Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 985: He Must Take Responsibility for His Actions

Chapter 985: Chapter 985: He Must Take Responsibility for His Actions

Eugene Hamel wanted to become the Marquess to be more powerful than his older brother.

The investigation revealed that the Hamel family’s issues led to the siblings not getting along well.

Eugene particularly had a bad relationship with his elder brother, the firstborn.

Because Eugene was born to the second wife, he had insecurities when it came to the standing of his elder brother. Especially since the first wife always rubbed her influence in his and his mother’s face.

The treatment between them was starkly different, too, since Eugene’s elder brother was educated and trained as the heir, so he had expensive and expert tutors. Meanwhile, Eugene’s teachers were different.

Thus, Eugene wanted to prove that he could be so much better than his older brother by becoming the Marquess.

Of course, Eugene also had twisted tendencies and greed for power aside from his envy of his older brother.

As for his older brother and his mother, they did not believe Eugene would succeed in his plans, so they did not meddle. They were ready to laugh at him once he failed and disappointed his father.

"I see... That’s how it is..."

Arabella sighed deeply.

"Yes," Alwin heaved a sigh as well.

People are products of their environment, circumstances, and decisions.

They both knew this well from experience.

Thus, Arabella and Alwin could understand that Eugene Hamel also had his circumstances that led to who he was now.

However, it didn’t mean he could control and manipulate people to rebel or use them without a care about their lives. He even lied so much and went as far as putting words in Arabella and Ferdinand’s mouths.

As much as their second chances, people also have to take responsibility for their actions.

Arabella and Alwin were doing this exactly. They were owning up to their decisions and actions in their past life, so they were changing the future they knew into a much better one.

Thus, they cannot overlook Eugene’s actions. Especially since he had caused trouble in this chaotic time and made the people rise in arms.

If they let this be, a lot of people may die if they returned to their former village and continued mining as they did in the past.

"Since they are not related to any outside force, we can capture them as soon as we want now, right?" Arabella inquired.

She already knew the answer, though.

"Yes, I will report to His Majesty.

It’s better for him to deal with this.

Let’s maintain your good image for the sake of the future."

What Alwin meant was that of her image as a kind and merciful Empress who goes around the Empire helping people.

"I know. I wasn’t planning on getting directly involved."

Arabella knew Ferdinand would not allow her to give the command anyway. He did not want her to have any deaths on her command.

It was exactly why he announced the war with Crux instead of letting her do it.

Arabella preferred this as well, since giving the commands herself would lead to hatred of her.

She preferred not getting too many people to hate her in this life since she was trying to maintain her image as a good and useful Empress.

If they learned she could also emotionlessly give commands that could lead to casualties, there might be people who would conclude she was a spy from Lobelius or from the Council that was geared to control Ferdinand.

She needed to avoid anything that could threaten her position as Empress or make her another laughingstock once again.

Experiencing all of it in her past life was more than enough.

She did not need to experience those in this life as well.

"Alright, since we are done here, I’ll go to His Majesty. Stay within the palace while I’m away," Alwin reminded.

"Yes, don’t worry. I’m not into getting myself hurt. I’ll stay here in my study working on those documents," Arabella gestured to the new set of documents piled up on her desk.

"Good. you should focus on thinking about explanations to their families instead. Or whatever plan you come up with so they won’t complain once they hear their husbands were imprisoned," Alwin said, and teleported to Degril, where Ferdinand was.

Arabella was left alone in her study.

She sighed in relief as another worry was hefted off her chest.

Explaining to the families of the villagers won’t be easy, but they should understand that it was a necessity.

As for how to appease them, the current projects are more than enough.

And if they learned of the truth about Eugene Hamel’s actions, they would be glad their family, especially their children, were saved from returning to a village that might get sinkholes at any moment.

Thanks to the magical device Alwin created that recorded people, they would be able to show proof of Eugene’s lies and actions.

Thus, Arabella did not need to fret about the explanation.

Like on her first appearance in Sibruh, there may be frustration, anger, and confusion at first, but they had more than enough proof.

Further, it’s not like they would permanently imprison the villagers. They will be freed if proven not guilty of other crimes.

"Now, then, I should get back to work..."

With Alwin gone, Arabella returned to her table and reviewed the final version of the proposal for theatrical plays to be held soon.

All of it was made perfectly, so she moved on to working on the documents Raymond had asked his assistants to send to her.

The perks of her position were the never-ending paperwork. Regardless of how much she works, new ones always arrive.

This was the life of being on the throne. Endless work and responsibility.

Arabella was already used to it, though, so she did her work without uttering a word of complaint.

***

Before dinner, Alwin returned and informed her that Ferdinand would meet with Marquess Sibruh tomorrow and catch Eugene Hamel and everyone else involved in the rebellion that the investigation revealed.

As for Arabella, she would follow her set schedule and have a congratulatory banquet with the researchers.