By Zephyria 
Cassian simply looked at the Duke’s face without saying a word. In truth, he hadn’t given that any thought until now. He could have rationalized it by saying it was natural to be negligent in such matters since there were no trait bearers around, but he didn’t want to. Regardless of the reason, it was true that he had been indifferent and lacked attentiveness. With a sigh mixed with self-reproach, Cassian spoke with difficulty.
“I didn’t think of that part. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not something you need to apologize to me for.”
The Duke shook his head, but soon continued with a serious expression.
“Bliss is no longer just a young child like he was back then; he’s old enough to take care of himself, so I’m sure he’ll manage, but I’m worried he might overdose. You should subtly check in on that. If necessary, I’ll contact the center here so he can visit.”
“Yes, I understand. I’ll check.”
At his son’s answer, the Duke concluded the conversation as if finally relieved.
“Right, you may go now. Go see how much Bliss has prepared.”
“Yes, I’ll be on my way then.”
Cassian answered obediently once again and withdrew from the room. As soon as he closed the door and was alone in the hallway, his brow furrowed.
Why didn’t I think of that until now?
As the Duke said, Bliss might have a constitution with a weak scent. If so, even without medication, the Betas wouldn’t be able to smell Bliss’s fragrance.
If he wasn’t taking the medication at all, there would be nothing to worry about, but…
The problem was if he was overdosing. He had heard that if an Omega abuses suppressants, it could lead to infertility or pheromone abnormalities in severe cases. He would have to confirm that with Bliss, but…
That would shatter the worldview.
He let out a pained groan from the back of his throat. To find that out, he would have to confess that he knew Bliss’s true identity. Otherwise, he couldn’t possibly ask why he didn’t have a pheromone scent.
This is troublesome…
If he did, Bliss would surely press him on when he had found out, which was another problem. He would have to provide an answer as to why he had pretended not to know until now despite knowing from the start.
Of course, there was only one reason. He had thought of nothing but kicking Bliss out as quickly as possible, so there was no need to acknowledge it. Back then, he never imagined the worldview would change like this.
…The changed worldview.
Suddenly, Cassian remembered. A worldview where he liked Bliss. And Bliss had said he came all this way because he had liked him from the beginning.
To meet him one last time before marrying his fiancé.
At the thought of that specific word, the wrinkles on his brow deepened. Lost in deep thought, he walked slowly down the hallway.
Who on earth is it? This ‘fiancé’ fellow.
It was a plausible story if it were the Millers. They were an influential family, talking about the next president, and a house that exerted influence not just in America but worldwide. Naturally, they would have prepared a suitable partner for him in advance.
…But why didn’t a marriage proposal come to the Duke’s house?
Thinking about it suddenly made him feel unpleasant. The one who had caused a scene, insisting on marrying Cassian out of the blue, was their child. Moreover, he had come unannounced and ruined Cassian’s vacation. The first time he had been slapped by the Duke was because of Bliss, and it was Cassian himself who had wasted his precious break just babysitting a kid, so why…
If they were going to send a proposal, they should have sent it to the Duke’s house first.
Without realizing it, he began to practically run across the hallway. The more he thought about it, the more absurd it felt, and anger welled up. What does that peanut know about marriage? To sacrifice a kid who is still just a snot-nosed brat for the sake of family profit. As expected, Ashley Miller is an irredeemable snob…
Having thought that far, Cassian suddenly snapped back to his senses. Before he knew it, he was standing in front of Bliss’s door. Silence fell instantly, and in that silence, Cassian, barely regaining his composure, blinked in bewilderment.
What are you thinking, Cassian Strickland? Have you actually gone crazy?
It was a ridiculous fantasy. Wasn’t it only natural that Ashley Miller hadn’t pursued a marriage proposal with him?
You’re twelve years older than that peanut, you crazy bastard.
He slapped his own cheek hard again. He felt like his face wouldn’t survive at this rate, but it was better than losing his mind. Only after slapping the other cheek hard did Cassian finally take a deep breath and calm his heart.
Right, this is just because I feel like the family was looked down upon by the Millers. There’s no other reason.
It was an utterly rational conclusion. Otherwise, there would be no reason for him to be this enraged.
“Me, with a mere peanut? That’s ridiculous.”
He shook his head, laughing as if it were absurd. Even as he knocked, waited for a response, and opened the door, Cassian was still smiling. Thinking of the peanut crumb waiting in the room, he looked up and spoke.
“Bli— Blair. Are you all ready…?”
However, the words flowing from his mouth vanished into thin air. Cassian froze in place, staring blankly into the room—no, at Bliss, who was standing tall in the center of the room.
Bliss was wearing the cream-colored suit they had bought together the day before. The suit suited his translucent skin perfectly, and underneath, he wore a lilac-colored shirt. A tie of the same color as his flushed cheeks was fastened with a tie pin set with a deep blue sapphire, matching his eyes.
His curly hair, which was always messy and splayed, was neatly combed back. Standing there in such a polished appearance, he was a world apart from the reckless child he had seen until now. Conversely, Cassian remembered blankly that the sight of Bliss he had seen the previous day was not an illusion.
“Um, Count?”
“W-what?”
Bliss spoke cautiously, calling out to him. Cassian, who had been entranced until then, was startled by the voice and stuttered pathetically. Damn it. Cursing himself inwardly, he let out a loud, intentional cough to hide his agitation before speaking.
“It suits you. Are you all finished preparing?”
“Uh, yes. No, um.”
Bliss seemed flustered and showed him something he was holding in his hand.
“I’ve never done this before.”
It was a pocket square to be placed in the suit’s breast pocket. He probably meant someone else had always done it for him. Cassian immediately understood the meaning and readily stepped closer to him.
“Give it here.”
As he reached out, Bliss obediently handed over the item. Without a word, Cassian skillfully folded the pocket square and tucked it into Bliss’s pocket. After adjusting the folds to neaten the shape and letting go, Bliss, who had been holding his breath, let out a sigh.
“Is it all done now?”
Bliss’s voice sounded somewhat excited. Cassian scanned his entire body once before fixing his gaze back on his face.
“Yes.”
A faint smile appeared on Cassian’s face as he nodded.
“You look very pretty.”
Bliss and Cassian’s gazes met in mid-air. Bliss simply looked up at him without a word. Those deep blue eyes brought to mind the blue of some distant sea. As Cassian stared intently at the dazzling light sparkling within them, Bliss’s cheeks slowly turned red. Then, Cassian saw it—the way he flushed all the way up to his neck.
“I— I, um… I mean!”
A flustered Bliss shouted urgently. Seeing him look around, not knowing what to do, Cassian also felt unnecessarily embarrassed. As they both hesitated, looking in opposite directions, Bliss spoke first.
“Um, what… what is it? There should still be some time before the party starts.”
“Ah…”
Cassian let out a meaningless cough before speaking.
“Just, I wanted to see if the preparations were going well. …It seems you’re all finished.”
“Yes, I’m all finished.”
“Right, you’re finished.”
The two of them repeated the same words for no reason, their eyes darting back and forth. I have to say something. I definitely had something to tell him. As Cassian agonized, Bliss asked cautiously.
“Um, excuse me. Is that all you came for…?”
“Huh? Ah, well.”
Right then, a good idea popped into Cassian’s head.
“I’m curious about something. What is your trait?”