I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home 38
“Cassian, aren’t you busy?”
Even though she was just going to the imperial palace, Lia was busy with the maids preparing, and she told Cassian to leave, implying that he should stop hovering around. Moreover, his constant disgruntled expression and complaints were hard to ignore.
“Busy.”
“If you’re so busy, shouldn’t you be working instead of hanging around here?”
“Even if I’m busy, isn’t there any time to come see angel baby?”
And regardless of the importance of his work, seeing Lia was his top priority.
“If you’re really busy, you might not have time for that, right?”
In reality, Lia wished he would just leave, busy or not.
The maids seemed unable to concentrate, glancing at Cassian, too.
‘Anyway, he’s an uncontrollable person.’
Why bother coming to find her while she’s getting ready to go out?
“Not at all.”
“Really? It seemed like sir Shion was quite busy even if he didn’t say it.”
Although Shion hadn’t mentioned anything, the deep circles under his eyes and his tired face were evidence enough.
“Our angel baby seems to be quite curious about everything.”
“I don’t think so, though?”
I’m already busy enough; where would I find the time to focus on other things?
“I just wish angel baby would look at me and care only about me.”
Cassian genuinely felt regretful about it. His attention was entirely on Lia, but she seemed preoccupied everywhere else, not giving him the attention he desired.
Moreover, if he didn’t initiate contact first, she never came to him. When he went to see her, claiming to be busy with work, she wouldn’t spare him a glance.
Living in the unwanted attention of others, Cassian found it truly strange and awkward.
Exactly, what was this little angel thinking, seeking his attention? If it were someone else, he might have welcomed it, but Lia was an exception.
Trying to block his interest in her deliberately didn’t work. Even during tasks, he found himself worrying about whether she was eating properly, resting enough, like someone caring for a child.
Despite her not being a child in need of his care, he couldn’t help but feel concerned about her well-being.
“Anyway, Cassian, work a bit. Don’t just let Shion do all the heavy lifting.”
“Does that guy appeal to you?”
“He’s just a fellow caught up in work, nothing more.”
“What I asked him to do was to protect angel baby, not to steal her heart.”
Even though nothing happened, seeing Lia care about Shion bothered him.
“Not at all.”
“Lia.”
“Why?”
Rarely did her name come from his lips, Lia looked at Cassian suspiciously.
“Talking about other men in front of me is forbidden. Unless you want that guy to disappear from the world.”
“Huh…”
Lia expressed disbelief.
“In that case, don’t go to the imperial palace today. Stay with me.”
Cassian’s confident demand left Lia once again in disbelief.
Was that the purpose all along?
Despite the casually thrown words, Cassian’s expression was incredibly serious, appearing genuinely sincere.
“No, I can’t. I already made a promise.”
“Promises are meant to be broken.”
“So you’re breaking our promise too?”
“I would never break a promise with angel baby.”
The thought of angel baby frowning and feeling uncomfortable made it even more difficult.
Since he didn’t want to do something Lia didn’t desire, he said,
“Anyway, it’s not possible.”
“Anyway, it’s a no.”
“Hm, does the Emperor appeal to you?”
Cassian asked with a displeased expression at Lia’s resolute response.
“Not really, but it concerns me.”
So, even if it wasn’t due to the Emperor’s conditions, refusing his request felt uneasy.
“Why?”
Cassian couldn’t understand Lia’s attitude.
Keeping her close would only bring danger.
Despite being the Crown Prince, it was uncertain if he could ascend to the throne safely.
Why was Lia so insistent on meeting the Crown Prince?
“Hmm… because he’s handsome?”
Of course, Jeshuan wasn’t worried for that reason. But unable to provide a detailed explanation, he blurred out an excuse.
“You think he’s handsome?”
“Yes, the first time I saw him, he was so handsome I couldn’t take my eyes off him.”
It wasn’t a complete lie. Seeing Jeshuan for the first time, his dazzling appearance was momentarily captivating.
Cassian’s expression soured again at her words.
His face seemed filled with displeasure.
