She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 80

Rumors of the Mad Duke of Ideos

An expression not matching a genius at all, so to speak....... just a completely foolish look.

[Hanael] "I hate monsters! I'm scared!"

Surprisingly, it worked. Her face turned bright red. Sierra stared at her with a bewildered expression. Hanael parted her lips in absolute fear. Sierra asked back instinctively.

[Sierra] "You...... you believe that?"

Hanael blinked.

[Hanael] "Yes!"

[Sierra] "......Why?"

At her slow question, Hanael looked surprised and answered boldly.

[Hanael] "Silly mister—no, Mister Cassi never lies!"

What a strange bond. Sierra looked at Cassius, then at Hanael. Reflecting on the bond between them, she realized both of them had suffered deeply.

I want to protect them.

Although a commoner with absolutely nothing had no right to think this way, looking at them brought tears to her eyes.

To keep Hanael from getting hurt, I must make this operation succeed.

It was a simple matter. Since she would protect Hanael without fail, not a single hair on the child's head would be harmed. Yet, tears repeatedly welled in her eyes. Hanael tilted her head in confusion and asked.

[Hanael] "Hmph, what is it? Do you hate that I trust Mister Cassi? You look like you're going to cry!"

[Sierra] "Look like I'm going to cry?"

[Hanael] "Yes! That is a crying face!"

Hanael poked her cheek. Realizing both Hanael and Cassius were studying her face, She forced her downturned eyes wide and shook her head.

[Sierra] "I am not crying."

[Hanael] "I didn't say you were crying! I said you look like you're going to cry. Dummy!"

The rude tone and the chubby, white face filled with mischief looked adorable. Out of habit, she hugged Hanael tightly.

[Hanael] "I can't breathe!"

Yet she squeezed Hanael even tighter.

[Sierra] "I love you, Hanael."

Hanael smelled of sun-dried fabric and fresh milk—a savory, sweet baby scent. Holding her close, Sierra took a ragged breath.

[Sierra] "Hanael."

[Hanael] "Mm? Hanael will hide now! I hate monsters!"

[Sierra] "Hmm, do you know what the monster likes?"

[Hanael] "What is it?"

[Sierra] "The blue light that comes from Hanael's hands!"

[Hanael] "Heh, the monster likes that?"

[Sierra] "Yes. So, shall we play a fun game of hide-and-seek?"

[Hanael] "Mm? A fun hide-and-seek game? A dodge-the-monster game?"

Hanael clasped her hands tightly.

[Sierra] "Yes. Listen carefully."

Ever since receiving a succession of strange notes from the drawer, Sierra had warned the maids to restrict Hanael's movements. Furthermore, since Cassius brought up the monster, fear would naturally keep the child indoors.

However, that alone remained insufficient. Having instilled fear, she had to offer a carrot and explain in detail. This little rascal possessed immense mischief; suppressing her blindly would only cause her to bounce away like a rubber ball.

She gripped Hanael's hand tightly, preparing to speak softly, but Hanael cut in first.

[Hanael] "But Hanael wants to tell everyone that I am a genius."

The way Hanael trailed off signaled her reluctance. Absolute anxiety clouded her green eyes. Her gaze held deep regret over being unable to boast to the world about her genius status.

The childlike idea looked incredibly lovely and cute, but Sierra had to resist. Everything was entirely for Hanael's sake.

[Sierra] "That will have to wait until later, after we destroy all the monsters."

Until now, absolutely no one had managed to conceal water mana properly. The air purified wherever a child with water mana passed, leaving distinct traces just like a wet stain on blue fabric. But....... Hanael was a genius. She was Amille's daughter.

[Hanael] "After destroying the monsters......."

[Sierra] "Yes. You can do it, right, Hanael? If you behave, hmm, as a reward......."

Sierra fell into deep thought. At the mention of a reward, Hanael's eyes sparked.

[Hanael] "Grant me a wish!"

Her eyes sparked. Sierra stroked her hair.

