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

However, they still had her worries.

[I hope she will not lord her position over us.]

[His Eminence is such a powerful figure in the Empire. Not even the most powerful noble houses can control him. What if his fiancee would treat as badly because of that?]

[I saw her with Her Majesty last time and she was such a beauty. What if she tries to compete with Her Majesty instead of acting like a handmaiden?]

[She looks like she was Her Majesty’s age. What if she becomes Her Majesty’s favorite and she no longer pays attention to us?]

The four ladies were worried but did not dare say it.

Arabella smiled knowingly and said, "Do not fret. Blanca is quite a spirited person but she is kind. If she does anything inappropriate, you should report it to me immediately."

"Y-yes, Your Majesty," they blushed when they realized that Arabella noticed their worries even if they did not say anything.

"Oh, and Aletha, I’m thinking of giving you a short vacation. Why won’t you go home to Lobelius for a few days?" Arabella said and Aletha was wide-eyed.

"Did I do something unsatisfactory, Your Majesty?! If did, please punish me here instead," Aletha thought she may have made a mistake so she was getting sent home.

"No. You did not make any mistake. I was just thinking that you must miss everyone in Lobelius since it had been several months since you were here. I am thinking of going to Lobelius for a bit to ask Elder Satara for some fruits since Clarisse was craving some. I just thought you could come along and stay there for a week. His Eminence could pick you up a week later once he goes back to get fresh fruits again," Arabella clarified.

"I-I see..." Aletha sighed in relief.

"Then, Your Majesty, should we prepare souvenirs from here to bring over to Lobelius?" Eunice inquired.

"That’s a good idea," Arabella beamed.

She thought about what she would do tomorrow and all she had was formally introduce Blanca to them early in the morning.

"Tomorrow, I will be at the throne room for a whole day again so you do not need to serve me. Instead, use some of my monthly allotment and buy some goods and souvenirs for the Lobelius Palace. Aletha, you go with them too and choose something that Elder Satara would like."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

With that, she dismissed the four so they could finally retire for the night as well.

Arabella should probably sleep as well since Ferdinand might have a lot to do. She knew he was probably taking care of the matters about Count Morbal and Count Sibruh.

She would have helped if she could but that was Ferdinand’s task. If he was busy and could not take care of it, it was then that she needed to act.

If she overdid things, the nobles would be wary of her so she also needed to know when to let things work out on their own.

She was sure Ferdinand would take care of the issue anyway. Her role this time was to wait patiently.

Arabella then went to bed and thought of sleeping on her own. But she realized she was not sleepy yet so she went to the balcony for some fresh air.

The moon was huge and bright tonight. It was such a relaxing sight.

The wind was cool as winter drew closer but it was refreshing. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

There was still a lot of activity in the city center below. Arabella could see the lights of some shops still on and there were still a lot of people walking around.

Riva was alive and energetic even late at night especially since the harvests in a lot of parts of Valeria had just ended. And part of those harvests along with other goods were brought here to Riva for higher prices when purchased.

Thus, during these days every year, it was usually more lively in the city as there was more trade going on and various goods that were usually available in Valeria’s territories became available here.

Since almost all heads of the ruling households traveled to Riva after the harvest, merchants usually traveled with the heads since it meant more security for both of them. It was of mutual benefit for them to let their guards join forces for safer travel.

Thus, merchants’ goods and local goods reach Valeria during this time.

Some merchants stayed in Riva during winter to sell all the goods they gathered during the previous seasons.

Others would travel south to the territories of Valeria that did not have winter and continued business there. They return to their homeland in spring with goods from the south.

Meanwhile, some would go back to their territories before winter began. Thus, they stayed overtime to sell the goods they brought from their territories.

Those who knew of this yearly routine also went out at night to purchase goods if they did not have time in the mornings.

"Oh my goodness!" Arabella gasped when she felt someone wrap his arms around her waist.

Her body stiffened but she eased up when she realized it was Ferdinand.

"Don’t surprise me like that!" Arabella chided her husband.

Her husband was already in his sleeping attire. He was ready to get to bed too.

"I was focused on watching the scenery below," Arabella pointed to the city.

"Is it so interesting to watch people walk here and there?" Ferdinand said as he tightened both his arms around her waist and buried his head on her nape.

Arabella involuntarily shivered at his actions and she could tell Ferdinand smiled when he felt it.

"Did you miss me?" he asked and gave her a peck on the cheeks.

"We were just apart for a few hours," Arabella pointed out, but she reveled in the warmth of his body.

"That’s a pity then," Ferdinand pouted. "Here I was thinking of giving you lots of attention tonight."