She's Not Our Daughter!

Chapter 42

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Chapter 42 – Sister, I’ll Find You No Matter What

Before heading to Sebor, Sierra will first have to meet Cassius. Of course, this meeting with him took place faster than she expected.

“What’s going on?”

“I’m thinking of going on a short trip.”

“A trip?”

Cassius’ eyes became downcast. Seeing this expression, Sierra guessed right that it would be difficult to carry out her plans without a hitch.

“What trip?”

“Well…”

Sierra rapidly calculated what to say, knowing that Cassius would be very against her travels.

‘I should be honest then.’

Her sister wanted her connection with Hanael to be kept hidden. It still wasn’t clear why this had to be done, but…

‘First of all, I can’t reveal my sister’s identity. Let’s just tell a half-truth.’

With this firm decision, Sierra looked right into Cassius’ eyes, making his lips harden into a straight line. Those determined green eyes locked with Cassius’ blue eyes.

“Cassius, I told you, right? Hanael’s mom is someone different.”

Sierra decided to say it to him straight.

“I need to go to Sebor village for a little while to find Hanael’s mom. I heard that that’s where she’s last seen.”

“Really?”

With this, Cassius’ stiff expression relaxed smoothly.

“So you’re saying… you’re looking for Hanael’s mom.”

“Yes. Because I’m not Hanael’s mom.”

Sierra, who said this resolutely, crossed her arms in front of her chest. Cassius’ smile seemed to have grown bigger.

“Alright. I understand, Sierra.”

Now that she got permission to go to Sebor village, she was already thinking of the things she needed to pack, contemplating whether to go by carriage or teleport scroll. But Sierra’s thoughts were cut short by Cassius.

“Let’s go together.”

“……?”

“I have more enemies than you think.”

“Um…”

As Sierra looked into Cassius’ eyes, she realized what exactly he was saying.

“It’ll be dangerous if you go alone, Sierra.”

He stated it quietly as though it was an obvious fact.

“My enemies may attack you. I can’t let you go alone in a dangerous village like the Sebor village.”

Listening to Cassius’ voice that somehow sounded romantic, Sierra paused for a moment.

“Sebor is dangerous?”

“Yes. It’s the Crown Prince’s private property.

The Crown Prince’s? Sierra narrowed her eyes. It was suspicious.

‘Why was my sister at the Crown Prince’s private property?’

…Of course, her sister was a great, extraordinary archmage, so there shouldn’t be a big problem. Sierra nodded in a relaxed manner.

“Hmm…”

Seeing Sierra’s hesitation, Cassius smiled languidly.

“You’re letting me go with you, right?”

With a brilliant smile on his lips, Sierra felt like it was the perfect picture of snow melting away during the first day of spring. But she shook her head in a hurry to snap out of it.

‘If he runs into my sister, he may notice that he’s an archmage.’

It was something plausible considering Cassius’ skills. Sierra quickly drew the line.

“If you’re worried about me getting hurt or dying, I’ll be fine.”

“…What? But you’ll be going alone…”

“I’ll go with Abel. I decided to go with him.”

A flash of emotion sparked in Cassius’ eyes. He gritted his teeth the moment Abel’s name was mentioned.

“It’ll be just… just you and that pup?”

“Yes. Abel’s a good kid.”

At Sierra’s matter-of-fact answer, Cassius’ expression became distorted.

“……”

He lowered his eyes silently, his fists clenched tightly. Sierra was surprised to see him like this.

‘Are you jealous…? But I don’t even see Abel as a man.’

For Sierra, Abel was like a cute puppy or younger brother who listens well. But to Cassius, it might look different. She blinked, then smiled at him.

“He’s strong, too. Um, I only think of him as a younger brother.”

“Sierra. I want to do everything I can to let you do whatever you want, but I don’t think I can endure letting you go alone with him on a trip like it’s a honeymoon…”

“…Huh? Honeymoon?”

Cassius continued muttering in a low voice with his head down.

“…Alright. You can go to the village.”

He had a pained expression.

What did he mean by Sierra and Abel having a honeymoon? That was absurd. However, Cassius continued to look so forlorn. She couldn’t even refute him.

He gently caressed her chin and leaned closer to whisper into her ears.

“But I want to go, too.”

“……”

“If you want, I can stay out of your way. But Abel’s too weak. I can’t let you go to such a dangerous place unprotected.”

Sierra never thought that Abel was weak, but as Cassius said this, it sounded absolutely reasonable.

‘If he’ll really stay out of my way, then he won’t run into my sister. Cassius listens to me well after all.’

And apart from that…

Finding out that it was the Crown Prince’s property bothered her. As Sierra recalled the letter sent to her, there’s something off about it.

It’s true that her sister was practically a monster in terms of strength, but… It was strange that she suddenly said that Sierra could now show her own abilities.

