Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 154: Back to the Palace [Bonus - ]

Chapter 154: Back to the Palace [Bonus Chapter]

Ferdinand explained that Hayden seemed to be keeping appearances just to make everyone in their neighborhood believe that he was still living in the house doing experiments.

However, Hayden was barely there. He never visited his friends and the people he knew either ever since they pointed out that he seemed to be acting weird.

It all began when one of Hayden’s experiments failed and he got seriously injured.

One of the doctors in his neighborhood declared Hayden wouldn’t be able to recover and would probably die soon.

However, one day, after a foreigner visited Hayden’s abode, as if a miracle, he was suddenly cured.

At first, it wasn’t obvious since everyone just thought that Hayden must have been deeply affected by his failed experiment and almost dying due to it.

However, they soon noticed that Hayden didn’t act or speak the way he used to. He changed too much as if a completely different person. Even his friends and relatives noticed it since there were times he didn’t recognize people he should have known.

Ever since someone pointed it out, Hayden minimized going outside until he barely went out and always said that he was just busy with experiments and did not want to be disturbed.

Hayden withdrew from social events he used to attend and did not talk with anyone much when he goes out. Soon he moved his abode deep within the forest.

For a while, Hayden’s neighbors thought someone was living in his abode since the light was usually on at night when hunters passed by.

However, daring children snuck into his home and they learned that no one was there. The house was filled with cobwebs and dust everywhere.

Some adults who had gone to the forest for foraging medical herbs also entered his abode when they were stuck in the forest due to heavy rains. They entered since no one was answering and they thought Hayden may have fallen ill again or got into another accident with his magic experiments.

However, they discovered that what the children said were true. The house was cobwebs and dust everywhere. No one was living in it.

The light they had been seeing was due to magic lamps that switched on once night came. The smoke they had been seeing from his chimney was also caused by a magic stone that emitted smoke at scheduled intervals.

They thought it was for security purposes so no one would dare break in. But if that was what Hayden was worried about, he could have hired people to guard his home while he was away since he had more than enough money to afford it anyway.

It was suspicious how Hayden had to make his neighbors believe he was in his house all the time when he could have just said he was on travel or something.

Ferdinand and his men concluded that it was because Hayden had to keep up the appearances for a reason.

Arabella froze when Ferdinand said, "The real Hayden had probably died or was killed by the one who possessed his body."

’Is this like how Renee occupied my body?!’ Arabella shivered at the memory.

[She turned pale. And she shivered just now.]

"Are you alright? Should we continue or do you not wish to listen to this?" Ferdinand held her hand.

"I’m fine. I’m just horrified that someone would go as far as using someone else’s body to do evil deeds. It’s simply so selfish."

[Could she empathize even without memories of the past because she had experienced it before?] Alwin wondered.

"Please continue. I want to learn more about this as well," Arabella encouraged since Ferdinand was still worried.

They then explained that the spells used in Safiro were far too complicated for Hayden. From documents and a diary found in his abode, they learned that Hayden had far less mana to be able to use the spells he maintained for years in Safiro.

It was what made them conclude that Hayden was a different person. Because even if he used magic stones to amplify his capacity, he still wouldn’t be able to cast the spells used on Safiro.

Since what they thought was Hayden was another person and had escaped, Alwin and the others have to further investigate again. But it was saved for later since Alwin could not track him anymore.

More knights and magicians would be stationed in Safiro for safety purposes in the interim.

For everyone else, the case was closed except for those who knew about the truth.

Arabella was still bothered by it but they had to focus on work for now.

Alwin made it rain in Safiro and the Safirans who hadn’t seen the rain for so long basked in it instead of staying in the temporary shelters. They rejoiced and celebrated the arrival of rain even if it was just due to Alwin’s magic.

The trees Alwin grew in the residential area and farmlands were cut for construction materials. Rebuilding the residential area in Safiro would begin soon since the materials for construction and the workers were finally gathered and brought there.

All the necessities had arrived in Safiro as well and the people could now look after themselves.

Arabella and Ferdinand no longer needed to be in Safiro and let the ministers in charge take care of the work.

They then remained in the Imperial Palace and were both busy with work since Raymond had been complaining about doing all the paperwork.

Ferdinand sent some more knights to the borders between Prudencia since Crux had no response to his letter yet. They had to show that Valeria was more than willing to attack if Crux do not cooperate as soon as possible.

Alwin also roamed around the territories in Crux and put up huge magical notices in the most visible location which contained the message Ferdinand had sent to the King of Crux.

It was to warn the nobles who were probably against returning the slaves they bought which was why the King of Crux cannot send a response yet.

It was also a way of saying that Ferdinand’s people had already infiltrated and they could attack anytime if they wanted to, they were just giving Crux the chance to choose the amicable way.