"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!"