Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 200: Rumors [Bonus - ]

Chapter 200: Rumors [Bonus Chapter]

Arabella wanted to stop Ferdinand again since it was embarrassing to kiss in front of everyone like this.

But she cannot keep rejecting her husband in front of all these people. Her maids and guards might further conclude they had a fight. And they had kissed in front of her the knights before anyway.

’Ugh. Fine. Whatever. I will soothe and calm him first.’ She thought she already succeeded earlier but it seems not.

Arabella wrapped her arms around Ferdinand’s neck and kissed him back. She could tell he was the one who was wide-eyed this time since he stopped moving for a second or two before kissing her again.

Everyone should have looked away but she could tell they were watching in surprise instead. She could feel their eyes and hear their thoughts.

[Her Majesty is more assertive than she looks.] Rendell thought. The guards and maids thought the same.

[How many times do I have to see this? They were never this showy before.] Alwin complained.

[She got annoyed, didn’t she?] Only Raymond understood.

Ferdinand stared at her when they broke apart. He tried to lean in for another kiss but Arabella stepped on his foot and said, "Later."

She smiled venomously and her husband finally got it.

"Right. My apologies."

[I... Did I make her angry? No wonder, her kiss felt different from how we kissed before. It still felt good though so I got distracted. I was just supposed to give her a peck for everyone to see. Was she not aware of the rumors?]

’Huh? What rumors?’ Arabella frowned.

The four of them then sat down to discuss the rumors.

Arabella and Raymond were both shocked to hear that there were rumors they were having an illicit relationship. And it was circulating broadly that it even reached Ferdinand’s ears at the northern borders.

"Your Majesty, you know I love my wife to the ends of the world. I would never cheat on Clarisse nor would I ever betray you," Raymond professed.

"Dear, I was busy working this whole time. I only meet and speak with him about work. And I have no intention of ever cheating on you," Arabella said in her defense as well.

[That better be true.] Alwin thought.

"Then, what was earlier about? You two seem much closer than usual."

[I know he loves his wife. But Raymond’s eyes were shining as he was speaking with Arabella earlier. My wife was so delighted with whatever it was they were talking about too. In all the letters she sent to me, she always mentioned Raymond as well.]

’Huh? Did I?’ She was just updating Ferdinand about what how she was doing in the palace though.

"We were speaking about his family. Raymond told me how Alice was acting all mature since she would be an elder sister soon. Meanwhile, Raymart was still moping. Alice was so adorable trying to cheer up Raymart. She had learned how to write her name too so I gave her the pen I promised last time. See, this is her letter for me," she showed the cute letter from Alice.

Arabella then explained that they just decided to have tea after rechecking everything that would be teleported with them to Medeus tomorrow.

Raymond explained how their topic progressed until it went to talking about his kids.

[They are both so desperate to explain as if they truly did cheat.] Alwin sighed and shook his head.

’What else can we do? If Ferdinand misunderstands, it would be a disaster,’ Arabella glared at Alwin and he was surprised she dared to do so in front of her husband.

"I know. I don’t really doubt you two. But you can’t act too close to each other when other people can see you. This part of the garden is visible to a lot of people. More rumors would be spread if they see the two of you here happily chatting with each other," Ferdinand also sighed.

Her husband then explained that he learned about the rumor when he overheard some of his knights talking about it.

Someone who went back to the Imperial Palace with Riley to fetch letters for his comrades heard the nobles and even commoners talking about it all over Riva.

Ferdinand ignored it at first since he trusted Raymond. He also thought that Raymond was not Arabella’s type so he wasn’t worried.

However, even after days passed by, he kept hearing about it among the knights since some were also informed about it through letters from their families.

Since it was so widespread, Ferdinand asked Alwin to investigate why such rumors were spreading. He didn’t want Arabella to seem like a wanton woman.

Alwin explained what he was able to gather. He learned that it first began when Raymond personally gave Arabella a gift saying it was from Clarisse.

It was just the tea to prevent pregnancy though.

From her husband’s thoughts, Alwin was rather horrified when he learned about it. He asked both Ferdinand and Raymond why Arabella was being made to drink that Venus tea when they were supposed to be looking forward to having children.

Alwin thought about Fermin too.

Arabella was relieved to know Alwin was worried about Fermin as well. He seems to be fond of her son. Alwin apparently told his seniors they should stop Arabella from taking the tea but Raymond explained why.

Alwin also realized that it would prevent conflict between Arabella and Ferdinand in the future if she learned about the truth first before giving birth.

. . .

Arabella and Raymond often exchanged letters after she received the tea and it fueled rumors.

It was just thanking each other though. The next letters were about work.

And what sparked it the most was the day Arabella and Raymond attended Great Elder Maximus’ birthday.

First, Arabella made Raymond choose what necklace to wear. They praised each other too and Raymond, at that time, was said to look enamored by Arabella’s beauty.

Arabella knew though, that Raymond was all giddy at the time because it had just been a few days after he learned about Clarisse’s pregnancy.

Next, Raymond escorted Arabella to the party and he was said to be overprotective of her. It was part of his duty as her escort though, since he had to ensure the Empress’ safety.