How to Be a Dark Hero’s Daughter

* * *

The counseling session began.

Click. Click.

The lights came on. Relax, close your eyes, and share the stories inside your heart. That’s what the counselor said.

The counselor looked at the chart for a while and then asked:

“Do you want to be a good child for your Dad?”

I nodded.

“Yes.”

“Are you afraid of being abandoned if you become a bad child?”

“It was really all a coincidence that I came into this house. I feel like I need to make an effort not to lose that chance.”

“Ah, so was it hard for you to accept feelings of love?”

“A bit… But now, I’m happy.”

I have someone I like outside my family. I like Cedric.

“Have you ever lost someone precious?”

At that question, Walter came to mind.

Tears welled up.

‘Why does everyone suggest such counseling?’

People said that I’m too obsessed with catching criminals.

‘Do they all think I became strange after losing Walter?’

But as the counseling went on, the locks on my heart opened, and I found myself sharing various stories.

At the end, the counselor played a music box for me.

The sound of the ball chiming and rolling echoed.

“How is it?”

“It’s nice, like music therapy?”

Hmm, it’s good. But what time is it? Why are my eyelids so heavy?

* * *

It had been two weeks since I started a secret relationship with Cedric. And two weeks and a day since Marianne started staying in the city again. That day, Ko disappeared.

“…Is it so.”

I nodded calmly.

I wasn’t surprised. I had been thinking it might happen.

“He’s really a bad child. Despite everyone’s opposition, you took care of him so well…”

“He’s been through a lot. He’ll come back someday. I just hope people won’t torment him again…”

I was having makeup done by Pirine while reading Kien’s reply.

He said that he’ll accept my rejection of his marriage proposal, but work is work and he wants to meet as the head of the Information Guild.

‘That’s a way to put it… What a guy…’

I was slightly impressed by Kien.

“Why, Miss?”

“It’s just impressive that someone can be so calm and confident after a personal rejection, suggesting we continue to meet.”

“He’s suggesting he’ll persistently woo you again, isn’t he? Saying he’ll boldly confess his feelings again.”

“What?”

“That’s right. If he loses that connection, he might never meet the one he loves again.”

No way. That’s not like Kien.

“…What are emotions?”

“They make people indiscriminate.”

I nodded. Sometimes, I think Pirine is quite clever.

‘Emotions.’

I pondered, frowning. Something that makes everyone fragile. Emotions.

‘Something’s on the tip of my tongue.’

I tapped on the chair.

“You’ve been meeting Lady Marianne often lately. She’s staying at the hotel, right?”

“Yes.”

I meet Marianne almost daily these days. Today, we even planned to watch a play together.

‘Lately, Marianne seems lost in thought…’

I moistened my lips.

Zion and Jade knew what Collen was up to, but Marianne didn’t. Similarly, Marianne doesn’t know that I took care of Siebel.

‘Should I protect Marianne?’

From what I know, Collen was abused by his father, but Marianne was neglected.

“Even if she gets depressed sometimes, let her be.”

Collen said bluntly. This family can seem cold to each other at times, but I believed Collen had his own way of caring.

When I arrived at the theater, the play had already begun. Today, I agreed to watch the play in the royal box with Lavigne.

“Why are you late? Why isn’t the Saintess coming?”

I saw the seat next to Lavigne. The place where Marian should’ve been was empty.

‘Huh. Is Marian late?’

A strange ominous feeling came over me.