How to Be a Dark Hero’s Daughter

Marianne returned to the carriage soon after.

“Why are you like this?”

“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing.”

Countless thoughts flashed through my mind.

‘Where should I start and how should I say it?’

If I tell Marianne, she’ll worry. She might even tell me to go back home. I don’t want to go back on my first journey I took since I was born, prophecy aside.

‘If I tell Collen, he’ll somehow find out… and probably kill him, right?’

Kien has already angered Collen. Collen is likely targeting Kien now.

If I were to tell… Will it add another karma(?) to Collen’s life?

‘Should I just pretend I don’t know?’

Anyway, if Kien keeps doing bad things, Collen will find a way to catch him.

‘It’s strange how I’m concerned about such a bad person.’

Maybe it’s because of his unfortunate past, growing up in that hive they call a den.

‘Well, he’s already wanted, so…’

I tried to push thoughts of Kien away. But before going to dinner that evening, I secretly asked the innkeeper, with a request, to send a note to the local guards.

[There is a criminal in this town.] The note stated. If caught, Kien would be under their jurisdiction.

If you discover a criminal, isn’t it proper to report it to the police immediately?

* * *

That evening, we stayed at a small hot spring hotel near the forest. The temple knights, who were Marianne’s escorts, helped us unload our luggage.

“Here it is, princess.”

They treated me with great respect. The temple people have a characteristic of having no expression. They always have the same gentle look.

“Thank you.”

Actually, there was no need for them to treat me so well. When I lowered my head and spoke, I noticed a slight twitch at the corners of their mouths.

‘I guess saying thank you for helping anyone makes people feel good.”’

That’s what I thought. Marianne spoke.

“This hotel has a hot spring. Do you want to take a bath together?”

“Yes!” I nodded eagerly. There was no reason to refuse.

After arranging our luggage in the room, Marianne and I changed into pink robes and headed towards the hot springs.

“You can go in wearing those robes.”

It seemed that here, we were supposed to immerse our bodies while wearing the robes.

‘It’s a bit different from the hot springs I know.’

Even though it was an open-air bath, it was made of marble. And the ceiling was made of glass.

“Oh, nice.”

The water was incredibly warm. As soon as I entered, my whole body felt relaxed and tingly. It felt like melting.

The cheeks felt cool due to the cold air outside, while below the chest, there was a warm sensation. This sensation was incredibly pleasant.

“I’m going in too.”

Through her thin robe, Marianne’s figure looked like a sculpture.

‘Wow, so this is what a true beauty looks like.’

I almost stared at her absentmindedly.

“It’s fun, isn’t it? I never even dreamed that I could travel with my female family like this.”

Whenever Marianne said those words, I felt happy. She considers me as family.

‘When did I start thinking of Collen and Jade as family?’

After saving Collen’s life, I felt a bit closer to them.

‘I really want to become a true family.’

Not just an adoptive daughter, but a real family.

‘Deep down, I secretly think of us as a real family, but…’

I can’t say such thoughts out loud.

‘But why does Marianne treat me so well?’

I know she’s generally fond of people, but still.

“Hey, Marianne.”

I cautiously spoke as I splashed water around.

“You know, why do you treat me so kindly?”

“Huh?”

“Since the day I first met you, Marianne, you’ve been affectionate towards me. I’m really happy and grateful. But sometimes I wonder how I can repay such kindness.”

I, who was once a beggar.

I can never forget Marianne, who spoke kind words to me when I first visited the Duke’s mansion.

“Repay? You just have to be there in that house.”

Ah, Collen said something like that too. I just have to exist as myself. Was that what he said?

‘Actually, that kind of thing is even more difficult.’

I looked at Marianne quietly.

“I like Marianne.”

Marianne looked at me, her eyes sparkling, and smiled.