Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 511: May I Join?

Chapter 511: May I Join?

[Why is he so good at this?! Does he truly have no connections here in Riva, but he knows so much? Is that even possible?] Narcissa pouted.

"Thank you for answering all my questions. I thought you would make a few mistakes, but you are updated with the goings. Where did you learn about the events in Medeus that were not publicly announced?" Arabella inquired.

"Ah, about those, I was unsure of my answers, Your Majesty," Ivan admitted bashfully. "I learned about them from Nadia. She had keen ears and heard most of it from the knights, maids, and butlers. Some she heard from nobles visiting the palace or from other civil servants. I wasn’t sure about the veracity of the things she heard. But I kept asking her for updates since they may have some truth in them."

Rather than not being able to answer anything on some of her questions, Ivan gambled on the information from Nadia and answered correctly.

’Oh, it seems Nadia can be used to gather information too.’

Rumors and hearsay in the palace were important since some facts and relevant opinions may be included.

"I see. Then, can you please answer a few more questions? I am getting curious as to how your incredible memory could be utilized."

[Is Her Majesty impressed?!] Ivan perked up while Narcissa pouted enviously.

"Yes, of course. It’s my pleasure, Your Majesty."

Arabella then continued.

"There are a lot of civil servants in Riva. Each Department had its officers, and they had their workers under them as well. I believe a record of these is available in the library. Are you able to enumerate who these officers are and which household (noble and commoner alike) they are from?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, except for His Majesty’s assistants since the information was not disclosed," Ivan replied.

’Ah, yes. Ferdinand had ten assistants in his office, but I think they are from Estrella.’

"Alright, please enumerate except for His Majesty’s."

Ivan then began from Arabella from which she had hired ten assistants. Then to Raymond who had assistants who were also from various households in Valeria. Raymond had two assistants who were from the common people.

Ivan started from the highest positions to the lowest. He knew all the departments and all branches in its umbrella or lower divisions. Someone who passed the Imperial Exam with the highest mark should indeed know about it.

Ivan also knew the names and faces of everyone working for the Imperial Palace and which household and territory they were from, including what positions they had before as civil servants, and what their chances for promotion were.

He seemed to have kept a close watch on it because he was observing how things worked to see when he could be promoted. But he never got promoted because of his former superior who was envious of him.

[That many commoners are working for the palace?!!] Narcissa was shocked as Ivan enumerated.

Narcissa also knew about every department and its branches, but she didn’t have everyone who worked in it committed to memory. She knew all those in the highest positions and all those who were part of Ryvaleh’s network in the social circle, or the ones they had to be wary of.

But Narcissa did not care to learn about the commoners who were working as civil servants, so she was shocked that there were a lot more than she thought and there were those in high positions.

One notable example was the current Head Minister of the Judiciary. It was a commoner whom Ivan admired so much. The said minister fought for the rights of his fellow commoners. But he was known to be upright and just and equally saw the issues of both sides. He reached his current position through his efforts and was the best example that being a commoner was not a hindrance to working effectively as a civil servant. He was Ivan’s inspiration and an example of what he wanted to be.

Narcissa thought he was a noble, but he was a commoner. He had been in service for so long that his family had so much power and influence now and was respected in all of Valeria.

Arabella continued to make Ivan enumerate a lot more things and asked him confusing questions, but he was able to answer them all. He had the Imperial Library as his backing.

"Then, may I ask you questions about Lobelius," Arabella said next, and it was then that Ivan visibly stiffened.

"Y-yes, of course, Your Majesty. But I, I’m not sure I’ll be able to answer correctly," Ivan said in advance since he was not confident this time.

"It’s alright. Just guess if you don’t know the answer," Arabella said and Narcissa was excited to see him fail.

Arabella asked about general things and Ivan still answered most of it correctly. He already tried to learn as much as he could about Lobelius. He made mistakes but his assumptions were close to the answers she had wanted to hear.

Meanwhile, Narcissa took notes of things she did not.

Arabella noted that she needed to introduce a lot about Lobelius and its culture to Valeria so they would understand what her homeland was like.

The Lobelian cuisines Aletha had taught the chefs and the tea she had given Clarisse was a good step for that.

’I’ll have Lobelian cuisines and refreshments served when I hold tea parties,’ Arabella noted.

She was just summing up things when the door opened, and Ferdinand entered.

"Greetings to Your Majesty," all of them rose and greeted.

"Your Majesty, are your meetings over?" Arabella inquired.

’I took much more time than thought because of having to test Ivan.’

"Yes. Are you alright? Nothing happened, right?" Ferdinand gently caressed her cheek and Arabella glanced at her assistants.

Narcissa and Ivan both pretended to be eyeing the tea and the refreshments on the table.

"Yes, I’m fine. Nothing happened, Your Majesty."

"I see. That’s good. I didn’t mean to disturb you. But you seem to be doing something fun, so I decided to join," Ferdinand glanced at Narcissa and Ivan.