“Just in case you’d changed your mind. That makes four of us, including you and me.”
“One more is fine, right?”
“One more?”
At the sudden addition, Cashian frowned. Jeffrey grinned and replied,
“Yeah, a friend of mine. The more the merrier, right?”
Then he gave a playful wink. Something about it felt off to Cashian, but Jeffrey burst out laughing as if it were nothing and lightly slapped his arm.
“Didn’t you say you wanted a wild, thrilling vacation? Why are you getting timid all of a sudden?”
It was a small and trivial provocation, but it worked. Cashian relaxed his guard and shrugged.
“I was just curious. Do whatever you want. I don’t mind.”
“Good. Let’s have some real fun.”
With that, Jeffrey lifted his beer bottle as if in a toast and drained the rest in one go. Then he clapped his hands and jerked his chin behind Cashian. When Cashian turned, his eyes immediately met the women.
“Hi.”
One of them greeted him with a smile, and Cashian returned it faintly.
“Hi, I’m Cashian. And you?”
“I’m Kitty. This is my friend Vivi.”
After introducing her friend, Kitty tilted her head and asked,
“Are you a celebrity? You look familiar.”
Cashian gave a short laugh and shook his head.
“Sorry to disappoint, but no.”
“Really? Then are you a trait user? An alpha?”
At that, he shook his head again.
“Sorry again, but no. I’m a beta.”
“…Really?”
Kitty blinked in surprise. Just then, the music changed. Cashian looked down at her and asked,
“Want to dance?”
Instead of answering, Kitty took his outstretched hand. Soon after they stepped onto the floor, they were already sharing a deep kiss.
“Young master, please wake up. Young master.”
The servant struggled to support Cashian, trying repeatedly to rouse him. But Cashian could barely manage to move his feet as directed, completely unable to open his eyes.
At least he had taken a taxi home. Perhaps it was due to the duke’s strict rule that one must never drive after even a single drop of alcohol—he always returned by taxi in situations like this. The problem now was that someone would have to go retrieve the car later. Still, it was far better than risking an accident out of reckless bravado.
“Alright, right foot first. That’s it.”
Supporting him on both sides, the servants groaned as they carried him down the corridor. Unbeknownst to them, a small shadow watched their retreating figures from hiding. Too busy moving Cashian, they noticed nothing and eventually reached his room.
“Phew.”
After finally laying the young master onto the bed, they looked down at him, already fast asleep, then returned to their duties.
“I’ll go get the car, so you take care of him.”
“Got it. The key… here it is.”
One servant tossed the key he had found in his pocket, and the other caught it lightly before hurrying out. The one who remained removed Cashian’s shoes and coat, unbuttoned a couple of buttons on his shirt, and let out a sigh.
Only after pulling the sheet up to his chest did he leave as well, finally leaving Cashian alone.
The room filled with the steady rhythm of deep breathing. Soon, morning light began to stream in, and the tightly closed door slowly opened. A small, ominous shadow tiptoed inside, approaching carefully—yet Cashian remained fast asleep, completely unaware.
It sounded like birds chirping in the distance. His hearing returned first, but then he realized something else—his chest felt heavy.
…What is this?
“Ugh.”
Cashian groaned, frowning. Something was pressing down on him. Was this what people called sleep paralysis? He had never experienced it himself, but he had heard of it.
Still, the suffocating pressure and discomfort were deeply unpleasant. On top of that, the alcohol from the night before had come back as a brutal hangover. His head was heavy, his stomach uneasy—and now this on top of it.
He could guess what would happen next. Even if he opened his eyes, he would probably see some kind of illusion. He had never seen a ghost in this castle before, so whatever was sitting on his chest—
“…Huh.”
He barely managed to open his eyes—and let out a hollow sigh.
A small, round face was staring down at him.
“You’re awake! Cashian, did you sleep well?”
The child, who had clearly been waiting, didn’t miss the chance. He grabbed Cashian’s face and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.
“Ugh, you smell!”
Even after the sudden attack, Cashian could only blink blankly. Bliss pinched his nose and turned his head, groaning in discomfort. Still trying to process what was happening, Cashian stared, and Bliss grinned.
“I was waiting for you to wake up. You sleep so late, Cashian. I woke up loooong ago.”
Seeing the child giggle with both hands covering his mouth, Cashian’s mind slowly began to clear.
So this brat just walked into my room and woke me up like this…?
He had been avoiding him so carefully for days, only to be ambushed like this. The thought suddenly made exhaustion wash over him. Groaning, he covered his face with one hand.
“Hmm? Cashian, what’s this?”
At Bliss’s sudden question, Cashian froze.
Now what is it, you little—
He parted his fingers and looked down. Bliss, still sitting on his chest, had turned around, peering curiously at something.
“What is he looking at…?”
Frowning, Cashian couldn’t see properly because the child was blocking his view. Then Bliss shifted slightly and said,
“That’s weird. What did you put under the sheet? Is it a balloon? Or bread?”
The moment he felt small fingers poke at it, Cashian immediately understood the situation. His face flushed instantly, and he reached out in a hurry.
“Wait, Bliss. Don’t touch that—”
Before he could stop him, the child tilted his head—and struck down forcefully.
Thud.
A strangled cry never fully escaped his lips as Cashian curled up sharply, his entire body tensing in pain.
“Ahh!”
Startled, Bliss tumbled off him and rolled across the bed.
The breakfast table was silent. Aside from the occasional clink of utensils, nothing broke the stillness. Bliss carefully glanced at Cashian.
He looked even more exhausted than when he had first woken up, sitting at the table and tearing bread apart without eating it. Unable to watch any longer as the shredded pieces piled up on the plate, the Duchess spoke.
“Cashian, what are you doing? You need to eat properly.”
Even after being addressed, he showed no reaction. Only after reducing a piece of bread to scraps did he finally stop.
“Mother.”
“Yes?”
At his quiet call, the Duchess answered in surprise. Still staring into the distance, Cashian spoke.
“You said a month, right?”
“What? Ah, yes.”
Realizing what he meant a beat late, she nodded. Cashian lowered his head and muttered,
“…A month.”
That single sigh carried far too many emotions. The Duchess could only blink, completely unable to grasp the situation.
“Um, Cashian.”
After finishing his meal and heading back to his room, a hesitant voice called out from behind him. As expected, the troublesome little child stood there, fidgeting nervously.
As Cashian turned to him as if to ask what it was now, Bliss spoke cautiously, concern written on his face.