* * *
I had expected this response, so I simply sighed inwardly.
I had asked on the off chance that something might change for Sia’s sake, but I had already anticipated this outcome.
No—there was no way I couldn’t have.
As the Duke, the spaces allowed to me were limited to this castle—my bedroom, office, and the hall at most.
Maybe I should send someone else with him instead.
I was still contemplating this when Haen spoke, as if he could read my mind.
“And Vivi. Vivisian, my foolish friend. Didn’t I warn you? Don’t get too attached to that slave. If you can’t bring yourself to kill him, let me remind you—killing a young, fragile child, one who makes you feel pity against your will, is far too easy.”
His tone remained as gentle as ever.
If I hadn’t noticed the faint ridicule and contempt reflected in his piercing blue eyes, I might have thought I had misheard him.
I stared at him for a moment before nodding slightly, indicating I understood, and left his office.
From behind me, his voice reached my ears—a warning, or perhaps a concern.
“Vivi, be careful.”
I didn’t answer.
Instead, I firmly shut the door behind me.
“…What should I do now?”
Sia was certainly stubborn, but lately, he had started softening—at least towards me.
Knowing that, I could have simply told him no, and he would have accepted it.
But this was the first time in a while he had asked for something.
And because of that, I found myself wanting to grant his wish, no matter what.
Lost in thought, I was walking aimlessly when I overheard a passing servant muttering about how the fireflies would be visible soon.
I stopped in my tracks and turned to the servant.
“Sorry to stop you so suddenly, but… Did you say you’ve seen fireflies lately?”
“Huh? Oh, yes.”
He nodded hesitantly, his movements uncertain.
I watched him silently before slowly curling my lips into a smile.
His eyes, which had held a trace of fear, suddenly went blank the moment he saw my expression.
Instead of pondering over the change, I softened my voice as much as possible and asked,
“Would you be willing to help me with something?”
The servant wore a silver name tag pinned to his chest.
I tapped it lightly and smiled.
“Haen.”
“O-Of course! How can I help you?”
Watching him answer as if entranced, I whispered my request to him, as if sharing a secret.
Haen readily promised to help.
I chuckled a little, patted his shoulder in thanks, and walked past him.
“This should do.”
As I headed back to the office where Sia and Master were waiting, I murmured to myself.
✽ ✽ ✽
Sia yawned widely in Vivisian’s arms, stretching like a lazy cat.
Without needing to adjust, Vivisian skillfully hoisted him up, as if he were used to handling him this way.
“Sia, are you sleepy?”
“I’m so tired I could die… Where exactly are you taking me in the middle of the night? You’re planning something weird, aren’t you?!”
“You still haven’t given up on that joke?”
Vivisian chuckled at Sia’s constant attempts to play pranks whenever the opportunity arose.
Even as he was teased, Sia only let out another sleepy yawn and stretched, his body unfolding in a way that made him seem taller than he usually looked when curled up.
Vivisian, used to this, made sure Sia wouldn’t slip out of his arms.
As they arrived at a room, Sia lazily lifted his head.
“Where is this?”
“A gift from me.”
“…Wait. Is this my room?”
Sia’s expression twisted in displeasure.
For a child his age, wanting his own room should have been natural, yet his reaction was unusual.
After setting Sia down, Vivisian reached out to fix his tousled hair, a result of all the squirming.
“Wouldn’t it be more comfortable to have your own space?”
“Not at all! You have a lot of enemies, right? What if one of them decides to attack me while I’m alone? I need to stay by your side. If something happens, I’ll just use you as my shield. So don’t send me away.”
Staring at him in disbelief, Vivisian let out a breathy laugh.
“In that case, wouldn’t it make more sense for you to stay farther away?”
“Too late!”
Sia declared firmly before throwing open the door, eager to see what was inside.
The moment he took in the sight before him, his mouth fell open.
“What… is this?”
“I told you—it’s a gift.”
“I thought it was just a regular room!”
Mumbling as if making excuses, Sia hesitated before cautiously stepping inside.
A tent had been set up in the room, just as Vivisian had instructed the servants.
A thick, green rug covered the floor, and stuffed animals were scattered around, creating the illusion of a real camping spot.
Sia, absentmindedly touching the soft plush toys, slowly looked up, scanning the surroundings.
That’s when he noticed Vivisian standing in the corner.
As soon as their eyes met, Vivisian switched off the lights and opened a large container.
Fireflies spilled out, flickering like tiny stars against the now-dark ceiling.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t take you outside.”
“……”
“This isn’t much of a replacement, but… I caught some lights from the ground just for you. Do you like it?”
Though he hadn’t been able to go out and catch them himself, Vivisian had helped decorate the room.
He smiled awkwardly, stepping closer to Sia, who was still gazing at the glowing insects.
He effortlessly scooped the boy back into his arms.
Though well-fed and well-rested, Sia still felt unbearably small.
