I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home 15
Meanwhile, at that moment.
The emperor, still with an unreadable expression, sighed inwardly as he looked at Cassian, who had an unknown look on his face.
Despite throwing words like a large bomb, he seemed more relaxed and indifferent than someone who just made a profound statement.
The fact that he was attacked by someone itself is a serious matter, and the fact that his ability is not freely accessible is even more concerning.
Considering his contribution to subduing demons within the empire, this was an extremely important and significant matter.
“I respect your decision to hide your identity for a while and stay at the Sithran mansion. There must be reasons you haven’t told me.”
Who attacked him and why he went through such an incident were questions he had, but the emperor didn’t ask.
If he had thought to tell me about it, he would have spoken without me asking.
However, the fact that he didn’t indicate he had no intention of telling me.
Well, I had some guesses to some extent.
For a few years now, he had been secretly investigating something while keeping the contents hidden from me.
The emperor trusted Cassian, so he didn’t inquire further about the secrets he was keeping.
There must be a good reason for him to keep it a secret.
Even before, he concealed the fact of his marriage and did not reveal the existence of his wife.
So currently, excluding Cassian’s closest aides, the only ones aware of the fact that he had a wife were the emperor and himself.
“I’m just concerned about the demon subjugation.”
Given his desire to conceal his identity, it would have been difficult for him to actively participate in demon subjugation. Even aside from that, he was not in a normal state.
“If my absence causes a problem, wouldn’t it be better to just let everything fall apart at this point?”
“… If I don’t care anymore about what you say, please be careful in front of others.”
A slight misstep could lead to charges of treason rather than just insulting the nobility.
Due to his already unpleasant personality, he didn’t have the best relations with other nobles.
While it wouldn’t be openly suggested to execute him, given his crucial role in demon subjugation, talk of putting metaphorical shackles on him would likely arise.
“You don’t need to worry about demon subjugation.”
Cassian, cleanly ignoring the emperor’s sincere advice, simply stated what he wanted to say.
“If you say so, Your Majesty.”
Except for his personality, his abilities were outstanding compared to anyone else.
Perhaps that’s why he had many capable individuals under him.
The knights of the Grand Duchy were undoubtedly skilled individuals, even within the empire.
So, if anyone could fill Cassian’s vacant position, it would be them.
At least for a certain period.
“No matter what, you can’t leave the position empty for too long.”
“I’ve said my piece, I’ll take my leave now.”
Ignoring the emperor’s advice once again, Cassian rose as if there was nothing more to see.
Although he didn’t provide a detailed explanation to the emperor, he believed the emperor would understand his intentions.
By vaguely mentioning his situation, he essentially expressed his hope that in case of unforeseen circumstances, the emperor would step in to protect Ria.
“I haven’t finished talking yet.”
With a confident posture, Cassian, who spoke only his part and stood up, left the emperor in disbelief.
“I’ll listen.”
Despite wearing a displeased expression, Cassian waited without leaving the room.
“How did you come to know that child?”
The emperor asked with a complex expression filled with various emotions.
“You don’t need to know.”
“What?”
“That is a secret between me and the child.”
“I can’t understand it from my perspective. Your decision to become the child’s guardian, and the connection between the two.”
Cassian, who avoided spending even a small amount of time on things that didn’t benefit him, was now someone’s guardian. Considering his personality, it was truly an unexpected decision.
Especially, Cassian’s attitude towards Lia was peculiar.
It seemed like he was dealing with a very tender and lovable presence.
To the emperor’s inquiry, Cassian casually responded.
“It’s just a destined encounter, and I just decided to go along with it because I wanted to.”
It was a vague answer, omitting all detailed explanations.
The emperor’s doubts only grew with that response.
Such a vague answer, and the words that seemed to believe in destiny, didn’t provide a satisfactory explanation.
“It’s not the first time you’re hiding something from me, and this time, I’ll just let it go.”
In response to the emperor’s words, Cassian displayed an indifferent expression, whether he agreed or not.
“I have one request. Please protect that child. Please, be a strong shield for the child.”
With an expression that seemed displeased with the earnest request from the emperor, Cassian responded.
“It’s my angel baby, so I’ll take care of it myself.”
Whether he was mocking others by calling them ‘angel baby’ or not, it was unclear.
