I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home 118
‘Haaa…’
Cassian let out a quiet breath.
This was a situation he had never anticipated.
Lia simply intended to heal the wound on his wrist, but the situation unfolded differently.
The energy Lia emitted not only healed Cassian’s injury but also purified the poison flowing through his body.
‘Could this be because of that day?’
It seemed that the incident at the imperial city, where Lia’s energy surged to stop Jeshuan’s rampage, had amplified her powers.
As a result, her abilities now appeared to have a stronger effect than usual.
Although she merely aimed to treat his wrist wound, the outcome was far beyond her expectations.
‘…Tch.’
While detoxifying the poison was undoubtedly a good thing, Cassian couldn’t help but worry.
He was concerned that her actions might have placed an undue burden on her body.
Moreover, he was uncertain whether the sudden enhancement of her powers was beneficial or detrimental to her overall well-being, leaving him feeling uneasy.
Meanwhile, Lia had completed the treatment.
The blood that had soaked the handkerchief stopped flowing, and when she removed it, the wound had disappeared without a trace, as if it had never been inflicted.
“All done!”
Using her powers to heal Cassian’s injury, Lia displayed a proud smile.
She had been worried about the severity of his wound, but seeing it healed so thoroughly put her at ease.
Additionally, she now truly felt the reality of her abilities.
Until now, Lia had never consciously utilized her powers.
They had only been activated in unexpected situations.
But this time, it was different.
With a clear purpose, she deliberately used her powers.
And it wasn’t difficult.
It felt almost instinctive—as if knowing exactly what to do, she simply thought about wanting to heal his injury, and her energy naturally followed.
This was truly fortunate, especially considering the challenges that lay ahead.
Now, Lia was aware she could consciously use her powers.
“…How’s your body feeling?”
Cassian, who had been blankly staring at his fully healed wrist, turned his gaze toward Lia with concern.
He was always uneasy about her using her powers.
He worried that more people might learn about her abilities and feared the strain it could place on her body.
Lia might think she simply healed his wound, but unknowingly, she had also detoxified the poison in him.
Since the poison was far from ordinary, he couldn’t predict how it might affect her.
“It was you that got hurt, Khal. So why are you worried about me?”
“I don’t want my angel baby to use her powers so recklessly.”
“I understand what you’re concerned about. I’ll be as cautious as I can. But I didn’t have a choice this time.”
Had Cassian not been poisoned, complicating the wound’s healing process, Lia would have preferred seeking help from a physician rather than using her powers.
Though the injury seemed significant, it wasn’t life-threatening.
But in his current condition, Cassian struggled to heal naturally.
If Lia hadn’t stepped in to treat him, the wound would never have healed.
Even a small wound couldn’t be left untreated—especially since he was injured while helping her.
“Don’t do this again.”
Cassian’s voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.
“I can’t promise that, not when it’s you,”
Lia replied, apologetic for making him worry but unable to agree with his plea.
She was the type of person who couldn’t ignore someone injured. If that person was Cassian, it was even less likely.
“I know. I know all too well how kindhearted my angel baby is.”
How could he not understand her feelings?
But for her safety, Cassian felt it was necessary to draw a line.
There was no need for her to risk herself for others.
“My angel baby, remember this. What’s most important to me is you. Nothing else takes priority over you. So, no matter who it is or what the situation may be, I don’t want you using your powers recklessly.”
“But….”
“This is for your own good. You wouldn’t want the person you’ve healed to end up endangering you, right?”
His warning was clear.
Whatever the reason, anyone who caused her to use her powers would face consequences—including Cassian himself.
“…Alright. But Cassian and Jeshuan are exceptions.”
Faced with Cassian’s insistence, Lia reluctantly agreed.
It was a conditional agreement.
For anyone else, she would be willing to disregard this rule for the sake of her loved ones. But she couldn’t do that for Cassian or Jeshuan.
“How could you be so soft-hearted?”
Cassian sighed as he gently stroked Lia’s hair.
