I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home 98
Cassian frowned, showing his displeasure with the current situation.
His efforts to prevent Lia from meeting Jeshuan were entirely for her own safety.
He didn’t want her to be in a dangerous situation again.
Even though she had one remaining chance with the ability tool he had given her for emergencies, relying solely on it wasn’t enough.
He had initially thought that three chances were insufficient; now he was unsure if just one would be enough to protect her from Jeshuan’s violent outbursts.
He couldn’t guarantee it.
Thus, he sought to eliminate the possibility of such situations occurring in the first place.
However, Lia herself opposed his decision.
Like a moth drawn to the flame, she seemed eager to plunge into danger.
Cassian knew there were many ways to prevent her from meeting Jeshuan without her consent if he truly wanted.
In the worst case, he could lock her up in the Duke’s mansion, preventing her from taking a single step without his permission.
Yet, how could he justify such actions?
Hurting her for the sake of her safety wasn’t an act of love; it was violence.
Therefore, he had no choice but to persuade her as much as possible, though he found himself wavering.
How could he refuse when she bared her deepest pain and begged him?
Lia, who had rarely shown sadness in front of him, now revealed her true vulnerability for the first time.
She confessed that she wasn’t truly fine and didn’t want to experience such pain again.
In the end, Cassian couldn’t help but yield to her request. After all, he was always a weaker person when it came to her.
“…Alright, I’ll allow it.”
With this difficult consent, Lia’s expression brightened.
She had been worried about what would happen if this method failed, as the only remaining option was the worst one imaginable.
Lia didn’t want to hurt Cassian, who cared for her more than anyone else.
She couldn’t bring herself to do anything that would hurt him to achieve her own desires, even if Jeshuan was dear to her.
However, Cassian wasn’t finished speaking.
“But there is a condition.”
“What’s the condition?”
“I will be there as well.”
Even if he allowed Lia to meet Jeshuan, he couldn’t let them be alone.
There would be knights to watch over them, but he couldn’t rely solely on them.
He didn’t trust them, even in his current state. Cassian believed he was more capable of protecting Lia than they were.
“…Alright, I accept.”
Lia agreed to Cassian’s condition without hesitation.
As he had taken a step back for her sake, she felt she should also make a small concession for him.
Having Cassian accompany her during the meeting with Jeshuan wasn’t an unreasonable condition.
However, since Jeshuan’s consent was also necessary, Lia glanced at him.
Jeshuan, showing no objection, nodded.
He had no reason to reject the condition, as having someone capable of protecting Lia present was a preferable compromise.
Lia then looked at the Emperor, understanding that his opinion mattered even after reaching an agreement with the two men.
She hadn’t anticipated the Emperor’s rejection, which is why she had focused more on persuading Cassian and Jeshuan.
“I will continue to visit Jeshuan once a week as I have been, Your Majesty,”
“…I have no reason to refuse,”
The Emperor responded with a slightly bitter expression.
While his desire to keep Lia by his son’s side remained, a pang of guilt lingered within him.
Lia’s choice offered her no benefits; it was a decision born of pure sacrifice.
This made the Emperor both grateful and remorseful toward her. He also felt a sense of self-blame for being unable to refuse her decision.
Lia noticed the Emperor’s conflicted emotions and smiled warmly, as if to reassure him. Her smile, gentle like a spring breeze, seemed to comfort him.
After a brief pause, Lia opened her mouth again, indicating she had more to say.
“However, apart from this, I intend to properly address today’s incident…”
Lia didn’t plan to blindly blame the imperial family for what happened today, as it was difficult to place the fault on any one person.
Although she was nearly injured due to Jeshuan’s outburst, it happened because he used his abilities to protect her from the demons.
Thus, the investigation needed to start with the demon attack—how they had appeared in the imperial city.
If there was any negligence in the security, it would undoubtedly be the imperial family’s responsibility, and the Emperor would need to be held accountable.
However, if there were other circumstances involved, then the responsibility would fall elsewhere.
