Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 365: I Love the Sound of Your Heartbeat

Chapter 365: I Love the Sound of Your Heartbeat

"I don’t just go around slapping and stabbing someone.

I’m really not violent.

This was a first due to the circumstances," Arabella peeked at Ferdinand’s face to see his expression and he chuckled lightly.

"I know.

You don’t have to worry.

You have always been gentle and kind.

And you’re still so adorable no matter what you do.

But be careful not to hurt yourself.

Are your hands alright?" Ferdinand asked and Arabella blinked repeatedly.

"You’re not angry? I slapped Alwin really hard."

"That’s his fault for scaring you like that," he checked her hands and was relieved they were alright.

Arabella was speechless and just stared at her husband for a few seconds.

Love does work wonders.

Just earlier, Ferdinand was thinking about killing who stabbed Alwin.

But when he learned it was her, he was worried about her instead.

And now, he didn’t mind her slapping Alwin real hard.

It was true though that Alwin provoked her first.

[She keeps on surprising me.

She not only slapped but also stabbed someone she thought was an intruder that could have been so much stronger than she was.

Other noble ladies here would have just frozen stiff and did not do anything...

Oh, right! She can hear my thoughts.]

Ferdinand focused on their conversation to stop himself from thinking about other things.

"Still, even if you got slapped, you should have been quick enough to stop a stab.

What will you do if it wasn’t Arabella but someone trying to kill you instead?

What if you were in a fight with someone else and someone sneaked to attack you from behind?

I know you have strong magic defenses but there are a lot of magical tools that may still be able to penetrate it.

From today onwards, you will have to train with Rendell for at least an hour a day while I’m with my wife."

Ferdinand did not accept any excuses from Alwin.

He was worried about Alwin too since his reflexes having dulled meant he would be easier to target.

[This is exactly why I didn’t usually have him with me on the frontlines during war.]

Arabella learned from Ferdinand’s thoughts, that one reason why Alwin usually only healed those who got injured in battle, instead of staying by Ferdinand’s side, during war, was because Ferdinand was always targeted by the strongest warriors.

Ferdinand could deal with them, but Alwin may not be able to keep up with it especially since he didn’t have much experience when it comes to human warfare.

Alwin had lived comfortably and was provided with everything he needed on Ferdinand’s Island. He was akin to a prince whose every need was catered to, especially since he was a prodigy.

Ferdinand didn’t even want to bring Alwin to Valeria since he knew humans could be dangerous too.

But Alwin insisted to go with him and be useful.

Since Alwin was determined, Ferdinand agreed and let Alwin accompany them as a learning experience.

Ferdinand’s overprotective tendencies were not limited to Arabella but also those whom he unknowingly cherished.

"You may leave now.

If you ever try to intimidate my wife like that again, I’m going to give you a heavy punishment," Ferdinand warned sternly.

Alwin was relieved he got off with just training with Rendell.

But he lamented the hours he would have to spend training that could have been spent in his lab in the Magic Tower when he didn’t have work to do.

Once Alwin was set to leave, it was Arabella’s turn to get scolded.

"And you, how could you move around with a knife pointed at your throat?

If it accidentally cut you here, you would have been dead," Ferdinand gently touched her neck.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do," Arabella admitted.

She always had guards following her around even when she was little.

And in her time in Valeria in her previous life, Rendell was always there at first, and then Dimo.

She didn’t get a sword, or a dagger pointed at her throat since they were able to stop it before it reached that point.

"I have to punish Alwin more, after all."

Ferdinand sighed deeply and hugged her tight.

"What would I do if I lost you?

And Alwin was the culprit?"

He heaved another sigh and settled his head on her shoulder.

That would indeed be the worst for Ferdinand who treasured them both.

"Do the two of you want me to go crazy?" Ferdinand complained knowing that Alwin could still hear them.

"I’m so sorry."

"My deepest apologies, Your Majesty."

They both apologized.

Especially since Ferdinand looked like he might literally go crazy if that happened.

They knew they couldn’t let that happen no matter what.

Arabella and Alwin had a silent agreement to be on a truce so Ferdinand wouldn’t be worried and saddened.

Alwin once again apologized to her for what he did earlier, and Arabella apologized for hurting him.

She also told Ferdinand not to give more punishment since what he gave earlier was already enough for her. He agreed so the issue was settled.

"Let’s go to your room," Ferdinand rose once Alwin had left with Rendell to begin their training.

"Eh?"

’I thought he was sulking just now. Oh, does he want to be comforted?’

"I will clean Alwin’s scent off of you."

"Right," she blushed when she picked up from his thoughts what he was planning to do.

But when they were in her room, Ferdinand simply settled his head on her chest and listened to her heartbeat.

"I love the sound of your heartbeat," Ferdinand muttered in a low voice.

"Hm? I love yours too," Arabella tucked strands of his hair behind his ears, that were covering his face.

She wanted to see his eyes. They always looked prettiest when they were this close.

She had also listened to his heartbeat several times before and they seemed to be always louder than hers.

"I don’t ever want this heartbeat to stop. Not again."

Ferdinand was still traumatized from when she got poisoned. He had been clingy and touchy even in front of their maids and butlers since then. And at random times, he would hold her close like this, just to listen to her heartbeat.

And Arabella would stay silent. Just hold him too. And stroke his hair while listening to his thoughts wander.