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The Beggar Who Would Be Emperor
The Beggar Who Would Be Emperor
Penulis: Mira Blackram

Chapter 1

Penulis: Mira Blackram
The child froze. His eyes reddened as he cautiously took my hand.

"Mother?"

I gripped his cold fingers and offered no explanation. The strange text flickered before my eyes again.

[Why isn't this cannon fodder ex-wife following the script? Shouldn't she be making a scene about finding her real son?]

[They only look 50% alike. She really doesn't realize it? What an idiot!]

[No wonder the male lead divorced her. She's completely oblivious!]

I lowered my gaze. My chest felt like it was being carved open with a dull blade.

How could I not recognize the son I raised for nine years? However, if my husband and son had both chosen the path of wealth and comfort, what right did I have to force them back?

A year ago, my father was still the prime minister. He fell from grace when he insisted on defending the deposed crown prince, enraging His Majesty. He was stripped of his title and exiled 3,000 miles north.

His Majesty had only meant to punish him, but my father refused to stay quiet even in exile. He sent three petitions begging for the crown prince's reinstatement.

The Emperor's fury knew no bounds. An imperial decree followed. I was to take my son and join my father. As a mercy, I was permitted to travel freely without chains.

That same night, my husband, Minister Roland Sacchetti, handed me divorce papers. "Elise, my career has been without blemish. You can do nothing for me now. Don't drag me down with you."

Every word was ice. Every syllable cut to the bone.

I turned and went back inside to heat water and wash the child.

He was filthy. Beneath his threadbare clothes, his ribs showed clearly. New and old scars crisscrossed his back in a shocking web of pain.

Strings of words appeared once again:

[This boy is the deposed crown prince's orphan! His name is Adrian Powell!]

[Before the crown prince was imprisoned, he entrusted a loyal aide to smuggle the child out. The aide was killed. The boy ended up a beggar on the streets. His life has been hell!]

My breath caught. Then, I smoothed my expression and continued my work, dressing him in old clothes my son Theodore had left behind.

They were slightly too large, but better than the rags he had been wearing.

I studied him. Though his features were gaunt, I could see that he resembled my son Theodore by about half.

At dawn, I led Adrian to the city gate. The donkey cart was already waiting. There, of all the wretched luck, stood the people I least wanted to see.

Roland wore a brand-new embroidered coat. He stood beside an ornate carriage. Next to him stood Lady Quincey Spencer, draped in jewels. Theodore clutched the hem of her skirt, hiding behind her.

He did not even glance at me.

When Roland saw me, he frowned and stepped forward.

"Elise, I see you know what's best for the boy. Good. Don't make trouble. Go quietly to your exile, and everyone will be better off."

My nails dug into my palms.

I looked down at Adrian beside me and smiled gently. My voice was soft. "Come, little one. Time to go."

Behind me, Theodore's clear voice rang out. "Mother!"

I stiffened. Then, I realized he was not calling me.

"Mother, when are we going to the jeweler's?"

He was calling Lady Quincey.

I did not turn around. I only tightened my grip on Adrian's hand. He looked up at me without speaking and squeezed my hand even harder.
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  • The Beggar Who Would Be Emperor   Chapter 11

    Theodore stumbled backward from the force of her shove and nearly fell. He stood frozen, his eyes welling up, completely at a loss.I looked at him. A tangled emotion rose in my chest. This was my son, the child I had carried for nine months and raised for nine years. Yet standing before me now, he felt impossibly far away.Adrian glanced at him but said nothing. He simply took my hand. "Come on, Mother. Grandfather asked for us."I looked away and nodded.As I turned to leave, I heard Theodore's small voice behind me. "Mother?"I did not know who he was calling, so I did not look back.[Some things, once lost, are gone forever.]…It took seven days for the full truth to come out.The Imperial Guards uncovered everything. Lady Quincey had sent people to harm me, switched the crown prince with another child, and passed off a false heir as her own. The evidence was damning.To save his own skin, Roland spent the night writing a full confession. He exposed every one of Lady Qui

