I Became the Male Lead’s Adopted Daughter

“He probably does. They met at the plaza, after all.”
The couple thought of their youngest daughter, who was most likely fast asleep by now, hugging her reindeer plushie.
“Flo may be kind, but she’s not exactly the outgoing type to take the lead with others.”

The Viscountess was more than a little anxious about whether her shy daughter could get along with the Duke of Voreoti’s daughter.
“That’s what you’re worried about?”
“Of course I am. She’s the daughter of Duke Voreoti, after all.”

“Titles and status don’t matter when it comes to making friends.”
“There you go again, talking like we live in a fairytale…”
The Viscountess let out a small yawn. It was about time to sleep.

Viscount Kerata leaned over and blew out the candle on the bedside table. The flickering crimson flame vanished with a soft puff.
In the darkness of the bedroom, the couple wrapped themselves in the blanket and held each other close.
“Darling.”

“Yes, dear?”
“Honestly, that’s not what you should be worried about.”
“Hm?”

She lifted her head and looked at him, puzzled.
“You don’t truly understand who the Duke is.”
“The Duke?”

“There’s a reason they call him the Black Beast.”
***
“Kyaaa—!”
“Waaah! I’m scared!”

“Mom! Moooom!”
“S-Scary! It’s scary!”
“I’m sorry! Waaah—!”

The children, who had come along to the tea party with their parents, screamed the moment they saw Ferio.
One tripped and fell while running, another buried their face in their mother’s skirt.
Some began shrieking, demanding to go home right now.

Scattered across the floor where the children had been moments ago were toys and coloring books, now abandoned.
One tiny shoe, belonging to who knows whom, lay all by itself near the chaos.
It was a grim scene.

“……”
Ferio’s expression twisted as he entered the drawing room where the tea party was being held and let out a single breath.
Wow…

Paavo, who was attending as both escort and servant, dressed in formal uniform, was amazed.
They’re actually crying and running away?
He’d only ever heard from Meleis—who had a younger brother around Leonia’s age—that Ferio possessed another fearsome power even greater than his fangs as the Black Beast.

That just making eye contact was enough to send children into sobbing fits and full-on meltdowns.
And sure enough, the children began wailing and fleeing the moment they laid eyes on Ferio.
Taking a step back, Paavo somehow felt that Ferio’s back looked strangely… lonely.

“Ehehe! Daddy made them cry!”
Leonia, cradled in her father’s arms, clutched her stomach with laughter.
Paavo was in awe of the young lady’s bravery.

Come to think of it, she’s the only kid who doesn’t cry when she sees the Duke.
He remembered how she hadn’t # Nоvеlight # cried even when they first met at the orphanage.
Leonia was probably the only person in the world who could openly mock and tease the Duke when he was annoyed.

“You made them cry! You did!”
“Is it that fun to tease your father?”
“Totally worth dressing up like this for a tea party.”

From the trailing lace bonnet to the puffed-out lime-green dress stuffed with layers of petticoats—
Topped off with gleaming white leather shoes, Leonia sneered in full force.
“No way I’m suffering through this alone.”

Even though Connie, Mia, and the other maids had gone all out to dress her up for her first tea party, her grin was so wicked that it made their efforts seem meaningless.
“You ungrateful little thing.”
Ferio clicked his tongue and set her down on the floor.

Still, he offered his hand, and a tiny one clasped it tightly in return.
“Oh, welcome!”
The hostess of the tea party, Viscountess Kerata, hurried over.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Duke Voreoti, Lord of the North. I am Tragela Kerata, the hostess of this tea party. I’m only sorry we could not prepare a more splendid setting for your visit.”
“Thanks to your husband, I was able to learn of such a lovely place.”
“I’ve heard from him already.”

“I apologize for the commotion earlier.”
Ferio offered a rare and genuine apology for the earlier chaos.
“The children are still very young.”

She couldn’t very well say they were screaming because you look terrifying, so Viscountess Kerata gave a gentle smile instead.
“Ah, then this lovely young lady with you must be…”
“My daughter.”

Ferio released Leonia’s hand and gave her a slight nod to signal she should introduce herself.
“Good day, Viscountess Kerata.”
Leonia lifted the hem of her dress with impeccable grace and curtsied. Her posture was flawless.

“I am Leonia Voreoti, daughter of the House of Voreoti. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, Viscountess Kerata. Thank you very much for inviting us to your tea party.”
“Oh, my!”
At the child’s composed and polite greeting, Viscountess Kerata’s face lit up with delight.

Leonia found the Viscountess rather cute, with her expressive face that showed every feeling so openly.
She looked like she might be quite a few years younger than the Viscount.
While briefly musing on that, the Viscountess bowed back to Leonia.

