Chapter 5 - There’s A Paternity Test?

Chapter 5 – There’s A Paternity Test?

“The way you can resolve this misunderstanding is by taking a paternity test.“

That was the method Abel suggested.

A paternity test kit from Hipo Kingdom, which is famous for its medicine!

《 Hipo Kingdom’s medical staff developed the first paternity test kit, which has drawn people’s attention.

It is said to be an innovative kit that would take up to only three months to identify illegitimate aristocratic children. 》

“Wow, I’m glad there are paternity test kits, the world has evolved.”

Sierra felt joy when she saw Abel’s scrapbook. Yes, this is it!

“Yes! Wouldn’t this prove your innocence?”

“Would it?”

“Yes, I actually looked into how to submit a birth certificate, but it was difficult to prove since the delay in Hanael’s birth registration.”

Furthermore, Hanael had been reported as the daughter of Sierra, as her sister had disappeared, leaving Hanael behind.

‘Though I said I knew my sister would ask for one later, I didn’t expect this to happen now…’

Submitting a birth certificate would rather provide an inflatable excuse for Cassius’ misconception. Abel tapped Sierra’s slightly drooping shoulder and continued.

“But this paternity kit can prove innocence without any problems.”

“How do I request a paternity test kit?”

“Actually, I don’t know if it’s… to distinguish between an illegitimate child of an aristocrat, but…”

I had an ominous feeling.

“I assume they don’t take orders from the commoners in these rural villages. They will only inspect when they are directly requested by a wealthy noble family and when the people of a noble house are present.”

I understand. Hipo’s doctors are high-end, so of course, they’ll be selective.

However, this was unfortunate for Sierra.

Can the term ‘mountain beyond mountain’ be used in this situation?

Sierra checked the newspaper carefully and stiffened up again.

“The kingdom’s doctors should be invited into the family’s mansion for three months to keep a close eye on the three of them, the couple and child… with blood and hair tests.”

Sierra lightly kicked her foot and disheveled her blonde hair.

‘Is there any other way to go to the Idios family and take a paternity test?’

Surprised, Abel cringed and sat in his chair at the same time. It made a squeaky noise, but Sierra didn’t pay any attention to it. She flipped her bangs and her eyes shone.

“Sister, we, in fact, have another problem.”

“Problem?”

“…It’s about an archmage.”

Are you talking about my sister, who’s super funky and hippy that left her daughter to her sister and doesn’t even show her face?

Abel continued with a perplexed expression.

“…That stealth spell the archmage cast has worn away. Maybe that’s why strange people started appearing in this village.”

No wonder, since a week ago, Abel has been restlessly running around with his feet on fire.

That’s why he couldn’t show up when I needed him. The pieces were slowly adding up.

Of course, that’s why it had been so peaceful!

“Yeah, the stealth spell my sister cast was only supposed to last five years, right?”

“Yes. You ranted that within five years, an archmage would appear no matter what. I’ve been trying to get in touch with the archmage for a week but I haven’t received a letter back.”

Her sister did not only disappear on Sierra but also Abel. Sierra let out a long sigh, her head clanged wildly.

“Sister, just show up for once!”

Abel, watching Sierra rolling her feet and cursing, spoke carefully.

“Well… if there’s any good news, I saw some on my way here.”

Sierra glanced at the hesitant Abel.

“…But it looks like the knights of the Idios family are guarding the mansion. So, fortunately, it’s still safe.”

“That’s a good thing, but…”

Cassius thinks Hanael is his daughter, so he was protecting Sierra. If this altercation caused by unknown reasons were to be resolved, it was clear they would no longer be protected.

“So, I’ve been thinking for a while, sister.”

Sierra made eye contact with Abel.

Perhaps the wolf-boy and her were thinking the same thing.

“You want me to run a paternity test and find the cause of Cassius’ misunderstanding and be protected all at the same time, right?”

“Yes, I’m sure it’s a lot safer for you guys to stay with Cassius. Besides, Duke Idios, who is famous for his war-torn ears, will protect Hanael, who he thinks is his child!”

After hearing out Abel, I definitely leaned toward it. Sierra nodded and answered.

“…Yes, that would be better.”

“I’ll have to contact the archmage soon after I leave.”

“Yes… let’s stay in touch. I hope we can reach them as soon as possible. Thank you, Abel.”

“No problem!”

