Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 103: Next Time

Chapter 103: Next Time

"Oh, I almost forgot. There would be more fireflies in the garden. Shall we go to the garden so you can get a closer look at them?" Ferdinand asked and he smiled when Arabella’s answer was obvious before she even said a word.

"I’d love to," Arabella quickly rose.

She’d love to see the fireflies a bit more closely. It was also about time they stopped kissing or Ferdinand would be too into it and long to go further. She was grateful he provided the distraction himself.

Ferdinand blinked repeatedly as he looked back and forth from her to his empty lap.

[Wait, she’s on my lap and in my arms just now. I could have waited until she’s stops me from kissing her again before suggesting the garden. Why did I go and stop everything myself?! We could have kissed more.]

’Too late for that.’

Arabella almost laughed as Ferdinand kept regretting and scolding himself. She kissed him on the cheek to stop his inner dilemma.

"We can continue next time," she smiled suggestively and he was wide-eyed.

[There’s a next time!] His face instantly brightened and he finally rose.

"Is that a promise?" he cupped her cheeks and made her meet his eyes.

"Yes."

"Then, just one more time," Ferdinand kissed her before she could reply.

Ferdinand kept kissing her thought until she finally stopped him since he seems to be forgetting he was supposed to bring her to the garden.

"Aren’t we going to the garden?" she reminded.

"Right."

[Why did I mention the garden when everything was going so well?] He still brooded over what he did.

"Where’s the path?" she doesn’t see any bridge or pathway connected to the gazebo.

It was as if the gazebo was floating in the middle of the lake. But she didn’t feel any movement or shaking like when she’s on a boat.

’Are we going to teleport?’

She gasped when all of a sudden, she heard the sound of the water bubbling. She held onto Ferdinand thinking a monster might pop up or something.

And right in front of the chair where Ferdinand sat earlier, an elegant bridge pathway made of glass suddenly appeared.

No, it wasn’t glass. Upon closer inspection it was made of ice.

’Is Alwin or Ferdinand’s other magicians hiding somewhere?!’ Arabella looked around.

The thought that someone could have watched her teach Ferdinand how to kiss and watch them make out horrified her. Sure she had experience from her past life but she never did anything with someone watching.

"Ferdinand, is Alwin or someone else lurking somewhere?"

[Alwin? Why would she mention Alwin... Ah, the water I solidified and formed as a bridge.]

’Oh, it was him. He can do that?’

She learned from his thoughts that the gazebo was built that way without needing a connecting bridge since it wasn’t necessary. They could just fly or teleport to it.

"No. I have forbidden everyone to come here unless I call them. I can use a bit of magic."

[I don’t need any disturbances.]

"Amazing. You can use magic too?" Arabella stared at the bridge.

"Yes. But only when I’m in this place."

[If only I can use magic and all my abilities even in Valeria, everything would be so much easier. I can be with my wife more too.]

"Where are we exactly?" she asked hoping he would tell her.

"Ah, we teleported to one of my private abodes. It’s a secret only a few people know. I’ll tell you more in the future. It’s getting cold. Let’s go to the garden and watch the fireflies before we go back. It’s getting late."

He dodged it.

Arabella pouted in disappointment. She knew he wouldn’t just say it easily but she still felt bad that he wasn’t telling her what else this place was.

Still, he said he would tell her more in the future. She has to wait too.

It had been bothering her. She has to try to understand why she was not informed about Estrella before. Maybe, there was a set of procedures. Or some rules he had to adhere with.

’I have to be openminded in this life. I don’t want to misunderstand things again.’

Ferdinand wrapped her in his coat and used magic on her shoes so she would be able to walk on the ice bridge with no problems.

"Shall we?" Ferdinand offered his hand to escort her.

She was surprised when the bridge didn’t feel any different than normal pathways.

But she ended up wrapping her hand around his arm when they got to the middle of the bridge. She didn’t realize the lake was so wide. They had been walking for a few minutes but they haven’t reached the garden yet.

"Uhm, Ferdinand. The ice won’t suddenly break, right? I... I can’t swim," she had no choice but to admit.

