Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 54: Visit Plans

Chapter 54: Visit Plans

Arabella was beginning to get angry. She probably didn’t have to right to judge since she had ruined this Empire once. But if she let this be, it could be the spark that would set Valeria in flames one day.

From Nadia in her past life, Arabella learned that Safiro was once a land of warriors who lived freely. They didn’t have noble households but heads of clans instead. Everyone was free and even women were warriors.

The chieftain was the head of Safiro and was equivalent to a king. They revered the chieftain’s family. They were loved and respected by everyone.

After all, the chief’s family had led them to a life of freedom for a long time. They were never conquered by the territories nearby.

But one day, the Arno Kingdom which shared borders with Safiro was conquered by Ferdinand. Arno became a dukedom of Valeria.

Soon, Safiro was also conquered. And as per the former Nadia’s words, it was then that the worst began for the tribe of Safiro.

It was why in her past life, Nadia was one of Arabella’s comrades in making Valeria fall.

And this time, she wants Nadia to be her ally for another purpose. And for this to work, Arabella had to try helping in Safiro’s case as soon as possible.

’I have to visit Safiro immediately. I do not have any power yet. But still, I have to go so it would catch Ferdinand’s attention.’

It would be suspicious if Arabella just told Ferdinand about what’s happening in Safiro since she had no one to inform her of such matters yet.

’I have just hired Nadia and she cannot tell me about it. All I can do, for now, is tell Ferdinand about it after seeing what’s going on with my own eyes.’

But the travel time would take too long if she headed there by carriage. The current ruler would likely be able to see them coming and try to hide what’s going on.

’I’ll have to ask Alwin to take me to Safiro. He would also be another witness.’

But Safiro was not her only problem. Prudencia too.

[If Her Majesty visits Prudencia, we may be able to tell her the truth about Marquess Gulliver’s abuses. I may also be able to escape from marrying him.]

Arabella stopped herself from sighing when she heard Odette’s thoughts.

In her past life, Odette was forced to marry Marquess Gulliver only to be physically abused.

Marquess Gulliver only married Odette to have the power to rule Prudencia as Duke. But he married another woman from his homeland and made his child with the said woman as his heir.

They ensured Odette never got pregnant. Soon they had Odette killed by throwing her to the river to drown since she didn’t know how to swim. They then declared his son with the second wife as Odette’s child with Gulliver so the child could be the heir of Prudencia.

But Odette miraculously survived. She was found severely injured and barely alive on the riverbank south of Prudencia.

It took a long time for Odette’s injuries to recover though. When she was finally able to return to her homeland, it was nothing but the wreckage of the once-wealthy Prudencia.

Gulliver got too greedy and triggered conflicts until Prudencia became chaotic. He didn’t govern it well either. He used the royal family’s wealth as he pleased and abused the people with exorbitant taxes.

With Gulliver’s gambling addiction, it wasn’t long before Prudencia was drowned in poverty and hunger.

Odette was helped by her savior and loyal knights of the Prudencia family to eliminate Gulliver. She was able to take back her seat back.

But after seeing how much of her people had died and what Prudencia had become, Odette hated Ferdinand and the Empire for conquering them only to make them suffer.

After all, Prudencia was once a rich kingdom but it kept declining after it was conquered.

It was a monarch’s duty to take care of his people. And since Prudencia had become a part of Valeria, Ferdinand was supposed to have looked after them, but he didn’t.

’How should I tell Alwin I want to visit Prudencia and Safiro first... Oh, should I tell him I want to visit the farthest territories first? He wouldn’t refuse to teleport me, right?’

Arabella concluded she truly would have to make use of Ferdinand’s words if Alwin refused to help her.

Safiro and Prudencia’s situation seemed to be dire so Arabella had to visit before it was too late.

She had a lot to plan about to set things in motion as soon as possible.

As such, Arabella just said a few more words to her new assistants and decided to leave to let them enjoy a good meal after all the tasks they did today. She also had to begin with her other plans.

"Your first task is to keep it a secret from everyone that I would visit your territories someday. I want it to be a surprise visit," Arabella smiled and her assistants were confused.

[Eh? I can’t tell my family?! Then how can we prepare for her arrival? Do I have to do it all myself? But I would begin working soon. How can I prepare?]

[Is this also part of the test?]

[Since I can’t tell everyone, I have to go home and familiarize myself with all the best our dukedom can offer so I can guide Her Majesty whenever she wants.]

[Is she trying to see whom among us she could truly trust?]

Her assistants had various thoughts on the matter and she let them think as they please.

"I shall take my leave. Enjoy your meal. And do get along well," Arabella said and left with Raymond and Alwin.

[Her Majesty is much more confident than she looks. I was worried for nothing.] Raymond smiled. He was older than her so he was looking out for her like an elder should.

’But I am actually forty. Doesn’t this make me older than Raymond?’ Arabella flinched at the thought. Only her consciousness anyway. Her body was perfectly eighteen. She just turned eighteen in the first week of spring and she was sent to Valeria soon after.

Spring ended without her notice as she was busy working as an assistant in Raymond’s office.

"Your Majesty, are you serious about visiting your assistants’ territories?" Alwin who had been silent the entire time finally spoke.

[His Majesty wouldn’t like it. It would be far too dangerous for the Empress to travel around. Unless she is with His Majesty himself.]

’That’s even better Alwin. If Ferdinand decides to come with me on my travels, it would be even better if he saw the situation for himself.’

"Of course, I am. I will ask for His Majesty’s permission so you don’t have to worry," Arabella smiled and Alwin flinched.

[Why do I feel like I would be the one who would get most troubled here?]

’Of course, you are. You would help me travel. I did tell Ferdinand I would bully you. Since I have no magician, I will have to rely on you for a while.’

Arabella kept the smile on her face so Alwin wouldn’t be suspicious.

"Your Majesty, why do you want to visit their territories?" It was Raymond’s turn to inquire this time.

"I want to get to know them more since they would be my assistants for a while. I also want to see Valeria for myself. I’ve only ever seen Riva so I also want to see the other parts of the Empire. Since I am the Empress, I also want to get to know Valeria and its people well so I know what I should be working on."

[Her Majesty is so diligent. His Majesty would be so delighted if he heard this. Her Majesty has already accepted Valeria as her residence and is beginning to be curious and concerned about the Empire. This is a significant improvement.]

Raymond was delighted by her interest while Alwin brooded over it.

Raymond had a lot of work to do so he returned to his office. Meanwhile, Alwin offered to walk to her office.

Arabella took the chance to invite Alwin for tea.

"I would love to hear how my husband is faring at the borders. Shall we have tea while we talk about His Majesty?" Arabella said so Alwin could not refuse.

[Hmph. She’s only asking now? His Majesty asks me about her every single day.]

’Isn’t that a bit too much? Is Ferdinand making Alwin teleport here to the borders just to ask about me?’

"As you wish, Your Majesty."

Alwin internally grumbled but he agreed to her request. He was being careful around her because he didn’t want to make a reason for him to get punished again.

He didn’t mind getting punished by Ferdinand but he minded Arabella making excuses for him.

Alwin feared that Arabella would make him owe her again or make his punishment heavier.

[Wait! Is she going to proceed with bullying me now?]

He was worried about what kind of bullying she would do to him.

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A/N:

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