I Became the Male Lead’s Adopted Daughter
Chapter 213

When faced with the horrific truth of her birth, Leonia felt overwhelming despair and fury.

The world she had finally come to accept became a precious treasure, and the people who had once been characters in a book became irreplaceable family.

But those damn Red Swans ruined the happiness of a child.

Leonia could never forgive them.

‘Then let’s turn it against them.’

So she boldly decided to use her secret. It was an audacious proposal, and every adult opposed it.

Especially Ferio, who was the most displeased. Yet he was also the one who most seriously asked her why.

‘It’s a secret that will only harm me if I keep holding onto it.’

The fact that a tainted bloodline had mixed with the noble Voreoti name was still a heavy burden for Leonia.

If she could cast it off, she would do so in an instant.

Separate from her personal feelings, the secret itself was poison that would only grow worse if kept hidden.

If someone were to uncover it and expose it to the world, it would be a windfall for Olor.

From the Voreoti perspective, it would be nothing short of a disaster.

‘So let’s throw it off.’

Make lies into truth, and truth into lies.

She planned to bury Olor and simultaneously turn this dreadful secret into a falsehood.

What followed progressed without a hitch.

Ferio was the first to approach the Marquis of Ortio.

He deliberately provoked her during a noble assembly, making it appear that their relationship was strained.

Using that deception as cover, the two houses contacted each other in secret.

Voreoti handed over information about imperial administrators dispatched to the East to Ortio. With it, Ortio was able to eliminate the officials under the guise of accidents.

And in return, Ortio crafted a magical potion.

A very special magical potion.

“Oh my goodness...!”

The Marquis of Ortio let out a breathy exclamation as she watched the results of that potion unfold.

“How shameless.”

That one remark from her was the spark.

“Olor... the red...?”

“You said the one who shows red isn’t the biological parent, right?”

“No, then that means Olor isn’t the real father!”

The nobles, stunned by the unexpected outcome, belatedly broke into a panic.

The atmosphere was beyond chaotic—it was in utter disarray. Everyone was shouting, demanding to know how such an unbelievable result had occurred.

Even today, the day of the Honor Ceremony, most had sided with Olor. After all, no one would have dared request the ceremony without certainty in their claim.

But the result said otherwise.

“......”

Remus’s pupils trembled wildly as he stared into the cup filled with red liquid.

“Remus!”

From one step behind the platform, Viscount Olor shouted. His fist shook with a mix of outrage and confusion.

“What the hell is going on!”

“S-Something must be wrong...”

Remus stammered. The smile he usually wore to charm everyone now twisted into something grotesque.

His red pupils couldn’t stay still. He stared at the cup for a long moment, looked up at the ceiling, then glanced behind him at the watching nobles.

Only now realizing the countless eyes stabbing into his back, a chill ran down Remus’s spine.

This could be the end.

The cliff’s edge was right in front of him.

“There must be some mistake.”

He finally managed to mutter an excuse, but Ferio scoffed in response.

“Didn’t you ask the Marquis of Ortio for help specifically to avoid such a mistake?”

It was as if Ferio knew exactly what Remus had planned when he requested the potion.

A fine, red line ran across Ferio’s fingertip—a wound made just earlier for the parentage test.

“You probably asked because you knew our relationship with House Ortio was strained.”

A direct hit. Remus’s lips twisted in discomfort.

“And you thought a blood relation would just pop into existence like that?”

Ferio clicked his tongue in disdain, mocking Remus openly.

Remus’s face flushed with shame, as if his very hair had melted and poured over his features.

“T-The potion could be faulty!”

Remus shouted hastily.

“There’s no other way this result could happen!”

“Then how about this?”

Prince Chrisetos, who had been observing the interesting outcome, rose from his seat.

“Your Majesty, there’s still a little of the potion left.”

He proposed that they prove the potion’s effectiveness directly.

“How do you mean?”

Emperor Subiteo asked.

His feelings were quite complicated at the moment. The unexpected test result was shocking, but there was also a twisted satisfaction in learning Remus wasn’t the real father.

‘Not even the Imperial Family could obtain that.’

Because of one old agreement, the Imperial Family could never forge a marriage with House Voreoti.

Yet that kind of man had nearly snatched it away—that thought was truly infuriating.

Remus, who had claimed he would treat the girl well, now seemed like a revolting opportunist.

“We randomly select two family members here and test their blood.”

“Will the remaining amount be enough?”

“It will.”

The Marquis of Ortio rose and answered the Emperor’s concern.

