The marketpce buzzed with life—merchants calling out deals, the chatter of townsfolk, the occasional ctter of a dropped basket. The scent of fresh bread, ripe fruit, and sizzling meat filled the air as Celia strolled gracefully between stalls, Grem trailing slightly behind, his small legs making it hard to keep up. He had decided to follow her on her grocery shopping, as he couldn’t really do much in this state.

  They stopped at a vegetable vendor’s stall, where a burly man with a graying beard was arranging bright red tomatoes in a neat pile. He looked up at the elf woman, and his face breaking into a warm smile.

  “Ah, Lady Celia! Good to see you, as always.” His eyes then drifted downward, nding on Grem. “Oh? And who’s this little fellow?”

  Celia smiled politely. “Hello, Harold. I’m just picking up a few things for dinner.”

  Harold nodded, then turned his attention back to Grem, studying him curiously. “Didn’t know you had another kid! He’s a cute one.”

  Grem froze. Celia parted her lips, about to correct him, but then—she realized that might not be the best idea. How exactly was she supposed to expin this? She could say that this is actually her husband, but a demon princess turned him into a child, and now she’s looking after him…but that would raise way too many questions.

  Instead, she just smiled sweetly. “I’m looking after him for now.”

  Harold gave a hearty chuckle. “Well, aren’t you kind? Lucky little guy, having a strong dy adventurer watch over him.”

  Celia ruffled Grem’s hair again, making him scowl. “Yes, he’s very lucky.”

  Grem shot her a gre but held his tongue.

  After paying, Celia adjusted the bag of vegetables on her hip as they walked away from the stall. Grem, hands stuffed into his pockets, gnced up at her. “That was a pretty smooth lie back there,” he admitted. “You’re clever.”

  Celia smirked. “It’s just easier that way. The st thing we need is to attract attention.”

  Grem hummed in agreement. It was already humiliating enough being half his original size—he didn’t need the whole town whispering about it. As they strolled along the cobblestone path, Grem suddenly halted in his tracks.

  Celia took a few steps forward before realizing he wasn’t beside her. She turned, only to see him staring intently into the window of a children’s store.

  Inside, wooden toys, plush creatures, and colorful sweets were dispyed neatly. Small mannequins wore cute outfits, and wooden knights stood proudly among painted castles. “Grem?”

  He didn’t respond. Instead his eyes gleamed as he gazed at the wooden swords on the dispy.

  “…Grem?” Celia called again.

  Suddenly, as if a switch flipped in his brain, Grem turned to her, wide-eyed and grinning. “Miss Celia!” he grabbed Celia’s hand and started pulling her toward the shop. “Look, look! Can we go in? I wanna see the toys!”

  Celia blinked.

  Her husband, the same Grem who once syed monsters and negotiated trade deals, was now yanking her sleeve like an excited child begging for sweets. She covered her mouth, stifling a giggle. If he was going to py the part, she might as well py along.

  “Alright, alright,” she said, letting herself be dragged inside.

  The moment they entered, Grem dashed to the wooden sword section. He lifted one, testing the weight like an actual warrior, then gave it a few experimental swings. The bde was light, but sturdy enough for a child’s toy.

  Celia watched him with amusement.

  “Mama, can I have this one?” Grem turned to her, eyes sparkling. Celia found his behavior quite odd, but she nodded gracefully and walked to the counter. “We’ll take this.”

  The store clerk, a kind-looking older woman, smiled warmly. “What an adorable little boy! He looks so happy with it.”

  Celia patted Grem’s head. “Yes, he’s very happy.”

  Once they left the store, Grem immediately stopped swinging the sword and froze. His usual tired, adult expression returned. Grem blinked, staring down at the wooden sword in his hands. His grip tightened around the handle as a cold realization crept in.

  “Wait… what just happened?” he muttered. The st few moments felt like a haze, like he had been moving on instinct rather than conscious thought.

  He looked up at Celia, who was watching him with a knowing smile.

  “You don’t remember?” she asked, tilting her head.

