Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 383: Ignored [Bonus - ]

Chapter 383: Ignored [Bonus Chapter]

After another day of meetings and socialization, Arabella was busy working on some documents in her study.

She was already used to working like this from her experience as an empress for twenty-two years.

Rather, it had already become a part of her daily routine that it felt like she was being a lazy bum when she was not doing anything.

Once she was done with her work, she began writing replies to letters sent to her.

It was important to respond to the letters herself.

She understood now how important it was.

For their constituents, replying to the letters herself showed a form of dedication to her position as Empress of Valeria.

Likewise, it was a way of showing respect and goodwill to those who wrote to her.

It was also because she wanted to build a good relationship with the Valerians early on.

There were letters from all the dukedoms and territories in Valeria, especially from those that her assistants hailed from.

They were all expressing their relief and gratitude that she was alright and survived the assassination attempt on her.

They expressed condemnation against Adolfo and Crux as a whole.

Arabella thanked them for their concern and assured them that Crux had no part in it but merely Adolfo himself.

Adolfo was already executed so there was no need to blame Crux anymore.

Things were already tense between Crux and Valeria, so she didn’t need to make it worse.

She had witnessed Riva in flames before. She knew war wasn’t a pretty sight.

There would be a lot of people dying on both sides and innocent people would likely get hurt too.

Not to mention the damage to properties and crops, war expenses, and supply issues.

She didn’t agree to Crux’s slavery.

But Crux had a culture of its own.

It was simply different from Valeria.

She didn’t need to condemn them for what they knew was right since birth for generations.

She knew from experience that change was not instant.

It happens gradually.

Abolishment of slavery was already approved so Crux could change through time.

It didn’t have to be right this second.

What was important was that the trigger to that change was already activated.

. . .

Nobles from Prudencia had the most letters so far.

They also expressed their worry and anger upon hearing about her condition.

And expressed their relief and gratitude when they finally received news that she survived the poison.

Likewise, they expressed how grateful they were for all the help and support they received from Riva due to her.

And most especially, for helping their people be able to return home.

They wished her happiness and long life as the Empress of Valeria.

Arabella almost teared up while reading their letters.

All she received in her past life were criticism and wariness from the people.

There were even those who wished she died.

But now, there were these many people wishing her well.

It was such a big change compared to how things were before.

Reading their letters made her happy.

She was also glad that things were improving steadily in Prudencia.

It also meant that Ferdinand’s and her hard work were paying off.

Likewise, it also meant that these people would be among their supporters.

Their image of Ferdinand and Valeria had likely improved positively as well.

Although there were a lot of challenges, things were going in the direction Arabella was hoping for.

. . .

Nadia’s siblings were also sending reports to her about how everyone was doing in Safiro.

They were steadily recovering too.

They informed her everyone already had their own houses built.

They were working on roads and pavements next.

It was a quick process with all the materials, equipment, and human resources gathered.

Especially since everyone was working hard to rebuild their once-ruined homeland.

. . .

Arabella’s assistants were also doing well.

Raymond was checking on them at least once a week.

He said he was rather impressed at how efficient they were with their assigned tasks.

They were doing too well that Raymond was once again regretting not being able to poach at least one of them.

She was also receiving weekly reports from them and all of them seemed to be doing well.

. . .

Arabella was about to get another piece of paper to write on when someone grabbed her hand.

She instantly tensed.

She didn’t hear anyone enter.

Arabella almost screamed but sighed in relief instead when she looked up and realized it was her husband.

"Ferdinand!

How can you surprise me like that?!

I almost screamed for help."

"I called you three times.

And how can you not even recognize your husband’s hand?" Ferdinand frowned.

[I recognize every part of you even in the dark.]

"I’m sorry. I was absorbed with work."

"Yes. So absorbed with work. I had been here since a while ago."

Ferdinand said he knocked thrice at the door.

When there was no response from her, he entered and saw her focused on her work.

And she did not even notice him.

Since she was busy, he decided to wait until she was done with what she was doing.

He sat on the couch and silently watched her work instead.

However, an entire hour passed, and Arabella didn’t spare a single glance anywhere else in the room.

Her eyes were glued on her table and all the documents and envelopes as she worked from one to another.

When the maids came to inform them that dinner was ready, Ferdinand decided to get her attention.

He called out thrice.

Yet, all she did was continue writing as if he did not even exist.

She did not hear the maids who had just left either.

"Oh my goodness!

I’m so sorry, Ferdinand."

Arabella rose and went to embrace her sulking husband.

’How could I have not even noticed him this whole time?’

She didn’t know she could concentrate that much.

She did not even hear a single thought from her husband.

"I’m fine. I did enjoy watching you work," he responded, and Arabella held him tighter.

’How could he have enjoyed being ignored for an entire hour?’

"I’m really sorry.

I swear, it wasn’t on purpose."

Arabella peeked at his face and Ferdinand had a poker face on.

’Is he angry?

What should I do?’

How could she even make him feel better after she did not notice he was in her office for an hour already?

She could feel his presence and supposedly hear his thoughts, but she still did not notice him.

What if Ferdinand interpreted that she was intentionally tormenting him?

She wasn’t that mean.