I Became the Male Lead's Adopted Daughter-Chapter 92

"...Ah."

Someone murmured at that moment.

"In the Duke’s arms...."

At the same time, a small something nestled in Ferio's arms stirred.

Then, peeking out from over his broad shoulder, a round black shape popped up.

Hair and eyes carrying a depth like endless darkness shifted side to side.

Only the eyes peeked out, flicking around anxiously like a squirrel cautiously surveying its surroundings in the forest.

It was the Voreoti Duke’s daughter.

It was no wonder no one had noticed the child until now.

Ferio was far too large, and the child far too small, so she had been hidden in his arms.

No one had expected that the Duke himself would be carrying a child in his arms.

"The Duke brought a child in his arms?"

"She’s really small. How old could she be?"

Everyone was stunned.

Meanwhile, Ferio and Lupe found a suitable spot and took their seats.

Soon, Count and Countess Rinne and the core northern nobles approached them.

Even as Ferio responded politely to greetings, he didn’t let go of the child.

"They actually seem close?"

"I heard he had no choice but to take her in."

"Many saw the two of them out together in the plaza."

"The Duke’s said to be very fond of her."

The whispers grew louder.

Yet through it all, Ferio continued holding Leonia. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Even though his arms must’ve ached, he supported her without the slightest tremble.

If that were all, it wouldn’t be so surprising.

But Ferio kept glancing down at the child between conversations.

They would lean in and whisper to each other. When the child smiled, he smiled back.

He even rubbed his nose or lips against her soft cheeks, openly displaying fatherly affection.

Each time, women around them let out helpless sighs.

They fanned their flushed faces relentlessly or downed wine to soothe their parched throats.

Some even questioned whether that man was truly the Duke.

The Black Beast of the North wasn’t someone known for smiling so gently.

He wasn’t the kind of doting father who would examine the banquet food himself to see what to feed his child, pick out a fruit, and offer it directly to her mouth.

"......."

Everyone became cautious with their words.

And the rumors that had stirred up the capital quickly dissolved into silence.

No one dared refer to the Voreoti Duke’s daughter as an unwanted bastard or look down on her for having grown up in an orphanage.

***

“Can’t you show up earlier, just once?”

Carnis grumbled.

During Ferio’s absence, Carnis had been bombarded with questions, and just remembering it gave him a splitting headache.

“I got here before that bastard at least.”

“Could you watch your mouth in this place?”

Calling the Emperor a "bastard" at a royal banquet was reckless.

Then Ferio raised his left arm.

As the muscles in his arm flexed, the fabric of his sleeve pulled back, revealing a golden glint that had been hidden.

“Not too late, then.”

Ferio checked the time and lowered his arm. The watch disappeared back under his sleeve.

“...Wh-what is that?”

Carnis asked in a trembling voice.

“What do you mean, it’s a watch.”

“A... watch? That?”

“You’re wearing a watch on your wrist?”

Abipher asked if he could see it again.

Ferio looked down at Leonia. She gave a small shrug.

“Just a moment.”

With permission granted, Ferio gently set Leonia down. She clung tightly to her father’s leg.

“It’s nothing special.”

Ferio’s lips curled into a smile as he casually revealed the watch, almost as if it were a bother.

Lupe, watching beside him, puffed up with pride as though it were his own invention.

Count Urmariti, who had already seen the watch, held back a knowing smile.

“It’s for a new business I’m starting.”

When the wristwatch came into full view again, everyone gathered around to get a closer look, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

“Incredible. A real shift in perspective.”

Viscount Kerata marveled aloud.

People were fickle indeed. The pocket watch they had brought with them suddenly felt awkward in their hands.

Even though it hadn’t felt inconvenient before.

“What’s your target demographic?”

Count Bosgruni asked sharply.

The wristwatch Ferio wore was undoubtedly impressive. But its design might appeal more to men than women.

While watches had traditionally been for men, many women had started carrying them recently as well.

That segment of the market couldn’t be ignored.

The legendary woman who once ruled the social world had sharp eyes.

“As expected of the Count.”

Ferio nodded in agreement at the important point.

“We’re targeting a wide audience. Gender and age won’t matter. The wristband alone can change the feel of it.”

Like a bracelet for women.

Ferio gestured toward the band on his watch as he answered.

Before they knew it, a mini business presentation had started.

A crowd of nobles who had been secretly eavesdropping now openly approached to examine the wristwatch and whisper among themselves.

“...Your Grace.”

Carnis, who had been quiet all this time, finally opened his mouth.

