She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 81

The Culprit Is Inside (1)

Sierra replied, looking at Cassius, who acted like a doting fool.

[Sierra] "Well...... it is surprising that such rumors spread."

[Cassius] "Rumors already spread once before that I was crazy about you. Of course, right now, I want to spread the rumor to every other empire."

[Sierra] "Why on earth?"

Her voice trembled with anxiety. Realizing her unease, he laughed softly and tapped his fingers against Sierra's lips.

[Cassius] "Because those rumors are entirely true."

His absolute, straightforward honesty struck her dumb. Hit twice by his words and the warm touch against her lips, she froze. He gently nudged the corners of her mouth upward.

[Cassius] "Ah, and the culprit of the murder case.......you have no reason to worry. That person will take the bait."

She blinked. The phrase taking the bait carried a strange weight today. However.......

[Sierra] "Yes."

She met his deep gaze and answered directly.

[Sierra] "I trust you."

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

She caught his hand and pressed a kiss against the back of it, like a knight.

[Sierra] "Let us go together."

The kiss on his hand was merely a solemn token to show they were on the same team. Yet Cassius wore an expression of deep, overwhelming emotion, looking as if his tears might spill at any moment.

[Sierra] "......Calm down first! I can't even show affection."

Sierra shook her head and patted his shoulder. Cassius nodded with effort.

Though planning the operation felt like a succession of romantic days, the day to cast the bait finally arrived. To be precise, it was the day of the puppet show.

---

Sierra and Cassius inspected the Pandore Theater before the audience arrived.

Checking the inner stage first, the troupe members practiced the puppet show diligently backstage. Sierra adjusted the curtains carefully to shield the backstage from the audience's view.

The troupe members had received a handsome payment today and would witness a rare spectacle.

And.......

Sierra smiled, scanning the theater.

A standard stage and spacious seating for the nobility filled the hall. Above the seats hung the core of their bait: the box seats. A total of three box seats hovered in the air like floating islands.

The central box seat was for Sierra and Cassius, while two wing-shaped boxes flanked the left and right sides of the stage. Floating in the middle like an island, the central box seat looked precarious, yet it provided a prime view overlooking the entire theater.

[Cassius] "Shall we head inside?"

[Sierra] "Yes."

[Cassius] "Let me escort you."

Holding his hand, Sierra entered the box seat, pouted her lips like a bird's beak, and leaned back comfortably against the seat.

The puppet show would begin at noon; it was currently eleven-thirty. The nobility would arrive momentarily.

And.......

Sierra locked eyes with Cassius. If the true culprit of the Icarus Murder Case sat in this theater, that person would be a rat trapped in a jar.

---

A few minutes later.

Having entered the box seat to inspect the interior thoroughly, Sierra crossed her arms and chuckled.

Everything turned out exactly as we intended.

She never expected the theater to be remodeled and completed so quickly.

Money is absolute power.

The box seat allowed them to see outside while remaining completely hidden from the exterior. Relieved, Sierra examined the space. The walls appeared black, but they housed a red velvet sofa for two. A magical tool attached to the interior walls enhanced the acoustics, making the sound richer. Upon the table before the sofa.......

[Sierra] "This is perfect."

A table held the custom-made magical tool. Cassius and Sierra had poured their hearts into creating this item for today's operation.

Regarding the setup with satisfaction, she walked over and sat on the sofa. Cassius sat down lazily beside her. She blinked at him.

[Sierra] "Now, shall we begin our inspection?"

He nodded vigorously like an obedient hound. He resembled a puppy wagging its tail, bringing a faint smile to Sierra's lips.

[Cassius] "Yes."

Even in a moment like this, he is adorable.

But no matter how cute he was, she had to remember Hanael. She lowered her voice abruptly.

[Hanael] "Where are you going?"

[Sierra] "Just outside for a moment......."

[Hanael] "Hmph, but I have to stay home!"

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

[Hanael] "Fine. You must buy me lots of delicious treats! I will practice this while you are gone!"

[Sierra] "Yes, stay hidden and keep practicing."

Clutching her stuffed doll, Hanael nodded as if she understood. Sierra departed after watching the child repeatedly open and close her tiny fists with determination.

Despite her young age, Hanael stayed hidden inside the mansion without going outside, practicing hard to conceal her mana. As her aunt, how could Sierra focus solely on romance? Her gaze turned cold, causing Cassius to flinch in surprise.

[Sierra] "Did you invite everyone?"

[Cassius] "Yes."

He pulled a small note from his inner suit pocket. Sierra stared at the paper thrust before her, tilted her head, and let out an exclamation.

[Sierra] "So this is the coded guest list of nobles invited to Pandore House?"

[Cassius] "Yes. I focused primarily on influential individuals who frequent the imperial palace."

Though coded, the simple cursive allowed for easy decoding. Praising herself for learning ciphers with Amille during their childhood, Sierra examined the list and nodded with satisfaction.

