Don't Trust the Heroine

Following their arrival, Madenna immediately removed her makeup and changed into comfortable clothing.

She was finally at ease, as the problem she was most worried about had been solved.

‘Now, I can start cultivating Farren and properly prepare for the future.’

Suddenly, a disruptive knock came from her window. It felt intentional, as if the person had intended to disturb her rest.

Hearing rapid tapping on her window, only one individual crossed Madenna’s mind.

Madenna raised herself with a groan.

“Don’t tell me…”

Someone’s grin flashed through the fluttering curtain, confirming her suspicion.

Madenna took a deep breath before she opened her window.

After taking a step back, a shadow landed inside the room.

Jack, head of the Stained Ravens, greeted her cheerfully.

“Good afternoon, Rodenherg’s little lady.”

“…What are you doing in broad daylight?”

“You can rest assured, no one spotted me. There’s something very urgent, which is why I came here myself.”

‘Urgent to the point of coming himself?’

“…”

Her heart began to pound anxiously.

If Jack had come to her house without notice, it certainly wouldn’t be good news.

However, Madenna kept her composure. She spoke indifferently.

“Stop beating around the bush and tell me the news.”

“Yes, yes. About the target, uh, something troublesome happened. Someone gave her an offer of sponsorship.”

“…Someone wants to sponsor Suzanne, a mage?”

“Yes, there was another oddball like you.”

“What’s the sponsor’s name?”

“The Count of Cavan, Tassio. You’re probably an acquaintance of his, aren’t you?”

“…”

Madenna held back a groan.

‘…This must be why I had an ominous dream today.’

Madenna didn’t think of the possibility of Suzanne gaining a different sponsor.

‘But of all possibilities, for him to be the sponsor.’

It was one of the worst scenarios possible.

Madenna had hoped that even if Suzanne was sponsored or adopted, she wouldn’t grow up as a mage.

She even thought that there was a greater chance for Suzanne to choose a different path.

Suzanne had a self-absorbed personality, and magical abilities weren’t appreciated in the Alleo Empire.

Even before her return, Suzanne had only learnt magic under Madenna’s command, but never disclosed her identity as a mage, since it wasn’t something she could brag about.

Without Madenna’s patronage, Suzanne might only become a social flower without any magical ability, or she might have immersed herself in her studies in order to draw praise.

However, currently, it was clear to Madenna as to why the count chose Suzanne.

He had been insulted by Madenna, who sponsored a mage.

Furthermore, the recent newspapers reported the achievement of the Rodenherg’s mage. It must have felt as if she’d rubbed salt onto his wound.

It was obvious. He had deliberately chosen Suzanne, who was a mage, as a way to rival her.

Madenna felt a throbbing headache coming.

The fact that Cavan was a wealthy aristocrat that lacked intelligence intensified her worries. He was the perfect prey for Suzanne.

‘Should I have sponsored Suzanne and controlled her? But….’

Madenna didn’t want to invest a single penny on such a scheming and manipulative person.

If possible, she wanted to end all interactions with the orphanage, hopefully not seeing the girl for the rest of her life.

“Is the little countess having a problem, too?”

Jack asked casually, his cheerful expression never changing.

Madenna rubbed her forehead when she realized she’d been frowning.

“Knowing the situation in advance is very helpful. Thank you for your quick report.”

“Don’t mention it. It’s just a way for us to prove our competence to our clients.”

“….”

“What are you going to do? We would like to refrain from touching the count’s sponsored child, though.”

“I know. I have no intention of requesting such a thing.”

Her concerns regarding the blood contract had just been resolved, yet another problem had arised.

It was very likely for Suzanne to be an obstacle for her and Farren in the future.

There was the troublesome Count after her too.

‘First things first, I need to compose myself. It’s all right. I have Farren by my side, who can never betray me.’

She tried to control her agitation.

The memory of the cold guillotine falling on her throat became even more vivid and goosebumps rose on her skin as she desperately tried to calm herself.

‘Didn’t I swear to myself that I would never live helplessly and foolishly again? I’ve changed. I’ve come all the way here.’

“I want you to keep tabs on the target. I’ll ask separately for any other individual commissions.”

“We thank you for using our service. I hope you have a pleasant afternoon.”

Jack walked out of the room and vanished out of her sight, as quick as the wind.

After he left, Madenna washed her face as she pushed the arising problems aside.

