She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 72

An Unexpected Date (2)

Without making the mischievous Hanael speak, the carriage headed toward Saker Street 1-B. The unpaved road caused the vehicle to rattle repeatedly. However, that brought Sierra no discomfort. The real distress came from Cassius’s knee brushing against her own. Because of this, tension gripped her entire body.

At any moment, just like earlier.......

Don't think about it, don't think!

Casting her gaze downward, she let out a silent sigh.

The memory of what happened earlier is driving me crazy.

Remembering the emotions from the portrait session, her heart pounded as if ready to burst from her chest.

No, calm down. I will never have to paint a portrait again. I must relax.

Sierra squeezed her eyes shut to find absolute peace through sheer meditation. Right at that moment, Hanael spoke up quickly.

[Hanael] "Wow, red apple cheeks!"

She stared directly at Sierra inside the moving carriage, turning Sierra's face as red as a carrot. Cassius, who had been watching Sierra the entire time, spoke quietly.

[Cassius] "Sierra."

Sierra parted her lips. Answering him meant facing unpredictable words that would only deepen her embarrassment. Fortunately, a savior arrived at that exact moment.

[Coachman] "We have arrived!"

The coachman's loud voice rang out. Thankful for his booming announcement, she spoke quickly.

[Sierra] "Let's get out. Please escort us, Cassius!"

Recognizing her desire to avoid further conversation, Cassius maintained an unreadable expression as he smoothly escorted Sierra and Hanael out.

Stepping out of the carriage, an unexpected sight greeted the group.

[Sierra] "What is this?"

Saker Street 1-B was indeed a wasteland, just as Sierra said. Yet a bizarre machine stood in the middle of the barren land, defying the definition of a desert.

[Sierra] "Hanael?"

[Hanael] "Mm?"

[Sierra] "What on earth is this?"

Hanael flashed a mischievous smile. Sierra tilted her head in confusion. Pointing at the spinning square boxes, Hanael grinned brightly.

[Hanael] "A Ferris wheel!"

A sharp wooden fence enclosed the clearing where the carriage stopped. Inside, a massive Ferris wheel spun slowly. A darkened ticket booth sat outside the ride, and a man wearing a straw hat dozed off beyond the fence, clutching a magical repair tool. He looked like the ride's caretaker.

[Hanael] "It's the famous attraction of the Saker wasteland, the Ferris wheel!"

She laughed brightly after finishing her declaration. Until now, Sierra had enjoyed a wonderful day thanks to Hanael's schemes. First, during the portrait session!

[Maid] "Couples grow closer when painting a portrait."

[Hanael] "Portrait, noted."

Sierra's happiness shone brightly enough for even a child to notice, easing one of Hanael's deep worries.

Both of their faces turned completely red! That means they like each other!

Whenever Hanael saw a cute toy, excitement flushed her own cheeks. Since she wasn't the only one who reacted that way, Sierra's apple-red cheeks surely stemmed from the same cause.

I can always tell when Mommy is happy!

Furthermore, Sierra radiated absolute joy during the portrait session. Hanael recalled the whispered words of Perrier, the wonderful painter, as he handed over the drawing.

[Perrier] "They suit each other perfectly."

[Hanael] "I know that too."

[Perrier] "As expected, the noble little miss knows."

[Hanael] "That's right. The noble little miss knows! Because I am smart."

A satisfied smile spread across her lips at the memory.

They definitely make a good match. If only Mommy accepts him!

Cassius was a perfectly suitable match for Sierra. He possessed striking looks, noble status, an obvious devotion solely to her, and he bought Hanael endless toys and chocolates. Of course, Hanael absolutely didn't like him just because of the toys!

She stole a glance at Sierra, whose cheeks flushed beautifully.

Look at that. Her face always turns red whenever that mister is around!

While Hanael admired Sierra's apple-like cheeks, Sierra stepped forward and knelt. Normally, she would cry dirty if a single speck of mud touched her dress hem, but today differed. Sierra ignored the dust entirely, pressing Hanael for answers.

[Sierra] "Hanael, how on earth did you find out about this place?"

She gripped Hanael's tiny shoulders, fussing over her. Hanael kept her mouth firmly shut and blinked.

[Hanael] "I read it in a book!"

She spoke the truth, having read about the giant Ferris wheel in a gossip magazine provided by the maids. As Hanael scratched her head, Sierra's gaze sharpened, but Cassius cut in first.

[Cassius] "Sierra, I don't think that is what matters right now."

[Sierra] "Why?"

[Cassius] "The ticket booth next to the Ferris wheel just lit up."

[Sierra] "Wait, wasn't this place abandoned?"

She looked around in confusion as he firmly held her arm, answering every single question.

[Cassius] "Perhaps they redeveloped it. There is a ticket booth next to the Ferris wheel, along with magical repair tools and mages. Though no one is riding it yet......."

Just as he noted, not a single soul appeared in the vicinity, as word of the attraction had only begun to spread quietly.

[Sierra] "There really is a ticket booth over there. But how did Hanael find out about this place......."

Cassius narrowed his eyes. The massive Ferris wheel spun magically in a completely deserted field. Examining every detail of the ride, a strange light gleamed in his lazy eyes.

[Cassius] "It looks like she wants us to ride it."

Watching them, Hanael flashed a proud smile like a little wedding planner who had successfully matched a couple. Of course, the maids had mentioned this location first. Hanael clenched her chubby fists, recalling their conversation.

[Maid] "They built a magic Ferris wheel on the outskirts, and people say it's a love spot for couples."

[Hanael] "What is a love spot for couples?"

[Maid] "Oh dear, that's......."

