Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 548: Swallowed by a Monster

Chapter 548: Swallowed by a Monster

Darcus and Orpheus were delighted that Evania was at least, finally smiling. But they hated that Alwin was the reason.

[He intentionally did not tell us about this didn’t he?!]

[Is he trying to show off? How dare he act like Evania’s affection was nothing?!]

"Maybe next time. He has guests at the moment so he would likely eat with them here in the Magic Tower," Arabella said, and Renee was disappointed.

Alwin had been Renee’s only source of motivation and light after her hate and fury for Fatima and Chester were rekindled.

"Won’t maids need to serve them? Can’t I be one?" Renee put her hands together and looked at Arabella with begging eyes. She was desperate since it had been months.

Arabella glanced at their guests. They were bowing their heads asking for her to agree since it at least meant they could gaze at their princess and be in her presence.

Arabella glanced at Alwin.

{Ugh. They are acting like babies. Do not agree. I want to eat peacefully after months of no delicious food.}

’Right. It must have been tough for him. He wasn’t used to food there in Umbra and he only brought a bit from here since he thought he would only last a week or just a bit more.’

"He is in a meeting with important guests so only his closest associates could be with him.

"You’ll see him later anyway since he might begin guarding me again.

"For now, I’ll write a letter to the Head Chef to prepare a hearty meal for Alwin and his guests. Why won’t you deliver it? That way, you at least contributed to Alwin’s day, right?" Arabella suggested so as not to dishearten her already depressed maid.

Renee pouted but understood so she agreed.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Renee bowed and excused herself to go to the palace kitchen.

Darcus and Orpheus both rose, wanting to follow her.

"Why didn’t you tell us that she was into you?!" the two interrogated Alwin once Renee was out of the door.

"Why do I have to? I told you what you needed to know. And you learned about it now anyway," Alwin shrugged.

It frustrated the two even more.

Alwin sighed in exasperation and glanced at Riley.

"Riley, show these two to their rooms. I will be with Her Majesty. They want to watch over their princess so follow them around," Alwin instructed.

{Guard Evania. The one sending her letters might appear again. Those two might be able to notice its presence more than us.}

Alwin was already using the two to lessen his tasks. He knew they were more than willing to guard their princess anyway, so he was already sending them her way to lessen his tasks.

"Yes, of course," Riley responded even though he clearly wanted to be with Alwin and ask him a ton of questions.

Darcus and Orpheus brightened up when they were given the chance to watch over Evania.

"Then, please excuse us, Your Majesty," the two bowed.

"Remember to wear your cloaks. You are not allowed to show yourself to anyone," Arabella reminded them since they may go to Zygos later and commit crimes.

She had to ensure they would not be discovered as connected to Valeria in any way.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The door closed as the three departed.

Alwin sighed deeply.

"Alwin, are you really alright?!" Arabella walked to him. He looked exhausted.

"I’m not. This damned curse hurt a lot. It had ruined half of my body and I’m constantly healing myself. It had been hurting since earlier since I had to stop all the healing spells, so the elders wouldn’t notice," Alwin revealed.

He put up a tough front in front of his elders so they would allow Darcus and Orpheus to be here.

But with her, he could complain as much as he pleased since she was already used to it.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" Arabella inquired.

Alwin raised a brow.

"Can you even help me?" Alwin slapped her with the truth.

"No. I was just asking," Arabella quickly hit back. He’s as quirky as ever with that smart mouth of his.

"Oh, maybe there is. Don’t court unnecessary dangers since I can’t use a lot of spells with this curse on me. I won’t be able to protect you," Alwin added.

"I never courted danger," she retorted.

This might last forever so she decided to change the topic.

"What really happened back there?"

They could only converse now while the elders and the guests were away.

"Stronger monsters were waiting for me right when I entered the gate. A gargantuan monster had its mouth open right where I stepped. I levitated as soon as I could but I was still caught when it closed its mouth. It swallowed me."

Alwin fumed at the recollection.

"What?! How were you able to get out of that monster then?!"

’And isn’t that kind of gross?’

Arabella glanced at him but of course, he no longer had injuries from it since it had been more than two months since then.

"I blew it up from the inside repeatedly. It has such a tough gut, and it quickly regenerated every time I blew it up.

"I got so furious that I had to use half of my mana to blow up the whole monster in one go. Only then was I able to leave.

"But the monster had traveled a great distance by then.

"It went to a den of abnormally powerful monsters, so I had to keep fighting monsters for more than a month.

"They were much stronger than all the monsters I fought in my previous life.

"And when I teleported to the Shadows’ territory, traps were already set up to catch me because someone warned them of my arrival.

"It was then that I realized, all of it wasn’t a coincidence."

Alwin sighed in exasperation.

’Alwin went through so much again.’

Arabella felt bad that he had to be the one sacrificing his safety to achieve their goals.

But she had no knowledge of magic whatsoever so she would only be an impediment, so it was better to leave it to him.