I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home 48
Fearing that Cassian might do some unexpectedly action, Shion quickly spoke up to stop him.
“It was because of the opinion of the former Duke of Sithran that it was enacted as official imperial law that the person who became the head of each family must accompany the subjugation of demons at least once after becoming the head of the family.”
But what if the new head of the family, who inherited the blood of the former Duke of Sithran, does not follow that?
Just by that alone, Lia’s qualifications as the head of the family would have been on the chopping block in an instant.
It was not a normal situation for her to immediately take over as the head of the family, and for Lia, who was continuing her difficult life as the head of the family while receiving the attention of numerous people, such controversy would have been a great ordeal.
“Why did he create such a damn thing?”
“It was for the reconciliation between the nobles with abilities and those without. It meant recognizing the efforts of those with abilities by witnessing them directly.”
And it did have a real effect.
After the law was enacted, there was a noticeable decrease in those who insulted and mistreated individuals with abilities.
Those without abilities respected and treated those with abilities well.
“…Tsk.”
Cassian frowned even more at Shion’s explanation.
It wasn’t a situation that could simply be resolved by threatening the emperor. If Lia were to be exempt from this duty, she would have to face an even more challenging situation.
If it had been him, even if someone raised an issue about his qualifications, he would have thought a dog would bark and just ignored him or gotten rid of it, but Lia wasn’t that type of child.
Isn’t she the one who is more diligent and dedicated to her duties as the head than anyone else?
As such, even if she could persuade the emperor, it was doubtful whether he would actually follow her wishes.
“Of course, she has become the head, but she hasn’t fully assumed the duties of the head. So, a guardian could step in and accompany the demon subjugation instead.”
“…That’s also an undesirable situation.”
Currently, he was hiding his identity and staying at the Duke’s mansion as Lia’s guardian. Revealing himself publicly in such a situation had to be avoided.
It would be troublesome if someone recognized him.
Just like that, it could have led to a dangerous situation for Lia.
Of course, he could hide his face reasonably well, or choose to accompany the demon subjugation through dealings with the emperor… But the problem was Lia.
Lia clearly stated.
All she wanted from him was to exist only as her guardian.
She didn’t want anything beyond being called a ‘guardian.’
The reason Lia said such words to me was clear.
She hoped that his presence as a guardian would not become more pronounced.
She did not want her efforts to exist under the shadow of a guardian.
As a result, he couldn’t help but worry.
He agreed to grant whatever Lia wanted, but there were conditions attached to it.
In cases where it could even slightly harm or endanger her, he would ignore Lia’s opinion and act.
So, he could use that as an excuse to exclude her from subjugating demons… but the problem was that by doing so, he would be touching what she thought was most important.
An action taken to help her could, in turn, become a shackle and burden for her.
Thinking about it made Cassian hesitate to act as he originally intended.
In the midst of Cassian’s dilemma, Shion looked at him as if witnessing something new.
It was unfamiliar to see someone who always only cared about himself considering another’s perspective for the first time.
“Anyway, I’ll handle that issue on my own, so you can relax.”
Even if it was a concern stemming from pure goodwill, Cassian, in an irritated tone, expressed that he didn’t like that others caring and thinking about Lia.
“I will trust the Duke more rather than my lord and I’ll pay no attention to her.”
If Cassian tries to do something unexpected again, the new young matriarch will be able to stop him.
“Then go ahead.”
As if there were no more words to say, Cassian decisively issued the order for Shion to leave.
After Shion left, Cassian sank into deep thought with a serious expression.
Even without the demon subjugation matter, there were many things complicating his mind.
There wasn’t a clear solution to those issues.
But what could he do?
Unless the problem would be solved by pondering over it, he needed to focus on urgent matters immediately.
Just in time, Lia knocked and entered with a servant.
She came to see him after Shion’s farewell visit to the mansion, knowing that Cassian and Shion’s conversation had ended.
“Is it okay to talk with you for a moment?”
Although she suggested they talk for a while after Shion’s departure, the conversation between the two lasted longer than expected, causing the time to become much later than anticipated.
She thought it would be better to just sleep today and talk tomorrow, but didn’t they say that mistakes should be pointed out right away?
