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.

"Elise, the divorce was not my choice. I had no other option. Lady Quincey is difficult. Theodore and I have not had an easy time..." His eyes reddened. "I still think of you."

Words scrolled frantically

[Hilarious. The male lead is getting mistreated by the lady, so he's running to his ex-wife for comfort!]

[I heard Lady Quincey scolds him daily for relying on a woman. His real son looks down on him for being useless!]

[Too late for regrets now!]

I watched him perform in silence. When he finished, I spoke. My voice was calm and even. "Minister Sacchetti, you wrote the divorce papers yourself. You chose this path. It has nothing to do with me."

Roland's face stiffened. Just then, Theodore spoke up. His voice was bright. "Mother, come back to the capital with us. Lady Quincey said you could work as a maid in the household. She'll give you food."

His tone was innocent, but his words cut to the bone. My heart stabbed with pain.

Before I could speak, a voice came from behind me. "Mother."

Adrian walked out carrying a basin of water.

Roland's expression darkened. He looked Adrian up and down. "Is this that little beggar from back then?"

He turned to me. His tone was unkind. "Elise, have you lost your mind? Your son was right there in front of you, and you've been raising a beggar as your own child? How could you do this to Theodore?"

I stepped in front of Adrian. "You're mistaken, Minister Sacchetti. This is my son."

Theodore's voice rose in alarm. "He is not me! I'm your son!"

[The real son is panicking. Should have thought of that sooner.]

Adrian suddenly spoke. His voice was clear and neither humble nor arrogant. "Sir, my mother said she has only one son, and that is me. Please take your son and leave."

Roland was struck speechless by a child. His face flushed dark red. "How dare you?! A filthy beggar dares to talk back to a minister of the crown? Insolent brat!"

He raised his hand and swung it toward Adrian's face.

"Don't you dare!" I lunged and grabbed his wrist.

He flung me off roughly.

I stumbled, but Adrian caught me.

Roland's face was livid. He shouted at the guards behind him, "What are you standing around for? Tie up this bastard! Throw him into the mountains! Get him out of my son's sight!"

"Yes, sir!" Two guards rushed forward to grab Adrian.

Adrian pressed his lips tightly together. He did not cry or scream, but those bright dark eyes filled with tears in an instant. He stubbornly refused to let them fall.

"Let him go!" I lunged to shield him. A guard shoved me back roughly, and I fell to the ground.

"Mother!" Adrian finally cried out, struggling to reach me.

Words erupted in a frenzy.

[Roland, are you insane! Do you know who you're tying up?!]

[Where's the Commander! Commander Powell, get out here!]

[I'm dying from the suspense!]

The guard had already twisted Adrian's arm. The child's face went deathly pale from the pain.

"Stop!" A sharp command rang out.

Commander Nathaniel Powell sat on horseback, dressed in the uniform of the Imperial Guard with a ceremonial blade at his waist. He was the late deposed crown prince's cousin. When Roland saw him, he quickly masked his fury, though his tone still held disdain.

"Commander Powell, excellent timing. I was merely dealing with a beggar child. Forgive the commotion."

However, Nathaniel did not even glance at him. His gaze was locked on Adrian's face. The boy was still held by the guard but stood with his spine straight.

Nathaniel dismounted and strode toward Adrian in long steps. He crouched down to meet Adrian at eye level. His breathing grew suddenly rapid.

Adrian looked back at him. Then, he called out softly, "Great-Uncle Nate?"

Nathaniel's entire body shook.

He dropped to his knees, and his voice trembled. "Your Highness!"