To her, she’s just temporarily taking care of two kids she came across when they ate her candy house & we can assume they get separated and the guy found out her whereabouts and it’s still one sided; and that’s when the romance actually begins (or atleast this is what I hope caus I really like the concept
Also to those who are a bit uncomfortable abt the age difference and how it sees grooming-like; let me remind you the definition of grooming is; “ Child grooming is befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a child, and sometimes the family, to lower the child's inhibitions with the objective of sexual abuse.”. She isn’t taking care of him with sexual or romantic intent with the child nor do I think that’ll EVER happen during the time he is a child; I also think they’ll get separated soon for the sake of the plot due to the beginning when he has knights to capture her^^
Also I don’t think she’ll return his feelings this looks more the likes of a family trope but I’ll have to wait and see
This right now is a ONE sided love, and it seems to remain that way for years till she meets him again and even then it seems like she doesn’t love him romantically (in the beginning). And I feel like it has less to do with actually loving her romantically and more of wanted to pay her back for her kindness. We have to be aware the first one to be nice to him after all that abuse and neglect IS our MC. This is an one sided love; we don’t know when she returns her feelings but I have a feeling it isn’t till anytime soon!