  Grem shook his head. “Not really. I remember seeing the shop, and then—” He paused, staring at the sword again. “I don’t remember actually wanting this.”

  Celia tapped a finger to her lips, pretending to think. “Well, you were very excited. You called me ‘Miss Celia’ and begged me to take you inside.”

  “...I did what?”

  Celia giggled. “Oh, and you also dragged me into the store and picked that sword out yourself. The shopkeeper thought you were adorable.”

  Grem simply stood there, horrified. Did he get brainwashed? That seemed unlikely, brainwashing usually requires an artifact. Was this his own volition? Also unlikely, he would rather die than act like that. But then he realized that potions often have multiple effects, so could this be a side affect of the Potion of Regressia? It made sense to him, but the proof isn't concrete. As he clenched his jaw in thought, he then turned to Celia, urgency in his eyes. “Celia, listen. If I ever start acting like that again—snap me out of it. I don’t care how. Just don’t let me—” he gestured wildly at himself, “do that ever again”

  Celia studied him for a moment. This wasn’t just embarrassment, there was concern in his voice. Finally, she nodded. “Alright. I promise.”

  Grem exhaled in relief. “Good.”

  Celia, however, couldn’t resist one st tease. She crouched slightly to his level and patted his cheek. “But…that was very cute.”

  “S-Stop that!!”

  ***

  As Celia and Grem made their way back home, the crowded streets of the city bustled with energy. “Oh,” she murmured, looking ahead. “There they are.”

  Grem followed her gaze and spotted Alya and Viena walking with a group of well-dressed students—clearly from the Azera Academy’s Student Council. Their navy-blue uniforms stood out among the commoners, and their polished boots clicked elegantly against the cobblestone.

  Viena, ever the noble presence, walked with her usual proud posture, while Alya adjusted her gsses as she listened to one of the students talk.

  Celia raised a hand and called out, “Alya! Viena!”

  Both daughters turned toward the familiar voice, their eyes widening when they spotted Grem at her side.

  They quickly excused themselves from the group and approached.

  “Mother?” Viena’s brow furrowed. “What are you doing in town?”

  Alya adjusted her gsses. “And… Father?” She looked him over—his small frame, tiny overalls, and the wooden sword strapped to his belt.

  Grem rubbed his neck. “Hey…are you on your lunch break?”

  “Yes actually, we were on our way to a restaurant~”

  Before the conversation could go further, one of the student council members stepped forward.

  He was a tall young man with neatly combed dark brown hair and striking blue eyes, his uniform even more pristine than the others. He exuded confidence and authority, like someone used to commanding a room.

  He smiled at Celia and the girls before his gaze nded on Grem. “Oh? And who is this little guy?” Viena straightened, ready to answer, but before she could say a word, Alya nudged her discreetly. On the other side, Celia also gave a warning gnce.

  “He’s… our little brother,” Vienna said smoothly.

  Grem took more damage from that statement, but kept quiet.

  The student council member then knelt down to Grem’s level with a warm smile. “Well, young man,” Lucian said, “your sisters are some of the most talented students in the academy. I, Lucian Averioux, have seen them perform first hand, and am simply amazed. You must be proud of them too.”

  Grem clenched his jaw but forced a strained smile.

  Lucian chuckled. “Maybe you’ll follow in their footsteps and join the academy one day, hmm?” Before Grem could respond, Lucian patted his head again, standing back up. “You have excellent role models. Be sure to listen to them, alright?”

  “Y-Yes Mister.” He said, under his breath. He was doing his best trying not to lose composure.

  Alya and Viena both smiled politely, though there was a hint of amusement in their eyes as Grem silently suffered. Celia, on the other hand, was enjoying this far too much.

  The student group then left to go to the restaurant. Alya quietly turned back and gave her father a smile and a wave before they disappeared into the crowds, leaving Grem and Celia alone again. “My god…” Grem grunted as he kicked a rock in frustration, almost tripping on it. “I’m going to lose my mind, Celia.”

  Celia giggled, “Don’t worry dear, I’ll be there for you even if you do~”