  • The Beggar Who Would Be Emperor   Chapter 10

    I dressed in the formal gown befitting a Lady of the Highest Rank. The deep blue velvet was trimmed with gold brocade, cinched at the waist with a jeweled belt. My hair was pinned up with golden combs.The woman reflected in the polished mirror bore no resemblance to the one who had pulled weeds in a vegetable garden two years ago."You look beautiful, Mother." Adrian stood beside me, offering his assessment with complete seriousness.I smiled and pinched his cheek. "You look very handsome today too."He wore the formal uniform of the crown prince. A black velvet coat with gold buttons over a crisp white shirt. A ceremonial sash crossed his chest. Despite his young age, he already carried an air of authority.Inside the lakeside pavilion, wine flowed freely.Adrian sat at the Emperor's right hand. I sat in the front row of the ladies' section. The moment I took my seat, I felt countless eyes on me. Some were curious, some envious, and some ingratiating. A few seemed to be waiting

  • The Beggar Who Would Be Emperor   Chapter 9

    The third decree shook the entire court."By the Grace of God and the Will of the Sovereign—Ms. Elise Cadwell, daughter of the former prime minister, has shown virtue and merit in raising the Crown Prince. She is hereby granted the rank of Lady of the Highest Rank with honors equal to a princess, awarded 1,000 gold coins and one hundred bolts of fine cloth."Her father, Mr. Henry Cadwell, has demonstrated unwavering loyalty. His position is to be restored and his estate returned."I knelt on the cold stone floor, listening to the high-pitched voice of the steward read the decree. I was still in a daze.Lady of the Highest Rank.That was an honor equal to a princess.Father's position was restored too.This reward was too much."Ms. Cadwell, please accept the decree." Edmund smiled as he presented the document with both hands. "His Majesty said this is what you deserve."I accepted it with both hands and bowed in thanks.The comments were going wild.[First Degree! Princess h

  • The Beggar Who Would Be Emperor   Chapter 8

    Adrian glanced back at me, then walked forward slowly. He stopped before the bed and performed the formal bow Nathaniel had taught him."Your grandson Adrian greets you, Grandfather."The old Emperor reached out with a bony hand and touched his face with trembling fingers. "You look just like him... Just like the crown prince..." Tears ran down the deep lines of his weathered face. "My Adrian... all these years, you have suffered so much..."Adrian knelt there with his spine perfectly straight.He did not cry. He only said quietly, "I have not suffered, Grandfather."The old Emperor pulled him into his arms and wept openly. The servants throughout the hall lowered their heads and wiped their eyes. Even Nathaniel turned his face away.I stood near the entrance, watching the scene in silence.I could not describe what I felt. I was happy for Adrian yet heartbroken for him as well. He had finally returned to where he belonged, but he was also leaving behind the simple days when h

  • The Beggar Who Would Be Emperor   Chapter 7

    "Father taught me to read. He taught me how to be a good man. He taught me I must serve the people well. If going back means I can help them, then I will go."Nathaniel was silent for a long time before he said hoarsely, "Your Highness is benevolent. The late crown prince would be proud."Words drifted past.[The crown prince's death was so tragic. His own father drove him to his grave.][Adrian is only ten years old, and he has more sense than most adults.][Suffering makes children grow up fast. This boy breaks my heart.]When Nathaniel emerged from the inner room, he glanced at me. He seemed to have something to say but hesitated.I understood what he meant. "Commander Powell, speak freely."He considered for a moment, then said quietly, "Ms. Cadwell, once His Highness returns to the capital and is acknowledged by his family, your bond as mother and son may not be permitted to continue."Imperial bloodlines could not be confused. I had already considered this possibility, b

  • The Beggar Who Would Be Emperor   Chapter 6

    [Commander Powell is so cool! I've watched the finger-cutting scene a hundred times![The real son is standing there like a complete outsider. Oops, picked the wrong side, didn't he?][Am I the only one who noticed Adrian looked to Ms. Cadwell for approval before speaking? This mother-son bond is making me cry!]Roland sat slumped on the ground, watching helplessly as we packed our belongings.Suddenly, something seemed to occur to him. He scrambled to his feet and rushed toward me."Elise! The divorce doesn't count! I was forced by Lady Quincey! I've always cared for you..."Nathaniel's blade appeared between us. "Minister Sacchetti, compose yourself."The edge hovered an inch from his throat. Roland froze, and cold sweat trickled down his temple.I took one last look at the earthen house we had lived in for over a year. Then, I took Adrian's hand and walked toward the carriage without looking back.Behind us, Theodore's voice rang out."Father, where are they going? Why doe

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