Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress-Chapter 700: Letting the Children Meet

’Haha. This kid already knows to flatter,’ Arabella internally chuckled at his words.

"Then, why were you hiding behind your father’s back at the time?" Arabella teased and Dimo was wide-eyed when he realized she was right.

"I... I... was just..."

Dimo looked embarrassed as he thought about it.

"I was just a bit shy back then," he finally managed to say.

"I see. Then maybe, they would feel a bit shy at first too. As long as you treat them well, I’m sure they would try speaking and playing with you," Arabella assured him.

"Will they?" Dimo asked in a hopeful yet still doubtful voice.

"Yes, of course," Arabella knew Raymart and Alice would love to have friends, especially since their sibling rivalry kept getting stronger.

Dimo was relieved at her words but still had his fears.

Thus, Arabella distracted him from getting depressing thoughts until they reached their destination.

Once they were in the estate, Rendell opened the door for them and Arabella got out first.

Clarisse and the children were there waiting for them. Raymond was not around since he was at the palace doing his work.

"Greetings to Your Majesty," they greeted in unison.

Arabella smiled at how cute Raymart and Alice did their greeting. She was glad they looked delighted to see her.

Raymart and Alice beamed brightly when she told them to be at ease and run to her before their mother could even speak to her.

"Your Majesty!" Alice hugged one of her legs.

Raymart felt competitive and did the same.

The two pouted and glared at each other and looked up, their eyes asking Arabella whom she preferred among them.

Arabella chuckled and gently patted both of them on the head.

Thanks to her repeated visits here when she had more free time, the two had gotten familiar and more comfortable with her. They were almost always present when she visited Clarisse the past few months so they had chances to get closer.

"Raymart, Alice, give Her Majesty some space," Clarisse chided her children.

The two pouted but they did as their mother said. It was clear from the look on their face that they did not want to get scolded even more.

’They must have caused some trouble again and got a scolding from her,’ Arabella was able to tell from their expressions.

Raymart and Alice were good kids but they could be too playful sometimes and had to be corrected to be disciplined.

"My apologies, Your Majesty. They are so eager to see you since it has been a while. They were getting bored staying in the estate all the time too since we haven’t gone out in a while."

Because Clarisse pregnancy was sensitive, she had been staying in the estate with the children since traveling made her dizzy.

"It’s alright," Arabella smiled. She could not help but notice that Clarisse’s baby bump was beginning to show.

Noticing her gaze, Clarisse caressed her belly and smiled back.

"I have a baby sibling here," Alice bragged as she gently touched her mother’s belly too.

"It’s my sibling too," Raymart competed.

"Wow, you two will have a younger sibling soon," Arabella chuckled. "But for now, I have brought someone with me. He’s going to be your playmate."

Arabella mentioned Dimo since he was beginning to get nervous all alone in the carriage in a place he had never been to.

"Oh, right. Where’s the boy?" Clarisse recalled they had agreed to let the three meet.

"He’s in the carriage," Arabella gestured at Rendell who opened the door again and helped Dimo get off the carriage.

Dimo bowed and greeted Clarisse nervously before finally laying his eyes on Raymart and Alice.

[They are going to be my new playmates?]

Dimo was wide-eyed when he realized they were younger than he thought.

Raymart and Alice were also surprised since they had not been with other children. Due to their parents’ position, other nobles did not dare let their children or grandchildren meet them because of worries that it might strain their relationship in case the children caused trouble.

In wonder, they glanced at their mother then at Arabella, and finally stared at Dimo.

Dimo tensed up and glanced at Arabella for help.

"Introduce yourself," Arabella encouraged.

Dimo gulped and took a deep breath. He felt a bit braver since the two were younger than him, "He-Hello. I am Demetrius Ismael Medrona Olivier. I am also called Dimo for short."

Raymart and Alice glanced at each other before glancing at their mother, not knowing how they should respond.

"Hello, Demetrius. Welcome to our abode. Please be at ease. These are my children, Raymart and Alice," Clarrise introduced her children. Then to her children, she said, "Raymart, Alice say hello to Dimo and introduce yourselves."

"Hello, I’m Raymart."

"Hello, I’m Alice."

The children were shy to speak more but the way they stared at Dimo showed their curiosity.

Arabella and Clarisse chuckled silently.

"Perhaps we should head inside first," Clarisse offered.

Arabella agreed since the children would gradually relax the more time they spent with each other.

Clarisse then ushered them into the residence and headed to a garden pavilion so they could watch over the kids as they played.

They had some tea and light refreshments first to help the kids relax. Once they became more curious and finally spoke to each other, Arabella and Clarisse encouraged them to play with each other.

Alice was more vocal than Raymart and was the one who asked questions first and when she did, Raymart finally joined in.

"Is it true you can use magic?" Raymart inquired and Alice’s eyes lit up at the questions. She was curious about it as well.

[Will they shun me?!!] Dimo tensed up instantly at the question, misunderstanding their curiosity.

He glanced at Arabella nervously and only when she held his hand and nodded did he finally reply.

"Y-yes, I am a magician in training at the Magic Tower."

"Wooww!" Alice gasped.

Dimo flinched but gradually relaxed when he realized that Alice’s reaction was of amazement.

"Really?" Raymart was doubtful.