She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 42

Sister, I'll Find You No Matter What

Before heading to Sebor Village, Sierra decided to meet with Cassius alone first. Naturally, this private meeting occurred much faster than expected.

[Cassius] "What is it?"

[Sierra] "I'm planning to go on a short trip."

[Cassius] "A trip?"

His eyes narrowed lazily. His expression made it clear that getting her way would prove difficult.

[Cassius] "What kind of trip?"

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

She calculated fiercely in her mind. Cassius would definitely not let her go easily.

I should be honest, then.

Her sister wanted to sever the connection with Hanael. Though Sierra lacked full details, her sister had sounded quite desperate. Therefore.......

For now, I won't reveal that she's my sister. I'll only tell him half the truth.

Resolving firmly, she locked eyes with him and set her lips. Her determined green eyes met his blue ones.

[Sierra] "Cassius, I told you, right? Hanael has a different mother."

She decided to declare it openly to him.

[Sierra] "I'm going to Sebor Village for a while to find her mother. I received information that she fled there."

[Cassius] "Is that so?"

His lips relaxed into a soft line.

[Cassius] "You're looking for the person who is...... Hanael's mother."

[Sierra] "Yes. Because I'm not Hanael's mother."

Stating it firmly, she crossed her arms. His smile deepened.

[Cassius] "All right. I understand, Sierra."

Once she finalized the trip to Sebor Village, she thought about packing her bags and using either a carriage or a teleportation scroll. However, Cassius proved a far tougher opponent than she had anticipated.

[Cassius] "I'm going with you."

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

[Cassius] "I have more enemies than you think."

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

She read the clear intent in his eyes, knowing exactly what he would say next.

[Cassius] "It's dangerous for you to go alone, Sierra."

He explained calmly, as if stating the obvious.

[Cassius] "My political enemies might attack you. There's no way I'd send you alone to a dangerous place like Sebor Village."

She paused at his romantic tone.

[Sierra] "Sebor Village is dangerous?"

[Cassius] "Yes, it's the Crown Prince's private estate."

The Crown Prince's private estate?

Sierra narrowed her eyes. His words carried a suspicious undertone.

Why is my sister near the Crown Prince's private estate?

Of course, since her sister was the Great Archmage who took on all kinds of bizarre requests, it wasn't a major issue.

She nodded slowly.

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

Catching her hesitation, he smiled lazily.

[Cassius] "You're letting me come along, right?"

His melting, affectionate smile dissolved her resolve like spring snow. But she quickly shook her head internally.

If he runs into my sister, he might realize she's the Great Archmage.

Given Cassius' skills, that was a highly reasonable deduction. Sierra drew a clear line between them.

[Sierra] "If you're worried about me getting hurt or killed, it's fine."

[Cassius] "Why? You alone......."

[Sierra] "Abel is with me. I decided to go with him."

Sparks flew from his eyes. At the mention of Abel, he ground his teeth as if someone had pushed a button.

[Cassius] "With that...... puppy, just the two of you?"

[Sierra] "Yes, Abel is nice."

At her flat reply, Cassius choked on his words, his expression stiffening.

[Cassius] "......."

He cast his gaze downward in silence. Blue veins bulged on his tightly clenched fists.

Looking at him, Sierra realized her mistake.

Ah, he's jealous. I completely forgot Abel is a man.

To Sierra, Abel felt like a well-behaved, cute puppy—a lovely younger brother. But to Cassius, who flared up over anything involving her, it would feel completely different.

She blinked and offered him a smile.

[Sierra] "He's strong too. Well, I just think of him as a younger brother."

[Cassius] "Sierra, there's no way I can tolerate a private getaway for just the two of you. But since I do whatever you want......."

[Sierra] "What? A getaway?"

At her dumbfounded retort, he lowered his head and murmured.

[Cassius] "Fine, you can go together."

His face was filled with pain.

A romantic getaway between Abel and Sierra? This was pure comedy. Yet, because Cassius looked so profoundly sad, she couldn't bring herself to say anything more.

Cassius gently traced her jawline and brought his lips close to her ear.

[Cassius] "But I want to go, too."

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

[Cassius] "If you're really worried, I'll just guard the route. That Abel fellow is far too weak. And I...... I can't bear to see you exposed to danger."

She never considered Abel weak, but Cassius' words carried a strange weight of conviction.

If he only guards the route, he won't run into my sister. Cassius usually listens to me obediently anyway.

Besides…….

The mention of the Crown Prince's private estate weighed on her mind. Looking back, her sister's letter also contained suspicious parts.

While her sister always acted like an eccentric, she had never once told Sierra something like, You can unleash your full abilities.

[Sierra] "Come to think of it, it sounds like a will......"

Cassius looked at her at her murmur.

[Cassius] "A will?"

Ah, he might misunderstand again. Sierra scratched the back of her neck and dismissed the thought completely.

