I Became the Male Lead's Adopted Daughter-Chapter 89

“Senior, look over there.”

A young maid hiding behind the corner blushed, her freckled cheeks turning red.

“Ah, charming, isn’t he?”

The older maid behind her tapped her on the head, as if to say, I understand exactly how you feel.

The new maid, who had only joined in the spring, was staring at the entrance hall with a dazed look in her eyes.

There stood Duke Ferio Voreoti and Viscount Ricoss, both dressed for the banquet, waiting for the young lady to come down.

The two men were more dressed up than usual, clearly making an effort for the evening.

“Master might be scary, but he sure is eye candy.”

“He’s just so handsome.”

“Well, well, would you look at that.”

The older maid chuckled heartily.

She too had once been smitten by their master’s looks, so entranced that she had forgotten to be afraid.

'Enjoy it while you can.'

She didn’t bother saying it aloud.

Soon enough, this junior maid would realize it on her own.

Falling for the master’s dashing looks would only last a short while.

In no time, she’d come to understand true fear and do her best to stay far away.

“But... what’s that?”

The younger maid ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) spotted something strange.

Draped over Ferio’s arm, which was dressed in a black suit, was something that looked like a white cloth.

The answer to her curiosity came unexpectedly, just as Lupe also noticed the white item.

“Isn’t that the young lady’s outer garment?”

Lupe asked.

What was draped over Ferio’s arm was the cloak Leonia would wear to the banquet.

“Why is His Grace holding that?”

“So you want me to take a child outside at night without dressing her properly?”

Ferio gave Lupe a look of pure exasperation.

“The night air isn’t good for children. Do I really need to spell out something so basic for you?”

“That’s not what I meant...”

Flustered, Lupe hastily added,

“I just meant, why not have a maid carry it instead?”

Leonia had not one but two capable maids by her side—Connie and Mia.

Lupe was asking why His Grace himself had to do it.

“I’m carrying my daughter’s cloak. Why do you care?”

But to the black beast, that question came off as irritating.

“I was just curious, that’s all.”

“Viscount Ricoss, you’ve gotten awfully bold lately.”

“Should I really sew my mouth shut?”

Lupe, now feeling unjustly accused, clamped his mouth shut first.

These days, anything he said would spark a reaction.

And if he pushed any further here, he might really get dragged off and punished. As a capable secretary, Lupe chose to read the room and stay silent.

'He doesn’t even bother hiding it anymore.'

Back when they were still in the North, Ferio had quietly looked after Leonia.

Now, he didn’t care who saw—he openly cradled her with indulgent affection.

Who would’ve guessed that the black beast would turn into a doting father?

'...Or maybe that’s not quite right.'

Lupe’s brow twitched.

Looking back, Ferio had always cared deeply for Leonia from the start.

It was strange to realize it now.

That the black beast had come to possess warmth—without question, it was a good change.

But in Lupe’s eyes, someone who knew Ferio’s past, it sometimes looked... a little sad.

Not just him—those who knew Ferio’s past probably all felt the same.

'Maybe... he was just starved for affection.'

The previous Duke and Duchess had raised Ferio with ruthless discipline.

By contrast, Regina had cherished him more than even her own blood.

Even to young Lupe at the time, it had looked bizarre.

So much so that even the Marquis of Pardus had once muttered to himself that the boy was pitiful.

“......”

As that strange sympathy crossed Lupe’s mind, something caught his eye.

Ferio was fiddling with the cuff of his shirt, revealing his wrist—and there it was, something familiar.

A wristwatch.

Fastened tightly on his veiny wrist was a gold watch with a black leather strap.

“The watch suits you well.”

Lupe stepped a bit closer to admire it.

The way Ferio had been playing with his cuff earlier had seemed just a little too intentional, but Lupe decided not to dwell on it.

“It’s just... passable.”

Ferio muttered the exact same words he had said when he first saw the watch.

'You’re so bad at hiding things.'

Lupe grinned privately, thinking, Your lips are twitching with pride, Your Grace.

By now, everyone in the estate knew that whenever Ferio said something was “passable,” it meant he treasured it like a family heirloom.

And the watch hadn’t even been his for a full day.

But in that short time, dozens of sightings had already been reported.

Ferio had been seen opening the box to gaze at it every chance he got, or constantly touching his left wrist.

Leonia had once walked by and teased, “The time’s about to come out,” bursting into laughter.

Of course, her face had been full of smiles.

'Still, no matter how many times I look, it really is impressive.'

Lupe re-evaluated the worth of that wristwatch once more.

Watches were among the few luxury items that appealed specifically to men.

They were considered high-end, and because of that, they stoked the subtle vanity of noblemen.

That was the key point.

Vanity.

That, along with utility, was the greatest appeal of wristwatches.

Pocket watches stayed hidden in one’s coat—there weren’t many chances to show them off. But a wristwatch? A simple flick of the sleeve was all it took for a quiet boast.

'So this is how the Voreotis make money again...'

Yet another way.

Lupe’s confidence faltered for a moment.

He was now the head of House Ricoss.

A dyed-in-the-wool noble—yet he wondered if he could even contribute a single drop of water diluted with the dirt under Voreoti’s claws to revive his own family’s fortunes.

“Lupe.”

Ferio, who had been silently observing him, threw out a remark.

“Don’t be so jealous.”

“...Pardon?”

“If you want a watch that badly, ask Leo for one later.”

