I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home 65
“Find out everything about Marquess Lathsiron. From his past to his present actions. Leave nothing out, be thorough.”
Cassian’s command was firm and cold. He exuded a sharp aura, like a predator eyeing its prey, ready to pounce at any moment.
Shion, recognizing this, wore a complex expression.
The nature of the target made Cassian’s command quite displeasing to him. However, Shion had no right to refuse Cassian’s orders.
“…Understood.”
“And from this moment on, monitor all the activities and report back to me.”
There was no way Lia would react so strongly after meeting Marquess Lathsiron for no reason.
Her reaction was unusual.
Thus, there was definitely something about Marquess Lathsiron.
Today’s meeting was particularly suspicious.
Meeting with the Marquess while out in the city wasn’t strange, as nobles often enjoyed outings in the capital.
However, the place they met was a secluded restaurant, popular with parents and children.
Marquess Lathsiron had no children, nor did he have close some young relatives.
Yet, he met her there?
If it was a coincidence, that would be fine, but if not, it wasn’t something to be taken lightly. This implied that Marquess Lathsiron had followed her intentionally.
Moreover, the visit to that restaurant wasn’t planned in advance.
The decision to dine there was made suddenly that day.
If he had followed her to that restaurant, it meant someone had been tailing Lia from the moment she left the Duke’s residence, under Marquess Lathsiron’s orders.
Whoever had followed her was skilled enough to evade Shion’s senses. Cassian could not overlook any reason for Marquess Lathsiron had for wanting to meet Lia.
The Marquess’s interest and favor towards Lia were a clear warning to Cassian—to be wary of Marquess Lathsiron, to protect Lia from him.
Cassian didn’t understand why Marquess Lathsiron would target Lia.
What could he possibly gain?
Even so, whatever the reason, the Marquess’s very presence was a thorn in Cassian’s side.
“One last thing…”
Cassian’s quiet but sharp voice made Shion, who thought the conversation was over, look at him.
“Come here.”
Cassian beckoned with an arrogant gesture, like calling a dog. Shion frowned but approached him obediently.
At that moment,
“Ugh.”
“I told you to keep a close watch so that no unnecessary pests get close.”
“…I cannot control running into the Marquess by chance.”
“So?”
“…I apologize.”
Yeah, what else could he say?
Shion apologized meekly.
To Cassian, his word was law. Any excuse Shion made would be meaningless.
“And… I don’t like it.”
With those words, Cassian kicked Shion’s shin again.
“What’s wrong now?”
Shion, feeling wronged after being hit twice in a row, protested.
“I just don’t like it.”
In truth, Cassian was annoyed that while he was stuck here, Shion got to spend time happily with Lia.
“But it was you who gave the order, my lord?”
Shion, realizing the unspoken complaint behind Cassian’s words, replied with a look of disbelief.
“Therefore?”
“…Ha, no. Yes, it’s all my fault.”
Shion replied in a resigned voice.
“But it’s a relief. My aide isn’t a fool.”
“That’s why my head is still attached to my body.”
Otherwise, he would have been removed from Cassian’s sight long ago. He wouldn’t have remained in the position of an aide until now.
“If you want to keep that head on your shoulders, you better be careful.”
“Ah, yes, of course.”
Despite Cassian’s stern warning, Shion replied nonchalantly.
“Then go… Ah, did you inform the kids?”
As he was about to send Shion off after finishing his business, Cassian suddenly had something to add.
“I’ve informed them roughly.”
Even with the incomplete statement, Shion understood what Cassian was referring to.
The ‘kids’ Cassian mentioned were the knights of the grand duke house. And what he wanted to ask about was the upcoming demon subjugation.
Lia was expected to participate in the upcoming demon subjugation.
“There must not be any mistakes. Especially if my angel baby gets hurt… I’ll make you experience hell.”
“I’ve repeatedly emphasized that part, so there’s no need to worry.”
Moreover, he had ordered them not to acknowledge Cassian even if they saw him during the subjugation, and to never mention seeing him.
This was something they would abide by, knowing the consequences of disobeying Cassian’s orders.
And Cassian had personally selected the most skilled and trustworthy knights from the grand duke house for the subjugation team.
The knights performing the demon subjugation this time could be considered the elite of the grand duke house.
“I’ll trust you this once.”
Despite Shion’s assurance, Cassian’s expression remained uneasy.
For a brief moment.
After finally sending Shion off, Cassian immediately headed to Lia’s room.
He was particularly concerned about Lia today.
Even after returning to the duke mansion, Lia couldn’t seem to calm down, continuously trembling.
Even the butler, Sebain, noticed and asked her if something had happened.
She was likely fast asleep by now, but Cassian felt he needed to see her face to be at ease.
Reaching Lia’s room, Cassian carefully knocked.
Though he knew she wouldn’t respond as she was sleeping, it was a gesture of courtesy.
Entering the room, Cassian hurriedly approached Lia. Her condition didn’t look good.
Lia was struggling so much that her blanket was completely tossed aside.
Soft, almost breaking moans escaped her lips, and tears flowed from her closed eyes.
Her tightly shut lips looked so pitiful that it seemed they might bleed from the pressure.
“Lia.”
For some reason, Cassian felt a heavy weight pressing on his heart. He gently reached out to stroke her face.
Careful not to wake her, he wiped away the tears that soaked her face.
“…Mom… don’t go.”
In her sleep, Lia unconsciously grabbed Cassian’s hand that reached out to her. She clung to it desperately as if it were her only lifeline.
“Who is making my angel baby suffer like this?”
Cassian’s voice was filled with a murderous intent aimed at the unknown culprit.
At this moment, Cassian exuded an aura that suggested he would tear anyone to shreds if he saw their face.
He was that angry.
“Could it be because of that Marquess?”
Or someone else.
The identity of the opponent didn’t matter to Cassian.
The fact that they made Lia cry was enough reason for Cassian to kill them.
Therefore, the reason was not important.
There’s no reason could justify for making Lia cry like this.
“…Please… don’t….”
Lia, slightly calmed by Cassian’s soothing, was still speaking with a tearful voice.
She seemed to be afraid of something.
“Shh, my angel baby. I’ll always be by your side.”
Not even death could prevent that. As long as Lia wanted, he would grant her anything.
With that resolve, Cassian stayed by Lia’s side, soothing her until she calmed down.
How much time had passed?
Finally, the nightmare seemed to end, and Lia could continue sleeping with a more peaceful expression.
The next day.
Feeling strangely heavy, Lia woke up and was taken aback by the sight in front of her.