His touch, though a bit rough, carried a trace of reprimand.
But what could he do? He could never win against his angel baby.
When had he ever been able to?
Despite her small stature, her stubbornness was unyielding. Ultimately, she always got her way.
“I’ll make an exception for that kid, but with me, you don’t have to.”
“That’s not true…”
“You don’t need to anymore when it comes to me.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Sensing something in his words, Lia looked at him with a glimmer of hope.
“My poison has been neutralized.”
Cassian straightforwardly revealed his condition.
“Neutralized? Did you find an antidote?”
“Let’s put it that way for now.”
What mattered was that the poison was gone. Cassian didn’t feel the need to explain how it was neutralized.
It seemed better to keep her in the dark.*
Otherwise, upon discovering that her abilities could counteract poison, she might once again push herself to help others.
“What do you mean, ‘let’s put it that way’? That sounds suspicious.”
Lia looked at him with doubt, finding his vague answer unsettling.
“Anyway, the poison is gone. So, there’s no need to worry about it anymore.”
Although the poison’s energy had disappeared, its long-term presence might still have lingering effects.
Cassian needed to confirm whether his strength had fully returned, but at least the immediate danger of the poison was resolved.
“Are you really sure it’s gone?”
Lia questioned him again, worried that he might be lying to ease her mind.
“Yes.”
“That’s such a relief.”
She didn’t know how or when the poison was neutralized.
Judging by Cassian’s demeanor, he wasn’t inclined to share the details.
But the most important thing was that the poison was gone.
Considering they hadn’t even identified the poison’s nature, Lia had feared they might never find a cure.
Her face instantly brightened at the news, as if it were her own triumph.
“Yes, it’s truly a relief.”
With the chains that had bound him now gone, Cassian could finally focus on finding and dealing with the one who had poisoned him.
There was no longer a need to hold back.
That said, he had no intention of revealing himself just yet.
Remaining “missing” in his enemy’s eyes gave him a tactical advantage.
“So, how are you feeling?”
“Why do you keep worrying about me?”
Lia tilted her head, puzzled by the concern written across Cassian’s face.
“Using your powers could potentially strain your body. Your abilities are unique; no one else possesses them. It’s better to be cautious.”
“I’m fine. I don’t feel any different.”
“That’s good to hear. Still, you need to be careful in the future.”
“Of course. I promised you, didn’t I?”
Lia didn’t want to use her powers recklessly and cause unnecessary worry for those she cared about.
They were the ones who cherished and protected her the most.
How could she disregard their concerns and thoughtlessly use her abilities?
With a lingering sense of reluctance, Lia left the room, leaving behind Cassian, who looked as though he didn’t want her to go.
Seeing Cassian’s lingering, forlorn expression made Lia feel a little guilty, but she had an important task to complete.
It was to confirm whether Cassian was indeed her father.
She had now gathered everything she needed: holy water and Cassian’s blood.
Her own blood could be obtained at any moment.
‘…Why am I so nervous?’
How could she not be?
Since birth, she had never once seen her father.
He had been absent for so long that she had forgotten about his existence. Her life had been filled with those who loved and cherished her, leaving no room to notice his absence.
Still, it wasn’t as if she had never missed him, but she had never made an effort to find him either.
The thought that her father might have forgotten her existence made her hesitant and fearful about seeking him out.
But now, she couldn’t ignore it any longer.
The possibility that Cassian might be her father wouldn’t let her move on without verifying the truth.
Returning to her room, Lia poured the holy water given by the Emperor into a bowl containing Cassian’s blood.
Then, using a dagger she had prepared, she made a small cut on her fingertip.
A bead of blood formed at the cut, then fell into the bowl with Cassian’s blood and the holy water.
“Please….”
Her face tense with anticipation, Lia stared at the bowl.
She murmured a desperate wish, unclear even to herself, as she awaited the result.
🍓; Deliberately withhold information from her or not let her know about something. It suggests that it seemed better not to tell her the truth or share certain information—specifically about her abilities counteracting poison
