By Zephyria 
…What did I just hear?
Cassian blinked blankly. Even as he looked at Penelope, who stood there with a face full of excitement, it didn’t feel real. Eventually, rubbing his deeply furrowed brow, he finally spoke.
“Penelope, so you’re saying right now—”
Unable to bring himself to say the next words, Cassian fell silent, and Penelope picked up where he left off.
“Yes, that’s right. Bliss came here to see you, Count. To put a period to the love he has harbored for the past ten odd years.”
Penelope murmured fervently, but Cassian let out a hollow laugh, utterly bewildered.
“You actually believe that, Penelope?”
His tone was thick with disdain. He was certain that the cunning little peanut had tricked the elderly housekeeper, but the housekeeper’s reaction was different.
“Of course I believe it, because it is the truth. Count, at my age, I am more than capable of seeing through a lie.”
However, that confident answer only served to increase Cassian’s suspicion.
“Just what on earth did that brat say to make you believe it that much?”
Seeing the expression full of doubt, Penelope poured out the story as if she had made a great resolution.
“He told me everything when he first arrived. He said that since the marriage was an arrangement between families, he couldn’t confess his feelings to you, so he just asked that I let him watch over you from the side. So, I simply decided to help this pitiful one-sided love. Of course, I did provide a tiny bit of help. But it didn’t cause you any harm, and if anything, it helped with your insomnia…”
She continued to chatter on, but the words no longer reached Cassian’s ears.
That peanut—no, Bli—no, Blair—no.
Cassian closed his eyes tight and swallowed a curse before he could finally organize his thoughts.
Bliss Miller came here because he likes me? Ridiculous. Moreover, she expects me to believe the nonsense that he’s liked me for the past ten years? Penelope must have lost her judgment due to old age.
Yet, despite such rational judgment, he couldn’t completely deny Penelope’s words.
Because if that were true, every question Cassian had harbored until now would be resolved.
The reason why he had run wild like a madman at the party, and the reason why that brat had come all the way here to do menial chores.
…And the reason why he kissed me.
For a moment, the sensation of that moment revived on his lips, and Cassian instinctively covered his mouth with one hand.
So, that brat kissing me wasn’t just a drunken mistake, but…
Seeing her master’s face suddenly turn bright red, Penelope tilted her head and called out to him.
“Count? Is something the matter?”
She asked worriedly, but Cassian didn’t hear her. He had no mental capacity for other thoughts while he was busy piecing the situation together.
Don’t be shaken. You know this is an absurd idea.
He tried to scold himself, but his heart grew complicated as the memory of Bliss running wild and beating those guys up resurfaced. To think he liked me that much.
Looking back, Bliss had been a quite lovely child to Cassian. It was true that he had intended to play with him just enough and be done with it, but he had genuinely found the child cute to some extent.
Though the end wasn’t particularly good…
‘Darling, Daddy!’
No, not that. That is too dangerous a word.
At the sudden sound of the young voice echoing in his ears, Cassian hurriedly shook his head. Bliss Miller is just a snot-nosed peanut. Someone who isn’t even an adult yet. It’s absurd for someone like him, who is a full twelve years older, to be swayed by such a child. After all, Cassian Strickland is an adult. A far more mature adult.
So get a grip, Cassian Strickland. Don’t be shaken by nonsense.
“…You said that brat has someone he’s supposed to marry?”
After a pause, Cassian asked, and Penelope nodded without hesitation.
“Yes, that is why he came to see you one last time.”
‘One last time.’
Had he ever heard a word more ecstatic than this in his entire life?
Cassian’s brain began to move slowly. That must be an undeniable fact. It meant that even if he didn’t rush him, that brat would disappear on his own, of his own accord. Of course, he would have to be careful to ensure no new accidents happened in the meantime.
“Penelope.”
“Yes, Count.”
The housekeeper answered promptly when he called her name. Looking at the housekeeper who was gazing up at him anxiously, he spoke calmly.
