I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home 96
Cassian gazed at Jeshuan, who stood before him, his expression low and subdued.
The violent and rough aura still swirled around Cassian.
“If you’re telling me never to see Lia—I mean, the Duke of Sithran—again, I will comply.”
Jeshuan recognized Cassian’s uncalmed energy and spoke those words, knowing it was the best he could offer.
It was not enough to completely quell Cassian’s fury, but at least it might prevent a rift between the Grand Duke and his father.
Jeshuan had no other choice, despite the pain it caused him to give up the only salvation and refuge he had finally found.
He didn’t want his father to bear another burden because of him.
Jeshuan couldn’t afford to stain his father’s honor.
And even beyond that, he couldn’t allow Lia to remain by his side.
No matter the reason, he had nearly hurt her with his own hands.
Though he used his powers to protect her, Jeshuan knew he had come dangerously close to losing control, and that could have put her at risk again.
He was aware of this yet still used his power, ultimately leading to his rampage.
He couldn’t bear that fact, especially because it was Lia—no one else, just Lia.
And there was no guarantee that something similar wouldn’t happen again in the future, even without another demon attack.
He couldn’t keep her near him, couldn’t tie her to his side.
Though he would once again face hellish times without her, that was a burden he was willing to endure.
Though he had no confidence in surviving it, Jeshuan told himself it was something he had grown used to.
At least it would be better than hurting Lia with his own hands.
That, he knew, he couldn’t bear.
At least he had the small memories he shared with her.
They were his only hope, remnants of light in the hell he would face.
And… he still had the pendant he hadn’t yet returned to her.
He didn’t know when he would return it, but he clung to it for solace in the meantime. It would fill the void Lia left behind, even if just a little.
Hearing this, Cassian’s menacing aura calmed slightly.
His gaze toward the Emperor remained sharp, but there was now a hint of hope.
However, the Emperor’s expression was far from pleased.
“Jeshuan, how can you do this? Isn’t she precious to you? How could you…”
The Emperor spoke, clinging to his words.
Jeshuan had always been a child who resigned himself to fate, who gave up everything.
The Emperor didn’t want to see him sacrifice anything more.
“No, it’s alright. I’m simply going back to how things were,”
Jeshuan replied with unwavering resolve.
He knew how much his father cared for him, but this was the best decision.
Jeshuan did not want his father to once again sacrifice something or be shackled because of him.
His father, while not as important as Lia, was still someone precious and special to him.
“Fine. Since His Highness insists, I will forget what you’ve said until now. But the opportunity you have squandered—your Majesty must take responsibility for that,”
After all, the very fact that the demons attacked the Imperial Palace was the Imperial Family’s responsibility.
No matter the circumstances, the failure to maintain proper security was theirs.
So even if the attack had started with the demons, Cassian intended to hold the Emperor accountable.
The Emperor remained silent. Given the gravity of the situation, it was a relatively favorable outcome.
Yet the Emperor’s heart was heavy because, for Jeshuan, this was the worst possible outcome.
He couldn’t say a word.
“The responsibility does not lie with you, Father. It lies with me,”
Jeshuan finally said.
That was how it should be.
It was for the best.
Unlike himself, who was flawed by birth, his father was not.
So he wanted to bear all the bad things himself.
Even if it meant giving up the Crown Prince title, Jeshuan was willing to do so.
Hearing those words, the Emperor’s face hardened.
“Jeshuan, why… why must you bear everything alone?”
There was nothing that was not a burden for me.
How could a son be anything else?
Yet, faced with Jeshuan’s firm stance, the Emperor could not respond.
“Fine, then. We will discuss that responsibility later, and for now, I shall…”
“No, that won’t do.”
Before Cassian could finish his sentence, a voice interrupted, drawing everyone’s attention toward the entrance of the Emperor’s office. There stood Lia.
“Angel baby?”
“I haven’t even said anything, so why end the conversation on your own?”
Lia boldly entered the room, maintaining a respectful stance toward the Emperor.
“The conversation is over, so there’s no need for more discussion.”
“No, I still have things to say. And this matter concerns me. Even if the blame falls on the imperial family, it is the Duke’s house that should handle it, not the Grand Duke’s.”
“I am your guardian, after all.”
“Yes, but not as the Grand Duke, only as Khal.”
Lia clarified that it was part of the deal—Khal would be her guardian, not the Grand Duke.
Therefore, regardless of what happened to her, it was Khal’s role to act, not the Grand Duke’s household.
Cassian’s expression hardened at Lia’s words, but she feigned ignorance.
Though she was unaware of the specifics of the conversation between the three of them, she could sense the general atmosphere of the room.
Whatever was discussed, it was a decision made without her input.
“Your Majesty, if you don’t mind, could we continue the conversation while seated?”
Though she had regained consciousness, she wasn’t entirely back to her usual condition.
She wasn’t seriously injured or exhausted, but her body still felt heavy and sluggish—likely a side effect of Jeshuan’s earlier rampage.
“Go ahead.”
With the Emperor’s permission, Lia promptly sat on the sofa and signaled Cassian and Jeshuan to do the same.
However, neither moved.
Cassian remained irritable, and Jeshuan found the situation uncomfortable.
“What’s taking you two so long? You’ll strain my neck, making me look up like this.”
With that remark, Lia playfully rubbed her neck, muttering, ‘Oh, my neck hurts,’ prompting both men to reluctantly sit down.
The Emperor then positioned himself in front of them to resume the conversation.
“First of all, let’s reset everything discussed so far. Since I wasn’t present, it never happened.”
Cassian’s eyebrow twitched at Lia’s comment.
After successfully preventing Lia and Jeshuan’s meeting, now she wanted to reset it as if it never happened.
It felt as if she was implying that she would continue meeting Jeshuan, which irritated Cassian.
Fortunately, someone else spoke up on his behalf.
“No, that’s not possible.”
Jeshuan shook his head bitterly.
He knew Lia would likely insist on seeing him again, despite the danger she faced because of him.
Lia had stayed by his side, despite knowing it would not benefit her.
Even when she learned he was hiding important truths from her, she chose to overlook them.
But this time, Jeshuan couldn’t bring himself to hold onto her.
Just having her beside him until now had been a great source of strength, and that was enough.
Anything more would be excessive.
“Is that so? But I think it is possible.”
Lia spoke lightly, attempting to lift the heavy atmosphere.
“…Lia, this was something we all agreed upon.”
“Yes, but I, the most important person here, have not agreed yet.”
“Regardless, it doesn’t matter. I can simply refuse from my side.”
Jeshuan’s voice was deliberately casual.
While he lacked the strength to push Lia away himself, he knew it was necessary.
If she didn’t withdraw willingly, he had to do it for her own protection.
“No, Jeshuan, you can’t do that. You made a promise to me.”
Lia spoke with a mysterious confidence, leaving Jeshuan puzzled.
A promise to her?
There was no way he would forget a promise made to her, yet none of the promises he recalled seemed related to this situation.
Could she be referring to the promise to remain friends, even if she discovered his hidden secrets?
But that promise had clear conditions: staying near him would not be good for the Duke’s house or for Lia herself.
Being close to him would endanger Lia, which could significantly harm the Duke’s family.
“It’s not that promise I was talking about,”
Lia said with a smile that held a hint of mischief.
However, those who saw her smile couldn’t help but feel uneasy, sensing that something was amiss.
