“Then, Teacher met someone he loved and even had a child.”

“But where did everyone go?”

“Right now… can’t meet them. Teacher’s wife died in an accident, and Teacher’s son is now being raised at Teacher’s home.”

“……”

“As adults said, Teacher couldn’t do anything, so in the end, Teacher couldn’t even protect his family.”

As the man spoke with a bitter smile, Celine, who had been silently listening, turned her body to face the man and looked into his eyes.

“It’s okay, Teacher.”

“Huh?”

“Instead, Teacher just needs to protect me. I protected Teacher too, right? Huh?”

As if comforting, Celine looked at the man’s face and smiled. In response to Celine’s smile, the man, raising the corners of his mouth, hugged Celine.

“Yeah, that’s right. So, Celine will grow up to be a more splendid adult than Teacher.”
The two people faced each other and smiled. That’s when someone knocked on the door from outside. Soon, the door opened, and Marion came in.

“Excuse me. Is Celine here by any chance… Celine, were you again at the teacher’s house like this?”

“No, I was about to leave!”

Worried that her mother might scold her, Celine slipped out of the man’s arms and headed towards the door, chirping. Watching Celine run out, the man smiled as if finding her cute, and Marion lowered her head slightly to the man.

“I’m sorry. It’s because of me that you can’t rest until this late every time.”

“No, it’s okay. Playing with Celine is enjoyable for me too.”

“Still…”

“And now you don’t have to be so polite. This isn’t the royal palace, and I’m no longer the crown prince.”

Theodor Helium. That was the man’s real name, who used to be the Crown Prince of the Helium Empire. At Theodor’s words, Marion smiled faintly.

“Yes. But it’s not easy. It’s been several weeks since Her Highness came here.”

“I felt a bit surprised too at that time. When I came to my senses, I found the Ulfirum Duchess right in front of me, and I really thought you were dead.”

“When Celine said someone was lying outside, I didn’t think for a moment that it would be you.”

A few weeks ago, Celine found Theodor, who had collapsed from starvation, and their reunion took place. Although both were extremely surprised to think that the other was dead, considering the circumstances, they had to carefully discuss past matters.

“Oh, and I’ve been meaning to ask for a while, but what happened to your hair color?”

“Oh, this?”

In response to Marion’s question, Theodor awkwardly touched his brown hair.

Before escaping from the palace, just after meeting the Elfesha Princess, or rather, now the Duchess, he received a potion to change his hair color from her. Although she warned that it was the first time he would be using the potion and there might be side effects, he used it in a hurry. Since then, his hair has been brown.

“…So that’s how it was.”

After a short silence, Theodor spoke.

“…Hey, Marion. No, here, I should call you Hanna now.”

“Yes.”

“If my presence here causes any trouble, I’ll move to another place.”

Currently, both of them were living as commoners. However, if either of their true identities were revealed, it would cause a tremendous uproar. Knowing this well, Theodor was prepared to leave at any time. But Marion shook her head.

“No. You don’t have to do that.”

“…”

“How can I, who is living hiding my identity just like you, tell you to leave? Celine is following Your Highness very well, and the people in the village really like Your Highness for teaching the children. So, as long as Your Highness is okay with it, I’d like you to stay here even longer.”
Surprised by his words, Theodor blinked and soon smiled.

“Yeah. Thanks.”

“Well, I should be going now.”

Outside, Celine was calling for Marion as if wondering why she wasn’t coming out. Theodor called Marion, who was bidding farewell to leave.

“Oh, Hanna.”

“Yes?”

“But are you truly happy right now?”

In response to his words, Marion grinned and answered.

“Yes, very much so.”

Theodor also smiled at Marion’s words.

“Mom! Let’s go quickly! Bye, teacher!”

“Sure. Goodbye, Celine.”

Theodor went outside, watching Marion and Celine moving away. It was truly a quiet and peaceful scene. None of them knew. That peace would soon be shattered.