I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home

 

 

 

 

I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home 25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I humbly greet His Imperial Majesty. Glory of the empire, the noble radiance.”

 

“One grand greeting is enough.”

 

Watching Lia, who flawlessly exemplifies etiquette without a hint of disturbance, the Emperor spoke in a gentle voice.

 

In response to his words, Lia displayed a courteous smile.

 

“I truly appreciate you arranging this place for me today, your majesty. It’s a great honor even for a duke.”

 

“Not just any place, but the Duke of Sithran. This is a token of my respect for the Duke of Sithran.”

 

Not only Lia’s grandfather, who was the former duke, but for generations, the Dukes of Sithran worked diligently for the empire.

 

Their efforts were undeniable by anyone.

 

“Following in my grandfather’s footsteps, I will strive to be a great support for the empire.”

 

“If Grandfather Shubaren could see, he would surely be immensely proud.”

 

How mature and impressive she had become.

 

Having a granddaughter like her was a great blessing.

 

For a brief moment, the Emperor wore a content expression before slowly speaking.

 

“After the ball concludes, could you spare some time for a brief conversation?”

 

In response to the Emperor’s words, Lia displayed a puzzled expression.

 

She had no clear idea of what he wanted to discuss with her.

 

However, regardless of the content, as the head of a family responsible for a crucial part of the empire, Lia couldn’t refuse the Emperor’s request.

 

“Yes, gladly.”

 

Despite her willing response, Lia’s inner feelings were not as affirmative.

 

It wasn’t that she disliked the audience with the Emperor; rather, she was displeased with unexpectedly prolonging her stay at the ball due to it.

 

Originally, she had planned to make brief greetings and leave.

 

Nevertheless, it seemed inevitable that she would have to stay in her position until the end of the ball.

 

Suppressing such sentiments, Lia gracefully bid her farewell, returned to her previous spot, and stood quietly.

 

Even if she didn’t approach other nobles first from her side, they would naturally come to her.

 

Considering they were already eager to assert dominance over the young her, there was no need for her to initiate contact.

 

As a new head of the family, it was imperative to establish authority.

 

Traditionally, it was common for lower-ranking nobles to approach and greet first.

 

Lia held the distinct position of the head of the Sithran Duchy, with no nobles of higher rank than her except for the Grand Duke.

 

However, there were no nobles eager to approach her first.

 

They seemed more focused on engaging in subtle power struggles, deliberately allowing her to take the initiative.

 

Lia remained composed even in this somewhat isolated situation.

 

Due to her solo performance with the Emperor, she had to maintain her position until the end of the ball.

 

There was plenty of time, and there was no need to rush.

 

As the head of the Sithran Duchy, this was the first occasion for her to make an appearance, so she couldn’t afford to show any signs of negligence or inadequacy.

 

What they needed to strive for to make a good impression was them, not herself.

 

Being young did not make the prestige of the Sithran Duchy any less significant.

 

Moreover, it was the Emperor himself who personally organized the ball to celebrate for her.

 

Given the Emperor’s support, there should be no nobles undermining the Sithran Duchy.

 

Despite being considered an easy target, her mere existence was likely perceived as prey by these nobles.

 

How long did she just stand there?

 

After a brief or lengthy silent rivalry, a noble approached Lia.

 

“This is Treon, the head of the Marquess of Rhinon. Congratulations on successfully deciding on your guardian.”

 

Marquess Rhinon greteed her with a smile, pretending to be benevolent grandfather, and Lia also responded with a smile.

 

But, she wasn’t truly feeling good.

 

It was because he had been picking a fight from the very first greeting.

 

From the casual remarks to the congratulatory words, it all seemed to flow unnaturally.

 

This was clearly a place to celebrate that she had become the head of the dukedom. Nonetheless, the marquess was congratulating for the guardian.

 

Almost as if he’s saying, ‘You’re not the official head of the family yet.’

 

No matter how she pretended to be the mistress of the Duchy, it all seemed to revolve around the authority of the ward in the end.

 

“I appreciate the greetings. Thanks to you, I was able to safely have qualification as the head of the family recognized.”

 

Lia emphasized the words behind her gratitude.

 

It was a subtle jab at the fact that the guardian was just a guardian, and the real authority lay with her.

 

“You’ll have a lot to endure in the future.”

 

“Will I?”

 

As if gauging the intent behind Lord Rhinon words, Lia responded indifferently with a sharp gaze.

 

“Sending a child alone to such an event.”

 

“That’s because he trusts me. He knows I can handle things on my own.”

 

Why bother involving the guardian in something as trivial as a ball?

