Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress-Chapter 740: Puzzled Leaders

{I know. I was just stating a fact.} Alwin replied nonchalantly.

Arabella sighed inwardly, frustrated by the interruption of her thoughts.

{Fine, but can you let me focus so I can think about how to respond to everyone?} Arabella complained.

{Sure. Sure. I’ll be silent.} Alwin promised, though his tone lacked sincerity.

’Tsk. Just the other day he was taking my side, now he’s acting like this. Is he trying to make me embarrass myself in front of these people?’

Arabella resisted the urge to glare at Alwin. She maintained her composure and a neutral expression given the presence of other people.

She focused on their subjects’ conversation instead.

Duke Riverio’s assumption about an uprising was valid, considering Ferdinand’s responsibilities as Emperor.

However, the territories closer to Sibruh knew it was something else but was unsure if they should reveal what they know given that Arabella and Raymond had not uttered a single word about it.

"Viscount Geoffrey Emlin, what can you say about this?" Duke Riverio noticed the representative of Emlin who had been silent the whole time.

The household heads directed their attention to the first son of the Count of Emlin who was here to represent his father.

Count Emlin was here a few days ago but had returned to their countdom due to the emergency.

"My apologies, my lords, I am prohibited to comment. However, I can assure you it is not an uprising. The Emlin Household and our people remain steadfast in our loyalty to His Majesty," Viscount Geoffrey replied, casting a pleading glance at Arabella.

[Does Her Majesty know about this? I’m at a loss for explanations. I don’t know how to explain what’s going on either. Many have tried to extract information from me since I arrived to represent my father.] Viscount Geoffrey’s eyes silently implored Arabella for assistance.

"Prohibited? By whom? Your father?" Duke Riverio and the others frowned. "If it is not an uprising, then what is it? An attack from a foreign nation?!"

Those words made the room even worse. An attack from a foreign nation being kept secret was even worse since they would not be able to help as soon as possible.

"I’m thinking something along those lines. We can see smoke rising from various territories. If it’s not an uprising then it could be an attack from enemy nations," added Duke Marlon of Eron Dukedom.

Eron Dukedom was situated atop a mountain so they had a better vantage point and could see more areas than the other territories do.

"From another nation?! Why would His Majesty keep not sending word if it was an attack from another nation?" 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The gathered household heads exchanged concerned glances.

An attack from another nation was something they needed to know immediately indeed.

However, this wasn’t one and that was exactly why they were not informed yet.

After all, no matter how much they tell these people to keep it a secret first, it would get revealed to more people and gradually spread.

[Does Her Majesty know what’s going on?]

They glanced at Arabella wondering if she knew but they concluded she must not so they glanced at Duke Eron once again.

They presumed Ferdinand would not involve her in matters about war.

"What did you do? Were you able to gather any more information?" Another household pressed Duke Marlon for details.

"I ordered preparations for war, fearing they might need assistance. Reports cited widespread fires. However, His Majesty’s flag was already in the area. Still, I sent some of my knights to help in case it was necessary but they were denied entry. We did not receive any explanation aside from it being a decree from His Majesty," Duke Marlon expounded.

"Why would His Majesty not accept additional knights? If it was something the current number of Imperial Knights with him could deal with on their own, why are the territories still on fire?" Duke Riverio pondered out loud.

"I share your concerns. Several territories continue to emit smoke from the same areas," Duke Eron added.

No matter how the household heads pondered, those who had a clue as to what was going on remained silent, unsure if it was alright to reveal what they knew.

Even the Head Minister of Agriculture remained silent about the researchers heading to Sibruh..

With no satisfactory answers, all eyes eventually turned to Arabella and Raymond, the hope for answers evident in their gazes.

[Is it something that His Excellency does not know about either?]

[Her Majesty is silent amidst the discussions. Is she terrified since it was matters related to war? Or she knows about what’s truly going on?]

Arabella waited until everyone became silent before she finally spoke.

"As far as we are aware, it is neither an uprising nor an attack from another nation. His Majesty is contending with a distinct issue in the affected territories, prompting the temporary closure of borders and halt of trading activities."

[So Her Majesty knows?!]

[What is it about then?]

Arabella answered their questions before they could verbally ask it out, "Presently, we await additional updates. His Majesty has personally intervened to address the issue swiftly. Rest assured, once more information becomes available, it will be shared with everyone. We are awaiting further correspondence on the matter. Lacking information could lead to misunderstandings and misguided actions. Thus, I ask for your patience until relevant information is complete."

With Arabella refusing to reveal what it was about exactly, the household head had no choice but to back down. Especially since the reason she presented was valid.

As rulers, they understood that if they received lacking information and it led them to act rashly, it could lead to further problems instead of helping solve an already existing problem.

Those who knew about the pests and diseases sighed in relief that they did not have to be the ones revealing such important information.

With Arabella words, it was implied that she was telling everyone to wait so they should stop impatiently trying to dig about it when they would be informed about it soon anyway.

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A/N:

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