Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress-Chapter 691: Do Not Force Yourself to Smile

So that Raymond and Clarisse would not keep feeling bad about it, Arabella pointed out all the positive things that happened because she went to Lobelius due to the fruits.

"Yes, I will do my best to explain to her later. I did not get to inform her about the Elder being an elf since she scolded me every time I tried to talk. Haha," Raymond scratched the back of his head again.

[Still, I prefer getting scolded by her than seeing her all sulky and not knowing what to do. In times like this, I feel so useless I could not provide what she needed despite all the years I’ve lived. I have never felt so useless in life than seeing my wife suffering but cannot do anything about it.]

’Oh my, he’s so sweet,’ Arabella could not help but smile at the thought she heard from Raymond.

"Keep doing your best. I’m sure you know from experience that this stage will pass through in a few months. All of your efforts will be rewarded. And it’s more than worth it."

Arabella smiled at Raymond who smiled back knowingly as he recalled the times he saw his children for the first time after Clarisse gave birth.

"Ah, yes. Indeed. Very much worth it. I wonder what our child would look like this time," Raymond thought as he recalled the newborn Raymart and Alice.

Arabella smiled too as she recalled her experience with Fermin.

Giving birth was the most painful physical thing she experienced. But hearing Fermin’s first cry and knowing he was born safely made everything worth it. Even more so as she took care of him and watched him grow up so quickly over the years. And he was playful, energetic, and chatty with her.

[She’s smiling so beautifully but she has a weird look in her eyes. It almost seems as if she was reminiscing something she had already experienced...] Ferdinand thought.

’Oops. Was I too obvious? But there’s no way he could relate the two since I have never given birth yet in this life,’ Arabella glanced at her husband but he had his eyes on Raymond now.

"You should go now. Arabella needs to prepare for the Court Session," Ferdinand shooed Raymond away and the latter chuckled.

"Haha. Right. Of course... Of course, that’s the reason I need to leave," Raymond teased, knowing that Ferdinand did not like that they were talking to each other for too long and just ignored everyone else.

Ferdinand did not say another word and just gave Raymond a warning glare and a snort.

"Alright. Alright. I’m going," Raymond was not intimated and just laughed it off before leaving to deliver the tea to Clarisse.

"He’s so full of himself now," Ferdinand complained and it was Arabella’s turn to chuckle since her husband was acting somewhat cute.

He did not fully understand why he was frustrated right now but the look on his face was adorable.

Arabella could tell he still did not like her speaking with other men or smiling at them but he was already doing well in making Raymond leave only after the conversation was over. It was so much better compared to how he acted in the past when he glared at everyone who even attempted to get near her.

"Really, how so?" Arabella tilted her head, teasing him a bit.

Ferdinand simply pouted so Arabella held his hand with both of hers and smiled at him.

"..."

[This is cheating! She talks to Raymond like they were the only ones here and everyone else did not exist. Not even me. And now, she’s trying to make me feel better just like this. It’s not enough... But having her hold my hand like this feels so nice...It’s reassuring...]

Ferdinand had such complicated thoughts but said, "You seem to speak so much better with him than with me."

"Eh, but I don’t. I speak so much more with you too," Arabella searched her husband’s eyes but he avoided looking at hers.

’Raymond and I are even talking about Clarisse and their future child.’

[She does. And I know Raymond is loyal to Clarisse but something else bothered me with how they conversed earlier. Earlier, it was as if they had an understanding about something I did not understand so I was out of the loop. There’s something I’m missing... What is it? What bothered me most? Ah, that look of reminiscence in her eyes... Yes, I think that was it.]

Arabella listened to Ferdinand’s thoughts as he went through her conversation with Raymond earlier and what bothered him the most was when she smiled thinking about Fermin.

Ferdinand did not know she was thinking about their child in their previous life and the look on her face confused him. He could not recall the past but he felt a pang in his chest and a sense of loss and could not figure out what it was about. He realized there must have been something he could not remember and assumed it must be because of his latest hibernation.

’I want to tell him we already once had a child together... But it would mean I have to tell him the rest of the truth.’

Arabella once again wanted to be honest but could not bring herself to tell Ferdinand about her darkest secret just yet.

She was not ready to tell him what kind of woman she once was, the actions she had done, and what it all resulted in.

’I have to be more careful of my expressions for now,’ Arabella sadly concluded.

"I’m sorry if something bothered you. I did not mean for you to feel left out," Arabella apologized and did her best to smile.

"..."

[She just faked her smile!] Ferdinand thought and clutched at his chest. He was pained at receiving a forced smile.

"I, I-m," Arabella stiffened. Her husband had become more familiar with her and now knew the difference between her real smiles and the fake ones.

"No, don’t apologize. Do not force yourself to smile at me either," Ferdinand put a finger on her lips to stop her from talking.