Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 85: A Cruel Fate

Chapter 85: A Cruel Fate

When Arabella woke up, it was already morning. She wanted to see Ferdinand off but Rendell informed her that he had already departed with Alwin and the knights. The investigators were already in Prudencia.

’So Alwin could actually teleport a lot of people? What was I worrying about?’

She could actually bring a few people with her the next time she travels.

The difference between Dimo and Alwin’s abilities was too great. She ended up underestimating Alwin a bit.

’I really should just think he could do everything so I wouldn’t have to limit what I ask him to do. I already have Ferdinand’s permission to bully him anyway.’

Her maids helped her with her daily morning preparations before she had breakfast.

Once she was done, she asked Eunice to summon Odette to her office.

"Greetings to Her Majesty, the Empress," Odette curtsied with the usual greetings. She looked stiff and nervous.

[Did I do something wrong? Did she hear I was trying to find a temporary job outside the palace while waiting for our work here to begin?]

’You don’t have to get another job anymore,’ Arabella wanted to say.

She had spoken with Raymond earlier before Odette arrived and he updated her about the latest situation in Prudencia.

Raymond didn’t need to go to Prudencia again since he had to take care of the paperwork here.

Raymond informed her that the treasury was under Gulliver’s control so Odette and her siblings had to work with their own efforts if they want to help their people who were suffering.

"Please be seated. There’s something I’d like to speak with you about."

Arabella smiled as welcoming as she could so Odette would settle down a bit.

"Aletha, bring us some tea," Arabella called out and Aletha came in with tea and snacks for them.

"Be at ease," she said but Odette was still nervous and shifted in her seat.

[Eh, this tea smells familiar.]

It was a flower tea Arabella bought when she was in Prudencia. The shop owner said it has a sweet taste and fragrance that young ladies love.

Now that she could smell it herself, it does have a sweet fragrance.

Arabella took a sip and it had a light sweet taste. It went along well with its fragrance.

"This tea tastes good," she ushered Odette to take a sip of her tea as well.

[This is truly the tea from Prudencia! I didn’t know it was also sold here in Riva. I somehow feel so honored that one of our products is to Her Majesty’s liking. Wait. This is no time to be distracted. Why did Her Majesty summon me?]

Odette nervously glanced at her again so Arabella decided to go straight to the point.

"I wanted to speak with you about Prudencia."

"Prudencia?" Odette instantly straightened up.

[Marquess Gulliver prohibited me from saying anything. But my whole family would be executed if I lie to the Empress herself. Is this my chance to reveal the truth?]

"I visited Prudencia yesterday."

"Eh?!!"

Arabella smiled at the look of shock on Odette’s face.

She understood though since Prudencia was quite far. It would take two weeks or more for just one-way travel to go there. But here she was in the palace.

[Already?! How is that possible? Is Her Majesty jesting?]

"His Majesty’s mage accompanied me so we teleported. Prudencia Palace was truly quite a beauty as I have heard from the rumors before."

[They teleported?! I see... I see. So it’s true that His Majesty has a powerful mage who’s always with him.]

Odette didn’t realize it was the man who stood beside Arabella during the selection of assistants. Alwin was wearing his cloak at that time though.

"T-thank you, Your Majesty. The palace was one of Prudencia’s pride."

[Did Her Majesty only visit the palace? Then has she spoken with Marquess Gulliver? Wait! What if the Marquess said bad things about me so Her Majesty would get another assistant instead of me?!]

Odette paled as she thought she was going to be fired and return to Prudencia empty-handed. She began praying to a lot of gods Arabella didn’t know about.

"Prudencia seems to be quite in a predicament. Though still beautiful, the buildings in the plaza seem old. There were a lot of repairs and maintenance needed. The same is true with the streets and pavements. Even the children were working hard as well."

[Her Majesty noticed?!] Odette straightened up and hope glittered in her eyes.

"We went to other parts of Prudencia as well and the situation was even worse. Hefty taxes. Abandoned farmlands. Food shortage. Overwork. Lack of repairs and maintenance. Lack of knights. Floods. And somehow, an extortionate tribute the Empire has not imposed was being collected."

[Her Majesty knows everything!] Odette was teary-eyed with joy that she didn’t need to risk revealing everything herself and endangering her younger siblings.

’I see. Since Odette has studied the laws of the Empire, she knew the tribute being collected directly from the people was just Gulliver’s ploy.’

"Once His Majesty was informed about this, he signed the necessary documents and sent investigators to Prudencia. Thus, we also learned about your situation. I heard your younger siblings were held captive for you and your older siblings to obey Marquess Gulliver."

[They even know about this?! It wasn’t obvious that my siblings were held captive. They were able to roam around specific parts of the palace as long as they were guarded by some people of the Marquess.]

Odette had four older brothers. The first was acting as the ruler in Prudencia but in name only. Gulliver controlled everything.

The other three were knights in Riva where the salary was the highest. But they were also unable to reveal what was happening in Riva because of the threat of Marquess Gulliver.

Odette had three younger sisters and one younger brother. They were the ones Marquess Gulliver held captive so Odette and her older siblings wouldn’t be able to go against him.

But in her previous life, Odette was the heir of Prudencia which was why Gulliver married her.

It meant Gulliver had plans to dispose of all of Odette’s siblings once their marriage was done. And once his other wife gives birth, he would dispose of Odette as well.

It was such a cruel fate. It was no wonder that Odette who was so religious became a woman filled with hatred in the past.

"You don’t have to worry about your siblings. They were brought here in the palace just this morning."