I Became the Male Lead’s Adopted Daughter

Connie paused for a moment, reading between the lines of Leonia’s wish to go alone.

“…Do you even know the way?”
If this had been the northern estate, she would've let her go without worry—but this was the capital.
There was no way Leonia knew the layout. Neither did Connie or Mia.

It would’ve been better to have one of the local maids guide her.
“I’m fine.”
Leonia grinned and pointed to herself.

“I can find Dad just by sensing him.”
***
Fangs really are amazing.

Leonia marched confidently through the capital estate alone.
Though she moved distractedly, her direction was fixed—laser-focused on a single point.
Dad’s on the third floor.

That was where she could sense Ferio’s presence.
Now that she could handle the Fangs of the Beast to some extent, Leonia had become especially sensitive to the presence of others.
The Fangs are an extension of yourself.

She recalled what Ferio had told her during training.
The Fangs of the Beast were a supernatural power passed through blood—a part of the body itself.
As the power grew, so did the person wielding it.

To handle the Fangs was to train oneself.
It made one healthier and physically superior to the average person.
That was why House Voreoti had long reigned as haughty, fearsome beasts.
“Beast, beast…”

Humming as she trotted along, Leonia followed the trail of her father’s presence.
“Beast with big, beefy thighs.”
Bulging muscles, strong and tight.

That’s my daddy’s thighs.
Singing her little song filled with unfiltered admiration, Leonia suddenly lifted her head. She spotted a fresco painted on the corridor ceiling.
It had clearly been there for ages, but the colors were still vivid, the brushstrokes refined.

The painting stretched all the way to the end of the corridor without a break.
Is there a story here?
It felt like a narrative was unfolding in the painting.

Leonia pointed at one of the figures with her finger.
Judging by the black hair, it was likely someone from House Voreoti.
She couldn’t tell the gender, but the aura was stunningly beautiful.

Following the painted Voreoti figure, Leonia continued walking.
Next to the Voreoti was a black lion. Behind them, various animals followed.
A white bear standing on two legs, a thick-furred yak, a reindeer with massive antlers, a gray wolf—

And hidden below them, a spotted leopard.
…Hardcore nobles!
Leonia realized that these animals symbolized the core noble families of the North. The hidden leopard represented the House of Pardus.

If they’re featured here, that means Pardus is deep in it too.
The trust between House Voreoti and House Pardus ran deeper than she’d expected.
The very fact that they were depicted in the fresco was proof.

The Voreoti and six animals journeyed to the frigid North. Though the path was difficult, they overcame every hardship.
Eventually, they reached the Northern Mountains.
But beyond that, only the Voreoti and the black lion proceeded.

The other animals remained, waiting at the base of the mountain.
The fresco ended there.
And just below the final panel was a door.

Leonia felt Ferio’s presence strongly behind it.
“Dad.”
Knock knock.

She tapped on the door, and it opened almost immediately.
“Young Lady!”
Lupe greeted her with great enthusiasm and beckoned her in.

Leonia, caught off guard by the unexpected welcome, blinked in confusion.
With a hint of suspicion, she looked at Lupe as if to ask what was going on.
Tra, who was also present, greeted her with excessive cheer.

“How are you, my lady? Isn’t Master looking quite dashing today?”
They gestured to Ferio, who stood by the window alone.
He seemed dressed for an outing—much more polished than when in the North.

His hair was slicked back with unusual care.
But his expression was unmistakably sour.
It looked like he was ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) about to rip off his cravat and fling his coat to the ground at any second.

Going somewhere?
They had just arrived in the capital.
Even to Leonia, who didn’t know the full story, this situation felt absurd.

Running off immediately after a long trip with no time to rest—it wasn’t just exhausting, it was inconsiderate.
…Ah-ha.
So that’s why he was in such a bad mood.

Leonia quickly pieced it together.
This outing must have been a deeply unpleasant appointment for Ferio. Likely a sudden one, with someone he really didn’t like.
Someone Dad hates in the capital, but who still has the power to summon him on a whim…

There was only one person.
The Emperor.
Ferio was preparing to head to the Imperial Palace.

