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Chapter 3

Penulis: Mira Blackram
Text drifted past:

[The former prime minister still doesn't know his grandson was switched. Poor man.]

[Though if he finds out his real grandson is calling someone else his mother now, he'd probably drop dead from rage.]

The days passed like this.

Father took up his books again and taught Adrian to read and write himself. He quickly discovered the child not only had a flawless memory but could draw connections between concepts with ease.

Sometimes, the insights Adrian offered required even Father to pause and think.

"Remarkable! Truly remarkable!" Father's eyes lit up in a way I had not seen in a long time.

Adrian sat quietly, writing with careful strokes.

[Adrian really is the future emperor. His intelligence is on another level.]

[If the old man knew this was the imperial grandson, he'd probably upgrade his lessons to emperor-level tutoring on the spot.]

I cleared the wasteland behind the house and planted hardy vegetables.

After Adrian finished writing, he crouched by the stove to help me tend the fire.

When I was washing clothes, he would silently bring over a small stool. When I mended, he would bring me warm water.

The comments gradually changed:

[The supporting character's life is... more comfortable than it was in the capital.]

[I'm starting to think the male lead is a bit ungrateful, spurning such a gentle woman.]

Their way of referring to me changed from 'cannon fodder ex-wife' to 'Ms. Cadwell'.

I smiled faintly.

One day, I saw more strings of words.

[The male lead officially married Lady Quincey. What a grand ceremony.]

[The real son's identity was changed, and the lady is raising him as her own now.]

[The family of three is perfectly happy. They've completely forgotten about Ms. Cadwell.]

I was mending clothes when the needle pricked my finger. A bead of blood welled up.

Adrian appeared in front of me. He handed me a handkerchief, his dark eyes full of concern. "Mother, does it hurt?"

I took the handkerchief and shook my head, smiling at him. "Not at all."

The text went quiet for a moment, then jumped again.

[The Emperor's health has been poor lately. He keeps dreaming of the deposed crown prince…]

[Back then, the crown prince was deposed because when the fifth prince tried to assassinate the Emperor, the crown prince was too forceful in protecting him and crippled the fifth prince. The Emperor condemned him for not caring about his own brother.]

[Actually, the Emperor regretted it almost immediately. He just couldn't bring himself to admit it.]

My mending slowed. I sat lost in thought.

…

A year passed, and Adrian had grown taller. His gaze became even more composed. Father taught him everything he knew, and Adrian learned with astonishing speed.

One day, I was watching him practice his writing. Without warning, words exploded.

[Breaking news! The crown prince has died of illness! The Emperor coughed up blood from grief!]

[The Emperor issued a decree to reinstate the crown prince posthumously!]

[So now the key is finding the imperial grandson! The commander of the Imperial Guards is personally leading the search!]

[Minister Sacchetti is accompanying him by imperial order! They're coming to the exile settlement to search!]

The book slipped from my hand and landed on the paper with a smack.

Adrian looked up. His clear eyes held a question. "Mother, what's wrong?"

I took a deep breath and crouched down to meet his eyes.

"Adrian, you're ten years old now. You're nearly grown. Remember everything your grandfather has taught you this past year. Every lesson. Every word. No matter what happens, I'll be by your side."

He looked at me. It seemed he could read the gravity of an approaching storm in my eyes. Then he nodded solemnly.

"Mother, I will."

…

Two months later, the sound of hooves shattered the quiet of the desolate village.

Roland dismounted.

He wore a freshly tailored coat with polished buttons and fine leather boots. He looked far more respectable than he had a year ago.

When he saw me pulling weeds in the vegetable garden, a flicker of false concern crossed his face.

"Elise, it's only been a year, and you've... fallen so far."

Theodore followed behind him, dressed in fine clothes. He was plump and rosy-cheeked. He looked at me. His gaze was distant and complicated.

I stood and brushed the dirt from my hands. "I'm doing well. Is there something you need, Minister Sacchetti?"

Roland stepped closer and lowered his voice.
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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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