I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home 102
After discovering Lia’s true identity, Cassian was most concerned about it.
Although it was risky if others learned about her identity and attempted to exploit her abilities, the immediate danger was the demons.
He wasn’t sure if they would only target Lia in the demon-infested forest. If they noticed Lia’s presence even in places where they rarely appear, they could suddenly emerge…
Cassian’s concern became a reality. Even in the Imperoal Palace, which was considered the safest place, a demon had targeted Lia.
It was unclear where exactly the demon had started chasing Lia. Since it was already a dead body, burst open by Jeshuan’s rampage, there was no way to gather any information from it.
What mattered was… there might no longer be a safe place for Lia.
He needed to tell her, but he wanted to delay it as much as possible. He wanted her to maintain a moment of peace, even if only briefly.
The mere existence of the demons was terrifying enough, so how frightening would it be for her to know that they were chasing her?
It was not something a 12-year-old child could handle.
For Lia’s sake, he needed to detoxify the poison in his body as soon as possible. Only then could he truly protect her.
Thus, Cassian planned to resolve the poison issue quickly. He would prioritize finding an antidote, and if that failed, he would have to rely on Lia’s help.
He needed to resolve the matter before the demons reappeared.
“You almost went on a rampage?”
“Yes, I almost did. But I didn’t. At that moment, angel baby’s embraced me, and somehow, the energy calmed down. So, I had a hunch.”
Cassian subtly attributed the incident to Lia’s abilities, thinking it was the safest explanation.
Lia already knew that her abilities could prevent a rampage, so revealing that he almost went on one wouldn’t be as shocking compared to other things he knew.
Lia’s face darkened at Cassian’s words.
She already felt guilty for Cassian getting hurt while trying to protect her, and now to hear that he nearly lost control as well…
Sensing Lia’s distress, Cassian spoke gently,
“And I realized that the poison’s impact is stronger than I thought.”
He was stating a simple fact, but his words carried comfort meant for Lia.
What he truly wanted to convey was that his injuries and near-rampage were not her fault; it was merely due to the poison. She had no reason to feel guilty.
If it weren’t for the poison, he wouldn’t have gotten hurt trying to protect Lia, nor would he have come close to rampaging.
Perhaps the comfort reached her, as Lia’s expression softened a bit, though not entirely.
Even if it wasn’t entirely her fault, she couldn’t feel completely relieved.
The poison still lingered within Cassian, and if it wasn’t detoxified, no one could predict what might happen to him.
“I hope we can find an antidote soon…”
Lia knew that her wish alone wouldn’t make it happen, but she had to say it.
“I hope so too.”
“Is there… any way I could help?”
“Well, it’s hard to say. Just because you helped with recovery doesn’t mean it will work for detoxification. But if we can’t find an antidote, then I’ll gladly ask my angel baby for help.”
Although he spoke like this, Cassian was aware that Lia’s abilities could potentially detoxify him.
He didn’t say it out loud because he knew Lia would immediately try to help him if she found out.
However, given the uncertain impact it could have on Lia, he couldn’t recklessly accept her help.
“Promise me.”
“Alright.”
Cassian nodded calmly at Lia’s earnest request. He wanted to avoid relying on her help, but if an antidote couldn’t be found, he’d have no choice.
“You’ve made a promise…”
At Lia’s insistence, Cassian nodded with a gentle gaze. But there was something he wanted to confirm before that time came.
“By the way… are you feeling okay?”
Cassian’s voice, though seemingly indifferent, carried concern.
Jeshuan’s rampage had been resolved, and both of them were unharmed.
However, just because they were unharmed didn’t mean everything was fine.
Lia had collapsed unconscious, just like Jeshuan, possibly due to the aftermath. Even if she had no injuries, her body might have suffered from suppressing the rampage.
This suggested that using her powers put a strain on her body.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“But you collapsed and lost consciousness.”
“That’s just because… I’m not used to it.”
“Is that really all?”
