"Are we going home?" she asked, her small voice trembling with both hope and uncertainty.
"Do you recognize the way?" I asked softly.
She nodded, her green eyes lighting up. "Yes, this is the way home."
I smiled at her. "Then yes, we're going home. Hold on tight."
She wrapped her little arms around me, and I sprinted swiftly toward the Benford mansion. As soon as I arrived at the gates, the guards pointed their spears at me, their faces twisted with anger.
"KIDNAPPER!" one of them shouted. "HOW DARE YOU KIDNAP THE LADY!"
More guards rushed in, surrounding me, their weapons ready. Hailey screamed in panic.
"No! The angel saved me! She did not kidnap me!"
The guards froze, their expressions shifting from fury to confusion. One of them stammered, "My lady… are you alright? Did she bewitch you? Unhand the lady at once!"
The commotion drew the attention of Count Benford, who rushed out of the mansion. "Hailey!" he called, his voice breaking as his eyes landed on his daughter.
"Daddy!" Hailey cried, jumping out of my arms and running to him. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she clung to him. "I missed you so much!"
Count Benford hugged her tightly, his relief palpable, before turning his sharp, angered gaze to me. "State your name, kidnapper!
I sighed, setting Hailey's bag of candy down, and removed my hood. Then, tearing my Two of Hearts card, I dismissed the illusion concealing my blond hair and red eyes.
The count's eyes widened in shock. "Mont family… Lady Mont? Is that you?"
I nodded, meeting his gaze evenly. "Greetings, Count Benford. I am Aria Mont. I saved your daughter."
The count momentarily appeared stunned, but quickly regained his composure. "Guards, lower your spears!" he ordered.
The weapons were hastily lowered, and Count Benford gestured for me to follow him. He guided me to a lavish waiting room inside the mansion.
Once seated, the count began speaking, his voice trembling slightly. "I apologize, my lady. I didn't realize it was you. Thank you—thank you so much for saving my daughter."
"It's alright," I replied calmly. "I just happened to find her at the auction, that's all."
The count's expression crumpled, and tears welled up in his eyes. "My lady, you don't understand what this means to me. My daughter… she's everything to me. We've been searching for her everywhere."
His heartfelt words moved me, but I simply said, "It's alright. I only did what any person should."
The count wiped his tears and straightened up. "From this day forward, the Benford family shall always come to the aid of the Mont family in any time of distress or trouble."
"Thank you, Count Benford," I replied sincerely.
After a brief moment of silence, he asked hesitantly, "My lady, I apologize if this seems rude, but… the daughter of Duke Mont's family has never been seen in society. You've never attended any balls or parties. Your father mentioned that you're a very fragile child."
I hesitated, stammering slightly before letting out a sigh. "I left home when I was ten to become an adventurer," I admitted. "I visit home occasionally, but I don't attend parties."
The count nodded thoughtfully. "I see. May I know the name you use as an adventurer?"
"Joker," I replied.
His eyes widened in shock, recognition dawning on him. "Joker? As in the Joker? The most dangerous woman in the Varnis Empire? That's… that's you?!"
I looked away, somewhat embarrassed by his reaction. "Yes, I am the Joker you've heard about."
It wasn't the first time someone had responded this way to my title, but it still felt strange.
After more conversation, Count Benford invited me to stay for the night, treating me to a lavish dinner where Countess Benford also expressed her gratitude. They both promised to keep my identity a secret.
Later that night, as I retired to my chambers, the status window popped up once again.
Congratulations, Miss Aria. Quest Complete: Save the Female Lead. Reward: You have earned the favor of young Hailey. And count Benford
I smiled faintly as I read the notification. Closing the status window, I sank into the bed's softness and drifted off to sleep. It had been a very long day indeed. The next morning,
I was greeted by Hailey herself, her cheerful voice ringing out. "Miss Angel!" she called, running up to me with a bright smile. "We're having breakfast. Do you want to join us?"
I couldn't help but smile back. "Of course," I replied, following her to the dining room.
Inside, the table was adorned with a lavish feast, every inch of it covered with exquisite dishes that glittered under the morning sunlight. Count and Countess Benford sat at the table, their faces warm and welcoming as they greeted me.
"Do you always eat like this during breakfast?" I asked, a hint of disbelief in my voice.
Count Benford chuckled. "Of course! This is quite normal for us," he said matter-of-factly.
I internally sighed, thinking, Wow, nobles really take things to the next level. Even the Mont ducal estate doesn't serve such extravagant spreads, and we're the richest family in the Varnis Empire.
Trying not to dwell on the extravagance, I took my seat and began eating
"Lady Aria," Count Benford began, his tone hopeful, "are you going to stay with us any longer? We were really hoping you would."
I shook my head gently. "I won't," I replied. "I can't, actually. There are matters I need to handle."
The count sighed, his disappointment evident. "I see. I understand."
"Are you really leaving, Miss Angel?" Hailey asked, her wide green eyes filled with sadness.
"Yes, I am, Hailey," I said, trying to soften the blow. "And please, don't call me Miss Angel. I don't even know where that came from."
Hailey smiled sweetly, tilting her head as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "That's because you're as pretty as an angel, and you saved me.
I chuckled softly, touched by her innocence. "Alright then, Hailey. You can call me whatever you want."
After breakfast, I prepared to leave. Before stepping out of the mansion, I disguised myself once again, using my Two of Hearts card to conceal my distinctive blond hair and crimson red eyes—the unmistakable features of the Mont family. It wouldn't do for anyone to recognize me.
As I exited the Bensford estate, Hailey stood at the gates, waving goodbye with her tiny hand. Her smile was so radiant, so pure, that I couldn't help but grin back. She's just too adorable. I can see why she's the female lead, I thought.
Carrying her image in my mind, I began my journey back to the Ashford estate, my thoughts wandering. I wonder… who is the male lead?