While Sion was resting one quiet afternoon, the wooden gate creaked open.
The sound was soft but familiar.
From inside the house, Eiran paused, then walked toward the door.
When he opened it, his eyes widened slightly.
"Well… this is unexpected."
Standing outside were the twins—bright, smiling, and as lively as ever.
But they weren't alone.
A young man stood beside them, dressed simply but neatly. He looked close to their age, perhaps a little older, with a composed posture that didn't quite match his friendly expression.
"Uncle Eiran!" the twins greeted warmly. "How have you been?"
Eiran stepped aside to let them in, still surprised.
"We're fine," he replied. "Though I didn't expect you to come without guards."
The twins exchanged a glance before one of them laughed.
"We do have guards," the other said. "They're just… not obvious."
The young man behind them spoke then, his voice steady.
"They're stationed from a distance," he explained. "Enough to watch without drawing attention."
His smile deepened slightly.
"And with me here, there's little to worry about."
The twins immediately nodded in agreement.
"Exactly!"
By then, Sion had already stepped out.
His gaze fell on the unfamiliar figure—
Then paused.
"…Felian?"
The young man's expression softened just slightly.
"It's been a long time,uncle," Felian said.
Sion's lips curved faintly.
"Indeed."
After resting and exchanging greetings, the twins quickly grew restless.
"Can we visit the smallholding again?" Riven asked eagerly.
"Yes, please!" Rhen added. "We didn't get to see everything last time."
Felian tucked his hands behind his back, his posture relaxing into a stance that was far too composed to be innocent. A slow, knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"I'd like to see it as well," he murmured, his voice laced with a sudden, sharp interest.
Sion gave a small nod.
"Then let's go."
The moment they stepped into the smallholding, the twins froze in awe.
"Woah…"
Even though the land wasn't fully planted, everything that was planted had borne fruit.
Rows of vegetables stood ready for harvest.
Fruit trees, though modest in number, were heavy with produce.
The air itself felt warm and alive.
"It's beautiful…" Rhen murmured.
Felian looked around carefully.
Then nodded once.
"…It is."
But inwardly, his thoughts drifted elsewhere.
So Father was worried for nothing…
Who would have thought Uncle would truly commit to living like this…
For two years, there had been quiet concern.
Fear that Sion might follow the same path as the queen consort.
But standing here now—
We were wrong.
Felian's gaze lingered briefly on Sion.
Completely wrong.
They eventually settled under the shade of a tree.
Sion sat across from them.
"So," he said calmly, "what brings you here?"
The twins looked at each other before answering.
"We heard about what happened to you," Riven said softly.
"So we wanted to check on you,"Riven added.
Sion blinked slightly.
Then gave a small smile.
"Thank you."
Felian, meanwhile, glanced around.
"…Where is Eiran?"
"He's busy," Sion replied. "Preparing things for the harvest."
"Oh!"
One of the twins suddenly perked up.
"What time do you usually sell your crops at the town market?"
Sion shook his head.
"I don't sell them directly."
He gestured toward the baskets nearby.
"Some are processed and delivered to the guild. The rest… we keep."
The twins blinked.
"…That's a lot for personal use."
Felian hummed.
"I see."
Then, with a faint smile, he added,
"So you avoid going to town because people might recognize you as Prince Caelum… or is it because of the rumor—"
Before he could finish—
The twins immediately covered his mouth.
"Shhh!"
"Don't say that out loud!"
Felian blinked, and laughed against their grip.
The twins quickly turned back to Sion.
"Then we'll sell them instead!"
Sion paused.
"…What?"
"As repayment!" one of them said brightly.
"For everything you've done!" the other added.
Sion didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he studied them.
Their excitement.
Felian's quiet amusement.
Then he spoke.
"What if someone recognizes you?" he asked. "Or something happens? Selling in the market isn't as simple as it sounds."
The twins grinned.
"We came prepared."
They pulled out a small vial of liquid.
The same kind Eiran had used before when they were running from Aleric.
"This changes eye color," Rhen calmly explained.
"And of course," Riven added, gesturing proudly, "Felian will be with us."
Felian gave a small, confident nod.
"Trust us," the twins said together. "We'll earn a lot for you."
Sion exhaled softly.
"…Very well."
The twins beamed.
"But tomorrow morning," Sion added. "Eiran will arrange everything first—the stall, the taxes, and the permits."
"Yay!"
They were practically glowing with excitement.
That night, just as Sion was about to head to his room,The twins suddenly stopped him.
"We almost forgot!"
They handed him a small vial.
"This is for you."
Sion looked at it.
"…What is this?"
"It changes hair color," one of them said.
Sion blinked.
"…Hair?"
The twins nodded.
"It's from Darius," they added casually.
Sion froze for a moment.
"…Darius?"
"Mm-hmm. He said to give it to you."
They waved goodnight and left him standing there.
Later that night, Sion lay on his bed, staring at the small bottle in his hand.
The liquid inside shimmered faintly.
"…Hair color," he murmured.
The autumn harvest festival would be held in the town plaza.
Everyone would be wearing masks.
That alone should have been enough to hide his identity.
And yet—
Darius had still thought of this.
Sion exhaled softly.
How… considerate.
It hadn't even crossed his mind.
Yes, the workers who once served here had seen his face—but they could be trusted.
Some had already forgotten what Prince Caleum looks like while the others had never even seen Prince Caelum in the first place.
Still…
He thought of it anyway.
Sion turned slightly, placing the bottle beside him.
"…I really should thank him."
He closed his eyes.
But for some reason—
A small, quiet warmth lingered in his chest.