Arabella frowned at the Marquess. Was it better to make his people go hungry and suffer than to admit that more than half of their harvest was ruined?

Even Arabella was prideful but she was not so prideful to not seek help in such a situation.

Marquess Sibruh’s territory was vast but not a lot of parts could be used for living or agriculture so the territory did not have many improvements over the years.

And this year, as Arabella continued to listen to the Marquess’ thoughts, she learned that his territory had a good harvest.

However, a lot of the grains and produce were ruined before they were stored properly due to rat and pest infestation.

Thus, the marquessate did not have enough food supply.

But Marquess Sibruh was too prideful and did not want it to be known that he made a mistake and did not have the harvest stored properly as soon as possible.

Marquess Sibruh did not want to be embarrassed and blamed. Nor did he want to ask for a subsidy since he thought he would seem like a beggar.

Thus, he only reported that they had a good harvest this year but did not mention that more than half of the harvest was lost to rats and pests.

Instead, the Marquess was thinking of rationing the food and spreading it thinly until spring next year.

[She’s frowning at the Marquess. Did she hear something again?] Ferdinand thought and Arabella recalled to note it down.

[She’s writing something again?!]

The ministers and rulers glanced at each other as they saw Arabella writing something and Ferdinand, Raymond, and Alwin’s eyes were all on what she was writing despite not moving an inch from where they were.

***

Marquess Sibruh had a good harvest this year as he had reported.

However, after the harvest, it was not stored properly.

Rats and pest infestation caused more than half of the produce to be ruined.

Thus, his territory did not have enough food until the next harvest but he was too prideful to admit he made a mistake.

He did not want to ask for a subsidy either, thinking that he would seem like a beggar.

He was thinking of feeding only the warriors three times a day and the others just once a day to ration out the food and supplies.

The nursing mothers and their children would be malnourished.

A lot of the elderly and children would likely die at this rate too.

***

Arabella pointed out the gravity of the situation since they could not have a lot of people die there because of the Marquess’ pride.

[What?! The others asked just fine. He should have just stated everything earlier.] Ferdinand frowned. He glanced at Raymond since this was not in the latter’s report either.

{My apologies, Your Majesty. The one we sent to watch over the marquessate moved to the next territory after the harvest. Thus, we did not know something like that happened.} Raymond quickly explained.

{I see. Have someone speak with the Marquess if he still does not admit before the session today ends. Have someone investigate Count Morbal as well and look much more closely into the situation in his territory.}

{Yes, Your Majesty.}

[See. I knew her ability would be more useful if His Majesty and Raymond knew about it too. Our actions are not too limited now that they know of her ability.]

Alwin was acting all proud because he was the one who suggested that they inform Ferdinand about Arabella’s mind-reading ability.

He was right though so Arabella did not comment.

After all, if Arabella had not told Ferdinand about her ability yet, she would have had to go the roundabout way again just to inform Ferdinand about what she heard today.

But because she already told him, she could simply reveal to him what she heard today without much difficulty and he could act on it immediately.

Arabella did not have to plot on how to visit the place or what excuse to use just like she did when she had to reveal the situation in Prudencia and Safiro.

More reports came and thankfully, everything went well this time.

There were not that many problems since everyone knew how dangerous winter could be if they were not prepared for it.

The ones whom Arabella knew would be traitors someday still fully trusted Ferdinand this time. Because Ferdinand had not shown any weakness yet, they were all aboard the ship. But once he showed signs he was a sinking ship, they might turn their back on him immediately.

Thus, Arabella and Alwin both thought of keeping an eye on the people they knew would turn their backs on Ferdinand and Valeria in the future.

If they turned out to be traitors again, they would immediately cut them off before they caused harm to Valeria

The court session ended up for a whole day. It only ended once the night sky had turned dark.

They had their meal in the banquet hall for everyone to eat and mingle.

But of course, Arabella, Ferdinand, Raymond, and Alwin were once again at a separate table.

Arabella wanted to take this chance to speak with the other ministers and lords but she was so hungry after the long court session. Thus, she focused on eating.

[Did Her Majesty get stressed from the court or she’s pregnant? If she is, maybe, I should warn His Majesty to be more careful from now on.]

Arabella froze when she suddenly heard such a thought from Raymond.

"What’s wrong? Do you need some water?" Ferdinand inquired.

"No. I was just taken aback," Arabella said as she composed herself.

’Did I eat too much for Raymond to think that?’

[Oh, right! She must have heard my thoughts.] Raymond realized it was his fault.

"My apologies, Your Majesty," Raymond said to Arabella and Ferdinand frowned.

"What did he think about?" Ferdinand cupped Arabella’s face, wondering if Raymond had been rude to her in his thoughts.

"He thought I was pregnant because I ate a lot more than usual," Arabella said since the others could not hear them with Alwin’s barrier anyway.