She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 64

Don't Drive Me Crazy

[Cassius] "So, many here believe that a shattered object can never be put back together."

The reckless, clueless knight plunged a knife into Cassius' heart once more with his loose tongue.

[Knight] "Yes, Your Grace. Exactly. Isn't that just the absolute rule of the world? You can't fix a broken tray or a shattered plate, and once human relationships break or go wrong, they never......."

[Cassius] "They never recover, you say."

[Knight] "Yes, exactly. Doesn't everyone think so? It's much better to just buy a new plate!"

Cassius' deep, ocean-blue gaze pinned the knight. Only then did the knight recognize the extreme gravity of the situation and swallow hard.

Cassius murmured in a quiet, low whisper.

[Cassius] "So that is your definitive stance."

The atmosphere turned instantly murderous, forcing everyone to exchange tense glances.

Fortunately, a quick-witted individual stood among the knights—the very lieutenant who had choked the rookie knight. He blinked, wide-eyed, trying to project a pitiful, pleading look that completely misaligned with his massive build. Yet the thick ice in the room refused to thaw. Racking his brain frantically, the lieutenant scrambled for a lifeline to rescue them from this freezing doom.

[Lieutenant] "M-Magic!"

[Cassius] "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Cassius' tone carried the absolute threat of an immediate execution for a single misspoken word. Swallowing his internal tears, the lieutenant scrambled to explain.

[Lieutenant] "A magic spell to mend broken plates definitely exists, Your Grace!"

[Knight] "Y-Yes, he speaks the absolute truth!"

[Lieutenant] "Claiming a shattered tray can never be put back together is completely preposterous, isn't it?"

[Knight] "I agree, sir!"

They both spoke like common marketplace slaves rather than proud imperial knights, but no time existed to worry about etiquette. The lieutenant blinked rapidly, forcing a sorrowful, heartbreaking expression onto his features.

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

Naturally, multiple knights squeezed their eyes shut, unable to bear the sight of their massive, exceptionally muscular lieutenant—who stood well over 190 centimeters—pleading so pitifully.

But Cassius reacted differently.

[Cassius] "Right."

His unyielding gaze fixed on the giant lieutenant, who stood nearly two meters tall.

The cold, expressionless stare persisted until the lieutenant flinched. Cassius spoke in a low, quiet voice.

[Cassius] "A shattered tray can be put back together."

His reverent tone made the statement sound like a holy scripture. Concealing their profound confusion, the panicked knights nodded in unison.

[Cassius] "We will conclude today's meeting here."

But we haven't even started discussing anything yet.

Since it wasn't an urgent session, they simply withered like cacti stripped of sunlight. Duke Cassius Ideos held absolute authority, after all, leaving them completely powerless.

The rookie knight who had taken a hit to the throat nudged the lieutenant's side, mouthing the words: Then when do we hold our meeting? But who dared to step forward in this terrifying atmosphere?

While they hesitated, Cassius already donned the tailcoat he had left on the empty chair. Achieving some profound internal realization, Cassius strode forward. Only one person held the rank to speak to him now.

[Lieutenant] "Y-Your Grace."

Adopting a completely miserable face internally, the lieutenant questioned him.

[Lieutenant] "Should we expect to resume the meeting tomorrow?"

[Cassius] "Do so."

Cassius nodded, a strange fire burning in his eyes. The lieutenant let out a long sigh of relief and bowed deeply.

[Lieutenant] "I obey your command!"

With that, the knights' meeting concluded. Of course, Cassius' real day began right now. He had just assigned himself a critical mission: severing that wretched from Sierra's side.

I already possess the baseline intelligence regarding Ezel.

His covert agents were likely tracking Ezel's movements at this very moment.

Cassius cast his gaze downward, adjusting his crisp, starched shirt collar.

He anticipated an exceptionally long day ahead.

---

Sierra skipped her shift at the pharmacy entirely today, slumping over her desk instead. She let out a long, heavy sigh. Everything stemmed from the clue Ezel had dropped earlier—her sister's pearl earring.

[Sierra] "Sister, why do you wear those earrings every single day?"

[Amille] "Because they are precious to me."

[Sierra] "Hmm, what could it be......."

Sierra ruffled her hair wildly and pressed her face against the desk surface. The cold wood cooled her burning cheeks, slowly restoring her reason. Right at that moment, the Head Maid called her name softly, having stood nearby completely unnoticed.

[Lexel] "Lady Sierra."

Sierra bolted upright like someone who had just witnessed a ghost.

[Sierra] "Yes? What is the matter?"

[Lexel] "The Duke requests a private tea time with you in the glass greenhouse."

Ah, looking at his face feels entirely too embarrassing right now.

The strange sensation had plagued her recently, specifically ever since they cooked and shared a meal like a real family. Cassius occupied her mind so intensely that staying in the same room felt impossible.

Sierra touched her crimson earlobes and shook her head.

[Sierra] "I...... my health is currently poor."

Her heart pounded wildly like a drum whenever she faced him, so the claim counted as the absolute truth. Of course, she couldn't avoid him for eternity.

Studying Sierra's complexion carefully, the Head Maid bowed with a look of regret.

[Lexel] "Yes, I understand."

Sierra watched the Head Maid's departing back. Only after the door clicked shut did she curl her body inward and let out a deep sigh.

I will avoid Cassius just until this relentless fluttering stops. Only until then.

---

Cassius' patience reached its absolute limit. This marked the fifth time. Counting the exact number of times Sierra had rejected him, he buried his face in his hands, turning over the past. Although she skipped work today, she had consistently avoided him on her morning commute recently as well.

[Sierra] "Sorry, I'm leaving first!"

