Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress-Chapter 729: Served Himself On A Platter

"I see. I’ll have Ivan informed then," Arabella noted. Shortly after, the food arrived, so they began eating.

They discussed further plans for the future as they ate, and when they were done, Arabella headed to her official office.

She checked how her assistants divided Ivan’s usual workload among themselves and was satisfied with how they did it.

Everyone got the ones they were best at and collaborated on the ones they were not that good at. Thus, ensuring that the output was still satisfactory.

This was just the beginning, so they will continue to learn more and improve.

***

Arabella worked in her office until late afternoon. Right after her assistants left, Alwin appeared to notify her.

"The researchers are about to depart. I had notified Ivan as well. He must be heading to the agreed meeting place already."

"Oh, thank you! I’d like to see them off."

Arabella wanted to show her support for the researchers.

Especially since it wasn’t known to the public yet that they would head to Sibruh. She wanted to at least show them that they are appreciated.

Likewise, she needed to be there for Ivan to ensure he would not be isolated.

Arabella was heading to the meet-up area of the researchers when she encountered something unexpected.

Ivan, who was carrying his bags, was surrounded by some unknown men who seemed to be civil servants.

The two knights assigned to protect Ivan were shielding him from them and preventing them from coming closer.

Alwin immediately used a magic barrier to protect Arabella and hide their presence in case a fight happened.

They silently watched to understand what was going on.

"Respected knights, please stand down. The man you are shielding is a hooligan. I am the one who needs protection," said the man who seemed to be a higher-ranking civil official in Riva than the others.

"We cannot. He is Her Majesty’s assistant, and we are assigned to protect him," one of the knights explained.

"You are protecting the wrong person. Perhaps he had you fooled as well, just as I was in the past. You should be kicking him out of the palace instead. He is a danger to Her Majesty," the man said, and the knights glanced at each other.

[A danger to Her Majesty?!]

The knights frowned. They could not let such a comment pass.

Thus, they asked, "What do you mean?"

"He is a violent man who was fired and banned months ago after beating me up repeatedly. He cannot control his temper and has an even more dangerous side. If I hadn’t been helped by other officials, he could have killed me. How can someone like him be allowed to be around Her Majesty?"

The man talked as if he were truly concerned about Arabella’s safety.

However, it was clear on his face that he was only saying it to make the knights abandon Ivan so he could exact his revenge for getting beaten up last time.

[He beat him up? Weren’t we assigned to protect this man because he was hurt by his fellow assistant?]

[Even His Majesty said to keep this man safe. But why would someone say something like this about him? If he is truly violent, we need to investigate it and inform His Majesty. It would be terrible if Her Majesty comes to any harm.]

The knights were confused and could also tell something was off with what the man said. However, they could also tell that some of it was true and needed further inquiry.

They began to doubt Ivan since they also did not know much about him. Still, they kept shielding him since it was the order given to them.

[What should I do?! I did beat him up, but that was because of everything he had been doing to me. That was my last straw. I have a very important task from Her Majesty right now. But will they let this slide?]

Ivan paled at the thought that his important task would be canceled or delayed due to this. He did not expect to encounter his former superior here.

"I heard he’s barely even in Her Majesty’s office and was doing his own things instead. Such an irresponsible person should not be allowed to stay by Her Majesty’s side. He’s setting a bad example to other people who aspire to be civil servants," Ivan’s former superior added, and the men with him seconded.

’Heh. He’s speaking as if he is the epitome of a good official when he is exactly the opposite. He finally gave me a chance to punish him by showing up like this and throwing accusations around,’ Arabella smirked as she eyed Ivan’s former superior.

"What do you plan to do?" Alwin inquired when he noticed her smile.

"I just want him to be punished for his actions, and he served himself on a platter. Don’t you think we should maximize this?"

[She’s going back to her old habits. Look at that smirk. She must be planning something.]

Arabella raised a brow when she heard that.

{I’m not. This person just deserves to be punished. He had bullied not only Ivan out of envy and insecurity but others as well.}

With him presenting himself like this, Arabella could ask for an official investigation and have him demoted or fired once there was proof of his actions. Ivan and his fellow victims could also testify.

"Alright then."

Alwin was the one who was first sent by Ferdinand to investigate Ivan’s situation, so he knew he was indeed the victim.

Alwin made the barrier vanish and revealed their presence.

"Greetings to Her Majesty," the knights immediately bowed when they saw her.

Ivan’s former superior and the men who were surrounding Ivan were shocked but recalled to greet Arabella, too.

Arabella nodded to the knights and told them to be at ease, but simply eyed Ivan’s superior.

[Why is she looking at me like that? She was not here yet when the incident happened, so there’s no way she knows about it.]

’Humph. That’s what you think,’ Arabella wanted to roll her eyes.

She needed to punish this guy and have him fired or demoted before he suppresses more talents and makes them quit.

Arabella glanced at the other civil servants who were there. From Ivan’s thoughts, she learned that they were his workmates who abused him and beat him up. They also made him do all the work they were supposed to do.

In short, they were his former superior’s cohorts and also needed to be punished.

"What’s with the commotion here?" Arabella inquired.

"Oh, Your Majesty. I was simply trying to scold a former colleague. I am his former superior. This man here beat me up several times and could have killed me if people hadn’t arrived. I worry for Your Majesty’s safety, having him by your side."

Ivan’s former superior pretended to be the only victim while he was someone who allowed Ivan to be bullied and beaten up, and even stopped him from getting promoted.

"He did?" Arabella tilted her head, giving a chance for the man to say more.

"Yes, Your Majesty. He bullies his workmates and lazes around at work just because he is better at some things," he added.

"Oh my, then you should have reported him," Arabella said, and Ivan gulped nervously.

"I extended my patience, hoping he would change, but when he beat me up so much I almost died, I finally reported him and had him fired. I was surprised when I heard he later became Your Majesty’s assistant. I heard he doesn’t report to your office every day as he was supposed to do," his former superior tried to incite conflict between them.

"Oh, about that, I allow my assistants to leave the office if they are done with work. He can do all his work for the week in just half a day, so I let him spend his time freely after that. In case I need him in the office, I summon him," Arabella clarified.

Ivan’s former superior was silenced as he recalled that Ivan was a capable person.

"Since you said your side, I would like to hear Ivan’s as well," Arabella said and glanced at Ivan. "Ivan, is it true that you beat him up several times to the point he almost died?"

"My deepest apologies for my uncouth and barbaric behavior, Your Majesty. I did indeed beat him up on my last day of work. But it was not until he was close to death. And that was the only time I beat him up. It was out of fury because he ruined documents I worked hard on, and he simply watched my workmates bully and beat me up."

Ivan quickly explained his side as well so that Arabella and everyone there would not misunderstand.

"That’s not true, Your Majesty. He is lying! His workmates can testify," Ivan’s former superior glanced at the other civil servants there.

"Y-yes, Your Majesty. Ivan is lying!"

"He beat up our superior so badly he had to recover for more than a month!"

"Yes, he is also very arrogant!"

They joined their superior in making Ivan look bad.

Arabella remained silent and listened to it all. When they were done, she finally glanced at Ivan.