Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 185: The Reginalds

Chapter 185: The Reginalds

Raymond ushered Arabella to a table reserved in advance supposedly for her and Ferdinand. He pulled a chair for her and she wondered why he didn’t sit after she did.

She understood why when she saw who was approaching them. It was the Reginalds.

After the birthday celebrant and his family, the Reginalds were the next Household she would speak with.

"They are my father and mother, Duke and Duchess Reginald. Regis and Theresa," Raymond said in a low voice so Arabella would know how to respond when they greet her. They were with Ronald who silently followed behind them.

Arabella could already recognize them by face though. In her past life, she had seen the Reginalds’ portraits repeatedly before and had joined social events Theresa also attended.

She didn’t spot them earlier since they were apparently in the hallway on the left wing outside the hall when she had just arrived with Raymond. They entered when they heard the announcement of her arrival.

"Greeting’s to Your Majesty," the Duke and Duchess greeted her.

Arabella was suddenly meeting the other Great Elder. She had expected he might be present but she didn’t expect he would speak to her first.

In her previous life, the times Ferdinand met with Regis and Walter were always in private.

After all, the Great Elders only speak with Ferdinand when there was something they thought they had to meddle in. Such as in cases Ferdinand made a bad decision or there was something of great importance they had to speak about.

The family also greeted Raymond formally since he was here as the Prime Minister and Arabella’s escort.

Arabella politely greeted them back and gave a friendly smile to Ronald who nervously smiled back since both his parents and older brother were around.

The Reginalds were part of royalty so they were only second in importance to the crown.

In the Empire, only the Emperor himself, his wife, and his children could have the last name, Valeria. However, once one among his children becomes the Emperor, the other children would take the last name, Reginald.

Moreover, in the Valerian Imperial Family, Arabella discovered from reading books and records in the Imperial Library that there was usually just one child that survives to adulthood. Having siblings like Regis Reginald and Ferdinand’s father both live to adulthood was rare.

And based on the record books, if there were multiple children, usually there was only one surviving successor who reaches adulthood to become the heir. The other siblings usually die in accidents or sickness.

’Were they assassinated?’ Arabella wondered since now that she thought about it, it was quite suspicious that the other children die young. It reminded her of Fermin and she gripped at the hems of her dress.

Even though Fermin still lived in Estrella without her knowledge, he was indeed poisoned and he experienced death in his human body. It still wasn’t a nice experience. Her son still experienced death at the hands of someone.

’No, I shouldn’t think about him right now. If my expression changes, the Reginalds would notice.’

Arabella took a sip of her tea to calm her nerves before she glanced in the direction of Regis and Ronald.

Ferdinand himself was an only son. And his only relatives left were his Uncle Regis and his family.

Yet, despite the lack of heirs, which was usually what makes a territory feel secure and stable, the Valeria Household remained in power because the heirs were often said as wise and powerful. Just like Ferdinand who was so capable and began conquering other territories at a young age and hadn’t lost in war or in a duel.

’..!’ Arabella blinked when she realized something.

Now that she could look more closely, Raymond does not resemble any of the Reginalds. Nor did Raymart and Alice.

’Did Raymond get his features from his grandparent’s side?’

But Ferdinand does not resemble Regis in any way as well.

If Regis was Ferdinand’s Uncle, they may have the slightest resemblance. But there was none at all.

Or maybe, just their height. But Ferdinand was still taller.

’Or... were they not related at all?’ Arabella somehow had an inkling this was the case.

Regis resembled Ronald a lot. Ronald also had some of the features of Theresa. His resemblance to his parents was prominent.

After the usual pleasantries were exchanged, Raymond pulled a chair for Theresa.

[I was about to do that. Why is he pulling a chair for Mother when he’s here as the Prime Minister?] Ronald thought.

Theresa thanked Raymond and sat down.

[Such a gentleman. He always treats me so kindly despite how I reacted when my husband suddenly brought him home and told me he was his first child from a woman from his past.]

’Raymond was not her child?!’

Arabella did her best to remain smiling despite what she heard. Her little theory seems to have a bit of truth.

’So it means, Raymond had a different mother? No wonder Ronald is feeling competitive and insecure about even simple matters. He must feel pressured to achieve for the sake of his mother.’

[I had been so narrow-minded when I was young and didn’t want to accept him at home even though he had the appearance of a young boy then.] Theresa recollected.

Arabella learned that Regis introduced Raymond as his son from a former lover. His former lover had died so Raymond was in the care of her relatives until they decided to move elsewhere so Regis had to take him home.

’This story must be a lie. Raymond knew Ferdinand even a thousand years ago,’ Arabella thought.

[She’s still acting guilty about the past. I already told her it was alright. It was a normal reaction after Regis just introduced me as his first son.]

Raymond being brought to the Reginald household apparently almost led to a divorce between Regis and Theresa. And it was then that Regis revealed his true identity to Theresa.

[I thought my husband must have lost his mind back then. Who would believe elves, dragons, and all sorts of beings exist? Will Her Majesty be able to accept His Majesty? She’s much younger than I was when I learned the truth. Would she be able to bear with it if she was informed soon?]