I Became the Male Lead's Adopted Daughter-Chapter 107

"Leo."

Ferio called the child’s name in the gentlest, most powerful voice in the world.

When she looked toward the sound, she saw Daddy Beast standing at the wide-open door, waiting.

“Daddy!”

Leonia ran over with quick little steps.

“This! You gave this to me!”

Noticing that her father’s gaze had landed on her hat, Leonia took it off to show him.

The moment she removed the hat, the hot air from outside hit her skin.

Ferio took the hat and looked it over for a moment, then stared quietly at Leonia.

“Hmm?”

The little beast tilted her head.

“It suits you.”

Ferio said, tossing the words out casually as he put the hat back on her head.

“It’s yours.”

“Wasn’t it mine from the beginning?”

“If it didn’t suit you, I was going to take it back.”

“Wow...”

Leonia scowled in full displeasure. Taking back a gift was the pettiest thing one could do.

Still, she didn’t want to lose the hat, so she defended it with both arms like a fortress.

Seeing her like that, Ferio let out a small chuckle.

“I’m not taking it back.”

“How do I know that’s true?”

“I mean it.”

“Then give me a hug.”

Leonia whined, stretching out her arms.

“......”

Ferio hesitated for a moment, then let out a deep sigh and picked her up.

Bothered by thoughts of his past relationships, Ferio had been unintentionally holding back his affection, feeling guilty toward Leonia.

He had even taken three cold showers in the middle of the night.

“Hehe, Daddy. Daddy.”

Leonia wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, clinging on as if she’d never let go.

“Do you like it that much?”

“Yeah!”

Her legs dangled and kicked in midair with excitement.

A large hand hovered for a while, uncertain whether to pat her back. Then, as if giving in, it gently began to tap her.

Leonia’s laughter rang louder.

“Do you know what I’m thinking right now?”

Ferio asked.

He had spent the entire night reflecting on his past. He had no right to criticize the child for being a pervert or for obsessing over muscles.

It was all in the blood.

“Something useless, probably.”

Leonia shot back instantly.

“......Where’d you learn to talk like that?”

“Who do you think?”

Who else could it be?

Leonia narrowed her eyes and asked the question.

There was only one person in this mansion who could influence her like that—the one holding her right now.

The speechless father closed his mouth.

“What were you thinking that made you avoid me?”

Leonia said in a subdued voice, recalling how strange he’d been all day yesterday.

“You wouldn’t even hold my hand, or hug me, or give me a kiss on the cheek...”

She confessed how hurt she’d been.

“We’re family.” ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

The little beast drooped her shoulders and stuck out her lip.

“...I’m sorry for that.”

Ferio sincerely apologized for making her feel that way.

He hadn’t intended to, but while he’d been lost in his own thoughts, it seemed the child had felt uncertain and uneasy.

“See, you were sorry.”

“Let’s get going now.”

“Changing the subject again.”

Leonia lightly smacked her father's forehead.

But Ferio was right—it was time to leave.

If they delayed any longer, the heat would rise, and the horses would have trouble running. Especially the large ones born and raised in the cold North.

“Master, young lady.”

Tra stepped forward to speak on behalf of the staff.

“Please travel safely.”

“Take care of the estate while I’m gone.”

“While we’re gone!”

Leonia nagged, making sure not to be left out.

“...While we’re gone, take care of the estate.”

Ferio corrected himself with a plural subject and gave her a brief sideways glance, as if to say, ‘Satisfied now?’ Only then did Leonia nod with content.

“The two of you bickering has become part of the daily life here.”

Already feeling wistful at the thought of not seeing them for a while, Tra spoke with a soft smile.

“You have strange tastes.”

Ferio twisted his lips teasingly. Tra just smiled in return.

“Young lady.”

Tra’s gaze shifted to Leonia.

“That hat was one the master often wore as a child.”

“It was Daddy’s?”

Leonia gasped and looked at the hat, then up at Ferio.

Her eyes practically screamed, Is that true? The intensity of her stare made Ferio look away.

Then he glared at Tra as if to say, Why would you tell her that?

“But it’s true, isn’t it?”

Tra said playfully.

As expected of his milk-sibling, Tra had guts.

“Seeing the young lady wearing that hat reminds me of the master back in those days.”

“D-Do ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) I really look like him...?”

Leonia blushed and asked.

“You’re family.”

Tra replied.

“Family always bears resemblance.”

“......”

“You’re the master’s one and only daughter. Of course you’d look like him.”

At those heartfelt words, Leonia felt a sudden warmth in her chest.

Her little toes, sticking out from her sandals, wiggled. Embarrassed, she buried her face in her father’s shoulder and squirmed.

Of course I look like Daddy!

But for some reason, hearing it today made her especially happy, and she couldn’t help being shy.

It must’ve been because she’d received the hat Ferio once cherished.

Because Leonia knew almost nothing about his past.

Even in the original novel, Ferio’s backstory wasn’t well revealed.

To be honest, she felt like she shouldn’t ask about it.