 

Even if it was to conceal the true identity of khal, he wouldn’t have attended this event with her.

 

Khal was merely a means and a method for her to safely inherit the position of the duke of the Sithran Duchy.

 

So, she had no intention of unnecessarily relying on him or showing any dependence.

 

All the authority of the Duchy belonged to her, not the guardian.

 

The nobles needed to be aware of that fact.

 

“From my perspective, it seems like he’s not fulfilling his role as a guardian. Of course, I understand. Perhaps you haven’t thought about that aspect due to your youth.”

 

Lord Rhinon treated Lia’s actions at this event, attended alone, as the antics of an inexperienced child.

 

“Isn’t he is my guardian, or are him the guardian of Lord Rhinon? Even if he is my guardian, I’m still represent the Sithran Duchy. As for the qualities of a guardian, that’s for me to judge. Also, attending the ball alone was my choice.”

 

The lady from earlier, the nobles in front of her, everyone seemed to debate the qualifications of the guardian.

 

But Lia understood. It wasn’t really about questioning the qualities of the guardian; it was ultimately an act of disregarding her.

 

Despite her youth, as the duke of the Duchy, she couldn’t be openly criticized. Instead, they chose to target the guardian, knowing they couldn’t directly confront her.

 

“Oh, if my words upset you, I apologize. I’ll just say one thing, though. Young ones tend to trust people easily.”

 

Despite the seemingly concerned words, there was no genuine respect towards Lia.

 

Lord Rhinon continued to treat Lia solely as a child, not as an equal duke.

 

However, since Lia had anticipated this kind of attitude from Lord Rhinon, his demeanor didn’t strike her as a significant blow.

 

It just left a rather unpleasant feeling.

 

“I appreciate Lord Rhinon’s excessive concern. I didn’t expect Lord Rhinon to think of the Sithran Duchy this way. Someone might mistake you for the head of the Sithran Duchy.”

 

In essence, her words conveyed that his concern was unwarranted and his interference was too much.

 

It also hinted that he had no authority to meddle in her affairs.

 

“Oh, it seems I’ve upset you again. I apologize once more. As one grows older, worrying is a part of it… In my own way, seeing you reminds me of something my granddaughter might say.”

 

Lia’s eyebrows twitched at what seemed like an apology with a hint of sincerity.

 

Every word he uttered rubbed her the wrong way.

 

The apology, treating her as if she were merely griping due to a bad mood, and his demeanor of considering himself superior, all bothered her.

 

“My late grandfather would have been delighted. He cherished me, calling me his only precious granddaughter. Now, there’s one more person treating me as a granddaughter.”

 

Essentially, her words conveyed that her grandfather, the former Duke of Sithran, was the only one entitled to treat her as a granddaughter.

 

Lord Rhinon’s expression slightly stiffened as he grasped the meaning hidden in Lia’s words.

 

He hadn’t expected her to be less compliant than he thought, especially considering she seemed quite docile. Moreover, it was evidently her first social event, yet she adeptly used the language of high society.

 

Despite being perceived as a child, she wasn’t as easy to handle as he assumed.

 

He might have expected her to get carried away and speak freely, being a child.

 

However, Lord Rhibon, a non-noble, firmly believed he held a position of superiority over her.

 

“I have always respected the former Duke of Sithran. So, if you ever need assistance, feel free to ask. There’s much for a young one like you to learn, and I’d be happy to help.”

 

Faced with endless provocations, Lia gradually sensed the limits of her patience.

 

It was time for him to gracefully withdraw, but persistently challenging her, dragging on about her age, was truly irritating.

 

To make matters worse, he even brought up her late grandfather in this latest provocation.

 

At this moment, Lia felt tempted to call for Khal, the sword, just to have a quiet moment in the Duchy.

 

However, being pragmatic, she decided to resolve this situation as diplomatically as possible.

 

“I appreciate your words. However, before that, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

 

Despite her calm tone, Lia stared at Lord Rhinon with a sharp gaze, ready to dissect him at any moment.

 

The intensity of her gaze was enough to make Lord Rhinon flinch momentarily.

 

However, perhaps to salvage his pride after reacting so strongly to a child, Lord Rhinon deliberately sent a dismissive look, ignoring Lia even more.

 

“Is there something on your mind?”

 

“Am I Marquess Rhinon’s subordinate?”

 

“Hehe, I can’t fathom why you’d think that way.”

 

“Let me be clear. I’m here as the Duke of the Sithran Duchy, not as a child in need of grandfatherly care. So, could you at least show some basic courtesy?”

 

“…..”

 

Faced with Lia’s remarkably straightforward critique, Lord Rhinon flinched once again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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