Chapter Thirty-Eight
Daniel's POV – Waiting
The house was warm and peaceful.
A small fire burned quietly in the corner while snow slowly began falling outside the window. Clare's home felt simple compared to the palace, but somehow it felt far more comfortable.
I sat patiently near the window, expecting to hear the door open at any moment.
But time passed.
Clare still hadn't returned.
Her mother eventually walked into the room, tying her coat.
"Oh dear," she said with a gentle smile. "Clare might take a little longer."
I looked up.
"She's still at the palace?"
"Yes," her mother replied. "Court matters sometimes take time."
She picked up a basket near the door.
"I was actually about to leave for the kindergarten."
I blinked slightly.
"The kindergarten?"
She nodded.
"It's a small place where children of working parents stay during the day. They play there until their mothers or fathers return from work."
She looked at me kindly.
"Would you like to come along while we wait for Clare?"
For a moment I didn't know what to say.
A prince didn't usually spend his afternoon in a town kindergarten.
But the thought of simply sitting here doing nothing felt strange as well.
"I… wouldn't mind," I said.
Her mother smiled warmly.
"Wonderful. The children will be happy to meet a visitor."
The kindergarten was only a short walk away.
The building was small and cheerful, with colorful drawings decorating the wooden walls. Laughter echoed from inside as soon as we approached.
When we entered, several children looked up curiously.
"Teacher!" one of them shouted happily.
Clare's mother laughed softly.
"Yes, yes, I'm here."
She helped a small girl tie her scarf while another boy proudly showed her a wooden toy he had built.
I watched quietly from the doorway.
There was no royal ceremony here.
No guards.
No titles.
Just children laughing and playing.
Clare's mother moved between them patiently, helping one child read a few letters while comforting another who had tripped and scraped his knee.
She worked with such natural kindness that it surprised me.
"You care for them every day?" I asked.
She nodded while arranging small books on a table.
"Many of their parents work long hours."
Her voice was gentle.
"So someone must look after them."
A little boy suddenly approached me, staring curiously.
"Are you new?"
I hesitated before answering.
"Yes… you could say that."
The boy smiled proudly.
"Then you can help us build a castle."
I couldn't help laughing softly.
"Alright."
Soon I found myself sitting on the floor, helping children stack wooden blocks into a crooked tower.
Clare's mother watched the scene with a quiet smile.
For the first time since arriving in Wilson, I realized something.
Clare hadn't just grown up in a peaceful town.
She had grown up surrounded by people who cared about others.
And somehow that explained a lot about the person she had become.
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