Pregnant Cultivator, Doted by Big Boss

’His mother went off to the bandit’s den, and his father wasn’t worried. There could only be one explanation: those bandits were no match for his mother. The proof was in her triumphant return. That single, satisfied word she uttered proved just how strong she really was.’

Celeste Grant smiled and said, "With me around, a few bandits are hardly a challenge." As she spoke, she took the rabbit meat from her son’s hands and began turning it over the fire. "Son, go play. Let Mom do the roasting."

Aaron Sinclair quickly stopped her. "Mom, the smoke is too thick here. I don’t want you to get it in your eyes. I should be the one to roast it."

Celeste Grant smiled. "Alright, then! My son knows how to dote on his mother." She reached out and patted her son’s head, a grin spreading across her face.

That night, the campfire burned for a long, long time...

Having dealt with the bandits for the villagers, Celeste Grant and her party set out again early the next morning to continue their journey.

The carriage hadn’t gone far when the voices of commoners could be heard from outside.

"We respectfully see you off, Your Highness, the Princess Consort! May you live for a thousand years!"

Hearing the voices, Celeste Grant paused, then lifted the curtain to glance outside. She saw a crowd of commoners kneeling not far from the road. Among them, she recognized a few faces: the old man and child who had first stopped their carriage to beg for help, the women she had rescued from the bandit’s den, and others she didn’t know.

She gave a small wave.

Then she lowered the curtain.

"May the benefactors have a safe journey!"

"May the benefactors have a safe journey!"

The detour to eliminate the bandits had caused a delay. By the time they returned to Atheria, it was already afternoon. The carriage slowly came to a stop before The Warden’s Northern Manor.

"My Prince, the Princess Consort has arrived."

Javier Sinclair disembarked from the carriage first, then extended a hand to help Celeste Grant out.

Following beside them, Aaron Sinclair looked up at the magnificent manor. ’This is The Warden’s Northern Manor. This is my home.’

Celeste Grant let go of Javier Sinclair’s hand and took her son’s. "My sweet boy, this is our home now." ’A temporary home, anyway,’ she thought, but didn’t say it aloud.

She placed a hand on her son’s shoulder and ruffled his hair again. Then, holding his hand, the family of three walked through the main gates of The Warden’s Northern Manor.

News of the Warden of the North’s return to the capital spread through Atheria as if it had grown wings. Not only had the Prince and Princess Consort returned, but it was said they had also found the young prince who had been lost for many years.

「In the palace.」

The Emperor, dressed in bright yellow robes, was sitting behind a desk piled high with memorials, reviewing them. When he received the message delivered by a Hidden Guard, he stood up in delight.

"Good, good! As long as they’re back, it’s all good."

He clasped his hands together, his face full of sincere reverence.

"I thank the ancestors for their blessing! The realm of Kelldorn finally has an heir. This is wonderful, truly wonderful." He no longer had to fear that the Sinclair Family’s line to the throne would end with his generation. He wouldn’t have to face his ancestors in the afterlife without a successor to show for it.

The thought that The Crown finally had an heir made even the stack of memorials seem more pleasant. He finally had something to look forward to. "Leo Miller, go to The Prince’s Manor and deliver my oral decree. Tell my sister-in-law to bring my dear nephew to the palace at once. He’s been lost for so long and now he’s finally found! I wonder who the boy takes after. Needless to say, he must resemble me more."

Hearing this, Eunuch Miller, who stood to the side, felt the corner of his mouth twitch.

’Are those words even appropriate?’

A child born to the Prince and Princess Consort would naturally resemble the Prince and Princess Consort. But of course, he couldn’t say that. However, seeing the Emperor, who had been so worried and melancholy for so long, break into such a happy smile, Leo Miller was genuinely happy for his master.

A delighted expression appeared on Eunuch Miller’s face as he said, "Your Majesty, you are the young prince’s uncle. You and the Prince are full-blooded brothers, born of the same mother. The young prince is certain to resemble you."

The Emperor roared with laughter at his words. "Haha... But of course!"

This was the most carefree he had laughed in many years. To the Emperor, his younger brother’s son was as good as his own. It was far better than both brothers having no children at all.

「Meanwhile.」

「In the General’s Mansion.」

The General’s Lady, Mrs. Dawson, was speaking with her biological son.

"Arthur, there’s something your mother needs to tell you. You’ve probably heard that the Warden of the North’s son, who was lost as a child, has been found. The Emperor currently has no children, which means this Princely Heir is certain to inherit the throne. You must find a way to befriend him and build a good relationship. This will be beneficial to your future career. If that Princely Heir becomes the Crown Prince, you will be his trusted confidant. The future glory of the General’s Mansion will rest entirely on your shoulders."

Mrs. Dawson had seen how clever her son was. She believed he would one day reach the highest echelons of the court and bring her glory. A Daoist had told her years ago that her son was destined for greatness and would one day hold immense power. Because of this, she had always firmly believed that her son would have an extraordinary future. As for that bastard who had usurped her son’s identity, he was probably dead by now, so he didn’t matter.

The boy called Arthur nodded slightly, a look of grim determination on his face. He had suffered out in the world, so he knew the importance of climbing up. He wouldn’t let even the smallest opportunity slip by.

’As for the fake young master who took my identity for so many years, if he’s dead, he’s dead. He enjoyed my status for all that time, so I owe him nothing. Only with him gone will my position be secure.’

"Mother, I know what to do." At this, the boy frowned slightly and added, "It’s just that I don’t know what the Princely Heir of The Prince’s Manor looks like, or what his temperament is. I’ll have to gather some information first."

Mrs. Dawson nodded. "Mother will help you. I’ll find a way for you two to meet."

"Yes, good." He nodded slightly. "As long as we can meet, I’m confident I can befriend him."

There was a glint of arrogance in the boy’s eyes. His pride came from the imperial examination system that was bound to him. From that moment on, he felt that with the system in hand, the world was his. This feeling of having everything under his control was incredible.

So, it didn’t matter if it was the fake young master or the newly returned Princely Heir. They were merely stepping stones for his ascent.

The system he was bound to would issue tasks from time to time.

As long as he completed the tasks the system issued, he would receive all sorts of rewards, such as a photographic memory, sharpened senses, and even an appearance boost.

’Heh, I am the chosen one. In the future, I will surely achieve the highest honors in the imperial examinations.’ Just thinking about it, he could already see himself passing every major exam with flying colors.

At this thought, he secretly communicated with his system.

’System, can you find information about the Warden Prince? I want his complete file.’

A voice echoed in his mind.

[Host, please wait... BZZT... System permissions insufficient... BZZT... Unable to query.]

This made his expression change.

’How is this possible?’

[BZZT... System unable to query...]

The sound of the system buzzing and sputtering echoed in his ears.

「Elsewhere.」

Celeste Grant sensed a faint and fragile power, one that was directed at her son.

’Well now, this is a little interesting.’