She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 74

Honestly speaking, I like you

Hanael marched diligently.

What kind of mister is he?

She remembered an ugly mister she encountered in the past when visiting Sierra at a high-end salon—a man with green hair and a vibrant, sun-like complexion.

He is different from that mister.

A terrifying bloodlust radiated from him, along with the attitude of someone searching for something.

She shrank back and tugged on a knight's uniform.

[Hanael] "Who are those misters?"

The Duke's knights tilted their heads, staring at the horses near the wasteland. Studying the steeds and the armbands on the distant men's arms, one knight wore a bewildered expression.

[Knight] "Why are they here? Those are the Crown Prince's cavalry troopers"

[Hanael] "Huh? What is a Crown Prince?"

[Knight] "Ah...... well."

Her barrage of innocent questions continued, leaving the knights in a difficult position. Yet the toddler showed zero mercy, widening her eyes as she pressed for answers.

[Hanael] "Tell me. Is the Crown Prince stronger than the silly mister—no, wait. Is he stronger than Mister Cassi?"

The innocent question threw the knights into deep trouble. Claiming Cassius lacked power counted as disrespect toward the ducal house, while declaring him stronger insulted the imperial family. Consequently, they.......

[Knight] "Oh, look over there! Lady Sierra and His Grace are descending!"

They quickly pointed at the Ferris wheel to escape the crisis. Genius or not, a child remained a child.

Hanael's attention shifted immediately, her eyes widening as she stared at the ride.

What happened up there? Did their relationship improve? Were the maids right?

Turning these questions over simultaneously, she locked her fingers together as if praying, her eyes sparkling. The Ferris wheel neared the ground.

---

At that moment, Sierra sat trapped inside the slowly descending Ferris wheel. Staring down at the spinning world, she spoke abruptly.

[Sierra] "You know, I will speak honestly."

She resolved to face her emotions openly: her affection for Cassius Ideos, the warmth in his gaze, and the tenderness in his voice...

[Sierra] "Our meeting as teenagers was merely a brief escape. Spending the night with you back then felt similar."

A tremor ran through his features at her words. Shock marred his face, yet Sierra remained silent. He closed his eyes briefly to compose himself, then spoke.

[Cassius] "It doesn't matter."

His eyelashes trembled. However, that held no importance. Sierra rested her index finger against his lips and shook her head firmly.

[Sierra] "First, Cassius. Listen to me."

Inside the compartment that had reached its peak and now descended slowly, she whispered.

[Sierra] "What I just said is not the critical issue between us."

[Cassius] "It is critical to me......."

When she shook her head firmly, he drooped his eyebrows like a dejected puppy. Amidst the descending silence, she continued in a gentle tone.

[Sierra] "This is what I want to say."

[Cassius] "What is it?"

His hot breath brushed against her index finger. Taking a deep breath, she studied his features once more. Her gaze held absolute affection and warmth.

Cassius stared into her green eyes, searching for a trace of his own emotions mirrored within them. The mere thought overwhelmed him. Suppressing the smile threatening to form on his lips, he raised an eyebrow.

[Cassius] "Tell me, Sierra."

She felt her own nerves tightening. Embarrassment washed over her as if she stood exposed, forcing her to swallow hard.

But....... I can't turn away anymore.

Despite her continuous attempts to flee after realizing her feelings, escape was no longer an option. She lowered her gaze and spoke.

[Sierra] "Honestly speaking, Cassius."

[Cassius] "Yes."

She finally raised her eyes. His intense gaze locked onto her, making her tremble twice as much as usual. With a trembling fingertip, she pressed firmly against his lips. Inside this enclosed space, with zero hiding spots remaining, she had to reveal her heart.

Taking a long, deep breath, she prepared to speak. Yet at that exact moment, like a final safety switch activating, her sister's voice echoed through her mind.

Sierra, listen carefully. Life is just you and me. If a strange scoundrel tries to cross the line, bite him. Love is an illusion. Especially if a noble claims he likes you, it is never his true heart.

That won't happen! I am a commoner!

Anyway, if a noble approaches and says he likes you, it's a lie. Never believe it.

Her sister's childhood lessons, which formed her entire worldview, resurfaced instinctively. At that exact moment, hesitation gripped her, delaying the words, I like you too.

[Cassius] "Sierra?"

An intense compulsion to abandon everything seized her. Yet Cassius urged her forward.

The moment he spoke, the Ferris wheel clanked as if by fate, cheering for her confession. She summoned her courage. She delivered each syllable with absolute sincerity.

[Sierra] "Honestly speaking, I like you."

