Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 255: Sorting Friend From Foe [Bonus - ]

Chapter 255: Sorting Friend From Foe [Bonus Chapter]

Arabella was not hurt by Lucille’s words about her since it was something that happened so long ago. She didn’t really care about all those anymore.

However, she still felt so disappointed that someone she once thought was her best friend never even saw her as a friend.

After all, she once thought that among her friends, Lucille was the one who understood her most. That she was the one she could trust and relate with the most. But apparently not.

’Ugh. I don’t need another Renee. My hands are already full trying to build my reputation in Valeria and take care of my image.’

Arabella wondered what she should do so Lucille would stop being so envious and insecure of her. If Lucille caused more problems than this, it would be troublesome. She already had a lot on her plate right now.

’I guess it’s not my problem anymore. As long as she just thought about it in her mind the way Alwin does, I don’t have to do anything.’

Arabella’s goal in attending the event in Medeus was to meet her family and build a good relationship with other kingdoms so that in case the war with the Secret Alliance still happens, the Kingdoms they were on good terms with would be on their side.

Ferdinand and Valeria were strong. Alwin was powerful and there were more magicians in the Magic Tower.

However, she knew now that there was a limit to how much they could use their abilities here in the human realm. They could still be defeated by numbers. And they were long-lived but they were not immortals.

If all of Eliora united against the Empire, it would be their doom.

Estrella might come to their rescue to maintain their control over Valeria but she wasn’t sure about that yet.

From how Ferdinand, Alwin, and everyone else from Estrella she had met so far, she could figure that Estrella couldn’t just send their full force here either and meddle with humans. They also had rules to follow and only a limited number seemed to be allowed to get out of Estrella at a time.

Only one dragon was usually allowed to go out. Ferdinand and Raymond were exceptions because two oracles came.

. . .

Arabella ended up having to answer a lot of questions from all the princesses. They all came wanting to verify what their parents told them.

The questions were usually about how she was treated in Valeria, what the people were like, and most importantly, how Ferdinand treated her.

Some were already thinking of seducing Ferdinand for a chance to be his concubine and make their kingdom powerful.

They were trying to confirm if he was at least not violent to women or children so they could take their chance to at least get a child out of him to secure an alliance with the Empire.

Some even dared to think about trying to replace Arabella and become the Empress.

Meanwhile, the others were simply attracted to Ferdinand’s appearance since they saw him from afar and were shocked that he was actually a dashing man.

Arabella couldn’t blame them since this was how they were taught.

If they had to be the concubine of a powerful ruler to secure the future of their kingdom and their people, it was fine. They would be praised for it for helping their nation.

But Arabella won’t just give away her husband. She won’t give away her position either.

Moreover, she had seen in her past life how the fight for the throne was so bloody in kingdoms that had several heirs from different mothers.

It wouldn’t be good for Fermin if Ferdinand had concubines hungry for power and attention.

’I once thought it should be fine as long as he still treats me well. But now that there are women thinking of seducing him and going to Valeria, I don’t like it.’

Still, she did her best to answer the questions of the ladies since she couldn’t possibly ruin Ferdinand’s image just to ensure no one approached him.

She didn’t even get to speak much with her supposed friends aside from the usual pleasantries. They just barely managed to ask her if she was truly alright when she had to go since they had already gone past the time she was supposed to be there. She assured them she was alright.

Arabella was so exhausted that she slumped once she was in the carriage.

Aside from all the questions she had answered, she discovered something more about her friends.

Lucille’s thoughts were dangerous.

Julia bends to all the pressures from Lucille and other royals since the kingdom she hailed from was weaker. She had joined their circle to strengthen her image and gains some allies for their kingdom but she secretly gets pushed around by Lucille.

Lucille had assigned Julia to be the host so that she could put the blame on the latter in case Arabella got angry with the sudden number of people.

Meanwhile, despite her innocent face and the most childish air among them, Carmella was a seductress. Arabella learned from her thoughts that Carmella had seduced a lot of her former suitors.

Carmella seems to feel a sense of satisfaction from succeeding in seducing men who were already interested in another lady.

Now Arabella knew why some suitors who were once pursuing her were suddenly dated by Carmella. She easily tires of them though and breaks up in a short while once she finds a new interest. And this time, Ferdinand caught her interest.

’She’s also dangerous. I have to watch out for her. How can she call me a friend while thinking of seducing my husband?’

She realized that Carmella’s personality was kind of twisted. She didn’t even seem to think what she was planning was weird.

’No wonder Andrew once told me to be careful of the people I think were my friends.’

She learned from Carmella’s thoughts that she apparently secretly tried seducing Andrew as well while he was courting Arabella. But Andrew ignored all of Carmella’s advances.

Meanwhile, Marisa was in love with someone so her head was filled with thoughts about the said man during the entire tea party.

Lastly, Roxanne was simply watching and listening to everyone. She was observing and absorbing what was going on to know what actions to take in the future. She was reserved and calculated.

Arabella could see continuing to be friends with Julia, Marisa, and Roxanne but Lucille and Carmella were quite dangerous so she should probably avoid them.

She had to be careful of most of the princesses as well. There were those who weren’t interested in Ferdinand at all though. She could probably befriend those and make them her allies.

Those who wanted to ally with Valeria without thinking of becoming Ferdinand’s concubine should be fine as well.

Arabella heaved a deep sigh as the carriage continued moving. Tea parties with fellow royalty had always been tiring even in her past life.

She opened the curtains and glanced outside the window to get some fresh air when she saw someone she was not expecting to meet.

"Icarus?!"