I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home 29
“A request…?”
In response to the completely unexpected words, Lia wore a puzzled expression.
It wasn’t just anyone; the Emperor had a request for her.
She had no clue what it could be.
“It concerns my son. Before being an Emperor, I too am a father who has a child.”
At the Emperor’s words, Lia recalled the greeting Jeshuan had given earlier.
He had said they would meet again soon.
At the time, she hadn’t attached much significance to it, but now it seemed otherwise.
Nevertheless, even if that were the case, she couldn’t comprehend why the Emperor would make such a request.
“I clearly state, this is merely a father’s request, not a command as an Emperor.”
The Emperor emphasized that what he was about to say was a father’s request.
This clearly indicated that it wasn’t an imperial decree but rather a favor, allowing her the option to refuse.
“So, may I ask what this request is about?”
“Could you spend time with my son once a week?”
“Um.”
Lia didn’t easily provide a response.
The Emperor had explicitly stated it was a request, and she had the freedom to refuse. Yet, facing such a high-profile figure, a swift rejection didn’t come naturally.
It wasn’t as simple as saying, ”Sure, I can,’ and accepting it lightly.
“My son, Jeshuan, that boy is quite… frail.”
In the part where the Emperor mentioned his son’s frailty, there was a slight hesitation, as if he felt a peculiar pang of conscience.
But for the Emperor, Jeshuan was just a son who needed to be cared for and protected, with special circumstances.
Although others might perceive Jeshuan as a dangerous entity, it wasn’t the case for the Emperor.
Over the years, he had witnessed his son’s struggles and pain.
“So he has been living alone without anyone around him all this time. It has always weighed on my mind.”
His son had never had a peaceful day, always wary of hurting someone and keeping a distance from people.
Amidst those who feared and rejected him, Jeshuan had wandered alone, unable to find a place to belong.
“That’s why he made his first request to me.”
So, as a father, how could he not listen?
“Therefore, could you refuse him?”
He’s the only offspring left by the woman I loved.
“Why me, of all people?”
“With you, it seemed okay.”
Lia was the granddaughter of Duke Shubaren.
If she resembled Shubaren, she would likely look at Jeshuan not as a monster like other nobles but as Jeshuan himself.
Despite her young age, she was remarkably mature.
In a situation that would have overwhelmed anyone, Lia stood strong.
Lia’s resilience suggested she would support Jeshuan, understanding his circumstances.
“Of course, I won’t ask this without offering something in return. Just once, I’ll fulfill any request you have. If you ever need my help, I’ll be there for you.”
The Emperor’s words made Lia’s face stiffen.
It wasn’t an easy proposition to casually bring up.
The other party was the Emperor. For the Emperor to offer assistance without any conditions was unexpected.
Regardless of the content, unconditional.
“Do you trust me?”
Without trusting the other person, such words could never be uttered.
Was she implying that she would have something to ask of the Emperor in the future?
If she harbored even a slight ill intention, the Emperor could suffer significant consequences.
“Alright, I trust you.”
“Is it because I’m Duke Shubaren’s granddaughter?”
The Emperor’s profound trust in her grandfather was well-known.
Her grandfather’s significance in the Empire was weighty, widely respected by all.
But her grandfather and herself were distinct.
Not every child born under excellent parents always turns out splendidly.
“Of course, that’s part of it. If it were Duke Shubaren, he would have raised his granddaughter exceptionally well. But I trust my own judgment.”
In the Emperor’s eyes, Lia wasn’t much different from her grandfather.
She resembled her grandfather more than anyone.
Especially with those upright and clear eyes.
Those eyes held a lot.
If someone were even slightly sinister or harboring darkness within, they couldn’t possess such eyes.
No matter how one could craft their personality, their eyes ultimately held everything.
“And also, trust Cassian.”
Cassian, with an exceptional sense for people and a keen insight, was someone to be trusted. It was an instinct close to his nature.
Choosing him as Lia’s guardian meant she found him trustworthy.
