Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 244: Peaceful Goodbye

Chapter 244: Peaceful Goodbye

It was apparently rather a relief to Andrew that Arabella didn’t wish him happiness though she still offered her congratulations for his wedding as part of the formalities. Because back then, he would have truly killed himself if she had sent a letter wishing for his happiness.

[!!!] Both Alwin and Ferdinand were taken aback by this revelation.

"I am truly sorry."

"I know, I understand. I heard you also thought of ending your life which was why I finally agreed to send the letter though it pained me. I didn’t want you to hurt yourself. So I am truly glad you didn’t," Andrew sighed deeply.

[She did?!!] Ferdinand was even more taken aback. [He was someone she was willing to give her life for and I forced them apart?!]

’Oops. Maybe he shouldn’t have heard that. What if he got even more jealous now?’

But it was also a fact that Ferdinand should face. After all, he was determined to kill Andrew if he wasn’t married off to Sera. Because to him, Andrew was nothing but a hindrance to getting Arabella.

[I didn’t know their relationship was this deep. I thought they were not that serious since I heard all sorts of rumors that this prince was popular among the ladies. They were actually willing to die for each other because they were separated?!] Alwin felt guilty as well after hearing their conversation.

"Indeed. If we both ended our lives, we wouldn’t have had the chance to see the future ahead of us now. I know we were young and foolish then. But age hardly matters in love. You and I did truly love each other to have both thoughts of dying instead of being with someone else. Though we may not have been meant to be, we truly did love each other so much. But with time, we have both moved on now. The heart does change," Arabella sighed deeply too, and smiled a bittersweet smile as she thought of her past life.

"Yes, it’s kind of funny recollecting it now, but we were truly suffering then. And we did our best to move on. Congratulations to the both of us for overcoming such challenges in life," Andrew offered a toast and Arabella accepted. They did deserve at least this much.

"I’m rather so embarrassed about how my relationship with Sera began. I always regret it when I think of the times I simply ignored her and drowned in alcohol and didn’t treat her well. I often wished I married her after I had fully moved on so she wouldn’t have seen me in that state. But I guess, sometimes, things simply don’t happen as you planned, but it might turn out for the better someday."

"I guess that is true, indeed. I didn’t think I would be able to move on either. But it happened all on its own. Until one day, I realized I was no longer grieving. And the huge husband I used to fear was suddenly cute though his appearance did not change at all," she chuckled.

Arabella and Andrew laughed at each other for wallowing in sorrow and doing "stupid" things. But they could only laugh about it now because they had both survived such hardships and had indeed moved on. They thanked each other for being a good lover and friend in the past and wished each other happiness with their current partners.

Ferdinand and Alwin had rather become silent and speechless as they witnessed it all. They realized the impact of the actions they had done before was not simply on Arabella and Lobelius but also Andrew and Lahar.

Ferdinand was already regretful about it since the time Arabella asked for a divorce.

Meanwhile, Alwin didn’t care about whoever he stepped on or what were the after-effects of his actions before. He simply wanted to accomplish everything for Ferdinand. But after hearing their conversation, Alwin also realized that they should have indeed gone through the more amenable and desirable process.

. . .

Arabella let Andrew choose gifts for Sera and he got hair ornaments. She had Eunice wrap it and handed it to Andrew.

Sera was apparently in the early stages of pregnancy too so Arabella had Valerian fruits packed as well in case Sera would like them.

Andrew was rather worried since Sera might want to eat it again later if she finds them to their taste. Arabella assured him she could send Valerian fruits again if Sera wanted more.

"Thank you for the gift. My wife would be delighted. I hope we can remain as friends as we used to," Andrew offered a handshake.

"Sorry. I don’t think that would be possible. As you have noticed, my husband is quite the jealous type. I don’t make him worry anymore," Arabella declined since Ferdinand might go into panic mode again.

"I see. This would probably be the last time we talk like this then?"

"Yes. But do feel free to continue trading with Lobelius if you want," Arabella mentioned since she recalled that her family had stopped trading with Lobelius after she eloped with Andrew.

"Oh, the trade! Are you saying it can be continued?" Andrew was surprised at the sudden offer.

"Yes. Both in Lobelius and Lahar, it must have been a great loss for the commoners, nobles, and merchants alike. It only stopped because we eloped. But that was in the past now. I believe the assembly is a good opportunity to renew the trade. But do speak with my family about it instead of me. I am of Valeria now. But I would send a letter and inform them we have spoken with each other."

Her family would be relieved and delighted to know they had parted on a good note now. Lahar and Lobelius had long been friends.

"Thank you. My parents would be delighted. Ever since the trade with Lobelius was completely stopped, our merchants had been trying to find other areas to trade with. But there are things that only Lobelius could offer best. The people were also having some discomfort due to it so everyone was trying to do something about it."

Other kingdoms had apparently been hesitant on trading with Lahar for fear of getting the Empire’s hostility.

Only after they heard the rumors that Ferdinand may not like Arabella as much as he thought did they begin to trade with Lahar since it meant the Empire would no longer be hostile to those who still had relations with Lahar.

Meanwhile, Lobelius and Lahar had long been two nations close to each other. They depended on each other for some commodities which were why it was quite troublesome when the trade was completely halted.

Due to fear that Ferdinand might feel like he had been played by these two nations, they temporarily cut all ties including the trade when Andrew and Arabella eloped. It greatly impacted each other’s economies but they had other sources so it was fine.

But it was probably difficult for the people who were affected. Arabella understood that now which was why she mentioned the continuation of trading between their kingdoms.

Lobelius and Lahar shared a wide part of their borders so trading with each other was cheaper and more convenient. Suddenly shifting to other kingdoms instead wasn’t easy for both of them.

If the trade between their kingdoms continued, they would spend less on transport and storage expenses. Thus the price of the commodities would be cheaper and more affordable, especially for the commoners.

Arabella and Andrew said their goodbyes and once again wished each other happiness.