I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home 12
Lia could immediately recognize the middle-aged man’s identity.
Not only because of the atmosphere he exuded, but also because she had already met him once with her Grandfather.
Lia hastily bowed, showing respect.
“Sun of the Empire, the noble light, I greet the Emperor.”
While Lia displayed a perfect greeting, Cassian, in a casual manner, nodded in acknowledgment.
“… Thats quite an impressive visit.”
The emperor, seemingly accustomed to Cassian’s attitude, casually acknowledged Lia’s greeting.
“I… Deeply… Apologize…”
“No need. It’s all that guy’s fault.”
Interrupting Lia, the emperor scolded Cassian with a reproachful gaze.
What wrong could this young child have done?
Looking at how flustered and tense she was upon seeing herself, it seemed like she had been dragged here without knowing where this was.
Even though Lia had only seen him once, he wasn’t the kind of child to exhibit such eccentric behavior.
‘Perhaps he’s always like that.’
Despite the scolding gaze, Cassian confidently faced the emperor as if he had done nothing wrong.
Even if he disliked meeting others every time, this time, he wasn’t alone.
Moreover, he seemed indifferent, no matter what the emperor was thinking.
While the emperor might have grown accustomed to Cassian’s behavior and overlooked it, it might not be the case for others.
However, regardless of what the emperor was thinking, Cassian remained indifferent.
“Let’s sit first. ‘My’ angel baby is delicate, and standing for too long will make her sore.”
Cassian spoke as if what mattered to him was not the emperor’s reaction but the precious little angel in front of him.
Though somewhat impolite in front of the emperor, he didn’t care.
He knew the emperor wouldn’t make an issue out of it.
Before the emperor could grant permission, Cassian took his seat.
Seemingly at ease, Cassian, as if claiming a rightful place, held Lia’s hand and effortlessly seated her on his own knee.
Cassian wore a satisfied expression, as if he found the weight on his knee quite pleasing.
‘This guy…!’
Lia was annoyed but refrained from expressing her anger aloud.
She didn’t want to show any improper behavior in front of the emperor by quarreling with Cassian again.
In reality, considering the current situation, it was not just a simple breach of etiquette; it was rudeness.
Thanks to the emperor’s leniency, they got away with it. Otherwise, it could have led to charges of insulting the imperial family, and they might have ended up in prison.
Lia discreetly pinched Cassian’s thigh. However, Cassian, as if it didn’t hurt at all, didn’t even twitch his eyebrow.
Instead, he seemed impressed that she could perform such an action with her small hands, expressing admiration without a hint of pain.
Under that gaze, Lia felt a somewhat embarrassed sensation.
However, even for a moment, Lia, considering it improper to face the emperor like this, carefully descended from Cassian’s leg and sat beside him.
Cassian, wearing a disappointed expression, willingly released Lia.
Lia’s fidgeting was adorable, and this time, she decided to let her be as she wished.
Observing the entire situation, the emperor straightened up again.
Then, he noticed Lia glancing at him and, with a benevolent smile, opened his mouth.
“You don’t have to be so tense. You’re used to this stubborn foal-like personality. So, feel free to stay at ease.”
Regardless, the young girl was going through a hard time because of that stubborn grand duke.
The emperor inwardly sighed.
“… I appreciate your consideration.”
Lia’s tension eased a bit upon hearing the emperor’s words, tinged with a small affection.
“It doesn’t seem like we’ve met by chance. Surprisingly, Cassian, you, and the future duke of the young duchy came to see me together.”
The sight of Grand Duke Cassian and the future duke of the duchy being together was quite an odd combination.
Except for the former duke, Shubaren, there was no particular connection between the two.
Especially Grand Duke Cassian was a person not easily seen. He generally kept a low profile and, on top of that, was quite averse to contact or interaction with others.
On the other hand, hearing the emperor’s words, Lia harbored a bit of hope in the expression he used to refer to her.
The emperor called her a duchess, not the duke’s granddaughter.
Regardless of the current situation, it meant that he acknowledged her as the future duke of the duchy.
If that were the case, there was a high likelihood that the emperor would be favorable towards her decision.
While Lia’s demeanor was filled with positive expectations, Cassian’s expression was extremely displeased.
He seemed very dissatisfied with something.
Then, abruptly, he spoke.
“My angel.”
It was a statement containing a clear sense of possession.