Sierra, who became more serious, looked through her hangers and threw on a jacket over her cotton dress.

“Oh, sister, where are you off to all of a sudden?”

“There’s a saying called ‘to iron out’ in a short period of time.”

Sierra, who was about to go over to Cassius, paused.

“By the way, Abel. I have another problem. Cassius will treat me nicely for three months. Wouldn’t I be tamed by the wrong way of doing things?”

“That’s…”

Keep looking into it, this is going good.”

I was so happy…

I felt like I was Cinderella in a fairy tale…

“Y-Yes… but you’ll still have to be careful, sister.”

Sierra looked at him and nodded firmly. I have to be determined to be strong.

***

Sierra and Cassius met on a small trail outside her mansion.

‘Where do I start?’

First, I should start off by lightly coughing to freshen up the atmosphere.

“Cough, cough.”

“Did you catch a cold?”

The friendly low-pitched tone of Cassius, facing her, stuck the rim of her ear. The knight immediately rushed over and put a blanket around her shoulder.

‘Where the hell did this blanket come from…’

Sierra was afraid of adapting to his overprotection. She decided to say what Cassius had been looking forward to all along.

If she put it into a more moderately intimate tone with informal language, the current Cassius would not listen to her.

“M-May I come with you to your mansion?”

Of course, her purpose was somewhat impure.

Cassius lowered his gaze. He strode up to face Sierra.

“…Of course.”

Cassius slowly tucked her hair behind her ear, uttering a heavy sigh. This skin-to-skin contact was strangely thrilling.

“Let’s go right now.”

My voice is useless…

Sierra coughed once more before answering him.

“Aren’t you curious as to why I’m coming?”

“Whatever the reason may be, you’re still by my side.”

…I guess he’s not curious. Isn’t that too much?

Sierra opened her mouth carefully.

“You know, I have a reason why I’m going with you.”

“You can tell me anything.”

“Hipo Kingdom’s medical team developed a paternity test kit. Three months is enough to figure out if you’re a father or not.”

Cassius, who noticed what she meant, gritted his teeth and muttered.

“You want… the three of us to run a paternity test?”

“Yes, because Hanael is not your daughter.”

The paternity test would take a little while, but that’s fine.

“If your paternity test reveals she’s not your daughter, I’m sure you won’t be at a disadvantage since I kept telling you the truth.”

That was the most important problem.

But unlike Sierra’s careful statement, Cassius only snickered.

“Sierra.”

His expression became more sinister. Sierra was a little startled.

“That doesn’t really matter.”

No, why am I getting scared?

Sierra forced a smile and pretended not to be anxious.

“I do everything you tell me to do. So…”

“…”

“Don’t leave my side.”

Sierra half-trembled and scratched her forehead.

Actually, she had never run away before, but anyway, he does everything she asks him to do…

“Well, I won’t be leaving until my paternity test is over, so don’t worry.”

Sierra smiled brightly. Of course, Sierra thought she was giving her ‘bright smile’ when in reality, she looked somewhat miserable and pathetic right now.

In fact, the impact of Sierra’s appearance was…

Some of the nearby city’s knights were sensitive enough to whip out handkerchiefs and wipe away tears…?

Unfortunately, the situation seemed the same for Cassius. He mumbled quietly, clenching his teeth.

“Then, when will you leave?”

Oh, this was moving all too fast. I didn’t even think of planning when I would leave the mansion.

Sierra narrowed her eyes and whispered in a quiet voice.

“Um… I don’t know when it’ll be possible. I’ll need to find a new pharmacist to look after the pharmacy for a while, and I need to clean up the house… so it’ll take a while. ”

It would be beneficial for Cassius and herself to finish the paternity test as soon as possible. She quietly spoke to herself.

“I’d better do it as soon as possible.”

Cassius, who was listening to Sierra’s voice, laughed low. She looked puzzled because she didn’t understand why he was laughing. Cassius, who was watching the Sierra, whispered low into her ear.

“Just get your things and be ready to leave.”

“…”

“You’re coming…”

Cassius muttered in a triumphant tone that seemed to overwhelm her.

“It’s only natural that I would take care of the rest.”

I think he’s being too kind?

If the paternity test says you’re not her parent… won’t you be upset?

I feel like I’m going to feel drunker at the duke’s mansion.

It felt more ominous, but Sierra nodded slowly.

Yeah, well.

We can split up easily in three months!