CHAPTER 197: THE QUEEN’S LAZINESS

But the moment he said those last few words, the warmth in Primrose’s chest faded. Something tightened inside her, and the comfort she had just begun to feel slipped through her fingers like sand.

She lowered her head, unable to meet his eyes, and whispered, "Can we ... not talk about that for a while?"

Edmund’s eyes widened slightly as he realized he had accidentally touched a wound that hasn’t healed yet. [She just came out of her room for the first time in days... and I’ve already made her remember something so painful?]

[I’m such an idiot!] He mentally scolded himself. [I should’ve stitched my mouth shut if I can’t control my words around her.]

"I’m sorry," Edmund said, lowering his head. "I shouldn’t have brought that up in the first place."

To his surprise, Primrose reached for his arm. It was the first time she had touched him in days. She didn’t touch his skin directly, but it was still something, and it startled him in the best way.

"That’s alright." Primrose smiled faintly, then turned her gaze toward the dresses in the middle of the room.

They were displayed on mannequins, looking just as beautiful as when she first saw them in the boutique.

"Should I wait outside while you change?" Edmund asked awkwardly. His voice cracked a little, and Primrose couldn’t help but think he looked like a shy young man on his first date.

She chuckled softly. "No, you don’t have to go. You can wait here while I change. You’re my husband, not some random creep."

Edmund nodded quickly. "If you say so ... then I’ll stay."

[She’s just changing, nothing more. I can behave,] he reminded himself. [If I get a boner, I’ll jump into the frozen lake as punishment.]

Alright, maybe that was a bit too extreme.

If he did get a boner ... well, it wasn’t that big of a deal, right?

He was her husband, after all, so it was only natural for him to feel attracted to his own wife. Besides, being aroused and forcing her to deal with it were two very different things.

There was nothing wrong with having sexual desire toward her. The problem was, most men would blame the woman for it and then ask her to "help" them get rid of that desire.

But unlike most men, Edmund never blamed her for making him feel that way.

The only person he blamed was himself and Primrose found that oddly amusing.

Once she was sure Edmund wasn’t going to run away, Primrose called in Marielle and two other maids to help her change.

"This gown is absolutely stunning, Your Majesty!" Marielle clapped her hands enthusiastically as she finished buttoning the lilac gown. "It suits you so well!"

[Her Majesty is beautiful no matter what she wears, but this lilac dress truly looks amazing on her!] Marielle kept praising Primrose in her mind. [Dear God, if she wears this to a banquet, no one will be able to take their eyes off her!]

Primrose couldn’t remember when Marielle had become so open and cheerful around her. She no longer seemed awkward or afraid to say the wrong thing in her presence.

It seemed like Solene’s laid-back personality had truly rubbed off on her. But Primrose didn’t mind. In fact, she liked it.

Marielle reminded her of an old friend, someone who used to squeal in excitement every time Primrose bought a new dress, and made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.

"You’re right." Primrose placed her hands on her waist, then spun slowly in front of the mirror, admiring the dress from every angle.

"This dress is really beautiful," she said with a bright smile. "Maybe I should ask the boutique owner to make a few more for me."

"You definitely should!" Marielle replied with excitement. "If you want, I can ask Lady Solene to send an invitation letter to the boutique owner for you!"

"That would be lovely, Marielle," Primrose said. "But ... maybe it’s better if I just invite her to the palace next month."

She paused for a moment, letting out a soft sigh. "People might think I’m spending too much money if I buy too many dresses in the same month."

"We can let her in through the hidden passage," Edmund’s voice suddenly cut in, startling Primrose.

Honestly, she had kind of forgotten that her husband was still in the room, silently watching her all this time. "That way, no one will know she came to the palace for you."

Primrose glanced at Marielle and gave her a small nod. It was a silent request to leave the room. Marielle understood instantly, and with a respectful bow, she guided the other maids out, giving the couple some privacy.

Once the door closed, Primrose turned to Edmund. "You also asked me to buy these dresses in secret when we were at the boutique." She smiled teasingly. "Don’t you think that makes you sound like a corrupt king?"

"But I’m not a corrupt king and you know that." Edmund finally stood up from the chair and walked toward her.

His gaze softened as it lingered on her face. There was so much warmth in his eyes, like he was silently praising her without saying a single word.

"I’m just a husband who wants to spoil his wife," he added gently. "Is that such a terrible thing?"

In his mind, Edmund thought, [After everything she’s been through, my wife truly deserves to be spoiled.]

[Lady Solene told me she sometimes just lies in bed for hours, staring at the ceiling, not saying anything. She doesn’t eat. She doesn’t move.]

[She might look fine and smile so sweetly, but ... if only I could read her mind, maybe she’s been thinking about all sorts of painful things in that little head of hers.]

Did she really do that?

Primrose didn’t even realize how often she spaced out lately.

She just remembered feeling tired most of the time. She liked staying in bed, not because she was sad, but because moving felt too heavy. Eating felt like a chore. And everything else? It just felt ... dull.

Wasn’t it normal to be a little lazy sometimes?

Or maybe ... it wasn’t laziness at all.