I Became the Male Lead's Adopted Daughter-Chapter 115

Count Urmariti’s invitation was appreciated.

It wasn’t that it made her uncomfortable.

But Leonia knew that Count Urmariti had a new wife now, and children from that ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) remarriage.

She recalled the story Kara once told her.

At the time, Kara had said Regina didn’t have any siblings.

Leonia had brushed it off then, but now that she thought about it, it probably meant Regina’s relationship with the children from her father’s second marriage had been awkward.

Besides, the Countess Urmariti she had met at the tea gathering had been a kind, good woman. Close even to Countess Bosgruni.

“Hmm...”

After some thought, Leonia declined the offer.

“It’s not just that I’d feel uneasy around your family... I think staying at your estate could create some misunderstandings.”

The fact that Leonia was Regina’s daughter was a secret that could never be revealed.

Not even the smallest seed of misunderstanding could be allowed to take root—at least that was Leonia’s thinking.

Count Urmariti gave a bittersweet smile. But deep down, he was genuinely impressed by the child’s astute judgment.

“I wasn’t thinking clearly. You are truly wise.”

“I’ll visit another time instead. We’ll have fun then.”

Though a bit disappointed, Count Urmariti soon relaxed his expression when Leonia suggested they share a pleasant tea time together next time.

“Bye bye, Grandpa!”

Leonia watched Count Urmariti until he was no longer in sight.

Once the send-off was over, she was completely drained.

“Ugh...”

She trudged around to turn back—only to be suddenly whoosh—lifted right off the ground.

“Dad...”

The baby beast immediately curled into the chest of the beastly dad.

“You did well.”

Ferio gently patted her back.

At the soft comfort, Leonia whined and nuzzled her face into his shoulder.

“It was a little sad...”

The image of a man sobbing as he called out his dead daughter’s name, the painful scene of him unable to call the only granddaughter she left behind by name—it all lingered in her heart.

And watching the mourning count had made her think again and again of the “family” from another world.

“...It really was sad.”

Leonia buried her nose into Ferio’s shoulder and sniffled quietly for a long time.

The faint smell of soap mixed with her father’s scent gave her a deep sense of relief.

It reminded her again that this was her home—her real home, her true place.

Just as that sense of belonging settled firmly back into her chest—

“I hope they’re all doing okay.”

Leonia offered up that small, earnest wish.

Telling someone who’s lost someone precious to “be happy” might be a cruel demand.

So instead, she simply hoped that, from now on, they could move a little further away from the sadness.

That they’d feel just a little bit better than the day before.

Not just Count Urmariti—but the ones from her previous world, too.

“Such a good kid.”

Ferio pressed a kiss near her temple.

“Who did you get that kindness from?”

“From you, of course.”

“I’m not kind.”

If he were kind enough for everyone to notice, he joked, he never could’ve become the Duke of Voreoti.

“Then what about me?”

Leonia pouted, despite having just been praised for her goodness.

She hadn’t forgotten that he’d once said she would be the heir.

Ferio lightly rocked her in his arms, as if to say don’t worry.

“You’re kind—and you’ve got a wicked temper. That’s why you’re fine.”

“Did you just say I have a wicked temper...”

“It was a compliment.”

Ferio smiled subtly and added, everyone has a wicked streak somewhere.

“That doesn’t sound like a compliment at all.”

Slightly annoyed, Leonia grabbed his cheek and tugged it far to the side.

His skin stretched effortlessly with springy elasticity befitting a main character in a novel.

Not a single blemish or wrinkle—exactly what you’d expect from a duke of the North.

‘Then does my skin...?’

As his daughter, hers must be top-tier, too.

“Nice!”

Leonia cupped her face in both hands like flower petals.

Her previously sunken mood was now totally revived, like magic.

“What exactly is nice?”

Sad one minute, delighted the next.

“You’re busy, huh.”

Ferio chuckled helplessly.

***

A few days later—

Ferio called Lupe and Inseréa to his office.

And without any warning, he said,

“My kid’s a genius.”

“Absolutely, Your Grace!”

Inseréa nodded fervently in agreement.

Lupe, on the other hand, quietly avoided eye contact, wondering what is it this time...

“Miss Leonia can do anything,” Inseréa added, with confidence in her eyes. She’d known it all along.

“I knew I hired the right staff.”

Ferio praised Inseréa, pleased by how well she recognized Leonia’s true talent.

Inseréa had quickly adapted to the North and was now thriving as a capable employee.

It was like she had found her calling—no matter how busy she was, her face was always bright with energy.

At first, everyone had their doubts about her, but after witnessing her skill firsthand, all of them had come to accept it.

