Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress-Chapter 692: Choosing Her Path Regardless of Everyone’s Opinion

"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.

Arabella felt bad even more for her inability to tell him the truth right now. She was not courageous enough for that yet.

’I’m truly sorry, Ferdinand. Please wait a bit more.’

[Why is she looking at me with such eyes?]

"I’m fine. You don’t have to worry. It’s just my old habit kicking in. You don’t have to keep apologizing because I can’t stop myself from overthinking things. It’s a fault on my part so no need to apologize or worry too much. I will improve someday, somehow... Just, please be patient with me."

Ferdinand tried to assure her that there was nothing wrong on her part. And that was even sadder since she knew there was.

"No, there’s also a problem on my part. I’ll try to improve too as the days go by," Arabella promised both to Ferdinand and herself. "So, do not pressure yourself too much. And please be patient with me too. Let’s both try to improve gradually."

She knew that not being honest with each other and failing to communicate had failed their relationship last time so there were a lot of things they both needed to work on in this life. Honesty was one of the hardest when she was still trying to keep such a heavy secret.

Even Alwin who knew why she could not be honest just remained silent since he was keeping such a major secret to Ferdinand as well.

It made Alwin guilty too. But Alwin fully believed that Ferdinand not remembering something so painful was for the best.

But Arabella knew that someday, she would have to tell Ferdinand everything.

"Yes, I understand. Do not pressure yourself either," Ferdinand kissed the back of her hand.

Ferdinand had already noticed that there was something Arabella could not tell him. But he was willing to wait until she was ready, especially after Elder Satara’s words yesterday.

Thus, Arabella and Ferdinand resolved to improve on whatever they needed to work on slowly but surely. A smell step at a time mattered and they did not need to rush since it might only lead to more mistakes instead.

With that, Ferdinand finally walked her to her chambers where her maids were waiting to dress her in her official garbs.

Her maids worked quickly since they did not have much time and thanks to them, Arabella still managed to attend the Court Session looking her best.

She attended the Court Session with Ferdinand. It was likely to last a day since there were updates on the matters they discussed last time.

Thus, they had lunch with the rulers and ministers once again.

Before they head back to the throne room, Arabella went to the private ladies’ room for the Empress since she might remain seated for hours and would have to hold it in again. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

After she was done, she was walking back to the throne room when she happened to pass by Morbal’s daughter, Countess Frieda.

"Greetings to Your Imperial Majesty," Countess Frieda politely greeted and bowed like a knight instead of curtsying like a lady.

As Ferdinand had instructed, the former Count Morbal announced his daughter as his heir and retired. He left the Court Session and let Frieda and one of his sons attend instead.

Most of the nobles were surprised. Especially since the Count had older sons from his First Wife who could have replaced him instead of his daughter from a third wife.

Meanwhile, those whose territories shared borders with Morbal figured that Ferdinand or his men had heard of the problems in the said territory. After all, Morbal’s mismanagement was not something that happened only now.

Morbal reasoned that he was sick and refused to accept any visits to hide the real reason to his retirement.

"You may lift your head," Arabella instructed the Countess and had a good look at her.

Countess Frieda truly had the physics of a knight. She was taller than most women and she had a toned and sturdy build, proof of her training and determination.

Without peering at the Countess’ thoughts, the look in her eyes revealed she had been through so much.

When Arabella listened to Countess Frieda’s thoughts, she learned that the latter’s family had not treated her well for choosing to become a knight instead of following the usual route where the ladies would use their charms and education to be wed into powerful families to gather more power for their household.

However, Frieda had a lot of siblings and she believed there was no need for her to follow in their steps because their county needed more fighters for the cruel winters to help protect the people.

Frieda saw what their county needed most. Thus, Frieda chose her own path and became a knight despite the difficulties she had to face and getting alienated by her family.

After all, for the most of part of society, it was unladylike to have a build like Frieda. It was unladylike to do jobs that were dubbed as usually just for men. It was why there were only a few female knights.

It was like how it was frowned upon by people from other parts of Valeria that ladies could also be warriors in Safiro, so Nadia was making no mention of her experiences as a warrior unless she was asked about it first or the conversations led to it.

[Her Majesty is even more gorgeous up close. Months ago, there were rumors that she was young and naive but I can tell there was no truth to it. Her Majesty has such an elegant and powerful aura as if she, herself, had already seen the worst.]

Countess Frieda stared at Arabella with a slightly parted mouth.

"My deepest apologies for my rudeness," Countess Frieda quickly apologized when she realized she had been staring.

[What am I doing?! My family was barely saved. I cannot afford to offend anyone, especially Her Majesty!] Countess Frieda internally scolded herself.

"It’s alright. I’m used to it," Arabella smiled at the panicked Countess.