“Exciting? This is just out of concern. T-then, let’s go quickly.”

Worried that Teddy might say something strange again, Sesenia hastily moved to Lizbeth’s side.

Lizbeth, who had been quietly watching the two, tilted her head.

“Did something happen between you and Teddy? In just one day… You look really strange. No, Teddy’s side also seems a bit odd. It feels like something has changed.”

“Lizbeth.”

“Yes!”

“I’m going to tell Rohan when we return today… And there’s a fact I want to tell you now.”

“A fact?”

“It’s a fact and also the truth.”

Sesenia’s gaze briefly touched Teddy. Her expression seemed to be asking if it was okay to tell her. Teddy, as if he had expected this to some extent, nodded in response.

“What’s the matter that makes you so determined?”

“It’s about Teddy’s identity. The reason we’re going to the temple today, and why we had to bring him along, is because we need someone to prove Teddy’s identity. And I already knew this fact.”

“His identity? Ah. I had somewhat guessed.”

Lizbeth waved her hand as if it were no big deal.

“You don’t need to look so serious.”

Though it seemed like a joke, she appeared to be sincere.

‘But Lizbeth shouldn’t know Teddy.’

Even if Lizbeth had memories of the past, nothing would change.

Lizbeth died in a mysterious accident two months before Sesenia’s death. Teddy was a royal who appeared shortly before Sesenia’s death.

Moreover, while his outward appearance was similar to back then, it was not recognizable at first glance. Compared to then, his body was thinner, and his hair color was different.

‘How does she know…?’

Could it be that Lizbeth knew the sponsor who had supported Teddy in the past? Just as she was thinking ‘surely not, surely not’, that’s when it happened.

“Just looking at him, he seems special, doesn’t he?”

“Do you know his identity?”

“Just… The feeling he gives off and such, it felt like he was from a noble family. Since he was in a slave caravan, is he like a nobleman from another country? Is it some strange situation he’s caught up in? That sounds too much like a fairy tale. A nobleman from another country calling you ‘master, master’.”

Sesenia, who had been skeptical, couldn’t help but chuckle.

“I thought…”

“Is that not it? Surely it’s not beyond nobility…?”

“Teddy.”

“Yes, master.”

Sesenia silently stared at him. It was a signal to take off the ring if he understood. Teddy nodded, and Lizbeth tilted her head in confusion.

“I didn’t deceive you intentionally. Teddy also didn’t know about himself.”

“About his own identity?”

“Yes. Also, even if he knew his identity, he needed time to accept himself. If Teddy hadn’t accepted himself, there would have been no need to reveal it, so that’s why I didn’t say anything. So even if you learn the truth, don’t be too disappointed in Teddy.”

“What’s going on that makes you say that?”

“I’m the one who deceived everyone. Because I knew everything but didn’t say anything.”

Sadness was evident on Sesenia’s face.

“Master. No. Don’t blame yourself. I don’t want my identity to be a source of sadness for you. I want my existence to be a source of joy for you. So… please smile. I want to reveal my identity in a cool way.”

Teddy probably doesn’t know how comforting those words are. Just by expressing his feelings, Sesenia smiled as if she had been saved.

“Okay. I’ll smile. Then Lizbeth. I’ll tell you about Teddy’s identity.”

“I won’t be surprised. Even if he’s a much more amazing being than what I said, I won’t be surprised. So don’t feel sorry. Miss.”

Sesenia slowly nodded, and at that timing, Teddy took off the ring on his hand.

Then, his black hair turned golden. Even inside the carriage, it was a brilliant and noble golden hair that sparkled and shone.

“…”

It was natural for Lizbeth’s face to freeze, even though she had just said she wouldn’t be surprised. What was in front of her was undoubtedly a royal of her own country. A noble royal. A royal bestowed by the gods. The golden hair and golden eyes, that noble and noble being was right in front of her.

“No way?”

After a long moment, Lizbeth, who had finally come to her senses, shook her head.

“Yes…?”

“That hair color is fake, right…?”

“The black hair was fake, and the blonde is real.”

But Lizbeth didn’t seem to believe it at all, shaking her head vigorously.

“No… That’s impossible.”

“It’s possible.”

“…A royal…? A royal of my country…”

“Yes.”

