Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 467: Never A Bother

Chapter 467: Never A Bother

"Ferdinand," Arabella called out but there was no response just like last time.

Just seeing his face made her want to embrace him and be held in his arms. Everyday, she wanted to come and see him here, just gaze at him for a bit and maybe sneak a kiss or two. But he might get distracted by her presence, so she didn’t dare.

She focused all her energy and longing at work so Ferdinand and Raymond would at least feel at ease and be able to focus since their work from the Imperial Palace were mostly taken care of.

Ferdinand was fine with heading where there was war in the past because Raymond had always been there to take care of matters. Alwin was there to go back and forth to transport Ferdinand’s workload from the palace to wherever he was.

The ministers were not causing a ruckus despite both Ferdinand and Raymond’s absence since they thought Ferdinand was still on the way back to Valeria with Arabella.

Meanwhile, Riley was in Riva pretending as Raymond.

But if the Ministers knew that both the Emperor and the Prime Minister were both not in the palace and were busy with something else, it would cause quite a stir. And if people knew that even Alwin was not there and that he was missing, they might take this chance to attack Valeria.

The traitors lurking in the Empire might gather too and begin with their plots.

’I hope they find Alwin soon.’

Arabella reached out and touched lightly touched Ferdinand’s cheek. It was warm, the warmth she knew.

"Ferdinand, it’s been five days," she said and quickly withdrew her hand when she noticed that he heard her this time.

"Five days?" Ferdinand finally opened his eyes.

"Yes," Arabella didn’t know what else to say due to the expression on her husband’s face. She could tell that there was no development in the search for Alwin.

Still, she was relieved to finally be able to listen to Ferdinand’s voice. This gargantuan palace felt too wide and foreign without him guiding her around and showing the things he thought she would love.

[It’s been five days, again? And yet, we still couldn’t find Alwin. Damn it. There were no reports from the others as well. Meaning they haven’t found a trace. Is Alwin even alright. Damn it! Where the hell is that brat? I won’t believe he would die on us like this. He still had a long and bright life ahead of him. I’m sure he’s alive somewhere. Maybe he had to completely hide his presence if he encountered a powerful enemy.]

Ferdinand refused to believe Alwin would die just like this.

But he had a sinister look on his face at the thought that maybe, Alwin was injured to the point he had gotten so weak he could not use even the least bit of magic to escape in case he was held captive.

[I tried to train him as much as I can, and I thought, I had already taught him enough so he would be able to protect himself. Should I have taught him all arcane arts and forbidden magic? I taught him some and focused on teaching him how to counter those instead. But if something new was developed while I was in hibernation, I wouldn’t know about it. This was why I had allowed him to enlist in the Great Temple since humans are especially talented in innovation.] Ferdinand was lost in thought.

’I, I shouldn’t have disturbed him,’ Arabella bit her lip. She gulped when he sighed deeply.

To Ferdinand, Alwin was akin to a son. If it was Fermin who went missing, Arabella would probably be close to losing her mind and being hysterical if he wasn’t found in almost two weeks.

’Ferdinand must be so uneasy and worried. I was insensitive. My worries don’t matter right now. Even if his human body got sick, Riley and the others could easily heal him.’

Even if she’s worried about Ferdinand’s health, Alwin was more important right now.

"I’m sorry for disturbing you. I just thought you should sustain your human body again. You should continue searching for Alwin."

[Huh? Didn’t she come here to call me? And why is she speaking like she’s scared or nervous because of me? Did I look too bad or too intimidating earlier?]

"You don’t have to apologize. I do need to eat. Oh, and I’m sorry if I scared you."

[It must have been my expression.]

Just as last time, Ferdinand would eat first before shifting with Raymond. It’s only been three days for Raymond while it had been five for Ferdinand.

"I wasn’t scared. I just felt bad for disturbing you. Sorry for bothering you."

"I see. Arabella, it makes me happy that you are concerned about me and approached me even if you thought that. But you are never a bother to me," Ferdinand said, and a beautiful smile crossed his face.

’T-that’s cheating! How can he say those words and smile at me like that when I’m doing my best not to do anything?!’ Arabella felt her heart race.

Her heart might leap out of her chest. She hadn’t spoken with him for days that she was especially weak to such sweet words right now.

That smile came out of the blue too. This was the first time in ten days that she saw a smile cross his face.

Arabella did her best to maintain a neutral expression and voice and said, "Let’s head to the dining hall then, Alfredo had prepared the dishes you love to eat."

She then turned to the direction of the dining hall and began walking, fearing that a blush may have colored her cheeks.

She didn’t want Ferdinand to think that she was still thinking of flirting or whatsoever in times like this.

[Is she angry at me or something?!] Ferdinand thought.

’Huh? Why would he think that? Was it my manner of speaking? Did I speak harshly?’

"Arabella," he easily caught up to her with his huge strides and blocked her path.

"Are you angry at me? Did I do or say something rude earlier? Or did something happen?" Ferdinand asked consecutively.