CHAPTER 863: CHAPTER 863: TALKS ABOUT CONCUBINES

"Why did you order these? It’s a waste of resources. I don’t need these things," Arabella chided.

"Not at all, Your Majesty. This is for the future of the Empire. I heard from Eunice that His Majesty looked tired. Seeing Your Majesty in this will surely cheer up His Majesty and give him lots of energy. The healthier His Majesty is better for the empire, right?" Carla said pretending to be innocent despite what her words were hinting.

’Would Ferdinand really cheer up?’ Arabella thought about it and felt the heat rise to her face.

Ferdinand might like it. But what if he thought Arabella was perverted?

Worst yet, what if he overthinks and concludes Arabella had worn this kind of thing for Andrew?

She would rather not risk it.

"His Majesty is already healthy enough. I don’t need to dress up like this to cheer him up," Arabella confidently said.

What she meant was, she did not need an excessively showy nightgown to provoke Ferdinand since she already could in the smallest and most unexpected ways.

Arabella knew that perfectly well after being able to hear Ferdinand’s thoughts about her for months now.

She could arouse him easily even without wearing a lewd nightgown.

Arabella was confident with this fact.

"Why did you even think I would need to go this far?" Arabella pouted and frowned at Carla.

"Ah, yes! My apologies! I never meant it negatively. Of course, you are perfectly lovely and desirable as you are, Your Majesty. However..." Carla looked away and trailed off, not continuing what she was supposed to say.

[Should I say it? What if Her Majesty gets hurt? She is the most beautiful lady in Eliora, after all. But, we cannot take chances.]

"What is it? Tell me," Arabella was bothered that Carla who usually talked freely would hesitate to say something.

"Irene and I attended a tea party with married ladies recently. And..."

Carla paused once again and was unsure if she should continue or not.

"It’s okay. You can tell me whatever it is," Arabella encouraged.

"T-they talked about concubinage and the most likely reasons husbands would look for concubines or more wives," Carla said in a low voice.

"C-concubines?!" Arabella was wide-eyed. "Did someone say anything about Ferdinand getting a concubine?!"

’Those traitors! They were all impressed when they saw me working well. Now that the problem in Crux is beginning to settle down, they begin thinking this way and rumors about concubines are already circulating.’

Arabella internally grumbled but maintained a neutral and calm expression so she wouldn’t scare off Carla.

Ferdinand had promised Arabella was the only one for him.

Arabella knew Ferdinand was truthful and heartfelt when he said it.

However, to the ministers and subjects of the Empire, it’s a totally different matter.

"Y-yes, Your Majesty. There were rumors going around that His Majesty might get concubines," Carla relayed.

"And why is that?" Arabella gulped.

"I know His Majesty cherishes you a lot, Your Majesty, and there’s no way he will tire of you. However, there are rumors that he’s already bored of Your Majesty which was why he left the capital. And that once he returns, he might get concubines. I know there’s no truth in it but just in the worst case it happens, I listened and noted things down so that we can work our way if necessary," Carla explained.

[There were rumors Her Majesty might be pregnant last time.

However, when there were no changes to her belly, they knew she was not.

Thus, rumors circulated.

They were beginning to worry if it’s best that His Majesty get more spouses.

If His Majesty ever gets concubines, Her Majesty’s position will be threatened.

We cannot relax either and would always need to be on guard all the time since there would likely be fights for power.]

’Ah, I see...’ Arabella slowly nodded her head.

If Ferdinand ever gets a concubine, it is not only Arabella’s future that will be affected.

All the people who work for her also would.

Thus, Carla and the others were also concerned upon hearing such rumors.

They had been working for her – Arabella – the Empress.

If this ever changed and she became just another wife in a harem, Carla and all her maids’ roles would also be downgraded along with her.

A concubine posed this much danger and the [possibility of power struggles and chaos in the palace and among the nobles.

Especially since Arabella had not conceived a child yet – this fact was also one of the reasons rumors of Ferdinand getting a concubine sprung up.

Even if Arabella remained the Empress, if she was no longer the favored spouse, it would cause problems not only for her but also for her maids and attendants.

"I understand your worries, Carla. So, what did they say were the possible causes of a husband getting concubines?"

Arabella decided she should at least know what the people here thought.

She could not just sit back as Ferdinand gets a harem either; whether he liked it or not.

Arabella knew Ferdinand would not like a harem but the nobles would not mind at all. She was sure they would say it’s all for the sake of Valeria.

The nobles would, of course, prefer if Ferdinand would get concubines since they could send someone from their family and elevate their status.

"They mentioned a lot. I’ll begin with their first point," Carla began.

Arabella nodded to urge her on.

"News of Your Majesty working hard for Valeria has already spread and everyone was relieved and grateful for it. However, the married ladies said being the Empress is a whole separate duty from being a wife..."

Carla relayed that the married women she had tea with said Arabella being an excellent Empress meant she would be more focused on work. Thus, she would be more like a colleague of the Emperor than his wife.

They believed Arabella might not be able to juggle being a good Empress and a wife at the same time, especially to a man like Ferdinand who had just learned the pleasure of getting laid.

’Fine. I did fail in both in my past life so I won’t complain,’ Arabella concluded and nodded for Carla to continue.