Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 90: One Step at a Time

Chapter 90: One Step at a Time

[I am? She thinks I’m strong and handsome?] Ferdinand wondered and Arabella caught Alwin giving his lord a look of pity for hanging onto her every word.

Ferdinand, meanwhile, was taken aback by the children’s gaze of adoration. He wasn’t used to it even though the people in the city were so happy every time they get a chance to see him.

Arabella was glad the children easily changed their minds about Ferdinand. They were not yet as biased as adults whose preconceived notions were hard to change. Thus, it was easy to change their opinion with a few simple words.

Or rather, adults had seen too much of reality and had their hopes and dreams crushed right in front of them when it was finally within their grasp. Thus, they see the world differently and were harder to convince that something or someone could be better when they had already seen and experienced otherwise.

’It would be difficult to improve Ferdinand’s image among the adults,’ Arabella internally sighed.

Should she try with the younger generation first? After all, in a few years, the children now would be the next rulers, heads, officials, and knights.

She wondered if she should go preach to children about her husband’s good traits so he would have a better reputation in the future.

Arabella internally laughed at herself though for having such thoughts.

The Empire is a vast land it would take eons and she still wouldn’t be able to complete it. It wasn’t feasible right from the start since the travel time would consume more weeks and months because she couldn’t possibly take Alwin with her all the time as if he was her mage. She has her Empress duties too.

Doing what she can for Odette and Nadia would be enough for now.

She knew from her experience of plotting for ten years that every step she takes would slowly bear fruit. It just takes time and patience.

Beginning with small steps would gradually pile up and affect the future.

Ferdinand resolving the issues in Prudencia was already a great step to improving his reputation little by little although it wasn’t in her original plan.

She thought she would begin with tea parties and banquets to improve his image, but since Ferdinand himself went to Prudencia and didn’t just send his people, it would count as his achievement.

The people both in Prudencia and the rest of Valeria would not think it was Raymond again since Ferdinand himself was there.

Moreover, since there was someone behind the scenes she didn’t know about aside from Marcus and Renee, she has to help Ferdinand get a better reputation over time so that even if Valeria was attacked from outside, his subjects would not betray him.

Alwin was indeed powerful and could probably protect the entirety of Riva all on his own, but Valeria is too vast. Who knows how strong their hidden enemy was? She doesn’t know anything about Marcus either.

’I still have so much to do.’

Still, triggering the revelation of what was happening in Prudencia was already an achievement. Helping out Odette ended up all the better in more aspects than one.

She just thought of preventing Odette from hating Ferdinand and the Empire but she gained so much more in exchange.

At the start, it wasn’t purely out of the kindness of her heart but due to a goal that she tried to help Odette. But look at how much it gave them back in return.

Now, these two little kids were giving them such wonderful eyes. She hoped Claire and Matthew’s eyes would no longer be marred by the actions of adults as greedy as Gulliver.

An Empire with children looking this adorable and carefree would also be a good goal to aim for.

Seeing the children work hard in Prudencia was truly heartbreaking. Especially seeing Marie’s son get beaten up. She hoped it was truly not happening in other parts of the Empire.

"And, Your Majesty is the prettiest," Matthew added after looking back and forth between her and Ferdinand.

"Oh my, thank you," Arabella gently ruffled Matthew’s hair and he earned another glare from Ferdinand. Matthew was no longer scared of him though.

[She seems affectionate to children.] Ferdinand noted. [If she wanted one, we can always make one.]

Arabella decided it was time to go before Ferdinand’s thoughts go elsewhere.

"Alright, shall we go to Prudencia? Are you two ready?" she asked the children and they suddenly looked gloomy.

"Do we have to go back? Are we not going to see our elder brothers and sisters again?" Claire asked.

"Can’t we stay here? It’s so bright and pretty here. We have delicious food too," Matthew pouted.

"Claire, Matthew, Prudencia is our home. We have to go back," Odette scolded the two but they still kept pouting.

"Don’t worry. His Majesty and the beautiful brother over there will help so you two can live in the best rooms of Prudencia Palace and have good food again. You can visit here too once you grow up," she assured the two.

They glanced at Ferdinand and Alwin and the two nodded.

"Oh, and I might visit you two when I have the time," she would have to check on the improvements in Prudencia every now and then anyway to ensure the problems were truly resolved.

"Really?!" Claire and Mattew looked happy.

"Yes," she promised and held their hands.

Ferdinand frowned at this since he wanted to hold her hand.

Arabella wanted to hold hands with the kids though since she learned from Gwyneth and Frances’ thoughts that the two cried when they got teleported for the first time.

"Alright then, close your eyes," she instructed and the two tightly held onto her hands with both of theirs before closing their eyes.

Gwyneth and Frances held onto Odette too. Benedict embraced the three and also told them to close their eyes.

It makes one a bit dizzy to get teleported after all, especially for first-timers.

Jonathan and Nathaniel didn’t understand since they have not experienced it yet.