She’s Not Our Daughter! - Chapter 39

Chapter 39 – A Benefactor Out Of The Blue?

Cassius and his Godmother were already looking forward to it, and Sierra almost got swept away by the festive mood in the Ducal estate, but she was a spirit. She wouldn’t be able to live as a Duchess, nor would she be able to leave Hanael who’ll become a Duke’s daughter.

‘I can’t wait one more month. I have too much to do.’

“Please refrain from calling me Sierra.”

“…Then how about dressing up as our assistant? They’ll be expecting us to bring one anyway.”

“Alright, let’s do that.”

Sierra wore a veiled hat to cover her face, and an assistant’s coat over her dress. Unfortunately, or fortunately, everyone at the estate was preoccupied with matters concerning her, so she managed to slip away with this meager disguise.

‘I’ll treat the patient for sure.’

Sierra smiled secretly. Whoever the patient was, Sierra would be sure to treat them. And if the doctors from the Hippo Kingdom misdiagnose the patient, she’d be ready to point out all of the inaccuracies.

She even had a recording artifact in her pocket. She placed some in other herbal pouches as well for back-up.

With her eyes glimmering, she climbed the carriage. Finally, she could prove her own competence. It was finally time to go see the patient.

* * * 

At Marquis Mails’ mansion and inside the room of Marchioness Andante, the smell of medicine was overpowering.

Sierra, wearing a magical veil hat to hide her identity, stood behind the doctors and looked around with a heavy feeling.

‘Then… The special patient was Marchioness Andante?’

Sierra, who was determined about not getting caught, stood at the back like a ghost, trying not to draw any attention to herself. It was a good thing that her face was covered by a veil, and with the spell cast on it, she had no problems seeing in front of her.

Andante was sitting up on her bed, leaning on the headboard with a maid standing beside her, not noticing Sierra at all. Sometimes, one of the doctors would glance back at her, but that was all.

There was already another doctor beside the Marchioness as well, one that surely had treated other people from Marquisates and Dukedoms, but she even called for doctors from the Hippo Kingdom…

“Before I talk about my illness.”

While Lanya and Kilo had bowed to the Marchioness according to Imperial custom, Andante solemnly asked—

“Who is that suspicious woman behind you covering her face?”

…It seemed impossible to avoid the sharp gaze of the Marchioness of Mails. Sierra bowed, further lowering the veil. Then, Lanya stepped forward first.

“Our assistant is also from the Hippo Kingdom. She wears a veil because she is embarrassed to show a hideous burn to the Marchioness.”

“Hm…”

Andante’s suspicious gaze was still on Sierra, and in a hurry, Sierra spoke as well.

“T-That’s right.”

‘Is a burn on my face a good enough excuse…’

Sierra, who had already prepared a myriad of excuses beforehand, looked at Lanya with a bitter gaze. The conscience-stricken Lanya turned away from Sierra, wiping the cold sweat on her forehead with the back of her hand.

‘Even if you say it’s a burn, knowing Andante’s temper, she’ll tell me to take off the veil this instant. You should’ve said a different excuse!’

Surprisingly though, Andante didn’t say anything. Instead, her gaze on Sierra burned even deeper.

“A similar voice… Haa, no, what am I thinking? Alright, let me hear your diagnosis first.”

Sierra decided to observe quietly, her eyes sparkling. The symptoms alone pointed to the Amolta disease, and she confirmed it properly, so it’s time to check these doctors’ skills.

Leaning against the headboard, Andante opened her lips and said almost urgently, “Last time I was diagnosed with the Amolta disease, and you gave me medicine.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

It seemed like they’d already discussed the Amolta disease. Sierra observed the situation in front of her, excited. The doctor by the Marchioness’ side had a generous look on his face as he rubbed his mustache.

“I knew it was the Amolta disease! As expected, the medical advancements in the Hippo Kingdom are truly astounding.”

Lanya and Kilo looked at each other and smiled, then nodded.

“Well, I’m sure that’s an exaggeration, but thank you.”

But their pleasant talk was immediately swept away by Andante’s deep sigh. Then, she began to speak in a quiet voice.

“The symptoms have improved considerably, and I don’t vomit blood that much anymore, but…”

“But…?”

Feeling ominous, Kilo took a step closer to the bed. Andante bit her lip as Kilo went forward, then she slightly raised her dress to show her ankles.

“…I still have bruises on my ankles. No, they got even darker.”

It was a common side effect for the medication for Amolta. But Sierra felt that something was out of place.

Standing at the back like an invisible sack of barley, she went on her tiptoes to look over the shoulders of the maid, the doctor, Kilo and Lanya, who were all huddling by the bed.

Then, over Lanya’s shoulder, the Marchioness’ black and blue legs were seen. As a noblewoman, her ears were red with shame knowing that she had exposed her legs, but even so, she was determined.

“The bruises got thicker.”

It was an astute observation. It was obvious that if it was truly the Amolta disease, not only bruises would form, but even keratin would gloss over. Of course, there’s a chance that the Hippo Kingdom’s doctors didn’t follow her prescription…

“The bruise did? But that’s… The prescription shouldn’t have done that.”

