Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 128: Assuming the Worst

Chapter 128: Assuming the Worst

With the matters in Cordelia resolved, Arabella and Raymond headed to Arno Dukedom. Duke Arno was lucky to have a bit more preparation time compared to Count Cordelia.

Or so she thought.

[First, the Emperor, now the Empress. What am I going to be punished for this time?] Duke Arno was pale and tense.

Arabella discovered that Ferdinand had just visited Arno as well so Duke Arno didn’t have much prep time either.

Ferdinand had declared to punish the Duke for assigning Count Dempsey who had a personal grudge against Safiro as the one to guide them with the ways of the Empire.

Following the rules of Valeria, Dempsey was not even qualified to have been assigned to such an important position.

Another reason for the punishment was for falling for the Count’s provocations and false accounts of aggression from Safiro which led to Duke Arno declaring war on the Tribe and conquering them with the help of knights from Riva.

"Greetings to Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress. Greetings to His Excellency, the Prime Minister."

Duke Arno paled even more when he realized Raymond was also there. He knew that Raymond was very much influential in the Empire. And it was in a positive light, unlike Ferdinand who was popular for his negative reputation.

Since Duke Arno was already aware of what was happening in Safiro due to Ferdinand’s visit, asking him to have the Arno Palace prepare cooked meals for the people of Safiro went easily.

Duke Arno approved of it and refused to receive supplies from Riva.

The Duke volunteered to use their own supplies and ingredients in Arno Palace as an apology for his negligence and lack of awareness about what had been going on in Safiro. Especially since Safiro was supposed to have been under his care.

Arabella then assigned Ivan to stay in Arno to watch over the food preparations.

Ivan had a panicked look at first when he thought he would be left all alone. But, he wasn’t. A magician from the Magic Tower was assigned to accompany him to ensure his safety and that nothing suspicious was added to the food for Safirans (people of Safiro).

In the presence of Duke Arno, Arabella also gifted Ivan the brooch she was wearing.

It meant she was saying Ivan was under her protection and if something happens to him, Duke Arno would be held accountable.

It was in case they do not treat Ivan well because he was a commoner or if the Duke tries to make Ivan the outlet of his frustration for getting punished by Ferdinand.

Ivan was Arabella’s most promising assistant after all. She needed him to work with her for a long time so she wouldn’t allow him to get bullied, hurt, or made to quit.

Moreover, Ivan would, of course, receive a different compensation for working for her in advance before what was officially announced.

Once they were done in Arno, Arabella and Raymond headed back to Riva and returned to their own tasks.

Arabella checked on the food preparation in the kitchen and they were mostly done.

The Imperial Kitchen would be in charge of lunch for Safiro today and the next two days.

Cordelia would be in charge of dinner today and the following two days as well.

Meanwhile, Arno would be in charge of breakfast tomorrow and the following day.

They would discuss the schedule again once the people in Safiro were able to eat full-course meals.

Arabella had her lunch and waited for news regarding Safiro.

An hour later, Alwin returned with Ferdinand. They had caught Count Dempsey and his men along with the magician. The two were even caught in the act of negotiating the prices for the magic ores.

However, there was a problem. Alwin completely undid the spells the magician had cast on the people of Safiro and now they were wary of even the knights, especially with Alwin, another magician, with them.

Ferdinand had wanted to get them cleaned and dressed in new clothes before the food was brought in but it wasn’t possible with everyone wary that they were freed from Count Dempsey and his men for an ulterior motive or that this was another part of the Count’s plots.

Thus, Ferdinand and Alwin decided it would be best to convince the people of Safiro that they were on their side and not on Count Dempsey’s so they wanted Nadia with them to convince her tribesmen.

Since Nadia and her siblings were all in Cordelia, Arabella suggested bringing everyone with them.

They then teleported to Cordelia to fetch Nadia, her siblings, and all the Safirans who were there.

Ferdinand didn’t want Arabella to be with them yet but she insisted since he was already taking her assistant to Safiro.

Moreover, the food was ready so Riley would just teleport it later once the go signal was given.

Nadia and the Safirans were overwhelmed to be able to go back to Safiro now and meet everyone again.

Arabella heard the Safirans’ thoughts. They were excited to be home after so long. But nervous and fearful at the same time to learn if their families were able to survive.

[I will finally see everyone again!]

[I’ll finally see Safiro after so long.]

[How was everyone when no supplies came?!]

[Is my family doing well?]

[Are my parents still alive?]

[Are my siblings still well?]

[Are grandma and grandpa still around?]

[Did everyone survive despite receiving food just once a day and working day and night?]

They braced themselves for the scene that would greet them once they were back in Safiro.

As if to prevent themselves from getting hurt too much, some assumed the worst possible scenarios had already happened. It was so they wouldn’t break after learning the truth.

Arabella felt a lump in her throat and her chest ached.

She knew exactly how it felt to lose someone so important. She suffered from it for an entire decade.

But there was nothing more she could do for the Safirans when it comes to those who had already passed away.