By Zephyria 
“Oh my, oh my! How can this be!”
“Penelope, this is amazing! How is this possible? Where have you been all this time!”
Their chemistry was just perfect. To think his other half had been right here. In response to Bliss’s exclamation, Penelope naturally replied with a line from a novel.
“‘I have waited for you here all along. You are far too late.’”
Of course, it was from the kind of melodramatic romance novel Bliss loved so much. Once again, the two embraced each other tightly. Stepping back with a warm feeling, Penelope looked up at Bliss with pride and let out a satisfied sigh.
“To think that little boy grew up to be such a wonderful man. I am truly moved.”
She then added, her eyes reddening.
“Moreover, I never imagined that the young master and Bliss would meet again and become a pair. I couldn’t ask for anything more…”
Oops.
A moment too late, Bliss remembered why he had come here. His goal was to get a job as a servant to find dirt on Cassian.
What on earth was happening right now?
His excitement suddenly cooled into a chill, replaced by a cold sweat. What should he do about this situation? What was he supposed to do?
“Bliss? What’s wrong?”
Penelope asked, puzzled by his bewildered reaction. However, seeing her pure response, Bliss found it impossible to tell her the truth.
Penelope thinks I came all this way because I love that bastard; if she finds out the truth…
He couldn’t even imagine her reaction.
“There is no way Count Herringer would do something so shameless! Get out at once!”
Or.
“You dare demand an apology from Count Herringer? Not a chance, you arrogant Yankee, get out now!”
…It would be the same.
Either way, the result wouldn’t change. Once she learned the truth of why he came, Penelope would surely be disappointed and would heartlessly kick Bliss out. After all, work is work, and private life is private.
Even if he had found a comrade he might never meet again in his lifetime.
In the end, Bliss decided to hide the truth. Instead, he needed a plausible excuse to stay here. He spoke with difficulty to the older friend who was still looking up at him with a puzzled expression.
“Uh, um, Penelope. Actually, the reason I came here is, well…”
The words wouldn’t come out. Though they had known each other for less than an hour, he felt a stronger bond with her than with anyone he had known his entire life. He knew she served the other man with all her heart, but he had his own reasons too.
I can’t just forgive someone who insulted my family.
Steeling himself once more, he managed to speak, though he turned his head away, unable to meet Penelope’s gaze.
“It’s true that I like the Count.”
“I knew it!”
“But.”
Before the screamingly joyful Penelope could say more, Bliss quickly added:
“I can’t confess my feelings.”
At these unexpected words, Penelope blinked in confusion. It was a natural reaction, as a panorama of a grand wedding between Bliss and Cassian, followed by raising three children and eventually being buried in the same grave, had undoubtedly already unfolded in her mind. Bliss took a deep breath to continue the lie and finally spoke.
“I… I have someone I’m supposed to marry.”
“Whaaaat?”
Penelope shrieked, her eyes widening. It felt as if a solemn ‘Dun-dun!’ sound effect had echoed around them. Unable to look at her, Bliss continued.
“There is a partner my family arranged for me. So, I have to marry that person. But…”
He poured the words out in one breath, but he couldn’t bring himself to say the next part. As Bliss fell silent out of guilt, Penelope, who had been watching with shocked eyes, cried out in a passionate voice.
“My goodness, you came to see the person you love one last time before your wedding!”
Once again, Penelope had jumped to a wild conclusion. He couldn’t bring himself to say, ‘That’s right.’ Pricked by his conscience, Bliss avoided her gaze and mumbled softly.
“Not really.”
I didn’t lie, Bliss thought. I didn’t say ‘That’s right,’ I said ‘Not really.’ While he rationalized the guilt rising in his mind, Penelope let out a sigh of pity, her face full of sympathy.
“So that’s why you came all this way. You poor child.”
Penelope hugged Bliss tenderly and patted his back. Bliss hugged her back, leaning down awkwardly. As he apologized inwardly—I’m sorry for lying—Penelope continued.
“But still, shouldn’t you give it a try? Have you tried persuading your parents?”
At the kind question, Bliss stammered, “U-uh,” and answered in a murmur.
“I-it’s a promise between families, so I can’t break it.”
His heart raced as he spoke. Did my voice shake? Did Penelope notice? How on earth did Larien, Stacy, or Grayson lie so shamelessly? I’m a Miller too, so why am I so bad at this!
“Bliss? Bliss!”
Oops.
Having slapped his own forehead again, he snapped back to attention at the sound of her calling him. As expected, Penelope was looking up at him with worried eyes. He hurriedly rubbed the throbbing spot with his palm and gave an awkward smile.
“I-I just feel pathetic. Haha.”
At that, Penelope gave a pitying smile as if she understood and gently stroked Bliss’s hair.
“Oh dear. But you mustn’t blame yourself.”
Bliss felt his heart swell once more.
“Penelope…”
He had found the soulmate that Grayson had searched for so desperately. How absurd would Grayson find this? He might even get angry. Grayson had been obsessed with finding his other half since childhood.
Is it okay to deceive someone like that?
Suddenly, guilt reared its head again. This isn’t the right way. Cassian Strickland is a bad person, but Penelope isn’t. I should use a more honorable method…
“I understand, Bliss.”
Huh?
Startled by the sudden voice, he looked up to find Penelope looking at him with sparkling eyes.
“Doing your best in an unavoidable situation is a wonderful thing. And to do it for the sake of love! I have no choice but to support you.”
“Penelope…”
Just as his nose tingled with a mix of emotion and guilt, Penelope grabbed Bliss’s hand and said something shocking.
“Leave it to me. I’ll help you with all my might. The Duke and the Pirate—no, The Duke and the Servant!”
What?
Bliss was left speechless by the unexpected words. Regardless of his reaction, Penelope gripped his hand and shook it up and down vigorously.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure the Count doesn’t notice at all. You just want to see him from afar, right? That’s it. A hidden love, truly heartbreaking. All right, let’s do this.”
Wait, what exactly is ‘this’…?
Bliss wanted to ask, but he could only stare at her in silence. Meanwhile, Penelope’s eyes shone as she shouted, “Let us maintain the loyalty of our secret society!”
“Your papers are fine, so don’t worry and come tomorrow. I’ll arrange a very natural encounter with the Count.”
After calling a taxi for him, Penelope stood at the mansion’s entrance, holding his hand tightly and whispering words of encouragement until the car arrived. In the end, without being able to confess honestly or actively agree with her, Bliss climbed into the taxi.
“Come by 10 AM tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Ye-yes… haha. Then, tomorrow…”
Leaving behind Penelope, who was waving her arm enthusiastically, the taxi drove away. Only after she completely disappeared from sight did Bliss finally relax his stiff shoulders and let out a deep sigh.
What have I done? I’ve really done it now.
“Haaaaa.”