She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 52

An Unexpected Kidnapping Plot

Why was his face so strangely rigid after his usual audience with the Emperor?

Sierra narrowed her eyes.

Averting her gaze, the Chief Pharmacist slipped out of the preparation room, pretending nothing was wrong. Yet he couldn't escape Sierra's persistent glare. She fumbled through her uniform and pulled out a pocket watch.

If my sister's disappearance connects to the imperial palace, and the Emperor faces a health anomaly...... something critical is unfolding inside the palace.

Sierra narrowed her eyes, lost in deep thought. Her channels for gathering information remained limited, but…….

Ezel might approach me soon.

The scattered puzzle pieces clicked into place one by one. She resolved to focus on that. It served her mental health far better than drowning in gloomy thoughts about her sister's potential death, the mystery of Hanael's biological father, or Cassius' ongoing misunderstanding.

---

A remarkably peaceful week flew by. Contrary to Sierra's expectations, Ezel didn't approach her. Instead, she enjoyed a highly fulfilling life at the pharmacy.

[Cassius] "You look cheerful today, Sierra."

He paused as he prepared to hand over money as usual.

Sierra, whose face normally carried a dark, gloomy shadow, was humming a tune.

[Sierra] "Ah, it's nothing."

Clearing her throat hurriedly because he read her mind, Sierra waved her hands in dismissal.

He reads my emotions so well. How does he know I'm proud of gathering rumors inside the palace lately?

Panic flared slightly inside her, but she maintained a perfectly calm expression.

Cassius studied her face meticulously and spoke softly.

[Cassius] "I hope good things happen to you."

[Sierra] "Yes! The other pharmacists treat me well, and the atmosphere is wonderful. Thank you for your concern."

[Cassius] "Take this."

Sierra extended her hand, expecting the usual cash envelope. Instead, he offered an unexpected object.

[Sierra] "This is......."

She tilted her head with a puzzled look. Cassius attached a small magic tool to the outside of her uniform. Watching her confused expression, he laughed softly.

[Cassius] "It's a magic tool. I crafted it to send a signal directly to me the moment you face danger."

Widening her eyes, she pressed the magic tool on her chest and gasped in admiration.

[Sierra] "My goodness……. What on earth is the mechanism behind this?"

She nodded. The item suited her, a firm believer in safety first, perfectly. While she possessed absolute confidence in her ability to protect herself, one could never be too sure.

---

Entering the pharmacy full of pride, she smirked at Lily, who bowed low before her. Ever since losing the competition, Lily volunteered to act as her loyal servant.

[Sierra] "Hey, Lily."

[Lily] "Y-Yes, ma'am."

Lily swallowed hard, staring at the sloshing liquid in Sierra's hand. This complete turnaround contrasted sharply with her initial hostility.

[Sierra] "How's the pharmacy atmosphere lately? Any interesting news?"

[Lily] "Ah! Lady Sierra is crazy about gossip—no, no. That was a slip of the tongue."

[Sierra] "Yeah, right. I'm crazy about gossip. So?"

Spending time with Lily, who had randomly chosen to act as her subordinate, felt quite entertaining. Most of the rumors she gathered came directly from Lily. Of course, since she lacked other close acquaintances at the pharmacy, she had no way to cross-check the information.

[Lily] "Ah...... come to think of it, the pharmacy staff plans to throw a party for you, Lady Sierra."

[Sierra] "A party?"

Sierra raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Capturing her sour expression, Lily blinked and made a hurried excuse.

[Lily] "Yes, they usually throw a welcome party for newcomers. I don't know why everyone is suddenly acting like this, though......."

The thoroughly tamed Lily constantly gauged Sierra's mood. Though naturally easygoing, her sister's disappearance forced Sierra to stay on high alert and track hostility. Lily's suspicious behavior stood out clearly.

Oho, so it's a trap!

The thought of the pit they dug so diligently brought a dark satisfaction.

[Sierra] "Then I should attend this welcome party, shouldn't I? When is it?"

She stared straight at Lily, who trembled like a cornered deer. Why was she shaking?

[Lily] "I guess...... you should?"

[Sierra] "When is the party date?"

[Lily] "They suggested tonight, if it suits you! I don't know what's gotten into them. They used to do nothing but slander you!"

[Sierra] "You slandered me too."

[Lily] "Th-that was before I knew your true skills, Lady Sierra......."

[Sierra] "Yeah, right."

Lily is probably just pretending to be close to me right now. I know better. There's no way she changed her stance this easily.

Sierra smiled slyly and hatched a cunning plan.

I need to teach this pharmacy a proper lesson in discipline.

Recipes for prison-worthy substances—laxatives, truth potions, and paralysis drugs—flashed through her mind instantly.

Well, it doesn't matter as long as I don't get caught. If they don't do anything to me, nothing will happen anyway.

Hiding her dark intent, Sierra smiled with satisfaction and nodded.

[Sierra] "Fine, let's make it tonight. How about a dark, secluded alley—I mean, a late dinner tonight?"

She had received an invitation to a welcome party—or rather, a gathering highly likely to feature harassment disguised as a celebration.

Sierra smirked and hummed a tune. Beside her, Lily let out a long, heavy sigh.

---

Late that evening. After warning Cassius, Sierra headed toward the small pub hosting her celebration. Located in an alley near the imperial palace, the pub felt strangely desolate and barren.

Just as she anticipated, the establishment was deeply gloomy and bizarre. She psyched herself up internally, recalling her previous conversation with Cassius.

If it looks like I'm in danger, dispatch the knights immediately.

[Cassius] "Of course."

My life is the most precious thing to me. I have zero intention of exposing myself to danger!

[Cassius] "Yes, your life is the most precious. I will keep that in mind."

