I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home 30
“Were you waiting for me?”
As if in disbelief that he was waiting for her, Lia’s expression became surprised.
“Usually, my indifferent master, who doesn’t care if someone collapses next to him, unexpectedly worried about the duke.”
The man speaking had a deeply furrowed impression, as if he had seen something unimaginable.
Well, that’s because the Grand Duke asked he to escort Lia, and his words were quite unexpected.
Our angel baby is so lovely and charming that anyone who sees her can’t help but fall for her. So, we need to protect her from any curious crow’s offspring trying to steal her.
Of course, in addition, Cassian praised Lia extensively in over ten letters.
How surprised he was when he first read those letters.
Not only the content of the letters, but he also learned for the first time that Cassian knew how to write such long letters.
Usually, he had to decipher his words like interpreting a code, as he often spoke without subjects or objects.
So, when he asked him to explain properly, he would mockingly ask why he bothered carrying around such a useless head.
Such a person like that…
Moreover, how absurd the content was.
Of course, when he actually met her, Lia was undeniably lovely.
He admitted that.
However, he couldn’t understand Cassian’s concerns.
With perfectly capable guards and being a duke’s, who could harm her?
“I’m causing you in trouble for no reason, sir.”
There was no need for him to escort her to the duke’s residence.
Moreover, because of that, wasn’t he waiting for her continuously?
The man’s eyes widened at her words.
“I’m truly relieved.”
The man speaking was genuinely expressing relief.
“Yes?”
“Since master showed interest in someone else for a change, I wondered if they were of the same species, but the duke is a very rational person.”
Lia made an awkward expression at the man’s words.
Well, harsh evaluations towards Khal were understandable.
It had to be extraordinary.
But the man’s reaction was even worse.
And… Well, isn’t it true that Khal and you are of the same species?
After all, he’s human, and you’re a human too.
However, she didn’t voice that thought.
Somehow, it seemed better not to say that.
“I haven’t introduced myself. I apologize. I am Shion Kaiten, the aide to the Grand Duke, who seems anything but human.”
“As expected, it was like that. I am…”
“I already know, so you don’t have to introduce yourself. More importantly, let’s go, let’s focus on something else.”
Interrupting Lia, the man opened the carriage door.
For her safety, Lia needed to be safely brought to the duke’s residence as soon as possible.
If they were even slightly late, there might be some unpredictable antics from Cassian’s temperament… or something similar.
Without hesitation, Lia accepted his escort and climbed into the carriage, followed by Shion who also boarded the same carriage.
Soon, the carriage started moving, and there was a brief silence between the two.
Shion was not originally a talkative person.
He became a nagging person by meeting the wrong superiors, and he didn’t like engaging in unnecessary conversations or showing interest in others.
However, maintaining silence all the way until they arrived at the duke’s residence made him slightly uneasy.
There were a few things he was curious about.
Especially since he wouldn’t get the answers he wanted from Cassian.
After pondering on how to start the conversation, Shion slowly opened his mouth.
“The way you handling of the nobles today was impressive.”
He had positioned himself in a suitable place to intervene whenever she might need help, keeping a close watch on her.
The way she presented herself was quite impressive and striking.
Despite her young age, dealing with the elderly nobles would be challenging, considering she had recently become a duke’s.
This being her first ball and not having been a noble for long added to the difficulty.
In terms of experience and expertise, Lia clearly had shortcomings.
However, despite his worries, Lia handled the nobles adeptly and eventually elicited an apology from an elderly noble.
Her unwavering demeanor in front of the lectern and the nobles was impeccable, showing no signs of faltering as a duke’s the head of a family.
So, in a way, it was fortunate.
If she had seemed too much like a child, there would have undoubtedly been concerns.
“Its’s because I am the face of the dukedom.”
If she appeared unserious, they would likely perceive even the duke’s residence as such.
Therefore, Lia never intended to appear trivial or unserious to anyone.
Despite her young age, age was just a number.
Age could not be a reason for others to perceive her as unserious.
Lia was determined to fulfill her role as a duke’s to the best of her abilities.