To Cassian’s ears, it sounded like he was slyly targeting his own ‘angel baby.’
It was needless worry and interference.
Even if the emperor didn’t say such words, Cassian was confident that he could take care of things himself.
No one could endanger the child, and no one could make the child suffer.
Even if the path ahead for Lia was thorny, even if there were obstacles to overcome, he would ensure she walked only on a path strewn with beautiful flowers.
“… It’s really strange.”
The emperor murmured softly, looking at Cassian.
It was unexpected for the emperor to witness Cassian showing such attachment to someone.
There had been only one instance before.
Although he had never seen the person’s face, he exhibited a similar reaction when Cassian showed interest in that person.
The only person he seemed to react to, despite lacking any apparent emotions, was his deceased wife.
For her sake, Cassian cherished her so much that he would willingly give his heart and more.
***
Inside the carriage heading back to the mansion.
Cassian, sitting face to face with Lia, seemed visibly troubled by something bothering him since earlier.
“…Lia.”
“What’s wrong?”
Cassian’s serious demeanor, seeming somewhat vexed or deeply concerned, left Ria puzzled with a quizzical expression.
“…There’s a foul smell.”
“All of a sudden?”
Lia wore an expression of incomprehension.
To smell something foul.
There was no reason for such a smell to emanate from her.
Didn’t she diligently bathe twice a day?
Even if she briefly visited the imperial palace, there was no way she could have become dirty enough to produce such a smell.
“I guess this smell is from the emperor’s foul little one. Why would I smell that little one’s odor on you?”
“The emperor’s foul little one…?”
“Yes, the emperor’s kid.”
Simply recalling that existence seemed to displease Cassian.
It was an instinctive aversion.
Normally, abilities users felt discomfort towards each other. And the level of discomfort varied based on their abilities.
Cassian was the most skilled among the current ability users. Consequently, his aversion towards other ability users was greater than that of others.
Moreover, the crown prince, being still young, hadn’t fully developed his ability yet. If he were to grow properly, he might surpass Cassian, a fact acknowledged due to the prince’s immense potential.
“…Are you referring to the crown prince?”
“Yes.”
Cassian nodded with his usual displeased expression.
He disliked the idea of smelling someone else’s scent on Lia, and it had to be the crown prince whose scent lingered.
Setting aside personal biases against the crown prince, the prince himself posed a danger to Lia.
His remarkable potential was matched by his considerable perilous nature.
Perhaps awakening as an ability user at a young age was the cause.
While all ability users had the potential for a power surge, the crown prince’s case was particularly severe.
He lived with the constant danger of going berserk.
At any moment, even during a breath, he could go berserk, and there was hardly anyone capable of stopping him if it happened.
Hence, despite being the crown prince, he rarely revealed himself to the public and always stayed in designated places.
Perhaps to prevent harm to others.
That Lia encountered him was not ideal, even though nothing seemed to have happened.
While everything appeared fine, it didn’t sit well with him.
Meanwhile, Lia’s expression seemed to suggest something clicked in her mind.
“Ah…”
‘Come to think of it, it strangely feels familiar…’
At the time, with Jeshuan’s condition and the distraction of his appearance, she hadn’t immediately associated him. His golden hair and golden eyes were symbols of the royal family.
‘To think I’m remembering this now!’
I didn’t make any mistakes, did I?
Lia carefully recalled the situation when she encountered Jeshuan.
Thankfully, nothing significant happened. She didn’t behave improperly or commit any rudeness.
‘That should be fine, right?’
Even if she made a small mistake, not immediately realizing he was the crown prince and failing to show proper respect wouldn’t be a major issue.
After all, she had helped him in her own way.
“I don’t know how you happened to run into that kid, but in the future, if you see him, pretend you don’t know him.”
“Even though he’s the crown prince?”
“It doesn’t matter, because even if he is, he has no right to tell me what to do with my favorite angel baby.”
“Oh, right. I’ll think about it if you don’t call me angel baby.”
Of course, just considering it.
Unlike Cassian, she was a person of common sense. She didn’t flaunt her knowledge of the crown prince, and she wasn’t impolite.
“…Well, it shouldn’t matter.”
Despite Cassian’s displeased expression at Ria’s ambiguous response, he smoothly let it go.
If necessary, he can just get rid of that little one.
