How to Be a Dark Hero’s Daughter

Was it a message to the queen, who was her former master?

But Collen and I both knew it wasn’t.

‘It was definitely a message to his accomplice.’

I swallowed my saliva hard.

“Leticia, he’s close to us. He’s someone who can reach even the royal family. And he also touched you.”

Collen’s hand slowly descended.

Then he whispered while placing his hand on my forehead.

“There won’t be a second time, Leticia.”

“…”

“It’s different from when your mother was here. I’ll protect you no matter what, you know that?”

“Yes, Dad.”

I slowly closed my eyes as I listened to Collen’s whisper. The sound of the wind hitting the window could be heard outside.

Ah, I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep well tonight.

* * *

For a few days, Collen was quiet. No one brought up the incident to me, so I stayed quiet too.

“A reward has come from the royal family.”

Then one day, I received a gift box from the royal family.

When I opened it, there was a sparkling little tiara inside.

“What is this? Wow, it’s pretty!”

“It seems like a gift for solving this case from the royal family.”

Collen lifted up the tiara.

The tiara was very small. It was a type of small crown worn tilted to one side.

“Isn’t a tiara something a princess wears?”

“Right. But you’re an exception now. You could say it’s a kind of honor. You can wear the tiara and enter the palace now.”

“Really? Is that a big deal?”

If I wear the tiara, I will look like a princess. But it looks very expensive.

Collen smiled kindly. Then he gestured and called Zion.

“Zion.”

“Yes, master.”

“Send this to the royal family.”

Is he trying to say thank you?

“They’re lacking sincerity. Ask for more. Oh, and the tiara is too small.”

My dad didn’t go anywhere. Those words came to mind. 

“This already looks expensive enough.”

“No. You should always receive the best. If you’re satisfied with this, you’ll continue to be treated well in the future. They only listen when you kick them in the butt. Oh, and tell them this too. ‘Is a princess’s life only worth this much?'”

“…I’ll send a polite message.”

“It’s also about the pride of the duchy, so just stay still, darling.”

They probably won’t send me a ceremonial crown next time, right?

I was a little worried, but it was probably just my imagination. I tried to suppress that feeling.

* * *

After a red flower was found on my clothes, the atmosphere of the mansion became slightly gloomy.

“I wonder how I can be of help to the Duke….”

I don’t know much about the original story, not even half of it.

‘A tremendous presence has appeared.’

The red flower criminal. I decided to call him that in my mind.

‘They said he’s Collen’s enemy.’

If Collen is the protagonist of this world, then what is he? An antagonist?

‘Is Collen also the antagonist and protagonist?’

Ugh, I don’t know. Good and evil are complicated. Anyway, I want to help Collen.

“If I help catch him?”

It was a coincidence that I solved two cases before. Maybe I could be of help this time too?

After thinking it over, I confided in Collen.

“Dad, if you give me information, I can catch him…”

Collen’s response was decisive as if he had cut it with a knife.

“No way.”

“But just gathering clues…”

“You being safe and protected here is helpful to me. You’re still a child, aren’t you?”

He promised to listen to my opinion someday. His words made me frustrated.

Actually, I don’t mind Collen treating me like a child, but that was just foolish.

Furthermore, neither Collen nor Jade showed their faces for a few days.