Ferio’s parents had passed away early, so there was no one to tell those old stories. And Ferio himself showed no desire to talk about his childhood.

So Leonia never felt the need to ask.

Still, learning about it like this—indirectly—made her a little happy.

Leonia gently stroked the hat.

Now, she had another treasure, right after her strawberry milk candy and her black lion plushie.

“I’ll get you something better next time.”

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Ferio spoke nonchalantly, as if to say not to cling too much to the old hat.

But he watched the child treasure it with a content expression.

And Tra, silently observing the scene, smiled with quiet relief.

Ah, Master finally...

Now he finally has someone he can truly cherish as family.

“I’m sincerely honored to have met the young lady.”

Tra bowed deeply, holding back the wave of emotion rising in his chest.

“Please have a safe journey.”

It was a heartfelt farewell.

Following Tra’s lead, the rest of the household staff came out to see off their master and his daughter.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

The father and daughter climbed into the carriage, escorted by the estate staff.

Behind their carriage, several more followed—some carrying luggage, others transporting the attendants who had come with them from the North.

Leonia quickly noticed that the luggage wagons were carrying far more than when they first arrived.

She leaned out the window, and all the staff were gathered outside to see them off.

“......”

After thinking about something for a moment, Leonia looked up at Ferio.

He gestured toward the outside with his eyes.

Leonia nodded.

Then she suddenly flung the window wide open, took a deep breath—

And shouted in the loudest voice she could muster.

“I’ll be back!”

The baby beast’s booming cry startled the staff.

“Both the North and this Capital estate are my homes now!”

Somehow, Leonia had ended up with two large and splendid homes.

Both the North and the Capital held a special place in her heart—she couldn't weigh one against the other.

“Thanks for taking such good care of me!”

Leonia waved her arms with all her strength.

“I’ll write to you! See you again later!”

Stay healthy!

With one last push of strength, Leonia shouted the words she wanted to say most of all.

“Thank you!”

Bye-bye!

The carriage began to move.

The estate staff stood watching until the carriage carrying Leonia vanished from sight.

Some even waved back, their feelings of sadness showing through.

“......”

Among them, Tra quietly wiped away a tear—but that was everyone’s secret.

* * *

It didn’t take long for the Voreoti carriage to pass the Capital’s outer districts and arrive at the border checkpoint.

Leonia had spent the ride quietly gazing out the window as the scenery sped past.

After passing a few scattered noble estates, dense clusters of shops and homes began to appear.

And just beyond those, the outer walls of the Capital loomed ahead.

Then, finally, they reached the checkpoint.

As expected, the checkpoint staff and gate guards panicked the moment they saw the Voreoti carriage.

Even the horses startled slightly and snorted, causing the guards to flinch.

Don’t they ever learn?

Leonia watched them with a look of exasperation.

They’d seen these horses just a few months ago—and surely not all the staff had been replaced since then—so why were they still acting like amateurs?

Inseréa unni really is amazing at her job.

Even that overly rational, self-proclaimed “logical man” Lupe had acknowledged her, so there was no need to explain further.

Thinking back, it really was strange that someone that competent had once been a stalker.

I hope she’s doing well in the North.

Now that she’d escaped from parents who didn’t recognize her talents, Leonia hoped Inseréa could flourish under Voreoti and put her skills to good use.

Soon, their carriage passed through the checkpoint.

“Are we going through the West again this time?”

Leonia asked, glancing at Ferio who was in the middle of reading.

“Do we have time to waste?”

Ferio replied, flipping a page.

“The direct gate to the North is inside the Imperial Palace, and I’d rather not use that. The South is a sauna right now, and the East roads are too narrow for this carriage.”

In his usual composed tone, her kind father explained why they were going through the Western gate again.

But interestingly, when he mentioned the gate inside the Imperial Palace, he said he won’t use it—not that he can’t.

It was the kind of shameless confidence that only Ferio could have.

Still, Leonia was convinced that if her father really wanted to, he could absolutely use the gate inside the palace.

He probably just found the emperor and all the other palace politics annoying and decided to ignore them.

While they were chatting, the carriage arrived at the gate.

In the middle of a vast field stood two warped pillars—twisted as if someone had grabbed them and wrenched them with their bare hands.

“Want me to hold your hand?”

Ferio asked playfully before they passed through the gate.

“What the heck. If you want to hold hands with me, just say so.”

Leonia snorted dismissively.

Ferio found her reaction both ridiculous and adorable.

“Try not to get scared and throw up again.”

“I don’t get motion sickness anymore.”

“Just don’t end up puking all over the carriage.”

“If I do puke, I’ll make sure to aim it right at your clothes.”

Leonia made a dramatic gagging gesture, as if daring him to test her.

Of all the ways to act tough, she had to pick something that gross?

Ferio let out a quiet sigh.

There was no winning with her—not even one word.

But of course, Ferio liked that boldness very much.

“Then why are you scooting over next to me?”

He looked down at Leonia, who had quietly shuffled over to his side.