[Sierra] "Yes, I will. Is your wish to eat lots of candies again?"

Hanael shook her head with absolute determination.

[Hanael] "No!"

I will call you Mommy every single day. No, wait. She dislikes that, so I will only call you Mommy for exactly three days!

Hanael grinned broadly and tightly hugged the soft slime toy Sierra had gifted her.

Sierra also stared down at Hanael and chuckled softly. She had to protect this child and her pristine smile from murderers and intruders alike.

---

Sierra and Cassius engaged in eccentric behavior for exactly one day. Yet that single day of eccentricity threw the Empire—specifically imperial high society—into an utter frenzy. It stemmed from the fresh news emerging from the Ideos ducal house daily.

Rumors that the magnificent Duke Ideos had uncharacteristically cleared out a children's toy store had traveled widely before dying down. Yet this time, he took a definitive step. He purchased a theater solely for a magical puppet show—and that venue happened to be the Pandore Opera House, which exclusively hosted the Empire's most famous operas.

They even claimed a puppeteer possessing the pure blue water mana would personally direct the show. Water mana inherently held the power to purify nearby individuals. Thus, viewers could experience a cleansing sensation while watching the puppet theater.

A succession of extraordinary news left the capital's high society buzzing. Furthermore, the Duke invited every prominent social figure to a mere puppet show!

The astonishing news drifted into a tea party hosted by Lady Macbeth. Among the dozen or so individuals gathered, roughly five had received invitations to the puppet show. They sat with proud expressions, smirking quietly.

[Lady A] "I heard you received an invitation from the Ideos ducal house?"

[Lady B] "Yes. The puppet show at the Pandore Theater."

Watching the lady boast, a younger noblewoman stomped her feet beneath the round table in sheer envy.

[Lady C] "My goodness, to think Duke Ideos would sponsor a puppet show of all things......."

[Lady D] "And for it to take place at the Pandore Theater!"

[Lady A] "They say someone possessing water mana will direct the show, right?"

[Lady B] "Still, that puppeteer is a commoner. It might amount to nothing."

[Lady C] "But they say the child is young—around thirteen years old. I am incredibly curious! For a child with pure mana to direct a puppet show using magic, she must be a genius."

A lady excluded from the upcoming performance at Pandore House clicked her tongue in annoyance.

[Lady D] "Hmm, but a puppet show triggers some hesitation. It is not an opera, after all......."

Because the late Emperor enjoyed watching puppet theater, the performances didn't face dismissal as lowly commoner entertainment. Yet society treated them as an entirely lower class compared to noble arts like opera. Yet the Ideos ducal house hosted this specific show, altering its significance completely.

In truth, the nobility of high society largely owed a debt to Cassius. Whether a sense of obligation mixed with gratitude toward the hero of the Monster War, or a direct financial debt, they had no choice. In a noble society where saving face and maintaining elegant etiquette formed the absolute core of virtue, everyone had to play along with the Duke's eccentric maneuvers.

Therefore, an older marchioness offered no response to the derogatory remarks about the show. Instead, she rolled her eyes and elegantly shifted the topic.

[Marchioness] "More importantly, I heard he purchased Pandore House and organized this show solely for his lover?"

[Lady A] "How could such a thing even happen?"

[Lady B] "They say revisions to the marriage laws will proceed rapidly as well......."

[Lady C] "Could it be a profound love?"

The conversation shifted immediately toward Sierra, the commoner known as Cassius' true love.

[Lady D] "Come to think of it, Lady Macbeth, you mentioned meeting this woman named Sierra before?"

Lady Macbeth rested her chin on her hand with a bored expression, studying the crowd.

The onlookers swallowed hard. Before Sierra's appearance, society widely recognized Lady Macbeth as Cassius' first love. Expecting a malicious outburst or a jealous remark, everyone gripped their teacups tightly, monitoring the room.

Contrary to high society's anticipation of a scandalous drama, Lady Macbeth's comment remained surprisingly plain.

[Macbeth] "Yes."

