She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 59

I Wish Every Day Could Be Like Today

[Hanael] "I want to call you Mommy!"

[Sierra] "Huh?"

[Hanael] "Mommy."

Sierra froze at the unexpected words. She fully expected the child to demand a princess dress since she was a genius......

Come to think of it, she hasn't called me Mommy since I corrected her a few times.......

[Hanael] "Hehe."

Hanael curled the corners of her mouth into a strained smile. Sierra recognized that expression perfectly. The child feared getting scolded.

Silly.

Sierra stared deeply into Hanael's eyes without answering. Hanael nervously parted her lips.

[Hanael] "W-Well, I whispered so nobody else would hear......."

[Sierra] "Yes."

[Hanael] "If you hate it, Hanael is sorry......."

[Sierra] "No, Hanael. I am not your real mother, but I am like a mother to you. Yes."

She embraced Sierra tightly and whispered.

[Hanael] "Mm, then I will call you Mommy just until we find Hanael's real mommy!"

She stared at Sierra with hopeful green eyes.

Sierra parted her lips, caught in a massive dilemma. Every parenting book she had ever read drifted through her mind—especially the warnings against confusing a child.

[Sierra] "Only in a whisper, and only when we are alone."

But turning away from that affectionate gaze proved impossible. The child was far too lovely.

She grew up knowing me as her mother and called me Mommy every single day. If I reject her now, she will feel hurt and even more confused.

Rejecting that tiny, delicate voice was unthinkable. Sierra blinked and spoke softly.

[Sierra] "You just need to remember that your real mother is someone else."

[Hanael] "Yes, I understand! Hanael is a genius, so when my real mommy comes later, I will tease her! I'll ask why she didn't come to see me."

Hanael proudly puffed out her tiny chest. Since her body was as small as a peanut, her bold posture lacked any real intimidation.

[Sierra] "Your real mother had her reasons. She loves you immensely."

Gripping her hand, which still radiated a pale blue aura, Hanael spoke softly.

[Hanael] "......Yes!"

I must rescue Sister and explain everything to her from start to finish.

The complex details might overwhelm Hanael's tiny mind, though.

My sister is definitely alive.

[Hanael] "Hanael will wait until then!"

Captivated by Hanael's joyful smile, Sierra embraced the child tightly and planted sweet kisses on both cheeks.

[Hanael] "But I have a request."

[Sierra] "What is it?"

She treasured her niece completely, and after learning the child was a genius today, she wanted to grant any wish. Her eyes shone as she stroked Hanael's hair. Hanael grinned brightly.

[Hanael] "I want to eat the happy food Mommy cooks."

Sierra narrowed her eyes at the mention of 'Sierra's happy cooking.' In truth, Sierra rarely cooked. Back in Sufe Village where the three of them lived happily together, Abel handled the meals.

Yet, occasions to cook did arise in Sufe Village. For instance, on days they saved an impressive amount of money that made even their landlord, Scrooge, drop his jaw. Or when Hanael brought home a magnificent drawing from her kindergarten art contest.

On those days, Sierra closed the pharmacy for half a day to cook at home. She invited Uncle Bill from next door, who performed street music in the backyard, to hold a mini-concert, throwing open the courtyard to serve meals to the neighbors.

In short, wanting 'Mommy Sierra's happy cooking' meant the child craved both her food and a joyful party.

[Hanael] "Huh? You don't like it?"

When Sierra remained silent, Hanael rolled her eyes.

[Sierra] "Of course I will cook for you!"

[Hanael] "You know, there is one more condition......."

She squeezed and stretched Sierra's cheek with her tiny hand as she whispered. Sierra's eyes widened instantly at her words.

---

The kitchen inside the Ideos estate buzzed with long-absent energy. Hanael marched in proudly, holding Cassius' hand on one side and Sierra's on the other.

[Hanael] "I have a request!"

The servants had gathered in their dining room to eat a late lunch. Hurriedly clearing the food and organizing the workspace, the Head Chef stepped forward and questioned them carefully.

[H. Chef] "Yes, Miss Hanael. For what matter......."

[Hanael] "The three of us want to cook together, so please lend us the kitchen!"

The Head Chef let out a hearty laugh at her adorable, drawn-out childhood tone. As a father with a daughter Hanael's age, he found the child completely charming. But just as he prepared to nod, completely spellbound by her innocent charm, the reality of her words struck him.

[H. Chef] "......Pardon?"

[Hanael] "The two of us are going to cook with the Duke!"

The Head Chef's eyes widened.

[Cassius] "You heard correctly."

A Duke cooking was shocking enough to make the servants faint, but his current aura appeared downright terrifying. His expression screamed: I will execute you if you block this cooking.

Among the three, only Sierra scratched her neck awkwardly and offered an embarrassed smile.

[Sierra] "Um, please."

[H. Chef] "O-Of course. Naturally, we will vacate the space."

The servants, including the Head Chef, filed out of the kitchen.

[Sierra] "Look, both of Hanael's requests are granted now, right?"

[Hanael] "Yes!"

Watching Hanael nod vigorously, Sierra recalled their earlier exchange. Hanael's first request was making happy food in the ducal kitchen. Her second request was.......

[Hanael] "You know, let's hold our party together with the mister! Just the three of us!"

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

[Hanael] "Mister Cassi, let's party together!"

Before Sierra could intervene, Hanael shouted, pointing her plump hand at Cassius. When Cassius pointed to himself, his chest heaving with a trembling breath, the child gave a firm nod.

