She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 36

She Is Not Our Daughter!

Sierra swallowed hard as she walked down the hallway toward the doctors' annex. Her excitement grew at the thought that this might be her last time seeing the grand Ideos mansion.

She took in the high towers, the expensive marble floors, and the tapestries keeping out the chill. Even the old, well-kept art pieces stood as a reminder of the wealth here.

[Sierra] "I won't forget this."

The Head Maid looked at Sierra with a curious expression.

[Lexel] "Forget what, Lady Sierra?"

[Sierra] "This mansion, even after I leave."

Lexel gave a small, careful laugh as if responding to a secret.

[Lexel] "I mean the brilliant spirit of sacrifice you showed here."

Sacrifice? Did I do that?

She wondered about the maid's words, but Lexel stopped walking, her face filled with emotion.

[Lexel] "And the generous effort you gave to His Grace, Cassius Ideos."

Is she really talking about me?

Lexel praised Sierra far too much. It felt awkward, yet it made Sierra smile.

Where else would I ever enjoy such luxury?

The thought of leaving the Ideos mansion brought a strange sense of loneliness.

She straightened her back and looked at the Head Maid with confidence.

[Sierra] "Of course. I did work quite hard."

Since it was an era of self-promotion, Sierra simply nodded and entered the annex. Even this space felt cold and empty today.

---

Earlier that morning, before Sierra arrived.

Cassius sat across from the Grand Madam, his face unreadable. He had already heard that the results were ready. Their eyes met.

[G. Madam] "What will you do if the child is not yours?"

Cassius gave a small laugh.

It doesn't matter to me.

Depending on today's results, he might have to turn the Grand Madam into an enemy.

She studied him closely.

[G. Madam] "I have lived long enough."

Her words were mysterious, hiding her true intent. As someone who never shared her inner thoughts and spoke with the sharp tongue of high society, she remained difficult to read.

He stared at the steam rising from his teacup.

[Cassius] "What exactly do you mean?"

[G. Madam] "I am sixty years old. I have no desire to interfere in the affairs of this house."

[Cassius] "Does that mean you will not interfere regardless of who Sierra is?"

[G. Madam] "It seems you have not even considered the possibility that Hanael is not your child."

He laughed softly.

[Cassius] "Even if she isn't."

They stared at each other. Cassius looked relaxed, while the Grand Madam appeared stiff and stubborn, yet they shared similar thoughts.

[Cassius] "It changes nothing for me."

Unlike her cup, his remained empty. He picked up the teapot and poured the dark red tea.

[Cassius] "Even this tea is something Sierra loves."

The mansion already followed Sierra's tastes in every detail. If she wanted it, she could have everything. Cassius wanted to keep her in this beautiful home he had built for her, providing everything she desired. Yet, the current Sierra seemed to want nothing at all.

He sighed and closed his eyes. The Grand Madam spoke carefully.

[G. Madam] "I fear the day you might lose her."

He answered with a sudden, sharp edge to his voice.

[Cassius] "That will not happen."

[G. Madam] "......"

She looked at him with pity, but his expression turned cold and empty.

[Cassius] "Never."

He had already lost Sierra once and spent five years living like the dead. Like a man addicted after one taste of seawater, he thirsted for her affection even when she stood beside him. His life belonged to her.

A small knock sounded at the door.

[Hentel] "Your Grace, it is Hentel, the doctor from the Hippo Kingdom."

Cassius narrowed his eyes.

[Cassius] "Come in."

The door opened. Hentel walked in with his long white beard flowing, followed by the other doctors carrying the test kits.

I see......

Cassius, who never felt fear even before monsters, felt his heart race. He studied the doctors sitting on the sofa. Kilo looked cynical, Lanya looked excited, and Hentel's face remained a mystery.

Was Hanael really not his child, as Sierra claimed? The answer waited behind those papers.

[Cassius] "Sierra will be here soon."

He closed his eyes and opened them again.

[Cassius] "We will wait for her."

The tea he had just poured already sat cold in the cup.

---

Sierra hummed as she entered the annex. Everyone sat waiting, just as the Head Maid said.

The Grand Madam stood up immediately, looking restless.

[G. Madam] "Welcome, dear."

[Sierra] "Yes, Madam."

[G. Madam] "Was it cold on your way here?"

Sierra shook her head, but the Grand Madam placed a shawl over her shoulders with a worried look.

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

The doctors watched in confusion. The Grand Madam was famous for being elegant and distant, yet she acted so warmly. There was more. Cassius helped Sierra to a seat and whispered.

[Cassius] "This is the rose-scented tea you like."

[Sierra] "Thanks."

Sierra and Cassius smiled at each other. The doctors sat frozen, unable to adjust to the atmosphere. This mansion should have been a place of strict rank and noble culture, yet Sierra, a commoner facing a paternity test, looked entirely too comfortable. She even spoke informally to the Duke.

Sierra noticed their stares. Why are they looking at me like I'm a ghost?

To Sierra, Cassius' kindness had become normal. She forgot how strange it looked for a Duke to serve a commoner.

Well, this ends today anyway.

She tried to stay calm and looked forward. Cassius turned to the doctors.

[Cassius] "Give us the results."

[Hentel] "Yes, Your Grace."

He began his serious explanation.

[Hentel] "This test has over eighty percent accuracy. We have completed both animal and human trials."

Hentel spoke at length about the test's value. Sierra didn't care. If the test worked, it would prove that she, Hanael, and Cassius shared no blood.

She gave a small yawn, prompting Cassius to speak.

[Cassius] "Get to the point."

Sierra nodded in agreement.

[Hentel] "Miss Hanael is related to Miss Sierra."

Of course she is. She's my sister's daughter.

The room felt heavy with tension.

This feels like an award ceremony......

These people had a talent for creating drama. If Sierra didn't believe so strongly that Hanael wasn't her daughter, her hands would be sweating.

[Hentel] "The test showed a blue mana wave, suggesting a blood connection. Now, for the results regarding the Duke and Miss Hanael."

This was the important part. Sierra leaned back on the sofa. She felt a small sting of regret, knowing this luxury would vanish today.

[Hentel] "Here is Miss Hanael's blue wave and Your Grace's mana wave. You can see for yourselves......"

Sierra squinted at the paper. The left chart showed Hanael's mana, and the right showed Cassius'.

Wait, they look similar? No, that can't be right.

Sierra paused. She told herself it was impossible and leaned back again.

[Hentel] "The similarity is over eighty percent. We confirm that she is your biological child."

Wait. Biological child?

Her eyes went wide.

What is happening?

Events were spinning out of control. The only relief was that Hanael wasn't in the room.

[Cassius] "I see. I thought so."

He tried to stay calm, but relief and sadness flooded his face. Sierra didn't want to see him crumble.

[Sierra] "Excuse me......."

[Lanya] "Yes, Lady Sierra?"

Lanya and Kilo looked at Sierra with pity.

[Sierra] "I think I misheard you. Can you say that one more time?"

Lanya read the paper again, speaking each word clearly.

[Lanya] "According to the results of the first test, which has over eighty percent accuracy..."

[Sierra] "Yes."

[Lanya] "Miss Hanael is the biological child of both His Grace Cassius and Miss Sierra."

Miss Hanael is the biological child of both His Grace Cassius and Miss Sierra.

Both Cassius and Sierra...... Hanael is......

The words echoed in her mind like a loud bell. A look of pure horror crossed Sierra's face as she looked around.

The Grand Madam looked at her with pity, and Cassius looked like he might cry at any moment.

What? Is it real? This isn't a joke?

I really didn't mishear them?

What on earth is going on?

---

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