Hiding the Emperor's Child

Chapter 63

Astelle approached Theor, who was still engrossed in the puppet show, with Kaizen following closely behind. She gently called out to him, capturing his attention.

"Theor," Astelle began, "how long do you want to stay here?"

Theor's eyes sparkled with excitement as he replied, "It's so much fun! I want to see more."

On the small stage, the rabbit and bear puppets were going for another walk, seemingly repeating their previous performance. Astelle couldn't help but wonder if they were doing the same thing again.

However, Theor remained captivated by the show, his focused expression adorable to behold. It was clear that he had never seen a puppet show like this before.

Astelle, concerned about Theor's well-being, "Aren't you hungry or thirsty?"

"I'm a little thirsty," Theor admitted.

With a reassuring smile, Astelle assured him, "Alright, I'll buy you something to drink. Wait here."

Theor nodded obediently, and Astelle approached Kaizen. She hesitated for a moment, unable to address him as 'Your Majesty.' Instead, she softly mumbled her request, "Um... Can you please watch over him?"

"Do not worry."

Astelle made her way to the aisle of the square, intending to buy some snacks for Theor. She wanted to ensure that he had something to eat and drink while enjoying the puppet show.

Kaizen kept a watchful eye on Theor as he continued to enjoy the puppet show. After a while, a woman approached them, carrying a basket filled with cups of freshly squeezed fruit juice. Normally, Kaizen wouldn't consider purchasing anything from a place like this, but for some reason, he felt thirsty.

Curiosity piqued, Kaizen called out to the woman, asking about the price.

"One shilling per cup."

Without hesitation, he handed her the money and took two cups of the plain juice, a mixture of common fruits, water, and a hint of sugar.

As Kaizen took a sip, he was greeted by a delightful combination of rich fruity aroma and a sweet yet tangy taste. It was a flavor that he imagined children would adore. Glancing over at Theor, who was still entranced by the puppet show, Kaizen handed him the second cup.

"Come on, you said you were thirsty. Drink this while enjoying the play," Kaizen suggested kindly.

"Thank you," Theor replied gratefully, accepting the cup with both hands. He took small sips of the juice, his gaze never leaving the puppet show. It was evident that he was completely absorbed in the performance.

Kaizen couldn't help but wonder if Theor would stay until the fair came to an end. Despite that, he couldn't deny that bringing Theor out had been a good decision, seeing how much he enjoyed the puppet show.

Theor's eyes sparkled with excitement as he watched, his innocence and enthusiasm shining through.

Kaizen found himself growing fond of the young boy, a sentiment he had never experienced before. Although he had never been particularly fond of children, Theor's adorable nature and bright demeanor warmed his heart.

'What a cute boy.'

Kaizen sat beside Theor, sipping his fruit juice as he watched the puppet show with a distant gaze. The dolls on the stage moved their limbs back and forth, captivating the audience's attention.

Suddenly, something tumbled to the ground near Kaizen's feet, causing a murmur among the surrounding crowd. His attention snapped back to the present, and he looked down to see Theor crouched on the floor, trembling. An empty juice cup rolled next to him.