I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home 19
Regardless of today’s events, Lia had plans to systematically deal with the annoying nobles who sought her favor.
Doing so was not only for her own sake but also for the benefit of the family.
Those who were only interested in their own gains wouldn’t be of any help to the family.
Hence, Lia decided to expedite her plan, which was initially intended to proceed more slowly.
Sorting out those who were not beneficial to the family or tarnishing the family’s reputation while ignoring her would be Lia’s first act as the head of the family.
That was to be Lia’s initial task as the family head.
And before that…
“Khal.”
Lia called Cassian with a rather serious and solemn expression.
Despite her young age, the natural aura of authority emanating from her made even Cassian, who had never bowed to anyone, flinch.
“Khal is my guardian. As such, everything he does will affect me. While I may wish for Khal to exist solely as my guardian, he is also representing me. So, please be cautious.”
Although she intended to handle today’s events on her own, recurring situations like these would pose a challenge.
Lia hoped that, thanks to Cassian, no harm or trouble would befall the Duchy.
His actions were no longer solely his own; they reflected the movements of the Duchy.
“……”
Cassian remained silent in response to Lia’s words.
It was something he had never considered before, something that didn’t warrant consideration.
Cassian had never cared about anyone’s opinions; he was soon to be the Grand Duke, and no one could question his actions.
Even the Emperor had somewhat given up on him.
As for the aftermath, his excellent aide could handle it, and nothing would be a problem.
That was his perspective on the matter.
However, now Cassian found himself in a situation he had never experienced before.
In his usual demeanor, he would have ignored whatever Lia said.
No matter how much of an angelic figure she was, he wouldn’t need to be cautious of his actions based on her judgment.
If something bothered him, he would remove it, and if he liked something, he would keep it by his side.
If someone had an issue with him, he would simply make it impossible for them to express it.
So far, living like this hadn’t posed any problems.
But for some reason,
Cassian couldn’t entirely dismiss Lia’s words.
Her clear and transparent eyes, firm and resolute gaze that was hard to believe for her young age, kept pulling him in.
“Khal, this is not the Grand Duchy. This is the Duchy of Sithran, and I am the head of the Duchy. So, while Khal stays as my guardian, I hope you respect and follow my opinions.”
Whatever actions the Grand Duke might take were none of Lia’s concern.
However, at present, he was not the Grand Duke but her guardian in the Duchy of Sithran.
Every action of his would influence the Duchy, and Lia couldn’t simply ignore it.
“Well, this is the Duchy of Sithran.”
From Cassian’s muttered words, Lia couldn’t discern anything.
She couldn’t tell if he accepted her words or not.
So, she became a bit uneasy.
If Cassian continued in this manner, she might even regret choosing him as her guardian.
‘I should have explained things properly beforehand.’
It wasn’t the first time he showed this side of him.
However, at that time, she was more focused on the urgency of choosing a guardian as soon as possible.
Anyway, at that time, Cassian was the only one who fit the conditions she had in mind.
“Looks like there will be a lot to discuss between the little angel and me.”
Cassian seemed to have grasped the essence of what Lia wanted to convey.
That things couldn’t go on as they did before in this place.
As she said, he was here not as the Grand Duke but as her guardian.
Things that wouldn’t be a problem for the Grand Duke himself were different now.
At least as long as he stayed here concealing his identity.
“Seems like it. That’s why I suggested talking about it.”
“So, what does the angel baby want?”
Even Cassian couldn’t quite understand why he was trying so hard to accommodate Lia, but what could he do?
It seemed his instincts were compelling him.
Just by looking into those eyes, it felt like she wanted him to grant any request.
Why was that?
Whenever he looked at Lia, he felt a familiar and tender emotion.
He wanted to give her everything he had, cherish her.
He wanted to see her smiling face rather than a frowning one.
At those times, it felt like someone precious to him, someone he couldn’t remember, was coming to mind.
Someone who seemed more precious to him than anyone else.
“Let’s establish some rules.”
What each of them wanted from the other.
And what they hoped to protect by doing so.
To ensure unnecessary issues or troubles wouldn’t arise between them.
“… Tsk.”
Rules, huh?
Seemingly annoyed and bothered by the thought, Cassian clicked his tongue.
