I Became the Male Lead’s Adopted Daughter

As soon as Varia put on Leonia’s hat, her expression relaxed instantly.
It was like finding an oasis in the middle of a scorching, dry desert.

“Th-Thank you…”
Varia gave a sheepish smile.
“You’re quite sensitive to heat.”
Ferio pulled out a different handkerchief than the one he had used on Leonia, soaked it in water, and gently dabbed Varia’s forehead.
Leonia was once again reminded that Ferio really was the protagonist of a novel.

The Ice Duke of the North, in the face of love, was nothing but a tender and considerate man.
“Ugh, it’s scary…”
Even in the heat, Leonia gave a dramatic shiver.
It was still the same empire and the same season, but the South was much hotter than the capital.

“Even when it gets hot, it’s never like this in the North.”
Leonia recalled Northern summers.
There was a lot of wind, constant clouds, and sometimes the midnight sun where the sun didn’t set even at night.
It was the one time Ferio never scolded her for staying up all night.

“You must be a born Northerner, unnie.”
Leonia said Varia would forget all about the heat once they got to the North. She sincerely hoped that would be true.
While the carriage was being checked, Ferio briefly outlined the upcoming schedule.
“There’s a Voreoti estate in the South. We’ll stay there before heading north.”

“How long will we be staying?”
Varia, now slightly cooled off, placed the hat back on Leonia’s head and asked.
“A little over a week. Since we’re down here, we might as well enjoy it.”
“Yay~!”
Leonia cheered.

“But someone from the imperial family… is going north…”
On the other hand, Varia couldn’t fully share the excitement.
The imperial family would surely dispatch people to probe and dig into every region. It didn’t feel like the right time to be relaxing.
“There’s still time.”
Ferio said, bringing the back of his hand to Varia’s cheek. Though her temperature had dropped, she was still slightly warmer than him.

“Is it because of Pardus?”
Varia lowered his hand subtly, stealing a glance at Leonia.
“Are they buying us time?”
Ferio smiled as if she had guessed correctly. Varia’s face flushed warmer again.
“But will it go well?”

Cutting through the sweet tension between the adults, Leonia popped up like a bubble.
She was now quite used to the fluffy, dreamy atmosphere between her dad and her future mom.
“Olor seems to have some kind of rivalry with Pardus.”

“He doesn’t even know his place.”
Ferio felt deeply irritated whenever he thought about how unstable politics in the capital had become.
No matter how quickly Olor had risen, the true right-hand of the Emperor was still Marquis Pardus.

Since the Empire’s founding, the Pardus family had stood by the imperial line. Their long history and accomplishments were not something Olor could dare to touch.
And yet he strutted around just because he got a viscount title by making his daughter a consort.
Ferio, for the first time in his life, felt sorry for Pardus.

The only saving grace was that the marquis had become utterly smitten with Lupe and Inseréa’s child.
“If Grandpa the Marquis were around, he would’ve killed those damn swans by now.”
Leonia rested her chin on her palm and spoke as if stating the obvious.

Ferio agreed. If Marquis Pardus had been in the capital, Olor would’ve been plucked clean and roasted on a spit by now.
In fact, his son—Lord Pardus’s heir—was even rougher and more cold-blooded than his father.
Olor was practically begging for the guillotine at this point.

“Looking at lunatics just drains your energy.”
Ferio’s comment had Leonia doubled over with laughter. There wasn’t a single lie in what he said.
“Your Grace.”
Varia frowned slightly.

“No matter how true it is, you shouldn’t use that kind of language in front of the young lady.”
Now she knew where Leonia had picked up such crude expressions—she’d clearly learned it from Ferio.
Varia politely asked him to be more mindful for the sake of the child’s emotional upbringing.

“Don’t be so harsh on Dad…”
Leonia pleaded with a dramatic expression, barely holding in her laughter.
Ferio’s eyes flickered with something like panic.

This cheeky baby beast was so annoying… yet he found himself jealous of how comfortably she clung to Varia.
“Dad, I love you!”
Snuggled in Varia’s arms, Leonia stretched her arms above her head in a heart shape.

Yet her expression was devilish. Her mischief-swollen cheeks climbed high over her grin.
Ferio seriously wondered if Leonia had been possessed by a demon.
But then he remembered—his daughter would probably try to spread her love of muscles even to the devil, and the thought vanished.

***
The South was a land of leisure.
Along with the West, it had the most vacation villas for nobles. A vibrant culture had formed, full of Southern flair and passion.

Facing the vast sea, the region was home to families who had protected this land for generations.
Those were the Aust and Meridio families.
Leonia took a big bite of fruit.

It was a snack Tra had packed for her before they left the capital estate.
Its sweet, juicy flavor was perfect for refreshing her throat.
As she swallowed the fruit, Leonia looked out the window.