She rose from her seat.

After hearing the bad news, she couldn’t help but miss Farren’s face.

***

“Faren, are you inside?”

When she knocked on the door of Farren’s residence, the sound of frantic steps could be heard from inside, followed by a small affirmation.

The door opened and she went inside.

Upon entering the residence, the boy greeted Madenna. He was short on breath, and his chest heaved up and down.

The east wing was about the size of a mansion, so it took a while to get to the front door from the innermost room.

It seemed like he had rushed in order to not hold her up.

“Sorry, did I make you wait?”

“No, not at all. It’s not an urgent matter, so you didn’t have to run like that to greet me.”

“Still…”

As Madenna went in, his hand naturally found hers.

“What’s going on? Oh, more importantly, have you treated your fingers yet?”

“Uh… yeah, it must’ve slipped my mind.”

After the unexpected surprise, she’d forgotten about her hurt fingers.

“It was only a light scratch, it didn’t bother me.”

“You can’t do that! You need to get it treated right away.”

“I’m fine…”

“No,” Farren spoke firmly as he fetched a bandage and ointment.

Madenna could not refuse his adamant words, and she unconsciously let him treat her wound.

He gently applied ointment onto her wound, cut off the bandage, and sealed it.

As for him, he had already tended to his wound. His pinky finger was wrapped in a bandage.

“You’re adept in dressing wounds.”

“I’ve grown accustomed to these things.”

“…”

It had been quite some time since his departure from the orphanage. She had gotten accustomed to his clean, healed face.

However, Madenna still remembered that when she first met him, his face was battered with scars and bruises. The pitiful image was still fresh in her mind.

And the girl who caused it had begun to move.

“No one will hurt you anymore.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. It’s great if I don’t have to go through that anymore, but if anything happens to you, I’ll protect you even if I have to get hurt myself.”

“…”

The countess didn’t think he’d sacrifice himself for her so willingly.

Madenna chose to sponsor him out of her selfishness and calculations.

She felt remorseful to think of herself as a benefactor when faced with his sincerity.

“…Is there something I can do for you, as your benefactor?I’ll fulfill your needs, no matter the cost.”

Farren chuckled at her suggestion before he pondered over it.

“Well, can I ask you one thing?”

“What is it?”

“Would it be possible for me to call you differently?”

“Differently?”

“I want to call you by your name.”

It was quite a simple request for a favor. She wondered if this small favor was enough.

From his request, Madenna could feel Farren’s heartfelt eagerness to become family.

‘He’s different from Suzanne. Now that we’ve signed a contract… I don’t have to guard myself against him,’ Madenna convinced herself as she nodded inwardly.

“It may be difficult in public, but you can address me as ‘sister’ when we’re together”, Madenna proposed, which Farren unexpectedly rejected.

“No, I don’t want to be your brother.”

“So…”

Madenna was slightly disappointed by his resolute attitude.

It seemed like she was the only one who thought of Farren as a little brother.

It reminded Madenna of Suzanne and her all over again. Was it the same with him?

Even though he was full of affection for her.

“May I call you Miss Madenna?”

In the Alleo Empire, ‘miss’ was considered a formal phrase, and wasn’t very comfortable.

“You can just call me Madenna,” Madenna suggested, since it was acceptable for close friends to call someone by their name, even if they were older.

Farren murmured Madenna’s name in his mouth with hesitation, before he called her carefully.

“…Okay, Madenna.”

“Yes, Farren. Please take good care of me in the future.”

“Please take care of me as well. By the way, didn’t you say you came because of some business?”

“Oh…. I was just here to thank you again for signing the contract.”

“Haha. Yes, you’re welcome, and I’m glad to be able to see Madenna again.”

Farren looked up at her as he clasped her hand.

“I’ll become an excellent mage to help you.”

“Thank you. But for now, I’ll teach you other subjects along with magic. Are you ready?”

“Of course, I’ll make sure to fulfill your expectations.”

There was no fear or worry in Farren’s eyes.

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Thinking of the talent he had shown so far, Madenna was sure he’d grow beyond her expectations.

It was Madenna’s turn to take the next step.

‘Before Suzanne makes her move, I’ll have to cut off her path.’

Recalling the contents of the original novel, she established her next goal.

Madenna would bring in the supporting actors who’d assisted Suzanne in overthrowing the country, and turn them into the foundation for Farren to ascend the throne.