She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 58

Hanael is Strange!

The expressions on Kilo and Lanya's faces remained exceptionally grave. Sierra narrowed her eyes and locked onto them. A bad premonition gripped her. Lanya's face had turned completely white, while Kilo's face burned bright red. To add a degree of exaggeration, their expressions mirrored messengers of doom sent to announce the end of the world.

[Sierra] "Why do you look so.......?"

[Cassius] "Come in."

Unlike the panicked Sierra, who couldn't even finish her sentence, Cassius calmly managed the situation. She stared at him with a bewildered expression. Cassius shrugged and spoke lightly.

[Cassius] "What are you thinking about?"

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

[Cassius] "Everything will be fine."

He comforted Sierra in a tender tone. As if by magic, her racing heart settled completely. She let out an inward sigh, reminding herself that she always overreacted whenever it concerned Hanael.

Sister isn't even here, and I'm worried something happened to Hanael again.......

While Sierra and Cassius conversed, the four of them eventually gathered in the drawing room to talk quietly. However, the atmosphere remained subdued.

Staring at the people sitting directly across from each other, Sierra let out a dry cough. Kilo and Lanya alternately glanced at Sierra and Cassius, completely unable to break the silence.

[Lanya] "That is to say......."

Lanya barely opened her mouth, but the heavy atmosphere trapped the words before she could finish.

The silence persisted until Cassius gently patted Sierra's shoulder with one hand.

[Sierra] "What on earth is going on?"

Despite Cassius' earlier comforting words, Sierra suffered from an absolute inability to remain calm whenever it involved Hanael.

[Lanya] "The thing is……."

Surprisingly, Lanya fell silent again. Even Kilo, who usually acted completely recklessly, merely twitched his lips, unable to speak.

Sierra narrowed her gaze. Kilo and Lanya spent a long moment staring down at the coffee before them. Just as her frustration hit its peak, Lanya suddenly pulled a small sheet of paper from the inner pocket of her doctor's coat.

Is it a test sheet?

They had clearly conducted a separate examination on Hanael.

[Lanya] "Listen without being too shocked."

She fixed her gaze directly on Sierra. She ran a hand wildly through her red hair and whispered to Sierra.

[Lanya] "Well, Miss Hanael......."

[Sierra] "Yes."

Anxiety intensified, causing Sierra to bite her lip.

[Lanya] "By all indications......."

Sierra accepted the document they offered with a trembling hand.

What is this, an exam sheet?

Pardon?

[Sierra] "What?"

She assumed she had misheard the words.

[Lanya] "Miss Hanael is absolutely a genius."

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

At that exact moment, Sierra's eyes widened to the size of saucers.

Their gazes turned completely resolute. Kilo spoke up to drive the point home.

[Kilo] "No, she is definitely a genius."

What? So suddenly?

---

Sierra bolted toward the annex where the doctors stayed, while Cassius gripped her arm to prevent her from collapsing out of sheer excitement.

[Hanael] "Kyaha!"

Hanael played happily inside the mages' annex.

What on earth is that?

Sierra opened her eyes wide. An unprecedented blue light flowed from Hanael's fingertips, radiating outward.

Watching the blue light expand, Sierra merely twitched her lips, unable to step closer. The conversation she shared with the doctors earlier replayed in her mind.

[Lanya] "Actually, Miss Hanael frequently visited the annex where we stay during her free time."

[Sierra] "Is that so?"

[Lanya] "Yes, she was bored."

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

Perhaps because Sierra spent so much time searching for her sister, she had neglected the little one, who had wandered around everywhere. Pity for Hanael flared briefly, but a question soon replaced it.

What does that have to do with Hanael being a genius?

Sierra narrowed her eyes in confusion.

Lanya, who had been watching her reaction anxiously, brought her hands together and offered an apologetic gesture.

[Lanya] "First, let me apologize. Miss Hanael didn't just visit us during ordinary hours."

[Sierra] "Then?"

[Lanya] "She slipped out of the main house at night while you slept to visit us. I apologize for not telling you sooner; we assumed she had your absolute permission."

The little one had caused trouble. But how did she travel from the main house to the annex all by herself?

Noticing Sierra's questioning gaze, Lanya let out a nervous laugh and rubbed her face.

[Lanya] "I know what you are thinking. We also found it bizarre that not a single servant stopped her as she traveled between the buildings. She was always completely alone."

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

[Lanya] "It is very strange, isn't it? So we asked Miss Hanael directly."

[Sierra] "Yes, and?"

At this point, Sierra didn't even blink. Clutching the fabric of her dress tightly against her knees, her hands grew sweaty.

Lanya let out a gasp of admiration.

[Lanya] "My goodness....… Do you know what Miss Hanael said? She said that if she just presses the blue thing in her hand, nobody can see her!"

[Sierra] "The blue thing...... in her hand?"

[Lanya] "Yes! The blue thing! She already knows how to utilize mana! She is a born mage."

Since Hanael was her sister's daughter, possessing magical talent seemed entirely natural. However.......

[Lanya] "But it is no ordinary magical talent."

[Sierra] "Meaning…….?"

[Lanya] "We ran tests, and her mana circuits are far cleaner than an ordinary mage's, and her mana is perfectly pure. With proper refinement, she will become an outstanding figure even among Great Archmages!"

