Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress-Chapter 743: Lobelian Tea Lover

The princess’ companions closely followed her and stood behind her back.

The female servant whom Arabella now knew was Emily, stood on the side to serve as Princess Seraphina’s maid.

[Why are they making Her Highness seat facing a curtain?] Emily wondered.

[Is there something on the other side?] Jacob, the male servant wondered as well and exchanged a puzzled glance with Emily.

Princess Seraphina’s companions were puzzled at the peculiar seating arrangement since there was a curtain after the coffee table.

The magic spell Alwin used had an illusory effect and made it look like there was a division in the room and was covered by a curtain.

"I shall take my leave then," Riley announced, bowing respectfully to Princess Seraphina and offering a deeper bow in Arabella’s direction before exiting.

Princess Seraphina and her companions exchanged surprised looks at Riley’s gesture.

[Is someone already here?! He bowed lower than he did to me!] Princess Seraphina gulped nervously knowing that a lower bow meant someone with a higher status.

[This curtain, it’s a magic spell! Why did I only notice it now?!] One of Princess Seraphina’s companions finally noticed.

Alwin then lifted the magic spell and revealed their presence as Riley exited the room.

[They had been here the whole time?!]

Princess Seraphina and her companions were taken aback to find Arabella was already seated there; meaning, she had been there before they arrived.

[Thank goodness I stopped them earlier! If we did anything rash, we would have been embarrassing ourselves too much.]

Princess Seraphina was relieved she stopped her companions before they panicked and teleported her out of this place prematurely when Arabella was already here ready to meet her as agreed upon.

[Right! I have to greet her first!] The princess rose.

"Greetings to Your Imperial Majesty," Princess Seraphina greeted Arabella respectfully.

Her companions gave deeper bows and their eyes remained glued to the floor.

In Crux, slaves were not allowed to look at royalty in the eyes. Unless allowed, they were to keep their head bowed when royalty or nobles of high status were present.

"Please be at ease. We are here to converse, are we not?" Arabella smiled.

Relieved by Arabella’s reassurance, Princess Seraphina sighed softly.

[I see. It was truly Her Majesty that I exchanged letters with. Thank goodness!]

"Yes, Your Majesty. I am grateful beyond words that you agreed to my request," Princess Seraphina expressed sincerely before resuming her seat.

Arabella nodded graciously, and they exchanged customary pleasantries and formalities before Arabella rang a small bell on the table.

"Let’s enjoy some tea first," Arabella suggested.

Moments later, the door opened, and Blanca entered with a trolley. She stopped at a respectful distance and began serving tea with practiced elegance.

[Even her maid is graceful and lovely. Yet, Her Majesty herself is even more stunning.] Princess Seraphina observed admiringly.

[Your Highness! You are not here to admire the Empress!] Princess Seraphina’s guard knight wanted to remind that they had another goal in coming all the way here.

Meanwhile, Jacob and Emily were worried about something else.

[Is the tea not poisoned?] Emily wondered anxiously.

[They accepted a meeting with Her Highness so they won’t get rid of her with poison, right?] Jacob reassured himself quietly.

After Blanca finished serving tea and arranging refreshments on the table, she picked up Arabella’s cup and presented it to her with a gentle smile and a respectful bow. "Your Majesty," she addressed Arabella.

"Thank you," Arabella smiled back.

Blanca then returned to her position, standing beside the couch to attend to Arabella in case she needed something else.

[She thanked and smiled at her slave?! I mean, maid?!] Emily, Jacob, and the guard knight were all surprised at Arabella’s gesture.

After all, in Crux, servants were purchased slaves who belonged entirely to their masters and thanking them was rare. They were considered property instead of paid employees who had the freedom to choose whom to work for.

[I knew it! Her Majesty is so different. In my visits to Medeus, I’ve seen nobles from other kingdoms that don’t have slavery but treat their maids poorly. I always knew Her Majesty was different. The maids I’ve seen with Her Majesty were always smiling, well-dressed, and visibly healthy.]

Princess Seraphina’s thoughts were suddenly filled with praises for Arabella.

’They had a hidden agenda, right?’ Arabella was beginning to get confused

Seraphina had a lot of praises for her but she was certain that earlier, the princess was contemplating something related to a goal they had in coming here aside from the ones stated in the letter.

Arabella reminded herself, ’I shouldn’t let my guard down. Feigning admiration is a common tactic to lower someone’s defenses.’

As customary in meetings among nobles, the host had to to take a sip of the drinks or a taste of the food first before the guests to show that what was served had no poison. Thus, Arabella took a sip of her tea and took a bite of one of the snacks Alfedo had prepared.

When Arabella was done, she gestured to Princess Seraphina that she could drink and eat without worries now.

Emily then promptly served tea for Princess Seraphina.

Princess Seraphina also had a bite of the snack and took another sip of tea with her companions watching her attentively.

"Oh my, these are delightful!" Princess Seraphina beamed. Her companions sighed in relief that she was not poisoned or anything.

"Yes, I love them as well. It was prepared by our chef," Arabella smiled warmly.

It was always nice to have their employees praised by their guests. After all, Princess Seraphina’s smile was genuine.

"This tea is superb as well. It’s Lobelian tea, isn’t it?" Princess Seraphina inquired.

"Yes. Do you order tea from Lobelius?" Arabella inquired since Princess Seraphina was able to tell from the taste and smell.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I’m quite fond of Lobelian tea. I order it bulk every time I am in Medeus," Princess Seraphina admitted.

"Oh my, thank you. I am delighted to know you appreciate our tea," Arabella responded with a smile.

They chatted more about tea since it was Lobelius’ banner product. It turned out that Seraphina was indeed an avid Lobelian tea lover.