“I’m more handsome.”
“Well, Cassian is handsome too, but it’s a different feeling. He gives off a delicate, frail youth vibe.”
Somehow, she had an innocent yet mysterious aura about her.
Cassian, hearing Lia’s additional explanation, now wore an expression of bewilderment.
The little one, described as a frail youth?
Did the frail youth eventually fall ill and die?
Or perhaps the word “frail” had a different meaning than he knew.
That Jeshuan Cassian knew was far from being a frail youth, harboring a more sinister aura.
In that sense, he was closer to being ominous.
“Remember this. I didn’t know angel baby’s preference was in that direction.”
“It’s not that my preference is like that.”
It was just a response to Cassian’s question, with no special meaning attached.
Attraction to his appearance was a fact, but that was all.
There weren’t any particular emotions involved.
His words were merely stating an objective fact, devoid of personal feelings.
“By the way, I’m frail too.”
“What?”
“I’m a frail youth as well. I’m still a patient.”
Cassian, saying that, intentionally feigned weakness, but his appearance didn’t seem feeble to anyone.
However, it was evident that his feeble act was just a pretense.
“Originally, It can’t be a youth. Your age…”
“Then let’s go with a frail middle-aged man. If we have to choose, being a less grown-up lad might be better than being a middle-aged man.”
“Ah, sure.”
Unable to think of a proper response, Lia casually accepted Cassian’s words.
“So, play with me.”
“I already have a prior engagement today.”
In response to Lia’s continued refusal, Cassian tightly sealed his lips.
It was an unmistakable sulky expression.
Although he was a fully grown adult and, moreover, Cassian had a chilly atmosphere that could freeze even the northern mountains, it didn’t suit him at all. But Lia couldn’t pretend not to notice, not because she was bothered by Cassian’s sulking, but because she worried about what trouble he might cause using it as an excuse.
This time, too, Lia had no choice but to gently soothe Cassian.
‘Who’s the child, and who’s the adult?’
It felt like he wasn’t a guardian but rather raising a child.
“Cassian, I’ll play with you when I came back.”
“Right now, I want play with angel baby.”
“I’ll play with you all day.”
Since she had decided to take a break today as a reward for working diligently for the past few days, she willingly set aside time for him today.
“Hmm.”
“If you don’t want to, forget it. After today, I’ll be busy again, and even if you want to play, there won’t be time…”
Muttering as if talking to herself, her voice was not quiet, as if she wanted Cassian to hear.
“Fine. I’ll accept that offer.”
“Good. So, work hard until then.”
“If that angel baby wishes.”
Unusually, Cassian nodded without resistance.
Finally pacifying Cassian, Lia could finish preparing and head to the imperial palace.
***
Upon arriving at the imperial palace, Lia, guided by the maids, headed straight to the guest reception room prepared in the annex where Jeshuan stayed.
Originally, the emperor had planned to be present and formally introduce each other, but due to busy schedules, it became difficult to find time.
The place where Lia arrived was the guest reception room in the separate palace where Jeshuan stayed.
“Greet to Your Highness the Crown Prince, the little light of the empire”
“You don’t have to be so formal between us.”
Every time Lia acted with courtesy, Jeshuan felt a strange discomfort. She probably didn’t do it on purpose, but it just felt that way.
Therefore, Jeshuan didn’t want Lia to treat him with formality.
He just wanted her to treat him as an ordinary person.
“But still, you’re the Crown Prince.”
“I want to be friends with the Duke.”
No matter how superficial and full of pretense the relationship might be.
Outwardly, Jeshuan wanted to be friends with Lia.
“So, instead of the title ‘Your Highness,’ can’t you just call me Jeshuan comfortably?”
There was something like a puppy looking for the owner’s approval in his eyes.
The gently drooping eye corners somehow made him look a bit less intimidating.
“… Then I’ll call you Jeshuan. Jeshuan, please feel free to call me comfortably too.”
“Sure, Shulia.”
The moment he said it, Jeshuan spoke with a soft and affectionate voice that could evoke the other’s favor.
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