I Became the Male Lead’s Adopted Daughter

Ferio had summoned so many craftsmen that word had inevitably gotten out.
Despite their attempts to silence the gossip, it was impossible to stop the flow of information.
Just that morning, two maids had returned from the market, reporting that the entire region was talking about the new child in House Voreoti.

“How will you handle this, Your Grace?”
Ferio simply smirked.
His gaze remained fixed on the window, watching the small, round black head moving outside.

Wrapped in a thick fur coat, Leonia was wandering through the snowy garden with the maids.
Her wildly cut hair had been neatly trimmed, now tied back with a bright red ribbon.
Even from a distance, it was obvious how much her complexion had improved in just a few days.

With a beaming smile, she trotted through the snow, looking like a tiny black-furred creature.
The maids following her seemed enamored, constantly offering her things and chatting with her.
It was charming to watch her run around so boldly.

“…She’s already making herself at home.”
Watching her, Ferio’s lips curled up slightly.
The unexpected sight before them left Kara, Mono, and Meleis in disbelief.

They had never imagined they would witness their Duke smiling so gently.
For a moment, they genuinely worried that the eternal snow of the north might melt overnight.
Finally, Ferio gave a delayed answer to the question he had asked earlier.

“For now, leave it alone.”
His gaze remained fixed outside the window.
“…However.”
Meleis hesitated ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) before speaking up, knowing she was being impertinent.

When Ferio shifted his gaze to her, his expression was not particularly harsh or angry, yet she instinctively tensed.
Still, she could not stay silent.
“There may be unpleasant rumors.”

The northern nobles were more loyal to the Duke of Voreoti than to the Emperor himself.
Their respect came not only from witnessing the Voreoti family’s strength for generations but also from pride in their own survival under his rule.
That did not mean they would completely submit like tame beasts.

The biggest topic of discussion in the territory was, of course, the Duke’s newly adopted daughter.
A story so intriguing was bound to spread, twisted and exaggerated into endless speculation.
And those kinds of rumors were never kind.

"The Young Miss will become the subject of gossip…"
Meleis clenched her fists, her hands trembling.
Leonia had brought a warmth to the cold, rigid mansion that no one else had.

Wherever the Young Miss was, laughter followed.
As her assigned knight, Meleis had unknowingly grown attached to her.
The thought of people whispering about her behind her back was infuriating.

“I see.”
Ferio turned his eyes toward Meleis, watching her in silence.
A faint satisfaction flickered across his otherwise indifferent face.

"No one would be foolish enough to speak openly."
Now that he had returned, people would not dare to voice their rumors publicly.
However…

If, by any chance, such disgusting gossip reached Leonia’s ears—
“Then they’ll die.”
Unlike himself, Ferio did not want Leonia to hear a single vile word.

It had only been a few days since he had adopted her, yet he already hated the idea of her being tainted by cruel rumors.
No matter how mature she acted, she was still a child.
He could still picture her, sitting in the carriage, marveling at the snow-covered Voreoti lands with wide, excited eyes.

And even now, she was outside, playing in the snow, filled with pure joy.
“If you find anyone spreading filth, I will grant you the honor of staining your blade with their blood.”
Meleis bowed her head.

“Yes, my lord.”
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Ferio granted permission to enter.

A large man with pulled-back brown hair stepped in, offering a knight’s salute.
It was Manus, the knight who had stayed behind at the orphanage with Lupe.
Before Manus could even speak, Ferio rose from his seat.

“Our guests have arrived.”
His previously calm black eyes gleamed with a red glint.
***

After spending plenty of time outside, Leonia’s pale cheeks had turned a rosy pink from the cold.
“Did you have fun?”
Madam Felica, the head maid who had escorted Leonia to the dining hall, asked with a warm smile.

Leonia eagerly nodded and began chattering away about everything she had seen.
“The snow reached my ankles! It felt like it was grabbing onto me every time I walked!”
“Shall I have the servants clear the paths?”

“Mmm-mmm!”
Leonia quickly shook her head, flashing a wide grin.
“I love snow.”

She then announced her grand ambition—she would build a snowman the next time she went outside.
Meanwhile, the maids placed Leonia’s damp cloak and shoes near the fireplace to dry.
The soft crackling of the logs and the rising warmth filled the dining hall, wrapping it in cozy comfort.

Soon, the head chef arrived, carrying a tray.
"Wow!"
Leonia’s black eyes sparkled at the sight before her.

On the tray sat:
A steaming cup of milk, topped with fluffy white foam.
Small, bite-sized focaccia bread filled with colorful vegetables, meat, and cheese.

But what caught her attention most—
The tray itself had a tiny black lion painted on it.
A sign that it was Leonia’s personal dishware.

“Thank you for the food!”
Leonia bowed politely to the chef, who smiled warmly in response.
She took a big bite of the focaccia, chewing eagerly.

