I Became the Male Lead’s Adopted Daughter - Chapter 13

Felio took another glance at the ceiling, wondering if it was true.

 

The fangs in the mouth of the black lion carved on the ceiling, which had been examined hundreds of times, were vicious.

 

“But, why is it so high?”

 

“It would be a big deal if the roof collapsed when the aura was released.”

 

Felio informed the Gladigo Knights, over which he had the command over, that there were up to three knights who could release aura through their weapons.

 

It was also stated that even if only one Sword Master was capable of releasing aura in the Knights, the effect would be enormous.

 

“What is Aura?”

 

“It refers to the body’s internal energy that has been modified through intensive physical training.”

 

The mana used by wizards was an innate and spiritual gift, whereas aura was an acquired and physical talent.

 

“Of course, it’s supposed to be gifted in some way.”

 

Felio explained coldly that simple efforts were truly difficult.

 

“Does Uncle know how to use Aura as well?”

 

“Well, I was born with something stronger than that.”

 

“Fangs of a beast?”

 

Felio responded with an obliquely raised tail of his mouth.

 

“As expected, I hate Uncle.”

 

Leonier pulled a strand of Felio’s black hair from behind his ear.

 

Felio blew out his hair in Leonier’s hands instead of showing signs of pain or anger.

 

“You should practice using your fangs later.”

 

“Can you do well just by learning it?”

 

“It’s already within you.”

 

She was born with Voreotti blood in her veins.

 

The child’s narrow brow was tapped by a large finger.

 

Leonier, whose head was slightly pushed back, placed her palm on her brow.

 

“I’ll give you more details when you get your fangs out properly.”

 

“If I get my fangs out, I’ll bite Uncle first.”

 

“But I’ll bite you first?”

 

“I’m going to bite Uncle’s chest first!”

 

Felio lowered Leonier from his chest quietly.

 

“Why are you so obsessed with my chest?”

 

“No, I’m not!”

 

Leonier felt it was unfair, claiming she would be misunderstood if someone she didn’t know heard it. Then she added, “Don’t treat me like a pervert.”

 

‘She was well aware that she was a pervert.’

 

‘So, what’s with you that makes you look at my chest uncomfortably, secretly touch me, and smirk?’

 

Felio looked at Leonier with mixed emotions in his eyes.

 

“Listen, Uncle.”

 

Leonier’s lips twitched thoughtfully.

 

“I love strong muscles!”

 

I love strong muscles!

 

I love muscles!

 

I love it!

 

A powerful voice echoed on the training ground.

 

*******

 

“Huh..?”

 

Mono, the Gladigo Knights’ vice-captain, who had been watching the knights’ training for a long time, stopped moving.

 

It was because he heard an auditory hallucination from somewhere that shouted out personal preference saying, ‘I like strong muscles.’

 

“What do they enjoy?”

 

“Like muscles?”

 

“Strong what?”

 

“Where are these noises coming from?”

 

“Did a pervert get on the practice field?”

 

Mono was not actually experiencing auditory hallucinations. Furthermore, all Gladigo Knights who were training stopped working upon hearing it as well.

 

Their gazes naturally moved to the location where the tremendous taste disclosure had echoed a moment ago.

 

Then, a large familiar figure and a strange small figure approached.

 

Those two figures quickly appeared in front of the Knights.

 

Felio, the leader of the Knights and Duke of Voreotti, and Leonier, who proudly declared her taste for muscle, were the familiar and large figures.

 

“Lord.”

 

Mono, who was watching the Knights train, bowed his head.

 

Felio gave him a slight nod, and Leonier, who was in his arms, leaned her head on his shoulder, staring at Mono.

 

“—Mono is married.”

 

Felio said, his fingertips blocking Leonier’s eyes.

 

“What exactly do you mean?”

 

Leonier glowed her eyes.

 

“That means he’s not going to be your muscle.”

 

Leonier closed her eyes, trying to suppress her growing annoyance.

 

“Did this Uncle make the decision on turning my lungs over today?”

 

“I don’t think I’ve ever flipped it. Seeing how well you breathe.”

 

“Oh, how childish! I believe you should have a good grasp of your actual age.”

 

“I suppose you didn’t eat all that much.”

 

It was so childish and fierce that she had no idea it was becoming a father-daughter conversation.

 

They both clung to each other’s tails until the end so as not to lose to each other, and so, neither among the knights dared to intervene in the conversation.

 

This is due to Felio’s face, which purposefully teased Leonier, clearly showing his true joy.

 

The appearance of such a strange master disturbed the Knights.

 

“—Everyone, gather!”

 

Mono, who was the first to realize what was going on, immediately gathered the knights. Only then did the father and daughter’s childish argument come to an end.

 

The Gladigo Knights, who were training under a high command, moved in unison.

 

At first glance, there appeared to be more than fifty people. When she added up the start-up and trainee Knights, the total was about double that.

 

“Melace sister!”

 

Melace smiled and bowed her head as Leonier, who recognized a familiar face in it, waved her hand and pretended to know. It’s been almost a week since they last saw each other.

 

‘Because Uncle has been with me recently.’

 

Melace and the other Knights who had been assigned as escorts were unavoidably eliminated.

 

Furthermore, Leonier, a tribe with a familiar face, waved ardently.

 

“Excellent work, everyone.”

 

Felio took Leonier’s hand on his and lowered it.