Vivisian patted his back, his laughter light as air, fleeting as if it could disappear at any moment.
Sia remained silent for a long time, resting against Vivisian’s chest.
Then, as if speaking to himself, he murmured,
“If you don’t find my family… Can’t you just be my family instead?”
The words, spoken like a childish complaint, made Vivisian’s expression harden.
Even in the darkness, Sia’s sharp eyes saw everything.
The way Vivisian’s face tensed, the flicker of color in his striking eyes.
The chill of his touch, and the faint vertical slits of his pupils—marking him as something different from ordinary people.
With that cold, Siadowed voice, he answered,
“That’s not possible, Sia. I can’t be your family.”
Even as he wore a face that was endlessly human and kind.
✽ ✽ ✽
Just before handing the documents over to Haen’s aide, Zeu, I skimmed through them one last time.
Zeu frequently came in and out of the office for work.
Yet, Sia, who still hadn’t warmed up to him, was hiding under the desk, avoiding him.
I ran my fingers through the child’s hair as I handed over the documents.
Zeu swiftly flipped through the papers I had given him, neatly stacking them before letting out a short sigh of realization.
His reaction made me wonder if there was something Haen had asked him to pass along.
I waited for him to speak, expecting some sort of message—but his words were slightly different from what I anticipated.
“You’ve probably heard by now, but Viscount Vito’s nephew will be staying at the castle for a short while.”
It was something I had already heard from Master a few days ago.
I glanced over at Master, who was sitting a little further away, and nodded to show that I was aware.
Zeu, who had been quietly observing my response, warned me in his usual calm tone.
“I’m glad you already know. However, it’s not widely known, but the nephew has a rather… unpleasant personality. And, unfortunately, he seems to take after his uncle, Viscount Vito—meaning he doesn’t think very highly of His Grace, the Duke.”
“Oh, well. It’s not like that’s disrespectful or anything. It’s only natural. After all, no one here particularly likes me…”
I muttered nonchalantly, tilting my head slightly as if stating an obvious fact.
Master had already informed me that the nephew disliked me, so I didn’t see the need for Zeu to look so concerned.
When I gave him a questioning look, Zeu hesitated for a moment before adding,
“For that reason, Count De Winter believes it would be best to keep the child hidden while Viscount Vito’s nephew is here.”
“…Haen said that?”
It was something I had considered myself, but knowing Haen had thought the same left a bitter taste in my mouth.
I must’ve let that show, as I murmured to myself.
Zeu, instead of pointing it out, simply affirmed it with his usual composed demeanor.
“Of course, not as much as you do, but the Count also holds great regard for the child you cherish, Your Grace.”
“…I suppose. There’s nothing more to discuss, then. You may go. Send my thanks to the Count for letting me know.”
I swallowed back the words, ‘For now, Sia is the only thing keeping me anchored.’
Once Zeu left, silence settled over the room.
Since I had fallen deep into thought without speaking, both Sia and Master, sensing the mood, had also gone quiet.
It took me a moment to realize that they were holding back their words because of me.
By the time I noticed, the silence had already stretched for quite a while.
Clicking my tongue in mild frustration, I narrowed my eyes in apology.
“Damn, I made you both uncomfortable. Asis, don’t worry—it’s nothing serious. Just do your work as usual. I was just thinking about something. Sia, come here.”
At my gentle whisper, Sia, who had been curled up under the desk watching me, slowly crawled out.
As if it were the most natural thing in the world, he walked straight into my open arms.
Holding his small, warm body close, I let out a breath I hadn’t even realized I had been holding.
“Sia, you heard, right?”
“That some jerk with a nasty personality is coming, so I have to stay out of sight?”
“…Yeah. A jerk with a nasty personality is coming, so you need to stay out of sight for a while.”
Rather than looking concerned, Sia seemed more eager to show off his own bad temper.
I gave him an exasperated look before letting out a soft chuckle.
He was the type who wouldn’t cry even if someone bit him—he’d just bite back.
As admirable as that was, it also worried me that he might get himself into trouble because of it.
I sat him on my lap, gently stroking his head before playfully tickling his chin.
As soon as he started purring, I narrowed my eyes slightly and rested my chin on top of his round head.
“Aren’t you scared?”
“Why would I be? I have Vivi.”
“…I won’t be much help to you, you know.”
“I’m not expecting you to be. Just having you here is enough.”
Hearing that, I looked down. Sia, grinning with his nose slightly scrunched, seemed to be saying he had never expected any help in the first place.
I let out a dry chuckle before reaching out to grab his cheeks.
When he shook his head in protest, I reluctantly let go with a resigned expression.
As he grumbled and rubbed his reddened cheeks, I watched him in silence before calling out softly,
“Sia.”
“What?”
“I’m not joking. You really have to be careful.”
When I spoke in a quiet, serious tone, Sia pursed his lips and looked up at me before nodding obediently.
* * *
So cute.