“Come to think of it, it’s like a will…”

As Sierra spoke to herself, Cassius looked sharply at her.

“…Will?”

Ah, no. He’ll misunderstand again. Sierra rubbed the back of her neck then shook her head.

“Let’s get ready to leave tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

Relieved, Cassius nodded. Finally, the trio was formed to catch Sierra’s sister.

The next morning—

It was cold, so Sierra wore a bonnet on her head and a shawl over her shoulders. She stroked Hanael’s head and spoke softly to the child who was only half-awake in bed.

“Hanael, I’ll be back.”

Hanael hugged her rabbit doll tightly in her arms.

“Huh? Where are you going?”

“A short trip. Should I use a laundry potion for your rabbit before I go?”

“…No, I’m okay with it.”

The cute Hanael puffed her cheeks, which now looked like chubby dumplings.

“Alright. I’m leaving for a while, okay? Wait for me just a little.”

“Yeah, okay. You’ll come back after Hanael wakes up, right?”

Hanael whispered quietly in a sleepy voice.

“You’re not leaving Hanael behind, right?”

Ever since Hanael understood that her mother was a different person, she became a little more mature and a bit more unsure of herself. This made Sierra’s heart clench tightly, so she shook her head firmly.

“I’ll never leave you. I’ll be beside Hanael until the day I die, no matter what!”

“That’s… that’s childish.”

Hanael said one thing and meant another, smiling even as she said those words.

“Then, are you going on a trip with Mister Stupid?”

Sierra nodded. There was a small spark of hope in Hanael’s eyes.

“Thennn…”

Hanael folded the stuffed toy’s ears as she mumbled timidly.

“…I know now that M-Mister Stupid isn’t Hanael’s dad.”

“All of a sudden?”

Hanael’s cheeks puffed up again, and she pouted while speaking carefully.

“Still, tell Mister Stupid to have a safe trip.”

‘When did Cassius and Hanael get so close?’

Puzzled as Hanael buried her face on the bed, Sierra replied.

“Okay, we’ll be back safe and sound. Take a good nap. You know it’ll make you taller, right?”

“Yeah!”

Sierra smiled and stroked Hanael’s head, thinking of the silent wish of her lovely niece growing up happily.

Soon after, the trio found themselves in a carriage together. Abel, Cassius and Sierra were all dressed in dark robes right now for their trip to Sebor.

Cassius sat opposite of Sierra while Abel was beside her.

Abel smiled brightly as he looked at Cassius.

“I greet the Duke Ideos! Haha!”

Abel seemed to have diligently learned how to greet aristocrats. It was a rather ostentatious greeting, but it looked cute enough. Sierra had a small smile on her lips as she watched Abel’s adorable antics.

“Yes, I’ll be in your care.”

But Abel’s cuteness didn’t seem to have any effect on Cassius. The Duke drew a sharp line between them, an aloof expression on his face. It was a clear sign of vigilance against Abel.

‘I knew this would happen… I don’t think you’ll get along well…’

Abel smiled brightly anyway at Cassius, whose shoulders were slumped. Abel seemed to like Cassius quite a bit despite the latter being so wary of the former.

‘Do you think he’s your rival?’

Sierra tried to figure out the situation, but it was just too strange. Right now, Cassius was being gentle and cautious to read her mood, while Abel on the other hand was just happy to be here to accompany her—and they’re all wearing dark clothes as though they’re in mourning.

“Ohh, um. This is just like a trip, isn’t it?” Sierra said awkwardly.

But Cassius answered with a low voice.

“…You said we’re here to find Hanael’s mother.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Sierra tried to speak with a light tone.

“Let’s go!”

It really did seem like a holiday trip, but in fact, it was more like a secret mission than a leisurely trip. That’s the reason why the Duchy’s fancy carriage wasn’t used now, but it was regrettable that the carriage they were using now was rickety and uncomfortable.

Cassius noticed Sierra’s discomfort and immediately brought a blanket over her, but there was nothing he could do about the inconvenience. Sierra was about to groan, but the person next to her scooted close and whispered in her ear.

“Sister, Sister!”

“…Huh?”

The carriage trip was unbearable so far, but now it wasn’t anymore after seeing Abel’s bright smile.

“It’s amazing!”

“What is?”

“It’s amazing that we’re the Duke of Ideos is with us now to find Archm—no, Hanael’s mom right now!”

“It… is?”

“Yes!”

When Abel laughed quietly into her ear, Cassius, who was sitting opposite them, called her at once.

“Sierra.”

At that moment, the sound of Cassius’ voice rose over the carriage’s rattling. And finally, the oblivious Abel turned towards Cassius.

“It’s my second time meeting you, Your Grace! It’s nice to meet you!”