Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1140

Kyle continued, recounting the rest of the story.

After Isaac was cast out, the charlatan assumed the child would not survive. Whether he lived or died didn't matter. Eventually, wolves would eat him, and there would be nothing left.

But by chance, Adrian passed through that area. One night, he heard a faint baby-like cry and got curious. Thinking he had found a spirit, he followed the sound, only to be disappointed when he found Isaac.

First, it wasn't a baby—it was a five or six-year-old child.

Second, it wasn't a spirit—it was a sick child on the brink of death. Having been abandoned there for who knows how long, one of his toes had been gnawed off by rats and his foot was covered in blood.

Worse still, there were poisonous snakes nearby. Luckily, Isaac was so sick he barely moved, and the snakes didn't approach.

What incredible luck the child had. Barely breathing, he was still alive when Adrian found him. Despite his misgivings, Adrian took Isaac back with him. After a few days of light food and two doses of medicine, he actually started to recover.

In the capital, David had consulted many physicians who could not make Isaac any better. Yet, just a few bowls of soup and two doses of medicine had worked wonders.

It was extraordinary.

Adrian wasn't too impressed, though. The kid was so thin, with barely any flesh on him. Isaac was nearly six years old, but looked like he was only three or four. Adrian realized raising him would be a lot of trouble.

He thought about sending Isaac back, but then remembered how the kid didn't scream when surrounded by poisonous snakes. He figured the child must be bold, and having courage was the most important thing in life. With that thought, Adrian decided to keep him. The rest would depend on the boy's fate.

At that age, a child could already remember things. Once Isaac trusted Adrian enough, he shared his story. Adrian sent people to investigate and soon learned the full details.

A five-year-old child, once coddled and cherished, was suddenly abandoned to a cruel charlatan. He had been tortured, nearly dying in a few short months. Then, to be thrown away as if his life meant nothing—who knew what else the charlatan had done to him?

"I think if he doesn't want to acknowledge them, then don't," Rafael said, clearly angry. "Who knows if they really sent Isaac away hoping he would live, or if they just wanted him to carry on the family's fortune?"

After all, the Earl of Silverstone's family had fully believed in the charlatan's lies.

"That's probably something Isaac has wondered about himself," Kyle replied. "But he never dared ask. The truth is, how could he not feel anything for his mom? He was her precious child for five years, and even after everything, she came looking for him. Because of that, he always had a soft spot for her."

Rafael thought for a moment, then added, "But wait—Marshal Prince inherited the title. That means their dad never did. And Marshal Prince had some disabilities when he inherited, though not serious. The last time I saw him, it seemed like they were all healed."