I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home 31
Shion’s eyes narrowed at Lia’s words.
Wondering how Cassian ended up as Lia’s guardian and staying at the duke’s residence, Shion pondered if there was some kind of arrangement.
After all, it wouldn’t make sense for the Grand Duke to stay at the duke’s residence without some sort of deal.
This made Shion extremely curious about the details of this arrangement.
However, Shion didn’t ask directly to avoid seeming overly prying.
“Even so, it must be tough. Dealing with someone who’s generally only concerned about themselves…”
“Well, it’s not easy, but it’s manageable.”
In its own way, Cassian’s presence was a small comfort for Lia.
Thanks to him persistently following and bothering her, she felt less keenly the void left by her grandfather.
“If ever you find it difficult or encounter any trouble due to our Grand
Duke, please feel free to let me know. While I may not be of significant help, I can offer some small advice.”
Shion’s words hinted at an intention to understand Cassian’s dynamics even in this manner.
What else could he do?
Unable to learn through Cassian, this was the only way to find out how he was doing.
Handling Cassian alone made him feel a twinge of guilt.
Thankfully, hearing her words, it seemed Cassian was attentive, so he didn’t need to worry too much, but he couldn’t completely let his guard down.
Being inherently capricious and impulsive, he couldn’t predict when or how he might act.
“Yes, thank you.”
“I should be the one thanking you. It must not be easy to live together, but you’ve managed so well… Still, it’s fortunate that you don’t have to worry too much with a duke.”
From what he observed at the ball, Cassian didn’t seem like someone who would recklessly wield authority.
Lia’s expression turned strange at Shion’s words.
Somehow, she felt a sense of apology and sympathy directed towards her in his words.
The skepticism and harsh judgment towards Cassian were understandable.
Even if she were in his shoes, working as his aide might lead to such perceptions.
Still, it felt uncomfortable to receive such overt sympathy.
It was her choice, and it wasn’t beyond what she could handle.
It was just occasionally tiring and exasperating.
‘Well, we still don’t know what Shion’s situation will be like.’
Being a chief aide might have its challenges.
Certainly, that side of the story had its possibilities.
When she asked about Shion before, even if Cassian had given an answer like,
‘Well, it’s not something I care about.’
Their relationship was something the two of them would handle, and she had enough on her plate to think about her own work.
Although she was bothered by him looking at her pitifully, it was not because he thought of her as his subordinate, but out of pure worry.
So, she could reasonably overlook that.
The conversation paused for a moment.
The carriage that had arrived at the Duke’s residence came to a stop.
“Is Sir Shion going straight back to the grand duke’s residence?”
“Yes, it seems like the right thing to do. Even at this hour, there must be tasks piling up on my desk.”
“Oh, you’re so busy, and you took the time out for my sake.”
“No, it’s not because of the duke. If we were to specify, it’s because of his excellency, the grand duke. Besides, it’s a familiar task, so it’s alright.”
Cassian was always busier holed up in the grand duke’s residence than the time he spent outside. Therefore, paperwork was always Shion’s responsibility.
Furthermore, every time Cassian went out, dealing with the aftermath of whatever trouble he stirred up, on top of handling paperwork, made it quite challenging.
In that sense, this level of work was genuinely manageable.
It took away time from him usual work, but it was much better than dealing with the aftermath of his mishaps.
“Haha.”
Though no words were exchanged, the disdainful curses aimed at Cassian were evident through expressions, prompting an awkward chuckle from Lia.
Just for a moment.
“You’ve accompanied me in the carriage, so the one you originally rode in has been sent away. On your way back, I’ll arrange for a carriage from the Duke’s residence.”
“If you insist, thank you.”
Shion readily accepted Lia’s consideration.
Waiting for the carriage to be called again would be a concern with the grand duke’s tasks awaiting at home.
“Then, be careful on your way ba… Uwaah.”
In the moment when Lia was bidding farewell to Shion, the carriage door suddenly opened, and a hand reached in, pulling Lia inside.
The owner of that hand was Cassian.
“Angel baby, you’re late.”
“…. There were circumstances.”
