Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 40: Please Allow Me to Bully Him

Chapter 40: Please Allow Me to Bully Him

[I didn’t notice before, but Alwin’s hands do look feminine since he doesn’t practice swordsmanship.]

Ferdinand eyed Alwin’s pale hands and long slender fingers. He had clear and smooth skin as well.

[Right, my wife is into feminine men. Alwin does seem feminine. Does seeing Alwin get punished make her feel bad because Alwin was the same type as her former lover? It makes me want to punish him even more.]

’What?! How could he punish Alwin just because he’s the same type as Andrew?’

"No, you don’t have to cut his hands. You don’t have to punish him anymore since he saved my life. I’ll take it as his apology for his rude behavior."

"Alwin is here as my mage. It is his duty to protect you. If he cannot even protect my wife while I am away, then what do I need him for?" Ferdinand said sternly and Alwin flinched.

[If Alwin doesn’t do his job properly, I can just summon someone else from Estrella. I brought him here since I thought he understood me well but it seems I was mistaken. I clearly told him to ensure my wife’s safety but he put her at risk instead.]

Arabella blinked. She didn’t know how else to explain. Ferdinand was clearly set on punishing Alwin. He wouldn’t just let the incident slide.

"Alwin, should I send you back home?"

"No, milord. Anything but that. Please cut off my hands instead," Alwin offered both hands.

"Dear, please don’t send him away. I heard he is a really good magician. It’s such a waste of his talents. Can I choose his punishment instead?" Arabella held Ferdinand’s hand and tried to appeal looking as adorable as she could.

[S-so cute!!!] Ferdinand’s ears slightly reddened.

[Milady is the most adorable there is!] Aletha was proud.

[What husband can say no to this? I should be on the Empress’ good side all the time. Alwin should learn his lesson.] Raymond was thinking of becoming her ally and Arabella would gladly welcome him.

[What is she trying to do?!] Alwin, on the other hand, was still suspicious of her.

"Alright. What would you like to do?" Ferdinand agreed.

"Please allow me to bully Alwin," Arabella smirked, and Alwin flinched like a scared cat.

"Bully him?"

"Yes. Like sending him on errands or making him do tasks that aren’t a part of his job and so on. I think he will be very useful," Arabella’s eyes sparkled.

In short, she’s asking permission to make Alwin her "slave". She hasn’t decided what she would ask of him yet but she would love to be teleported here and there. She probably had to save it for emergencies though or else Alwin would hate her.

[Oh, she’s got a playful side too. I’d love to see and get to know all of her. I wonder how would she bully Alwin?]

Ferdinand chuckled. He seems to like her suggestion.

"Alright. You can bully him as you please. But he won’t be around during the times I summon him."

"Thank you," Arabella smiled. She kissed Ferdinand on the cheek and his ears turned red.

[Isn’t this much worse for punishment? There was even no time limit. They just got married but this vixen is already manipulating milord.]

Alwin was so horrified that he looked like he might pass out.

[How terrifying. She changed His Majesty’s mind so easily. It seems our lord is putty in her hands. I understand him though. You have made a terrible mistake, Alwin. Just be grateful you are not sent back to Estrella.]

Raymond shook his head in pity for his colleague. He seems to be poking fun at Alwin’s predicament though.

"Alwin, make another summoning ring," Ferdinand ordered.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Alwin obediently did even when he shivered.

’Why is he so scared? It’s not like I will make him do unreasonable and absurd things.’

"This is yours now," Ferdinand took off one of the rings he was wearing and put it on hers.

The ring changed to the size of her finger so it fits perfectly.

"This is a summoning ring. Use it to call Alwin," he wore the new ring Alwin just made.

Ferdinand taught her how to use it. She just needs to rub the ring three times and she would be able to call Alwin vocally or telepathically.

It was so much more useful than she thought! It would be helpful during emergencies.

[How can milord just give away his ring? I made it out of the best materials just for him.] Alwin was sulking but Ferdinand did not notice. Raymond was the one who patted the poor mage.

With the case resolved, after giving her get-well gifts they had prepared for their visit, everyone finally left her room so she could wash up and prepare for her meal time.

Arabella lay on her bed and sighed deeply once she was alone.

She was so relieved to know Fermin was actually doing well in Estrella the whole time she thought he was dead and alone somewhere. And he wasn’t poisoned by his own father as well.

Ferdinand and Fermin actually had a good relationship. Her son was not unloved by his father and did not suffer the whole time.

It made Arabella happy.

"Mother, I look forward to speaking with you again," she recalled Fermin’s words.

"I look forward to seeing you too," Arabella reached out in the air.

’WAIT. If I want to see Fermin in this life, doesn’t this mean I have to get pregnant soon?!’

Arabella blinked repeatedly at the realization. But Fermin was supposed to have been conceived right on her first night with Ferdinand. It was on their wedding day.

But a month and a week had already passed since then. If she got pregnant in a random month, what if Fermin would not be born but someone else entirely?

She would gladly welcome another child, but she wants Fermin first and foremost. The dates of his conception and birth have to jive.

’Does this mean I have to wait until our first anniversary?’

She wondered how she could make Ferdinand wait that long.

’Right, we would also be attending the yearly assembly of the Council. We won’t be able to travel if I get pregnant so it’s only right that Ferdinand and I do not consummate yet.’

Her plans changed drastically after all the things she learned from her past life.

Still, Arabella decided to continue her plan to do her job as an Empress. It was even more necessary now.

’I’m sorry, Icarus. I want to see my son after all. I can no longer be with you after I learned Ferdinand was not at fault. I won’t seduce you in this life so I hope you do not fall for me anymore.’

She originally thought of fulfilling her promise to Icarus, but she has to atone for her sins to Ferdinand as Alwin has said.

Alwin and Ferdinand went all the way to perform a revival ritual for her. She has to fulfill their wishes. After all, she consented to it.

She wasn’t sure yet if it was why she was given this second life, but she was sure it was related.

This time, she has to correct the mistakes she made in the past.

’I won’t let Valeria fall. This time, I will protect Ferdinand,’ she thought with determination.

She could perfectly recall the people who would one day wage a war against the Empire.

The surrounding kingdoms which fear the Empire had a secret alliance. They meet in secret to discuss matters regarding Valeria. And in her previous life, Arabella and Icarus joined forces with them.

But in the end, they betrayed her too. They were the ones who came to kill her in the magic tower.

If Icarus was not killed by Renee, he would have been eliminated by them.

She knew who to be wary about. But it would be suspicious if she spoke about them all of a sudden. She has to work hard if she was to be a reliable source of information or hints in such matters.

Arabella still needed to gather allies to her side after all.

And Raymond’s wife was the first person she needs to befriend.

"Your Majesty, the bath is ready," Eunice informed her. Arabella stretched and yawned before heading to the bath.

Eunice and Aletha helped her bathe and get changed.

Soon, her food was brought to her room and she was surprised when even Ferdinand’s meal was also brought there.

Ferdinand arrived shortly after and said, "I wanted to dine with you. Can I?"

He was hesitating to enter the door and waited for her reply.

[I want to be with her before leaving for the border again. I already know she dislikes me and wants to ask for a divorce. But I still cannot stop heading here. Am I asking for too much? Would she lose her appetite if I’m around?]

"Alright. Please dine with me," Arabella smiled and Ferdinand sighed in relief.

Arabella had a light meal while Ferdinand had his usual heavy meal.

He stayed in her room for tea after eating together.

But Ferdinand was walking on eggshells around her because of the divorce she mentioned when she was conversing with Raymond and Alwin.

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A/N:

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