Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 201: People are so Hard to Please

Chapter 201: People are so Hard to Please

At the Great Elder’s birthday celebration, Arabella and Raymond were also apparently even seen whispering "intimately" to each other.

But those were just the times Raymond gave Arabella information about the nobles. They were sitting at a good distance from each other too.

They only spoke in low voices so the guests would not hear Raymond telling Arabella their names and titles, or a little bit of something about their background as they approached them, or after they were done talking.

Some people thought they were flirting with each other, especially since Raymond was very attentive to all of Arabella’s needs.

He asked the waiters’ to bring her water or tea when he noticed she needed a drink, ensured she was able to eat peacefully, and carefully observed anyone who approach her.

But in fact, it was just Raymond being so used to taking care of Clarisse that he knew how to treat ladies well. And he was giving special treatment to Arabella because she was the Empress and his lord’s wife.

Moreover, it was a basic courtesy in the first place but people just kept assuming things.

Alwin also found that another reason for the rumors was that Raymond and Arabella attended several events together.

Meanwhile, Clarisse suddenly stopped showing herself to social events.

People assumed it was because Raymond was enamored with Arabella and was no longer thinking about his wife. Since it was not yet announced, they did not know it was because Clarisse was pregnant.

The times Arabella and Raymond met for work, people also went to their own conclusions.

Even the gift Arabella handed to Raymond for Alice a week ago was interpreted as something else.

"How could everyone just assume all these things and spread it?!"

Raymond was alarmed since Clarisse was pregnant. It was a relief his wife hadn’t heard about it yet. He had to speak with her about it before Clarisse hears about it from someone else.

"And yet, you two decided to have tea out here where everyone could see you speaking animatedly with each other. It gives more food to their thoughts," Alwin sighed in exasperation.

But it was because both Arabella and Raymond did not know about the rumors.

It was apparently why Ferdinand kissed Arabella in front of everyone, so they would have new rumors to spread. The two of them seen kissing would at least make the rumors seem doubtful.

’How come I did not hear about this from everyone’s thoughts the past few days?’ Arabella wondered. Not one of her assistants, maids, or guards thought about it.

Or were they being too careful and did not even dare think about it when she was around, scared that their tongue might slip?

But then again, Arabella had been too focused on work lately. They may have thought about it, but she missed it because she was engrossed with work.

Ferdinand then temporarily forbid Arabella and Raymond from getting seen together without him until the rumors were clarified.

Raymond would soon announce Clarisse’s pregnancy so they would clarify the rumors then.

Meanwhile, Ferdinand had decided not to head for the borders again when not necessary after they return from Medeus. He had to be seen with his wife to prove the rumors wrong.

Moreover, he didn’t want to leave Arabella alone again since he overheard the knights talking that she might have gotten lonely and sought comfort elsewhere. He feared it might come true if he kept leaving her alone.

One of his knights also reminded Ferdinand that he was Arabella’s only ally in Valeria since they had just gotten married recently. She was just beginning to get to know the nobles recently and yet, rumors like this about her were already spreading.

Ferdinand’s knight reminded him; if he kept leaving Arabella’s side, who would be her ally while he was gone?

It also bothered Ferdinand when he realized that leaving her in the palace made Arabella rely more on Raymond instead of him. But he was also grateful Raymond had been reliable.

[I shouldn’t have left her alone. In a vast Empire filled with people she doesn’t know, she must have indeed felt all alone. Was she scared all those times? And yet, I did not even send my replies to her letters. If Raymond hadn’t been here to guide and help her while I was gone, who would she have asked for help?]

This was Arabella’s second life so she knew what she was doing. But if it wasn’t, she wouldn’t have known who to approach for help.

Arabella realized their relationship had improved but they still had a long way to go. Thankfully, they are both changing to accommodate each other.

Ferdinand even agreed to appear at social events with her so people would stop thinking they were not on good terms.

But aside from the rumors about Raymond, there was an even more absurd rumor about Arabella.

Ferdinand didn’t want to tell her about it since she might get upset. But they had to inform Arabella about it before she hears it from other people. Thus, Ferdinand had no choice.

It was discovered by Alwin when he was investigating.

Apparently, there were people who spread that Arabella had formed her own harem in the palace in the form of assistants.

’Who the hell was it again who thought about this at the Great Elder’s birthday party?’ Arabella tried to recall but there were many who theorized this.

One or most of them may be among the spreaders of such rumors.

She was trying to work hard to make a good reputation and yet, instead, she earned this.

People are indeed so hard to please. The rumor about her having an affair or a harem spread so wide much more quickly than the fact she was trying to work hard as the Empress.

Arabella sighed so deeply and the three men with her flinched. She didn’t mean to let them witness it but she did it while lost in thought.