 

“Before you go hunting, you should say hello to each other. Everyone, this is Leonier, my daughter. Leonier, they are the Knights of Gladigo, who are defending the North alongside me.”

 

A large man with a shaggy beard was greeted politely.

 

“The Vice-Captain of the Knights of Gladigo, Mono Ceres, greets on behalf of the Knights of Gladigo.”

 

“Hello. I’m Leonier Voreotti.”

 

Since Leonier was just told not to treat his servants with respect, she cast a glance at Felio.

 

Felio’s brow furrowed as he looked around.

 

Contrary to Leonier’s fears, the knight was second only to the aristocrat who bestowed them, so the appropriate response was to be polite.

 

As if Leonier had done well, he stroked her hair.

 

Leonier grinned.

 

‘Oh, you like the knights.’

 

Felio’s tone of voice had a hint of pride in it when he first introduced the Knights.

 

He has been indifferent and self-centered most of the time, but he took care of the people within his boundaries.

 

The Knights of Gladigo were the most prominent example.

 

“How’s the preparation going?”

 

Felio asked about hunt preparations after greeting Mono.

 

“During the breeding season this year, the monster was active. While the Lord was away from his estate, the beast cubs attacked several small villages. It’s probably more difficult to hunt this year than last.”

 

“The newly hatched beasts are sensitive and violent.”

 

Felio’s irritated expression could be seen in his frowning eyes.

 

Still, he lightly patted Leonier on the back with his arms.

 

As a father, he took care of his daughter by telling her the story of a baby monster.

 

While Felio and Mono were involved in serious conversation, Leonier responded to the Knights’ increasingly burdensome gaze one by one.

 

She was specifically looking at the muscles of the Knights.

 

Everyone was dressed in relatively inexpensive training suits.

 

Over sweaty training suits, their muscles were delicately revealed.

 

Furthermore, some male knights removed their tops because they were hot.

 

The knights flinched and avoided looking because the baby beast’s black eyes were so fierce.

 

“Uncle, please drop me off.”

 

Leonier straightened Felio’s robe as the exchange of stores between Felio and Mono was becoming more serious.

 

Before dropping her off, Felio said a few words.

 

“Stay close to Melace.”

 

“Why?”

 

“So, you won’t be sexually harassing the Knights that way.”

 

Leonier, who was in a good mood, took a pause. The child’s expression was turning grumpy.

 

“Do you think I’m a bit of a pervert, Uncle?”

 

“So, what made you smile?”

 

“I’m thinking of hanging out with the Knights sisters and brothers.”

 

“It has to be a mutually agreed-upon game.”

 

“Oh, come on!”

 

Leonie was struggling to get off at this point.

 

Only then did Felio place the child on the floor, and Leonier joined the knights with a rapt glance.

 

Leonier, who had disappeared, went to Melace’s arms.

 

“……She’s gotten a lot healthier.”

 

Mono had met Leonier a few times before.

 

He always saw her in the distance and felt sorry for Leonier’s skinny body every time he saw her.

 

But when he met her again today, she appeared to be in better health. She even showed bravery and never lost enough to share a pun with Felio.

 

Before he knew it, the child’s face that was bright and dazzling was surrounded by the knights.

 

“I’m glad she did so well.”

 

“Because this has always been her home.”

 

Mono gave a quiet smile. Felio, he thought, praised Leonier for her high adaptability and bravery.

 

But Felio’s words were literally the same.

 

******

 

In Melace’s arms, Leonier greeted the knights once more.

 

“Melace sister! How are you doing?”

 

“I’m fine, thanks to you. Lady turned out to be incredibly pretty as well.”

 

Leonier, relieved that it was just words, was shy, covering her face with her hands. Then she peeked through her fingers.

 

“Am I interrupting you?”

 

“Absolutely not. I’m delighted you’ve arrived.”

 

“Not at all!”

 

“It’s a pleasure to see you, lady.”

 

“Don’t think like that,” the Knights said quickly.

 

Frustration and tension were weighing on the shoulders as the snow began to fall outside in preparation for the hunt.

 

Leonier, who appeared in the meantime, was a very welcome visitor.

 

The Duke’s Young Lady, who brought warmth to the desolate mansion, gave the knights peace of mind.

 

“By the way, you said something particularly wonderful earlier.”

 

Pavo, who was chosen as a knight to accompany Leonier with Melace, laughed.

 

He was the only knight with tan brown skin, with his dark hair tucked back to his full length.

 

Pavo, who was said to be from the South, had a long, drooping tail of eyes that was narrowly curved.

 

People say he was as flashy as the Duke, but in Leonier’s opinion, he looked like a good-natured dog.

 

“Does the Lady like muscles?”

 

“Yes, indeed! I love it!”

 

Pavo’s question was immediately answered by Leonier.

 

“You have an eye for it, as expected.”

 

“Body’s beauty is the muscles!”

 

“Effort never betrays.”

 

Knights with strong bodies, such as Pavo, took their own stances to show off their muscles.

 

“Wow, what is this?”

 

“It appears to be much stronger.”

 

“What are you showing the Lady?”

 

Melace and his colleagues mocked the body of a colleague who they grew tired of watching and flexing every day.

 

“Whoaaa!”

 

Leonier, on the other hand, clenched her fists and cheered loudly.

 

Leonier screamed as a knight who had removed his top to practice enthusiastic response wriggled his chest muscles alternately.

 

“You’re drooling, my lady.”

 

With a handkerchief in her arms, Melace wipes Leonier’s mouth.