"Oh, then could we order it now? How long do we have to wait? Or would it be likely sold out with not a fruit left?" Raymond asked nervously.

[I hope there will still be some left. Clarisse would be devastated. She had been nagging me about it since the other day. What should I tell her if everything was sold out and consumed already? She might throw a fit like it was my fault again.]

Arabella stopped herself from chuckling when she heard Raymond’s thoughts.

Clarisse apparently said that Raymond must have given the wrong instructions so Zion could have bought from the wrong shops. Or that Raymond had those bought somewhere else, instead of Lobelius which was why it tasted different. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

When Zion repeatedly went and still, the fruit tasted different, Clarisse began giving Raymond suspicious glares like he must be intentionally giving her something else because she had been too demanding lately and began getting sulky instead of getting angry.

Raymond was losing his wits since an angry Clarisse was better than a sulky one who would not even talk to him. The thought of Clarisse getting angry at him, and then ignoring him for the rest of the day or even more terrified him.

Clarisse was having her mood swings and cravings worse than before so not getting to eat something she wanted made her scary even to her husband and children.

Their maids and butlers were also tiptoeing around Clarisse in fear of doing something that might irk her.

Arabella smiled as she recalled her past life. There was a time when she was like that too when she was pregnant. She did not get to nag her husband though.

"Fret not, there is always a reserved supply for the palace. I will ask for some from the Elder," Arabella said and Raymond sighed in relief.

"I am ever grateful, Your Majesty," Raymond thanked her like it was a matter of life and death. Clarisse must have been roasting him a lot these days indeed.

Arabella never got the chance to roast Ferdinand when she was pregnant with Fermin, but there were indeed a lot of times when she almost went to see him and rant about how difficult it was to be pregnant. But she never did it since she was afraid it would make him not visit her even more.

Once she gets pregnant later, she would rant to him and nag as much as she wanted once her mood swings and cravings started. Just imagining how he would react made her smile.

She had to wonder how long Ferdinand would be patient with her. She somehow wanted to test it, but might be a bad idea. Still, she was curious.

"Oh, right. I’m planning to announce Blanca as my new maid so she can begin her duties before the nobles start sending me their daughters," Arabella recalled to inform them while the four of them were here together.

After all, now that the rulers had seen her attend court and verified for themselves that Ferdinand cherished her, they would be more than willing to send their daughters to the palace.

She already heard a lot of the nobles and ministers here today wanting to speak with her so they could recommend their daughters.

Arabella knew that she would, indeed, need to hire more maids sooner or later but not right now when they were busy with winter preparations.

After all, it meant more work for Alwin and Raymond who would have to verify and check the backgrounds of those who would apply as palace maids.

"Would that be alright?" Arabella glanced at Ferdinand and Raymond.

"Yes, of course. You can do as you please," Ferdinand easily agreed.

Arabella then glanced at Raymond.

"She had indeed greatly improved. I also believe she’s ready now," Raymond also approved.

Arabella then glanced at Alwin and he said, "That would be good for me."

[One less headache to worry about.]

Alwin was relieved that he would no longer have her under his care and would be under Arabella’s instead unless Blanca used magic on something she should not.

"Then, please inform Blanca that she would have to move her things to the palace. She could pick a room tomorrow after I introduce her to the others."

"Alright," Alwin did not make any complaints.

After dinner, Arabella returned to her official office to check the work her assistants had done for the day.

Meanwhile, Ferdinand went to his office to do some work as well.

Arabella’s assistants were doing well so she did not have to worry.

According to the magician Arabella had asked Alwin to watch over Narcissa, the latter no longer tried to bully Ivan, Nadia, or Odette and was focusing on improving herself instead.

That was a huge relief to Arabella. If Narcissa had tried to do anything else, Arabella would have fired her even if she was outstanding or the fact that she was from Ryvaleh and Clarisse’s relative.

Arabella did some work before finally retiring to her room.

After her maids helped her bath and dress for the night, Arabella decided to inform them about Blanca.

"Everyone, may I have your attention for a bit," Arabella said as the four were cleaning up her dressing room.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

They stopped what they were doing and walked to her, knowing it must be something important.

"As you know, I needed a new handmaiden after Renee resigned and passed away. I believe you have heard the rumors and have already met His Eminence’s fiancee, Lady Blanca," Arabella began and the four nodded.

They knew the need for a new maid since they were the ones who had more work after Evania left. They had divided Renee’s supposed tasks among themselves.

"Lady Blanca will join us starting tomorrow. His Eminence had recommended her as my new handmaid and His Majesty and His Excellency had also approved," Arabella informed them. "I hope you can welcome her and work with her."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the four replied. They had no complaints since they needed more hands.