Hey everyone! As a long-time Zelda fan who's sunk hundreds of hours into exploring Hyrule, I gotta say, the side quests in Tears of the Kingdom are some of the most engaging and rewarding parts of the game. One storyline that really hooked me was the whole mayoral election drama in Hateno Village. It's not just a simple fetch quest—it's a multi-part narrative with intrigue, character development, and some sweet rewards. Today, I'm breaking down one crucial piece of this puzzle: 'Cece's Secret.' This quest is essential for progressing the election plotline and getting to know the eccentric fashionista Cece a bit better.

🎩 Triggering the Quest: Finding Sophie in Hateno Village

First things first, you need to get this quest rolling. Head over to Hateno Village, which is located in the East Necluda region. The village has changed a bit since the last game, with Cece's trendy hat shop now a central landmark. To start 'Cece's Secret,' you need to find Sophie, Cece's sister. She's usually either inside Cece's Shop or lingering just outside the entrance. Talk to her, and she'll express her suspicions about Cece sneaking out every night. She'll ask Link, that's you, to play detective and follow Cece to uncover what she's up to. It's a classic spy mission!

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Pro Tip: Make sure you've progressed a bit in the main story or other Hateno quests. Sometimes, certain side quests only become available after you've interacted with the village's events. The election storyline itself is triggered by talking to various villagers and seeing the campaign posters everywhere!

⏳ The Waiting Game: Timing is Everything

Here's where some players get tripped up. Cece has a strict schedule. She leaves her hat shop precisely at 8:00 PM game time. She then makes her way to a secret location, arriving around 10:00 PM. You have two main options here:

  1. Follow Her: You can tail her from a distance. I highly recommend equipping the Stealth Armor Set (you can find pieces in various caves or buy them from merchants) to avoid being spotted. Crouch-walking and keeping your distance works.

  2. Beat Her There (The Smart Way): This is the method I prefer and find much more reliable. Instead of following her, just skip time until she's about to leave. You can do this by:

    • Lighting a Campfire (use Flint and a Wood Bundle) and selecting 'Wait Until Night.'

    • Paying for a rest at the Hateno Village Inn.

Once it's around 8 PM, you can head directly to her destination and wait for her.

🗼 The Secret Rendezvous: Location and Infiltration

So, where does Cece go? Her secret spot is a silo located very close to her hat shop. It's that tall, cylindrical building you've probably seen. You need to get inside to witness her secret.

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Here’s the best infiltration strategy:

  1. Get to the Top: Use your Ascend ability from underneath the silo or climb the outside wall. Both work fine.

  2. Find the Window: Once on the roof or upper ledge, look for an open window.

  3. Wait and Watch: Position yourself on the ledge next to this window. Wait until roughly 10:00 PM. You'll see Cece arrive and enter the silo below.

  4. Drop In: Once she's inside, simply drop or walk through the window. A cutscene will automatically trigger.

🥦 The Big Reveal: Cece's Hypocritical Habit

The cutscene reveals the hilarious and ironic truth. Cece, the mayoral candidate running on a platform of 'out with the old, in with the new' and modernizing Hateno, is secretly... enjoying classic, old-fashioned vegetables! She's in the silo, savoring simple roasted veggies, which completely contradicts her public image of favoring trendy, imported foods. It's a moment that adds real depth to her character—she has a nostalgic soft spot for the traditional ways she publicly dismisses.

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✅ Mission Complete: Reporting Back and Reaping Rewards

After the cutscene, your task is simple. Head back and report your findings to Sophie. She'll have a reaction that's a mix of amusement and sibling frustration. For your efforts, she'll reward you with x10 Ironshrooms.

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Reward Quantity Use
Ironshrooms 10 Cooking ingredient that grants Defense Up buffs. Great for making tough battles easier!

Now, 10 Ironshrooms is a decent haul for a short quest—they're super useful for cooking defense-boosting meals—but let's be real: the real reward is progression. Completing 'Cece's Secret' is a vital step in the larger Hateno Village Mayoral Election storyline. This narrative thread involves multiple quests helping both Cece and her opponent, the farmer Reede. Seeing it through to the end unlocks significant rewards, including unique armor pieces and affects the look and dialogue of Hateno Village itself.

🏆 Why This Quest Rocks & Pro Tips

  • Character Development: It's not just a simple task; it adds layers to Cece's personality and makes the world feel more alive.

  • Stealth Practice: It's a great, low-stakes way to practice using the Stealth mechanics without a Gloom Hand chasing you.

  • Efficiency is Key: Seriously, just skip time and meet her at the silo. Following her is cool once for the role-play, but waiting is faster.

  • Part of a Bigger Picture: This quest is a perfect example of how Tears of the Kingdom weaves small stories into a larger tapestry. Don't ignore it!

Completing 'Cece's Secret' feels satisfying. You get resources, story, and a step closer to resolving Hateno's political showdown. It's these well-crafted side adventures that make exploring every corner of Hyrule in 2026 still an absolute joy. Now, go out there and be the best secret-uncovering hero you can be! 👑✨