She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 7

The Situation at the Duke's Castle

A strange heat filled the maid's room within the Duke's castle. The servants, having just welcomed two new guests, couldn't stop thinking about Sierra on the floor above.

[Maid 1] “.......”

[Maid 1] “Hah.......”

They sat in silence. Each face wore an expression of total confusion, as if no one knew what to say.

[Maid 1] “I don't know much, but.......”

[Maid 2] “We have to treat her well, don’t we?”

[Maid 3] “Of course.”

Everyone pictured Sierra and the little girl at her side, Hanael.

In truth, the Ideos Mansion had been a desolate place for a long time. The servants withered daily between the crumbling Duke and the sensitive Dowager Marchioness. The mansion felt dark, gloomy, and haunted.

But a new wind began to blow. It started only recently.

— The Ideos Mansion: A Fresh Change?

First, the mansion underwent a total renovation.

— The Wasteland Before the Duke's Mansion Becomes a Marigold Garden!

The Duke began to act strangely, as if he were obsessively chasing memories. But that wasn't all.

— Why the Change of Heart for the Workaholic Duke? A Special Report!

He hired tight-lipped servants at a high price and contacted pharmacists and herbalists in the capital directly. Some even dared to whisper that the Duke had finally lost his mind.

[Maid 1] “It feels like I’ve seen the world turn upside down.”

Every maid in the room nodded in solemn agreement. They tidied the morning newspapers, placed them on the table, and sank into deep thought.

Duke Ideos, a man who never rested after the war or even after becoming a Duke, took a vacation for the first time in five years. He led his knights and sprinted toward a tiny, rural village.

He returned with a slender woman and a small child. The servants could only reach one conclusion.

[Maid 2] “......Is the woman who arrived today the one from the rumors?”

[Maid 3] “You mean the Duke's first love?”

[Maid 1] “Wow.......”

When the war ended and he debuted in society, the Duke's declaration shocked the capital. He had responded bluntly to the Emperor, who tried to introduce him to the Princess. He swore to God that he would never marry or date anyone who wasn't his first love.

The Princess suffered a public rejection, and the Emperor fumed at the Duke's stiff attitude. Yet, even under the Emperor's fury, the Duke held his ground. No amount of sweet talk from the Emperor worked. He only focused on finding his first love.

[Maid 2] “He swore to God he wouldn’t marry or date anyone else.......”

[Maid 3] “But...... people thought Lady Macbeth was the Duke's first love.”

Lady Macbeth. As the Duke's academy classmate, she was the one society had rumored to be his first love. Until now, the servants believed it too. However......

They traded glances, their eyes darting back and forth.

[Maid 1] “Hmm....... Her name is Sierra, right? Let's be very kind to her.”

[Maid 2] “It doesn’t matter if she's a commoner. Yes.”

[Maid 3] “She looks like she’ll become the young mistress soon.”

Then, one of the maids leaning in the circle spoke up.

[Maid 4] “By the way.......”

[Maid 1] “Yeah, what?”

[Maid 4] “There's a rumor that the Grand Madame called for Lady Sierra.......”

The Grand Madame—the older sister of the late Duchess who had died young.

[Maid 2] “She isn’t going to kick Lady Sierra out, is she?”

The Grand Madame was a stiff, noble woman in her sixties. She was famous in high society for being a terrifyingly strict mother-in-law. People said the Marchioness Dowager, who was over forty, didn't even dare to step on the Grand Madame's shadow.

[Maid 3] “If Lady Sierra and the baby get kicked out, the atmosphere here will turn cold and terrifying again.......”

They dropped their heads heavily.

---

Meanwhile, Cassius and Sierra sat across from each other after putting Hanael to sleep. At Sierra's insistent request, they decided to write a simple contract.

[Cassius] “I’ve requested a paternity test kit.”

[Sierra] “How long will it take?”

[Cassius] “It should arrive within fifteen days at the latest.”

Sierra nodded.

The Royal Medical Center of the Hippo Kingdom developed these kits. Cassius had sent a messenger to the Royal Medical Center right in front of Sierra. Now, she only needed him to guarantee one thing.

[Sierra] “First, what I want to say is the same as before.”

[Cassius] “Okay.”

[Sierra] “Even if Hanael isn't your biological child, I want a written guarantee that no harm will come to us.”

[Cassius] “I’ll do that.”

He nodded with surprising ease. She raised an eyebrow in confusion.

[Sierra] “......Are you serious?”

He answered with a nod.

A crisp white paper sat on the table. It was the contract Cassius had brought through the butler.

[Cassius] “This contract is enchanted with magic. I’ve made my oath and left my thumbprint. Once we get it notarized, the contract becomes active.”

She scanned the contract carefully. Relief filled her chest.

Cassius isn't the type to scam someone.

The contract stated he would provide no disadvantages. If he broke the deal, the magic would cause him pain.

Since a lawyer would notarize it, she could even take him to court—though she wasn't in a position to actually sue a Ducal house.

[Sierra] “Fine, good.”

Deeply relieved, she pressed her thumb onto the paper. Now, she only had to figure out why he misunderstood the situation.