Lia, unexpectedly in Cassian’s arms, wore a somewhat resigned expression.
“It must be because of that. I distinctly told you not to bother my angel baby unnecessarily.”
Once the ball was over, he would surely bring Lia back and return alone.
Cassian glared at Shion with a stern expression.
Under that gaze, Shion felt unfairly judged.
Why should he receive such a look as if he had done something wrong?
It was not his fault that they’re returned late to the Duke’s residence.
After all, he had immediately ridden in the carriage with Lia as soon as the event ended.
Their conversation during the journey was brief and to the point.
“… I faithfully carried out the orders given by His Excellency.”
Shion responded quietly, but Cassian simply ignored it.
“So, did that guy pull any weird stunts? Was he planning to take my angel baby away like this?”
Despite being as indifferent to others as his aide, Cassian couldn’t let his guard down. The loveliness of the angel baby could bring about the world’s destruction, so even a stone-like guy like Shion wouldn’t pass without scrutiny.
“There was nothing of the sort. Just rode in the carriage quietly.”
Their mutual distrust mirrored each other, fearing the worst for their respective lords.
“But why are you so late?”
As if Shion wouldn’t be this late unless Cassian deliberately delayed him, Cassian glared at Shion again.
“I mentioned earlier that there were circumstances…”
“So, those circumstances involved this guy trying to kidnap my angel baby?”
“….”
Lia was momentarily speechless.
She couldn’t comprehend how her words were being interpreted this way. Yet, not entirely surprising, she felt the need to explain properly before Cassian misunderstood Shion’s actions and caused trouble.
“I had a brief audience with His Majesty.”
Cassian wasn’t planning to let it go easily.
“A moment ago, I had a discussion with the Emperor.”
“And it wasn’t him, but the Emperor who tried to kidnap my angel baby…”
“No, why does everything connect to kidnapping! No! Kidnapping, none of that!”
“I know the tenderness of my angel baby. So, I try to listen to others’ perspectives…”
Before Cassian’s words could finish, Lia’s hand swiftly moved.
Her hand was aimed at Cassian’s mouth.
Blocking this guy’s mouth seemed like the best option.
“If people speak, please listen! I can’t believe why you deny it. It’s so distrustful.”
“That can’t be possible. If other people don’t know, how can we not trust our angel baby?”
Cassian, who held Lia’s hand that naturally covered his mouth, spoke with a serious expression.
“Then just believe. It was just a brief conversation with Her Majesty, and nothing else happened.”
“Really?”
Cassian replied indifferently, as if it didn’t seem like that at all.
From the embrace of her, he sensed something.
“Anyway, I’m tired, so let’s stop. Shion, be careful when you go in too.”
“…Yes, thank you.”
Shion, saying so, had an expression as if he had seen something unbelievable.
Well, she had a truly quiet superior.
Lia’s attitude towards Cassian seemed very comfortable and intimate.
Have you ever seen anyone treat Cassian like that before?
Absolutely not.
Of course, it was the first time that Cassian was quietly wandering to someone, except for the Grand Duchess that had already died.
‘It wasn’t a lie, for sure.’
It was hard to believe that Cassian would actually listen to her words.
However, when Lia asked him to go in, it seemed to be true as he calmly removed his gaze from glaring at him and walked obediently.
The carriage, which had only Shion remaining, headed towards the
Duke’s mansion upon Lia’s order, and Lia, still in Cassian’s arms, entered the mansion.
“Khal, could you perhaps let me down now?”
Lia, who ended up coming into the mansion while still in Cassian’s arms, spoke calmly in her own way.
“What if I don’t want to?”
Although Cassian had always been reluctant to let her down, now he was even more unwilling.
That darned ball, going out during the day and returning only when night had fallen.
She said she would be back shortly, so he kept waiting, but she only arrived now.
Moreover, covered in an unpleasant smell.
This had left Cassian in quite a foul mood.
“Just let me down then.”
“No.”
Unlike a little while ago, Cassian confidently refused, even in the face of a firm request.
“If you keep this up, should I start asking?”
As if implying a threat, Lia spoke with a stern expression.
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