By Zephyria 
The reason they were walking down the hallway together was that Cassian, wary that Bliss might barge into his room again, had volunteered to personally escort him to his quarters. The room, located not far from Cassian’s, was separated by a corridor lined with suits of armor; it was the finest among the guest bedrooms. It was certain that Mother had paid special attention to it.
“Here we are.”
Stopping in front of a door, Cassian took the handle and opened it himself.
“Okay. Thanks, Cassian. Goodnight.”
“Bliss.”
As Bliss nodded and prepared to step inside, Cassian suddenly called his name.
“Hmm? Why?”
When Bliss looked up at him inquisitively, Cassian unexpectedly fixed his gaze on a random spot, looking troubled as he spoke.
“Um, about earlier.”
“Yeah?”
Seeing the child blink in confusion, Cassian felt a wave of gloom wash over him. What on earth am I doing with a seven-year-old? Overcome with self-loathing, he bowed his head and rubbed both eyes with his thumbs and middle fingers. Then, steeling himself, he spoke again.
“Earlier, you know, the thing that happened in my room.”
As he struggled to get the words out, Bliss tilted his head again. Eventually, Cassian had no choice but to use another method.
“Earlier in my room… that thing you saw. That.”
Pointing downward with his finger and asking “Hmm?” as if urging him to take the hint, Cassian watched as Bliss tilted his head, then a beat later, his eyes widened. “Ah!”
“Ah, that.”
“Yeah, that.”
Just as Cassian was finally about to get to the point, Bliss shouted first.
“No, I didn’t see it! Really, I didn’t see anything!”
You were staring at it with your eyes wide open, what kind of nonsense is this?
Cassian was appalled by the blatant lie, but regardless, that wasn’t the important part right now. He continued calmly.
“Right, you might not have seen it, but I have a favor to ask. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone about what happened earlier. …Let’s just say, let’s keep it as a secret between you and me.”
Suddenly, Bliss’s eyes grew round.
“A se-secret?”
“Yes, a secret.”
Cassian nodded and emphasized it once more. Children this age are weak to the word ‘secret.’ As expected, Bliss shouted with an excited face, breathing heavily.
“Okay, don’t worry! I never tell secrets. I’m a man!”
As the child boasted, thumping his chest, Cassian finally smiled and nodded.
“It’s a promise.”
“Of course. Shhh.”
As if making a vow, Bliss brought his index finger to his lips and made a shushing sound.
“Shhh.”
With a faint smile, Cassian repeated the gesture, then held the open door with one hand and traced a semi-circle with the other arm, signaling him to go inside. Bliss obediently entered the room and waved.
“Goodnight, Cassian. Shhh.”
“Yeah, shhh. Goodnight, see you tomorrow.”
After saying goodbye with a kind smile, Cassian closed the door. Letting out a short sigh, he turned and headed toward his own room. He had emphasized it enough; the boy must have understood.
Recalling the way the child’s eyes sparkled with excitement at the words ‘secret’ and ‘promise,’ a spontaneous laugh escaped him. Kids really are hopeless.
A month is a long time, but as Mother said, if he made various excuses, he wouldn’t have to deal with him every single day. If he played with him moderately, the days would pass quickly.
Thinking this, he walked a few steps before stopping with an “Ah.” He had forgotten to tell him that he would wake him up early tomorrow to go see the birds. As he turned back toward Bliss’s room, the previous moment flashed through his mind. Thinking of the child nodding enthusiastically, he felt he could somewhat understand why Mother found Bliss so cute.
‘I’ll never tell, I’m a man!’
What is this little bean talking about? Just as he chuckled and turned the doorknob.
“It’s this big, this biiiig! That thing between Cassian’s legs, wow. It’s not a pee-pee, it’s like another leg. Yeah, it’s huge. The middle leg is this big!”
Of course. That damn brat.
Cassian felt his face flush bright red with rage and shame. However, Bliss, completely unaware of Cassian’s existence—standing outside the door with clenched fists, burning with fury—was busily waving his arms while on a video call with Daddy.
Secret, my foot.
Returning to his room, Cassian threw his phone onto the bed in a fit of rage and spat out a curse. That fidgety brat. As expected, it didn’t even last five minutes—no, not even one. To call and blab about it immediately.
It’s definitely better to just stay away.
He lay on the bed and vowed as he tried to sleep. As soon as dawn broke tomorrow, he would leave the castle and return to the mansion where he usually stayed. The plan to see the birds was, of course, canceled. Since he had turned around and left without a word, Bliss wouldn’t even know. It meant that the disappearance of the schedule would have no impact.
Mother or Father would handle the aftermath. He had done his best regardless. Well, not his absolute best, but he had made an effort, so that was enough. The rest was up to them. Including the Miller family, who had dumped their son on them as they pleased.
Exhaling an irritated breath, he closed his eyes. He didn’t think he could fall asleep at all, but perhaps because so much had happened, or perhaps due to the stress, Cassian soon let out a deep breath and fell fast asleep.
Creeeeeak.
An ominous sound echoed through the quiet hallway. Bliss, who had peeked his head out by gently opening his door, confirmed the hallway was empty and stepped out stealthily. The dark space was so silent that even the sound of breathing seemed like it would echo loudly, making him momentarily afraid, but he had a goal. After swallowing hard, he cautiously stepped outside, stood in the dark corridor, looked both ways, and nodded. “Hmm.”
Aside from the dim moonlight filtering through the windows, not a shred of other light touched the hallway, which stretched out like a deep cave. Summoning his courage, Bliss began to walk down the corridor he had come through earlier.
Just a little further and it’s Cassian’s room.
Whether it was because of the nap or the excitement, sleep wouldn’t come. He figured if he slept with Cassian, he would be able to sleep soundly. Cassian’s bed was as enormous as his physique, so it was certain that if Bliss curled up in a corner, Cassian wouldn’t notice at all.
He’ll be so surprised when he wakes up, right?
Bliss covered his mouth with both hands and giggled. As soon as he opens his eyes, I’ll tell him let’s play. What should we do first? Since the castle is so big, hide-and-seek would be great. I’ll hide and tell Cassian to find me. Being the seeker is also good. He’ll be shocked when he sees how well I find people, right?
There were big trees in the back; I wonder if Cassian knows how to climb trees? It’s okay, if he can’t, I can just teach him. Maybe Cassian has a treehouse like I do. Then we can go inside and play house. I’ll be the mart owner, and Cassian will be the employee.
“You! If you keep slacking off, I won’t pay your daily wage!”
After imitating the voice with mock solemnity, Bliss whispered in a hushed tone.
“I’m sorry, Boss. I have a wife and children!”
After mimicking a scene he had once seen in a drama, a sense of pride washed over him. He chuckled softly and began to walk on tiptoe again.
The inside of the castle was dreadfully silent. In a silence so profound it felt as if the entire world had vanished, Bliss kept looking back. No one was chasing him, but before he could breathe a sigh of relief, a tap-tap sound echoed, and he gasped, “Hieek!” as if screaming.
Haa, haa.
Looking up with wide eyes, he saw it was just a tree branch hitting the window. Haa. He barely managed to relax his shoulders, but he still had a long way to go. Bliss put strength into his trembling knees and hurried his pace. Let’s get to Cassian’s room quickly. I just need to get there fast.
However, he was afraid of making noise. He felt as though some unknown entity might wake up and snatch him away.
Yeah, like those things.
Seeing the armored knights lined up against one wall, Bliss gasped, “Hieek.” Standing in a row in the darkness, they were all facing forward in the exact same posture. Naturally, without moving a muscle.