How to Be a Dark Hero’s Daughter

“Zion!”

At this hour, I knew Zion checked the lights in the mansion every night.

“I’ve been wandering around the mansion looking for Zion.”

I was out of breath.

“What brings you here…?”

Seeing me in my thick robe over my pajamas, Zion had an embarrassed look.

“Wandering the mansion in that outfit?”

“I wanted to apologize to Zion before the day was over.”

“Huh?”

“I’m sorry for what I said earlier. I didn’t mean it. I just didn’t like you speaking ill of someone similar to my past. I want to be recognized by you because I like you. That’s why I said that.”

Zion looked stunned for a moment.

Then he gave a mysterious smile.

The complicated smile of an adult. But I could feel affection for me.

“Is that so? Just to tell me this, you ran all the way here? Don’t do that again.”

“But I didn’t want to sleep tonight with a bad feeling. In a short life, there isn’t even a day to waste not being on good terms with the people you like.”

“My lady…”

Zion bowed to me.

“Thank you for saying that… I don’t know what to say. But even if you think ill of me, I’ll always be loyal to you and treasure you. Don’t worry.”

“…”

“From the first day I saw you, you’ve been the only… my lady.”

This time, my heart warmed.

I just nodded.

“I was arrogant too. Sometimes I feel like you are my real family… and that feeling is a bit presumptuous. So maybe that’s why I made a mistake.”

Ah, this is the first time I’ve seen Zion speak so sincerely.

‘Does Zion think of me as a substitute for his deceased siblings?’

It’s okay if that’s why he likes me. If that puts Zion’s mind at ease.

“And what I said earlier was a lie. I like that Zion had a big influence on me. From now on and always.”

“Is that so? With just that one sentence, you can have my loyalty forever.”

Zion whispered. I nodded.

“Go back to your room now. It’s late. And from now on, there will be no more arrogant behavior. Keep a proper distance from the servants, my lady.”

I’ve grown fond of Zion’s nagging. His voice returned to the calm tone I recognized, a comforting familiarity.

In the end, Zion promised to take good care of Ko.

‘I feel like the issue is resolved.’

I got into my cozy bed.

‘I’m surprisingly tired…’

Just as I was about to fall asleep, I heard a soft noise.

Knock, knock.

Someone was tapping on my room’s window.

I put on my robe, opened the window, and went out onto the balcony. To my surprise, Cedric was there.

“Cedric?”

I was taken aback.

“Leticia.”

Cedric lightly landed on the balcony.

“How did you get here?”

“How? I wanted to see you.”

“But Dad has forbidden you to approach.”

“If you don’t get caught, it’s not a violation, right?”

I chuckled. Such a rebellious prince.

“Is that all?”

“I also wanted to tell you what’s happening in the palace because of the case we solved.”

“Oh, are the troublesome prince and princess okay?”

“Ranbi is on the verge of death. After this incident became known to the Serota Kingdom, he’s been resisting going back. He’s been trembling as if he’s totally paralyzed.”

Hmm, that’s somewhat satisfying.

“And princess Iroha is behaving.”

Maybe I feel a bit sorry for Iroha.

‘Or not? Is she the same person?’

She conspired with Ranbi, after all. Seeing my expression, Cedric said,

“Princess Iroha is being treated humanely, so don’t worry.:

“Okay.”

…He really seems to read my mind. Cedric then shared more news from the palace.

“The dungeon is about to burst with foreign nobles detained in our kingdom.”

“…Oh, those who attended the slave auction?”

Many foreign nobles attended the slave auction that day. In fact, most of them were foreigners.

“Thanks to that, the current situation in the palace is very entertaining.”

“Why?”

“Diplomats from various countries are offering bribes and pleading letters to release the detained nobles. They’re forming long queues.”

“But they can’t protest much. Slave trading is a major crime in any country, isn’t it?”

Cedric nodded.

“Our nation’s power has weakened, so we were being looked down upon by neighboring countries. This is good. Now we have great cards for diplomacy.”

I chuckled.

“I didn’t intend that, but it’s a good outcome, isn’t it?”

“From the kingdom’s perspective, it’s a great turn of events. I heard that my father plans to give Leticia a medal.”

“I’d like to decline it…”

What’s this sudden talk of a medal?

But then, the issues that were bothering them were resolved at once. It must feel refreshing, like having a painful tooth pulled out.

Suddenly, I locked eyes with Cedric.

My cheeks reddened for no reason. It’s been happening frequently these days.

When I look at Cedric, I feel a flutter in my stomach. And sometimes, I feels nothing.

‘He always appears unexpectedly, especially when I least expect it…’

That’s why. Yes, that’s why.