Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 233: Sending and Receiving Gifts

Chapter 233: Sending and Receiving Gifts

Arabella complained to her parents about being sent to Valeria all alone and all sorts of things to let them know about her frustration before.

But in fact, she just wanted to let them know how she felt and make them understand that being left in the dark didn’t help her at all, but made her feel miserable instead.

It was so that they would inform her about such things from now on.

They were surprised as she spoke so much bolder than she ever was. They wondered if being in Valeria made her braver. Or she was simply fed up with everything so she was speaking out.

They promised to inform her about relevant things going forward, especially since they thought she seemed more matured now.

Arabella also clarified that she had moved on from Andrew and had decided to be with Ferdinand so they had nothing to worry about.

After all, her husband returned and was lurking somewhere listening to their conversation after he recalled he had already revealed to her that he was a dragon.

He got worried that she might tell her parents and they might ask her to divorce Ferdinand due to it. They hadn’t had the chance to talk about it again after all.

Arabella knew though that it wasn’t something they could just reveal so she didn’t dare mention it.

. . .

Arabella also learned that ever since her engagement with Ferdinand was made public, assassination attempts on Benjamin and her other siblings had also begun right then but they kept the incidents a secret.

Their parents were also pressured and dissuaded by other kingdoms not to push through with the marriage due to Ferdinand’s dark reputation and violence. They knew though that it was more about not wanting Lobelius to grow powerful though an alliance with the Empire.

Her parents had already agreed after speaking with Ferdinand and cannot backtrack from their promise. Especially since it was the Empire itself that offered an alliance. Valeria already lowered itself by asking for an alliance first.

Arabella also learned from her parents’ thoughts that they chose Ferdinand because he was the strongest in Eliora and they believed he would be able to protect her from all the dangers chasing her.

She wanted to ask about what those dangers were yet again. But she didn’t have the chance to do so since the food was ready. It would get cold if they don’t eat soon. The efforts of the chefs would go to waste. Thus, she decided to ask them about it later and ushered them to the dining hall first.

Lunch with her family went smoothly. They liked the meals that Alfredo and the other chefs prepared.

They were rather impressed that the chefs were able to make Lobelian cuisine with such finesse when they had only recently learned how to make it from Aletha who wasn’t even a chef. Aletha was a good cook though since she prepared meals for her family back in Lobelius.

Her family had conversations with her and Ferdinand while they had lunch but she didn’t get the chance to speak with them more after since representatives from other kingdoms had arrived bearing gifts.

One thing that stuck with Arabella though was that her mother surprisingly asked her if there were monsters who attacked her in Riva. When she said there was none, her mother was relieved and thought that Arabella’s marriage with Ferdinand was indeed working.

She wondered what it was about but her family had to leave since they had another event to attend.

Arabella and Ferdinand also had to entertain guests from other kingdoms who brought gifts for them. She had to reserve her questions for another time.

As prepared by the ministers, a lot of gifts from Valeria were given to her family to show that Arabella was indeed welcomed in the Empire and was cherished by Ferdinand and his subjects.

The number of gifts was overwhelming. The representatives from other kingdoms who saw it noted to get along well with her family and be on Lobelius’ good side.

With the lunch with her family over, receiving gifts and gift-giving came next.

Ferdinand didn’t like it much but did his best to bear with it for Arabella’s sake since she was welcoming everyone openly.

All the gifts they prepared for the nations who were members of the council were also sent out to show their goodwill. It was more like bragging or showing off what they have in Valeria than goodwill though.

They received so many gifts too though since the other kingdoms didn’t lose out in wanting to brag. They also showed off what their kingdoms had.

It took Arabella until midnight to check all the gifts they received. It was so she would know what to write in her letter of thanks to everyone who sent gifts or what to say in case she met them in person later.

The maid and butlers opened the gifts and showed them to Arabella and Ferdinand.

Eunice and Riley noted all the gifts they received and verified it was the same as what was on the list given by the representatives.

On the gifts from Lahar (Andrew’s home kingdom) and Reverio (Icarus’ Kingdom), there were gifts specifically labeled for Arabella.

It pissed off Ferdinand but he remained silent though he glared at the said gifts with so much disdain. He wanted to burn it while it was still wrapped so Arabella would not even touch it.

Arabella figured the gift from Lahar with her name was from Andrew. When they opened it, it had flowers made of gems. The flowers meant an apology though. It seemed Andrew was still feeling sorry for her.

[Why is he still sending flowers to my wife?! He is already a married man. Does he mean to tempt my wife even now?]

Ferdinand’s eyes didn’t leave Arabella for a second as she checked Andrew’s gifts. Thus, she didn’t pay them much attention or her husband might interpret she might still be tempted if Andrew still wanted her.

Meanwhile, the gift from Reverio labeled for her was fine brocade. They were all in color and design that would perfectly fit Arabella when made into dresses.

[That bastard. Is this a declaration of war?! Why would they send a gift specifically addressed to my wife? He must have personally chosen these. Does he mean to say he still intends to keep fighting me for Arabella’s hand even though she’s already my wife? I didn’t think he was this kind of person.]

Ferdinand scowled at the sight of the gift from Icarus so she knew she’d rather not have dresses or anything for her made from these or her husband would interpret it as something else. She would probably just give these away to her maids or have them sold.

When all the gifts from other nations were opened, Arabella realized there were a lot of items meant for her although they were not labeled.

Those who decided on the gifts were already planning to get on Arabella’s good side for the benefits since they knew it would be difficult to aim for Ferdinand’s.