Her elegant, calm tone caused a heavy silence to descend over the room. Yet her brief answer acted as a fuse. The noble ladies grew excited, losing all ability to mask their heightened emotions. Everyone leaned in toward Lady Macbeth, questioning her eagerly.

[Lady A] "Well, how was she?"

Lady Macbeth smirked, staring directly at them. She felt utterly sick of these gossip-obsessed nobles who desired to see her blinded by jealousy. However, displaying such irritation didn't fit a high society lady. Thus, she curled a single corner of her mouth into a sneer and answered with a refined posture.

[Macbeth] "She was beautiful."

Perhaps due to her uncharacteristically high, elegant updo, her precise tone, or her status as the host, everyone offered awkward smiles and agreed with her assessment.

Meanwhile, Lady Macbeth recalled their encounter at the high-end salon. Cassius had not spared her a single glance since that day. It made perfect sense. Yet his subsequent actions bordered on petty. Lady Macbeth had sent several letters attempting to meet Sierra, but every single one returned to prevent her from seeing even a single strand of Sierra's hair.

She seemed like a fascinating woman.

[Lady B] "Still, honestly, her status is a bit...... lowly."

[Lady C] "No one even knows where she wandered before......."

[Lady D] "Well...... she is likely a mere mistress. Don't you think?"

[Lady A] "Regardless, we will finally see the Duke and that woman in public."

Mockery rippled through the gathering. Sierra was the protagonist of the century's greatest scandal, reaching far beyond the Ideos ducal house.

Monitoring the mixture of curiosity and contempt surrounding Sierra, Lady Macbeth fanned herself gently, signaling her intent to speak.

Naturally, everyone's gaze locked onto Lady Macbeth. Wearing a pale expression, she looked at the socialites and declared sharply.

[Macbeth] "Anyone who dares to target her maliciously will face total ruin."

Her aggressive remark thoroughly disrupted the atmosphere once more, delivered in a tone fierce enough to make a young lady hiccup.

[Lady B] "Lady Macbeth!"

[Macbeth] "Yes."

[Lady B] "What an utter lack of manners......."

She chuckled, meeting the glares of the surrounding crowd.

[Macbeth] "It is nothing compared to how you degraded the ducal house just now."

Degrading Sierra equated to insulting the Ideos ducal family itself. The gathered crowd swallowed hard. While silence reigned, Lady Macbeth smoothly shifted the topic first.

[Macbeth] "I heard every prominent social figure received an invitation. Who else was invited? I am curious."

Handing them a burning topic, the conversation shifted immediately. Although they looked displeased, few dared to offend Lady Macbeth at a tea party she hosted.

[Lady C] "Well, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince is attending!"

The mention of the Crown Prince caused the guests to forget Lady Macbeth's aggressive remark. A lady whose face flushed crimson like a hot potato panted in excitement.

[Lady D] "Ah...... Her Imperial Highness the Princess as well!"

[Lady A] "It has been quite a while since the Crown Prince made a public appearance, correct?"

[Lady B] "Will the Crown Prince escort the Princess? Or perhaps another lady......."

The atmosphere erupted like a wildfire. Lady Macbeth cast a cold gaze over the crowd, but her expression held no importance to them anymore. Ultimately, she chuckled and brushed back her hair.

---

A week later, a messenger arrived at the Duke's estate with news that the reconstruction of the Pandore Opera House stood complete. Delivering the message to Sierra, Cassius made a solemn declaration.

[Cassius] "Just as expected, rumors regarding the puppet show have spread. Talk about Pandore House and our hiring of a puppeteer with water mana....... details like that."

Sierra nodded seriously. Everything progressed beautifully according to their intent.

[Cassius] "Ah, and one more critical detail."

[Sierra] "A critical detail?"

He adopted an even more solemn expression, speaking with absolute gravity.

[Cassius] "They say rumors are everywhere that Duke Ideos has gone completely mad over his commoner lover."

Naturally, the content of his statement lacked any real solemnity.

---

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