[Sierra] "No, let's just get ready to leave tomorrow. Sound good?"

[Cassius] "Yes."

He nodded, finally relieved. The trio to capture Sierra's sister finally came together.

---

The next morning. With the cold drawing closer, Sierra wore a bonnet and wrapped a shawl tightly around herself. She stroked the hair of Hanael, who purred in bed, heavy with sleep, and spoke casually.

[Sierra] "Hanael, I'm leaving!"

Hanael squeezed the stuffed rabbit she hugged tightly even in her sleep and asked.

[Hanael] "Ung? Where are you going?"

[Sierra] "A short trip. Before I go, want me to wash your rabbit doll with cleaning potion?"

[Hanael] "Nooo. I like it better when it's dirty."

Adorable Hanael puffed out her cheeks, making them as plump as dumplings.

[Sierra] "All right. I'm only leaving for a bit, so wait for me, okay?"

[Hanael] "Ung! I got it! You'll come back after Hanael sleeps for one night, right?"

She whispered in a sleepy, groggy voice.

[Hanael] "You're not leaving Hanael behind, right?"

Ever since learning she had a different mother, Hanael grew more mature and careful around others. That sight pained Sierra's heart, so she shook her head vigorously and whispered.

[Sierra] "I'll never leave you behind, even if I die. I'd rather die right by your side!"

[Hanael] "Hph, how childish."

Though she claimed to dislike it, a bright smile spread across her lips. She narrowed her eyes playfully and asked.

[Hanael] "Then for the trip...... is the silly mister coming along too?"

Sierra nodded. A small gleam of hope filled Hanael's eyes.

[Hanael] "Theeen......."

She crumpled the doll's ears and muttered softly.

[Hanael] "I….. I know the silly mister isn't Hanael's daddy."

[Sierra] "So suddenly?"

Her cheeks, white as rice cakes, puffed up with air and deflated again. Pouting heavily, Hanael spoke carefully.

[Hanael] "Still, tell the silly mister to have a safe trip too."

When did Cassius and Hanael get this close?

As she buried her face in the bed, Sierra replied in a daze.

[Sierra] "Yes, I will. I'm off. Make sure to take a good nap so you grow tall, okay?"

[Hanael] "Ung!"

Sierra smiled and stroked Hanael's hair, wishing with all her heart that her adorable niece would live happily forever.

---

Inside a carriage covered in black cloth heading to Sebor Village. The uncomfortable journey of Abel, Cassius, and Sierra began.

Cassius sat directly across from Sierra, while Abel sat right beside her. Abel offered a bright, cheerful smile across the carriage.

[Abel] "Greetings, Duke Ideos! Haha!"

He had memorized a noble greeting with great effort. Though it looked ridiculous, it carried a certain charm. Sierra chuckled internally, enjoying Abel's adorable actions.

[Cassius] "Yes, I look forward to working with you."

However, Abel's charm clearly failed to work on Cassius. The Duke drew a sharp line with an expressionless face, his wariness entirely obvious.

I knew this would happen...... I knew sparks would fly between them.......

Abel drooped with disappointment. He genuinely liked Cassius, but Cassius remained highly guarded against him.

Does he view him as a romantic rival?

A bizarre situation: Sierra looked as grim as if she wore funeral clothes, Cassius turned unusually docile to gauge her mood, and Abel remained entirely cheerful.

She threw out a light topic to clear the heavy air.

[Sierra] "Um, well. It feels like a real trip, doesn't it?"

Cassius nodded and whispered.

[Cassius] "We'll find the person who is Hanael's mother, right?"

[Sierra] "Yes, of course."

She let out a soft whistle.

[Driver] "We're heading out!"

Though she tried to enjoy a travel mood, this was a secret mission rather than a vacation. Because they couldn't use the Duke's luxurious carriage, the backrest felt terribly uncomfortable, and the vehicle rattled endlessly.

Cassius passed her a blanket, but the discomfort remained. Sierra let out a soft groan and closed her eyes. Rather, she attempted to close them.

[Abel] "Noona, Noona!"

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

She expected a perfectly smooth carriage ride—until a beaming Abel turned to her with a wide grin.

[Abel] "This is amazing!"

[Sierra] "What is?"

[Abel] "Riding in a carriage with the Duke to find magic—I mean, to find Hanael's mother!"

[Sierra] "Is...... it?"

[Abel] "Yes!"

As he chuckled in her ear, Cassius sat across from them and spoke in a low voice to draw her attention.

[Cassius] "Sierra?"

At that moment, the violent rattling of the carriage accompanied his deep voice. Finally, clueless Abel turned his gaze toward Cassius.

[Abel] "This is our second time meeting! It's great to see you, Duke!"

[Cassius] "Ah, yes."

With an overly cheerful Abel and a completely displeased Cassius, a strange battle of nerves officially began.

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