so."

The youngest noble spoke, forced by the weight of etiquette. As the junior member, he had to speak to the host first. He trembled under Cassius' gaze.

Cassius' expression soured the moment the boy opened his mouth. It was the face of a man warning others not to touch his woman.

Sierra spoke with a voice full of kindness.

[Sierra] "My name is Sierra. I am under the protection of Duke Ideos."

Cassius spoke in a low voice.

[Cassius] "Everyone here is a close friend of mine. This is Sheldon, this is Pelli, and finally...... Sheria Macbeth, a lady of the Macbeth family."

[Macbeth] "Call me Lady Macbeth."

The introductions ended, and a period of quiet tea-sipping followed. Sierra observed the guests with intensity.

Does he really have friends? It certainly doesn't look like it.

While Sierra watched them, the guests watched the couple. The usual cold-blooded Duke was gone; Cassius even poured tea for Sierra himself. It was a blatant display of possession.

[Sierra] "I heard everyone here is very close to Your Grace."

[Cassius] "We attend the riding club together."

This was news to everyone. Duke Ideos had no interest in trivial things like riding clubs.

One noble started to shake his head, but Cassius whispered with a sharp look.

[Cassius] "Say yes."

The boy had no power here.

[Noble] "T-That is correct."

Sierra tilted her head, watching him.

What is this? Is he actually friends with them?

Unaware of Sierra's confusion, Cassius replied softly.

[Cassius] "Tell me if you want to befriend someone, Sierra. I am grateful for your care."

[Sierra] "Thank you, Your Grace."

[Cassius] "My friends will become your friends. Right?"

Cassius spoke to the nobles. They exchanged glances and nodded as if to hide the truth. They held their own noble authority, but the debts they owed to the Ideos family weighed much heavier.

This feels more like a master and servant relationship than a friendship.

Sierra took a sip of her tea.

I wanted to find him friends, but everyone is frozen solid.......

The salon felt like a failure. Sierra sighed and ate a small tea snack. It crunched with a bitter sweetness.

She wanted to find him good company, yet Cassius only looked at her with unwavering focus.

Fortunately for the guests, the awkward tea time ended. With the conversation over, a group dance would close the ceremony.

However, before the dance began and as the tables were cleared, Lady Macbeth spoke.

[Macbeth] "Sierra, I wish to speak with you alone."

Shock froze the room. Her request didn't break etiquette; it was natural to socialize during breaks.

However, this was Cassius' salon, and he was watching with sharp eyes. Despite this, Lady Macbeth held her chin high.

Sierra looked back at her. She also had things to say.

[Sierra] "Yes, Lady."

[Macbeth] "To the balcony."

Sierra recalled the proper rules. Socializing during breaks often happened on the balcony.

She leaned toward Cassius and whispered.

[Sierra] "I'll be back."

Her voice was meant only for him. Cassius' relaxed face shifted into an anxious scowl.

[Cassius] "Must you go?"

[Sierra] "What are you worried about? I'll be back. It won't be anything serious."

Sierra saw the shock in the eyes of the people around them. Still, she felt curious. She wanted to know this woman—the one everyone called Cassius' first love.

---

She stepped onto the balcony with Lady Macbeth. Cassius' cold gaze followed them. Since Sierra clearly wanted to meet, he had no power to stop her.

The moment Sierra closed the balcony door, the atmosphere in the hall turned ice-cold. The orchestra played on.

[Cassius] "Continue."

His gentle voice vanished, leaving only a cynical sneer. He didn't usually flaunt his power, but he didn't waste kindness on useless things.

He stared at the balcony, then turned his freezing gaze back to the hall. Everyone had stopped moving. He gestured toward the orchestra.

[Cassius] "Play the music. Dance."

The nobles danced like clockwork dolls to the music, trapped in a chilling scene.

Everyone waited for Sierra and Macbeth to return.

Unlike Sierra's hope, Cassius danced with no one. He only watched the spot where she had vanished.

---

On the balcony, things were not as intense as Cassius feared. Lady Macbeth simply skipped the social games and asked a direct question.

[Macbeth] "So, your name is Sierra."

Her tone was cynical. She studied and felt a sudden jolt. Sierra's shoulders were slender and delicate.

Is the Duke's taste this fragile?

Sierra looked weak, as if she might blow away in the wind. She was the opposite of Cassius Ideos.

Macbeth sat in a chair and gestured toward the other seat.

[Macbeth] "The Duke will be furious if he finds out we spoke, but sit."

Sierra sat down. Her cooperation was so complete that it was almost draining. She watched Macbeth with a steady gaze.

[Sierra] "I doubt that."

Sierra laughed at the bold statement.

Macbeth let out a hollow laugh. The woman before her had both beauty and spirit.

My will to fight is gone.

Macbeth sighed. The rumors of her being the Duke's first love would end today. Even the Princess couldn't compete with Sierra.

His gaze says everything. If I even lay a finger on her, he will kill me.

The music from the hall drifted in. The intensity of the sound revealed Cassius' anxiety. Sierra, however, simply tilted her head in confusion.

[Macbeth] "Be careful."

[Sierra] "Pardon?"

[Macbeth] "You are the only one he treats this way. So watch yourself."

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

Sierra's eyes moved restlessly. Macbeth whispered even more sharply.

[Macbeth] "He mentioned friends. Was that your idea?"

Macbeth sneered, remembering Cassius' famous words. He had always claimed he didn't need friends and hated socializing. He never showed his face at riding clubs or social events, preferring to bury himself in work after the war.

But then, he appeared at a salon with Sierra. He looked at her with eyes full of sweetness. He told everyone they were his friends just to put her at ease.

It was an over-the-top performance that made the guests feel like they were suffocating. It was a ridiculous play, staged entirely for this woman.

[Macbeth] "It seems you really are the Duke's first love."

Macbeth laughed as if she had given up.

[Sierra] "What do you mean by that...…"

[Macbeth] "I have never seen the Duke make a face like that before."

[Sierra] "....…"

[Macbeth] "I give up. It's a funny word to use, but with his feelings, you can easily overcome the difference in status."

Is Lady Macbeth another stubborn wall? How far is she going to take this?

Sierra's face hardened. She decided to set a firm boundary.

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