Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 184: Idiots [Bonus - ]

Chapter 184: Idiots [Bonus Chapter]

Arabella learned that Ferdinand’s month-long stay in the palace was the longest he ever did. He never stayed put in the palace ever since he sat on the throne. He was always out and about somewhere.

Thus, some thought Ferdinand had his fill for a month and was already tired of her. They concluded he just lusted for her and his favor for her was done once he was satisfied.

If it was Arabella in her previous life who didn’t know she was loved, she would have been hurt so badly by such thoughts. But Arabella was not that bothered by such thoughts anymore since she knew now how much Ferdinand treasured her.

If he loved her enough to have her revived, he wouldn’t tire of her once he had his fill, right?

[Her Majesty is indeed so stunning. No wonder she’s said to be the fairest maiden in Eliora. Her beauty knows no bounds. Since His Majesty seems to not like her anymore, maybe she would be open to relationships soon once she gets lonely. I want to get a taste of her too.]

Arabella flinched when she heard such a thought. And there were more men in the hall who thought the same.

’If Ferdinand heard all this, I wonder how he would punish them. He gets jealous even of Alwin who had been with him for a long time. These people would probably get a beating. No, a slash here and there, or maybe castration?’

Who was she kidding? She knew Ferdinand would just kill them.

Alwin was still important to Ferdinand even if it doesn’t seem so. Thus, he was just trying to marry him off to someone else. But these people whom were unimportant to Ferdinand would be easily discarded by him.

It seems even in Valeria which was reigned by an Emperor with a cruel and dark reputation, there were still idiots who desired her.

There were still men among the nobles that lusted for her and wanted to get close to her thinking they might have a chance since they thought she was neglected by the Emperor.

Because Ferdinand was not around to escort her today on her first appearance in a social event, he no longer seem as enamored as the rumors say. Thus, they were emboldened to think they might have a chance to be in an affair with her.

Arabella had been on this path in her past life. Using this sinful desire, she was able to use men to achieve some things she couldn’t through normal means.

She maximized all sorts of things in her past life. But she was no longer open to this.

Arabella now knew just how tiring people’s desires and greed were. It was never-ending. People will always have more demands. And the more you give in, the more they will demand more until there was nothing left to give.

Most importantly, in this life, she doesn’t want to betray Ferdinand again.

She would be useful in this life and keep being functional in various ways so she wouldn’t end up the way she did before.

One thing she learned from her past life was, if someone’s value was gone, they were left all alone.

When her son died and she was grieving, the people she knew thought she had no more use. Especially since Ferdinand no longer slept with her. Meaning, she would no longer be able to bear a child.

Thus, she became a discarded piece that had lost its function.

The people who had been associating themselves with her and declaring they were her friends all left her.

Only when she continued functioning as the Empress did some try to get close to her again.

Most completely abandoned her and searched for a possible new Empress since she would not be pregnant with an heir anyway. But Ferdinand never showed interest in other women.

Soon, even Ferdinand was deemed dysfunctional for not producing an heir. And, the people searched for someone else to be on the throne.

The people thought Raymond and Clarisse fit the throne better and so they gathered support for them regardless of what the two may have thought.

And while the people were divided, it was then that Arabella got more chances to sow conflict. She became part of the chaos and made it worse.

Even with her life at risk, at that time, she thought it was all she could do. She thought she simply had to do it to achieve her goal.

Until she experienced all sorts of things.

Arabella closed her eyes and took deep a breath.

Some of them were here right now.

The people who once abandoned her...

And... the people she abandoned.

It could be considered she once abandoned everyone here, didn’t she?

’No more. That’s enough. It won’t happen again.’

She stopped herself of thinking about the past. She had no right to be emotional now. Or does she?

’I’m still far from my goal. I cannot hesitate,’ Arabella internally scolded herself and braved her memories.

It was indeed a double-edged sword. But she was still grateful for it.

Arabella smiled as brightly as she could even to the people who once left her, the people who once eyed her with disgust, the ones who mocked her, and even those she knew would try to have her killed. Even the people who would someday be traitors to the throne and try to eliminate both her and Ferdinand.

No wonder she was nervous to attend this celebration. This was what it was about, not meeting the Great Elder.

Still, she had no choice but to get used to this if she was determined to atone for her sins as she had promised.

"Please give way, Her Majesty would be here for several hours so please do not rush," Raymond said when he noticed Arabella’s smile was different than usual.

The nobles were all eager to introduce themselves but it was courtesy to let the higher-ranking ones speak first.

Thus, they had to wait their turn until the ones from the highest-ranking territories spoke with her first.