Ferio said it like he was granting a favor, offering his arrogant version of generosity.

She might even give a discount, he added.

Lupe was speechless.

'The young lady already promised to gift me one...'

At lunch, Leonia had promised to give Lupe and the others watches too. She even hooked her pinky finger to seal the deal.

'Guess I’d better keep that a secret.'

Lupe wisely kept his mouth shut.

Normally, when Ferio had to attend a banquet or any crowded gathering, his mood would tank and his temper would flare.

Under normal circumstances, Lupe wouldn’t even dare to speak—he’d stay quiet and walk on eggshells.

But now they were having a full-blown conversation.

Anyone could see that it was thanks to Leonia’s gift of the watch.

'Our savior.'

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Lupe was quietly clasping his hands together in secret prayer, offering heartfelt thanks to the young lady who had brought peace to House Voreoti.

“Papa! Mister!”

Both Ferio and Lupe instinctively turned their heads toward the voice.

Peeking out from between the second-floor balcony rails, Leonia was waving enthusiastically with only her head sticking out.

Lupe ignored Ferio's nagging voice beside him, muttering, “She’s being reckless again.”

Soon, Leonia came down the stairs.

Thankfully, she was safely nestled in Meleis’s arms as they descended.

“Did you wait long?”

Leonia scampered over to Ferio’s side with quick little steps.

Ferio looked down, startled at the tiny creature approaching him.

At first, he couldn’t even tell what the little bundle was—but as it got closer, it began to look more and more like his one and only daughter.

Only then did Ferio realize that this small and lovely young lady was, indeed, Leonia.

It was the first time in his life he’d been shocked enough to feel like his eyes would pop out.

When the child smiled up at him, the world around them seemed to darken as if by magic—only Leonia remained, surrounded by a radiant white light.

Lupe, too, stood speechless in awe.

It was the most dazed expression he’d ever worn in his life.

“Wooooow...”

Leonia was no different.

With her wide, round eyes, she looked between Ferio and Lupe, both dressed up handsomely, then suddenly clapped her hands over her face.

The sound was so sharp that even Ferio and Lupe, both lost in their stupor, finally snapped out of it.

“You’re too dazzling!”

Leonia whimpered.

“You’re both so handsome...!”

“Young lady, you look absolutely stunning as well.”

“That’s a painfully standard compliment.”

Ferio grumbled that he could at least try to sound sincere.

“Just go ahead and sew my mouth shut.”

Lupe sighed dramatically—he must be the only servant in existence who got scolded for complimenting his boss’s daughter.

And it wasn’t even flattery—it had been genuine.

“Papa and Mister look so amazing, the neighborhood girls and some bachelors are totally gonna fall for you!”

Leonia stomped her feet in mock worry.

“What if even the emperor falls for you?”

She flailed dramatically, sounding like she was truly concerned.

At that, Ferio and Lupe both went completely cold-faced—as if they had just suffered the most appalling insult in the world.

“If there’s something bothering you, say it straight.”

“Don’t hold back—why don’t you just curse me directly?”

“Geez, it was a compliment...”

They usually let Leonia’s cheeky jokes slide, but now they both stared at her with disappointed eyes.

Feeling awkward, Leonia tapped the floor with the toe of her shoe.

Then she peeked up at Ferio.

“Papa, how do I look? Am I pretty?”

She shyly wiggled her shoulders, hands clasped behind her back.

Every time she moved, the floral crown on her head shimmered.

From the green stems to the delicate little petals—every part was made of jewels.

“......”

Ferio stared at her in silence for a long while.

The slight tilt of his head showed just how intensely focused he was.

But the longer the silence stretched, the more Leonia’s mood began to dip.

'Am I not pretty...?'

He usually gave her lots of compliments.

The little baby beast, now deflated, pinched the hem of her skirt and gave it a little tug.

Then she cautiously glanced behind her at Meleis.

When their eyes met, Meleis offered her a soft smile.

While walking down earlier, every servant they passed had taken turns showering Leonia with praise.

Even the mischievous Paavo had been stunned into silence.

Meleis was certain—no matter what anyone said, Leonia was going to be the star of tonight’s banquet.

Even if the circumstances that forced her to attend like this were utterly infuriating.

Swallowing that feeling alone, Meleis murmured under her breath.

“Look behind you.”

Leonia tilted her head.

“Behind me? What’s—what’s behind...?!”

As she turned just like she was told, Ferio had already crouched down on one knee, right in front of her.

“Wah! Holy crap! You scared me!”

“Leonia, did you just swear?”

Ferio scolded her with a stern face.

“N-No!”

Leonia shook her head wildly.

The sourc𝗲 of this content is freēwēbηovel.c૦m.

Recently, House Voreoti had introduced a “Speak Properly” campaign to help with children’s emotional education, so she had to be extra careful.

“I meant look at the seed! The seed of Papa’s greatness! It’s perfect!”

“And where exactly is this so-called seed?”

“It’s right there!”

“Where?”

“Obviously, it’s...!”

Leonia started to answer boldly, but then froze.

Sweat began to bead on her forehead, and she immediately clamped her mouth shut.

'That was close!'

That was really dangerous. Startled, Leonia quickly closed her eyes.

She’d nearly glanced downward without thinking—on the express train to becoming a complete degenerate.

“...Huh?”

At that moment, something light and soft was draped over her shoulders.

Leonia opened her tightly shut eyes.