“May I take a closer look, Marchioness?”

Recalling the prescription she gave to Lanya and Kilo, she looked over to the potions at the bedside table. As she remembered, those doctors must have followed her instructions. So there’s one remaining option left…

‘…Wait a minute. Is the Marchioness’ illness really the Amolta disease?’

Lanya and Kilo were busy examining the Marchioness’ body and checking her breathing once again. As Sierra listened to their conversation, she decided to comment on what she thought about the illness.

“Hmm, it’s strange. It certainly seems like the Amolta disease, but…”

“I’m telling you, it’s the Amolta disease! What else could it be if not that?”

“This assistant… What makes you say that?”

“The Amolta disease is easy to heal once it’s been diagnosed. But this bruise…”

“The best way to get rid of the bruises is to mix azalea with salt and olives!”

“That’s right, but…”

As she listened to the doctor’s exclamations while Lanya and Kilo talked to him, Sierra frowned slightly.

‘The symptoms definitely point towards Amolta. That’s the case, but…’

Alarm bells were going off in her head. Her eyes fixed on the Marchioness’ unstable gaze and slightly opened lips. As her lips were slightly opened, mouth sores were revealed inside her lips.

‘Mouth sores? That’s an unexpected sympt—wait a minute.’

Sierra grimaced and stepped forward. Kilo, who noticed her, looked at Sierra and asked her.

“Is there a problem, Miss Sie—no, assistant?”

“Pardon me. I need to check something.”

As Sierra approached the bedside, the Marchioness’ doctor glared at her with his arms crossed, clearly expressing his disapproval.

“Know your place as an assistant!”

“Yes, I’m merely an assistant, but I may be an assistant who can get to the bottom of this illness.”

“…The Amolta disease will be healed soon after taking the prescription a few times!”

‘You don’t even know whose hand made that prescription.’

Sierra inwardly laughed, then shrugged.

“Even if it’s truly not the Amolta disease?”

“…W-What?”

The doctor grabbed the back of his neck and cast her a glare of suspicion, but Sierra shifted her eyes towards the Marchioness instead. Beyond the thick veil, she saw the Marchioness’ face.

“…Let’s hear it.”

“M-Madam.”

“I said I want to listen to this assistant.”

“A-Alright…”

After gaining Andante’s approval, her doctor grunted and huffed. Whether the doctor liked it or not, Sierra gently touched the bulging veins on the Marchioness’ legs. She was skeptical about the bluish bruises on top of those bulging veins.

‘I’m not a doctor, but…’

Sierra looked over at the Marchioness’ face as she pressed down on the bruises. It didn’t look like she was holding back in pain, and instead, she remained aloof. Of course, putting pressure on bruises wouldn’t necessarily make all people feel pain… Sierra contemplated for a while before she spoke.

“This bruise is a symptom of addiction.”

Everyone’s eyes were on her, including Andante, who sat still without expecting much from Sierra’s words. But after she spoke, everyone except for Lanya and Kilo froze. The expressions of the maid, the doctor and Andante were all stiff.

“What… are you talking about? Do you even know what you’re saying? Addiction?!”

Sierra didn’t stop despite Andante’s shouting.

“I’m sure of it. It’s an addiction disguised as the Amolta disease.”

“…That’s not possible!”

The Marquisate’s family doctor stared at Sierra with a puzzled look. Andante was also gnashing her teeth at her.

“What’s your reasoning?”

Sierra nodded and answered with a sure tone.

“Yes, it’s certainly an addiction. Shall I present the signs?”

Sierra’s eyes shone keenly. The doctor, who was staring blankly at Sierra, suddenly yelled harshly.

“How dare you! You shut your mouth!”

But Sierra was never the type to be intimidated by others. She clenched her fist and shook her head with a grim expression. They might not be able to see her face well under the veil, but everyone could feel her resolve.

“I’m not just an ordinary assistant. I am Lanya and Kilo’s assistant. Doctor, the Marchioness herself allowed me to speak!”

Andante stepped forward, and at that, the doctor couldn’t speak further. He coughed in vain and with a red face, he said, “…H-How dare you……”

Lanya stepped forward as well and restrained the doctor.

“Marchioness, I guarantee it. This assistant has exceptional abilities. Please leave it to her.”

“Is that so?”

As if incensed by Andante’s attitude, the doctor opened his mouth and pointed blatantly at Sierra.

“What if the Madam doesn’t have any addiction?!”

“Hmm…”

When Sierra hesitated, the doctor, who had backed down for a second, straightened his shoulders again and returned to his arrogance. He was convinced that no one else could compare to himself, especially not these two doctors and this assistant from the Hippo Kingdom. He even held high positions in all famous medical schools and was often called by the Royal family.

‘Well, sir doctor, you’re looking pretty suspicious right now.’

Sierra internally sneered at him. If he had enough gall to provoke another person, then it would only be right for Sierra to respond by shutting him down.

“Then I’ll put my own life on the line. It’s addiction.”

As though Sierra pulled the pin from a live bomb with this extreme remark, the atmosphere in the room was thrown into a spiral.

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