Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 253: Friends [Bonus - ]

Chapter 253: Friends [Bonus Chapter]

’Is Ferdinand alright now?’ Arabella had to wonder. ’May I should go help him?’

But she wasn’t able to since some work from the palace came so she got busy instead.

Ferdinand avoided her as well even during breaktimes when he used to go to her study or room to have a cup of tea with her. He even told Alwin to tell her he wouldn’t able to have lunch with her since he was busy.

Arabella had to attend a tea party in the afternoon so she had to go out. However, Ferdinand still didn’t show up.

When she was at the gates though, she heard his thoughts. She looked up and saw him by the window of his temporary office. She smiled and sent him a flying kiss before waving goodbye. She chuckled when she could see his face turn red even at this distance.

He surprisingly waved back as well before her carriage departed.

’Haha. He’s so cute. Who would have known Ferdinand would be this adorable if I get to know him? I’m so glad we are so much more open to each other in this life.’

Arabella had a smile on her face as they headed to the venue of the tea party.

’Right. I have to prepare myself. These "friends" of mine are quite troublesome as well.’

She was on the way to a tea party with the five ladies she used to be close with when she was not yet married.

They were Lucille, Julia, Carmella, Marisa, and Roxanne. They were all princesses of other kingdoms.

Arabella cannot reject an invitation to have a tea party with them since she always agreed when she was single.

She can’t have them conclude that she’s acting like she doesn’t know them now just because she became the Empress of Valeria. Everyone would think she had become haughty and unapproachable because of a title she got from a marriage she even tried to run away from before.

’Huh?! What’s with this many people?’ Arabella was surprised to see so many carriages.

The tea party was supposed to be just with the ladies she was once close with. But now, there were princesses from almost every nation in Eliora.

"Your Majesty, shall we head back? The letter only stated five participants. This is way too many people. If we had known, we would have brought more guards," Rendell didn’t like the sudden increase in number.

After all, Ferdinand had instructed Rendell and the knights with Arabella to protect her and her friends in case there was danger.

Arabella only had six nights with her, including Rendell.

Alwin was following them secretly from afar which was why the number of knights with her could be that low.

This sudden number of people would put a strain on her knights in case there was a problem.

She gestured to Rendell to wait for a bit.

"What is the meaning of this?" Arabella asked Julia who was the host of the party.

"I’m so sorry, when they learned we will be having a tea party with Your Majesty, everyone suddenly wanted to join," Julia looked troubled.

[I didn’t expect this to happen as well. I thought I would be hosting just for us but now I suddenly have to cater to more people. The servants are busy running here and there for the preparations.] Julia was innocent.

"My apologies, I think this is my fault. I accidentally told another friend about our tea party while I was at another gathering this morning. It seems everyone heard it," Lucille chimed in. She did not address Arabella by her title either nor greet her first.

Though this was supposed to be a gathering of friends, they still have to address each other by their titles when they first greet each other. It was customary to greet those of higher rank before speaking with them. Even more so now that there are more people here than expected.

Arabella was clearly the person of the highest rank here at the moment.

Rendell and her knights noticed it as well and their eyes went to Lucille.

Lucille noticed their hostile look before greeting Arabella respectfully.

[They are so uptight. Did she already seduce that Dark Emperor? I thought he wasn’t interested in women. No, I heard she was with Andrew yesterday. She’s still hung up on Andrew.]

Yes, that was Lucille’s thought.

Arabella once thought this princess was her best friend. But in her past life, she learned while gathering forces to help in her revenge that Lucille never thought of her as a friend.

To Lucille, Arabella had always been a rival she had been competing with.

It would have been fine if it was a healthy competition that both were aware of. But it was only Lucille who knew and the rivalry she felt was more of a strong insecurity that turned to hate.

Lucille was from a kingdom that was once more powerful than Lobelius before Arabella’s marriage.

Arabella became acquainted with Lucille in the first Assembly she attended in Medeus. Lucille approached her first and they quickly became friends. At least, that was what Arabella thought.

Now that she could read minds, she realized that Lucille was even much worst than she thought.

Arabella learned from her thoughts that Lucille had intentionally told another princess about this tea party while she was at another gathering this morning.

Lucille ensured her voice was loud enough to be heard by everyone so they would come to attend the tea party and pester Arabella about her life in Valeria.

It was to rub salt in Arabella’s wounds. Lucille thought she was still grieving for Andrew and didn’t like her marriage to Ferdinand.

Lucille was informed by her mother about all the good things Arabella had said yesterday about Ferdinand. But Lucille thought it was all a lie because of the rumor that Arabella was with Andrew in the flower garden.

Due to this, Julia, as the host was in trouble hurrying all the preparations. Julia was from a weaker nation so the others could impose on her like this. If it was someone else, this kind of rudeness would have not be tolerated.

"My apologies. As Your Majesty’s guard, I cannot approve of this until I speak with the one in charge of the security of this event," Rendell didn’t want to compromise all of a sudden due to guests he didn’t even know. His priority was Arabella’s safety or else he would be in trouble with Ferdinand.

"Yes, thank you, Sir Rendell," Arabella smiled. He was indeed a reliable guard.

[Huh?! Did she seduce her guard too?!] Lucille thought and Arabella wanted to hit her head with something. Smiling politely was not seduction at all.