I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home 107
Cassian had spent quite some time at the library before rising without any hesitation.
He hadn’t expected to find all the information he needed in just one day anyway.
The Imperial Library had far more books than the ducal library could ever compare to, and combing through all of them would require more than just a day.
“Are you leaving?”
Jeshuan, who had stayed at the library with Cassian to search for information, glanced at him and asked.
“There’s still more to do, but shouldn’t we leave now to finish our remaining tasks?”
“You can go ahead.”
Jeshuan didn’t bother stopping Cassian.
“Yes, I’ll go then. My angel baby must be waiting for me.”
Cassian said with an indifferent tone, putting extra emphasis on ‘my angel baby.’
There was a subtle teasing undertone in his voice.
Jeshuan’s eyebrow twitched upon realizing it, but he said nothing.
Reacting would only provide Cassian with more ammunition.
Perhaps if it were Lia, it might be different, but Jeshuan had no intention of being toyed with by Cassian.
He didn’t want to hurt his pride by reacting to Cassian’s words.
Yet, Cassian, sensing the jealousy stirring within Jeshuan, grinned triumphantly as if he had won.
Jeshuan flinched again at the sight but deliberately avoided looking at Cassian.
If he saw that smug face, he might accidentally throw a punch.
After leaving the library, Cassian headed toward the Emperor’s office.
Still, as a formality, he knocked on the door. Without waiting for permission, he opened it and strode in confidently to take a seat.
The Emperor raised an eyebrow at his attitude, but he let it slide, as if accustomed to such behavior.
“I have no complaints about the decision my angel baby made. However, shouldn’t there also be something to discuss with me?”
Cassian wasted no time getting to the point, disinterested in dragging out a conversation with the Emperor.
The Emperor’s expression darkened.
He had known Cassian wouldn’t just let things go.
Though, in a way, it wasn’t Cassian’s business.
The one affected by the incident was Lia, and it was an issue between her and the imperial family.
Even though Cassian was her guardian, he had no right to intervene in matters Lia had resolved.
However, given Cassian’s personality, there was no way he would just let it slide—especially when he cared for Lia more than anyone else.
“…What is it you want from me?”
The Emperor asked calmly.
Knowing Cassian’s temperament, he fully expected him to brandish a metaphorical sword the moment they met.
Still, Cassian was showing a degree of respect because he was the Emperor. That respect, however, was conditional—it only applied when it didn’t interfere with his own goals.
To Cassian, the Emperor’s title held little significance.
The fact that Cassian was initiating this conversation suggested that he wanted to settle things amicably—or that he had a demand to make.
Either way, the Emperor saw no reason to miss this opportunity.
Even though he had resolved himself to clash with Cassian for Jeshuan’s sake, it came with significant risks as the Emperor.
The last thing he wanted was to alienate Cassian.
As a friend, Cassian was an invaluable ally. As an enemy, he was a dangerous foe—especially given his influence in the empire.
“From now on, Your Majesty must value my angel baby’s safety as much as your own well-being.”
“…I will do so.”
“Yes, you must. For the sake of the son you hold so dear.”
In short, it was a warning: If Lia’s safety were ever compromised, Crown Prince Jeshuan would also be at risk.
Even though the warning bordered on insubordination, the Emperor accepted it without complaint.
He understood that Cassian was already showing considerable restraint.
And, if he was being honest, a sense of guilt weighed on him. After all, it was his actions—done in the name of protecting his son—that had nearly put Lia in harm’s way.
“All decisions will ultimately rest with my angel baby… But before that, I need certain promises from you.”
While his clever and wise angel baby would surely handle things well, when it came to anything involving Jeshuan, she could be surprisingly soft.
Thus, Cassian felt compelled to step in and extract as many guarantees as possible from the Emperor.
“What is it?”
“Do not interfere with matters within the duke house.”
“That is…”
“Was it not you who pushed her into it? Whatever happens there is something you implicitly approved of.”
“I do not distrust the Duke. However, when it comes to my son…”
“Furthermore, if my angel baby ever faces difficulties because of you, Your Majesty will be responsible. Any consequences arising from such actions will rest solely on your shoulders. No matter what they are, they will be your responsibility.”
Cassian’s assertiveness left the Emperor at a loss for words, his expression one of disbelief.
It was an incredibly self-centered and selfish demand.
Cassian had said not to interfere in the affairs of the duke house, but then he was effectively demanding that the Emperor take responsibility for anything that happened.
Of course, it wasn’t as if the Emperor had intended to avoid responsibility after sending Jeshuan to the duke house.
If the duke house faced difficulties because of his actions, he had been ready to step in and resolve the issues.