It signified Lia’s clear and upright character.
Cassian easily saw through people’s hidden thoughts, making him trustworthy.
With the Emperor’s almost certain words, Lia fell into contemplation.
In a way, the request might not have seemed that difficult.
It was, in fact, a more straightforward request compared to the reward offered.
Hence, it became more of a dilemma.
The reward seemed excessively generous for what she had to do.
“Don’t think the reward is too much. It holds enough value for me.”
Perhaps, that was indeed the case.
It was the first request from his son and the first time his son showed interest in someone.
Missing this opportunity might lead his son to live forever alone, with no one by his side.
Understanding how lonely and challenging that could be, the Emperor didn’t want to miss this chance.
If even one person could open up and depend on his son, the Emperor would do anything.
“Even so, it’s too burdensome for me.”
“You saying that only makes me think I made the right choice in asking you.”
If Lia had been a bit more ambitious, instead of feeling burdened by the generous reward, she might have willingly agreed to help with the Emperor’s request.
“And… You’ll come to know that my offer wasn’t excessive.”
While it might sound simple to spend time with his son once a week, it was not as light as it seemed.
The Emperor claimed his son needed protection and care, but not everyone saw it that way.
The time spent with Jeshuan was a guarantee of safety for Lia.
However, he couldn’t openly reveal everything.
The danger of his son’s immense abilities going out of control and posing a risk to her.
Hence, there was a potential danger for her.
Even if it meant deceiving a child, the Emperor sought the truth about Jeshuan.
Despite being an Emperor, he was also a father willing to do anything for his beloved son, even if it meant compromising his own conscience.
However, he had no intention of knowingly putting Lia in danger.
In case of any contingency, the best experts would be watching over them, and if it seemed even slightly risky, they would intervene immediately.
Just as his son was precious to him, Lia was also someone important.
‘Hmm.’
With the Emperor’s words, Lia found herself immersed in contemplation once again.
Somehow, it seemed like Jeshuan had undisclosed circumstances she wasn’t aware of.
I felt that way when I met Jeshuan, but seeing the Emperor now only strengthened my conviction.
There was a hint of him hiding something.
‘The Crown Prince does seem vulnerable.’
The way he appeared the last time supported that notion.
So, the claim of his vulnerability wasn’t likely a lie, and there might be undisclosed reasons for his pain.
Keeping a distance from others due to the pain and not revealing much could be part of it.
Nevertheless, for Lia, it was a request without any apparent drawbacks, offering more benefits in return for spending time once a week.
“I’ll accept Your Majesty’s request. However, I have one condition. Please allow me to stop whenever I want.”
As there was no specified duration, this was crucial.
Especially considering the undisclosed circumstances the Emperor had, it had to be handled carefully.
Therefore, to ensure she could withdraw at any time, precautions needed to be taken.
“Understood. I’ll make it so.”
The Emperor readily accepted Lia’s condition.
It was a consideration and favor for Lia.
Even as an Emperor, the fact that he made such a request while hiding the truth weighed on him.
Soon, the Emperor signed the document bearing the imperial seal.
This was to make it more official.
To ensure everything was clear and precise.
After carefully reading the imperial document, Lia tucked it into her embrace.
With this, she had a safety measure for unforeseen circumstances.
The Emperor had become a reliable ally.
“Since it’s late today, I’ll formally introduce my son when he comes to the imperial palace next time. Will you contact me before coming to the palace? He’ll be busy with his duties as the Crown Prince, so we’ll schedule it to fit your time.”
“Yes, of course.”
Lia didn’t reject the Emperor’s consideration.
She was already busy preparing for the tasks she had diligently accumulated over the past days. Therefore, she couldn’t immediately spare time.
With her final farewell, Lia left the Emperor’s office.
When she arrived at the place where her carriage was waiting to take her back to the Duke’s mansion,
There was someone waiting for her. It was the handsome man who had prevented her from drinking too much at the ball.
“You’re late.”
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