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

[Sierra] "Have a great day at work! Good luck!"

She literally vanished like the wind. He desperately wanted to hold a conversation, but she consistently avoided his presence.

[Cassius] "Let us share tea in the glass greenhouse......."

[Sierra] "Gasp! Come to think of it, I forgot to tune the piano."

He couldn't exactly shout at her retreating that she didn't even play the piano. He refused to endure her avoidance any longer—especially with a wild card like Ezel entering the picture.

"Lord Ezel is an absolute angel."

"I have never seen anyone as handsome as Lord Ezel."

"A single wink from Lord Ezel can sway any woman."

Sitting idly after hearing that bastard's pristine reputation would make him a complete fool.

He stood straight. Hesitation vanished entirely. At this exact moment, he knew with absolute certainty that it was time to march directly to Sierra's room.

---

[Sierra] "What is going on?"

Sierra bolted to her feet. Her panicked expression stood out clearly to Cassius at a single glance. Her defensive demeanor shattered his heart once again, triggering the realization of how desperately she wanted to avoid him.

[Cassius] "Sierra."

The intense emotion drove him to blurt out an impulsive confession.

[Cassius] "I like you."

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

The confession was entirely too sudden and passionate. Panic locked Sierra's body. A declaration like this, with no warning.

I am completely losing my mind.

Her heart fluttered relentlessly at his words, an uncharacteristic reaction that left her utterly flustered. Forcing herself to ignore her burning cheeks, Sierra stared back at him.

[Sierra] "I...... I already know."

What a foolish thing to say!

She wanted to cry, but she maintained a calm facade, keeping her gaze pinned on him.

Gently smoothing a stray lock of her hair, he continued.

[Cassius] "I am glad you know."

[Sierra] "......Right, okay."

Listening to his smooth response, Sierra rolled her eyes. Cassius continued in a flat, even tone.

[Cassius] "I know why you are avoiding me."

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

Her face burned bright red.

Did my feelings give themselves away completely?

[Cassius] "You still hate me."

[Sierra] "No, that's not it."

Her jaw dropped as she shook her head vigorously. She despised seeing his sorrowful expression even more now than in the past.

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

[Cassius] "Yes."

[Sierra] "Well, first of all."

[Cassius] "Yes."

[Sierra] "The fact that you l......."

An awkward dryness scratched at her throat.

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

Uttering the words "you like me" felt entirely too bizarre.

[Sierra] "I understand that you l-like me."

Cassius stared at her as if her words represented absolute truth and eternal reality.

[Sierra] "So, I mean, it's not that I like you, but that you like me."

The statement defied logic, but her conscience stung intensely, as if wrapped in sharp thorns.

I am merely stating facts, so why does my heart ache like this?

Sierra rubbed her face. Cassius murmured in his distinct, deep bass.

[Cassius] "I don't intend to burden you."

His voice carried a gentle warmth.

Relieved, Sierra locked eyes with him for a brief second, and his ferocious expression bared itself clearly to her. As she hurriedly tried to avert her gaze, he let out a low growl like a wild beast.

[Cassius] "But, Sierra......."

She refused to look him in the eye, unable to face him directly. He lifted her chin with one hand, forcing her to lock eyes with him.

[Cassius] "It is fine if you don't like me."

He murmured, his expression completely contradicting his words.

Sierra froze, matching the terrifying sharpness in his eyes. He whispered to her.

[Cassius] "But I can't stand seeing you associate with that piece-of-trash bastard."

Sierra had never witnessed this raw, dangerous side of Cassius before. While panic paralyzed her, he pressed a brief kiss against her forehead.

[Cassius] "Sierra."

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

Profound shock gripped her.

[Sierra] "Why that expression?"

She had clearly read entirely too many romance novels lately. She wanted to smack her own mouth for disrupting the heavy atmosphere, but he spoke first.

[Cassius] "Do you act this way because you want to escape me?"

That isn't it at all.

But before she could part her lips, he murmured in a pained, heartbreaking voice.

[Cassius] "Please, don't drive me crazy."

The raw, desperate agony in his voice left Sierra completely frozen. Her heart raced wildly. Casting her gaze downward, she forced herself to breathe steadily.

[Sierra] "What on earth do you mean?"

Staring at her, Cassius closed his eyes and opened them. Her reflection shimmered clearly inside his remarkably deep, lake-like eyes.

[Cassius] "Exactly what I said."

She stared at him with a bewildered expression.

Scanning her features meticulously, he let out a heavy sigh.

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

What do you mean, just?

Sierra narrowed her eyes sharply, hanging on his next words. He delivered the final blow.

[Cassius] "That bastard is out of the question. I will never let you go to him."

The statement struck her with extreme force.

He completely misunderstands my interaction with Ezel as some twisted affair.

[Sierra] "First of all, I hold no interest in men right now, regardless of who that bastard is."

[Cassius] "I am glad to hear that."

Hearing his response, Sierra let out a silent sigh of relief, knowing she had just saved Ezel's life.

[Sierra] "S-So, just don't go crazy."

But her loose tongue knew no boundaries, pouring out rambling thoughts against her will.

[Sierra] "Because I think I would feel s-sad if you went completely mad."

Her mouth was an absolute disaster. Sierra lowered her naturally downturned eyes even further and let out a heavy sigh.

Cassius stared at her quietly before letting out a soft laugh, finding her reaction endearing. He watched until her face flushed crimson.

[Cassius] "To think I possess the power to influence you."

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

[Cassius] "I am glad."

A gentle smile touched his lips, yet his eyes mirrored a deep, lingering sorrow.

The realization that loving her brought him immense agony sent a sharp ache running straight through her heart.

---

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