Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 106: Gifts

Chapter 106: Gifts

[He is so light. It’s so scary to hold children. I might accidentally tear a limb if I’m not careful. How did Raymond even get used to this?]

Arabella got cold sweat from Ferdinand’s thoughts.

’Was this why he never held Fermin when he was a baby?’

Now she’s scared to let him carry Fermin once he was born. She has to make Ferdinand practice how to carry a child in the future.

[This feels so strange. But somehow, it feels familiar. When was the last time I ever carried a child... Ah, Alwin was the first child I ever carried. That brat was so eager to grow. He finally grew tall but he’s still young too.]

Arabella realized that Alwin was indeed akin to Ferdinand’s first child. It was no wonder Alwin treasured him very much. And among Ferdinand, Raymond, and Alwin; Alwin was the youngest.

[This is even more difficult than carrying my wife.] Ferdinand internally complained as he made sure not to put any pressure on his hands but still ensure Raymart won’t fall from his lap.

Since Ferdinand was Raymond’s cousin (though she’s no longer sure if this was even true), it makes him Alice and Raymart’s uncle and Arabella their Aunt.

It was surprising that Ferdinand was allowing Raymart to just call him Uncle though. He probably had a soft spot for children too but she just never got the chance to see it in her previous life.

In the past, Ferdinand was cold to everyone, so not even Raymart or Alice was close to him. They greeted him formally and always called him ’Your Majesty’.

But this time, it seems their relationship has improved.

Seeing how Ferdinand was trying to be as careful as he could with Raymart on his lap, it was clear he does have a spot for children too.

Alice was still scared of him though.

Arabella pulled one Ofelia flower from the bouquet when Raymart kept glancing at it. He was curious about the flowers too.

"Raymart, would you like one? I can put it on your clothes," Arabella smiled at the boy. After all, Raymart was envious when she gifted a necklace to Alice.

She wanted to give him something too. But Arabella had nothing to offer Raymart earlier since she was not wearing anything she could gift to a boy.

"Y-yes, Your Majesty."

Raymart was still shy to her since it was their first time meeting. But he looked delighted as she placed an Ofelia flower on his suit.

"There, it suits your clothes," Arabella patted Raymart and he still looked embarrassed but happy at the gift.

She handed him another Ofelia flower he could scrutinize.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Raymart was not used to her yet to dare call her Aunt Empress or Aunt. He addressed her formally as taught by his parents.

Arabella flinched when she noticed an envious look from her husband.

’What’s wrong with him? Can’t he just pamper the children for once? I know the flowers were from him but he doesn’t have to look like this.’

She thought of giving him a kiss on the cheek to cheer him up a bit but they were not alone.

"Alice, I got flowers," Raymart boasted and Alice puffed her cheeks so much looking like she might cry any second.

’Oh my. She’s still so cute even when she’s about to cry,’ Arabella once again thought of having a daughter of her own someday.

She pulled out another flower from the bouquet and offered it to Alice.

"Alice, this is for you. Won’t you come and get it?"

This time Alice extended her hand so Clarisse walked to Arabella and once they were just a few steps away, she settled Alice on the ground.

Alice instantly hugged her mother and glanced at Ferdinand. But Ferdinand was now busy listening to Raymart tell him exaggerated stories about his sword lessons.

Raymart kept moving about as he described his sword lessons so Ferdinand was focused on ensuring he won’t fall off and get injured.

Since Ferdinand was not even looking at her, Alice got her courage back and walked to Arabella to get her flower.

"Very good," Arabella praised as Alice conquered her fear. "Let me carry you so I can put another one in your hair."

The bait was successful and Alice opened her arms to be carried.

"Good girl. I will now put one in your hair," Arabella succeeded in getting Alice back on her lap.

Raymond and Clarisse were smiling at each other. They both thought they should educate their children to not be so gullible in the future though.

[Her Majesty sure knows how to treat children. Alice had always been scared to get close to His Majesty but look at her staying in Her Majesty’s lap when he was in the seat right beside her.]

"Yay! Thank you! Your Ma-jes-ty," Alice knew to thank her for the gift this time without Raymond or Clarisse having to remind her.