Cassian’s rules were simple.
Do what you want to do, and don’t do what you don’t want to do.
The criteria for everything were set by him, and he didn’t care about anything else.
To him, rules were like unnecessary shackles.
But if that’s what the angel baby wanted, what could he do?
After that, Lia continued the conversation with Cassian in a serious tone.
About the rules they needed to follow.
There weren’t many things Cassian wanted from her.
Just her ‘happiness’.
It seemed like a grandiose word, but undoubtedly, that was what Cassian desired.
For Lia not to struggle, not to suffer, and to live well with a bright smile.
Ultimately, wouldn’t that be happiness?
In contrast, what Lia wanted from Cassian was relatively more, but that was
inevitable.
As the head of a noble family, she inevitably carried a heavy burden of responsibility and duty.
“I accept that rules.”
“Thank you, Cassian.”
Lia knew that Cassian’s acceptance of her words was not an easy decision for him.
Although they had spent a short time together, he had never cared about someone else’s opinion or adjusted himself for others.
That’s why she was even more grateful.
“However, there are conditions.”
“Conditions?”
“If the decisions of the angel baby are harmful to angel baby herself, I will do whatever it takes to stop angel baby. Also, if I think it’s unavoidable for the angel baby, even if it violates our rules, I will do it for angel baby sake.”
“… Okay.”
Lia nodded. She had to compromise on this much.
The rules so far had been more like unilateral demands from her to him.
Even the conditions he presented were ultimately for his benefit.
So how could she refuse?
Then a sudden question crossed her mind.
“Cassian, can I ask you one thing?”
“Sure.”
At Lia’s words, Cassian willingly extended his arm.
Not understanding the meaning behind the gesture, Lia looked puzzled.
“You can bite my arm if you want.”
Since it wouldn’t hurt much with her small teeth, and he wouldn’t lose the use of his arm.
Lia’s face froze at his words.
She reacted as if thinking, ‘Could he be a madman?’
No way he meant what it sounded like!
“That’s for another time. I have a feeling I might want to do that sometimes in the future.”
So, rather than rejecting Cassian’s suggestion for now, Lia decided to keep it on hold.
When would she ever bite the arm of a Grand Duke?
Since he had permitted it, if she ever felt like biting him in the future, she could just do it without hesitation.
Yes, from now on, instead of pinching or poking him as before, she’d better just go ahead and bite him.
“Too bad.”
She wondered how it would feel to be bitten by those tiny teeth.
Chewing on her arm would still be adorable and cute.
Cassian suddenly understood why parents become doting fools for their children.
If you had such an adorable daughter, you’d want to indulge her every whim, no matter how silly.
“Anyway, let’s get back to the original topic. Why do you treat me so well, Mr… no, Cassian?”
At Lia’s words, Cassian tilted his head slightly.
Even himself didn’t know why he treated her so well.
It was something that flowed naturally, even he wasn’t consciously aware of it.
So, Cassian gave a simple answer.
“Because you’re my angel baby.”
“Does everyone get treated well if they’re an angel baby?”
“No, it’s different. To me, you’re the only angel baby.”
So, he treated no one else as well as he treated Lia.
However, this answer only increased Lia’s curiosity.
It wasn’t a sufficient answer.
“Don’t dwell on unnecessary things. Just enjoy the situation. It’s a privilege reserved only for my angel baby.”
What mattered was not the reason.
He did it because he wanted to.
“No, but I still don’t understand.”
It puzzled her that someone who wasn’t even family, a perfect stranger, would show such unconditional kindness.
“The only answer I can give to my angel baby is mine. I simply wish for your health and happiness.”
As if that were the most important goal in his life, he expressed it earnestly and sincerely.
Despite Lia’s continued expression of not understanding, she chose to move on, realizing that asking for reasons wouldn’t lead to answers.
Whatever the reason, he had been genuinely kind to her, and that fact was beneficial to her, regardless of the explanation.
For some reason, Lia also felt an inexplicable intimacy and kindness from Cassian.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have impulsively chosen Cassian as her guardian.
* * *
Meanwhile, at that time, the crown prince Jeshuan made a rare visit to the emperor.
Because he had something to say to him about Lia, the young lady of the Duke of Sithran.
