By Zephyria 
Whew.
Edward let out a deep breath for what felt like the umpteenth time. He intended it to be a calming breath, but in reality, it was half a sigh. At the edge of his vision, Cassian and his partner stood talking.
Of course, the person Edward was fixated on was the partner. As he watched the other man with anxiety, the partner’s expression seemed to flicker for a moment before returning to normal. Judging by the way he sniffed, he had likely forced back a yawn.
He seems bored.
It was understandable. Having been dragged to these kinds of events since he was a small child, Edward was well-acquainted with the feeling; he understood it all too well.
“Whew.”
Edward exhaled again and wiped his face with one hand. Today, the boy was far too beautiful. Just like the day he first saw him—no, even more so. People were glancing at him and whispering so frequently that the protagonist of today’s party might not be the Duchess, but that fellow.
Everyone was probably wondering about his identity. Edward had been the same. If he hadn’t seen him at the previous party, he might have approached him now, completely ignoring Cassian’s existence.
But…
Edward hesitated, unable to bring himself to step forward. Just then, Cassian leaned down to whisper something to his partner, and the boy looked startled and flustered.
What’s with those two?
Edward’s face instantly contorted. It didn’t end there. When the partner covered his mouth with his hand and said something, Cassian burst into laughter. It was a sickeningly sweet display.
After beating someone to death, he just acts like nothing happened and flirts like that?
Anger surged within him, but he still couldn’t move forward. Though the distance was now short, the reason he remained frozen as if nailed to the spot was simple: behind that pretty face, he had seen the ferocious entity swinging a cane and delivering a brutal thrashing.
Haa, haa.
Just thinking about it made his heart race again. Under the illusion that the places where he had been hit were aching once more, Edward gasped for air, his face turning pale. Seeing this, a woman passing by spoke to him.
“Edward? What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
Her tone was worried, but Edward didn’t have the luxury to answer. He simply raised a hand to signal that he was fine and, after hesitating, looked back. Marquis Manon was still talking with the Duke and Duchess. Seeing his Grandfather throwing his head back and laughing heartily at something, Edward’s face naturally twisted.
He has no idea what kind of crisis his grandson is in.
He felt resentful toward his grandfather, but there was nothing he could do about it now. He believed he had apologized sufficiently for his mistakes that day, but if Marquis Manon didn’t think so, he had to follow his lead.
Above all, if he offended his grandfather and ended up being deleted from the will, it would truly be the end…
Haa. Letting out yet another sigh, Edward finally clenched his fists and made up his mind. Right, it was something he had to do anyway. Let’s just get it over with.
‘Ask him for a dance; you must complete the entire song.’
Following his grandfather’s order, he finally moved. Step, step. Hearing footsteps that couldn’t possibly be audible like a hallucination, he approached one step at a time. Cold sweat ran down his back, and the color drained from his face, leaving him as pale as a ghost. Walking stiffly as if he were physically uncomfortable, his eyes were fixed on only one spot. Just as he approached, staring only at the cute boy who was repeatedly suppressing yawns with a bored face, he finally opened his mouth.
“Edward?”
Suddenly, a chilly voice sounded from above his head. Startled, Edward looked up and immediately locked eyes with the gaze looking down at him. Staring at the man who had frozen instinctively, Cassian continued in a voice as cold as his gaze.
“What is it? Do you have business with me?”
With perfect timing, the boy peeked out from behind Cassian. At that sight, Edward froze completely.
Hmm.
Bliss clamped his mouth shut, forcing a yawn back down his throat. A few tears pricked his eyes, but that couldn’t be helped. He had been suppressing yawns for a while now, and he was reaching his limit. He felt that if he let his guard down for even a second, his mouth would pop open in a giant haaaaawn.
But doing so would be a great discourtesy to the Duke and Duchess. They had been so considerate of him; to yawn at a birthday party would be an absolute taboo, something even his small brain understood well.
I have to endure, Bliss. Keep your eyes open.
It was just as he was scolding himself and pinching the back of his hand hard.
“Ouch, what are you doing?”
Suddenly, Cassian exclaimed in a hushed voice from above. Startled, Bliss looked up to see the man looking down at him with a frown. Blinking in confusion, Bliss saw him raise a hand and tilt his head. Only then, seeing the reddened skin on the back of his hand, did Bliss realize with a start.
“I-I’m sorry. I thought it was my own hand.”
As he apologized hurriedly in a panic, Cassian lowered his hand, but his brow remained furrowed. Is he angry? Bliss grew anxious. Then, Cassian, who had been observing him, spoke.
“Why did you suddenly pinch your hand?”
At the unexpected question, Bliss looked up at him again and realized. Cassian wasn’t angry; he was genuinely curious. Only then did Bliss relax slightly and confess honestly.
“Uh, well… because I’m a little bored.”
“Are you sleepy?”
At the direct question, Bliss was startled again and hurriedly looked around. Fortunately, the Duke and Duchess were far away, conversing with other guests. Phew. After a sigh of relief, Bliss covered his mouth with one hand and whispered softly.
“Actually, yes.”
“Pfft.”
Even though there was no way the Duke and Duchess could hear him from that distance, Bliss spoke in a hushed, breathless tone. Seeing him whisper while constantly checking their reactions, Cassian couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“W-what is it? Why are you doing that?”
I didn’t even say anything funny!
A flustered Bliss asked stutteringly, but Cassian couldn’t stop laughing, covering his mouth with one hand and gasping for air. What the heck! Seeing that, Bliss felt a surge of anger. He wanted to kick him hard in the shin, but he held back. One must be poised at a party.
You should be grateful to the Duchess that you’re still alive.
Giving him a sharp glare, he looked forward again. He had woken up for a moment, but it was truly just for a moment. Soon, boredom washed over him like a tide, and he almost yawned again.
Are parties always this boring?
It might be different if there were people he knew. But the only people Bliss knew were the Duke, the Duchess, and Cassian, and he couldn’t understand a word of the conversations happening around him. He had been wearing such a vague smile that his cheeks were starting to twitch. That wasn’t all.
I don’t know what these people say behind my back.
Recalling how people had casually spat venom about Cassian at the last party, he couldn’t easily trust those who greeted him kindly to his face. It was hard to tell if nobles were always like that or if he had just encountered some particularly nasty ones, but he had to stay on guard.
Furthermore…
Bliss glanced up at Cassian. Seeing him smile and exchange greetings and pleasantries with everyone he met, he seemed so relaxed and familiar. As if he truly trusted and liked the other people.
Idiot.
Bliss clicked his tongue inwardly. This guy probably has no idea that those people are insulting and mocking him, right? Such a naive fellow. I’m the only one who can protect him.
Haa. Just as he let out a mature sigh.
“Edward, what is it? Do you have business with me?”
At the sudden voice, he instinctively looked up, but he couldn’t see anything because Cassian’s body was blocking the view. Bliss, who peeked out from the side without much thought, soon tilted his head. A pale-faced young man was looking at him and recoiling in shock.
What’s with that guy? I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere.
Bliss narrowed his eyes and carefully scrutinized the man’s face. Where had he seen him? Where…
“Ah.”
With an exclamation, he remembered. He remembered where he had seen that bastard.
He’s one of the extras who was spewing hate about Cassian!