His cheeks—no, his whole face—were already flushed red. After hurriedly giving him water so he would stop crying, the tears finally ceased, but the harsh hiccupping sobs continued. Watching the child gasp for breath because he had cried too much, a sudden emptiness washed over him.
What am I even doing, taking it out on a kid like this?
As he let out a deep sigh, disgusted with himself, Bliss asked between sobs,
“Y, you’re not… going to tell me… secrets anymore?”
Cassian said nothing and looked down at the child’s face. On Bliss’s round, reddened cheeks were mixed anxiety and disappointment, hope and resignation all at once. If he said yes, would Bliss burst into tears again? Or would he try to hold them back this time?
For some reason, Cassian felt it would be the latter. Even now Bliss was biting down hard on his lower lip, desperately trying to swallow the sobs. And besides—
“…I’m sorry for making things difficult, Cassian.”
The child apologized again in a trembling voice. By the time things had reached this point, Cassian simply gave up.
It is only one month, after all.
As the Duchess had said, he could split the days reasonably. His mother bore responsibility too, so she would likely take half of it. Then he could enjoy what remained of his break. If there were plans left unfinished, he could do them another time.
And it was not even something grand enough to make such a small child cry like this.
What had happened during the day, and the matter of recklessly blurting out a secret—both were simply mistakes made by a child. Thinking of it that way, everything seemed understandable.
Of course, his life was scheduled precisely at every stage, so it would not be easy to create another opportunity like this. But that was fine. There were people who went to Mars. What was so impossible about one indulgent vacation?
“From now on, don’t tell anyone else.”
Bliss’s eyes widened at once. Beneath his swollen lids, those bright blue eyes struggled to lift themselves. The sight made an unintentional smile tug at Cassian’s lips. Seeing that reaction, and with his voice still raised from crying, Bliss shouted,
“Yes, yes! I won’t ever tell anyone again. It’s a secret! You have to keep secrets!”
“Good. You must. Shh.”
“Shh.”
Cassian pressed a finger to his lips and made the sound, and Bliss mimicked him. Then the boy broke into a wide smile and immediately threw himself at Cassian.
“Cassian, I like you so much.”
This time Cassian did not push him away. He held the child warmly, even patting his back. Only afterward did he realize what he had done, and a faint, bitter smile slipped out.
If it keeps the peace, it keeps the peace.
With that thought, he brought up the plan he had originally considered.
“Shall we go see birds tomorrow?”
“Birrrds?”
Startled by the sudden suggestion, Bliss pulled back and stared at him. Cassian nodded.
“We’ll observe them using binoculars or other equipment. There’s a wetland in the territory that’s good for bird watching. It’s only a short drive away.”
“I want to go!”
Bliss shouted in delight.
“I want to go, I really want to go! Anywhere is fine! We’re going to see birds!”
“Yes, yes.”
Cassian nodded, indulging the child’s excitement. When Bliss finally began panting from exhaustion, he stood up.
“But we have to wake up early. Is that okay?”
“Of course! I can wake up early! Trust me!”
Bliss thumped his chest with his fists and declared confidently. Cassian nodded and held out his hand.
“Let’s sleep now. I’ll take you to your room.”
“Can’t we sleep together?”
Bliss looked up at him wistfully. His face, ruined from crying so much, was a weapon more powerful than anything. There had been no intention behind it, but the result was the same. Cassian opened his mouth to refuse, but seeing that face left him speechless. In the end he sighed and lifted Bliss into his arms.
“Just for tonight.”
After laying him down on the bed, Cassian turned off the lights and lay down as well.
“Good night, Bliss.”
“Good night, Cassian.”
As he closed his eyes, he soon felt one side of the bed shift slightly. Bliss had quietly moved closer and wrapped his arms around him.
“Hehe.”
The child let out a small laugh, then exhaled deeply and rested his head against him. Before long, steady breathing followed. When Cassian opened his eyes and glanced down, Bliss was already fast asleep.
…What should I do.
He could probably pry the child off and push him away without waking him. Cassian lifted his hand to remove Bliss’s grip, then stopped and sighed. He had thought he would not sleep deeply with his mind in turmoil, but unexpectedly he drifted off before long.
Just like the child asleep, clinging to his arm.
13
♪♪♬♩♪♪…
The loud alarm of the mobile phone jolted Cassian awake. The sun had not yet risen, but they needed to hurry if they were to observe birds.
“I can wake up early! Trust me!”
Bliss had boasted brightly the day before. Of course, Cassian had not believed him.
As expected.
After immediately rising and finishing his preparations, Cassian stood with his arms crossed, frowning down at the child. Bliss was completely asleep. With a sigh, Cassian turned off the blaring alarm beside the child’s head. He tossed the now-silent phone onto the bed and stared at Bliss, who was still sleeping with his lips moving faintly.
Should I just go alone?
The thought crossed his mind briefly, but he soon dismissed it and lightly shook the child.
“Bliss, wake up. We’re going to see birds.”
He spoke calmly, but Bliss did not respond at all. After watching him lie there with both arms raised overhead, fast asleep, Cassian got up and went to Bliss’s room. As expected, on the bedroom table were the neatly folded clothes the servant had prepared the day before.
Returning, he carefully undressed the still-sleeping child and dressed him in the prepared outfit. Even as he carried him out of the room, Bliss did not wake once. Cassian silently placed him in the passenger seat, fastened his seatbelt, and started the car toward their destination. After driving for some time while watching the rising sun, they finally arrived at the wetland.
“Bliss, wake up.”
After taking out the equipment and finishing all necessary preparations, he shook Bliss again. Only then did the child stir.
“Mmm… mm.”
“Wake up, Bliss. We’re here.”
“Mmm…”
Bliss blinked sleep-heavy eyes at him. Still unable to grasp the situation, he sat there blankly with half-open eyes. Cassian continued,
“Wake up. We’re out of time. From here we have to walk.”
“Mmm.”
Still murmuring drowsily, Bliss rubbed his eyes and then let out a huge yawn. Cassian waited no longer. He lifted Bliss out of the car, put a thin cape over his shoulders, gathered the equipment under one arm, hoisted Bliss up with the other, and said,
“Let’s go.”
Cradled in his arms as Cassian strode forward, the scenery rushed past quickly. Bliss’s cheeks flushed.
“Cassian, you’re like Papa.”
He giggled. There was no trace of sleepiness left on his face. Without looking at him, Cassian replied flatly,
“Didn’t you say we were friends?”
He had spoken without much thought, but Bliss was serious.
“It’s fine. We’re going to get married, so that makes us family.”
Bliss added confidently,
“Besides, I saw your thing. So you have to take responsibility. Be a man!”
What man—he’s barely a peanut.
“Didn’t you say you hadn’t seen it?”
Cassian snorted at the lie the child had told before. Bliss grinned back.
“I actually did. It’s fine. We’re going to get married anyway.”