Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 502: Their Side of the Story

Chapter 502: Their Side of the Story

They realized that Arabella was just trying to verify what was true and not since Ivan may have exaggerated or downplayed some things.

"When did she begin treating you differently from how she usually does?"

"Her behavior slightly changed once Your Majesty left.

"She used to speak to everyone politely. But then, she began speaking to me, Nadia, and especially, Ivan in a less polite tone.

"She did not ask us to do anything in particular, so we simply kept working.

"I did not expect it was because she was focused on Ivan behind everyone’s knowledge," Odette replied freely this time.

’Ah, so she was already planning to do it once she gets the chance? And my departure for Medeus gave her that chance?’

"I believe her attitude towards me completely changed when I accidentally saw her scolding Ivan and saying a lot of rude things to him," Odette relayed.

"I told her it wasn’t right to belittle Ivan or treat him differently because he was a commoner since according to the Valerian law, we are equal in the workplace unless given work positions that increase our rank."

’That’s true. It was in the laws, so Narcissa could be legally punished if they had complained.’

"But she reminded me I had no right to tell her what to do since she far outranks me due to Ryvaleh’s standing.

"I could no longer say anything to that since it was also true that Prudencia is a much smaller territory and cannot compare to Ryvaleh.

"It was then that she began treating me coldly and gave me a lot of disapproving looks when I was doing something," Odette related.

"I see. What about you, Nadia?"

"When she began treating Ivan differently because he was a commoner, I tried to lay low so as not to attract her attention since I’m not even sure I can be considered a noble. I feared she may treat me the same," Nadia began.

"Then, one day, I noticed that Ivan kept coming to work with injuries.

"I could tell in the way he moved even when it was hidden by his clothes.

"When I asked him, he told me he fell because he was clumsy.

"But he wasn’t clumsy at all. So, I decided to follow him one time and learned about what Lady Narcissa was doing to him.

"I did not intervene since he told me I should mind my own business or else I would get dragged in. But I couldn’t help it when it got worse."

It was then that Nadia intentionally disturbed, but did not reveal herself when they were beating up Ivan so much that she feared he wouldn’t be able to get to work anymore or he would die. She began helping Ivan in secret since then.

"I feared she would ask me to quit my post as well, so I only secretly helped Ivan tend to his injuries the times she had him hurt.

"I don’t know if she noticed it was me helping him, so she began treating me coldly as well and kept saying I don’t have proper etiquette and manners."

Nadia believed that she did lack in a lot, so she tried her best to imitate how the others behaved and accepted Narcissa’s corrections.

But she soon noticed that even when she did it right, Narcissa still insisted it was wrong.

"Did the others simply watch her and tolerate it?"

"They tried stopping her several times, but she always had an excuse for doing what she was doing. And she usually talked to us about it when the others were not around."

[If the others are around, she often reasoned it was because we must behave as among the best in the upper class since we are Her Majesty’s assistants, so our etiquette and manners should have no holes.

[That was also true. But we soon realized she was only nitpicking on us so we would obey her and eat separately just as Ivan did.]

"When did it get worse for the two of you?"

[Does Her Majesty also know about the documents? But even if she doesn’t it is better to tell her everything now.]

"Three weeks before Your Majesty summoned Ivan, she made us eat separately like Ivan.

"She also began getting some of our workload, saying she would help us with our work.

"She kept glaring at us when we declined and kept saying we needed some help, so we understood that she wanted to do the documents herself."

"Did she tell you in front of the others?" Arabella further inquired.

"No, Your Majesty. She waited for us when we were on the way to our room after work."

"The way she said it was clearly a threat, so we gave her just a bit at first.

"But every day, she increased the amount she made us leave for her.

"When we refused, she threatened she would do something to have us fired.

"We knew that she had been trying to make Ivan quit so we decided to obey or else we may be treated the same way too."

’She threatened all three of them and had one kitchen staff member beaten up. She can be fired completely for all this,’ Arabella internally sighed.

"Was the food you are served in the dining hall, when you began eating separately, still had the same quality and quantity as before."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

’I see. So, it was only Ivan she cornered that much since she wanted him to quit. But she would have done that to these two as well if they didn’t give in to her.’

Arabella asked them a few more questions and when she had heard everything she needed to know and hear from them herself.

"That was all. Thank you for your cooperation. I will ensure this doesn’t happen again. You may return to work," Arabella dismissed the two.

"Our deepest gratitude to Your Majesty as well," Nadia and Odette thanked her too. They realized the knights following them around wherever they went recently were her instructions.

Arabella sighed heavily once her assistants had left. It was time to face Narcissa this time.

’I didn’t want to give up on her since she was also very much capable. But if she keeps doing this, I truly have no choice but to let her go.’

She then summoned Narcissa to the Magic Tower as well.

It was finally time to speak with the perpetrator herself.

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A/N:

I saw the sun for the first time in a month!

It was so invigorating after a month of daily rain from morning to night.