Constance Michel Constance Michel is an Imperial who works at Honorhall Orphanage , in Riften , with Grelod the Kind . She wears a belted tunic and boots . Personality . While Grelod can be seen as cruel and uncaring , Constance seems to be a kind person . The children say that she is " nice " to them , and they want her to be in charge ; Aventus Aretino specifically requests that Constance be spared , showing how beloved she is . Even though she is appalled at her treatment of the children , Constance defends Grelod , saying that she was old and knows no other life . Constance is the only person in the orphanage to express any sorrow at Grelod ' s demise . Interactions . If the Dragonborn travels to Honorhall Orphanage in Riften ( possibly at the behest of Aventus Aretino ) , Grelod will be seen berating and threatening the children . It is not possible to talk to Grelod , but Constance can be asked if Grelod is always that cruel to the children . Constance will admit that she is , and then try to usher the Dragonborn out , explaining that the children are not up for adoption , and it is cruel to get their hopes up . If Grelod is killed , Constance enters a state of panic , but does not defend Grelod or alert the Riften Guard . She sometimes may not panic , but will instead casually walk out of the orphanage , yelling at the Dragonborn to get out , even when spoken to outside . With Grelod gone , Constance takes over as orphanage headmistress , and conditions improve greatly for the children there , although she continues Grelod ' s policy of not allowing the children to be adopted . With the " Hearthfire " DLC installed , Grelod will still not allow the children to be adopted , but Constance will be delighted to do so . Shortly after Grelod has been killed , a courier will deliver a notice and announce that the orphanage is under new management , and that the " new lady in charge of the orphanage " has instructed him to hand out the notices to everyone he encounters . The letter urges the Dragonborn to consider adoption , either from the orphanage or elsewhere . If an offer is made to adopt a child from Honorhall , she will be delighted , but will ask questions , such as if they have a house with a child ' s bedroom and the prospective new parent ' s occupation . If a suitable home exists , she says to go and speak to the child they wish to adopt , and promises to get them safely to their new home . Her reaction to the Dragonborn ' s occupation varies depending on the answer . Whether she saw the murder of Grelod or not , Constance will remain in a state of panic from Grelod ' s death until " Innocence Lost " is completed by talking to Aventus Aretino . However , she will not acknowledge the Dragonborn as the murderer once this questline is completed . If Hearthfire is not yet installed , she will simply state that the children are not up for adoption ( since no adoption system is in place ) and ask the Dragonborn to leave . If Hearthfire is installed and one asks to adopt a child , Constance will not mention Grelod ' s murder , even if she saw it happen . While Grelod is alive , the flyer will not be delivered , and it will not be possible to adopt children from Honorhall . If the Dragonborn asks about doing so , Constance will explain that Grelod is the headmistress , and she is not allowing any adoptions . It will still be possible to adopt orphaned children from other places , as long as the Dragonborn has a house with a child ' s bedroom . If the Dragonborn adopts two kids who are not from the orphanage before Grelod ' s death , and then kills her under the mission requirements , the notice will never be received .