Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 989: Birthday and Death Anniversary

Chapter 989: Chapter 989: Birthday and Death Anniversary

Fermin’s birthday was also in winter.

He was supposed to be born this winter.

But there was something else. Twelve years later, Fermin also died in winter.

It was also his death anniversary.

This is one of the most painful truths about Fermin’s death back then. And one she hated with a passion.

Why did her only son have to die so close to a month she dedicated to him? He died before he even reached his twelfth birthday, which they had both been looking forward to and wanted to celebrate together.

Alwin said it must also be why Fermin went berserk in Estrella when he realized he had died in his body here.

As much as it was hard for Arabella to accept his death, it was difficult for Fermin as well, so he kept going berserk for a while, and Ferdinand had to tend to him so he wouldn’t get hurt.

It was a painful time for all of them.

Arabella gulped, feeling a lump in her throat, and her chest tightened painfully just at remembering it.

The days and months flew by so quickly while she was busy, and now, both her supposed warmest day and most terrifying day were coming closer.

Arabella was not ready for it. Some days she wanted to forget about it, but at the same time, she didn’t want to. And she couldn’t either, regardless of what she thought about it.

[Is it why she had been keeping herself occupied?]

Alwin, who also knew about it, also wondered if she had been distracting herself from it.

It hadn’t happened in this timeline, but it was still vivid in her memories. How his warm body turned cold and his color turned pale, then darkened.

Arabella involuntarily shivered at the thought.

Ferdinand noticed and immediately asked, "What’s wrong?! Are you cold?"

He removed his coat and wrapped it around her.

"I’m fine, I just recalled something," Arabella said, doing her best to smile.

[She’s smiling, but she looks like she’s doing her best not to cry.]

"Everything will be fine," Ferdinand said, hugging her without asking what it was about.

It made her want to cry even more, but she held it back since they were not in the Imperial Palace.

She was still on duty; thus, she had to keep her composure.

Still, it felt so different having someone to comfort her when she felt terrible, compared to when she cried all alone in the past.

Ferdinand was not asking her why, but his warm embrace was more than enough to help lighten the heaviness she felt in her chest.

Arabella hugged him back tightly, so Ferdinand hugged her even tighter.

’Yes, everything will be fine,’ she assured herself.

After all, she’s not alone now.

She had Ferdinand by her side, and she knew now he would be with her no matter what.

Ferdinand had also promised to protect her and their future children.

Moreover, she also had capable allies by her side. And she at least had one who knew about the past and was ready to do everything so it won’t happen again.

’It’s all in the past. It won’t happen again,’ Arabella said as Ferdinand rubbed her back.

[I don’t know what this is about, but I feel like all she needs right now is someone she could trust to stay with her.]

"I’ll be with you through it all, no matter what it is. I’ll always be by your side and have your back," Ferdinand said as he held her tight.

[I don’t know what else she has been through, but I’ll protect her no matter what, so she won’t have more painful memories that suddenly make her want to cry upon recalling them.]

"Thank you," Arabella said as she buried her face in his chest and allowed herself to be comforted.

Having his support like this was so reassuring.

Maybe, she didn’t have to be so scared of what the future may bring after all.

She stayed in his arms for who knows how long until someone finally knocked.

"Your Majesty, the nobles have arrived," Marquess Sibruh said.

Ferdinand did not reply and eyed Arabella first.

"I’m alright now," Arabella smiled and got out of his embrace.

Ferdinand hugged her again and gave her one last squeeze before helping her up.

Arabella returned his coat to him and helped him tie it back neatly since it completed his look.

Ferdinand fixed her hair and kissed her forehead before offering his hand.

They held hands as they got out of the room and headed to the meeting hall to face the families of the nobles who were caught.

"Greetings to His Imperial Majesty. Greetings to Her Imperial Majesty," the nobles greeted nervously.

The air in the room was tense since they were already informed they were summoned because of the acts of their children.

Listening to their thoughts, Arabella learned each family had a short meeting before heading here to discuss the possibilities of why they were summoned.

The Hamel Household already knew why they were summoned because of Eugene.

As for the others, they did not know their sons were involved in the rebellion and were surprised and puzzled by this immediate summons.

[Tsk. I knew it. The apple doesn’t fall from the tree. Like mother, like son. They only know how to bring trouble to this family. If not for them, everything would have been peaceful in our household. I should have gotten rid of him when he was young! Now he has gone this far to humiliate us!]

Lady Hamel, Eugene’s stepmother, thought.

Arabella could not help but frown at Lady Hamel’s thoughts. One of the reasons Eugene grew up the way he did was because this woman shoved it to his and his mother’s face that they were not a priority of the household and never would be.

It was one of the reasons why Eugene wanted to become the Marquess and have a higher rank than them. To show them that he could be more.

Unfortunately, Eugene used underhanded and evil ways to achieve his goal.

If he had used another method that did not necessitate committing crimes, he could have proven himself in due time.

[Tsk. If he’s doing something like this, he should have ensured he at least succeeded.] His Elder brother thought.