The Unemployed Prince Covets My Nephew - Chapter 27
Having escaped Axel’s embrace, Hailey finally realized that a few steps behind them, attendants and maids were following.
Feeling embarrassed, Hailey adjusted her clothes and walked again with dignity.
‘Cute.’
Seeing Hailey act embarrassed but then resume her ‘dignified princess consort’ role, Axel found her endearing and matched her pace.
“Have you asked the kid more about that incident?”
“I did, but there were no new findings. His answers were the same. Have you found out anything more?”
It was still unexplained how Theo escaped from the warehouse in Lint Harbor and evaded their surveillance to reach the candy shop.
The idea that Theo, who didn’t even know the way, had escaped alone in the dark night from Lint Harbor to the candy shop was beyond Hailey’s understanding.
The heavy iron lock on the box found on the Vasain ship couldn’t be opened even after several punches. Axel had to use his aura and strike it with a sword to open it.
“They seem to suspect a traitor among themselves, but unfortunately, there wasn’t anyone who helped. No one had a reason to risk such great danger to help a child meant to be sacrificed to Vasa.”
“Then our Theo…”
“My conclusion is that he escaped on his own.”
“……We’re back to square one.”
Unable to understand, Hailey had sat Theo down and carefully asked how he got to the candy shop that night, and Theo had answered without hesitation.
‘It was too dark, so I said I wanted to get out, and the door opened.’
‘Did someone open it for you? Do you remember the face, voice, or smell of the person who opened it?’
‘No! It wasn’t anyone!’
‘No one?’
‘Yeah. It just opened. It was really amazing!’
Theo answered with bright eyes.
Of course, there wasn’t a hint of deceit in those eyes, but Hailey thought he might be too young to remember accurately, even if he was smart.
Both Hailey and Khalid thought Theo might be talking about a dream he had due to the trauma of that night.
Moreover, Theo said he hid behind a pillar after the door opened but was so scared that he fell asleep and woke up to find Hailey in front of him.
The part about falling asleep likely meant he lost consciousness, but the problem was his explanation that he woke up in front of the candy shop.
The most plausible conclusion seemed to be that someone had helped him.
But Axel gave more weight to the possibility that Theo’s words were not just a dream but the truth.
“It’s not square one. There’s one way left that could explain how he moved that distance alone.”
“How?”
“Teleportation.”
“What??”
Hailey was so shocked that she asked loudly.
“Could you say that again? I think I misheard.”
“You heard right. Teleportation makes it possible.”
“I don’t know much, but… I read in a book that magic is a field for a very select few. It’s not something anyone can learn like history.”
“Only those chosen among those who inherit the blood of mages can use magic to manifest spells.”
“Exactly.”
Magic has been a field of study that has been lurking in the shadows for an unusually long time
In ancient times before the founding of Zenovia, mages were persecuted. Even now, some nobles still considered magic to be the plaything of vile and wicked people.
At least on the continent of Zenovia, mages were employed at the royal palace and received high salaries, but they were still not considered on par with clergy and were regarded as having a lower status.
Theo using magic? Hailey had never taught him, nor could she, so it was impossible for Theo to be able to use magic.
“Teleportation, you say.”
Our Theo?
It was so far beyond Hailey’s understanding that it felt like something had broken inside her.
“Of course, generally speaking, you need to know incantations to use magic.”
“Then it makes even less sense. Theo can’t know something I haven’t taught him.”
“But theoretically, there are those who can use magic without incantations. Although the royal palace mage, who has been using magic for 40 years, said he has never seen such a mage.”
“And you think our Theo is one of them? That’s… quite a reliable theory, isn’t it?”
Hailey gave Axel a skeptical look.
Axel pretended not to notice Hailey’s gaze.
“Anyway, we need to keep this story from getting out. There’s nothing good that can come from it. Winchester has many mages, and their understanding of magic and magical tools is beyond imagination here. We can investigate further when we get to Winchester. Until then, keep this to yourself.”
“Got it. But if what you’re saying is true, could Theo’s biological father possibly be…?”
“He might have been someone who could use magic.”
Hailey had been curious about Theo’s biological father, but she had never imagined something like this.
‘If this man’s guess is correct, what will happen to Theo?’
Zenovia was relatively tolerant of religion but not of magic.
The deep-rooted perception of mages was very negative. Even in children’s fairy tales, mages were often depicted as dark, evil, and sinister beings.
Agreeing with Axel that nothing good could come from this being known, Hailey nodded vigorously.
“But Theo is still Theo, no matter what kind of child he is.”
“Yes, because you are his mom.”
“And you are his dad.”
“……”
“……Dad.”
When Hailey emphasized the word, Axel felt a bit choked up.
‘It could happen.’
Axel had often seen other noble children reaching out and calling ‘Dad, Dad.’
He imagined Theo calling him ‘Dad.’ It seemed quite cute.
So, when Hailey was distracted by other matters, Axel secretly approached Theo and offered him a few candies in exchange for calling him ‘Dad.’
Theo, being smart, understood immediately and began calling him ‘Dad’ with a bright smile every time he saw him.
“I needed to practice before meeting the Grand Duke.”
Axel explained.
“But we’re getting divorced in a year. I can’t imagine how confusing it will be for the child later.”
When Hailey replied with a pout, Axel gave a sly smile.
“Are you sure about that?”
Feeling embarrassed, Hailey quickly turned her head and ended the conversation with a hasty ‘Anyway.’
The dense forest was vast but not particularly special. However, after walking for a while, a large lake appeared at the end of the path.
The expansive lake, visible through the tall and lush trees, was breathtakingly beautiful, with the castle’s reflection on its surface. Swans and birds floated leisurely on the lake.
“Wow—”
“After the trial, how about we take the kid and go boating, the three of us?”
“That sounds wonderful! Theo would be thrilled.”
Hailey, who rarely got this excited, was captivated by the lake’s scenery, her eyes sparkling like a child’s.
This forest was a place Axel often visited. After returning from the battlefield covered in blood, he would send Khalid away and spend a long time alone in this forest.
Before leaving the palace, he wanted to show Hailey this place, and seeing her so happy made him feel proud.
“Is there a chance to talk to my parents after the trial?”
“It’s possible after the trial. If you wish, I can arrange a meeting even now.”
“No, I don’t want to see them now. Please arrange a meeting after the trial. I have something I must say to them.”
The baron couple, imprisoned in the underground dungeon, kept requesting to meet Hailey, claiming they were wronged and needed to clear up misunderstandings with their daughter.
Despite numerous testimonies from the servants, they admitted nothing.
Hailey no longer had any lingering feelings or grudges toward the baron couple. She felt contempt and anger but had moved beyond those emotions and didn’t want to leave any remnants of feelings for them.
“……I should have resolved this without a trial, but I’m sorry you had to go through this for political reasons.”
“……”
“I wanted to say this, Hailey.”
Axel was not someone who apologized. He even held his head high before the king.
Having observed him for a few days, Hailey had a rough idea of what kind of person he was.
“If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have seen this beautiful scenery.”
Hailey extended her hand to Axel with a bright smile.
For some reason, that smiling face reminded him of Theo.
Perhaps that was why. Axel couldn’t take his eyes off Hailey.