“Dad, where are you going?”
Pretending not to know, Leonia skipped over to him.
Then she turned back and gave Lupe and Tra a confident thumbs-up behind her back.

She was saying, Leave it to me.
Only then did Lupe and Tra finally exhale in relief.
In truth, Leonia didn’t need to do anything.

“You’re not even going to rest?”
This translation is the intellectual property of .
Just her presence was enough to visibly soften Ferio.

That sharp, stifling displeasure melted away like it was never there.
“I just missed you!”
“We just saw each other.”

Despite the gruff tone, Ferio had already lifted her up into his arms and was gently bouncing her.
The slight curl of his lips betrayed his lifted mood.
Tra was stunned into silent awe.

“Young Lady… you’re incredible…”
He was witnessing this tender beast of a father for the first time, and it was a shock.
To think that his master would hold and dote on such a tiny life so gently.

“She’s only just getting started.”
Lupe puffed up proudly, acting as if he himself were the amazing one.
“So where are you going, Dad?”

“Work.”
The thought brought Ferio back to his scowl. He clicked his tongue.
“Working men are cool!”

“I’m cool without work.”
“That’s true!”
Ferio responded firmly. Leonia agreed without hesitation.

Still, Ferio finally moved toward the door.
In his arms, Leonia peeked over his shoulder.
The room looked identical to his office back in the North. It must’ve served the same function.

Lupe and Tra followed, visibly relieved.
They were already running late, but at least he was moving now.
Leonia gave a little wave to the two struggling men—her poor father’s unlucky subordinates.

When they reached the main entrance, Ferio set her down.
Leonia nodded and clutched his hand tightly.
“Dad, while you’re out, find a good place to eat.”

“You want me to bring something back?”
Ferio looked puzzled.
Leonia usually asked him to bring snacks or treats whenever he went out.

“I want to go with you next time and eat together.”
She held out her pinky finger for a promise.
“…You don’t want me to go?”

When Ferio didn’t respond, Leonia pouted and slowly lowered her hand.
Then she twisted slightly, looking up at him with hopeful eyes.
“……”

After a long silence, Ferio finally spoke.
“If I… start a coup d’état right now…”
His fingers, lowered below his thigh, twitched rapidly as if calculating something.

“…how long would it take?”
The absurd outburst froze Leonia, Lupe, and Tra in place.
“A coup,” he repeated, gently and clearly, just in case they hadn’t heard.

Then he looked directly at Leonia.
Eyes wide in panic, she shook her head furiously.
Don’t you dare use me as an excuse! I don’t want that!

“Now that I think about it, it’s just ridiculous.”
Papa Beast would stop at nothing for Baby Beast.
To think he couldn’t even take his daughter out for a simple outing because of some crow-brained fool in power.

A sharp grin spread across Ferio’s lips.
The pressure in the air was enough to make even Leonia recoil, not to mention Lupe and Tra.
“He becomes Emperor and suddenly thinks he’s untouchable.”

Ferio thought back on the past three years.
That coward who once trembled before him was now full of arrogance, drunk on the title of “Emperor.”
And on top of that, he’d forced Ferio to stay in the capital for three whole years over a nonsense proposal to make his mistress the Empress.

The four great regional dukes—rulers of their own lands—had wasted precious years in the capital because of one featherbrained fool.
To think that thing had taken the Empire’s throne… the late Emperor would be spinning in his grave.
He’d tolerated it until now out of sheer apathy.

But maybe a coup really would be the simpler solution for everyone.
“Dad’s lost it.”
Leonia finally snapped out of it and started smacking his thigh.

“Just go already!”
Revolution or not—he had to leave first for anything to happen.
Judging by the urgency on Lupe’s face, they really were running out of time.

“I don’t want Dad to be Emperor.”
“Why not?”
“I prefer you shady and manipulative, pulling strings from the shadows.”

Leonia declared her preferences with total conviction.
“Who the hell did you inherit that villainy from?”
Ferio clicked his tongue.

“……”
“……”
Lupe and Tra silently stared at Ferio.

Who else?
She’s your blood, sir.