I Became the Male Lead’s Adopted Daughter

“I have a question.”
Just as Baron Onokenta was about to sit down after finishing his speech, a noble seated at the council table raised his hand.

It was Count Carnis Rinne from the West. The usual kindly smile on his face had vanished, replaced by a chilly expression devoid of emotion.
More precisely, it was irritation.
“The Imperial Administrative Office already has a complete map of the entire Empire, does it not?”

Normally, he would’ve used the typical roundabout way of speaking favored by nobles to sound elegant, but that had no place in this council.
This was the pen full of the worst beasts—beasts that tore into each other.
“Then what is this about submitting maps, and what do you mean by sending people to verify them?”

Although the Bellius Empire was a monarchy, it functioned with strong federalist tendencies.
As such, regional leaders and nobles from those regions were extremely sensitive to any central interference in their territory.
Just like right now.

Especially the idea of submitting maps and sending agents to verify them—such a thing could not be overlooked.
“The Empire’s roads are already in excellent condition.”
Marquis Ortio from the East spoke in a soft tone.

Unlike Carnis, he still wore a peaceful smile.
“They’re perfect—comparable to any nation.”
That was no exaggeration.

The development of the Bellius Empire had begun with its road network.
Well-maintained roads had boosted commerce and facilitated travel between regions.
“And in recent years, thanks to His Majesty’s foresight, the Gates have also been well managed.”

Emperor Subiteo’s golden eyes curved in delight at the continued praise.
‘What an idiot.’
Ferio couldn’t even laugh.
The first part of Marquis Ortio’s comment might have sounded like praise, but the latter part about the Gates was a thinly veiled rebuke.

The East was the land of mages.
And mages loved research and exploration. Their pride was immense.
Their pride in the Gates, in particular, was greater than the Mage Tower that seemed to pierce the clouds.

It was the East that had first researched the existence of Gates and produced immense results.
Marquis Ortio wasn’t only dissatisfied with the contents of this meeting—he was also furious at the Emperor for persistently trying to take control of the Gates in recent years.
Another noble from the East, though silent, clearly shared that discomfort.

“However, that discussion just now is bound to provoke a reaction.”
Marquis Ortio looked around at the other nobles as he spoke.
“What has become of the autonomy held by regional rulers?”

When the Empire was founded, the first Emperor had granted titles to the original rulers of various lands in order to win them over.
He had also acknowledged their existing governing rights to a certain extent—this was what became known as regional autonomy.
If agents were dispatched to assess the accuracy of the maps, it could shake that autonomy.

“Tsk.”
Viscount Olor made a sound like one would when scolding a child.
“Are you suggesting that we doubt His Majesty’s intentions?”

“……Of course not.”
Marquis Ortio barely restrained himself as he replied.
“That’s all the more reason why we must faithfully carry out His Majesty’s will.”

Viscount Olor followed up.
“His Majesty is personally overseeing this road project for the prosperity of all regions.”
“With this, the Empire ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) will flourish even further!”

“Indeed, long live His Majesty!”
The southern nobles all quickly attached themselves to Olor’s stance, lending it further weight.
Count Erbanu was especially enthusiastic, to the point where veins stood out on his neck.

A crack formed in Marquis Ortio’s smiling expression.
“But road maintenance has always been managed independently by each region.”
Marquis Hesperi from the West cut in. Viscount Olor, who had been glaring at him in discontent, quickly averted his gaze under the senior noble’s grave and commanding presence.

“In fact, the funds would be better spent on eliminating local bandits.”
The West, East, and North all agreed with Marquis Hesperi’s statement.
“What does Your Grace think?”

Count Urmariti asked.
Ferio, who had been quietly listening, slowly moved his eyes.
His unreadable black gaze swept across the assembled nobles.

That alone brought silence to the previously rowdy chamber.
“……The intent isn’t bad.”
Everyone stirred at Ferio’s unexpected agreement.

Even the Emperor and his capital and southern nobles widened their eyes in surprise.
“Roads deteriorate quickly if left alone. If the state offers to manage them, there’s no reason to oppose it.”
“Your Grace.”

Marquis Ortio dropped his smile for the first time. His voice was filled with resentment.
“We may be called regional rulers, but first and foremost, we are nobles of the Empire and vassals of His Majesty.”
Ferio’s approval gave the room a strange new atmosphere.

Emperor Subiteo couldn’t simply rejoice—what Ferio said sounded more like a threat than support in his ears.
But clearly, Voreoti meant it in good faith.
“However.”

Ferio tapped the distributed documents with a finger.
“There’s something I don’t quite understand.”
“What is it?”

The young heir of Marquis Pardus, seated with the capital nobles, asked.
Smiling lightly, he tapped the back of his hand once with his finger.
“Judging from what was said and what’s in the documents, this won’t be implemented immediately.”

“That is correct. His Majesty also respects the autonomy held by regional rulers like Your Grace. What’s being done now is simply a preliminary survey.”
Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?
At the young heir’s confirmation, Emperor Subiteo nodded.

“We will begin terrain inspections for the road network, and use that to launch full-scale construction.”
“Then…”
Ferio asked.

