I Became the Male Lead’s Adopted Daughter
Chapter 141

"Your sister really is hopeless."

Count Erbanu muttered.

"When she got that job at the Treasury, I thought she'd finally do something useful for this family!"

Even now, just thinking about it made his blood boil.

Right after Varia joined the Treasury, all she ever did was get in Count Erbanu’s way.

She constantly threw a wrench in the grand plan that was supposed to be carried out by the major houses, including Viscount Olor.

It was like she was hell-bent on ruining the family.

"My sister is really..."

Lota rested her chin on one hand, sighing.

"But at least I have you."

Count Erbanu gave her shoulder a firm pat and smiled, finally a bit more at ease. Lota gave him a shy, soft smile in return.

After that, the father and daughter enjoyed a pleasant time, chatting about how they’d been.

"But still no news about a child?"

The Count asked.

For the first time, a crack appeared in Lota’s bright smile.

"...Well, you know, he’s been busy."

Lota, indirectly, shifted the blame onto her husband, Remus Olor, for why she hadn’t conceived yet. The Count didn’t look pleased.

"Still, you need to do your part."

"Yes, Father..."

Lota replied obediently.

After talking a bit more, Lota stood up first.

The Count didn’t stop her—he believed it wasn’t good for a married daughter to linger too long at her family home.

"Mother always writes to me about you."

"Your mother worries too much."

"Only because she loves you."

Lota leaned in and kissed her father’s cheek.

"I’ll be going now."

"Give my regards to your in-laws and to Remus."

"Yes, take care!"

With her pink hair fluttering, Lota turned and left.

That bright smile vanished in an instant.

"Ugh, seriously..."

Only once she was alone in the carriage did Lota rip off her gloves and throw them aside, grumbling in irritation.

It was almost a tantrum.

"Aaaargh!"

Still not satisfied, Lota screamed out in rage.

"Then why don’t you go have the damn kid yourself!"

Her anger was now aimed at none other than Count Erbanu, with whom she had just shared such a sweet conversation.

"He really thinks he’s better than everyone."

Lota scrubbed her lips roughly with a handkerchief.

Just thinking about kissing her father’s cheek made her feel like she’d already gotten pregnant—just like he so desperately wanted.

Her stomach churned, like morning sickness.

"And what the hell is my sister doing now?"

No one was any help to her. Lota stomped her foot hard against the carriage floor, blaming anyone and everyone.

The coachman didn’t even flinch—clearly used to this kind of outburst.

"Wait."

Just then.

As she cracked open the window to cool her boiling rage, something familiar caught Lota’s eye.

A murky pink, like it had been dusted over with dirt, swayed in the crowd.

"...Sister?"

***

"Tra! How have you been?"

As soon as she got out of the carriage, Leonia ran straight to Tra.

With eyes just like Kara’s, Tra welcomed the now-taller young lady with a warm smile.

He still had that face that somehow reminded her of a cat.

"Welcome back. Was your trip here alright?"

"Aside from being boring, it was fine."

"I’m glad."

After exchanging greetings with Tra, Leonia headed straight up to her room.

"Welcome back, young lady."

"I cleaned your room this morning."

"Shall I bring you some refreshments?"

As she went upstairs, the maids greeted her and busied themselves making sure she had everything she needed.

Leonia liked it when they said, "Welcome back."

Both the capital mansion and the northern estate were precious homes to her.

The first thing Leonia did was open her wardrobe.

"Of course."

She grinned, as if she knew it all along.

Inside, rows of clothes and shoes of every kind were lined up.

All of them perfectly fitted to her current size.

It was always like this whenever she came to the capital. And the same when she returned to the North.

'Money really is the best.'

If someone asked her what the best thing about being a rich man’s daughter was, Leonia wouldn’t hesitate.

It was moments like this.

Leonia picked out a comfortable shirt, pants, and leather shoes. After a quick wash with the maids’ help, she changed into her fresh clothes.

"This feels great."

She stood in front of the mirror, admiring herself with a satisfied smile.

Just like the clothes she wore yesterday—comfortable and easy to move in.

"Dad, dad!"

Leonia went off to find Ferio just like that.

Ferio hadn’t even changed clothes yet, buried under an avalanche of reports.

The girl felt sorry for her father, who never got a moment’s rest.

And at the same time, she thought, That’s gonna be me one day, which made her a bit nervous.

"Can I go out for a bit?"

"Aren’t you tired, Leo?"

Ferio looked at his daughter, already dressed to head out, with quiet curiosity.

She’d been riding in a carriage for days and should be exhausted, but this daughter of his didn’t seem to know the meaning of tired.

"Are you tired, Dad?"

Leonia covered her mouth playfully and teased him.

"Not the same as when you were young, huh?"

"Like you said, I could still have kids even at eighty, so don’t worry about me."

"So can I go?"

But Ferio didn’t give her permission right away. He just stared at her for a long moment, deep in thought.

"...The plaza."

He waved a hand, calling Tra over.

"There’s a new dessert shop that’s supposed to be popular."

Leonia blinked.

Soon, Ferio handed her a pouch Tra brought over. It was full of money.

It was permission to go out and have fun.

"Go have something sweet."

"Yes! Thanks, Dad!"

"You only thank me at times like this."

"Annoying your parents is what being a child is all about."