It seemed better to talk today rather than trying to discuss it hastily tomorrow, which might lead to a botched conversation.
However, considering the time, she had to seek Cassian’s understanding once again.
“I’m okay with that, but I’m not sure if my angel baby will be okay.”
“But I think I’m okay with that?”
“Isn’t it time for a growing child to sleep right now?”
It looks like he waited until her conversation was over, and he didn’t want her bedtime to be delayed any longer.
This was because Cassian also had at least a conscience.
No matter how much he wanted to see her, he didn’t want to disturb a growing child to have enough bedtime.
“Yes, but I think it would be better to just say it now.”
“Alright. I also happened to have something to say.”
Of course, it was okay if it wasn’t now. There was still a bit of time since the emperor had not yet ordered her to participate in the subjugation of demons.
“Okay, then please excuse me for a moment.”
“If you’re going to excuse yourself, how about not sit in there but on my lap?”
Of course, Cassian said with a selfless expression as he looked at Lia who was about to take a seat on the guest sofa.
Lia clearly ignored Cassian’s words.
As if he had no choice, Cassian got up and sat down closest to Lia. Then he naturally sat her down on his lap.
“Huh, seems like it’s become a habit now?”
“It feels empty without it.”
This appropriate weight and the size of her body that fit comfortably in his arms gave Cassian a strange sense of comfort and tranquility.
“Huhh.”
Lia sighed at Cassian’s confident response.
Even if she asked him to get off, he probably wouldn’t comply so easily.
It was time to end the conversation and think about sleep, but she didn’t want to drag it out with unnecessary conflict.
“So, what did you want to say?”
With a tender gaze, Cassian softly inquired as if it was fine to just be there and listen.
“In the future, when inviting guests, I would appreciate it if you let me know in advance.”
“Didn’t I say that?”
“No, you didn’t. Also… you provided a truly excellent way to visit the mansion.”
“Because I’m somewhat competent.”
“Isn’t that a compliment?”
Despite only hearing what he wanted to hear, Cassian interpreted everything as compliment.
“Everything coming from my angel baby, I’ll take that as a compliment to me.”
“Do you know how surprised I was?”
Unable to find a suitable response to Cassian’s words, Lia recalled her original purpose and stated only what she wanted to say.
“It was his fault.”
“Shion did say that Khal instructed him to do so, right?”
“……..”
Cassian fell silent for a moment.
“Even if he had to visit secretly, it shouldn’t have been that kind of visit. What if other knights saw and misunderstood, thinking he was an intruder?”
“Then it’s his fault. If he got caught because his skills were lacking.”
“He shouldn’t have climbed the wall in the first place.”
“I thought it was a perfect method.”
Cassian himself occasionally favored this method when visiting the emperor. But it seems like his angel baby’s didn’t satisfied with that.
“Anyway, I hope there won’t be any more visits like that in the future.”
Originally, she tried to convince Cassian by explaining what happened because of the method he taught him.
That he entered her room by mistake and that she hurt him, thinking he was an intruder.
It was Cassian’s attitude that made she change her mind.
Even though he didn’t know anything, Cassian tried to throw Shion out of the window, thinking he was trying to kidnap her. She didn’t know what would happen if he found out about it.
For the sake of each other’s peace and well-being, it seemed best to bury that incident as a secret between herself and Shion.
“But I can’t think of any other method.”
“You can think about that on your own.”
Lia said firmly, as if she had no obligation to think about it and tell that to him
“Well, okay then.”
In truth, she recommended that method to Shion because it was the simplest, but there were indeed other options available.
If there wasn’t one, then one could be created. Not by herself, but by Shion.
As a capable aide, Shion would surely find a good solution on his own.
“That’s all I have to say. Didn’t Khal have something to say to me?”
“That’s right..”
Nodding lightly, Cassian quietly looked at Lia.
While her voice remained lovely and vibrant, there was a hint of drowsiness within.
Despite her efforts to stay awake, her eyes kept blinking, hinting at her fatigue.
So how can he hold on to this lovely child any longer?
“I’ll talk about it tomorrow. It’s not urgent enough to address right now.”
Especially since it wasn’t a conversation that would end so easily.
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