I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home 23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lia was at a loss for words.

 

She’d always known him to say ridiculous things, but this was even more incomprehensible.

 

With nothing new to experience, she wondered if she would be kidnapped.

 

I couldn’t figure out what he was trying to say.

 

When Cassian realized what Lia’s expression meant, he spoke in a gentle tone, as if to soothe her.

 

“They say it’s a kidnapping, but don’t worry too much, they just need a good excuse.”

 

“What excuse?”

 

“An excuse not to send my angel baby to the ball?”

 

At Cassian’s answer, Lia sighed heavily inwardly.

 

Indeed, he had a thought process that was not easily understood by himself.

 

“I don’t want to go either way, but still, I’ll decline.”

 

“If it’s because you’re scared, it’s okay. I’m the one kidnapping my angel baby.”

 

“That’s unsettling in its own way.”

 

I knew Cassian wasn’t someone who would do harm to me.

 

Even I felt like I was trusting Cassian too easily, but there was no falsehood in his attitude towards me.

 

If he were that kind of person, the emperor wouldn’t have readily approved him as my guardian.

 

So, I believed in him.

 

But aside from that, Cassian himself was like a ticking time bomb.

 

His every action diverged significantly from my common sense.

 

Therefore, I couldn’t predict how his acts of kindness would unfold for me.

 

“I just don’t want to show my angel baby to anyone, especially those kids attending the ball.”

 

She was already a child who, with her natural charm, could make people smile just by looking at her. However, now, after getting dressed up for the ball, she seemed like an unequivocal angel.

 

She was shining several times more than usual, making it impossible to look away.

 

So, how could one send such a beautiful angel to a dangerous place?

 

A ball full of clueless fools.

 

It was certain that some fool might not know the etiquette and try to take her away.

 

Of course, in Cassian’s reference to ‘those kids,’ the emperor was also included.

 

While not exactly a clueless fool, to Cassian, the emperor was also a figure to be wary of.

 

The emperor was favorably disposed toward Lia, as Cassian could sense.

 

Being favorably disposed wasn’t a problem in itself, but it felt uncomfortable and not quite right.

 

Especially when the emperor had a son around Lia’s age.

 

It was already bothersome that Lia had met that darn kid. If the emperor also showed interest in Lia… it could lead to quite troublesome situations.

 

For example, presumptuously designating my precious angel baby as a potential daughter-in-law.

 

“Out of the blue?”

 

No, when I mentioned attending the ball, there was no objection at all. Why bring this up on the day of the event?

 

“If I knew you were going to dress up this beautifully, I would have opposed from the start.”

 

“I apologize, but I can’t avoid going to that place.”

 

Despite her apology, Lia’s expression showed no signs of regret.

 

“Then there’s only one way.”

 

To be precise, Lia didn’t dislike attending the ball. She just didn’t like the people who would be there.

 

So, couldn’t we simply deal with those who attended the ball?

 

At least then, it seemed like Lia could be willingly sent off.

 

As Cassian was contemplating this, a fierce energy suddenly surged over his face as Lia firmly grasped his hand.

 

It was an action to capture his attention.

 

Cassian looked at Lia as if he had witnessed something unbelievable.

 

“Right now…”

 

Cassian looked at Lia’s hand, which he now held, with a somehow moved expression.

 

She had never initiated hugging or extending her hand to me before.

 

But…

 

“Whatever you’re thinking right now, it’s not happening.”

 

Unaware of Cassian’s thoughts, Lia spoke with an exceptionally firm and stern voice.

 

My instincts were telling me that if I didn’t stop Cassian now, things could get extremely difficult.

 

“I was willing to send you to the ball if that’s what my little angel wanted, but it’s a no? Well then, I’ll escort you…”

 

“I know you didn’t think about it.”

 

Lia cut him off decisively, wearing an expression that seemed to say, ‘Where do you sell your lies?’

 

“Looks like our angel baby has mastered even the art of deception.”

 

Despite being caught in a lie, Cassian remained remarkably composed.

 

“Anyway, whatever you had in mind right now, just forget about it. It’s absolutely not happening.”

 

“… Tsk.”

 

It would have been nice if my angel baby had been a bit more oblivious.

 

Cassian wore an expression of disappointment.

 

As long as I had decided not to do what Lia told me not to do, I couldn’t break the promise we had.