“Young Lady Voreoti, it is such a pleasure to finally meet you as well. I am Tragela Kerata, your hostess for today. I do hope you enjoy your time here.”
The Viscountess’s warm, friendly smile instantly put people at ease.
Leonia saw traces of the Viscount in her face.

She smiled brightly.
This translation is the intellectual property of .
They say happy couples start to resemble one another—Viscount Kerata and his wife must have had a truly close bond.

Viscountess Kerata gave a brief explanation about the tea party.
“The children play on the carpet over there, while the parents sit here, enjoying tea and keeping an eye on them.”
“Do these tea parties happen often?” Ferio asked as he took a seat. Tea was soon served before him.

“They rotate among the families we associate with.”
This time, it was the Kerata family’s turn.
Each host family prepared a small event for the children during their turn, and this time, the Viscountess had arranged a reindeer petting and riding experience.

“There’s no risk to the children’s safety?”
Ferio’s brows twitched the moment he heard about the reindeer.
He couldn’t help but picture Leonia getting kicked and seriously injured by one.

“Reindeer are domesticated and gentle. Our family’s expert will be standing close by at all times, and viewing will be from behind a fenced area. All three reindeer were selected from our own ranch and raised under our care, so there’s no risk of parasitic infection.”
“And the riding?”
“We’ll provide safety instructions to the children who wish to participate, and anyone who doesn’t follow them won’t be allowed to ride.”

“Then it’s acceptable.”
Phew—Viscountess Kerata secretly wiped cold sweat from her brow.
Ferio was only asking out of concern for his daughter’s safety, but to the Viscountess, it felt like she was giving a high-stakes report to a superior.

Even her in-laws hadn’t made her feel this nervous.
The way Ferio flicked his fingers here and there mid-conversation was absolutely terrifying.
“Leo.”

Ferio gently set Leonia down beside him, though she had quietly settled into his side without a sound.
“Go play.”
“…But I want to stay with you,” Leonia whined, squirming a little.

“Leo wants to drink tea with Daddy, and eat sweets…”
“Don’t get clingy like that.”
“It’s not clingy! It’s just… cute?”

“Is your tongue cramping or something?”
Ferio poked at her mouth with his fingers, telling her to drop the creepy baby talk.
Not wanting fingers in her mouth, Leonia clamped her lips shut and fought back with all her might.

Ugh, I really don’t want to…
She had made it to the tea party, somehow—but the thought of actually playing with the other kids made her feel faint.
“Dad…”

Unable to avoid it any longer, Leonia steeled herself.
“Do you know how old I am?”
“You’re seven, but you look five.”

“Actually… I’m over twenty. I’ll be thi—”
“You’re at an age overflowing with dreams and wonder.”
“Since when?!”

Leonia finally snapped, unable to keep her composure in front of others any longer.
The nobles, quietly watching the affectionate scene between father and daughter, flinched.
Voreoti is Voreoti after all. They whispered among themselves that the Black Beast had arrived.

“Enough nonsense. Take this.”
Ferio gave a subtle nod to Paavo behind him.
Paavo, who had been silently suppressing laughter, let out a small cough and handed over a pink velvet pouch.

Ferio opened it and picked something out to show her.
It was a strawberry milk-flavored candy—Leonia’s favorite treat.
“…Huh?”

Leonia tilted her head in confusion at the candy.
“Share it with the other kids.”
“Who? There are no other kids.”

She pointed at the empty play area. All the children had run off crying at the sight of her dad.
“They’ll come back soon.”
At his words, the nobles quickly ushered their children back into the play space.

Leonia gave Ferio a look soaked in salty sea water.
It meant: You’re so stingy it’s honestly pathetic.
“Try to make at least one friend.”

“And do what with them, exactly…”
Though she grumbled in frustration, Leonia clutched the pouch of candy tightly and trudged toward the play area.
Ferio watched his daughter’s small back with a calm, relaxed gaze.

***
Flomus now stood at a great crossroads in her young life.
“Make sure to take good care of the young lady from House Voreoti.”

That was what her parents had told her before the tea party began.
Leonia—so tiny and strange, the one who’d called her a “baby” despite being smaller herself—was unlike anyone Flomus had ever met.
She had been shocked, yes, but not offended. In fact, she’d grown curious.

It was the first time she’d ever thought black—so dark and scary—could look so beautiful.
Leonia’s round eyes and pigtails were absolutely adorable.
Even so, Flomus couldn’t bring herself to say “okay” so easily.

Because behind Leonia stood Ferio—huge and terrifying.
How could someone so scary and overwhelming have a daughter that small and cute?
Flomus was genuinely curious, so she asked her older brother.

Her brother just shrugged and said,
“Maybe she’s just as scary too.”