The Beggar Who Would Be Emperor

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.