As soon as the Voreoti carriage entered the South, it drew massive attention. The stares it received were half surprise, half curiosity.
“Kind of quiet, actually?”
Leonia stared out the window, puzzled.

“Honestly, I thought we’d get pelted with eggs or rotten fruit.”
“Why would you think that?”
Ferio chuckled softly.
“Paavo oppa said so.”
Leonia pouted.

He told her the South had become increasingly hostile toward the North lately for no reason.
But the South Leonia saw with her own eyes only looked curious about House Voreoti.
If anything, the reception leaned more positive than negative.

Seabirds cawed above, and the tanned faces of the locals were lively and full of energy. It was the very picture of a vibrant vacation destination.
“Not all of the South is like that,”
Varia said.
“The knight was probably talking about the territories ruled by new noble houses centered around Olor.”

She added, a little sadly, that Erbanu was one of them.
“This area, in contrast, is more friendly.”
Ferio drew the curtains over the sunlit windows.

Unfortunately, the carriage was black, so it absorbed all the heat of the midday sun.
Even the northern warhorses, capable of withstanding cold, were starting to slow under the Southern heat.
Luckily, a large cloud drifted across the sky, casting shade, and a breeze picked up.

“This is the Meridio territory.”
“Ooh~!”
The Voreoti villa was located near the Meridio domain.

Soon, the carriage came to a halt in front of a large mansion.
“Dad, here.”
Leonia handed Ferio the half-eaten fruit as she stepped out. She didn’t want to finish it.

Without a word, Ferio took the fruit and bit into it.
Varia watched the beastly father and daughter in fascination.
“Dad’s always eaten my leftovers since I was little.”
Leonia said like it was no big deal.

“He even wiped my face and ate the crumbs.”
“How kind of him…!”
Varia fell for Ferio all over again. He really was a wonderful father.
“He’ll probably do the same for you too, unnie.”

At the girl’s teasing remark, Varia froze like a stone.
Leonia giggled and ran to Ferio, and Varia, snapping out of it, hurried after them.
The Voreoti villa was nestled in a coastal forest. It was full of sea pines, which reminded Varia of the fir trees that grew in the North.

Inside, the villa was pristine.
The caretakers had heard in advance that Ferio might visit and had cleaned and stocked the kitchen.
The staff quickly took their positions, and the knights went to inspect the area.

“Have you met Duke Aust before?”
Varia asked, seated between the Voreoti pair.
At that moment, a servant drew back the curtains, revealing a clear view of the sea beyond the forest.
Varia gasped without thinking.

Ferio’s lips curved into a quiet arc as he watched her.
“I have.”
“When?”
Leonia, now sprawled out across their laps, asked. She had kicked off both shoes and socks.

“A while ago,”
Ferio replied, scolding her to sit properly.
“It was when the previous duke and duchess passed.”
His voice was calm. But it was enough to make Leonia sit up straight.

The previous duke and duchess were Ferio’s parents. Even if he didn’t care for them, it wasn’t a topic to be taken lightly.
Varia also held her breath at the unexpected answer.
“I inherited the title then, so I paid a visit.”

Ferio remained entirely composed.
“And again, five years ago.”
He spoke as calmly as if he were reading Leonia a muscle dictionary to help her sleep.

“So are you meeting him again this time?”
Leonia remembered Ferio’s mention of “business.” Ferio nodded.
That “business” was a meeting with Duke Aust.
That was why they were staying at the villa built in the Meridio territory.

***
The first few days after arriving at «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» the villa were peaceful.
Ferio had said he would meet Duke Aust but didn’t specify when. In fact, it seemed even he didn’t know.

“They’re the ones who’ll decide when,”
he said. All they could do was wait.
So they waited. Leisurely.
During that time, Leonia immersed herself in her hobbies—drawing pictures.

She even drew a clock with Ferio and Varia as the inspiration, eventually adding herself to create a “family clock.”
She peeked at the knights’ muscles whenever she could, drew those, and rolled around on the cool floor of the front hall until Connie and Mia scolded her.
Ferio also put effort into building his relationship with Varia.

They strolled through nearby villages together, or the three of them would sit on a mat at the beach in front of the villa and enjoy slow, lazy afternoons.
“This is the first time I’ve ever relaxed like this!”
Varia gushed, voice full of excitement.

The beastly father and daughter felt a pang of sympathy.
It meant Varia had never been able to relax like this with her own family.
“Let’s have lots of fun together, unnie. Okay?”

“If you marry me, you’ll be on permanent vacation.”
Ferio quipped.
Leonia and Ferio both spoke as if there would always be a “next time.” Varia nodded happily.
Two days passed like that.

Then, on the evening of the third day—
“Leo.”
Ferio called as soon as they sat down to dinner.
“It’s tonight.”

As always, his words were brief.
But Leonia, having lived as his daughter all her life, understood right away.
“It’s tonight.”

The true master of the South.
Tonight, at last—they would meet Duke Aust.