At her shameless remark, Ferio shook his head, but then he leaned in a little.

Leonia knew what that meant and gave him a kiss on both cheeks.

"Be careful."

Ferio kissed her cheek lightly in return.

"Take a guard with you."

"Yessir."

"And don’t get into fights."

"Why would I fight!"

Leonia screeched just as she was about to leave.

"But Dad, can I ride a horse..."

"Take the carriage."

"Tch."

Ferio didn’t look away until he saw Leonia leave the estate by carriage, just like he told her.

"Tra."

Then he called Tra again.

"A guest will be arriving."

After giving the order to prepare, he headed off alone to his office.

***

Right now, Varia couldn’t help but feel like everything was just... strange.

Sure, dying once and then somehow coming back to the past was strange in itself, and the appearance of someone named "Leonia"—a person who hadn’t existed in her previous life—was strange too.

But this, this was truly bizarre.

How the hell did I end up getting help from Pardus?

It had already been over a week since she’d been suspended and kicked out of the dormitory.

The Pardus estate was the most beautiful noble residence Varia had ever seen.

Even the Erbanu estate, which prided itself on being aristocratic with its halls decked out in precious artwork, didn’t even come close.

This place felt like a museum where people actually lived.

No wonder they were said to have the favor of the Imperial family—it made perfect sense now.

And Varia, of all people, was being treated like an honored guest in this grand place.

Of course, she never let her guard down.

She figured they had to have some kind of hidden motive.

But I knew it.

Back at the palace, when they brought her to this estate, the Marquis’s son had clearly said that the Duke of Voreoti was on his way to the capital.

He knew Varia had some business with the Duke.

Because of that, even though she was treated like royalty here, Varia couldn’t feel at ease.

She kept looking for chances to sneak out of the estate, but every time, the servants {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} would catch her and she’d end up back in her room.

Still, she hadn’t informed the Erbanu family about her being here.

...Could they be on the same side?

Maybe, unlike what people thought, Pardus was actually friendly with Voreoti?

Otherwise, how would the Marquis’s son have known that the Duke was coming?

Then, does the Duke know?

That I want to meet him?

Varia froze.

A shiver ran down her spine. If that were really true, it would be massive.

If the leader of the Imperialist faction was aligned with Voreoti, that would shake the Emperor’s power to its core.

"...Hoo."

Barely pulling herself together, Varia took a deep breath to calm down.

Her chest rose and fell as she inhaled, her dusty pink hair swaying along.

I don’t know anything for sure.

But one thing was certain—Pardus and Voreoti had some kind of connection.

And not just that.

They’ve been watching me.

Someone had been keeping an eye on her, reporting to either Pardus or Voreoti. That much she could guess.

It didn’t exactly make her angry.

But it did shock her, deep down to her roots, like a jolt under her skin.

After dying and coming back to the past, Varia thought nothing could surprise her anymore.

That was a huge mistake.

Voreoti never failed to surprise her.

First, there was the existence of the Duke’s daughter. And now, he somehow knew she wanted to meet him.

She even had a gut feeling there’d be more surprises to come.

"Lady Varia."

Knock knock.

Just then, the Marquis of Pardus’s son called to her from outside the door.

"Sorry to bother you while you’re resting."

"It’s alright. What did you need?"

"I hate to trouble you, but may I ask for a favor?"

He didn’t really look all that sorry for someone supposedly feeling apologetic.

Varia gave him a suspicious look.

"Would you mind going out for a bit?"

"Out?"

Since she arrived at this estate, Varia hadn’t set foot outside.

It was a precaution for her own safety.

If word got out that she was staying at the Pardus estate, things could get complicated fast.

"It’s nothing serious."

The Marquis’s son gave a small smile.

"My son wants to visit a new dessert shop he just opened."

"...Dessert?"

Varia thought she’d misheard.

But no, she hadn’t.

Next thing she knew, she was outside, heading to a dessert shop with the Marquis’s son.

Completely dazed, she could only follow where the young boy led her.

The boy must’ve had a sweet tooth, because he picked three different flavors of the shop’s most popular treats.

"Lady Varia, please try some."

The boy even handed her a small dessert spoon.

"Actually, my mother only lets me have cold sweets once a week. I was a little sad about it, but I’m really happy to come out with you today."

"I see..."

"What flavors do you like, Lady Varia?"

"This is my first time here."

Finally, Varia moved the spoon she’d been awkwardly holding.

Either way, the gelato in front of her looked so good it made her mouth water.

The three-colored gelato in the clear glass dish had already started to melt a little in the warm spring air.

Varia carefully scraped at the softening surface, lifting it gently to her mouth.

"...It’s good."

Her delicate cheeks relaxed as she tasted the brown gelato.

A sweet chill, tinged with the subtle flavor of black tea, lifted her spirits.

"It’s good, right?"

The Marquis’s son beamed.

"Thank you for bringing me here."

Varia finally felt herself relax.

Clearly, this kind-hearted boy had simply felt bad about the guest who had been cooped up in the mansion.

Thank god he didn’t take after his father.

After they finished the gelato, the two of them decided to take a quick stroll around the plaza.

The bustling crowd and lively atmosphere helped Varia shake off the stuffiness she’d been feeling.

"But I think it’s about time we..."

She turned to ask if they should head back now.

But when she looked, no one was there.

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