Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress

Ferdinand was sure they would have competed a lot on who would be the heir and yet, they were not willing to step up now. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

’Spineless. Should I just change the ruling family here? But I would have to send my people to investigate which among the households here could do well. Or should I just assign someone from Riva?’

While Ferdinand was pondering on what to do, a female knight stepped forward.

She had the crest of Morbal on her armor. She was a knight of the family. But it was easy to see that she resembled one of Count Morbal’s wives who greeted them earlier.

Count Morbal frowned at the dame who, Ferdinand concluded, was one of the count’s daughters.

The dame knelt and said, "Your Imperial Majesty, this humble servant is but a daughter from a third wife but if given the chance, I swear on my life that I will do my best to rule Morbal better than my father."

Ferdinand eyed the courageous knight.

She clearly had more backbone than her brothers. She took this chance since she knew her father would never make her the heir. And she stepped up even at the cost of getting her father’s rage or possibly getting punished by Ferdinand.

Meanwhile, her spineless brothers were too scared to admit and volunteer themselves in fear that the first who spoke in the room would be the first to be punished.

"What are you doing?! Quickly apologize to His Majesty!" Count Morbal glared at his daughter and gestured for her to take back what she said.

The dame gulped and looked nervous. Ferdinand could see the dame’s body shaking slightly. But her eyes were determined despite the looks that her father and brothers were giving her.

Her brothers were about to talk but Ferdinand gestured for them to shut up.

"What is your name?" Ferdinand asked the dame instead.

"I am called Frieda Morbal, Your Majesty," the dame was visibly relieved that Ferdinand spoke with her.

"I see. Then, Dame Frieda, why did you step forward?"

Ferdinand wanted to know her intentions.

"That’s because I can see the suffering of our people due to my father’s mismanagement. I wish to correct the mistakes my father had made and help our people survive not just this winter but more winters to come," Frieda’s eyes were clear and her determination was strong.

’Good. I didn’t have to look far.’

"I see. Then from today forward, you shall be Countess Morbal," Ferdinand said and the dame’s eyes shined with hope and delight to the point she looked like she was about to cry.

Frieda sighed in relief and bowed deeply, "I am forever grateful to Your Majesty."

Count Morbal and his sons all paled at this exchange.

"Your Majesty, this i-" Count Morbal wanted to go against Ferdinand’s decision but paled when he noticed all the knights in the room holding the hilt of their swords.

"Should I hang your head outside the castle’s gates? As I have said, you have already wasted too much of my time," Ferdinand glared.

Count Morbal turned ashen and bowed even lower as he apologized once again.

Ferdinand was getting tired of his apologies.

"Your daughter is now the new ruler of Morbal. Announce you and your wife’s retirement here today. Tomorrow, bring Countess Frieda with you and announce her as your successor. Or do I have to let the court take care of this and your whole family would be stripped of your title and executed?" Ferdinand reminded them that this was a much more merciful and amicable result.

He did not usually meddle in who rules a territory but times like this call for it.

"Y-yes, Your Majesty," the former Count Morbal had no choice but to accept it.

"Countess Frieda, remember that you promised with your life. You will receive the aid necessary to improve the situation here. But remember that if you follow your father’s footsteps’ you and your entire family will not be given a second chance. If the situation here does not improve despite the aid from Riva, the entire Morbal Household will have to take responsibility," Ferdinand warned.

He had learned from his stay here in the human realm that mostly, only the sons usually become the heirs. Thus, if he did not give ample warning, Morbal and his sons might intentionally make things worse to ruin Frieda. Thus, Ferdinand let them know that if Frieda fails, it would be considered the failure of the entire household.

If the situation here does not improve with Frieda as the Head, Ferdinand would send someone from Riva.

"Yes, Your Majesty. We are ever grateful for your mercy," Frieda bowed.

Morbal and his sons had no choice but to say they were grateful as well.

After that, Ferdinand had a meeting with them to set up rules and made the former count admit to everything he had done and failed to do in the past years.

Meanwhile, as a knight, Frieda was quite well aware of what was going on in the county and thus, was able to accurately report about the past and present situation.

Frieda had indeed seen the suffering of their people, and thus, knew what she wanted to do to help them.

Frieda had even personally fought monsters too so she was an even better choice as the new ruler of Morbal than her brothers who had never fought a single one since they stayed within the safety of their castle when the monsters attacked and let the knights and soldiers handle everything.

After a long, annoying, and tiring stay in Morbal, Ferdinand was finally able to return to Riva.

He was dying to go straight to Arabella’s room and hold her tight but he did a bit more work and signed documents for what was needed in Morbal.

Just the thought of Arabella was already helping Ferdinand relax. But it reminded him of how much he wanted to see her face after working straight for hours since this morning.

’I would have to head to Count Sibruh’s territory next. I’ll schedule it to be in two days since tomorrow, I will head to Lobelius with Arabella.’

Ferdinand gulped as he was reminded of the gifts. He had not chosen what gifts to give her brother yet.

Arabella promised to help him choose but they hadn’t had the chance yet.