CHAPTER 809: CHAPTER 809: HAD SOMEONE HIT HER BEFORE?

"Yes, I hope he will," Blanca nodded politely.

[I’m sure he would. He’s so arrogant but he is indeed very capable. I will not catch up to his level even if I train for ten millennia.]

Arabella’s four maids then left for the next room to assist in the work there. Only Blanca was left with her.

She then eyed her assistants next and walked to Narcissa who was still trembling even now.

Narcissa looked much worse than Arabella’s maids since she came from a wealthier family and had never even gone to shop in the city herself so she had not witnessed anything so gruesome.

Seeing how terrified Narcissa was, Arabella cannot help but feel guilty.

However, she knew Alwin was right and this would help Narcissa grow more mature and be ready for what the future might bring.

[I tried to fight it but I still puked so much. And I’m still dizzy. Her Majesty must think I’m so disgusted at everyone I saw. Will she fire me now?]

"I... I’m..." Narcissa did not know what she should say as Arabella stood before her.

She turned green instead and looked like she would burst out crying any second.

Arabella reached out and embraced her trembling assistant.

[Why is she embracing me? Is it because this would be the last time she’s seeing me?] Narcissa stiffened not understanding why.

"It’s alright. It’s alright now. I was impressed that you remained here. You did very well too," Arabella patted Narcissa’s head.

[Huwaahhh!!! Why does this feel so good? It’s making me cry. When was the last time someone held me like this and gently patted me? Ah, was it grandmother when I was young?]

Like Narcissa thought, Arabella felt Narcissa’s tears drenched her clothes.

’She was last held by her grandmother like this and it was when she was young?’ Arabella was surprised.

Narcissa’s parents looked like they spoiled her but it seems they haven’t been affectionate to her in this manner.

Arabella gently stroked Narcissa’s hair until she calmed down and finally stopped crying.

"Oh my goodness! My apologies for my rudeness, Your Majesty," Narcissa immediately bowed when she saw Arabella’s tearstained clothes.

[How could I have indulged myself in the Empress’ embrace just because it felt so warm and comforting?! Mother and Father will punish me if they hear about this!]

"My deepest apologies, Your Majesty. I got over myself. I will never do it again. Please don’t tell my parents," Narcissa bowed deeper.

Arabella reached out to pat Narcissa’s head but she flinched as if she was going to get hit.

’Had someone hit her before while she was bowing in apology like this?’ Arabella wondered just what kind of discipline Narcissa’s parents do to her for her to be like this.

It was clear Narcissa feared their punishment much more than hers.

Arabella gently patted Narcissa’s head to clarify she was not about to hit her earlier, "It’s alright. No one’s going to tell your parents. You can be at ease."

Narcissa gulped and nervously looked up even as Arabella retracted her hand.

She smiled warmly to assure Narcissa but she still looked somewhat terrified and confused.

"You can return to the palace and rest," Arabella said and Narcissa quickly shook her head.

"No, I’ll stay here with everyone else," Narcissa said as she glanced at her fellow assistants.

"I meant that for everyone except for Ronald," Arabella said as she eyed her assistants.

[I’ll stay? Is Her Majesty going to give me a task here?] Ronald wondered.

[Is this a secret test? Was Ronald the only one who passed?!!] Narcissa and everyone else thought and glanced at Ronald wondering if Ronald had reacted better than they did for him to be asked to remain while they were dismissed.

’Oops. These competitive people might fight,’ Arabella recalled.

"Ronald has a task from His Eminence so he will stay here," Arabella used Alwin as a reason once again.

[Ah, it was from His Eminence. That’s a relief. I thought I failed a test.] Norbert and everyone else sighed in relief.

[The Reginalds are indeed closer to His Eminence than our family. It’s understandable that he would give a task to Ronald instead of me.] Oscar thought, still with a tinge of jealousy and defeat.

"Your Majesty, I would like to help instead of returning to the palace," Egbert volunteered.

"Me too," Felix and everyone else at the same time. They were following her maids’ actions earlier.

’Haha. They’re so adorable,’ Arabella could not help but smile.

"Alright then. You may decide which among the second or third step you would like to help with," Arabella gave them a choice between the two this time.

"I’ll go to the second step," Oscar wanted to level up his task.

Egbert and Norbert also volunteered for the second step, wanting to up their task as well and believing they could handle the second step now.

"I’ll go to the room for the third step," Narcissa said. She felt that she was not yet ready for the second step after getting overwhelmed here so she chose to remain in the third step.

Denzel and Felix decided to go to the third step as well since they were still too shaken to be in the second step.

"Alright. Do your best," Arabella smiled at them as she waved her hand when she saw them out.

Once they were gone, Ronald asked, "Uhm, Your Majesty, what is the task His Eminence had left for me?"

"You are to observe how the magicians perform here," Arabella made one on the spot.

She would talk to Alwin about it later.

Arabella did not really have a specific task for Ronald but she thought this might help Ronald grow.

Likewise, since Ronald already knew about his true roots, it was fine for him to listen to their conversations here.

"Indeed. Observe closely how they heal people since it is one of the skills an elf must have," Zion added.

Arabella smiled at Zion in gratitude and he smiled back politely.