How to Be a Dark Hero’s Daughter

* * *

The small well inside the Duke’s house.

That well was filled with Ko’s blood.

They transported the water from the well to the upper reaches of the river with caution. Then, the people from the tower poured it back into the river.

Using the living vampire’s blood to neutralize the water contaminated with vampire blood was the plan.

For those who couldn’t drink the water for any reason, I went out to the streets with the Duke’s people.

“Drink the water. This water isn’t poisoned. It’s okay. Here, come and drink.”

Wearing an apron, I didn’t notice how time passed as I went around the city all day.

The next day, the situation in the city improved faster than expected.

“Yes. Blue lines may appear on your body. It means the medicine is working, so don’t worry.”

I explained to the people as I moved about.

I volunteered on the streets the second day as well. Before I knew it, people were gathering around me.

“Princess saved us!”

“Long live the princess!”

“Long live the Duke’s family!”

On the day when most people were cured, the citizens who came out onto the streets shouted, making me blush.

“Everyone is praising the princess.”

“It’s not thanks to me, it’s thanks to Ko.”

Cedric came to report the situation. The popularity of the Duke’s family was skyrocketing in the streets.

Three days after the antidote was distributed, the king rushed to our house without even his usual attire.

“Ah, princess. I just heard that most of the situation has been resolved. You quickly grasped the situation, minimized the damage, and found a solution. How can I ever repay this favor?”

I thought I would faint. The king ran out on his feet, took my hand, and bowed his head.

I hurriedly clasped both of his hands and bent my knees.

“Your Majesty, I was just fortunate.”

“But how did you find the antidote?”

“That is…”

I bit my lip.

To explain, I would have to disclose the existence of Ko, the only vampire. Should I reveal Ko’s identity on my own?

No, I can’t do that.

I shook my head.

“I just happened to find the solution while researching.”

People looked like they were dying of curiosity, but when Collen glared with fierce eyes, no one dared to probe further.

‘There must be some magical secret passed down in the Duke’s family. That’s the antidote I found.’

Eventually, that’s how the people seemed to accept it.

* * *

“People seem to think of you as mystical. Do they think the daughter of a wizard’s family is special?”

A few days later, I went out with Zion. Lately, when I go out, there are people who recognize and talk to me, which is a problem.

‘That’s why Collen never allowed a proper portrait or photo of me to be published in the newspapers.’

I suddenly realized that fact.

I looked at Zion, sitting opposite me in the carriage, and replied.

“The Duke’s family’s reputation isn’t built in a day or two. It’s natural since I’m also a member.”

“No matter what you show them, the Duke’s family isn’t surprising. But you, my lady, are beyond that.”

“Is that so?”

“They find it mysterious that the princess went missing.”

“…I hope no bad rumors spread.”

First of all, I’m also a high-ranking noble from the Duke’s family. If the actions of a young man or woman of marriageable age seem suspicious, strange rumors are bound to spread. And things like kidnapping scandals are the worst.

“Don’t worry. The Duke is taking care of it.”

I nodded.

As the carriage moved through the streets, a dark alley caught my eye.

‘Doctor Siebel, it was a very typical scheme of yours.’

I smirked.

‘What if I had been in Ko’s position?’

If I had only experienced betrayal and pain in this world. If so…

‘Would I have offered my blood as the antidote?’

I must admit Doctor Siebel’s experiment was interesting.

‘Giving the power to rule the world to the hand of the most despised street boy.’

It’s dizzying to think what would have happened if Ko had turned evil.

And if Ko had fallen into Siebel’s hands.

Or maybe…

‘Did he want to show me a future where people would kill Ko?’

If people knew Ko was the antidote, they might have captured and experimented on him, drawing his blood.

I saw the Doctor’s younger self in Ko.

‘If I had seen Ko turn out like that by Siebel’s side.’

I got chills.

‘I would’ve gone mad twice. I would’ve truly hated the world.’

Was that another lesson Siebel had prepared for me? In any case, it would’ve been an interesting experiment to him.

It was fortunate that Ko felt affection for me and decided to help the people of our country.

‘Ko will… probably live as the last vampire.’

The last time I met Ko, his speech, actions, gaze, everything was different.

‘In the darkness of this back alley.’

In a place where serial killers appear daily, he’ll live alone.

‘And that’s the world I know.’

I chuckled.

Doctor Siebel’s last experiment had failed.

His body, sunk to the bottom of the lake, probably wouldn’t return.

I leaned against the carriage wall with my eyes closed.

‘Take care, Ko.’

I touched the back of my hand inside my glove.

Underneath it was the bite mark from Ko. That was the only proof that I had met Ko.