Catching sight of his joyful expression, Hanael leaned in and whispered in Sierra's ear.

[Hanael] "Since the silly mister isn't my daddy, I don't have to hate him, right?"

[Sierra] "Yes, don't hate him. He is a good person."

Cassius, who stood a step away until then, approached Sierra and Hanael alongside the brilliant sunshine. Sierra recalled the expression he wore earlier—looking happier than anyone in the world.

Why does my heart ache whenever I recall that smile?

Standing in a daze while visualizing his smile, Sierra looked down at Hanael.

Noticing Sierra's sudden distraction, Hanael nodded firmly and placed both hands on her hips.

[Hanael] "Now, proceed to the next step!"

Listening to the bold child, Sierra inspected the kitchen.

[Sierra] "Alright, I understand. Hanael, go sit at the back table. Cassius, you too."

[Hanael] "Mm! Hanael is going!"

Hanael laughed happily, her tiny feet pattering across the floor as she rushed to sit at a small bar table.

Watching the child's stray hairs flutter, Sierra chuckled and walked over to the kitchen counter. She dipped her hands into a bowl of lemon water for a quick rinse and surveyed her surroundings. The neatly organized spices and diverse ingredients drew a brief exclamation from her lips.

[Sierra] "The party will turn out magnificent."

Right at that moment, however,

[Cassius] "I will help you."

He stood directly beside her. Sierra wore a puzzled expression. The idea of him cooking made absolutely zero sense. He continued softly.

[Cassius] "It makes zero sense for me to sit idly while you work."

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

The Duke rolled up his sleeves, pulling out a cutting board and a knife. Sierra studied him silently. Misinterpreting her silence as doubt over his capabilities, he added gently.

[Cassius] "You don't trust me? I am an excellent cook."

[Sierra] "Why are you an excellent cook?"

[Cassius] "I learned."

He spoke with complete nonchalance, leaving Sierra to stare back in confusion.

[Cassius] "Back when we attended the Academy. To prepare packed lunches for you."

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

She wanted to ask what that had to do with anything, but at that exact moment, the memory of Cassius offering her packed lunches flashed in her mind.

[Cassius] "Eat this."

[Sierra] "Did your family send this? Thank you!"

[Sierra] "Could it be......."

She stared directly into his clear blue eyes. He turned his gaze toward the empty air, his neck flushing bright red.

[Cassius] "It went into your mouth, so I couldn't entrust it to just anyone."

Her earlobes turned crimson at his words.

He was completely sincere toward me back then too. Just like now.......

The newly uncovered truth brought a bizarre feeling. It differed completely from their initial reunion when she worked solely to push him away. The way his heart consistently reached out to her held deep significance.

I suspected it, but it keeps sinking in.

Whenever they discussed the past, Sierra faced a double realization: her past self lacked any trace of perceptiveness, and Cassius liked her far more than she ever imagined. The thoughts always made her heart swell, as if she had become the heroine of a romance novel.

Sierra took a quiet, deep breath. Silence filled the strange atmosphere.

[Hanael] "Why did you stop? Hanael is hungry!"

Fortunately, Hanael shattered the atmosphere. Sierra turned and nodded to the child.

[Sierra] "I got distracted for a second. I will cook right away!"

Sierra's cooking and outdoor parties carried a distinct style. Since she came from a commoner background, she preferred spreading all the dishes out at once over the multi-course meals favored by nobility.

[Cassius] "What kind of food do you plan to make?"

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

She avoided looking at him, staring down at the counter as she spoke clearly.

[Sierra] "First, I will make pot-au-feu by boiling meat and vegetables thoroughly. You will......."

[Cassius] "I will handle the knife work."

Although he was a swordsman, Sierra studied him skeptically, wondering if he could control his aura properly in a kitchen.

Right then, he chuckled.

[Cassius] "Here."

To add a touch of exaggeration, he was a god of dicing.

[Sierra] "Th-thank you."

[Cassius] "Yes, I will start the fire now."

He executed the tasks flawlessly without seeking praise. Sierra, nearly widening her eyes like a startled rabbit, nodded and added the finely chopped meat and vegetables into the pot.

How is he completely good at everything?

This felt unfair. A person who excelled at everything defied logic. Sierra rubbed her forehead and let out a deep, inward sigh.

Let's just cook. I need to make pot-au-feu and beef bourguignon too.

Beef bourguignon was a stewed beef dish cooked with wine. When Sierra announced her plan to make it, Cassius took charge of simmering the beef. He managed the task perfectly!

Fragrant beef bourguignon, a beautifully simmered pot-au-feu, and a rich, egg-filled quiche for dessert. Sierra's humble yet happy table stood complete.

[Sierra] "How is it?"

Gathering side by side at the bar table, the three began tasting the food. Hanael delivered the first review.

[Hanael] "You know, I took just one bite, and I already feel incredibly happy!"

[Sierra] "Is that so?"

[Hanael] "Mm, Hanael loves it! What about the silly mister?"

[Cassius] "If Hanael loves it, I love it too."

Sierra laughed softly at the affectionate pair.

Hanael's spoon moved faster, and Sierra chewed her food thoroughly. Cassius took care of them both with a tender expression—exactly like a husband and a father. Recognizing that reality, Hanael chewed her food thoroughly and spoke.

[Hanael] "Since we are staying together like this......."

She shouted, her face glowing with uncontrollable joy.

[Hanael] "We are completely like a family!"

Cassius instinctively looked at Sierra.

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