Deflower 131

Penelope remained frozen with a wide smile on her face, saying nothing. One second, two seconds, three seconds. Time flowed by in silence. After absorbing the shock to some extent, only one thought first crossed Penelope’s mind.

The Count, not Bliss, should have been the one getting a check-up.

“I’m sane, Penelope.”

Cassian looked visibly displeased as the elderly butler’s thoughts were laid bare on her face.

“Have you forgotten who it was that got angry and told me to admit my feelings for Bliss?”

At his sarcastic words, Penelope could only manage an embarrassed smile.

“Of course it was me, Count. I remember, but….”

She recalled it with a lingering sense of bewilderment. Marriage—she hadn’t thought it would go that far. Penelope’s mind became cluttered. While she had set their marriage as the ultimate goal, she thought it would take more time. But this quickly? The frustration had suddenly vanished, so what on earth was this development?

“That the Count has finally realized his feelings is wonderful news for me. However, Count, isn’t marriage a bit too hasty? Have you heard Bliss’s opinion?”

No matter how she calculated it, there wasn’t enough time for Cassian to have confessed to Bliss and for Bliss to have accepted those feelings. There hadn’t even been an opportunity.

Which meant, in the end, this was the Count’s unilateral decision….

Following that, Penelope was genuinely impressed. To decide to marry the moment he stolen [Read Read on Read BL Novelson Read BL Novels]contentrealized his feelings—what incredible drive.

But soon, worry set in. That was only from the Count’s perspective. On the other hand, what did Bliss think?

Recalling Bliss weeping so sorrowfully and in such agony made her heart ache. Marriage after only a few days? How on earth did he persuade Bliss? She couldn’t understand it at all.

To the butler who was openly doubting him, Cassian spoke.

“Whether I ask or not, he’ll agree. That brat likes me.”

“Oh, Count….”

How arrogant. It was true that Bliss had come this far because he liked Cassian, but that was a separate issue from protecting one’s pride. Was he overflowing with confidence, or was he perhaps lacking in thought?

“If you have something to say, say it.”

Once again, as if piercing through Penelope’s thoughts, Cassian frowned. At his blunt tone, Penelope asked cautiously.

“Aren’t you being too hasty? Has Bliss let go of his resentment? Or perhaps you’ve already confessed to him….”

Cassian remained silent for a moment before speaking.

“No, neither.”

“What? Then, that is….”

Having heard the answer she had tried so hard to deny, Penelope became visibly flustered. An expression came to mind, but it wasn’t something she could say to her master. Since no other appropriate words came to her, she merely hesitated, her lips twitching, until Cassian spoke for her.

“It’s fine. I’ll persuade him.”

“How?”

Penelope asked urgently. She was dying of curiosity. What on earth is the Count thinking?

However, Cassian refused to explain further and changed the subject.

“Go check if Bliss is sleeping well. Tell the remaining servants exactly what I said: that they are never to be rude to Bliss again. The same goes for any new employees.”

It was a signal for her to leave. Penelope wanted to wail that she was dying of curiosity and beg him to tell her, but the atmosphere wasn’t right for that.

The Count must have his own plan, right?

She would find out if she waited. Suppressing her surging curiosity, she offered a concerned piece of advice.

“I’m sure you have your reasons, but please do not take Bliss’s heart too lightly.”

Taking a short breath, Penelope added seriously.

“Wounds received from someone you love last a very long time.”

Cassian paused and looked back at her. Penelope bowed her head in greeting and left the room. Left alone, Cassian merely frowned and stared at the closed door.

“Hwaaaa.”

Stretching his arms and legs wide, Bliss blinked his eyes, which were still heavy with sleep, to focus. A strange feeling washed over him as an unfamiliar ceiling entered his field of vision. Was he still dreaming?

Tilting his head, he shifted his gaze to the side. Still lying down, he slowly scanned the surroundings with blinking eyes before fixing his gaze back on the ceiling. After a few seconds of blinking blankly.

“Uwah!”

Bliss cried out in surprise and bolted upright. He looked around frantically, but nothing changed. Wh-where is this? He checked several times in confusion, but the result was the same. Bliss hurriedly jumped off the bed and ran to the window.

Oh.

The scenery outside the window was familiar. It was the garden of Herringer Castle. So he had come back correctly, but where was this?

Suddenly, there was a light knock, and a moment later, the door opened. Bliss’s eyes widened upon seeing the person who entered. Penelope, seeing Bliss standing by the window and looking at her, approached him with a delighted expression.

“Bliss! You’re awake. Did you sleep well?”

“Uh, yes. But here, why am I….”

As he asked in bewilderment, Penelope replied with a bright smile.

“The Count told me to move the room Bliss uses. From now on, this room will be your room, Bliss.”

“This place?”

Bliss looked around the room again in shock. No matter how he looked at it, this was absolutely not a room a servant would use. Seeing the antique furniture as large as the ones in the room Cassian used, he felt dazed. Seeing Bliss’s reaction of utter incomprehension, Penelope spoke softly.

“You woke up at just the right time. The Count asked to have dinner together; why don’t you go and ask him yourself about the things you’re curious about?”

Bliss fell into thought for a moment. Should he continue his protest, or should he go along with it?

The answer came easily. The mere fact that his room had been changed meant that some significant change had definitely occurred. In that case, it would be best to check the current situation personally.

“Yes, I’ll go.”

“Good choice!”

Penelope looked visibly relieved and grabbed both of Bliss’s hands. To the startled Bliss, she continued as if she had been waiting for this.

“It’s been so hard for you, hasn’t it? No matter how upset you are, please don’t skip meals. How hard must it have been for you to faint? I’ve kicked out all those wicked people, so that won’t happen again. I will hire new employees based on very strict criteria. If you want, Bliss, you can join the interviews.”

“Uh, no. That’s a bit too much….”

Bliss hurriedly shook his head.

“It’s enough that you’ve been considerate of me. Thank you.”

“It’s fine, so let me know whenever you change your mind.”

After urging him once more, Penelope let go of his hands, stepped back, and opened a door on one side of the wall.

“I’ve moved all of Bliss’s belongings here. It’s a formal dinner, so please pick out some nice clothes, Bliss.”

Then, she hesitated for a moment before adding.

“Something surprising might happen, but it’s not a bad thing, so don’t worry.”

“What? What does that mean?”

Bliss asked, but Penelope spoke as she slowly backed away.

“Well, I have a lot to prepare… It’s absolutely not a bad thing. Absolutely.”

“Penelope.”

“I’ll come get you later. It’ll take about two hours, so please wash up and get ready.”

“Penelope!”

Bliss called her again, but Penelope hurried out of the room. Staring blankly at the closed door, he eventually frowned and muttered to himself.

“What on earth is going on…?”

Two hours flew by. Cassian, who had come down early to wait for Bliss, had already emptied three glasses of wine and still couldn’t let go of the glass in his hand. Seeing this, Penelope cautiously advised.

“Count, please don’t drink too much. There is nothing more unsightly than a confession made while drunk.”

At those words, Cassian, who was about to pour a fourth glass of wine, paused. After considering for a moment, he put the bottle down with a sigh.

“Bring me coffee.”

“That’s a great idea. I’ll brew it strong enough to wake you right up.”

Taking a sip of the coffee received with a light compliment, he felt his mind become much clearer. Watching him with a satisfied look, Penelope continued.

“It’s time. I’ll go bring Bliss now.”

At those words, Cassian felt his heart sink.