By Zephyria 
Both of his cheeks, and indeed his entire face, had already turned bright red. After hurriedly giving him some water to stop the crying, the tears finally ceased, but they were replaced by violent sobbing. Watching the child gasp for air, unable to breathe properly because he had cried so much, a sudden sense of futility washed over him.
What am I doing to a little kid?
Just as he let out a deep sigh, feeling pathetic, Bliss asked between his sobs.
“A-Are you… not going to tell me… any more secrets?”
Cassian looked into the child’s face without a word. On Bliss’s round, flushed face, anxiety and disappointment were mixed with anticipation and resignation. If he said yes, would Bliss burst into tears again, or would he try to hold it in this time?
For some reason, Cassian felt it would be the latter. Even now, Bliss was biting his lower lip hard, trying his best to swallow his sobs. Furthermore…
“…I’m sorry for making things difficult, Cassian.”
The child apologized again in a trembling voice. Once things reached this point, Cassian simply gave up on everything.
Right, it’s only for a month.
As the Duchess said, he could just split his time appropriately. Since Mother also shared some responsibility, she would likely take over about half. Then he could enjoy the rest of his vacation. If there were plans he couldn’t finish, he could always do them next time.
Besides, was it really such a grand matter that it warranted making this small child cry this much?
The events of the day, and the fact that the child had blabbed the secret—it was all just a mistake a child made. Thinking of it that way, everything seemed acceptable.
Of course, since his life was precisely mapped out for every period, it wouldn’t be easy to create an opportunity like this again. But it didn’t matter. There are people going to Mars; why would a little bit of a debauched vacation be impossible?
“Don’t tell anyone else from now on.”
In an instant, Bliss’s eyes widened. Looking at the bright blue pupils struggling to look up from beneath swollen eyelids, Cassian couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. Seeing his reaction, Bliss—still sounding like he had been crying—shouted in a high-pitched voice.
“Yes, yes! I’ll never tell anyone again. It’s a secret! I’ll definitely keep the secret!”
“Right, definitely. Shh.”
“Shh.”
When Cassian put his finger to his lips and made a shushing sound, Bliss followed suit. Soon after, he beamed and immediately lunged at Cassian.
“Cassian, I like you so much!”
This time, Cassian didn’t push the child away but hugged him warmly. Only after he had even patted the boy’s back did he realize what he was doing, and a bitter smile escaped him.
Well, if everyone’s happy, that’s what matters.
Thinking this, he brought up the plan he had originally considered.
“Shall we go see the birds tomorrow?”
“Birrrds?”
Surprised by the sudden suggestion, Bliss pulled away and looked at him. Cassian nodded and continued.
“We’ll observe birds using a telescope or some other tools. There’s a marsh in the estate that’s great for birdwatching. It’s just a short drive…”
“I want to go!”
Bliss shouted in excitement.
“I want to go, I definitely want to go! Anywhere is fine! We’re going to see birrrds!”
“Yes, yes.”
Cassian nodded, indulging the child’s excitement. Eventually, as Bliss began to pant from exhaustion, Cassian stood up and spoke.
“In exchange, you have to wake up early. Is that okay?”
“Of course! I can wake up early! Trust me!”
Bliss shouted confidently, thumping his chest with his fist. Cassian nodded and reached out his hand.
“Let’s go to sleep now. I’ll take you to your room.”
“Can’t we sleep together?”
Bliss looked up at him longingly. His face, a mess from all the crying, was a more powerful weapon than anything else. There was no intention behind it, but that was the result. Cassian, who had opened his mouth to refuse, found himself speechless upon seeing that face. In the end, he sighed and picked Bliss up.
“Just for tonight.”
After saying that, he set Bliss down on the bed, turned off the lights, and returned to his own spot to lie down.
“Goodnight, Bliss.”
“Goodnight, Cassian.”
As he closed his eyes after the greeting, he felt a sensation as if one side of the bed was shifting. Bliss, who had crept up beside the motionless Cassian, hugged his arm.
“Hehe.”
Bliss chuckled softly, let out a deep breath, and leaned his head against him. Soon, the child’s rhythmic breathing followed. When Cassian opened his eyes and glanced down, Bliss had already fallen fast asleep.
…What should I do?
It felt as though the child wouldn’t wake up at all even if he gently pushed him away. Cassian raised his hand to remove the child’s grip, but he soon stopped and sighed. He thought he wouldn’t be able to sleep deeply due to his troubled mind, but unexpectedly, he fell asleep shortly after. Just like the child sleeping while clinging to his arm.
13.
♪♪♬♩♪♪…
Cassian opened his eyes to the loud sound of his phone alarm. The sun hadn’t risen yet, but they had to hurry to observe the birds.
‘I can wake up! Trust me!’
The day before, Bliss had boasted loudly with a wide smile. Of course, Cassian hadn’t believed him.
I knew it.
Having woken up and finished preparing immediately, Cassian looked down at the child with his arms crossed and a frown on his brow. Bliss was completely dead to the world. With a sigh, Cassian turned off the phone alarm that was ringing loudly next to Bliss’s head. Setting the now-silent phone on the bed, he gazed blankly at Bliss, who was still sleeping while mumbling in his sleep.
Should I just go alone? Cassian thought for a moment, but he soon changed his mind and gently shook the child.
“Bliss, wake up. We have to go see the birds.”
He spoke calmly, but Bliss didn’t react at all. After watching the child sleep soundly with both arms raised above his head, Cassian stood up and headed toward Bliss’s room. As expected, the clothes for today, which the servant had prepared the day before, were neatly folded on the bedroom table.
From the moment he returned to the room to personally undress the child and put on the prepared clothes, until he carried him out of the room, Bliss never woke up once. Cassian silently sat him in the passenger seat, fastened the seatbelt, and started the car toward the destination. After driving for a while while watching the rising sun, they finally arrived at the wetlands.
“Bliss, wake up.”
After taking out the equipment and completing all necessary preparations, he shook Bliss—who had remained fast asleep until then—once more, and only then did the child react.
“Mmm, mmm-hmm.”
“Wake up, Bliss. We’re here.”
“Mmm…”
The child blinked his sleep-filled eyes and looked at Cassian. Bliss sat there blankly with half-open eyes, unable to grasp the situation due to the overwhelming drowsiness. Cassian continued.
“Wake up, time’s up. We have to walk from here.”
“Mmm.”
Still mumbling sleepy groans, Bliss rubbed his eyes and then let out a huge yawn. Cassian didn’t wait any longer; he picked Bliss up, set him down outside the car, and took out a thin cape prepared in the back seat to put on the child. Then, tucking the equipment under one arm and lifting Bliss up with the other, he spoke.
“Alright, let’s go.”
As he was carried by Cassian, who walked with long strides, the scenery flashed by quickly. Bliss’s cheeks flushed as he exclaimed, “Wow!”
“Cassian, you’re like my Papa.”
The child’s face, beaming with a “hehe” smile, showed no trace of sleepiness. Cassian replied indifferently while looking ahead.
“Didn’t you say you were friends?”
It was a comment made without much thought, but it was different for Bliss.
“It’s okay, we’re going to get married, so we can be called family.”
Bliss spoke nonchalantly and added confidently:
“Besides, I’ve seen Cassian’s pee-pee. So you have to take responsibility. Like a man!”
What man? It’s the size of a peanut.
“Didn’t you say you didn’t see it?”
When Cassian chuckled, bringing up the lie the child had told, Bliss simply giggled back and said,
“Actually, I did see it. It’s okay, since we’re going to be married.”