“What do you want?”
“A proper investigation.”
“That’s only fair.”
While more pressing issues might delay it, the appearance of demons in the imperial city couldn’t be taken lightly.
Even an incident in the heart of the capital would be chaotic, let alone within the imperial palace itself.
It was only because there weren’t many people present during the demon attack that it was handled quietly; otherwise, the situation could have been far more complicated.
“So, once the investigation into today’s attack is complete, I’d like to see it concluded properly.”
“If that’s what you want, then proceed. However, I’d like to offer some form of compensation for today’s incident.”
Given the gravity of the situation that took place within the imperial palace, the Emperor wished to show at least a minimal gesture of sincerity, even before the full truth was uncovered.
It was a gesture of respect, gratitude, and apology toward Lia.
After all, it hadn’t been long since she returned from the demon subjugation, only to face danger again.
While she seemed to be handling it well, it didn’t mean she was entirely unaffected.
“In that case, I won’t refuse.”
Since she hadn’t asked for anything and the Emperor was offering it, she saw no reason to decline.
Accepting what could be of help was always wise, as one never knew how or when it might be useful.
“Do you have anything specific in mind?”
“Nothing comes to mind at the moment.”
She agreed to accept the compensation simply because it was offered, not because she had anything specific in mind.
“In that case, take your time to think about it. I’ll grant whatever is within my power.”
“Alright, I will.”
Lia nodded willingly. Sensing that the conversation was nearing its end, Cassian gently grasped Lia’s hand, silently urging her to return home.
There were many things Cassian wanted to say to the Emperor, and ending things here felt incomplete.
However, he intended to first return to the Duke’s residence with Lia.
What Lia needed now was rest, and he also needed some time to process his thoughts about today’s events in the imperial city.
The matters between Lia and Jeshuan had been resolved according to her wishes, and the demon attack was mostly addressed as well.
But while it might have been settled between Lia and the Emperor, it wasn’t so for Cassian.
He planned to bring it up with the Emperor separately, away from Lia’s presence.
“Is the conversation over now?”
Lia cautiously asked the Emperor, recognizing Cassian’s silent pressure. It would be impolite to leave first unless the Emperor ended the conversation.
“If you’re okay with it, could you spare a bit more time?”
The Emperor hesitated for a while before reluctantly speaking up.
Cassian’s expression grew harsh upon hearing this request, feeling that the Emperor was needlessly keeping Lia longer.
The conversation was already over; there was nothing more to discuss between Lia and the Emperor, nor should there be.
Why was the Emperor trying to hold Lia back further?
Cassian’s perception of the Emperor had already plummeted after the earlier events.
To Cassian, the Emperor was no longer an ally but another obstacle to Lia’s safety. That’s why the Emperor’s words annoyed him, as it seemed like he was about to bring up something unfavorable for Lia again.
However, Lia didn’t seem too bothered by the Emperor’s request.
“Yes, I’m fine with that.”
Even after Lia’s consent, the Emperor hesitated to speak, as if his conscience was holding him back.
But after a long pause, he finally spoke with a bitter expression.
“I have a favor to ask of you.”
Hearing the word ‘favor’ only darkened Cassian’s mood.
He didn’t want to know what the Emperor’s request was, as it would likely not be beneficial for Lia.
He was furious. Lia had already shown great mercy to the Emperor by considering Jeshuan’s well-being, so what more could the Emperor want?
Cassian found himself contemplating whether shamelessness and audacity were now part of the Emperor’s qualifications.
“It’s not something you need to hear, Lia.”
Without even glancing at the Emperor, Cassian shielded Lia’s ears.
“Khal.”
“Clearly, it’s a favor related to ‘that,’ which means it’s not good for you.”
With a cold expression, Cassian gestured toward Jeshuan.
“In that case, I want to hear it even more.”
“…I know my dear angel is very kind. But there’s no need for you to concern yourself with ‘that’ to such an extent.”
Cassian’s voice was resolute as he spoke.
