Classid hovered around Liria for the rest of the day.
Even while Liria was hunched over the table doing her assignments.
Even during snack time, when she was eating cookies and milk.
Her actions were restricted by his constant gaze.
Classid, sitting languidly with his back against the sofa, glanced at the pink back of her head while reading the imperial daily newspaper.
And whenever their eyes met.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed leisure time with my daughter.’
‘She’s like a walking doll.’
Such embarrassing inner thoughts could be heard.
In truth, having grown accustomed to her father’s stoicism, it was difficult to adapt to these frequent waves of affection.
Who would have expected that Classid, who outwardly maintained an expressionless face and gave only curt replies, was inwardly a doting father and a sentimental person!
‘If it weren’t for the Key of Heart, I would never have known this in my lifetime.’
For now, Liria was pretending to play quietly like a six-year-old child, diligently putting together a puzzle.
But in her mind, she was buzzing with thoughts.
She had sent the tea bags Eugene brought to Melissa, and wanted to go hear directly what ingredients they contained.
Also, she didn’t know when the bag from Jiana would arrive.
And…
She needed to check on how Conrad would treat Adrian, since she didn’t know.
‘Most importantly, Adrian. Fortunately, I found out that Adrian is in Conrad’s palace. Osdel must have told Conrad to mistreat Adrian. I need to rescue him before he gets badly hurt…’
While she was thinking, she felt Classid’s languid gaze on her again.
‘I can’t move when you’re watching me like this!’
She needed to monitor Conrad’s surroundings and look for an opportunity to rescue Adrian.
No, Liria.
Even if I secretly bring him here by myself, I won’t be able to protect him perfectly.
What happens after I bring him is also a problem.
Even if I send him away from Roberg right now, could I find a perfect guardian to protect the young Adrian?
At least until I find someone trustworthy, I need to protect him temporarily.
I’m still just a six-year-old child.
That’s why Adrian couldn’t readily believe me when I said I would help him back then.
I should honestly confide in a trustworthy adult and ask for help…
When Liria unconsciously let out a deep sigh, Classid’s eyes suddenly widened.
‘What’s troubling her? Why is she sighing?’
Hearing his inner voice, Liria looked up at him intently.
Yes, my father!
Father is the only adult who can help me. He’s not the type to ignore a child in distress…
Unlike herself, who had little authority due to her young age, her father, as a direct adult family member,r could do many things.
He had knights under his command and subordinates who followed him, and he had enough influence and standing within the family to make his voice heard.
He would be able to rescue Adrian and protect him safely.
Liria decided to gather her courage and call out to him.
“Father…”
“Yes?”
Though pretending otherwise, Classid immediately put down his newspaper and listened attentively when Liria called him.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“…What is it?”
Though he appeared nonchalant, Classid was inwardly expectant.
It had been a very long time since Liria had directly asked him for a favor.
“I have a very precious friend… That friend is in danger now. Please help me.”
Seeing the moisture gathering in Liria’s eyes, Classid picked her up, sat her on his knee, and asked while comforting her.
“Your friend? You need to tell me calmly what happened…”
“Yes, do you remember my friend Noah, whom we met in front of the north gate last time? I think he’s trapped inside the Roberg ducal castle now…!”
“What? Why would that child be…”
To tell her father about Adrian’s true identity would require revealing all her secrets.
After hesitating briefly, Liria spoke vaguely, her tone suggesting mere speculation.
“I’m not sure, but I think Uncle Osdel kidnapped Noah when he was living at the cabin.”
Surprised, Classid rolled his blood-red eyes and became seriously stern.
‘Osdel… What on earth are you up to?’
“I understand. Liria, so your friend is now with Brother Osdel?”
Liria shook her head.
“No, the maids were saying that Brother Conrad has a new servant. From the descriptions of his appearance and background, I think that servant is Noah. They say he has bruises, so he must be getting bullied.”
Listening to Liria’s words, Classid stroked her cheek with his index finger and said.
“I thought something was strange when I saw that child back then. I’m sorry, Liria. For not noticing earlier.”
‘I’m ashamed as an adult. It seems Liria has been struggling alone because of me… That child must have been waiting for a helping hand…’
Hearing Classid’s self-reproaching inner thoughts as he clenched his fist tightly, Liria clung to his arm.
“So you’ll help rescue him? Thank you, Father!”
“No need for thanks. Helping a child in distress is an adult’s duty.”
As Liria thought, Classid was a good adult.
“But Liria, if he was kidnapped, then he’s not a formally employed servant.”
“I suppose not.”
“Since he was placed under Conrad, who is not yet an adult, they probably haven’t made a binding contract.”
“Do you think so?”
Though pretending not to know, Liria was aware.
In the original story, Osdel formed a binding contract with Adrian when he showed signs just before his first awakening.
“Then there shouldn’t be any issues to resolve on paper… Let’s send your friend back home after we bring him here.”
“My friend said he has no home to return to.”
“Oh dear. Has he lost his parents?”
“I don’t know. He said he doesn’t remember his childhood.”
“…I see. Then let’s first rescue the child and keep him temporarily while we look for a solution. Rescuing him comes first.”
After thinking for a moment, he said.
“If necessary, I’ll have him brought here immediately, even using force. I have my knights, and magic too.”
As Classid’s words trailed off, Liria said worriedly.
“You can’t do that.”
Since her father’s mana heart wasn’t normal, using magic would certainly strain his body.
“I heard you used magic last time, too. I’d prefer if you avoided fighting directly as much as possible.”
“Simple magic is no problem.”
Though he pretended to be fine, Liria was worried.
Rescuing Adrian was important, but saving her father was also crucial.
The Key of Healing alone couldn’t completely cure her father’s illness.
But the Key of Healing could perform near-miraculous healing when combined with the Key of ???.
Since obtaining the Key of Heart, Classid’s heart was opening up, but there was still a long way to go to fully satisfy what he wanted.
If I could see the Room of Heart… I might get one step closer to saving Father.
To do that, I need to fulfill those conditions one by one.
She recalled the first condition. Given that she needed to fulfill it 300 times, it must have been something he desperately wanted.
‘I remember! It was a familiar term of address. If not “Father,” then another word…’
I know what it is.
Come to think of it, Liria had always called Classid “Father.”
As a child of a noble family, she had been thoroughly educated in proper etiquette from an early age.
In the parenting romance novels Liria had read, when a daughter first called her father “Dad,” hearts would appear in their eyes and they would evolve into extreme daughter-obsessed fathers.