[I see. No wonder she was scared earlier.]

"It’s sturdy. Even if Rendell tries to break this with his sword he wouldn’t be able to. And you would never drown in this water. This lake is magical. It won’t drown anyone who didn’t do it any harm."

[There’s nothing to worry about. If this lake tries to harm her in the least bit, I will dry it up.]

’Isn’t that a bit too much?’

She knew he’s a dragon but drying up a lake seemed impossible. Unless he plans to have it drained or redirected in some way.

"I see. That’s reassuring."

She still clung to his arm though. She gasped when Ferdinand scooped her up.

"F-Ferdinand?!"

"I’ll carry you."

"No. You wouldn’t be able to see where you are stepping. What if we both fall into the water? And aren’t I heavy? This dress has so many layers too."

Ferdinand frowned at her.

"I can walk here back and forth even with my eyes closed. And what’s heavy here? You are far lighter than my sword."

[It’s like I’m just carrying a piece of warm and soft clothing. She has to regain her usual weight soon. Isn’t it dangerous if she’s this light? Won’t she get blown away if a storm comes? Even the gust of wind my wings create when I take off to fly would blow her away. So dangerous! I have to ensure she’s always fully guarded.]

’How rude! I’m not that light.’

It’s not like she would go out when a storm was raging. And she’s not even sure if she would ever see him in his dragon form in this life.

"I’m not that light."

’Is it because he’s a dragon? He’s far stronger than normal humans, so could it be his perception of light and heavy is too skewed?’

Ferdinand ended up carrying her to the garden. And there were even more fireflies in there since it was their abode.

Arabella marveled in awe as she saw a lot of flowers she had never seen before. The glow of thousands of fireflies allowed her to see how pretty the flowers were.

’Could Ofelia flowers be one of these?’

"Ferdinand, is there any Ofelia flower here?"

"Ofelia flowers? No. Alwin grows them in a different location."

’Oh, what a pity. I thought I would get a glimpse of the flower Alwin cherishes so much. It makes such a delicious tea too. And it’s Ferdinand’s favorite tea.’

[She really likes flowers, doesn’t she?]

"I’ll bring you a bouquet of Ofelia flowers tomorrow."

"Oh my, thank you."

She’d be getting her second bouquet from him so soon.

"I’ve never seen these flowers before. They are all so pretty. Do you know what these are?" she’d love to get to know what flowers grow in Estrella.

"I... I’m not that knowledgeable about flowers. I’m sorry," Ferdinand paled.

[Why didn’t I familiarize myself with all these before showing her?! I don’t care much about flowers but she seems to love them. I have to ask about this later.]

"It’s alright. I was just curious because they look so pretty. I’m happy I got to see new flowers. They look especially pretty with the fireflies lighting them up."

They stayed in the garden for a bit, enjoying the view before going back to Valeria.

Her maids were delighted when they saw her wearing Ferdinand’s coat when they returned. They were satisfied they did the right decision of not making her wear a coat.

Ferdinand slept in Arabella’s room that night. It was the first time he fell asleep so easily without giving her trouble with his wild thoughts.

In the morning, Ferdinand looked so happy that everyone misunderstood it was because he was able to have a satisfying night of consummating with her. No one knew they just slept in the same bed, that’s all.

They misunderstood because the gloomy and cold Ferdinand suddenly looked too bright and dazzling.

It was so embarrassing that everyone thought it was because she satisfied him but Arabella let it be. She couldn’t possibly tell Ferdinand to stop smiling when he finally looks happy for the first time in a while.

’I shouldn’t be bothered by this anymore. It’s normal for a couple to do it. So what if they thought we did it?’

She had breakfast with Ferdinand before they parted to do work in their own offices. Ferdinand had a lot of work to do since he was gone for a while.

Meanwhile, Arabella was once again planning for future banquets and tea parties she could conduct.

She already knew exactly what to do but she had to show her maids and the other palace staff that she had been preparing for things in advance. Or else, they would be suspicious if she suddenly does too well without any previous preparations.