Arabella patted her head and dried some remaining tears at the corner of Alice’s eyes.

"I got two flowers. And I got a necklace," Alice beamed brightly. She’s already able to count up to ten.

Raymart pouted. It was his turn to look like he might cry.

"So what? Uncle said he would gift me a sword once I get better at my sword lessons," Raymart countered.

It was obvious though that he was feeling bad about the necklace.

Raymart glanced at Ferdinand and stared at the brooch he was wearing.

"Uncle, can I have this?" Raymart asked with hopeful eyes.

"!!!"

Raymond and Clarisse were alarmed.

[That’s a brooch made for His Majesty a thousand years ago.] Raymond thought and Arabella stared at the said brooch.

The design was unique but it didn’t look old in the slightest. It was as good as new.

’Just how old is Ferdinand if that brooch was made a thousand years ago?!’

"Raymart, you can’t just ask for His Majesty’s brooch. It’s rude to ask just because you are envious of Alice," Raymond scolded.

Raymart’s eyes began to become watery.

[He’s going to cry! He wouldn’t stop for a while once he begins crying.] Ferdinand was alarmed. He probably knew from experience.

"It’s alright. This is not particularly important anyway," Ferdinand unpinned his brooch and gave it to Raymart.

"Yay!! Thank you, Uncle!" Raymart hugged his uncle and Ferdinand looked so surprised. It was probably the first time a child embraced him.

[What’s this warm feeling overwhelming my chest?]

Arabella couldn’t help smiling at such a thought from Ferdinand.

"I got a gift too!" Raymart showed off the brooch to Alice.

[I have never even received a brooch as a gift from His Majesty in all my years as his butler.] It was Raymond who was envious this time.

’Wait... Butler?! Raymond is Ferdinand’s butler?’

Arabella did her best not to frown. If Raymond was Ferdinand’s butler, then were they even blood-related?

She realized she had to ask Ferdinand later about his family to get a clue about his true background.

"Raymart, you have to be careful not to lose that brooch. And don’t give it to your Uncle Alwin no matter what he offered for it," Raymond warned.

’Would Alwin really be so childish to try and get the brooch from Raymart?’

But apparently, Alwin would.

[Alwin would be so envious. He would tempt Raymart with all sorts of things just to get this brooch. Maybe I should go back to Estrella and put a spell on it so Alwin wouldn’t even be able to touch it. No matter how mature he tries to act, that child is still so bratty. He should fall in love soon and get married so he would stop obsessing over His Majesty.]

Raymond was clearly obsessed too though. The glint in his eyes looking at the brooch was different.

It was more like, he’d rather have Raymart have a gift from Ferdinand since he was his own child. If Raymart wasn’t his child, maybe it was Raymond who would offer all sorts of things to get the brooch for himself.

"Uncle, you will still give me a real sword when I get better in swordsmanship, right?" Raymart feared he wouldn’t receive another gift since he already received one.

"Of course. That’s a different promise."

"Yay!" Raymart beamed. "Alice, I will receive another gift from Uncle in the future."

This time, it was Alice who was defeated. She was still so adorable even when she was pouting though.

Arabella flinched when Alice looked at her with puppy dog eyes.

"Your Ma-jes-ty, Alice is lear-ning how to write," Alice appealed to her.

She was obviously asking for a reward gift once she gets good at it just like Raymart was once he gets better with the sword.

’How can I deny something to such an adorable child? What should I give her?’ Arabella was defeated by the cuteness overload from Alice.

She recalled the magic pen. It would be good for Alice too so her clothes and hands wouldn’t get smeared with ink all over them.

"Alright, I’ll give you a magic pen once you get better at writing."

"Yay!!" Alice gave her a kiss on the cheek and Arabella was the one who was more delighted.

Clarisse and Raymond scolded their children for acting all spoiled.

The cookies finally arrived too so Alice and Raymart finally stopped squabbling.

Everyone ended up having lunch together before returning to their work.

The following day, Arabella, Ferdinand, and Alwin headed to Safiro. And Arabella saw a sight she had never seen in her life. The situation was so much worse than she ever thought.