I Became the Male Lead's Adopted Daughter-Chapter 83

Before leaving the café—

“Remember what I said.”

Leonia said that one last time.

In Lady Hieina’s hand, where she stood across from her with a nervous expression, was the paper Leonia had handed her earlier.

“This is your chance to be forgiven for spying on me.”

She had made it clear this didn’t count as forgiveness for everything she’d done to Ferio.

“And if the chance ever comes, apologize to Ufikla too.”

“...Yes.”

“Then take care.”

“W-Wait!”

Just as Leonia was about to be lifted onto the horse by Probo, Lady Hieina called out urgently.

“U-Um...”

Lady Hieina struggled to get the words out.

“C-Could I, um, maybe, send you a letter...?”

“...”

“Would it be alright if I sent a letter to you, milady?”

“To me?”

Nod, nod. Her pale blue-silver hair swayed weakly. Even she seemed to realize how strange the question sounded.

Lady Hieina couldn’t even look Leonia in the eye.

“Hmm...”

Leonia thought for a moment, then answered readily.

“If it’s a normal letter, sure.”

She didn’t mind as long as it was just a letter or two being exchanged.

Leonia liked writing letters. The idea of having a pen pal was actually welcome.

Lady Hieina’s expression lit up.

Leonia felt like she’d just picked up a stray puppy.

Lady Hieina left first, and Leonia returned to the estate with Probo.

Though she had rushed out on horseback, since she wasn’t yet confident in riding, they borrowed a carriage for the way back.

The horse they came on was taken by Probo, who rode alongside the carriage.

On the way back, Probo opened the carriage window.

“You were amazing, young lady.”

He finally let out what he’d been holding in.

“If it were me, I wouldn’t even speak to someone like that.”

Probo still didn’t approve of Lady Hieina.

“She didn’t seem like such a bad person when I talked to her.”

Leonia remained unbothered, even indifferent. There wasn’t a trace of fear in her.

“You really are bold.”

Probo clicked his tongue.

He had long since realized that the Voreotis weren’t “normal” by any measure.

But still—he hadn’t expected her to be so forgiving toward someone who had stalked her.

“Doesn’t it make you uncomfortable?”

What worried Probo was whether Lady Hieina might do something to their master's family.

Especially if she ever betrayed the young lady—Leonia would be deeply hurt.

“Why are you worried?”

Leonia, on the other hand, seemed genuinely puzzled.

“If she does it again, she’ll probably die.”

She spoke in an innocent voice.

“I mean, I was the one who gave her a chance and got fooled, so I can’t say much.”

“Much?”

“But I doubt Dad will feel the same.”

The strongest father in the world was obsessive when it came to his daughter. He wouldn’t hand out forgiveness or second chances—not even in dreams.

The Black Beast would offer nothing but merciless retribution and regret.

Probo agreed silently.

“But still...”

There was one critical detail Leonia had overlooked.

“This time, won’t you be the one getting scolded by the Duke?”

Probo was already uneasy.

The closer they got to the mansion, the more ferocious the air seemed to grow.

“...Whoa there!”

Suddenly, the coachman shouted in alarm.

“The horses were running fine just a second ago, what’s going on?”

The horses, which had been galloping smoothly, abruptly slowed down.

Then, as if terrified, they snorted and began trembling anxiously.

“Sir, I’m sorry. The horses just—”

“It’s fine.”

Probo stopped the coachman from apologizing.

Because he had seen it.

The Black Beast was standing right at the mansion gates, waiting to greet his daughter.

Later, Probo would describe what he felt in that moment to his fellow knights like this:

Hell was standing right in front of me.

***

Ferio always called Leonia “Leo.”

It was proof that the two had truly become family, and also a sign that Ferio reserved his affection for her alone.

In truth, she was the only person he had ever called by a nickname.

And Leonia liked that.

She loved that the strongest, scariest father in the world used a gentle nickname just for her.

Sometimes, she would even pester him to say her name just because she liked hearing it.

When he called her name in that deep, soft voice, it felt like a lullaby.

“Leonia.”

But not this time.

“Leonia Voreoti.”

His voice ground out her full name, syllable by syllable, thick with rage.

At the feet of the towering Ferio, as massive as the Northern Mountains themselves, Leonia stood curled up like a pill bug.

Hearing both her first and last name spelled out was never a good sign.

“Dad...”

Leonia peeked up at him, gauging his mood.

His eyes were colder than ever—completely unforgiving.

“...Hehe.”

She tried to laugh, testing the waters.

“I messed up.”