Hearing Lia’s words, a faint smile appeared in Shion’s eyes.
Indeed, even at a young age, did the bloodline of the Sithran dukedom manifest itself?
Her unwavering stance, devoid of any hesitation, was admirable as she embraced the responsibility and duty of being a duke’s.
It seemed reminiscent of the late Sithran Duke.
Simultaneously, someone else came to mind.
‘She resembles him in some ways.’
Unlike the delicate and fragile appearance, a woman who had tamed his unpredictable master.
Perhaps that was the reason.
Cassian’s unusual interest and concern for this young child…
It must have been instinctual, feeling a strange resemblance to the woman he loved enough to sacrifice even his own life for.
Not only in appearance but also in atmosphere.
Thinking of that woman, Shion wore a bitter expression.
Only for a moment.
“Come to think of it, I forgot something important. Though it’s belated, congratulations on becoming a duke.”
“Thank you.”
Lia responded with a smile, genuinely appreciating the congratulations.
Seeing her, Shion, too, unexpectedly revealed a subtle smile.
‘Well, it seems somewhat understandable.’
Especially given Cassian’s actions, protective of Lia.
Even though they only had a brief conversation, Shion felt a strong liking for her.
With that in mind, he recalled what he wanted to ask her.
“By the way, how is the Grand Duke doing?”
He had heard some details from Cassian through letters, but that alone couldn’t fully grasp Cassian’s situation.
The letters merely mentioned that due to circumstances, he would be staying in the duke’s residence for a while.
However, it didn’t explain what those circumstances were or how long he would stay in the duke’s residence.
Yet, no matter how hard Shion pressed Cassian, he wouldn’t get the answers he sought.
Cassian was unlikely to provide the desired response, no matter how much Shion tried to pry.
As an aide, Shion should have had a basic understanding of Cassian’s situation.
Therefore, instead of asking Cassian directly, he inquired about him through Lia.
“Well, just… I hope he’s doing well.”
Unable to find the right words, Lia said that.
After officially recognizing Cassian as her guardian, Lia had been too occupied with her duties as a duke’s to pay much attention to Cassian.
Naturally, she didn’t know much about how he was doing.
All she knew was that he would diligently work on something by himself, and he would annoyingly come to her whenever he was bored.
“Is that so? Well, I’m relieved, but I can’t help but worry if he’s causing trouble or getting into unnecessary incidents even there.”
“Sometimes… he does impulsive things, but it’s okay. He still listens well. That’s a condition for staying in our duke’s residence.”
Shion’s face showed a surprised expression at Lia’s words.
Whoever Cassian was…
Wasn’t he usually dismissive, ignoring whatever anyone said as if asking where a dog barks?
Yet, he was listening to her?
And he accepted it as a condition?
It was almost as unbelievable as the sun rising from the west.
“If you thought about me when you said that, you don’t need to worry. Feel free to speak honestly. I know the Grand Duke’s… well, not dog-like, but, well, his eccentric personality quite well.”
Shion said this, suspecting that Lia’s words might be a lie to spare his feelings.
“It’s not like that. Of course, sometimes… he does surprising things, but if I tell him not to do something, he usually listens.”
Seeing Shion’s skeptical attitude, Lia awkwardly smiled and spoke.
She understood his disbelief and lack of understanding, but regardless, she was only stating the truth.
While there might be some simplification, there was no outright falsehood.
“… Well, then, that’s a relief. I was worried that he might cause trouble or ruin someone else’s family, even in the duke’s residence.”
So when Cassian decided to stay at the duke’s residence for a while, he couldn’t help but worry amidst her concerns.
While other families might manage if Cassian caused trouble, the Sithran Duke’s residence was a challenging place to meddle with, even for someone of the Grand Duke’s status.
“Please take good care of our Grand Duke in the future.”
More precisely, it meant to avoid causing trouble in the future, just as he’s doing now.
“I merely accepted the proposal for the Grand Duke to stay at the duke’s residence. It wasn’t an unfounded favor but a clear transaction.”
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