The Hidden Trillionaire Heir of Royal Elite Academy

A sick mother

Arthur made his way home from school, carrying his graduation gown folded under one arm and gripping the diploma as if it were a worthless trophy.

The sun had completely set, and the streetlights flickered on, casting orange pools of light onto the cracked sidewalks.

He paused before a shabby two-story building. A laundromat took up the ground floor, while a narrow staircase above it led to his home on the second floor.

With heavy steps, Arthur climbed the stairs to his floor, dragging his legs. He fumbled with his keys, unlocked the door, and stepped inside.

The apartment was very small. It consists of one bedroom, a living room that also served as storage, and a kitchen the size of a closet.

The walls were thin and the paint was peeling, but Arthur kept the place clean.

"I am home," he called out, his voice hollow.

He walked to the bedroom. On a twin bed pushed against the wall, his mother lay with a thin blanket drawn up to her waist.

Although Eleanor was 32 years old, she looked like she was fifty. She had a gaunt face, pale skin, and sunken eyes. Beside the bed stood an IV stand, its tube extending down to a port in her arm.

According to the doctor, she was experiencing chronic kidney failure and exhaustion. All of it was due to Eleanor having spent ten years juggling multiple jobs while raising her son alone.

When she saw Arthur, her face lit up like the sun.

"My boy," she said, her voice weak but warm. She tried to sit up higher against her pillows. "My graduate. Come over here. Let me take a good look at you."

Arthur sat on the edge of the bed, placing his diploma next to her. "I did it, mom. I finally graduated."

"I am so proud of you," Eleanor whispered. She reached up with a trembling hand and touched his cheek. Her fingers felt cold. "I wish I could've attended the ceremony but the nurse said I should not leave the bed today."

"It's alright, Mom," Arthur said, covering her hand with his own. "You didn't miss much. There were many boring speeches. Someone's grandpa fell asleep and snored through the principal's address."

A soft, breathy laugh escaped Eleanor. "You are lying to make me feel better."

Arthur forced a smile. "Maybe a little."

She smiled, and for a brief moment, she appeared younger.

Then her smile disappeared. Her eyes searched his face. "What happened?"

Arthur looked away. "Nothing."

"Arthur," she said softly. "I have been your mother for nineteen years. I recognize that face. That is your sad face. Something happened. Talk to me."

He stared at the wall. The wallpaper was peeling near the corner. He had been meaning to fix it for weeks.

"Mary Jane dumped me," he finally said.

Eleanor went still. "What? Why would she do that? That girl has loved you since you were both children."

Arthur chuckled bitterly. "She entered the Royal Elite Academy scholarship program and successfully passed. She said that we now live in different worlds."

He paused. "She has a new boyfriend now. He belongs to one of the Five Families. He used his influence to get her in. He even bought a house for her parents and secured a promotion at work for her dad."

Eleanor was quiet for a long moment. Then she reached out and took her son's hand.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I know how much she meant to you."

"I hate being poor, Mom." The words came out raw from Arthur's heart. "If I had been rich, she would not have left me. I feel like a total loser."

Eleanor gently squeezed his hand.

"Listen to me, Arthur," she whispered. "If Mary Jane only loved you for money, then what she felt was not genuine love. Love does not have a price tag. Real love stays even when you have nothing left to give."

Arthur said nothing.

"Being poor is hard," Eleanor continued. "I will not pretend otherwise. You work twice as hard for half as much. People look down on you like you are made of trash. But money does not make someone worthy of love. And the lack of it does not make you unworthy. You understand me?"

Arthur glanced at his mother. "I understand," he said quietly.

"Good," she said, patting his hand. "Now stop making that face. You are too handsome to look so miserable."

A small smile tugged at his lips. "Thanks mom."

She smiled back. "There now. That is better."

Arthur rose to his feet. "I will make us some dinner. Soup okay?"

"Soup is perfect."

Just as he turned to leave, her voice caught his attention.

"Arthur? Before you go. Did we receive any mail from the Lanchesters today?"

Arthur paused. His back was to her, so she could not see his expression.

"No," he replied. "There is no mail."

He waited. She did not say anything else. But he could feel her disappointment from across the room.

He turned back. "Mom, why do you keep sending letters to the Lanchesters? You have sent over a hundred letters over the years. Maybe more. None of them have ever been answered. Isn't it time to give up?"

Eleanor looked down at her hands. "They are my old family friends. I am hoping they might be able to assist us financially."

Arthur felt his heart break even more. He knew they were hard up for money. It was becoming impossible to pay for her medication.

The bills were stacking up on the kitchen counter like snowdrifts. He had secretly been skipping meals so she would not have to worry much about money.

"Okay, Mom," he replied quietly. "I will check again tomorrow."

Suddenly, his phone started ringing.

Arthur pulled it from his pocket. The screen read: Moore & Son Logistics.

He answered.

"Where the hell are you?" The voice on the other end was cold, and impatient. "Your stupid graduation is over. We have a huge order to deliver. The client is paying triple for rush delivery. If you are late, I will add a penalty to your debt ledger. Do you understand me? Get here now."

The line went dead.

Arthur exhaled slowly. He looked at his mother. "That was Manager Cross. I have to go to work."

Eleanor nodded. Her face was calm, but her eyes were worried. "Go ahead. I'll be fine. I have my books to keep me company. Work safe, my boy."

Arthur bent down and kissed her on the forehead. Her skin was warm and papery.

"I love you, Mom."

"I love you too, Arthur. More than you will ever know."

He grabbed his jacket and walked out the door.