Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 441: I’m Not That Terrible

Chapter 441: I’m Not That Terrible

’Is this what happened to me and Ferdinand in my previous life? We both assumed things about each other and those who knew otherwise never tried to correct it?’

If so, then all the more reason for Arabella to let Ferdinand know what truly happened with the river nymph Ara.

But she could not tell him the name and appearance either since once she informs him, he would figure out that Ara may have been Arabella in the past life. And once he knows it could have been her, he would likely feel several times more guilty about what he did back then.

Arabella didn’t want to make him feel too terrible about it. She only wanted him to know that the river nymph he lived with, loved him and waited for his return. Somehow, she felt that the anger and frustration she was feeling would subside once she did so.

"She only realized that her hints and feelings did not reach you when you told her you were to go back home. Do you recall the time she hugged you when you said you would leave soon?"

"Ah yes. She did that," Ferdinand nodded.

[It was the first time I got a hug and I was puzzled and taken aback at what she was doing. I thought she was going to attack me or something but I did not feel any danger.]

’How could there be any danger when she was merely trying to show you her feelings?’ Arabella almost face-palmed. But then again, Ferdinand was not at fault since he said himself that back then, it wasn’t long yet since he was able to use human form.

"She was already deeply in love with you at that time. Do you remember? You froze and frowned. And when she saw your expression, she stopped crying but went elsewhere to cry. She didn’t want you to leave because she thought you would be her husband especially since you had been living together for years. Thus, she was quite shocked that you never once thought that way. How would you feel if I freeze and frown when you embrace me?" Arabella asked and Ferdinand was wide-eyed as he imagined it.

"It’s terrible. It hurts," Ferdinand clutched at his chest. "It hurts so much. Like you are saying you don’t like me and you are rejecting me."

[So, I made the river nymph feel this way back then? It must have hurt a lot too.]

Ferdinand thought about it but he could not recall Ara’s face and expression that day. But he did recall that she cried a lot. However, he was new to such things back then that he did not understand Ara was emotional because she did not want to part with him due to her feelings.

"The whole time you were asleep, she waited for you due to the promise you made. It would have been better to not have told her such a promise," Arabella said and Ferdinand flinched.

"I didn’t know what else to do so I simply followed what a dryad advised me to do."

’Right. He simply did as he was told. Why am I bullying my husband like this? Do I want him to feel bad for Ara? Someone, who was already long gone? Or do I simply want him to reflect on his actions?’

If it was Arabella who was led on like that and made to wait, she knew she would feel so hurt too.

[I made someone; a friend feel that way? It must have been terrible. Just not seeing Arabella for a few hours makes me feel so bad. And yet, that person waited for me for thousands of years... Damn it. I’m so horrible.] Ferdinand clenched his fist.

Arabella wondered why she was feeling a sense of satisfaction at seeing her supposedly beloved husband have such an expression on his face after learning about what happened to Ara.

[I’m so sorry for treating you that way after all the kindness you showed me. I should have awakened earlier to see you. Whoever you are now, wherever you are, I hope that you are loved by the person you cherish. I hope you are happy this time.] Ferdinand internally prayed.

Arabella blinked repeatedly as she felt an incredible sense of relief and what was this feeling in her heart? She was so moved and happy after hearing Ferdinand ask for forgiveness and pray for Ara’s happiness.

Her frustration and anger subsided too as if they were not even there.

’What going on with me? I must truly be Ara in my previous life for me to be feeling like this. Were her regrets and longing so strong that I unconsciously carried it with me even in this life?’ Arabella could only go to such conclusions after feeling all sorts of emotions for a person she had never even met.

"A-Arabella, why are you crying again?!" Ferdinand panicked when he saw her tearing up.

[Did hearing me apologize and pray for another woman make her feel that bad? Or... Is she jealous to the point of crying?]

’No! You are so full of yourself,’ Arabella wanted to say.

"I think I am feeling happy that you felt regretful about what you did even if you didn’t know about her feelings and her circumstances. And I think I’m relieved you didn’t hate her after knowing that she had feelings for you all those times while you were simply trying to learn."

That was indeed how Arabella felt. It was weird. But that was the truth. It made her conclude all the more that she must have been Ara. And Ellie too.

"I’m not that terrible. I wouldn’t hate her simply because she had feelings for me. I was the one who was ignorant and clueless. I would have never known if you didn’t explain it to me. She had been kind and considerate of me all those times," Ferdinand sighed.

Arabella was relieved he wasn’t angry at her either for bringing up the past like this. But then again, he was the one who asked her what her dream was about.

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A/N:

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