Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 98: Another Surprise [Bonus - ]

Chapter 98: Another Surprise [Bonus Chapter]

Arabella smiled when Ferdinand tried to eat slower than he usually does. He tried eating at her pace.

It clearly wasn’t fit for him though. In the next mouthfuls, he still ate much faster than her and when he realized, he slowed down again. It became a repetition of this.

Ferdinand was being considerate but Arabella wouldn’t be able to eat properly with him not enjoying the meal and being so careful.

"Thank you for trying to match my pace. But please just eat like you usually do. Let’s eat comfortably. I want you to enjoy the meal too," she smiled and he turned red when he realized that she noticed.

Ferdinand eats so much more than she does anyway so even if she chews much slower, they would be done almost at the same time though he would still finish before she does.

Ferdinand felt so embarrassed and just nodded. He finally ate as usual so they gradually relaxed and ate in silence, comfortably.

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"Thank you for preparing all this. I enjoyed eating in such a beautiful setting," Arabella said when they were finally done with their meal.

"I’m glad you enjoyed it. Seeing you enjoy your meal makes me happy."

[She ate much more than she usually does. The setting affects her appetite that much? Then, should we begin eating elsewhere more often aside from the dining hall? She’s still so thin even after gaining a bit of weight.]

Arabella couldn’t help checking her hands after hearing his thoughts. She already gained much weight compared to before.

Still, she indeed needed to gain more though. She wasn’t fully back to her usual weight yet since she lost some again when she worked as Raymond’s assistant for a month.

She was used to eating alone, but eating with someone was indeed different. She ate more tonight.

Ferdinand’s butler cleared the table and served tea.

Arabella perked up when she got a whiff of the fragrance. The tea was Ofelia flowers.

[Her eyes brightened. She truly likes this, doesn’t she?]

"I heard from Raymond and Alwin that you liked this so I had it prepared," Ferdinand said when he noticed her reaction.

"Thank you. I never had this before so it piqued my interest. I like its fragrance and taste. It’s also soothing."

Arabella ended up telling him how she used to promote teas made in Lobelius every time she had tea parties with nobles from other kingdoms which was why she was particular with teas.

It was one of her tasks when her parents take her with them to Medeus during General Assemblies or when she was brought with them to nearby kingdoms.

"Doesn’t that take away the fun of having tea parties? It becomes your job."

[I heard ladies were supposed to enjoy their tea parties.]

"It does. Which was why I don’t do tea parties for fun anymore. It truly did become a part of my task as a princess so I usually set up tea parties when its necessary. It’s still part of socializing with others. As we get to know each other, we also promote what our kingdom can offer. Everyone does it so it’s a matter of exchanging support. It also feels great when the people I had tea with end up ordering the tea and products I gave them a sample of during my tea parties. It means the tea party was a success."

Ferdinand did not understand the feeling of accomplishment from making someone like a product one offered, since he didn’t participate in socializing events.

From his thoughts, she learned that Raymond did keep telling him the value of joining social events to get the people’s support.

But Ferdinand didn’t attend tea parties or banquets with nobles. He may have appeared at the start to make his speech but he leaves soon after without socializing.

Moreover, he wasn’t directly involved in the export of Valeria’s products so he didn’t care about promotions. If he was, it was just in signing the necessary documents.

Further, Valeria was more concerned about trading with the territories within it than with other kingdoms.

Lobelius on the other hand had to maintain a good image and keep endorsing their products and Arabella was the best candidate for it due to her famed beauty. Moreover, her suitors did keep buying whatever she recommended.

’Is this my chance to tell him how important socializing was?’

But they were on a date tonight. She held back since it might ruin their date.

He brought her here to help her relax so it was better not to talk about work. After all, dealing with the nobles and socializing was part of work.

He did well on the matter regarding Prudencia too. She should let him rest for now.

Should she praise him for doing well in Prudencia?

But how would she say it?

Arabella was wondering what to say when the lamps dimmed to a weak yellow color.

In a panic when she thought the lamps would go out, Arabella held Ferdinand’s hand settled on the table with both of hers.

"Are you scared of the dark?" Ferdinand asked and she quickly freed his hand. He caught her hand though and held it.

"I am not. But in the middle of a lake, yes."

She doesn’t know how to swim so being in the middle of the lake when it’s dark would be truly terrifying.

It was beautiful earlier because of the light from the magic lamps everywhere that brightened it so she could see how clear the water was.

But when the lights were dimmed the water became dark nothingness, especially since the moon got covered by clouds while they were eating.

"I see. Don’t worry, I’m here with you. I just dimmed the lights since I have something to show you," Ferdinand said and he pointed to a chair that suddenly appeared. It was facing the lake.

"Shall we?" Ferdinand rose and helped her up. When she did, she gasped in surprise when he scooped her up in his arms.

"I’ll carry you so you wouldn’t be scared."

"Huh, wait. Where are we going?"

He just smiled and walked to the chair. He sat down and settled her on his lap.

"What are you doing?"

All of a sudden, all the magic lamps turned off.

"F-Ferdinand!"

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A/N:

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