Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 493: Join the Circle [Bonus - ]

Chapter 493: Join the Circle [Bonus Chapter]

"Lean in. There’s something I need to tell you," Arabella instructed. She smiled when he did exactly as he was told.

’He’s so adorable when he’s the one listening to orders.’

It’s giving her ideas of things to do in bed. But maybe later, once they have solved the most pressing issues, they were currently facing.

[What would she tell me?]

Arabella gave Ferdinand a peck on the cheek and smiled when he was wide-eyed. His ears turned red.

He was caught off-guard. He’s still not used to cheek kisses even though she already did it many times. And they have done so much more.

[Wait, is she trying to make me feel better? Did she hear all my thoughts?! I thought she was focused on him, so she could not hear me.]

Ferdinand searched her eyes and his face turned red when he realized she did hear him.

"When you feel left out, you can simply let your presence be known. Or better yet, you can join the circle. Mothers tend to be so focused on their children since children have a lot of needs. If you try to do something instead of watching silently, then you’ll be part of the circle instead of just an observer," Arabella explained.

[But what should I do? I didn’t feel like I should interrupt.]

"You won’t interrupt. You would simply join. For instance, earlier, when he was still sobbing, you could have stroked his hair or rubbed his back while he was in my arms. Then, you’re not simply an observer anymore."

"I see," Ferdinand glanced at the sleeping child.

[I didn’t have to do anything special.]

He extended his hand to try stroking Dimo’s hair but did not dare touch him for fear he would wake up and cry again.

"If you do it gently, he won’t wake up."

"Maybe next time," Ferdinand was nervous about it, so Arabella didn’t push. He could try later if not with Dimo, then with Raymart.

"Thank you for helping me in this matter," Arabella recalled thanking him while they were still here. They would be busy with another matter in Riva.

"You don’t have to thank me. I simply accompanied you. I did nothing," Ferdinand was humble.

"No, you helped me out a lot. Your presence alone was already a great help. I would have been nervous without you. And you supported me a lot too. It makes me happy," Arabella beamed.

[I suddenly feel so good. How can such a few words and one charming smile lighten up everything? I want to keep seeing her smile like this] Ferdinand gazed at her.

"I’ll do anything for you. And you don’t have to thank me at all," Ferdinand cupped her cheek.

’My goodness. Why is he so adorable?’ Arabella gave him another peck.

[That felt so good. But how could she keep kissing me in this kind of place and mood?]

’Mood?’ Arabella was about to ask what he meant but Ferdinand cupped her face with both hands and kissed her breathless.

’Wait! We are not alone.’

She wanted to stop him but reckless movement and making a sound might wake up Dimo so she didn’t dare move until he was done.

[She did not respond.]

"Why should I respond? This isn’t the time or place for that kind of kiss," Arabella chided.

"You started it," Ferdinand pouted.

’Ah, right. He was already gazing at me earlier. It’s dangerous to give him even a peck on the cheek in this enclosed space,’ Arabella recalled as she tried to catch her breath.

Ferdinand was about to kiss her again, but she stopped him this time.

"Stop. What if Dimo woke up? He would be horrified. Remember he had seen Sonia and the Head Butler being intimate. I don’t want to worsen his trauma," Arabella pointed out.

"Just a peck," Ferdinand was insistent.

"Alright. But just a peck," Arabella repeated since she could barely trust his words when it came to this. His just minute or just one more keeps getting extended.

But thankfully, he kept his word and just gave her a peck this time.

Arabella glanced at Dimo. He was fast asleep.

"He’s sleeping so soundly. He won’t wake up for about three hours or more," Ferdinand commented.

[And he’s using Arabella’s chest as his pillow.]

’What’s with that envious look?’ Arabella eyed her husband. ’Is that why he kissed me like that?’

"Don’t you think you should let him sleep on your lap instead?" Ferdinand suggested so Dimo’s head would not remain on her chest.

"Geez, there’s nothing romantic or sensual about this. Children drink from their mother’s breasts, so they usually sleep soundly when they’re close to the chest. Even more so with the scent of breastmilk since it helps them sleep better," Arabella explained.

"You’re speaking as if you have experienced it yourself," Ferdinand commented, and Arabella froze.

’Oops. That was close.’

"I simply wanted to explain. What I meant was, I may not be his mother and Dimo was already long past the point of breastfeeding, but sleeping like this could still give him a sense of comfort and safety," Arabella clarified.

"I know. Raymond explained too. But..." Ferdinand looked away and did not continue.

[I know exactly how it feels. It may be different for me, but I feel a sense of comfort and assurance every time I lay my head on her chest and listen to her heartbeat. Even more so when she wraps her arms around me and strokes my hair.]

"That’s akin to how he would feel. But for him, it’s more of a feeling of safety and being loved by a parent. In my case, someone who is like an elder sister to him. Even adults like us get comforted by it. How much more for children?" Arabella pointed out.

[Yes, that too - the feeling of being loved.]

"I see." Ferdinand finally let up.

[He did go through a lot. If I was the Duke, I would execute those two on this very day. They kept glancing at each other meaningfully even though he was right there.]

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A/N:

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