Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress

Alwin only used the excuse to further investigate and get evidence if possible, to what he already knew. Once there was evidence, they could tell Ferdinand about it.

With that, they walked around the palace as Benjamin showed them the places where Arabella was once attacked when she was young.

The places were so random. It was anywhere Arabella was alone for just a bit or was with few people.

Alwin and Ferdinand did not find anything since it had been several years ago and there were no traces left.

"Even when the attacks finally stopped, we ensured Arabella grew up surrounded by a lot of people to prevent such things from happening again," Benjamin recollected.

’Oh, so it was partly why they had me learn to socialize and mingle early on?’ Arabella formerly thought it was because they wanted her to learn her responsibilities and duties as a princess early on.

It seems she had another misunderstanding of them. They had been worried about her all this time and were trying to protect her so they ensured she was often with other people. Thus, even when she was a child, Arabella had to be in all sorts of activities which usually involved being with a lot of people may it be being in tea parties, gatherings, parties, and the like.

Benjamin and her parents lived in constant fear that she might suddenly get attacked again. And even now, they were worried about her again after the monster attack at Medeus.

"I see. We will keep investigating this then, I hope you do not mind me sending my mage here repeatedly for this," Ferdinand said.

"Yes, of course. We will help in every way we can," Benjamin readily agreed.

"Then, for now, I think we need to visit Elder Satara first. She must be waiting for us since I sent a letter to her as well," Arabella recalled their main goal here was supposed to be the fruits for Clarisse and seeing Elder Satara.

"Right. Of course. I will guide you there," Benjamin offered to guide them there.

"It’s alright, Brother. I already informed Elder Satara that we will just teleport there," Arabella did not want to take more of Benjamin’s time. After all, they were supposed to drop by here just for a courtesy visit before going to Elder Satara’s residency.

"But-" Benjamin was about to insist but Arabella cut him off.

"Brother, you should go back to work. I know you still have a lot of work to do," Arabella said and Benjamin made a face when he recalled the piles of documents on his table.

"Right. Then, let’s continue our conversation when you return," Benjamin let up since he had a lot of documents to work on.

With that, Benjamin walked them off to their carriage and saw them off.

The carriage had no official seal or flags so the people would not know who was visiting Elder Satara.

Arabella and Ferdinand entered the carriage and Alwin teleported them along with their gifts for Elder Satara to a secluded location near the Elder’s residence.

The Elder’s residence was situated at the top of the mountain. And part of the Elder’s estate was a vast plantation of fruit trees, vegetables, and grains.

The mountain was filled with fruit trees that seemed to have naturally grown but they were taken care of by Elder Satara’s family.

Meanwhile, at the foot of the mountain were vegetables and grains cultivated by workers that Elder Satara herself hired.

The produce here was where most of the food supply for Arabella’s family comes from.

Both nobles and commoners alike also buy the produce here but on a first come first served basis regardless of status. The only exception to that was the royal family where Elder Satara’s loyalties lie.

Elder Satara said that their farm used to be small and just for them and the royal family, but when it grew, they catered to everyone else who wanted it. And a lot of people preferred the fruits here since they always tasted better than those from other farms.

Strangely though, Elder Satara refused any of their produce to be sold outside of Lobelius. Thus, it was one of the reasons Arabella decided to come here herself to ask for some fruits and explain it was for a pregnant woman and not to be sold in Valeria at all.

"A lot of the trees here are five millennia old. Especially the ones closest to the residence," Ferdinand said even though Arabella could not even see the residence yet.

"You can tell?" Arabella was surprised that her husband could even tell such things. But then again he had lived for so long.

"Yes. I can feel it from their presence. Everything in this world has a presence and if one looks close enough, you could tell their age through it. Just like how your soul feels like you had been with me for so long but it was only now that we are together like this," Ferdinand’s eyes softened as he cupped her cheek.

’Why is he suddenly looking at me like this after saying such words?!’ Arabella felt the heat rise to her face.

"I used not to believe in destiny. But now, I do. It feels like you and I were meant to be right from the start but it took us so long to be together," Ferdinand caressed her lips and kissed her.

"!!!"

Arabella was wide-eyed at first for suddenly getting this sweetness overload. Ferdinand’s words were so sweet that her heart was going wild and there were butterflies in her stomach. And now, it was even worse when he suddenly kissed her.

’This is unfair! When did he learn to catch me off guard like this?!’

Arabella could not resist the temptation and wrapped her arms around his neck, responding to his kiss.

Ferdinand was about to kiss her deeper when the carriage suddenly moved.

"!!!"

Arabella felt like she was hit by thunder and finally recalled they were here on a mission, not to be lovey-dovey.