How to Be a Dark Hero’s Daughter

The street musician played a lively winter tune. On the tall tree in the middle of the train station, people had hung hand-made decorations.

On each pillar along the platform, there were twinkling flowers made of cloth, and the snow that had settled above them sparkled like diamonds.

Suddenly, it’s mid-January.

Greeting the New Year, people everywhere wore excited expressions.

“May the New Year bring blessings!”

The station staff greeted the passing people.

“It feels a bit lonely.”

Alone, I walked across the platform after getting off the train with my trunk. No one came to pick me up at the station.

‘They probably knew I wouldn’t be home for another three days.’

This early return from my trip was unexpected. I left without telling Marianne, who was traveling with me.

‘Marianne might be sleeping in the hotel room.’

I hired a carriage myself.

“Are you traveling alone, given your noble appearance?”

“Yes, it turned out that way.”

The coachman glanced over my attire, a fur hat and a fawn fur coat.

“What’s that wrapped on your back?”

“Oh, this?”

I smiled lightly.

“It’s a gift from an enemy.”

“What?”

I shrugged my shoulders. The public carriage shook much more than a noble’s carriage.

Finally, I arrived at the mansion.

“Dad, I told you I’d be home in three days, yet you’re already…”

I chuckled.

Between the heavy snowfall, a sea of pink camellias spread out. A gift Collen gave me in our younger days had arrived again.

‘These must be the Dad planted.’

With my smile unwavering, I went inside, heading towards the kitchen window.

‘Dad.’

Silently, I climbed the stairs.

The second floor, where all the rooms of the mansion’s family are located, was my destination.

‘If you had any inkling of what I’m about to do, you wouldn’t have prepared the camellia gift.’

My eyes were dazed, my heart raced joyfully.

Yes, today is the day. Finally, I’ll break free from that persistent nightmare.

Perhaps influenced by Siebel, the dream where I shoot Collen. Today, I escape from that nightmare.

* * *

At the end of a long journey, I decided. This time, I’ll end it for good.

Click.

I put my hand on the trigger and slightly opened Collen’s door.

The draped bed. The deep red bedsheet was faintly visible behind the closed curtains.

Inside, Collen was sleeping.

He seemed much weaker. He didn’t wake up even with the sound of footsteps.

‘Of course. One needs to ‘feed’ by killing someone at least once a year, and he hasn’t.’

From what I know, it’s been over a year and a half.

‘Then only death remains.’

They say he held on this long because he had fed so much before.

Swoosh.

Protecting Collen, Baal stood in my way. Ignoring Baal, I pointed my gun, click.

“Leticia?”

That’s when Collen opened his eyes.

Rubbing his eyes, he sat up. Despite looking frail, my Dad’s shoulders were still strong.

“Did you sleep well, Dad?”

From the dim darkness, my Dad’s face looked not just perfect, but beautiful.

I smiled sadly.

“What are you doing?”

Collen frowned.

Like a growling black puma, he looked ready to scold me at any moment. But I didn’t lower my gun.

“Dad.”

“…”

“Am I precious to you?”

“Of course.”

“Then can you do anything for me…”

I tightened my grip on the trigger.

“…and give me anything?”

“Of course, whatever you wish for.”

Collen stared at me with his red eyes.

“But I don’t plan to allow you to behave like a mad child from dawn.”

Truly Collen-like words.

I felt like laughing. But I felt like I might start crying.

“It’s over now.”

I whispered.

I had practiced for a long time to control the power of this magical artifact with tremendous power. Because I only needed enough power to target just one person.

Thud.

A very faint sound was heard.

A bullet fired from a magical gun was lodged in Collen’s heart.

“Argh!”

Collen’s body fell backwards.

Blood splattered on the bed sheet, and I took deep, heavy breaths.

Yes, this was all part of my plan.