She twisted her limbs awkwardly and spoke in a babyish tone. Normally, this would’ve earned her a sword to the neck.

But now, it was a desperate attempt to survive.

“Daaaad.”

She slowly latched onto Ferio’s leg.

“I won’t do it againnn.”

She whimpered and clung to him, her shoulders trembling with forced cuteness.

“...Quite a sight.”

“Isn’t it?”

From the second-floor railing, Lupe and Tra whispered as they watched.

A baby beast pleading for mercy from the Black Beast himself with all the cuteness in the world—

There was no greater spectacle in the Empire.

“If the Duke forgives her here, I’ll bet you a drink.”

“I was just about to bet on that myself.”

“First come, first served.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Just as their secret wager began—

“Leonia Voreoti.”

Ferio grabbed Leonia and peeled her off his leg.

“Uh...”

The little beast blinked in confusion, suddenly torn away.

She hadn’t fully grasped what just happened to her.

The same went for Lupe and Tra, who were watching from above.

“This isn’t the time for jokes.”

His cold voice filled the entrance hall.

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Even the servants hiding nearby held their breath.

“You really think I’m a joke, don’t you?”

Leonia quickly shook her head.

She almost said something about how he always seemed easy to tease.

“I told you it was dangerous. That you couldn’t.”

“Dad...”

“And yet you went out without my permission?”

“...”

“Even rode a horse you’re not used to?”

No one expected this.

Ferio had always been so soft on Leonia, to the point where people called him a fool for his daughter.

It had become common knowledge across the Empire.

Everyone assumed he’d reluctantly forgive her.

Even if she was young, Leonia had the Fangs of the Beast.

And even if they were still unrefined, she was stronger than most knights.

People didn’t think she had done anything that dangerous.

That included Probo, who had been with her.

He had been more worried about Lady Hieina betraying Leonia’s trust.

It never even crossed his mind that the girl might be physically harmed.

So everyone thought Ferio would scold her lightly, like usual.

Leonia thought the same.

“When you said you were going to see Lady Hieina...”

But Ferio didn’t.

“Do # Nоvеlight # you have any idea how I felt?”

He was furious—truly, deeply furious.

But it wasn’t the kind of rage directed at a disobedient child.

His black eyes, fixed on her, held a tangle of emotions.

Shock. Confusion. Worry. Relief.

All of it was love—for Leonia.

Ferio had panicked the moment he learned his precious daughter had gone to meet someone dangerous.

It didn’t matter how strong she was.

His anger was that of a parent, plain and simple.

“But you...!”

His voice rose—then cut off.

Ferio was too overwhelmed.

His daughter, this precocious child, was treating his worry like it meant nothing, playing cutesy games.

Of course he was seething.

Until Leonia returned, Ferio had been like a paper boat.

Tossed on a raging sea, with no idea when the storm would end.

“...Hic.”

Leonia hiccupped. Her wide eyes were full of surprise.

“You were worried?”

She managed to stop hiccupping and asked.

“Of course I was.”

Ferio scoffed. He couldn’t believe she even asked.

“You’re my daughter. Of course I worry.”

“...”

“Just thinking about it earlier makes me...”

He trailed off.

If he kept going, he’d end up yelling. That was the one thing he swore never to do.

Ferio hadn’t forgotten the horrors Leonia had suffered in the orphanage.

He had vowed never to yell or threaten her—not ever.

But his emotions were too intense right now. He was dangerously close to raising his voice.

“Haa...”

Letting out a heavy sigh, Ferio turned away.

“Stay in your room until dinner.”

By then, he figured he’d be calm enough to talk again.

In his current state, he couldn’t trust himself to speak clearly.

Even he couldn’t believe how rattled he felt.

Just as he turned to leave—

“...Dad!”

Leonia suddenly ran forward and threw herself in front of him, wrapping her arms tightly around his leg.

And she shouted:

“Tell me you love me!”

Cough!

A choking sound came from the railing above—it was Lupe.

“...What?”

Ferio frowned.

“Are you messing with me right now?”

“I’m not!”

Leonia clung tighter, her entire body straining.

She had no intention of letting go.

Ferio winced slightly from the pressure. It actually hurt a bit.

Thanks to her constant physical training.

Of course, this wasn’t the way he wanted to measure her progress.

“I’m not saying it twice. Let go.”

“Say you love me.”

“Leonia. You’re in trouble right now.”

“Exactly! So say it!”

Her voice, full of defiance, rang out loud and clear.

“If I’m gonna be scolded, I want to be scolded with peace of mind—so tell me you love me first!”