However, what irritated him was Cassian’s insistence on entirely excluding him from the matter.
As if he had picked up on this sentiment, Cassian spoke again with a clear warning in his tone.
“It would be better if you did as I say. Unless you wish to erase the Imperial Family’s presence from this empire entirely. If you want, I could sever your head right here and now.”
Killing the Emperor was not a particularly difficult task.
It was merely the aftermath that would be messy and troublesome.
Well, if the hassle became too much, Cassian could always just kill the Emperor and leave the empire altogether.
Of course, before doing that, he would take his angel baby with him.
He couldn’t leave her alone in this harsh empire without him.
“…This is why one shouldn’t raise a dog that doesn’t recognize its master.”
The Emperor clicked his tongue and muttered bitterly at Cassian’s bold threats.
“You seem to be under a grave misunderstanding. My master is not someone like you, Your Majesty. The only person who holds my leash is my angel baby, Lia. So… above all else, you must prioritize Lia. If something happens to her, this country will end that very moment.”
No matter how extraordinary he was, taking on an entire empire alone would be difficult.
Even so, Cassian showed no hesitation.
If Lia were ever endangered, if any harm befell her, he would make sure to settle the score—no matter who the opponent was or what it took.
The sincerity behind Cassian’s grim warning left the Emperor silent.
He knew that saying anything at this point would only provoke Cassian unnecessarily.
“Furthermore… you must ensure strict confidentiality regarding your position and your relationship with my angel baby.”
To ensure that no unnecessary rumors about Jeshuan and Lia’s relationship would spread.
To make sure Lia wouldn’t face any difficulties because of it.
“That much is obvious.”
“Well, that’s a relief. I was beginning to wonder if there was something wrong with Your Majesty’s head for daring to consider using my angel baby. Otherwise, how could you knowingly send someone as dangerous as Jeshuan her way when you know who is protecting her?”
Faced with Cassian’s sharp sarcasm, the Emperor simply remained silent.
For the Emperor, it had been an unavoidable choice, but Cassian was not someone who would sympathize with such circumstances.
Just as Jeshuan was precious to the Emperor, Lia was equally so to Cassian.
After all, the Emperor had indeed tried to use Lia for his son’s sake.
Even knowing that it might put her in danger.
“So, is that all?”
“Of course not.”
Cassian then added several more conditions to his demands for the Emperor.
Though they felt excessive, the Emperor accepted all of them without resistance.
Excessive though they may be, the conditions weren’t impossible to meet.
For his son’s sake, the Emperor was willing to endure anything. No matter how challenging the demands were, how could he refuse?
If it meant his son could live a better life, that was all he needed.
After wrapping up his negotiations with the Emperor, Cassian spoke again as if he had more to say.
“How is the investigation going?”
“…We still haven’t discovered anything. How those demons appeared in the capital, where they came from… or how they ended up here—it remains a mystery.”
Cassian’s reaction to the Emperor’s response was indifferent.
Though it was disappointing that the source of the demons couldn’t be identified, Cassian hadn’t expected it to be easily discovered.
What mattered was that the demons had targeted Lia.
Cassian planned to keep that fact from the Emperor for now.
He needed to proceed cautiously.
Even if that weren’t the case, he had no intention of revealing the information in a way that could put him at a disadvantage.
“It’s best to keep the fact that demons appeared in the capital under wraps. It’s not something others should know about.”
“I agree.”
If word got out that demons had appeared in the capital, it would cause widespread panic.
For now, it was better to keep the matter hidden to avoid unnecessary chaos.
Of course, if something similar happened again, there would be no choice but to reveal the truth.
“Well then, I’ll be on my way.”
Cassian stood up without hesitation, as if there was nothing more to discuss.
“…Please, take care of her.”
Though Lia hadn’t yet given her answer, the Emperor was confident that she would ultimately grant his request.
Cassian wouldn’t have set such conditions otherwise.
The terms Cassian had demanded assumed Jeshuan would remain with the duke house.
Despite the Emperor’s heartfelt plea, Cassian merely cast him a sidelong glance and left through the window without a word.
Ultimately, the matter concerning Jeshuan… was for Lia to decide.
Everything depended on her.
Cassian’s role was simply to support whatever Lia wished for.
***
The Next Day
Having spent the previous day occupied with their respective tasks, Lia and Cassian were finally having a meal together.
They usually ate together, but yesterday had been so busy that they’d barely seen each other.
Perhaps because of that, Lia found herself unusually happy to see Cassian.
That moment of joy was short-lived, however, as Lia hesitantly looked at Cassian and spoke.
“Khal, I have something to tell you. Could you spare some time after we finish eating?”
“No.”
