How to Be a Dark Hero’s Daughter

Bang! The king’s palm slammed down on the dining table.

“Cedric!”

The conversation during dinner silenced the royal family. Lavigne shut her mouth, choking back a sound.

“Before my eyes get clouded, I won’t accept a daughter-in-law from commoners! Even if she’s a Duke’s adopted daughter! Understand!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Prepare the palanquin quickly! And get the engagement gift ready in advance!”

Cedric remained silent.

“You didn’t confess to the princess on your own, did you? I, as a father, can’t tolerate that. Especially without my consent.”

Cedric stayed silent.

“How’s the progress! Ahem, ahem.”

Just say you’re curious about your son’s love life… The guards thought simultaneously with cold eyes.

“Who would’ve thought I’d allow such a smart and beautiful daughter-in-law! If you want to bring her, do it quickly! Shouldn’t we lay down a velvet path?”

The king’s words were inconsistent. Hearing this, Lavigne’s hand trembled.

“Can you, my brother, even like my closest friend?”

“Lavigne, that’s…”

“If you don’t set up a room for me in your newlywed home, I won’t forgive you! I have to have pajama parties with Leticia.”

“If Leticia or anyone else comes to someone else’s newlywed home for a pajama party, that’s absurd.”

Cedric kindly pointed out the reality.

“Oh my, so scary. Being related to the Duke is intimidating. What should I wear when our families meet?”

The Queen, who recently showed signs of being fragile, murmured.

“So, Cedric, did you get the autograph from the princess I asked for?”

Ever since Leticia saved her once, Princess Anne became a devout fan.

Cedric suddenly realized.

This family doesn’t have the right to criticize the Duke’s family because there’s no one normal in the royal family either.

* * *

Anyway, Cedric thought the royal family was kind and simple for royalty. And that was true.

Otherwise, how can you explain the Queen who’s so fond of Cedric, who’s not even her own son, and siblings who trust and follow him?

From a young age, because he was born as the most outstanding talent in the royal family, Cedric grew up with many expectations.

“I should’ve acted like a fool.”

Muttering, Cedric turned a page. Opposite him in the royal library, Jade, who was reading, looked up.

“I didn’t ask you to speak, Your Highness. And the same goes for my younger sister. Don’t bother her.”

“Yes.”

Cedric chuckled.

He often ran into Jade in the royal library.

Precisely, in a restricted area of the library where forbidden magic-related books were kept. Only a few people, like dukes, scholars, some royals, and top mages, had access.

Even with this bond, they weren’t friends. Probably because Cedric liked Leticia.

There weren’t many regular visitors to this dark library. After Jade left, Cedric was alone with the dusty books. He even napped there.

“Your Highness, you’re reading this book again.”

The librarian, an elderly magician, said to Cedric.

“I find this book intriguing.”

“It’s a romantic legend.”

“Is it romantic? It’s a story about human life.”

The librarian recited the passage Cedric was reading. The old man had memorized quite a lot of the books’ contents.

“They say that wizards with blood mixed from other world’s could take out their hearts. And when they give their heart to the one they love, they can create miracles.”

“What kind of miracles?”

“Give great powers or revive the dead. In the age of magic, extraordinary events occurred.”

“What remains for the wizard after giving their heart?”

Cedric looked at the librarian and asked, a void in his question.

“Love remains. Because it was given out of love.”

“That makes sense.”

Cedric smiled.

“Why else would it be called ‘Engraving’? Because a wizard who gives their heart is tied to the other person for life.”

Cedric nodded slowly.

Then one of the inquisitors came to call Cedric. Cedric put the book back.