“Which guild will you be working with?”

The Rinne couple had been eyeing the watch intently for a while now.

The hound of the West could smell the enormous profits this wristwatch promised.

They had to get involved, no matter what.

Distribution, yes, but also, they owned a few jewelry shops through the Rinne Guild. They were already making plans to stock the product there.

“Partnerships with the West are always welcome.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Ferio responded positively.

Carnis’s eyes sparkled.

He was quietly overwhelmed with emotion, convinced their friendship had not been in vain.

“And so, I’ll be working with the Urbespe Guild.”

“Uh... what?”

Carnis, who had already imagined signing the contract, blurted out in a daze.

And before his frozen expression, a large shadow loomed.

“My apologies, Count Rinne.”

It was Count Urmariti.

The towering elder, wearing a victor’s smile, let out a hearty laugh.

“I connected him to the Urbespe Guild. Their head was thrilled by how promising the deal was.”

He added smugly that the North and West always had such strong ties.

“Of course, we’ll also work with the Rinne Guild.”

Ferio added, like rain in a drought.

“R-really?”

Carnis, who had been devastated, was barely revived.

“The Rinne Guild is an important partner of House Voreoti.”

Though Urbespe would be the main distributor, Ferio had no intention of completely excluding other guilds.

Especially not the Rinne Guild, which was a massive force that even exported overseas.

“Will you be accepting investments?”

Abipher quickly asked.

“Of course.”

“Then may we speak privately later to discuss terms?”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Ferio and Abipher scheduled a meeting right there. Abipher finally relaxed, having secured a foot in the door of something massive.

“Your Grace, you truly are remarkable.”

Someone spoke up.

“How did you even come up with [N O V E L I G H T] such an idea?”

“Seriously.”

“Wearing a watch on the wrist...”

Everyone praised Ferio in unison, a sharp contrast to how they’d spoken before his arrival—calling him terrifying, mocking his status.

But Ferio quickly corrected them, saying the idea wasn’t his.

This brilliant concept was a gift from someone else.

“How fortunate,” he said.

Taking the opportunity, Ferio declared there was someone he wished to introduce.

“Though I’m sure you all already know.”

No doubt you’ve all gossiped and spewed filth behind my back.

A few nobles who caught the underlying meaning flushed with guilt. Some coughed awkwardly.

Ferio shot them a sharp glare before calmly averting his gaze.

That alone was enough to silence the entire room.

“She’s my daughter.”

Ferio lifted Leonia into the air.

“And she was the one who came up with the idea of the wristwatch.”

He credited the entire concept to Leonia.

“The young lady?”

“Oh my, heavens!”

The banquet hall erupted.

Everyone stared at Leonia in disbelief.

Count Bosgruni and Viscount Kerata, who hadn’t heard a word of this before, were no exception.

The little girl who looked barely six had come up with this idea?

It didn’t seem believable. Most assumed Ferio was exaggerating because of how much he doted on her.

But Ferio reaffirmed it as if it were the truth.

“Our daughter said, ‘Daddy’s always working so hard,’ and wanted to help him work more comfortably. So she made a wristwatch.”

Then, placing a finger gently to his lips, Ferio added that the rest was classified.

A chorus of sighs rose from the women.

“Leo, shall we say hello?”

Ferio gently smoothed the child’s hair and asked.

“....”

Leonia blinked her round eyes and surveyed the crowd.

It was her first time appearing in public, and she was startlingly beautiful—strikingly reminiscent of Ferio.

Her slightly upturned eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Her plump cheeks glowed, and her small hand clutching the hem of her father’s coat was innocence itself.

She looked too young and fragile to be a daughter of House Voreoti.

But the deep black hue she carried in her body was undeniably Voreoti’s.

“...Mmm.”

Leonia turned her head quickly to avoid the adults’ gazes on her.

Then, burying her face into her father’s shoulder, she whimpered softly.

“She’s quite shy.”

Which meant: stop staring.

The nobles finally got the hint and awkwardly averted their eyes.

“She must be tired.”

Abipher, resting her chin on her hand, spoke with understanding.

“It's about bedtime, isn’t it?”

Banquets typically took place after sunset, in the late evening—an hour when children were usually in bed.

A not-so-subtle jab at the Emperor for dragging a child out at this hour.

“Oh my, I’m so sorry.”

Abipher quickly apologized.

“What if my concern becomes a nuisance?”

“How could such genuine care ever be a nuisance?”

I hate that bastard too.

Ferio nodded slightly in understanding.