I can't help but write another fanfic about this pairing. It's the most adorable pairing ever!!! X3

Once again, I don't own Gankutsuou. The Count wouldn't die if I did (schniff schniff). Pieces of advice are welcome, but please, no flames…TT

"…And that's what happened."

The little girl sat still, her frail body quivering. She had just revealed her past to a complete stranger, and yet…she felt an aching need to trust him, as if she had had no other choice but to tell him. He was the only one she had left.

The man sat opposite the young girl with his arms crossed. He didn't even blink while listening to her tragic life story. Though his position displayed a slight sense of austerity, his facial expression did not. It showed a look of utter tenderness and pity.

"…Poor child…You've experienced so much agony…"

His deep, soothing voice made the young girl feel even more nervous. She was on the verge of tears, but she knew better than to cry before a man she'd never met before. But the man could see that she was struggling.

"There's no need to hold it back," he said kindly.

Surprised, the child lifted her head and saw the man smiling. The first smile she'd seen in years…

Finally, she had lost control. The tears gushed out, each teardrop bringing with it all the girl's hidden emotions and experiences, no longer hidden. She immediately stood up and ran to the gentleman, wrapping her arms around his neck, crying uncontrollably on his shoulder.

"I want to see them again…I want to see my parents again…" she whispered shakily. Her body was trembling and she was sobbing relentlessly.

Slowly, the man encircled his arms around the child's waist, stroking her long raven hair. He lifted the girl's chin with his right hand, looking deep into her teary eyes that shone with so much innocence. Their faces were so close that the little girl slightly blushed.

"There's no need for you to worry anymore," he whispered tenderly. "I promise I'll watch over you, just as your mother and father did long ago. I'll make sure you'll live a more comfortable life once again."

Upon hearing this, the young girl felt at ease, for she knew those words were genuine. She wiped away her tears with the back of her right hand.

The man grinned. "Smile for me."

And the girl gave him a shy smile, forgetting all her worries at that very moment. Satisfied, the man pressed his lips against her forehead, making the innocent child's heart skip a beat.

"I'll always be here for you…

…Haydee."