“…Miss… I said I wouldn’t be surprised, but… this is something I can’t help but be surprised about. How can I not be surprised by this!! That hair color. He’s a royal… Now that I look closely, Teddy’s eye color was also golden. My goodness… But even if I saw that, there’s no way I could have guessed. No, no. This isn’t right… Should I apologize first… Should I bow my head first.”

As if her brain was overloaded, Lizbeth, who had been saying various things, suddenly prostrated herself on the floor of the carriage.

“I, I am in the presence of royalty. I… I… I… I have committed a mortal sin by not recognizing you and speaking casually, and saying various things… That… Please don’t kill me even though I’ve committed this sin… I mean…”

That’s when it happened.

Teddy hurriedly sat down.

“I… I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean to hide it.”

“Ah, no. How can you bow together there!! Y-Your Highness…!”

“But I should apologize too.”

“Ah… no… uh… I’m the one who did wrong… Why. Why is Your Highness…”

“You didn’t know anything. Why apologize for something you did when you didn’t know? And even if you knew, it doesn’t matter. Lizbeth is my master’s friend. You can still be comfortable with me.”

Lizbeth didn’t know what to do, and neither did Teddy.

“What are you two doing? You’ll bump heads if you keep that up. Both of you, get up.”

“B-but Miss. After all I’ve done…”

“It’s okay, I said. And Teddy. If you apologize like that, Lizbeth will feel more uncomfortable. So both of you, return to your seats.”

Lizbeth raised her head with a pale face, and Teddy moved like a doll as soon as Sesenia’s order was given, sitting in his seat. Only then did Lizbeth, after some hesitation, slightly rest her bottom on the chair.

“As you can see, Teddy’s identity that we’ve been hiding is that of a royal.”

“No… That… I didn’t expect that at all. When you said it was the truth and a fact, I really thought it was just a nobleman from another country or something. But… to think he was royalty…”

In the empire, royalty were noble beings. Because their bloodline was precious, the status of the mother wasn’t that important. Just being royalty itself, just having golden hair and golden eyes, was enough for them to reign over the people of the empire.

Of course, there was a subtle sense of competition among the royalty based on their mothers’ status, but that was just an internal matter. The fact that royalty were precious and noble remained unchanged.

“Yes. Somehow it turned out that way.”

“And you knew from the beginning, Miss?”

“Yes. Teddy didn’t know, but I knew.”

You still don’t ask anything. Even though I, who have always been with you, know things you don’t know, you don’t say anything.

Sesenia looked at Lizbeth wistfully. Normally, Lizbeth would have immediately noticed such a gaze from Sesenia, but today she seemed unable to take her eyes off Teddy due to the shock.

She tried to say something several times, then stopped, as if something from the past was coming to mind, making an “Ah” sound before stopping. It wasn’t long before Lizbeth, who had done this several times, finally opened her mouth.

“But Miss. Teddy… no. Lord Teddy… no. Lord Tedel…”

“Please call me Teddy comfortably.”

“No. The difference in our status doesn’t allow me to speak so casually, Lord Tedel.”

“Still, until I officially enter the royal court, please treat me comfortably. Like before. And Teddy, you should accept it now too. Your world has already changed.”

At those words, Teddy nodded with a bitter expression.

“You’re right. My world has already changed too much.”

“Even if the things you’re experiencing now feel awkward and strange, you have to adapt.”

“Yes! But please don’t distance yourself from me right away. Lizbeth. I’ve been doing well thanks to you and Rohan. My master is my benefactor, but you two are also my benefactors. So… until I officially go to the royal court… please call me Teddy and treat me comfortably as before. I’m asking you.”

Seeing Teddy’s desperate plea, Lizbeth, perhaps feeling there was no other choice now, belatedly nodded.

“If that’s the case, I’ll treat you comfortably.”

“Yes!”

As if there was something unsatisfactory, Lizbeth let out a deep sigh as soon as the conversation ended.

“Anyway… Lord Tedel is wonderful.”

“Huh? What is?”

“He’s different from that inadequate man in our house. His feelings towards you, all the words he uses to confess… they’re full of love. He’s really a romantic. Lord Tedel is.”

“L-love? No, that’s not…”

“You said you couldn’t love, Miss, but I hope you’ll love Lord Tedel. Someone who likes you that much, someone who loves you that much, I think it would be okay.”

It was a sudden statement.