She removed her hand from his lips and pressed it against her own racing heart. Following her wild heartbeat, she confessed her love. While the impulsive admission stemmed from the intense atmosphere, witnessing his bright red face made it entirely worthwhile.

Realizing her own face must have flushed just as red, she let out a few dry coughs. He had yet to deliver an answer. Watching him emit ragged breaths with a crimson face, she pressed him.

[Sierra] "You can speak now. Aren't you going to answer?"

He stared at her intently, then pressed his lips against hers. The moment their hot lips overlapped, the kiss—shared with matching feelings—delivered an incredible thrill.

Following the brief embrace, he slowly pulled away.

[Cassius] "Thanks to you, high places no longer terrify me."

She marveled as color returned to his pale face.

[Cassius] "Rather....... I think a pleasant memory remains."

Joy enveloped her at his words. She smiled softly, staring at him.

A single sound disrupted their brief silence. Screech— The Ferris wheel, which had crafted a beautiful memory for them, finally reached the ground. Outside the glass window, the ticket seller approached with a grumpy expression.

Before leaving the compartment, she spoke.

[Sierra] "I have a request."

He stared at her swollen lips as if entranced, then nodded.

[Cassius] "Tell me once we step down."

He smiled brightly, looking like someone who received the most magnificent gift in the world. Then, he reflected deeply, wondering if his response fell short. He concluded that answering poorly after receiving her confession felt criminal.

[Cassius] "I will even pluck a star for you."

She froze as if witnessing an utter atrocity. Hearing anyone else say those words would bring intense cringe, but....…

Why don't I hate it?

She let out a chuckle and nodded.

[Sierra] "There is no need to go as far as plucking a star."

Instead, knowing a man desired to pluck the stars from the night sky for her brought immense happiness. She felt certain she would be happier than anyone who owned a real star, even though tracking her sister's whereabouts awaited her outside the ride. At least at this exact moment, joy consumed her.

With a creak, the door flung open. Facing the ticket seller's sour expression didn't bring any displeasure today. Cassius shared her mood.

[Cassius] "This is a tip."

[Seller] "Pardon? This much?"

He handed a mountain of tips to the ticket seller who had done absolutely nothing.

---

Sierra quickly regained her usual composure, but Cassius remained thoroughly restless throughout the carriage ride. Strangely, Hanael matched his chaotic energy. Sitting on Sierra's lap, she stared at him as if ready to devour him.

[Hanael] "What on earth did you do! What did you do to make your face so red!"

Her scolding threw him into rare embarrassment. She continued her interrogation.

[Hanael] "What is it? You two are dating again, right?"

[Sierra] "Where on earth did you learn phrases like 'dating again'?"

Despite Sierra's bewildered question, Hanael merely pouted and issued another command.

[Hanael] "Anyway! Tell me what happened!"

Failing to mask his flustered state, Cassius wiped his face. Sierra shook her head internally.

Making that face makes you look completely guilty.

Yet she kept the thought to herself. Exploiting a single slip of the tongue would allow the little rascal to seize control of the situation.

The dynamic continued even after they returned to the Duke's estate. Sierra intended to converse with Cassius after dinner. However, an issue arose: he began acting overprotective, resembling a mother bird recovering a lost chick.

At the dinner table, Hanael sat with a bib secured around her neck. Cassius extended a fork toward Sierra.

[Cassius] "Ah."

They sat across from each other, separated by a significant distance, making the extended fork utterly ridiculous.

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

When Sierra froze in bewilderment, he adopted a strict expression and pushed the fork toward her mouth again.

[Cassius] "Ah, open up."

She stared at the fork in his hand and then at his nonchalant expression, freezing in utter confusion.

Isn't this the food-feeding ritual that lovers always do? Does he not even get goosebumps?

Having devoured romance novels, she understood his intent, but his flashy movements as he waved the fork around only made her dizzy.

Naturally, someone viewed him with even greater suspicion: Hanael, the only other person at the table besides the serving maids.

[Hanael] "Silly mister is weird."

Yet he smiled broadly, delighted even when addressed as a silly mister.

Staring down at the fork and the meat secured on it, Sierra answered coldly.

[Sierra] "I can eat perfectly well on my own."

[Cassius] "I am worried about you. From one to ten."

[Sierra] "About what exactly?"

Curious about his sudden anxiety, Sierra studied his features. Cassius merely chuckled. He had maintained this state since their ride—chuckles escaping him constantly as if wrapped in endless happiness.

[Sierra] "You look like a complete fool."

The words slipped from her lips before she could stop them. She froze.

Wait, this is the Duke's estate. I must watch my tongue. Calling the Duke a fool....…

Yet he grinned like a village idiot. She stared at him with a deadpan expression.

---

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