Hidden in the bushes, the twin siblings watched, giggling, marvelling at how perfect their parents looked together, and surprised to see their father acting so gentle. Excited, Odell decided to launch one final push to help nudge her parents closer together.
Suddenly, thousands of fireflies lit up the forest, creating a shimmering magical scene that left Cecil awestruck. Gina removed her hood, her eyes sparkling as they reflected the shimmering magical light, and she could not help but praise the beauty of the tiny glowing lights.
Cecil turned to make conversation, asking whether she too was searching for a lost child. Gina nodded, confirming that she and her daughter were playing hide-and-seek, which made Cecil think to himself that this family's child must be just as mischievous as his own son. They began to open up, sharing stories about their children's antics — catching bugs, fishing, climbing trees for fruit — lamenting that the moment they let their guard down, the children got themselves into trouble.
When Cecil asked whether raising a child was exhausting, Gina smiled and replied that although it was tiring, patient observation always revealed what was really going on in a child's heart. She happily shared that simply seeing her child happy and adorable made all the exhaustion melt away, and that every sacrifice felt entirely worth it. Cecil looked at the woman before him with a gentle, understanding gaze, while nearby Theodore, hidden and listening, was moved to hear his father admit such a thing.
Gina accidentally stumbled, and Cecil quickly caught her. Both of them apologised awkwardly, standing close together in the moment. He kindly handed her a branch to use as support, advising her to hold on to it for easier footing in the dark forest. Gina murmured her thanks quietly, thinking to herself that despite this man's cold exterior, he was deep down incredibly warm and kind.
Cecil grew curious about the child's father. Gina's expression flickered with sadness at the mention of her personal circumstances, but she remained resolute, insisting that she would give her child all the love she could, even alone.
The stranger's resilience struck Cecil deeply, her image overlapping in his mind with the memory of his fierce, strong-willed ex-wife. He recalled the image of a delicate young noblewoman, undeterred by hardship, working with her own hands under the blazing sun. Her nimble hands, deftly turning the soil back then, had contrasted so starkly with her fragile, delicate appearance that he simply could not look away. She used to whisper to the flowers, hoping they would bloom quickly so that she could make perfume for her husband, believing perfume would be better than a simple sachet. Hearing her wish that he might sleep peacefully every night, Cecil's heart had stirred back then, and he had wondered whether all that care had truly been meant for him. His heart had raced, and for the very first time a selfish desire had begun to take root — the wish to keep that woman by his side forever. But reason quickly stamped out the thought, leaving him to scold himself for entertaining such far-fetched fantasies.
Back in the present, Cecil realised with bitter sorrow that perhaps he had loved Gina since that very time, but now it was all just a thing of the past, since she was no longer with him.
Seeing him fall silent, staring at her, Gina worried that she had said something inappropriate. She scolded herself for pouring out her heart to a stranger, while Cecil quickly waved his hands, explaining that he was simply in awe of her kindness and resilience. Wistfully, he admitted that she reminded him of someone from his past, and expressed the hope of hearing more of her parenting experiences if they ever met again. Gina politely agreed.
In the bushes, the two children cheered with delight, thrilled that their plan to bring their parents together had succeeded splendidly, and by then they had also managed to swap their clothes back. The little bird chirped happily as the two siblings shared a reluctant goodbye, Theodore firmly promising to sneak out again to visit his sister and their mother. The boy affirmed their unbreakable bond, reassuring his sister not to worry, since he would find a way to sneak out and visit often.
With everything settled, Odell called out for her mother, urging Gina to hurry over so that they could leave. Gina rushed after her daughter, warning her not to run too fast or she would fall, only to trip herself instead.
Cecil shouted a warning, seeing the woman about to fall into danger. In the moment she stumbled, Gina's hood slipped off, revealing her true hair, and once again Cecil caught her just in time. He anxiously asked whether she was hurt. Gina murmured that she was fine, but the moment had brought them closer together than ever before. Cecil was stunned to feel his heart racing wildly, with no trace of the usual aversion he expected when touching this woman.
Gina unconsciously whispered his name, half in disbelief, not daring to believe it. She quickly pushed the thought away, telling herself not to fantasise, steeling herself with the reminder that tomorrow she would leave this place forever.
Just then the guards rushed in, gaping in shock at the sight of the prince embracing a strange woman. Cecil released her and turned to face his subordinates, who had all dropped to their knees in greeting. He coldly asked whether the young master had been found yet. The trembling guards reported that there was still no sign of him.
By now Gina was absolutely certain that this man was Cecil, and she scrambled to find a way to escape before the fog cleared and revealed her face completely. He ordered the soldiers to widen the search, telling them to help find this woman's child as well. A soldier hesitated, glancing at Gina with suspicion, seemingly about to ask something more.
Cecil's gaze accidentally fell on the royal Toronto crest lying on the ground — the precious token he had once given Gina on their wedding day. Holding the crest, still faintly scented with a familiar floral fragrance, Cecil pieced the clues together, remembering that only one outlying village grew that particular flower. He immediately ordered the entire village sealed off, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving.
Soldiers swarmed to surround Gina's village, but Cecil ordered them all to stand down while he went in alone. Stepping into the modest little house, Cecil felt a pang of sorrow, wondering whether his wife had truly been living in such hardship all these years. A familiar scent lingered faintly in the room, confirming his suspicion — a scent that had always brought him a sense of peace.