A salty flavor spread across her tongue, followed by a rich, nutty aftertaste.
After swallowing, she blew gently on her warm milk before taking a sip.
The gentle warmth melted comfortably in her mouth.

This translation is the intellectual property of .
“Mmm!”
Her expression softened, almost melting from happiness.

“It’s delicious!”
The adults around her watched with satisfaction.
In the week since arriving, Leonia’s health had improved noticeably.

Her once oily, unkempt hair was now soft and clean, thanks to the scented oils used daily.
Her stick-thin arms and legs had begun to fill out with healthy weight.
And, most notably—

Her once hollow, pitiful face now had a roundness to it, making her look like a proper child.
Just as she finished her snack, a familiar voice called out.
“Young Miss.”

Meleis had entered the dining hall.
"Meleis unnie!"
Leonia immediately jumped down from her chair and ran up to her.

“Did you enjoy exploring the mansion?”
“Yes!”
“You should speak casually with me.”

At the familiar scolding, Leonia hesitated, her lips twitching as if trying to say something.
Meleis found the sight adorable.
“But… it’s more comfortable using formal speech…”

"A Young Lady of House Voreoti speaking formally to a mere knight is absolutely absurd."
"But being a knight takes a lot of effort."
Leonia insisted that knights worked too hard for the word mere to suit them.

Hearing this, Meleis knelt and kissed the back of her hand in gratitude.
She was relieved to find that the young lady’s skin was softer than when they first met—proof that her health was improving.
Looking up, Meleis saw Leonia glancing away shyly.

"Young Miss."
She gently called out, remembering the reason for her visit.
"His Grace is requesting your presence."

"Mister?"
Leonia tilted her head, squinting suspiciously.
“…Is he going to make me do ‘something cute’ again?"

Ferio had provided her with everything—a bed, books, even a pony with a ribbon around its neck for riding practice.
‘What kind of rich lunacy is this?’
That was Leonia’s blunt reaction to receiving such extravagant gifts.

And the servants who overheard her had a similar thought.
"She really must be his daughter."
"They speak exactly the same way."

"How can they both be so indifferent?"
But Meleis knew better.
Leonia’s ears had turned red—a dead giveaway that she wasn’t as indifferent as she pretended to be.

Still, no matter how much Ferio spent, his wealth remained untouched.
For House Voreoti, it was the equivalent of pricking a finger with a needle—it didn’t even hurt.
However, he had set one condition in return.

“People say that a child’s cute gestures are the most heartwarming thing.”
Citing the wise words of his only friend, Count Carnis Rinne, Ferio ordered Leonia to perform one cute act per day.
When she heard this, her face twisted as if she had swallowed a cup of saltwater.

“What happens if I don’t?”
She asked weakly.
Ferio shrugged.

"That would just mean I raised my child poorly."
"……"
"I won’t kick you out if you refuse."

"……You really are a pervert, aren’t you?"
Leonia’s narrowed eyes filled with disbelief as she slowly took a step back.
Ferio flicked her forehead.

"When are you going to call me ‘Dad’?"
"I’ll… try."
And so, Leonia began her daily performance of forced cuteness.

"You seem to enjoy it, though."
Meleis smiled, recalling Leonia’s efforts at acting cute.
As her personal knight, Meleis had witnessed it many times.

"I don’t enjoy it…"
Leonia pouted, pushing her lips into a duck-like shape.
She simply felt obligated to show some gratitude toward Ferio, since he had taken her in.

And, surprisingly, her efforts worked well.
Whenever Leonia performed her awkward displays of affection, Ferio visibly relaxed.
And as a reward—

He always gave her a piece of candy.
Specifically, a strawberry milk-flavored candy wrapped in a cute little package.
"His Grace… and strawberry milk candy?"

It was an odd combination, but the way Ferio handed it to Leonia was undeniably fatherly.
And Leonia, who carefully stored each piece in a delicate glass jar by her bedside, was undeniably his daughter.
A maid had even giggled as she reported that Leonia spent every night pouring the candies out of the jar and putting them back in over and over again.

Meleis, aware of Leonia’s painful past, had initially been worried.
But now, she felt relieved seeing how they were building their own unique bond.
"Truly, every day brings new surprises."

The Voreoti mansion, once as cold and silent as a snowy mountain, now felt warmer—like a gentle haze rising in the sun.
"So, why is Mister calling for me?"
Leonia asked.

Meleis gazed down at the small girl in her arms.
"We have guests."
Her gentle expression hardened.

Leonia reached up and touched Meleis’ cheek.
"Are you angry?"
"They’re not good guests."

"Why?"
"…They’re the ones who hurt you."
Meleis stopped walking.

"His Grace ordered me to bring you, but… I’m honestly worried."
She hesitated.
"I don’t want you to be hurt again by seeing them. If you don’t want to go, I can take you back to your room. I’ll explain everything to His Grace."

Leonia’s black eyes widened.
Then, slowly, she opened her mouth.