How to Be a Dark Hero’s Daughter

“You, you’re being rude…”

“Did you receive the prophecy?”

“T-The door wasn’t open, so I couldn’t go in, why!”

Judging by the way she speaks, it’s a parody of Rose. Quite the nervous sibling. I thought to myself.

“It doesn’t seem like you can force it open.”

“What?”

Melissa, who was about to shout, spotted Cedric standing a few steps behind me and her face turned pale.

“Oh, Your Highness. Well, I…”

“How old are you?”

I asked, observing Melissa’s trembling.

“E-Eleven.”

Eleven years old. Isn’t that an age where you know what’s good and bad? Or is her sister influencing her?

“Who told you to trap me and steal the prophecy? Was it your sister after all?”

“Hicc! How did you know?”

Eleven years old. Added to that, it’s an age where she may not be very smart yet. At that moment, Cedric stepped forward.

“How foolish. It’s natural that the door won’t open.”

I was surprised by Cedric’s cold tone, which was colder than I had expected. It’s completely different from how he treats me.

“Don’t you know why you bother changing clothes and putting on the bracelet?”

Cedric raised his arm.

There was a bracelet dangling from his hand too. Melissa blinked her eyes like a goldfish, barely able to speak.

“This bracelet plays a key role. The doors open sequentially. Those who are not the first cannot enter first.”

Melissa started to sob. Then, she looked at me and shouted loudly.

“T-Then open the door!”

Wow. Even her loud voice is irritating.

“Why should I?”

I asked casually.

“Y-You… You’re a commoner. My sister said it doesn’t make any sense for someone like you to become a prince’s wife.”

“That’s just a superstition. Does that even make sense?”

“W-Well, but even I… I want to marry Prince Cedric… or Lord Jade! I have to marry well for the sake of our family!”

I burst into laughter. She’s quite the persistent one.

‘Talking nonsense like this is like an orchestra.’

She has big dreams. Let’s see how well she does with the stolen prophecy.

‘Well, Jade is the next duke.’

Such a girl becoming Jade’s wife.

‘It’s hard to imagine since she’s just a child.’

But the clear feeling is that I don’t like it. I don’t want to have a family with a girl like her.

“Even if you don’t know, there will never be a chance for you to become my wife, so don’t worry.”

Cedric said kindly.

“O-Our family is from a prestigious southern lineage. I’m going to marry into a great family.”

Melissa sniffled.

Sigh. How were you raised by your father? I’m curious about the upbringing and education Rose gave her.

“Whatever. Tell Rose to prepare her excuses. I won’t let this slide.”

I said coldly. Even kids freak out if you treat them like idiots.

“Even if it’s a matter between children, a great price must be paid. I don’t even want to see this anymore. Get up and leave. And don’t make a sound or breathe until it’s your turn to go.”

Cedric said. I looked at him with surprised eyes.

“I can’t stand liars, you know.”

“Ugh, uh, sob…”

Melissa choked up. Then, the door to the stone room creaked open. From inside, a chilling voice could be heard.

“How annoying. You’re disturbing my nap. You really are noisy ants.”

And then the voice spoke.

“You, stop your fuss and come in. Are you the first human this year?”

Me?

It was definitely Marianne’s voice, but it didn’t sound like Marianne. I froze.

“Are you Marianne?”

“Why are you making a fuss? You, the child from another world.”

My heart thumped.

Reflexively, I looked at Cedric. Cedric had a clueless expression.

“Go inside and see.”

“….”

“If you’re scared, shall I go in with you?”

“No!”

I refused to reveal my true identity. I hurriedly entered the stone room.

‘It smells strange.’

The room was filled with smoke.

The floor was covered in flowers. And in the middle, there was a long chair where Marianne sat, wearing a long cloak and dress.

“Who are you?”

I found myself asking without even realizing it. Marianne’s eyes narrowed.

“It’s Whiana, that’s my name.”

“Are you a goddess?”

“Can’t you tell just by looking?”

Marianne retorted.

“What about Marianne?”

My heart thumped. Is she coming back?