I Became the Male Lead's Adopted Daughter

Chapter 26

“We looked at the recent movements of the northern nobles that we have left alone.”

Pelliot looked at the documents handed to him and listened to the report from Lupert together.

“We haven’t seen any major moves yet. It seems that they are frightened by the Duke’s warning and hide themselves. So, I recently focused on the movements of the workers hired by these families.”

“You got a few.”

Several important achievements came into Pelliot’s eyes. Lupert nodded his head and explained about it.

“Both Count Meleocca family and Baron Gliss family sent servants to the mansion. From the Count’s side was the same person each time, and the Baron’s side was a different person each time. The number of times one person was sent and the time period visited are similar.”

That was enough to cast suspicion.

“…… moving between the two houses.”

Pelliot decided the future of the two families early.

“By the way, if it’s the Meleocca family…….”

Wrinkles formed between his flat forehead at the very annoying word. There was a slight tension in the quiet office. Lupert relieved the frustration by moving his neck collar with his fingers.

“Yes, that’s the family.”

It was the family of the former etiquette teacher, Cerena Meleocca, who was kicked out to a western villa after failing to understand her place and arguing with the daughter of Duke Voreotti, whom the Duke loved.

In addition, the family maliciously inflated and spread rumors related to Leonia.

“What a great place.”

How wide were their feet, that they could cover everything.

“A family that grew the flower of the social world.”

The sarcastic tone of speech made the atmosphere of the office gloom for an instant. Lupert swallowed a gulp for nothing, and then gently clasped his hands behind his back. And he continued to report.

“So, which family did you meet?”

“That is the family of Count Tabanus.”

In an instant, a wrinkle crept into Pelliot’s calm forehead.

“Tabanus…….”

Long, large fingers tapped the desk. He was even lying down at an angle, that would make Leonia nags that he’ll hurt his back if he sat down like that.

“There’s an annoying fly.”

Pelliot let out a rare long sigh. Lupert also had a bad expression. He could catch rats and small things that rattle in front of him right away, but the flies were hard to catch and there were many things that bothered him.

“On a snowy mountain without wild beasts, a fly reigned.”

“During the three years the Duke stayed in the capital, he lived like a monarch.”

“It’s not even funny.”

“Because they have a reliable backbone.”

“Oh, that was kind of funny.”

Contrary to the words he had spoken, Pelliot’s lips had long since hardened.

“But, isn’t it the royal family?”

At Lupert’s words, Pelliot finally smirked.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever thought that Leo’s sexual harassment was better.”

At least his daughter keeps the line and only craves muscles. Pelliot shook his head at his daughter’s needless desirability.

“Of course, the imperial family is like a fly.”

“It was fine until His Majesty.”

The deceased emperor was a person to whom Pelliot could bow his head with sincerity. He was a golden eagle that could stand shoulder to shoulder with the black beast.

“The imperial family and the capital…….”

After staying there for the past three years, Pelliot wanted to stay away from the imperial family and the capital for a while. But his stomach swelled at the thought that a colorful trash can full of slander that had touched the northern part.

“Does the stupid little chick knows this.”

“There is a high probability that the emperor doesn’t know.”

“Well, he won’t even know that a fly is on his back.”

Pelliot clenched his teeth.

“…… No.”

Pelliot, who soon changed his mind, smiled quietly. So ferocious and evil that smile was, Lupert bit his mouth as he was about to utter a shriek. Pelliot decided to keep in mind the possibility that the imperial family might have intervened. The inferiority they have towards the North is beyond imagination.

“Better to get tangled up.”

Then he showed his evil intentions saying that ‘only then we could legally harass him’.

“…… How come you’re becoming like her Ladyship?”

Lupert remembered the young master who once teased the orphanage people and tortured them mentally. The Duke’s smile was very similar to that of Leonia’s clear and innocent smile at that time.

“Because she’s my daughter.”

“Ah, yes…….”

Lupert quietly nodded his head. The vivid cruelty of the two father-and-daughter was a resemblance that everyone recognized.

The two briefly discussed the contents of the report and exchanged opinions on what to do next. Pelliot gave simple instructions, telling him to keep an eye on it for now.

“And Viscount Kerata.”

“Viscount Kerata?”

That person was just a person who diligently cultivates the estate, but Lupert had a questioning look on his face.

“The Viscount’s second daughter is the same age as Leo.”

“…… Ah, you said you met in the square.”

Lupert nodded his head, saying that he knew what the Duke meant by Viscount Kerata.

