I Became the Male Lead’s Adopted Daughter

"What will you do when it's full?"

"I'll share them with you, sisters."
Oh my, the maids were genuinely touched.
"Then, we’ll leave you to rest."

"If you need anything, just ring this bell."
The maids placed a small silver bell with a finely crafted handle into Leonia’s hand. When she shook it lightly, a clear, delicate chime rang out. Skeptical that such a soft sound could actually summon someone, Leonia frowned slightly, but the maids explained.
"It’s a magic bell."

"All the servants can hear it."
They lifted their sleeves to reveal thin bracelets. The silver pendants attached to the leather cords matched the bell’s color.
"Ooh…" Leonia pursed her lips into a small 'O'.

"It's amazing…"
"Right? We think so too."
"It’s expensive, though."

The maids whispered that only a household like the Voreoti family could afford such things.
After wishing her a good rest, they withdrew. Left alone in the room, Leonia turned the bell over in her hands, examining it curiously. Since it was enchanted, it had to be quite valuable. She placed it carefully on the table, admiring its smooth, polished surface.
She had once seen a musician line up bells like this in a row and create a beautiful melody by striking them one by one with swift, precise movements.

In her past life.
***
After an intimate session with his "guests" in the underground prison, Ferio returned to his chambers and soaked in the warm water that had been prepared in advance. As always, he bathed alone, without any attendants.

It’s been a while since I cleaned up properly. Quite tiring.
Tomorrow, as Leonia had suggested, he considered tying them up with ropes and dangling them off the cliff. But at that rate, they might die too soon. He figured he should at least keep them alive until spring.
Leaning back against the tub in a languid pose, he closed his eyes, almost drifting off. A droplet of water from the ceiling suddenly plopped down, causing his eyes to snap open.
"Idiots. What a pathetic mess."

At that moment, his lips curled as he recalled Leonia entertaining their guests.
Where does she even come up with these ideas?
The child hadn’t even received proper education yet, as he was still in the process of selecting a tutor. And yet, she had already managed to surprise him with her sharp wit and unexpected amusement. The way she pranced around, holding a boot in one hand—utterly delightful.

"A child is not a pet."
He remembered what Kara had said before. The ever-worried old butler had been the most concerned about Ferio’s impulsive decision to adopt. But Ferio considered it unnecessary meddling.
"How could anyone see her as a pet?"

He had always prided himself on his keen judgment, but perhaps age was making him shortsighted. Leonia wasn’t some fragile creature to be tamed with a leash. From the moment he first saw her, she had exuded an unyielding spirit.
Even under the abuse of the orphanage adults, she had never lost herself. That resilience was pure instinct—just like a beast.
If anyone tried to collar and tame her, they would end up suffering greatly. Just like the guests currently rotting in the underground prison.

Still…
Something about the child was peculiar.
"How does she know a requiem?"

There was no way that orphanage had provided the children with a proper education. So where had she learned a requiem?
As the thought crossed his mind, Ferio finished bathing and reached for a plush towel that had been prepared in advance.
A requiem. Embezzlement.

The words she had spoken were not something even a noble child of her age would easily use. According to the orphanage records, she had entered at the age of five. That meant she must have had a guardian before then.
Ferio wasn’t particularly interested in the child's past, but perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to look into it. Now that the adoption was legally finalized, even if a biological parent appeared and tried to claim her, there would be no issues.
Or maybe she’s just a genius.

Draping a pair of pants over himself, Ferio stepped out of the bathroom, already convinced that his daughter’s peculiar insights were proof of exceptional talent.
What would have been a dull year had become endlessly entertaining thanks to Leonia.
An impulsive adoption, perhaps.

But one of the best decisions of his life.
"You're out."
Ferio, in a rather good mood after his bath, was greeted by Lupe.

"I don’t recall telling you to come in."
Ferio walked past him. On the table, as always after his bath, a light drink had been prepared. A round ice cube clinked into the transparent glass, followed by a slow pour of light amber liquor. Since he was in a pleasant mood, he chose not to rebuke Lupe for his impudence.
"I have something to report."

"With that face?"
Lupe looked as if he was about to collapse and remain unconscious for several days.
Lupe felt deeply wronged. It was all because of Ferio, who dumped all the work onto him and enjoyed his leisure with a drink. Yet, the poor subordinate couldn’t dare nag his superior. Status aside, Ferio’s piercing gaze alone was enough to make him shrink.

"I apologize for entering without permission, but I thought this was important."
At Lupe’s plea for forgiveness, Ferio lowered his glass and leaned lazily against his desk, tilting his head slightly—a silent gesture to go ahead and speak.
He was in a good mood, so he was willing to be lenient.

At that moment—
Knock, knock.
A small voice followed the sound of knocking.