 

So, I tried to handle it before she told me not to, but somehow, she was quick to catch on.

 

“But I have a condition.”

 

“No, why the hell are there so many conditions!”

 

Even with the contract stamped and everything, it seemed she kept adding conditions even for following the basic rules.

 

However, since she didn’t know what might happen if she didn’t listen, Lia had no other choice.

 

“Lia, you’re being mean.”

 

“How am I being mean!”

 

“You’re just too pretty.”

 

‘Ha, now she’s picking on being pretty.’

 

Lia let out a bitter laugh at the absurdity.

 

“So, what’s the condition?”

 

“Escort you to the carriage. Hold hands like this.”

 

“If that’s what you want.”

 

Lia nodded in an indifferent manner, as if it was nothing more than holding hands.

 

However, Cassian, seemingly delighted with her positive response, flashed a small smile.

 

Despite exhaling a sigh, Lia held his hand quietly, unable to refuse when his emotions were so clearly displayed on his face.

 

She had initially been willing to comply, but witnessing his genuine joy made it even harder to decline.

 

Arriving at the location of the carriage while holding hands with Cassian, Lia leaned into him momentarily.

 

It was her way of assisting in her own manner as she boarded the carriage.

 

“I can get on by myself.”

 

Even though she acknowledged her youth, being twelve years old, she wasn’t so lightweight that she could be easily lifted like that.

 

Watching Cassian effortlessly lift her, Lia couldn’t help but resent her own body.

 

‘If only I were a bit heavier! No, if only I were a bit taller!’

 

“I get it.”

 

“Oh, okay.”

 

What else could she say when she already understood?

 

Besides, she was already on the carriage.

 

“Once you arrive, my aide should be there. Being astute, he won’t unnecessarily acknowledge what he knows. If you need help, he’ll step in. Have a safe journey.”

 

“Yes, thank you. By the way… Could you tell me more about Khal’s aide? I feel like I should know.”

 

It would be handy to recognize him without acting like she knew, then discreetly signal for assistance if needed.

 

“Sure, a recently acquired fellow. Personality? Filthy and annoyingly persistent.”

 

Cassian recalled his aide, who always stuck around nagging whenever something came up, and displayed a distasteful expression.

 

“For now… I’ll keep that in mind.”

 

Lia said it with a hint of skepticism, sensing there might be more to those words.

 

With that, the carriage set off.

 

Cassian’s expression showed reluctance to part with Lia, but he didn’t try to stop the carriage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The carriage Lia rode in quickly arrived at the imperial palace.

 

Once the carriage stopped, Lia received assistance from the guards who accompanied her and descended from the carriage.

 

She then walked alone.

 

Guards couldn’t enter the banquet hall where the ball was taking place.

 

“Feels unnecessarily tense.”

 

Well, it couldn’t be entirely relaxed.

 

After all, it was her debut at a ball.

 

Before making a social debut, she, as the Lady of the House, had to reveal herself at the ball. Thus, she couldn’t help but be more cautious.

 

At the moment, she represented the House of Sithran.

 

Her actions at the ball would be the standards by which the Sithran House would be judged.

 

If she appeared even slightly ridiculous, there might be those lurking like predators, ready to seize an opportunity to tear down the Sithran House.

 

‘I won’t let them think it’s an easy target.’

 

Grandfather had diligently built up the House of Sithran. Lia was determined to preserve its reputation.

 

With this determination, Lia walked calmly into the banquet hall.

 

Accompanied by a servant, many eyes were drawn to Lia as she opened the door.

 

The emotions on their faces were varied.

 

Covert curiosity, interest, and subtle disregard and disappointment.

 

Lia was unfazed by their emotions.

 

I had already anticipated the stares that would be directed at me like a monkey in a zoo.

 

Lia ignored their stares and took a seat in the right place with a relaxed look on her face.

 

‘I’m already feeling nervous.’

 

The stares, the constant scrutiny, the searching, from the moment she appeared.

 

It was stressful just to receive it.

 

But what can I do?

 

All of this is something I have to endure.

 

With that thought, Lia reached for the glass that sat on the table in front of her.

 

It was then.

 

A hand intervened, stopping her in her tracks.

 

When Lia looked up to see who was holding her hand, she saw a handsome man she had never seen before.

 

A man who looked strangely stern, but also blunt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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