His heavy gaze fixed on her. Whenever she saw that look, she fell into the delusion that Cassius had searched for her all this time because he genuinely loved her.

A man wouldn't act this way toward a mere academy friend or a one-night stand.

She shook the lingering thoughts from her head and cleared her throat.

[Sierra] “You know, Cassius. I have a question.”

[Cassius] “Go ahead.”

[Sierra] “Since when...... did you think Hanael was your child?”

She praised herself for her choice of words. She tried to use neutral language so the sensitive Cassius wouldn't get upset.

[Cassius] “As soon as you left.”

Fortunately, her careful words paid off. He answered dryly, without his usual obsession or dripping affection. This short hint helped her immensely.

It meant something had happened right after she spent the night with him, dated him briefly, broke up, and fled to the countryside—something that made him think she was pregnant.

Now, Sierra had one task. She had to find out exactly what happened to him the moment she left.

Now that I’m back in the capital, I should contact my friends.......

She planned to meet her old friends, gossip, and find the root of this disaster.

She especially missed one friend, Rina, a graduate of the Academy's medical department. The last time they spoke, Rina was going to study abroad.

I wonder how Rina is doing.

Her eyes narrowed as she reminisced.

Cassius stared down at her. He knew exactly what she was thinking. She claimed Hanael wasn't his child and planned to escape in three months.

But he couldn't let her go.

A lazy smile played on his lips as he caught her attention again.

[Cassius] “I look forward to the next three months.”

Of course, he intended to act kindly so she could never run away again. He wanted Sierra, who was as guarded as a tiny rabbit, to fall in love with him once more.

[Sierra] “Yes, alright!”

Sierra stopped thinking and smiled brightly.

Cassius narrowed his eyes and smiled back beautifully. He wanted her to be enchanted by him until her guard melted away like spring snow.

---

Unfortunately, the plan to meet friends was delayed. Sierra couldn't leave the mansion immediately. Cassius, anxious that she might run away, refused to allow it.

He hovered around her, giving her exactly what she wanted while constantly adding that she shouldn't flee.

I love this. I want to live here forever.

Honestly, if not for Cassius' intense misunderstanding, she would have stretched out and slept perfectly. He fed her, gave her a place to sleep, and even provided great potions. She felt certain her late parents wouldn't have treated her this well.

But I should avoid more private meetings.

She planned to block all meetings with him for a while. It felt too burdensome.

After finishing a luxurious dinner with Cassius, Sierra lay on the large bed with Hanael. Her thoughts grew deep, but she couldn't show it with Hanael right there.

Hanael, lying beside her, fiddled with Sierra's stomach before suddenly poking her with a tiny hand.

[Hanael] “Mommy's tummy attack!”

She really couldn't stay serious for long! Sierra covered her mouth with one hand and pretended to be in pain.

[Sierra] “Oh, oh dear.......”

[Hanael] “Gasps. Does it hurt?”

Hanael looked down at the stomach and blew on it to make the pain go away. Sierra poked Hanael's playful cheek.

[Sierra] “It's a lie! You’re like a round bread roll, Hanael! How dare you touch my tummy!”

[Hanael] “Hehe!”

They laughed together. Simply looking at each other made them happy. They had faced many hardships, but every bit of pain melted when she saw Hanael's face and small body.

Is this a mother's heart?

Sierra gently pinched the bridge of Hanael's nose.

[Sierra] “My Hanael....... Why do you look so happy? Hmm?”

[Hanael] “Because the toys are so fun! And the stuffed animal is super, super big!”

She spread her arms wide like little sausages to describe the size of the toy. Indeed, the stuffed animals piled up like a mountain on the crib assigned to Hanael.

Sierra pulled Hanael into her arms and asked softly.

[Sierra] “Hanael, do you...... like this house a lot?”

She was worried. They would have to leave this mansion in three months. Would it be okay?

When she first left the village, she had been firm. She knew Cassius wouldn't back down, and since strange people had appeared in the village, she planned to move anyway.

But Hanael was still young. Sierra worried the girl might adjust too well—or not at all.

[Hanael] “Huh? This house?”

Hanael blinked her wide eyes. Seeing the long eyelashes, Sierra nodded.

[Sierra] “Yes.”

Hanael rested her head on Sierra's chest and whispered.

[Hanael] “You know, Mommy. I have something to tell you.”

[Sierra] “Okay, tell me.”

Sierra wanted to hear Hanael's honest feelings. She buried her face in Sierra's chest and whispered shyly.

[Hanael] “The toys the mister bought are fun, but I like playing with Mommy the most.”

Her red ears proved she wasn't lying.

[Sierra] “Mmm.......”

Sierra sighed and patted Hanael.

[Sierra] “I love you, Hanael.”

Hanael lifted her head.

[Hanael] “Kiss!”

Hanael bumped her lips against Sierra's. Sierra laughed and kissed Hanael's cheeks repeatedly like a bird.

The sweet and gentle time passed. But peace is easily broken. Just then, someone knocked on her door.

They turned toward the door at the same time.

Was it Cassius again? Or...... who could it be?

---

If you’re enjoying this novel, please consider leaving a rating or comment on Novel Updates and Naver Series.