Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 198: Suddenly Back [Bonus - ]

Chapter 198: Suddenly Back [Bonus Chapter]

Raymond explained to Arabella that in the meeting Ferdinand had with the King of Crux, they learned that it was the nobles who had been hardheaded despite the King wanting to return all the slaves as soon as possible.

The King could not force the nobles since they were also his support.

The noble families were powerful so even the King cannot just demand that they follow his decision when most of the nobles were against it. Moreover, slaves were important in Crux so the nobles didn’t want to let go of theirs.

With the King’s powerlessness, it took so much time to respond to Ferdinand’s letter. Some of the nobles were only alarmed after they heard there were more knights at the borders and that Ferdinand himself was already there.

A lot of the nobles were still hardheaded though. But the King knew that they were in danger so he asked to meet with Ferdinand.

Thus, Ferdinand went to Crux as the King’s guest and attended a meeting with the nobles to demand the return of their people.

Arabella was horrified when she learned that Ferdinand was forbidden to bring weapons of any sort due to his feared strength in battle.

For Ferdinand’s safety, his mage and a limited number of his guards were allowed to be with him though.

But Ferdinand said he only needed his mage with him.

[Alwin is still boasting to me about this. I want to beat him to a pulp to erase that smug grin on his face. Just because His Majesty said it once he thinks he’s better than me now.] Raymond was annoyed by it.

The King of Crux was apparently flabbergasted by it so he sent some of his elite men to escort Ferdinand’s carriage.

"Assassins from various noble families tried to attack His Majesty’s carriage but not a single one of them was able to penetrate Alwin’s barrier," Raymond narrated.

"Why wasn’t I informed of this?!" Arabella frowned.

’Grr. And he didn’t even send a single letter.’

Raymond said it was because Ferdinand didn’t want to worry or distract her so it was kept a secret in the meantime. Moreover, she hadn’t had the chance to meet Alwin or Riley who were the only ones who knew about it.

Raymond only learned about it a few days ago too. He decided to tell Arabella since she asked for an update about what was going on and Arabella would meet Ferdinand tomorrow anyway so she could ask about it in more detail.

Arabella sighed. She had to speak with her husband to stop keeping everything a secret from her.

They talked about Prudencia some more and thankfully, a lot of the people who were sold as slaves were now returned to their families. No wonder Odette’s complexion looked better and better by the day.

Arabella and Raymond’s topic soon shifted to Clarisse who was still having difficulties and discomforts due to the pregnancy.

Alice and Raymart were getting lonely that they cannot have as much time with their mother as they used to but they focused on their studies instead.

"By the way, Your Majesty, Alice loved the pen you gifted her. She even wrote you a letter," Raymond beamed as he handed Arabella a flower-scented and decorated envelope. It had a cute design.

Alice was a fast learner. And apparently, because of Arabella’s promise to give her a gift, Alice did her best to get better at writing as soon as possible so she could get her gift.

Arabella had even seen Alice’s handwriting. The letters were still skewed but she was getting better and better at it.

Since Alice improved a lot and could write her full name now, Arabella decided to give Alice the pen she promised. She gave it to Raymond about a week ago.

Arabella carefully opened the letter from Alice. It was a simple greeting that said:

’Thank you for the generous gift.

Have a good day Your Majesty.’

from Alice Reginald

***

"Oh my, her handwriting improved again!" Arabella was delighted.

Clarisse first wrote it and Alice copied it several times until she was satisfied. Her best attempt was the one sent to Arabella.

Raymond then told her in detail how Alice worked so hard just to make sure her letters looked pretty.

Arabella was laughing at something Raymond told her Alice said, when all of a sudden Ferdinand and Alwin appeared.

"It must be nice drinking tea together in such beautiful weather. I didn’t know you enjoy the attention of my wife that much, Raymond. Did you have that much free time, you even have the time to squander here? Should I send you back home?" Ferdinand asked with a dangerous glare at Raymond. He was oozing with a dark aura.

"Your Majesty, I was just chatting with Her Majesty for a bit. I informed her about how you were fairing at the borders since Her Majesty was missing you," Raymond knew the right words to say.

’I didn’t say I missed him though. Raymond is so sly too. He knew how to save his skin.’

But Arabella knew Ferdinand wasn’t in a good mood so she went along with it.

"Ferdinand!" she squealed and ran to embrace him.

[She did that on purpose. What a great actress. She didn’t want to receive His Majesty’s anger too so she acted all sweet.] Alwin rolled his eyes.

[Nice one, Your Majesty!] Raymond fully approved and was about to walk away quietly but Alwin caught him.

Ferdinand was of course, surprised. He calmed down as Arabella embraced him as tight as she could. And he soon embraced her much tighter.

"I missed you. I missed you so much," Ferdinand said in a low voice.

"I missed you too," Arabella beamed at him.

"Then, what are you doing here flirting with the Prime Minister?" Ferdinand frowned.

"I wasn’t flirting with him. I asked about you since I was feeling lonely you were not back yet. You did not even reply to a single letter I sent. Why is that?" Arabella pouted and it was Ferdinand’s turn to think of a reason he would say.

"I’m sorry. I was too busy. I didn’t have the time to write a reply. But I did read all your letters. I wanted to come see you each time but I had a lot of work to do."