Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 188: At the Flower Garden

Chapter 188: At the Flower Garden

Once the celebration was over, Arabella was exhausted from all the thoughts she had to process.

Still, she was grateful for all the things she learned today. She didn’t expect she would learn more about Ferdinand and Raymond. She was happy she learned more information about them.

Getting to know people and forming connections were also fruitful. Too fruitful that it was somewhat scary.

Those connections were still shaky but they could build trust along the way as time passes and they work together.

"My apologies for not informing Your Majesty earlier about my mother," Raymond said when they were in the carriage heading back to the Imperial Palace.

He finally told Arabella that the necklace she was wearing was recommended by Theresa.

"I just wanted Mother to support Your Majesty. Clarisse would do her best to support you too. but with the pregnancy, she wouldn’t be attending as many events as she used to. Tea parties would probably be fine but balls and banquets would be a challenge," Raymond explained.

"Thank you very much for your thoughtfulness. Now, I seem to have caught the Duchess’ attention. I am also very much grateful that Clarisse would help me. But please tell her she shouldn’t push herself though if she’s having a hard time with the pregnancy. I heard from my nannies back in Lobelius that it could be quite difficult. If it’s not good for her to travel, maybe I can have tea with her in your residence instead of me inviting her to the palace."

Arabella experienced it herself though.

She suggested that Clarisse invite her to their residence instead, so the latter wouldn’t have to ride carriages which could make her nausea and vomiting due to the pregnancy even worse.

Raymond was relieved Arabella was understanding. He eagerly left to see his wife after escorting Arabella home.

. . .

The following day was Arabella’s rest day so she was able to sleep a bit longer.

’It feels so nice to sleep as long as I want once in a while,’ she thought as she sleepily rang the bell calling for her maids.

They arrived so quickly so she surmised they must have been waiting right outside her door. They didn’t wake her up since she had nothing scheduled for today.

’It feels so nice to take a long bath too,’ she relaxed in the tub as her maids assisted her.

After a long bath, she slowly ate breakfast and decided to have tea in the flower garden.

[Her Majesty had been so busy the past few days. She’s clearly enjoying a breather after all those hectic days. It must have been hard. I wanted to assist her more but there was also a limit to how I can help her.] Eunice thought. She was as thoughtful as ever.

[She’s getting eye bags and dark circles under her eyes. Why isn’t she taking care of her beauty when she’s blessed this much?]

Renee was as obsessed with beauty as ever. She had a high-class taste and was the most particular with beauty and aesthetics among Arabella’s maids.

However, ever since Arabella intentionally let Renee see Alwin’s face, the latter had been busy trying to gather information about the mage.

Thus, Renee was no longer bothering Arabella that much with her obsessive thoughts. Her attention was indeed redirected to Alwin who had such a divine and mysterious beauty.

Renee had even apparently tried stalking Alwin but she always lost him.

[Should I ask Her Majesty about him?]

Renee wondered if she should just ask since her information gathering and stalking did not bear much fruit.

[No, no, no. If Her Majesty also likes him, she would probably not give any information about him. They might be having an affair too so I have to observe more.]

’Why does everyone already suspect me of cheating?’

Arabella wondered since she had never even flirted with another man aside from Ferdinand.

She just took a sip of her tea when she looked around and saw Alwin walking with a lady.

’Eh? Why does it look like they are heading here?’

Arabella tried to look a bit more closely when the lady beside him looked familiar.

’Why does she look like Blanca? But she’s older. Does Blanca have an older sister?’

The lady smiled and waved at Arabella so she smiled back, still confused about who this lady was and why she was waving so casually.

Alwin grabbed the lady’s hand and put it down. With the frown on his face as he spoke, it was clear he scolded the lady.

"Greetings to Your Majesty," Alwin greeted and bowed upon arrival. He apologized for his guest waving so casually as if they were close.

"Sorry for disturbing your tea time, Your Majesty. I was giving my guest a tour of the palace when we spotted you. I would like to introduce her, but before that, may I request some privacy," Alwin glanced at her maids.

"Oh, of course. Alright," Arabella made her maids leave and only Rendell remained with her. She understood others should not know about Blanca’s true identity.

[What?! No! Who is this lady?! She’s so beautiful too. Why is she his guest?! Could he be in a relationship with this lady?!]

Renee intently stared at the guest, almost openly glaring. Eunice and Carla dragged her away with them, whispering that Renee should never stare at a guest that way again since it was rude.

Once her maids were out of sight, the guest greeted Arabella.

"Greetings to Your Majesty. I am blessed to be able to meet you again."

"Again?" Arabella tilted her head. "My apologies, have we met before?"

"She is Blanca, Your Majesty," Alwin clarified.

"Huh?!"

Arabella blinked repeatedly and wondered if she heard it wrong.

"She is?" she asked for verification.

"Yes."

Arabella was so surprised that she rose to look at Blanca more closely one more time.

The appearance of Blanca she knew was of a ten-year-old girl. This lady looked like she was seventeen or eighteen.

"How is that possible?!" she said in disbelief. Arabella realized she asked out loud like an idiot but she already did.