In fact, the bizarre fact that she had once stalked Ferio only added to her weird popularity.

After all, openly crushing on the Duke of Voreoti was basically asking to be annihilated.

And yet, not only had she survived, but she’d also been hired as a staff member.

Inseréa had become a bit of a celebrity.

“...But why did you call us here?” Lupe finally asked with a weary voice.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

‘Triple my pay, give me a month off.’

The overworked office worker was mentally chanting his wishlist like a spell.

Stronger than any coffee or black tea.

“Leo submitted several wristwatch designs.”

Ferio handed the designs to his two secretaries.

These were sketches Leonia had made over the past few days while snacking.

Crumbs and cream smudges were scattered here and there on the pages.

“Oh my!”

Inseréa was immediately entranced.

“They’re so beautiful!”

The drawings depicted various types of wristwatches, all carefully colored in.

There were watches with leather straps like the one Ferio wore, but also metallic ones that looked like jewelry, and delicate ones that resembled bracelets for noblewomen.

Leonia had supposedly drawn them just to pass the time, and yet there were over ten pages.

But Lupe was struck by something else entirely.

This... was drawn by a kid?

Each sketch was strikingly detailed and realistic.

Inseréa’s earlier exclamation wasn’t just blind admiration for the Duke—it was genuine.

The shading, the proportions of the components, the precision...

It was professional-level work.

Lupe had seen drawings from his older brother’s children before—nieces and nephews around Leonia’s age. Their art usually needed an explanation just to be recognized.

But these designs? Each came with notes—specific instructions on how to build them, and what to watch out for.

“Wow...”

Lupe couldn’t help but marvel.

“Miss Leonia has a real talent for art too.”

Inseréa merely shrugged like it was obvious.

Ferio nodded as well.

“I’m thinking of giving her some formal art education.”

“But is there even an artist worthy of teaching her?”

Inseréa asked, genuinely worried.

“That’s true...”

Ferio agreed wholeheartedly.

“For now, we’ll ask Leo first.”

He handed all the designs to Inseréa.

“From now on, memorize every design Leo draws.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And memorize this book, too.”

Ferio handed over a thick technical book on watchmaking and assembly.

It had been brought from the Academy by Paavo, from his younger brother Bopa who was studying horology.

“Wh-what’s this for...?”

Inseréa tilted her head, confused.

She had been lucky to land her job assisting Lupe, but she was still the most junior and inexperienced of the Voreoti secretaries.

She had no illusions—she knew she lacked the experience and expertise to take part in a new wristwatch business. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

And yet, the items now in her hands hinted otherwise. Her heart began to pound with anxious anticipation.

“Leo’s full of ideas,” Ferio said as he watched her.

“But she doesn’t have the technical knowledge yet.”

Sometimes she sang ridiculous songs, or gave critiques of fairy tales with strangely realistic logic.

Her ideas were naturally brilliant—so original and creative that Ferio himself was often left speechless.

Usually when she started singing something vulgar.

In any case, she had enormous talent, but her youth meant she lacked specialized knowledge.

Ferio hoped Inseréa could help fill that gap.

Inseréa’s eyes grew round.

“Me... doing something that important...?!”

The rookie trembled under the sudden weight of such an enormous task.

The expectations and pressure made her feel faint.

‘Disappointing. Can’t even handle this?’

‘Stop copying books and try thinking for once!’

‘Why do you only do worthless things...’

Cruel voices from her past echoed in her ears.

“There’s no need to feel pressured.”

Then, beyond the ringing in her ears, came Lupe’s voice—like a church bell of salvation.

Only then did Inseréa remember to breathe again.

“This is exactly what you’re best at.”

“M-my best...?”

“Your memory.”

Lupe tapped her head with a finger.

Among the secretarial staff, Inseréa’s memory was already known as a gift from the gods.

“You can memorize the contents of this book, can’t you?”

“That part, I can...”

“I know your skill better than anyone.”

Lupe had seen it firsthand, up close.

“I didn’t believe in you at first. But the ability you showed me—was real. You’ve helped me more than I can say.”

The sincerity in his voice brought warmth back into Inseréa’s fingers.

“And honestly...”

Lupe leaned in and whispered in her ear,

“Even if you mess it up, Miss Leo won’t notice.”

Watchmaking itself would be handled by newly hired professionals.

A few technical errors in her suggestions wouldn’t matter—they’d be sorted out.

“...What are you two doing?”

Ferio scowled at the secretaries huddled together in front of him, looking far too cozy.

Only then did the two of them realize how close they were and quickly moved apart.