Cassian found the emperor’s favor toward Lia deeply irritating.
While simple favor would be good for Lia, he was worried that the damn emperor might have some unnecessary interest in his angel.
“….”
Understanding the meaning in Cassian’s words, the emperor was momentarily bewildered.
Threatening him like a guard dog protecting its owner, growling as if to say, “stay away,” was not only awkward but also absurd.
However, aware that whatever he said wouldn’t be taken seriously, the emperor pretended not to hear Cassian’s words.
“So, what brings you here?”
“I only accompanied her; she wanted to meet Your Highness.”
The tension that Lia had shown just a while ago faded, and she spoke calmly.
The emperor admired her appearance.
Indeed, she was the granddaughter of Duke Sithran.
A twelve-year-old facing such an overwhelming presence from me would be burdensome, yet she confronted it so straightforwardly.
Just like their first meeting.
Nervous yet not forgetting her manners, not making even a small mistake.
A flawless appearance, how dignified and clever she looked, facing the overwhelming pressure I exuded.
I seemed to know why Duke Sithran cherished his granddaughter so much.
Now, I won’t hear any more boasting about Duke Sithran’s granddaughter.
Recalling the Duke’s death, the emperor’s expression darkened as a heavy feeling settled in his chest.
Duke Sithran was the only person the emperor trusted and relied on, a mentor-like figure.
“Did you come to me because of the guardian issue?”
Upon hearing Lia’s words, the emperor immediately understood her purpose in seeking him out.
“Yes, that’s right. I want to appoint Grand Duke Feronchyan as my guardian.”
“…. How about reconsidering it once again?”
Surprised by the unexpected statement, the emperor spoke with an effort to maintain a dignified expression. However, his eyes betrayed confusion about the decision he couldn’t comprehend.
The shock was substantial, considering she had come to him with a matter involving a grand duke, of all people.
Among many possible candidates, it had to be a grand duke.
“I’ve thought about it thoroughly.”
Seeing the emperor’s somewhat bewildered reaction, Lia worried that he might reject Cassian as her guardian.
“….”
Unable to find words to respond to Lia’s earnest reply, the emperor fell into silence.
Considering the noble status alone, appointing her as the guardian of a young duke posed no disqualification. It would serve as a strong shield for her authority as a duke and provide substantial assistance.
However, the issue lay with ‘Cassian,’ specifically his personality.
Could he truly take care of someone as a guardian?
He was inherently self-centered, indifferent to matters unrelated to him, paying no attention to events happening around him.
Lia was only twelve years old. Managing the responsibilities of a duke on her own was no small feat, and the burden was heavy.
Naturally, she needed someone to carefully watch over her, support her properly, and help her.
At least, the emperor hoped for such a person to become Lia’s guardian.
It was a wish born out of the affection he held for the granddaughter of the mentor-like figure he had singularly trusted and followed.
In that sense, Cassian did not fit the role of a guardian.
“Is there a reason for wanting the grand duke as your guardian?”
“That’s…”
“Because it’s me.”
Without giving Lia a chance to respond, Cassian confidently intervened.
Both the emperor and Lia looked at him with bewilderment.
“Honestly, I find it even more incomprehensible because it’s you.”
“That’s the way it is. How can a mere human like me understand the thoughts of an angel?”
“Huh.”
The emperor was left speechless by Cassian’s words.
It was so perplexing that he couldn’t grasp what to say.
Lia, at his side, subtly pinched Cassian’s thigh with an expression that seemed to say, ‘He’s doing it again.’
It was a gesture conveying the meaning ‘shut up and stay still.’
However, Cassian interpreted it differently.
“Alright, I understand the angel’s thoughts well.”
“Uh, what?”
What exactly do you mean by understanding my thoughts?
If you really know what I’m thinking, shouldn’t you just keep your mouth shut?
While Lia felt an inexplicable uneasiness about Cassian’s words, Cassian abruptly stood up.
At the same time Lia sensed an unknown anxiety in Cassian’s words, he sprang up.
His body was directed towards the emperor.
In that moment, Lia swiftly rose and seized Cassian faster than the wind.
Her instincts simply told her to stop Cassian, that eccentric grand duke, from doing something foolish.
“I don’t know what he’s up to, but it’s absolutely not allowed.”
“I don’t know what it is, but no. Don’t do it. Absolutely!”
“Why? Didn’t you just signal me to get rid of the emperor?”
