Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 472: Breaks are Important

Chapter 472: Breaks are Important

’I have to get Ferdinand out of here before the two pass out,’ Arabella internally sighed.

"Your Majesty, have you had your lunch?" Arabella asked and Ferdinand’s brows furrowed at the way she addressed him for the second time today.

He wanted to hear his name from her lips, but they have already agreed in advance to act formally in front of their office assistants.

"Not yet. But more, importantly, you should have slept more. I’m almost done with the documents on your table, so you don’t have to worry about those," Ferdinand cupped her cheek, and her assistants glanced at each other and pretended to have not seen anything.

[When I saw how much work Her Majesty had to do all alone, it made me think that His Majesty is somewhat irresponsible to have allowed her to be doing this much work. But seeing him work over the documents so quickly, and how he worries about her now, His Majesty seems to really care about Her Majesty. I wonder what he was busy with to have had no choice but allow Her Majesty to do all these.] Ronald thought.

’Of course, he does. He simply had to do something important,’ Arabella wanted to say.

[I still can’t get used to this even after seeing His Majesty be affectionate to Her Majesty before.]

Ivan on the other hand had already witnessed Ferdinand be extra-attentive to Arabella but he was still surprised and embarrassed to see it.

"I already slept enough. We can continue working on documents later. Shall we eat first?" Arabella invited.

"Yes, of course. Let’s have a meal together. But you won’t be going inside your study today."

"Pardon?" Arabella stared at her husband.

"You should rest. I’ll do all the work you need to do here for today since once I leave, you have to do it all again."

"But I-"

"No buts. You should rest," Ferdinand said with finality.

Arabella felt bad for her assistants who glanced at each other nervously when Ferdinand was firm, he would be the one working in her study today.

"Then, may I speak with my assistants first?"

"Why? You’ll be able to speak to them tomorrow anyway."

"Then, did you let them have a short break for tea? Have they had their lunch?" Arabella inquired since her assistants looked worryingly pale. She simply wanted to check on them.

Ferdinand froze at her question, and Arabella realized she was right to worry about it.

"..."

Ferdinand was silent and avoided her eyes.

[I was so focused on work that I didn’t notice the time pass. They haven’t left her study once, so they haven’t had lunch either. Nor did they get any breaks. But why didn’t they say anything? Ah, right. For those two, I’m Emperor of Valeria.]

{Rowan, why didn’t you remind me of the time?} Ferdinand passed the blame and poor Rowan flinched.

{My apologies, Your Majesty. You were so focused that I didn’t want to disturb you. They seemed intent on working too.} Rowan explained.

[Her Majesty’s assistants looked like they would never dare step out of here either if His Majesty remains here working.]

"No, they haven’t," Ferdinand finally replied to Arabella after several seconds.

"I see. Then let’s let them have a break," she smiled.

"Yes, of course."

[That smile just now is somewhat unnerving even though it was pretty. Is she angry I didn’t let her assistants eat? I didn’t do it on purpose.] Ferdinand got nervous.

"Ivan, Ronald, go and have your lunch first. You must be starving after all that work," Arabella dismissed them and the two gratefully bowed and excused themselves.

"My apologies, Your Majesty, I should have watched the time and reminded His Majesty," Rowan apologized once the two were gone. He quickly took the blame so her anger would not be directed at Ferdinand.

’Are all of them like this? They are too loyal to Ferdinand to a fault. I wasn’t even angry. I was just worried and felt bad for Ivan and Ronald who had to work while hungry.’

"It’s alright. It’s not your fault. And I’m not angry or anything," she said, and Rowan was visibly relieved.

"You’re not?" Ferdinand eyed her.

’Why would he interpret me as angry when I even smiled earlier?’

"I’m not. I just didn’t think delaying their mealtime was healthy. They would also be more efficient with work if they were in their best condition so eating on time and having breaks are important," Arabella explained.

"I, I see. That’s true," Ferdinand nodded.

"Why don’t you work in your study instead?" Arabella suggested.

"No. I’m observing your assistants. They worked well this morning, but I want to see for myself if they could continue until afternoon."

[Even Raymond praised her assistants. Ivan Meyer was the one whom she had asked to start before the others. She always had high praises and expectations of him.]

Ferdinand wanted to understand why Arabella had much fate in Ivan.

[And Ronald would replace Raymond once he retires. Once their third child is born, it would be better for their family to stay in Raymond’s territory. I may have to replace him earlier than I thought. I should prepare Rowan to take his place.]

Raymond’s territory in Estrella is a good distance away from Ferdinand’s but they shared borders.

Arabella learned from Ferdinand’s thoughts that the children would be stronger if they lived in Estrella due to the abundance if mana, and even more so if in their parents’ own territory since it was filled with their mana.

Thus, once the children begin showing signs of being able to transform into their dragon form consciously or unconsciously, Raymond and his family may have to move to Estrella.

’Is this why Raymond and his family were declared to have all died in an accident in my past life?’ Arabella wondered.

It must be. After all, Raymond was strong so he would be able to protect his family even in case something happened. There were more magicians in the Magic Tower than she thought too. They could have gone to help if something did happen.

’They must have moved to Estrella that time since the children probably began to be able to transform.’

But more importantly, for now, Arabella had to worry about her assistants.