“I see. I understand the situation sufficiently, so I shall overlook the fact that you lied to me this one time.”
The bad one is that peanut. The elderly housekeeper was just innocently deceived, so he’d let it slide this once. Yes, he’ll just think of it as her being a victim of voice phishing. No, peanut phishing. Just as he thought that, Penelope clutched her hands together in emotion and let out a cheer.
“Th-thank you, Count! May God bless you!”
As Penelope fluttered about as if she were about to dance on the spot, Cassian silently raised one hand to signal her to stop. Unable to hide her excitement, Penelope looked up at him with a flush on her cheeks. Only then did Cassian speak with a solemn expression.
“In exchange, there is one condition you must keep.”
“Yes, please tell me anything! Whatever it is, I will gladly keep it, even if I must stake my life!”
That level of determination isn’t necessary, Cassian thought inwardly, nodding.
“Fine. Then I shall trust you one more time.”
He added immediately without wasting time.
“I only ask one thing of you. Just keep it a secret from him that I know his identity.”
“Pardon?”
Once again, Penelope seemed completely blindsided, asking in a voice higher than usual. But Cassian’s command was clear.
“Did you not hear me? I will say it once more. Do not tell Bliss Miller that I know who he is. Absolutely not.”
He spat out the last part with deliberate emphasis. Penelope looked around, not knowing what to do. Despite having promised so fervently before, she hesitated to answer immediately and eventually couldn’t help but ask.
“Um, why? Is there a reason we must hide it…?”
You like that child too, Count! Penelope wanted to scream, but Cassian cut her off first.
“Listen.”
“Yes.”
To the startled Penelope, Cassian barked in a sharp tone.
“You should at least do that much for me, Penelope.”
Hidden within his words was the meaning: ‘Considering you even went as far as deceiving me for Bliss Miller.’ Of course, Penelope clearly read into it. Therefore, she could only answer “Yes” without further questioning. Only then did Cassian withdraw his gaze and nod. As if that was enough.
Just as a satisfied Cassian was about to head to the bathroom.
“U-um, Count.”
Penelope called him in a cautious voice. At that, Cassian stopped his movement and turned back to her. Penelope was inwardly afraid, but she gathered her courage to speak with difficulty.
“Well, it’s almost dinner time, isn’t it? P-perhaps, I mean, it must be lonely to eat alone, so I was thinking…”
“Penelope, just get to the point.”
At the sight of the housekeeper fumbling and unable to easily bring up the main point, Cassian’s face contorted as he snapped sharply. Then, the housekeeper immediately gave the answer she wanted.
“Why don’t you have dinner with Bliss?”
Cassian looked down at her in silence. It seemed she hadn’t completely given up on her desire to help Bliss. Well, considering she had hired that brat behind his back and even took care of him meticulously, it was perhaps only natural. Thinking this, Cassian turned away as if annoyed.
“Do as you wish.”
“Thank you, thank you, Count!”
She shouted with more emotion than necessary and hurried out of the room. She was probably going to tell the kitchen to prepare dinner for two. Having easily seen through the housekeeper’s mind, Cassian opened the bathroom door and was about to step inside when Penelope, who had just stepped into the hallway, looked back at him.
“Count!”
Turning his head at the sound of her voice, he saw his housekeeper peeking through the slightly open door, her eyes sparkling.
“You definitely won’t regret it. Please trust me.”
Of course, his trust in her had already been shattered into pieces. However, Cassian didn’t bother revealing that fact and simply nodded. Soon after, the sound of Penelope running off excitedly was heard beyond the closed door before fading away. Cassian shook his head and entered the bathroom to prepare to wash. But before he knew it, his thoughts returned to the peanut crumb.
…That brat still likes me? Ridiculous.
He didn’t believe Penelope’s words, but despite that, he couldn’t help but feel his heart waver.
Having dinner together… maybe it’s a good opportunity.
He thought as he turned on the shower. Standing under the pouring stream of water with his eyes closed, Cassian recalled.
I’ll be able to confirm that Penelope was wrong.