[Maid] "Watch your mouth! You shouldn't say such things in front of Miss Hanael!"

[Maid] "Anyway, it means it's a wonderful place, right?"

[Maid] "Yes, yes! Of course. It's a place where love blooms......!"

A place where love blooms!

If love bloomed inside a Ferris wheel, it would provide absolute help to the shy Sierra.

Hanael proudly made her declaration to Sierra and Cassius.

[Hanael] "They said this is where you ride the Ferris wheel!"

Still oblivious to Hanael's underlying motives, Sierra tilted her head.

[Sierra] "Huh? A Ferris wheel all of a sudden? You said we were throwing a party.......?"

Meanwhile, Cassius studied the ride, his expression unreadable. Hanael stole a glance at him, suspecting he already deduced her intentions.

[Sierra] "Hanael, you need to answer me."

[Hanael] "Mm?"

No matter how much of a genius she was, a child remained a child. Juggling two thoughts at once proved difficult for the young Hanael. Startled by Sierra's voice, she blinked rapidly and gripped Sierra's sleeve tightly.

[Hanael] "I did answer."

[Sierra] "Why did we come to a Ferris wheel, hmm? Do you want to ride it? Should I let you?"

Sierra wore a thoroughly bewildered expression, but Hanael covered her mouth and giggled.

[Hanael] "No, Hanael isn't going to ride it. Hehe."

Mischief laced her giggles. Sierra's gaze sharpened.

[Sierra] "Why are you laughing like that? That is the exact laugh you use right before causing trouble, hmm?"

[Hanael] "Hmph, I am not causing trouble! A celebration party for Hanael must be unique. That is why I planned a unique party!"

[Sierra] "Right, well, this doesn't even qualify as trouble, I suppose......."

Because Hanael had caused countless disruptions in the past, Sierra questioned everything. As Sierra's gaze narrowed, Hanael pouted.

[Hanael] "Hmph, you are mean. Hanael is a good girl."

[Sierra] "What is so mean now?"

[Hanael] "I brought you here to do something fun together, but you are making triangle eyes."

[Sierra] "Triangle eyes?"

[Hanael] "Ugly triangle eyes! Like you are going to spank me!"

Sierra pinched and stretched Hanael's pouting cheeks.

[Sierra] "So if Hanael isn't riding that Ferris wheel, who is?"

Though her chubby cheeks stretched out like cheese, Hanael decided to speak her true thoughts, letting her real motive slip.

[Hanael] "Cassius and Sierra ride it together!"

[Sierra] "How dare you use his name so casually......."

[Cassius] "Hanael."

Listening intently to their comedic banter, Cassius seized the moment to interject. Ready to scold the child, Sierra forgot her original purpose and stared at him in surprise.

[Sierra] "What is it, Cassius?"

Despite her flustered question, he smirked at her.

[Cassius] "Somehow, I think Hanael is right."

[Sierra] "Huh?"

[Cassius] "You and I riding that Ferris wheel. It sounds wonderful."

Sierra widened her eyes. Hanael clapped enthusiastically.

[Hanael] "Exactly!"

Just standing beside him made Sierra's heart plummet to the floor. The lips she deliberately tried to keep stiff in front of Cassius unraveled, forcing a smile.

[Sierra] "How many minutes does it take? No, wait. We have to call the caretaker."

Yet Sierra had no time to move. Hanael flashed a knowing smile, having already uncovered all the details.

[Hanael] "Thirty minutes!"

[Sierra] "What? A thirty-minute ride on a Ferris wheel?"

At her bewildered question, Hanael answered smoothly.

[Hanael] "It takes thirty minutes, and the coachman mister can just call the caretaker! Right, mister?"

[Coachman] "Pardon? Ah, yes......."

Standing awkwardly nearby, the coachman nodded dumbly.

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

Looking at Hanael, Sierra shook her head rapidly. Fearing that being alone with Cassius would expose her emotions, her movements grew desperate.

[Sierra] "Hanael, if we ride the Ferris wheel by ourselves, it will be dangerous for you. A child must not stay here alone."

[Hanael] "Mm? Why?"

She shook her head.

[Hanael] "Mister brought his knights, so it's perfectly fine!"

Hanael's bright eyes scanned the surroundings. Knights emerged one by one from the bushes, completely catching Sierra off guard.

To think Hanael planned even this detail.......

[Hanael] "Hanael can just play with the knight mister! It's not dangerous at all! Right, mister?"

---

Ultimately, Sierra and Cassius boarded the Ferris wheel. Although Sierra tried to maintain a displeased expression, Hanael caught her mouth curling upward.

Hanael watched the Ferris wheel ascend toward the sky with a thoroughly proud smile.

Wow, Hanael really is a Cupid! So smart!

Elated by her own genius, Hanael shrugged, recalling the contents of a book she recently read.

[The Story of Cupid, the Baby Angel Who Brings Lovers Together.]

An illustration next to the text depicted Cupid's tiny body, which perfectly matched her current size. Imagining Cupid, her eyes curved into soft crescents.

I am Hanael, the baby angel who brings lovers together!

She giggled, covering her mouth. Watching the carriage float high into the sky, she gaped in awe.

This is the best!

A deep sense of pride filled her chest.

She would do anything for their happiness—especially Sierra's. To Hanael, the mysterious mother Sierra occasionally mentioned held no reality; Sierra felt far more like her true mother, friend, and family.

[Hanael] "They look so happy!"

Although the carriage glass obscured her view, they were undoubtedly smiling inside.

Hanael flashed her happiest smile as she watched the magical Ferris wheel float into the sky.

Unfortunately, the reality inside the carriage took a completely different turn from her expectations.

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