“The Viscount couple is famous for liking children. In particular, I heard that Viscount Kerata brought the second daughter almost in his arms all the time. I see, she was the same age as the lady.”

Lupert had also heard of it.

“I think it would be nice to be friends with Leo.”

The face that was frightened by the vicious atmosphere of the black beast that she had never seen before, the appearance of hiding her eyes behind the Viscount, and the cute tone that came out of that tiny mouth.

Pelliot was still worried about Leonia’s barren innocence. And he felt like he had just found the solution. He just felt that way.

‘I don’t think my kid will get influenced’

He couldn’t forget Flomus’ startled facem, who heard that she was a baby from Leonia, who was smaller than her.

* * *

A few days later.

Kara handed Pelliot an invitation card on a tray. It was a neat envelope sealed with a green seal with a large reindeer antler on it. She cut off the top with a letter knife and took out the contents, and it was written that it was to invite to a tea party to be held in a few days.

“Sent from Viscountess Kerata.”

“The Viscountess often invites noble families with children for tea parties. The Master is now the parent of a child, so it would be no surprise to receive an invitation.”

“Yes, nothing strange.”

Viscount Kerata, whom he had met in the square the other day, seemed to have conveyed Pelliot’s will to his wife well.

Pelliot, who put the letter he had read in the envelope, stood up.

“Leonia?”

“The Lady is in the living room.”

Kara followed after Pelliot and said,

“And.”

Kara said to Pelliot, who was heading to the living room.

“Ardea has said that he has something to discuss about the studies later.”

Pelliot remembered the day when the class report would be announced soon.

“Tell him I’m coming in the afternoon.”

Then he turned around and went straight to the living room. When he went to Leonia’s place, he walked a little faster than usual. After arriving in the living room, Pelliot immediately moved his gaze to the toy piled up.

And there.

“…….”

There was Leonia, who sat on the toy horse with a dry expression and gave herself to the shaking. It was because of Pelliot’s nonsensical instructions that she had to play with toys in the living room after tutoring for a while. The purpose was to cultivate childhood innocence.

So Leonia played with the toys, even when no one was watching.

By obligation.

With eyes dried of the world.

“…….”

Pelliot watched such a daughter with indescribable emotion. At first glance, the wooden horse that gently swayed back and forth without any noise according to the movement of the child was a luxury item. The black horse’s eyes were studded with expensive jewels, and the blue saddle for children was generously made from expensive fabrics that could only be used for dresses. The round legs with minimal movement also swayed softly, skillfully cut and trimmed from solid wood.

Leonia’s eyes were as dark as the starless night sky, as she climbed on the perfect horse and looked only in front of her. It was a scene that reminded him of the child’s book ‘Life is All In Vain’. He even got a little scared.

Pelliot, unable to see that, called for Leonia.

“Leo.”

“Dad!”

Leonia, who had entrusted her body to the horse, ran over as if waiting.

“Dad, did you see it? I rode the horse? I played with toys?”

“Yes, I saw it too.”

He watched it with a complicated mind.

Although the work to be resolved was piling up day by day, for Pelliot, the recovery of Leonia’s innocence was the top priority. But Pelliot didn’t want his one and only daughter to play with toys with that obligatory and dry expression.

Leonia slipped through Pelliot’s legs, who sat a good distance from the fireplace.

“Is that you reserved seat now?”

“Yes, my reserved seat!”

Leonia smiled broadly as she pounded her head into Pelliot’s chest.

“Take it.”

Pelliot gave Leonia the invitation that he had brought.

“Dad’s?”

Leonia tilted her head. It was because the envelope with the seal had traces of it already cut with a letter knife.

“Me and yours.”

The round, black eyes widened.

“Remember Viscount Kerata?”

“The Mister and daughter we saw in the plaza back then?”

“I remember,” Leonia replied. Leonia pulled out the invitation from the envelope and looked at Pelliot as if she could read it. Pelliot nodded his head lightly.

“She was so pretty, wasn’t she?”

“Don’t talk like an old man.”

“She was pretty.”

Leonia, who answered roughly, carefully read the invitation.

“…… Huh?”

Leonia, who read the invitation and did not fully understand it, moved her head back and forth and then swung it back. Leonia’s face was full of doubts as she bent her head so that her forehead could touch his chest.

“…… What is this?”

“Tea party invitation.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m going to a tea party with my child.”

A dark shadow fell on Leonia’s face.

“I worried about you the last time I went out.”

“Don’t.”

Anticipating what was going to happen, Leonia slyly got up from Pelliot’s leg and tried to run away. It was unreasonable to run away from her father who had arms as tall as her.