“Yes, it was probably… because it was my first time. I didn’t even know I had such abilities before.”
Naturally, treating simple injuries and calming a near-rampage were different from fully suppressing one. The energy depletion varied.
Although it didn’t directly harm Lia’s body, it wasn’t without impact.
When Lia suppressed Jeshuan’s rampage, she felt a strange yet familiar energy surge from within her, which quickly spread out from her body. The suddenness of the situation had caught her off guard.
Additionally, it was her first time experiencing something like this in her life.
However, that was all; it wasn’t something Cassian needed to worry about.
“Well, it’s hard to say if it was just this time or if it will keep happening.”
“I just briefly lost consciousness. Other than that, there’s nothing wrong with me.”
“Are you in pain anywhere?”
Despite Lia’s words, Cassian’s worry didn’t fade, so he asked in a gentle, albeit indifferent, voice.
“No, it’s just… I feel a little tired.”
This wasn’t due to using her abilities. The rampaging energy that briefly exposed itself had placed a strain on her body.
“From now on, you should rest.”
“We’ll arrive soon, won’t we?”
“You can rest your head on my lap for now. If you fall asleep, I’ll carry you to bed.”
“I don’t think it’s that bad.”
At Lia’s refusal, Cassian made a slight frown.
“You haven’t forgotten our promise, right?”
“Huh?”
Lia searched through her memory. A lot had happened today, and she couldn’t immediately recall the promise she had made to Cassian.
Cassian noticed her expression and frowned again.
“You said I could hold my angel baby as much as I want when we return.”
“I said I’d allow you to hold me, but I don’t recall adding the ‘as much as you want’ part…”
Lia protested quietly, finally remembering the promise she had made to appease him.
She wasn’t planning on breaking her promise now, but granting the condition of ‘as much as you want’ made her feel slightly pressured.
It felt like there would be no end to it if she had to hug him until he was fully satisfied.
“That’s something you didn’t need to remember so well…”
Cassian muttered with disappointment.
But only for a moment.
“Even though that condition wasn’t included, the situation has changed.”
“Changed… how?”
Feeling a bit guilty, Lia’s voice trailed off.
“You didn’t return early, and you didn’t come back on your own. In the end, I had to go to the royal capital.”
“Well, it’s not entirely my fault…”
“Lia, my angel.”
Cassian called her name softly, without adding more words.
His voice carried a subtle pressure.
“…Then, I’ll allow you to hold me, just not ‘as much as you want,’ but on other days as well.”
Her injuries had healed, so she didn’t have to worry about overexerting his arm. Although today wasn’t entirely her fault, Cassian had still been very concerned about her. Furthermore, he had yielded to her wishes multiple times.
“That’s good enough for me.”
Even if Lia hadn’t given permission, Cassian had no intention of stopping himself from holding her.
With that, Cassian pulled Lia into his arms, lifting her onto his lap, where she could comfortably lean against him.
“Get some sleep.”
“Well… it is comfortable.”
Sitting on Cassian’s lap, the jolting of the carriage felt less noticeable.
His strong arms wrapped around her like a warm bed, making her feel safe.
Once again, a thought crossed her mind.
‘…Could he really be my father?’
At least for this moment, it felt like he truly was her father.
This comfort, this warmth—it was fuller and more affectionate than anything she had ever experienced.
Lia, feeling a bit ticklish, wiggled her fingers as she nestled into Cassian’s arms.
She wasn’t sure if it was because of the sense of security he provided or perhaps a small hope that he might actually be her father.
After a while, the carriage came to a stop.
Careful not to wake Lia, who had fallen asleep in his arms, Cassian gently carried her out of the carriage.
He quietly took her to her room, placing her tenderly on the bed.
Even after laying her down, Cassian didn’t leave immediately. He stood there for a while, gazing at her.
His gaze was filled with affection and countless deep emotions stemming from that affection.
***
The next day.
Both Lia and Cassian were busy for different reasons.
Each had things they absolutely needed to find out.