“Does this road project include Gate maintenance?”
In recent years, the imperial family had been openly surveying and managing areas around the Gates.
But the word “Gate” had not appeared in the earlier presentation or documents.

“It does.”
Emperor Subiteo said.
“Understood.”

Ferio flicked his finger once more on the table.
“Then shall we vote now?”
The young heir of Pardus said.

The vote was carried out promptly.
***
“Duke Voreoti.”

The moment they exited the Casus Palace, Marquis Ortio came looking for Ferio.
With each of her footsteps, the pebbles and dust scattered across the floor seemed to tremble.
The Eastern noble following behind her wore a pained expression.

“It would be best if you explained what that was all about.”
“Suppress your mana first.”
Ferio was annoyed by the mana Marquis Ortio was stabbing at him with, as if she intended to kill him on the spot.

But she didn’t seem to have any intention of holding it back.
“What was that just now?”
“What else? A council meeting.”

“Why did you let it pass?!”
“I voted against it, though?”
Ferio spoke as if deeply wronged. Of course, there wasn’t an ounce of sincerity in his voice.

The vote had passed with nine in favor and eight opposed.
“The East is my land. It holds a history more ancient than the Empire itself.”
“That’s true of any region.”

The head of the North—the region with the longest history among the Empire’s five—slowly blinked his black eyes.
He glanced behind Marquis Ortio and slipped a hand into his pocket.
“Isn’t the intent a good one?”

“A good intent?”
Marquis Ortio swept her hair back with one hand, wearing an expression of disbelief.
She was so furious that she could only laugh.

Ferio had never seen Marquis Ortio this angry before.
Still, he could understand why she was so upset.
“The East has always maintained neutrality—why the change now?”

Ferio asked casually.
“Because until now, no one had interfered with the East’s autonomy.”
Marquis Ortio hated how those petty imperial lapdogs kept trying to meddle with the East.

They prided themselves not on being “imperial citizens,” but as people of the East.
Every region had its share of oppression from the Empire, but the East had suffered more than most.
Because it bordered a foreign land, the discrimination had been especially severe.

That was why Marquis Ortio was angry.
She could not forgive the imperial family for trying to meddle with her land using such cheap tricks.
“And now the Gates too?!”

At the noble council, the Emperor had demanded all data related to the Gates from regional rulers including Marquis Ortio.
“You should be thankful I didn’t launch a full rebellion then and there.”
She muttered in a low voice.

“You should’ve.”
Ferio genuinely sounded regretful. He would have helped—truly.
“Anyway, calm down.”

“You want me to calm down right now…?!”
Marquis Ortio was just about to raise her voice when—
Suddenly, a pink circle was thrust in front of her eyes.

It was a strawberry milk-flavored candy that Ferio had just pulled from his pocket.
“A peace offering.”
Marquis Ortio stared at him in disbelief.

“Well, I’ll be going now.”
Ferio turned and left just like that.
Left alone, Marquis Ortio stared at the candy in her hand for a long moment.

Then she abruptly threw it down and crushed it under her heel.
And she too got into a carriage and left the palace.
“…Looks like the North and East are now at odds.”

The young heir of Marquis Pardus, who had been watching from inside the building, relayed the news to those beside him.
They were Emperor Subiteo and Viscount Olor.
“The East pretends to be neutral, but in reality, they only ever prioritize their own interests. A truly vile region.”

Viscount Olor pounced on the opportunity to criticize the East.
“Let’s be careful with regional slander.”
The young heir of Pardus chided gently.

But the eyes he directed at the viscount were chillingly cold.
“My mother was from the East. So is my sister-in-law.”
That shut Viscount Olor up.

Truthfully, he had looked down on the young heir of Pardus. He had intended to use the marquisate’s transition of power to increase his own influence.
But the heir was unexpectedly cool-headed and strict.
He left no openings, and only acted in accordance with the Emperor’s will—a true loyalist.

“Pardus really does have it rough.”
Even Emperor Subiteo trusted Pardus.
Seeing that, Viscount Olor felt a moment of unease. But he quickly regained his composure.

Once the First Prince became Crown Prince, even Pardus would have to kneel before him.
“Then let’s proceed as planned.”
Snapping out of his sinister thoughts at the Emperor’s voice, Viscount Olor nodded.

“Select the administrators to be dispatched to each region as soon as possible.”
***
At that time—

Leonia and Varia were in the middle of a tutoring session.
Even though Ferio and Varia had acknowledged their feelings for each other, they were not yet officially in a relationship.
So Varia had said she wanted to continue tutoring Leonia.

Varia wanted to take responsibility for her duties.
Ferio had looked at Varia with even deeper, more emotional eyes, saying she was admirable, and gave his approval.
Leonia had been happy with that too.

“…What is all this?”
But today was not a good day.
The girl lazily gestured with her chin toward the towering pile of books in front of her.

“These are my recommended readings.”
Varia handed her one of the books from the stack.
“…‘Proper Thinking’?”

The not-so-wholesome twelve-year-old pushed the book across the table with disdain.
“Not my taste.”