"Uncle, are you there?"
Ferio and Lupe both turned their heads toward the door.
"Uncle? Are you not here?"

"He might still be bathing."
One of the maids accompanying Leonia answered. She mentioned that she had seen the servants preparing his bath earlier.
"Should we come back later?"

"Hmm…"
After a brief moment of thought, the child decided to wait.
"Sister, are you afraid of Uncle?"

The question came out of nowhere. Ferio and Lupe shut their mouths completely, listening intently to the conversation outside. Without hesitation, the maid answered.
"The master is the Duke of Voreoti in the North. He is the strongest man in this world—it’s only natural to be afraid of him. After all, I am just a humble maid."
In short, the very existence of Ferio was terrifying. Lupe marveled at how bluntly she answered. She truly lived up to being a servant of the Voreoti estate. He stole a glance at Ferio, who appeared utterly unfazed, as if he had heard it all before.

"But Uncle is nice to me."
Leonia proudly declared that she had already received two pieces of candy from him today.
"The master cares for you very much."

"Is that it?"
"Isn’t it?"
"Hmm…"

Leonia trailed off. Inside the room, the two adults could easily picture the child tilting her head in thought. Her short hair must be swaying along with the movement. That round little head—so very adorable.
"…I hope that’s true."
A small, shy voice rang out. Ferio imagined Leonia’s flustered face and smirked.

"But what if Uncle ends up an old bachelor because of me?"
Lupe, who had been touched by the child’s earnest feelings just moments ago, barely stopped himself from bursting into laughter. He quickly glanced at Ferio. The Duke was staring at the door with an expression of sheer disbelief.
"The master is quite popular."

"Looks aren’t everything."
Leonia declared sternly.
"He has a terrible temper."

And now he even had her, she sighed, as if lamenting the fate of an unmarried neighborhood son.
Lupe bit his lip, but that wasn’t enough. He ended up pinching his cheek to stop himself from laughing.
"Do I have to support him?"

A small snort escaped Lupe as his shoulders trembled.
"Our dear Uncle…."
"A bad temper and a child hanging from him like a burden…"

Now even the maid had gone quiet, possibly struggling to hold back her laughter. Lupe gave up entirely, leaning against the sofa as he laughed silently. It was beyond amusing—it was downright painful to his stomach.
For a child to worry and pity the great Duke of Voreoti like this… She was no ordinary person.
"Because of me…."

Just as Leonia was about to once again express sympathy for Ferio—
The tightly shut door swung open.
The maid shrieked and collapsed onto the floor in shock.

Beyond the open doorway stood Ferio, wearing only his trousers, staring down with an expression of utter displeasure.
"Oh, Uncle, you were here?"
Leonia, completely forgetting everything she had just said, beamed innocently.

"Why did you pretend—"
Her black eyes trailed ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) downward to Ferio’s bare upper body. Then, they shifted toward Lupe, who was standing up from the sofa with a flushed face, barely suppressing his laughter.
"…Huh?"

Short fingers alternated between pointing at Ferio and Lupe.
"Uncle is half-dressed, and Lupe Uncle was on the sofa…"
"Miss! That’s not what’s happening!"

The panicked maid rushed to correct the misunderstanding. She looked as if she had aged ten years in mere seconds.
As realization dawned on them, Ferio and Lupe immediately put distance between themselves. Though they were already standing apart, both visibly recoiled, even going so far as to turn their heads sharply.
"…Come in."

Ferio finally spoke, calling Leonia inside. The maid remained outside the door.
"Uncle…."
"It’s not what you think."

"Unc—"
"I said it’s not that."
Ferio emphasized his denial with a weary sigh, filled with self-loathing.

"Do I really seem like that kind of man to you?"
He was genuinely wounded.
"Uncle, liking the same gender is nothing to be ashamed of—"

"Not that!"
Ferio immediately shut down that train of thought.
"Now stop imagining things."

"But will Uncle really be less popular just because he has me?"
Leonia mulled over the question seriously before shaking her head. Satisfied, Ferio smirked confidently.
"Uncle is very impressive."

"Glad you understand."
"But still, someday, you should find a good person to be with."
How old am I, and why am I having this conversation?

Ferio exhaled sharply, dumbfounded by her old-soul remark.
"Not right now."
"Because of me?"

"Because I simply haven’t met someone I like."
By this point, Ferio was questioning why he was even discussing this with a child.
He reached out to pull Leonia into his arms—then hesitated.

"…What?"
Leonia stretched out her arms, ready to be embraced, tilting her head in curiosity.
Her dark eyes, gesturing impatiently for him to hold her, were fixed on her father’s solid chest. Feeling uneasy under her intense gaze, Ferio grabbed a nearby shirt and buttoned it up meticulously before finally pulling her into his arms.

"Tch."
He ignored the disappointed click of her tongue.