In short, Hanael was a great mage capable of surpassing her sister, who ranked among the absolute best in the Magic Tower.

Hanael's voice broke Sierra from her brief flashback. The cute and lovely child ran to her side, opening her mouth wide with a playful grin.

[Hanael] "You're here? Hehe!"

Perhaps she had already heard the description of her own abilities. Hanael tugged at Sierra's dress and whined affectionately.

[Hanael] "Look at me, what are you thinking about! They said I'm a genius!"

Sierra beamed, looking down at Hanael's hand clutching her dress. A pale blue aura swirled around her fingers. Sierra grabbed Hanael's hand. An icy chill, resembling a frosted windowpane in winter, seeped into her skin. The sensation reached deep into her core. No one besides her sister had ever delivered this exact feeling.

[Sierra] "Ah....... Yes, Hanael!"

[Hanael] "Mm!"

This cute little thing is my niece, my sister's daughter through and through.......!

She pulled Hanael into a tight embrace.

[Sierra] "They say you're a genius!"

[Hanael] "Yes, hehe. Look at this! Hanael is a genius!"

Hanael stretched her plump hand straight toward the sky, and a brilliant blue light shot out instantly. She grinned, holding up a blue lollipop that appeared in her palm.

[Hanael] "A lollipop! It even has almonds on the outside!"

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

[Lanya] "She created it out of nothing, using solely mana."

Hanael munched on the lollipop happily, her chubby cheeks puffing out and collapsing with every bite. While Sierra widened her eyes in shock, Lanya whispered in her ear.

[Lanya] "In short, it is alchemy."

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

[Lanya] "Since she is still young, she only desires things like lollipops and desserts, but she clearly knows how to use alchemy."

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

[Lanya] "She used teleportation to reach us. Ordinary mages possess a single specialized talent, but Miss Hanael holds gifts in every aspect."

[Sierra] "An exceptionally rare case....... isn't it?"

Observing Sierra's overwhelmed expression, Lanya nodded slowly.

Sierra stepped closer to Hanael, lowering her head to call her name.

[Sierra] "Hanael."

[Hanael] "Mm?"

Hanael, who had been completely absorbed in watching the flow of blue mana, snapped her head up. Sierra held her tiny hand firmly and made a solemn declaration.

[Sierra] "Since when did our baby become so smart?"

Hanael declared proudly.

[Hanael] "Since birth!"

She is entirely too confident.

Sierra narrowed her eyes at Hanael. Hanael puffed out her cheeks and let out a bright laugh, her white, dough-like cheeks looking incredibly soft.

[Hanael] "Actually....... I became a genius after coming here!"

Sierra shrugged with a puzzled expression.

[Sierra] "What does that mean? After coming here?"

Hanael merely shrugged right back, mimicking Sierra. Fortunately, Kilo stepped closer and explained.

[Kilo] "The reason remains unknown, but her abilities manifested a short while ago."

[Sierra] "No way......."

[Kilo] "An absolute one-in-a-thousand chance. For abilities to manifest without the guardian's knowledge......."

While Sierra stood speechless, Hanael rubbed her soft face against Sierra's stomach.

[Hanael] "Hehe, Hanael is a genius for sure!"

Watching the grinning Hanael, Sierra couldn't help but burst into laughter. As Sierra ran a hand through her hair, Hanael spun around with a cute smile. Her gaze landed straight on Cassius.

[Hanael] "Silly mister!"

Cassius replied in a low voice.

[Cassius] "Yes."

Sierra bit her lip as she listened to his reply. Words completely failed her.

He is a Duke, yet he answers completely as if 'silly mister' is his actual name.

Watching Cassius suffer for a crime he never committed squeezed her heart, especially since Sierra knew the exact expression he wore whenever he looked at Hanael.

[Hanael] "They said Hanael is smart."

[Cassius] "Yes, they say Hanael is a genius."

He played along with Hanael's boasting. Watching their tender interaction made Sierra's mind turn chaotic.

Look at those two; they are entirely devoted to each other.

Hanael was gradually dissolving into Cassius' presence. Sierra had firmly warned herself about this before, but even if they eventually proved to have zero blood relation, she felt she should arrange at least one meeting for them in the future. But that belonged to the future; for now.......

[Sierra] "Today calls for a celebration."

Sierra spoke with absolute resolve. Hanael froze instantly, looking like someone caught by a sudden hiccup.

[Sierra] "I will cook something delicious for you!"

[Hanael] "Wow!"

Hanael clapped her hands and laughed brightly. Then she walked over to Sierra and gestured with her finger.

[Hanael] "Whisper!"

Sierra lifted her dress and squatted down. She recognized that this action deviated from the elegant posture of a noble lady. She watched the hem of her dress sweep against the dew-covered grass, staining it with green, but it held zero importance. Listening to Hanael mattered far more right now.

Sierra embraced Hanael tightly, and the child whispered into her ear.

[Sierra] "Yes, what is it?"

[Hanael] "A kiss first!"

Hanael pressed a firm kiss against Sierra's cheek.

She is my niece, but why on earth is she so incredibly cute!

Gazing at Hanael's flushed, chubby cheeks, Sierra let out a bright smile. As if her smile acted as a signal, Hanael pressed another quick kiss to Sierra's earlobe and whispered her secret once more.

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