Ferdinand raised Arabella’s hand and kissed it.

"You don’t have to worry about anything. I’m here with you. I won’t allow anyone to utter nonsense about you," Ferdinand assured her.

"Right, thank you," Arabella felt warmth spread all over her at this gesture and words from Ferdinand.

Due to him, she was no longer nervous and held her head high as the doors opened.

"Greetings to His Imperial Majesty! Greetings to Her Imperial Majesty!"

Everyone inside bowed their heads.

Arabella did not have to see their reaction once they saw her since they did not even have the chance to look because Ferdinand did not tell them to stop bowing.

Everyone was confused since Ferdinand usually told them to be at ease immediately so they usually watched him walk over to the throne.

But this time they could only keep their eyes on the ground since Ferdinand had not allowed them to lift their heads yet.

[I can’t possibly let them look at my wife from head to foot at such a close distance.

She’s too beautiful today.

I would not even let them get a single glance at her if I could.] Ferdinand thought as they walked.

Arabella wanted to laugh but kept herself composed. She needed to be in her Empress mode to match Ferdinand.

She did not want everyone to look down on her either so she needed to show them that she was not intimated by her seat as the Empress nor by their presence. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

After all, there were so many people here today.

Leaders from all parts of Valeria were gathered for their reports regarding the harvests this year and their winter preparations.

Ferdinand had forgotten to mention it to her before they went here, but Arabella already knew.

This was something they did every year to get updates about the Empire and ensure that they would thrive even in winter.

Officials from all the territories in the Empire were invited to report yearly during this time of the year or even earlier.

Ferdinand just returned and thankfully, he made it before the scheduled date of this meeting. Thus, they could push through with this now without any problems.

Once Arabella and Ferdinand were finally standing right in front of their thrones, Ferdinand finally said, "Be at ease."

The ministers and rulers all sighed in relief and finally stopped kneeling and bowing.

They were all wide-eyed as they finally eyed Arabella and Ferdinand. They were still holding hands so everyone was surprised.

[His Majesty is actually holding her hand and standing so close to her as if he didn’t want to be the slightest bit away from her. Look at that stance!]

[I see... The rumors that His Majesty had finally fallen in love are true.]

[Her Imperial Majesty looks like a goddess. A perfect fit for the Dragon of our Empire.]

[What’s this?! I thought she was still young. But look at her stand beside His Majesty like she was born for it. She had the aura of an Empress.]

[They look so good together. I was so disappointed when His Majesty suddenly announced that he would be marrying her instead of choosing someone from the Empire, but I guess they must be meant to be.]

[I thought Her Majesty would look young and naive. But she had a determined look on her face. She doesn’t look like a sheltered princess at all.]

[I hope she’s not just looks, but would be able to support His Majesty’s grand insight and goals for the empire.]

Everyone had their own thoughts and opinions as they saw Arabella attend the court for the first time.

Ferdinand then helped Arabella to her seat, before sitting as well. He still held her hand even as they were seated on the throne.

Arabella thought he would let go once they were seated but Ferdinand did not.

Moreover, the Emperor should be the first to sit, but he made her sit first. Just from that, everyone knew that she was very important to him.

[Who would have thought I would one day witness His Majesty be all gentlemanly?!]

[They look like a perfect match! This must be why he did not find anyone he fancies here in Valeria.]

[Look at His Majesty still holding her hand. Who would have thought I would live to the day I would see him like this.]

[They seem to be getting along well to be holding hands even here.]

[I never heard His Majesty having past relationships. This means she is his first love.]

[Looks like he would be pampering her a lot. But will she be a good Empress to Valeria?]

Since so many people were gathered here, Arabella’s mind kept getting flooded with their thoughts.

Thankfully, a lot were impressed that she was able to poise herself so regally like a true empress instead of looking like a naive princess who was not married yet.

They thought she would cower under their gaze when they look at her in the eye. And when Arabella did not, they were impressed.

They were glad that her aura was mature, not knowing that it was because she had memories of living this life before until she was over forty and had already experienced all sorts of things and worked as Empress of Valeria for two decades.

However, despite positive thoughts about her, there were also a lot who still doubted her.

But the way they responded to seeing her attend the morning sessions was already so much better compared to her past life.

And it was rather surprising that they were not looking at her like she was a suspicious spy from Lobelius who seduced their Emperor whom they knew had never experienced romantic love before.

Further, what surprised her the most, was that, in their thoughts, they were already referring to her as ’The Empress’ or ’Her Majesty.’

They were no longer thinking of her as ’The Princess of Lobelius,’ which was how people thought of her when she attended the celebratory event at Great Elder Maximus’ Residence.

That, in itself, was already overwhelming for Arabella.