CHAPTER 380: THE KING WHO FEARS NOTHING BUT LOSING HER

Still, that was only natural. This building behind the palace was used as the maids’ quarters. Even so, it was still far better than what the servants had been given under the last king’s rule.

Originally, this place had been built to house concubines. But since Edmund never once had the desire to take even a single concubine, he had repurposed it into living quarters for the maids and other palace staff.

"Does your back hurt?"

Primrose flinched slightly at the low voice beside her, but the moment her eyes met Edmund’s face, she let out a soft breath of relief.

"I’m fine." She stretched her arms, then quickly turned to hug him. Edmund’s hand slid gently across her back, soothing her as if he knew it ached, no matter what she said.

"What time is it?" Primrose asked.

"It’s already morning," Edmund replied.

Her eyes widened. She sat up straight and turned toward the window, where sunlight spilled across the floor. "I ... I’m sorry! I overslept!"

Looking down, she noticed her clothes had been changed and not a single trace of blood remained on her skin.

She had promised she would only sleep for a little while, but who would have thought she’d end up sleeping until morning? Wasn’t that ridiculous?

Her husband was the one who had worked so hard to wipe out all the intruders in the palace, and yet she, who had only waited in the underground, had ended up resting longer than him.

"Why are you panicking?" Edmund asked calmly. "Nothing bad will happen just because you slept a little longer."

"But ... but I wanted you to rest properly too!" She lowered her head, her eyes falling on his hand still holding hers firmly, the same hand that had been pouring magic into her while she slept.

"I rested well enough." Edmund leaned lazily against the pillow, his hand reaching up to brush against her cheek. His voice was soft, almost lazy. "There’s no sleep more comfortable than when I’m lying beside you, my wife."

[You weren’t the only one who was afraid yesterday.] Edmund’s voice echoed in his mind, as if he didn’t have the courage to speak those words aloud.

"Really?" Primrose shifted closer, and before she could react, he pulled her by the waist and rested his head on her lap. "Were the wolves the ones that scared you?"

[I wasn’t afraid of dogs,] he continued in his mind. [I was afraid I wouldn’t be strong enough to protect you and our baby. I was afraid I’d let them take over our home, my home.]

His home wasn’t the palace, but his home was Primrose. He wouldn’t care if the palace burned to the ground, but he would bleed tears for eternity if anything bad happened to his wife.

"But you are strong," Primrose whispered, running her fingers slowly through his hair, stroking each strand as if to soothe him. "And you’ve already proven it."

[I almost made you drink poison. That’s nothing to be proud of.]

"It wasn’t," Primrose admitted gently. "But it was still better than leaving no precaution at all. Besides ... my world would be so empty without you."

It might have sounded dramatic, but it was the truth. Primrose had grown so used to life with Edmund that she couldn’t even picture a world without him in it.

Maybe it did sound a little toxic, she wouldn’t deny that. But then again, coffee was still worth drinking, even if it was bitter.

[Your father would hate me if he knew about the poison.]

"Then we won’t say anything to him." She let out a heavy sigh. "Though I doubt he won’t find out about the wolves. The Emperor of Vellmoria has become more cautious with his spies, but ... he still has some inside our home, doesn’t he?"

"Yes," Edmund said without hesitation. "They’ll probably report it to the Emperor, but things like this are normal in the beastworld. If he wants to spread rumors that I’m a savage, then let him."

Such rumors were indeed inevitable, since Edmund was always standing close to danger, like a moth chasing a flame.

People had also grown used to hearing that beasts often fought like barbarians. That was why this kind of rumor was nothing new to him.

Still, Primrose sometimes wished she could simply demand the Emperor’s death, so they could finally live in peace.

But of course, life was never that simple.

After a moment of silence, Primrose finally asked the question that weighed on her most. "What about our winter supplies? Did the wolves destroy them too?"

"They did." Edmund let out a low groan, pressing his face into her lap as though hiding his pain. His voice was heavy, almost breaking. "My wife, I worked so hard to gather our winter supplies and those dogs ruined everything."

"Still ... there’s something left, right?" Primrose asked.

Edmund hesitated, lifting his head slightly. "I haven’t checked it myself yet. I only heard the reports." His voice grew firm again as he pushed himself up from her lap. "I should go see it with my own eyes."

"Then I’ll go with you," Primrose said at once, determination flashing in her eyes.

Edmund turned to her, frowning. "You’ve only just woken up. You should rest a little longer."

But Primrose shook her head. "No. If it concerns our winter supplies, then I want to see it too. They’re not just yours, they’re mine as well."

For a moment, Edmund simply stared at her, then finally, he let out a quiet sigh. "... Alright. We’ll go together."

Edmund helped Primrose get dressed, since most of the maids—including Marielle—were still recovering from the shock of what had happened.

Marielle, especially, looked shaken. It seemed she had witnessed Edmund slaughtering the wolves with her own eyes, as she hadn’t been in the underground with Primrose.

Primrose made a mental note then and there, she would definitely raise Marielle’s wage after this. The poor girl deserved it.

"I haven’t asked the maids to check your dresses yet," Edmund said as he tied the ribbon at the back of her simple dress. "But if any of them are ruined, I promise I’ll buy you new ones."

"That’s alright," Primrose replied softly. "Most of my dresses were kept safely in the wardrobe, so I’m sure they’ll be fine."

Once Edmund was satisfied that she looked neat and comfortable, he offered his arm. Together, they left their room and made their way toward the warehouse.