Remembering the obedient Cassius brought a warm smile to her face, like a miser thinking of gold bars in a vault.

She stepped inside with satisfaction. Moving deeper into the gloomy pub, she noticed soft candlelight lining the carpeted path, resembling an anniversary celebration.

Playing the fool perfectly, Sierra clapped her hands together several times and strode deep into the room. Yet the setup looked highly suspicious.

Holding a cake in her hands, Pelia stood at the center of the trio and spoke in a trembling voice.

[Pelia] "Congratulations on joining our pharmacy!"

[Jenny] "This is a party to celebrate our friendship."

[Celly] "Welcome!"

Sierra walked forward, her muscles tense. She braced for a butter cake to fly straight at her face. Instead, neat lettering on top of the cake read: Sierra, the God of Pharmacy.

Wait……. What is this? I excel at my job, but this is far too extra.

Sierra knit her brow. Ignoring her expression, they spoke cautiously.

[Pelia] "We inspected your medicine vial from last time. Ordinary people might not know, but we do. Your technique is extraordinary."

They were using formal, respectful honorifics.

[Jenny] "Furthermore, acquaintances told us that even the doctors of the Hippo Kingdom praised your pharmaceutical skills, Lady Sierra."

Bright expressions lit up their faces despite the dim lighting of the pub.

Sierra's jaw dropped.

I was certain that the pharmacy trio, including Lily, would follow Ezel's orders to kidnap or torment me......?

She couldn't comprehend the situation at all. Amid her confusion, they stood near the soft candlelight and spoke in unison with warm voices.

[Celly] "Should we sing a song for you?"

[Sierra] "No, let's just cut the cake."

Everything remained normal until the end. Even when they moved toward the center floor, Sierra kept a straight face and stayed on guard. However, a massive banner suddenly dropped from above, and as they began clapping wildly, her face turned bright red.

If their goal involved flustering her, their strategy succeeded flawlessly. Yet the problem escalated. Their excessive praise had barely begun.

[Lady Sierra, we witnessed your beautiful, brilliant skills. So wonderful and perfect! You are the best! The God of Pharmacy!]

They handed Sierra a letter and even held a poetry-style reading.

Faced with flattery intense enough to make her skin crawl, Sierra's expression twisted in pure embarrassment.

This is ridiculous. What is up with this embarrassing worship?

When Sierra remained silent, they raised their voices even higher.

[Pelia] "We will now perform a rendition of 'Glory, Glory, Glory'!"

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

[Jenny] "Let's begin."

Their mouths were wide open, yet the resulting noise resembled a squealing pig.

Listening to their horrific three-part high notes, Sierra rubbed her eyes and re-evaluated the bizarre events of the day.

What on earth is this?! Well, should I just be glad I built a connection?

She expected to exert far more effort. Seeing this unfold proved the pharmacy absolutely relied on merit.

The trio looked ready to spill every single rumor inside the palace at her command. That worked perfectly. Though the friendship formed out of nowhere, securing loyal underlings inside the imperial palace brought genuine joy.

The celebration concluded. Drunk out of their minds, the pharmacy trio looked ready to blow kisses at Sierra.

Abandoning the heavily intoxicated group, Sierra quickly left the pub. The endless preparations she made to counter physical harassment went to waste. Then, she walked down a suspicious alleyway.

Oh? What's with that suspicious old lady?

A suspicious old woman stood before her. She was a hunched figure who belonged nowhere near a dark alley at midnight.

[Old Woman] "Young lady."

Her raspy voice carried an unnatural edge, giving off the impression of a shady individual disguised as an old woman.

Expectant, Sierra questioned her.

[Sierra] "Yes?"

She quickly scanned the old woman's surroundings. Inside the deeply dark alley, a suspicious carriage stood behind her. A pitch-black cloth covered the vehicle—an obvious kidnapping carriage.

This kidnapping method is thirty years outdated, but playing along is the classic response.

Remembering the magic tool Cassius had given her, Sierra offered a triumphant smile.

The trap is far too easy.

They must have underestimated her completely to execute such a cheap trick. She lightly picked up the old woman's luggage and spoke.

[Sierra] "Where are you heading?"

[Old Woman] "Over there, the carriage in that alley!"

[Sierra] "Yes, don't worry. I will get you there immediately."

Carrying the old woman's bundle, Sierra expected a suspicious figure to leap from the vehicle and snatch her. However…….

[Old Woman] "Oh my, what a gentle and incredibly kind young lady."

The old woman showered Sierra with praise, patting her shoulder with wrinkled hands.

While Sierra cleared her throat awkwardly, a man wearing a splendid uniform stepped out of the carriage. Sierra expected him to pull out a white cloth to cover her mouth. However…….

[Man] "Thank you."

He was exceptionally polite. Sierra offered an awkward bow. Surely the old woman would turn hostile any second.

[Old Woman] "This young lady carried my luggage."

I thought they would knock me out with a chop to the neck.

[Man] "You are an absolute savior."

The splendidly dressed man even cast a deep, meaningful gaze at her. He then gracefully escorted the plain old woman into the carriage.

To top it off, the old woman pressed some pocket money and a tiny fortune cookie into Sierra's hand!

[Man] "Thank you for your assistance. If you visit Number 1 Britten Street in the future, I will reward you properly."

He offered a respectful ninety-degree bow to Sierra.

This is not what I expected.

The suspicious old woman and the carriage drove away. Left alone, Sierra blinked in complete daze.

What is this fortune cookie about?

Nestled suspiciously inside the pocket money was the tiny fortune cookie, as if demanding to be opened. Sierra inspected the crisp exterior of the fortune cookie.

It doesn't smell like medicine. It looks like a completely normal fortune cookie.

Swallowing hard, she cracked open the cookie with trembling hands.

---

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