“Your Majesty, that potion was crafted by my husband. His concoctions are unlike any others in efficacy.”

In other words, even a small amount would suffice for a parentage test.

“But Viscount Olor’s son,”

She turned her gaze on Remus.

“You must take responsibility for what you said.”

“......”

“I love my husband dearly.”

Ortio was furious that Remus had dared to question the potion’s effectiveness. Her sharp warning sent a cold wind through the temple.

“...I agree with the prince’s proposal. Prove the potion’s power immediately.”

At the Emperor’s command, another test commenced.

The volunteers who stepped forward were the heir of the Marquis of Pardus and his son, Ter. The father and son presented themselves willingly.

“May we bring peace to Your Majesty’s troubled heart.”

At the loyal words of Pardus’s heir, Leonia barely restrained a smirk.

‘Yeah right, peace.’

To others, it may have seemed like the Pardus family was proudly displaying loyalty to the throne.

But to Leonia, it was obvious they were doing this just to rattle the Emperor.

And sure enough—

The heir of Pardus and his son gave a brief smile toward the Voreoti side.

“Are they trying to get caught on purpose...?”

“Ferio.”

Varia muttered disapprovingly. She jabbed Ferio in the side, accusing him of getting them exposed.

Either way, the test proceeded before everyone’s eyes.

The potion turned a pure, sincere blue upon mixing with their blood.

Remus’s face grew even more pallid as he watched.

“......How can this be!”

At that moment, Consort Usia suddenly shot to her feet.

“How can this be, brother!”

She shouted in anguish, covering her face with both hands. All eyes in the temple turned to her.

She cried out:

“How could you waste His Majesty’s time with such an unbelievable lie!”

“......”

“How little must you think of the Emperor to pull something so outrageous...!”

“Consort, calm yourself.”

Empress Tigria consoled her with a hand on her shoulder.

“You must settle your heart.”

“But, Your Majesty! I’m just so ashamed right now...!”

But Usia’s sobs didn’t stop. Eventually, she broke down in tears and dropped to her knees before the Emperor.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty! Please do not forgive my family!”

And with that, she fled the temple.

“My apologies, Your Majesty.”

Prince Alis followed after her.

The nobles watched the two retreat with sorrow. Regardless of faction, it was clear this incident had dealt a devastating blow to Consort Usia.

“N-No...”

Remus shook his head. Like the needle of a broken clock stuttering forward.

“This can’t be! It’s impossible!”

He barely held himself upright and screamed,

“Leo is my daughter! She’s mine and Regina’s!”

But no matter how he shouted, everyone’s gazes remained cold.

Some even spun their fingers near their temples while pointing at Remus.

He’s insane.

That was the shared sentiment.

“Lo-Lota!”

Feeling the chill of the crowd, Remus called out to Lota.

Far in the back, Lota flinched where she had been blankly observing.

“You said so! That the Voreoti girl had a swan ornament!”

“T-That was...”

“You said other noblewomen witnessed it too!”

“This is ridiculous.”

Ferio sighed heavily in disgust.

“You commit madness yourself, and now you’re trying to pin the blame on your wife?”

“But it’s true! I’m innocent!”

Remus beat ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) his chest desperately.

“...Innocent?”

Varia’s voice grated.

“What part of you is innocent?”

Even if Remus were telling the truth, his actions were still unforgivable.

“I told you before, didn’t I? If what you said is true, that just means you raped a sixteen-year-old girl! And what, you think that’s something to brag about?!”

Her words sent a fresh wave of murmurs through the temple.

“...He’s seriously out of his mind.”

“No, what kind of sick lie even is that?”

“How horrific...!”

“He bragged about defiling a minor?”

“Lady Voreoti must be hurt.”

“The one truly wounded isn’t her.”

The truth was, someone else had been suffering most.

“......”

Count Urmariti.

The man’s hulking form, like a giant boulder, hadn’t moved an inch.

The nobles around him slowly began to edge away. It was like standing next to an active volcano, ready to erupt.

“Regina and I loved each other!”

Remus now bared his teeth, mask of charm completely gone.

He stood at the edge of ruin, unable to feign warmth anymore.

“Our noble, beautiful love—what right do you have to—”

“Shut your damn mouth!”

A thunderous roar burst forth, loud as a cannon blast.

It was sudden, but at the same time, it had been inevitable. Everyone flinched and winced from the sheer volume.

“You bastard—!”

Count Urmariti glared at Remus, veins bulging in his bloodshot eyes.

“Better shut up... if you want to live!”