The Same Enemy

Henry Thompson's body shuddered violently, and he instinctively tried to defend himself: "I—I didn't..."

Those simple words, "no," were stuck in the young man's throat, unable to come out no matter how hard he tried.

Henry Thompson's wishes in life were few: first, to find his birth mother, Mrs. Thompson, and second, to marry Bella Bell.

His long-standing obsession with Bella Bell made it impossible for him to utter even a single lie to deny it.

Emperor Leonard the Enlightened lowered his gaze, taking in every nuance of the young scholar's expression and fully grasping Henry Thompson's feelings for Bella Bell.

Emperor Leonard stood with his hands behind his back and said, "Henry Thompson, I know you have great talent. That's why I appointed you as Top Scholar. Do you understand?"

"Your Majesty!?" Henry's eyes filled with confusion.

"Back then, I gave your stepmother silver to buy you as my page. Once you came of age, you were to seek me out and fulfill that promise. I haven't forgotten, and I hope you haven't either." Emperor Leonard looked at Henry and said, "You've long been my retainer, Henry Thompson. Do you understand?"

"Retainer...?" A hint of confusion flickered in Henry's eyes.

Is His Majesty trying to win him over?

Emperor Leonard the Enlightened made no attempt to hide his intentions and said, "You must think I'm trying to win you over, don't you? It's strange, isn't it? There are countless officials in court more capable, better connected, and more experienced than you. So why do I choose to promote you alone?"

Henry Thompson saw how frank Emperor Leonard was, so he replied just as straightforwardly: "Your Majesty, your wisdom is unparalleled—every thought in my mind has been guessed by you."

Emperor Leonard said, "Henry Thompson, it's precisely because you come from a humble background, with no connections, no power, and no family influence—you're a solitary official—that I value you, want to win you over, and promote you."

A thoughtful look appeared in Henry Thompson's eyes. He wasn't foolish; in fact, he was a keen-minded Top Scholar, and it seemed he understood something at last.

"Right now, the court is in chaos, with undercurrents swirling beneath the surface. I don't trust a single one of those old ministers and courtiers! Who knows who their real master is, despite their claims of loyalty to me. But you, Henry Thompson, I am giving you this chance—to become my confidant and trusted aide. If you swear allegiance to me, you will rise swiftly through the ranks, and one day hold the highest office. Are you willing?" Emperor Leonard's gaze was mesmerizing as he looked at Henry.

Rise swiftly, hold the highest office...

These were goals Henry Thompson had only dared to dream of before.

He knew his humble origins, with no family or background, and had never imagined he could become a powerful statesman.

But now, it was as if a pie had fallen from the sky, nearly knocking Henry Thompson senseless.

Yet Henry Thompson, mature beyond his years, still retained a shred of clarity and asked, "Your Majesty, among these new officials, there are others from humble backgrounds with no connections. Why have you chosen me in particular?"

Emperor Leonard leaned in and lowered his voice: "Henry Thompson, it's because you and I share the same enemy..."

"The same enemy...?" Henry looked up, meeting Emperor Leonard's gaze. The Emperor's eyes shone with a piercing, unfathomable light.

A faint smile played at Emperor Leonard's lips, his voice barely above a whisper, yet each word struck Henry Thompson's heart: "I know that all these years, you've been searching for your missing birth mother, Mrs. Thompson. And as it happens, I know where she is."

Henry Thompson's eyes widened in shock, his heart pounding wildly.