The imperial family led by the Crown Prince and Princess, the royal relatives residing in the capital, central political figures, and prominent noble ladies....… this lineup certainly contained the suspects for the murders. The list aligned perfectly with the information Ezel provided.

[Sierra] "Ah, did anyone from the imperial family confirm attendance?"

[Cassius] "The Crown Prince and the Princess. The Emperor...... reportedly can't attend due to illness."

Cassius frowned. The Emperor's excuse lacked credibility. Then again, the Emperor's personal appearance at a mere puppet show would look ridiculous, unless he shared the late Emperor's obsession with puppet theater.

Cassius recalled the unsettling encounter during his private audience with the Crown Prince.

[Prince] "A puppet show.......how entertaining."

[Cassius] "It would be an honor if you attended, Your Imperial Highness."

Responding to Cassius's stiff words, the Crown Prince curled his narrow eyes into a smile.

[Prince] "I have been busy lately, but I shall attend."

The Crown Prince's attitude contrasted sharply with his public reputation as a loafer. His eyes gleamed like a serpent, flashing a terrifying malice. He looked as aggressive as the monsters Cassius once slaughtered—perhaps even more so.

Cassius blinked, his mouth dry. Lost in thought, he remained still until Sierra offered a questioning gaze.

[Sierra] "What are you thinking about?"

Wetting his dry lips, he shook his head. He touched the armrest where she placed her arm and spoke.

[Cassius] "It is nothing. Look, the nobles are entering."

From the window of the box seat, the entire stage and audience area stretched below them. Sierra gazed down with curiosity.

[Cassius] "That despicable-looking man over there is Duke Hyacinth."

[Sierra] "Is it alright for a fellow Duke to call him despicable-looking?"

He chuckled.

[Cassius] "He will never know anyway. Besides, he is an absolute scoundrel."

[Sierra] "Well...... if you say so, it must be true. He does look rather despicable."

Her casual remark ended.

At that moment, Cassius pressed his hand against his temple, remaining silent. Realizing the sheer trust woven into her words sent a wave of emotion through his chest.

If I say so, it must be true.

Lately, every conversation with Sierra made his chest swell with emotion. Cassius pressed his hand against his beating heart and closed his eyes to calm himself.

[Sierra] "Cassius?"

Naturally, Sierra offered a questioning gaze whenever he became emotional, but that held no importance.

[Cassius] "It is nothing. The seats closest to the stage fill up with the most important figures first. Following the Duke in front, the next is Count Moulins; he manages the court logistics."

Regulating his heartbeat with a quiet breath, he continued his explanation, and Sierra nodded.

[Sierra] "Oh, amazing! Even seating arrangements follow strict etiquette?"

[Cassius] "Yes."

He gently pinched the bridge of her nose. Immune to his touch by now, Sierra wrinkled her nose. Compared to their early days, this casual intimacy was moving.

He spoke quietly with a faint smile.

[Cassius] "Ah, it looks like the show is about to begin."

As the seats filled, the troupe members filed out from backstage one by one. Among them stood the two lead actors, wearing stiff, awkward expressions. These lead actors had rehearsed right before Sierra just a few days ago.

She smiled at their awkward postures.

[Sierra] "Then, it is time...... let us put on the glasses."

She swallowed hard and picked up the custom-made magic glasses from the table.

I look like a complete fool in these.

Showing a ridiculous appearance to the man she liked brought a pang of regret, but she had no alternative. Recalling the words of the magic artisan who fought alongside Cassius during the Monster War, Sierra put on the glasses.

[M. Artisan] "If you wear these glasses, you will see the flow of all mana."

[Sierra] "The flow of all mana?"

[M. Artisan] "Yes. Therefore, to capture the rat you are targeting, you must wear them, Lady Sierra."

She sighed internally. Just as the artisan said, the glasses revealed the flow of all mana, but they carried a fatal flaw.

These glasses are hideous!

The magic glasses utilized translucent red sheets called 'cellophane' in place of real lenses. Rubbing her cheeks, which burned as red as the cellophane, she muttered awkwardly.

[Sierra] "Hey, I look a bit ridiculous in these glasses......."

[Cassius] "No, you look cute."

He smiled and gently pinched her cheek, stretching her soft skin. Amazingly, his fingertips felt burning hot against her skin.

Sierra touched her burning earlobe and turned her gaze away. She actively tried to avoid looking at his handsome face. To solve the case, she had to remain objective.

[Sierra] "You said you don't need to wear them, right?"

[Cassius] "Yes. I can see it naturally."

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

This was unfair. Sierra pouted. Cassius picked up the remaining pair of magic glasses.

[Cassius] "But I will wear them too."

He put on the glasses with nonchalance.

Normally, wearing red lenses should make anyone look hideous.

Yet even with those glasses, he looked infuriatingly handsome today.

[Cassius] "I like that we are wearing the same glasses."

She liked his direct remarks too.

Overcome with embarrassment, Sierra turned her gaze back to the stage. Intricately crafted puppets, puppeteers, actors, and directors gathered at the center of the stage. The curtain was about to rise.

---

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