CHAPTER 409: GOING TO THE VELLMORIA EMPIRE (I)

"Wife!"

Primrose jumped a little at the sudden voice. When she looked down, she saw Edmund standing below the balcony, his brows furrowed. "Why are you out here? You’ll catch a cold!"

This time, Edmund didn’t do anything dramatic like fireworks or romantic gestures. He simply jumped up to the balcony and immediately took her hand, pulling her gently back into the room.

"See? You’re freezing," he said, removing his gloves and rubbing his hands together before pressing them softly against her cheeks. "What if you get sick before we even leave tomorrow?"

Primrose ignored his scolding and wrapped her arms around him instead, feeling the warmth of his fur-lined coat. "I was waiting for you," she murmured.

Edmund sighed softly, a little frustrated that he could never stay angry with her. "You could’ve waited inside, you know," he said, brushing his hand through her hair.

"I was only outside for less than five minutes because I knew you’d be home soon," Primrose murmured. "I missed you so much."

Edmund’s expression softened instantly. "I missed you too." He kissed the top of her head, then gently lifted her chin so their eyes met. "I’ve finished all my work regarding Cindralis City, so we won’t need to delay our departure."

[Finally, I’ll have my wife all to myself in the carriage!] Edmund thought with relief. [I’m so tired of courts, nobles, and endless paperwork. I just want to look at my beautiful wife’s face!]

"Husband, you can look at my face as much as you want now," Primrose said softly, rising on her tiptoes before whispering, "Besides... Sir Vesper has successfully made a very effective anti-nausea medicine."

She didn’t say anything else and only smiled, but Edmund immediately understood the meaning behind her words.

Edmund’s throat went dry as he swallowed hard. "Then... maybe... we can do it once we arrive in Illvaris?"

"But my bedroom there isn’t soundproof," Primrose replied shyly, her cheeks turning pink. "We’ll have to be careful."

Of course, it wasn’t unusual for maids or guards to overhear their masters during... private moments. In many noble houses, maids even waited outside their lords’ chambers, ready to help their lady clean up afterward.

But in Noctvaris, it was always Edmund who took care of her himself. He never once let the maids interfere, and honestly, that was one of the many reasons Primrose’s heart belonged only to him.

"But I think that’s impossible," Edmund teased with a playful grin. "You’re too loud, my wife."

Primrose immediately smacked his chest and frowned. "That’s your fault!"

Edmund laughed softly and caught her hand before she could hit him again. "Alright, alright, it’s my fault," he said with a smile. Then, after a brief pause, his voice softened. "Don’t think about it anymore. I just want to make sure you feel happy and at peace once we arrive in your homeland."

Primrose hugged him again, this time, even tighter. That night, at last, she finally had her husband all to herself after so many days of barely getting to see his face.

===

Early in the morning, just before sunrise, the maids and soldiers were already busy preparing everything for their departure.

However, since most of the arrangements had been made in the previous days, they didn’t have to work too hard that morning.

Leofric stood in front of the carriage with Lorelle by his side. "While you’re away, I’ll be the king of this kingdom," he said seriously, placing a hand on Edmund’s shoulder.

Edmund clicked his tongue. "Don’t joke around," he said firmly. "I only asked you to take care of the palace soldiers and protect the kingdom. Leave all the paperwork to Sir Dorne."

Leofric hissed. "Ew, who said I wanted to deal with paperwork? I’d rather chop off my own hand than sit still in your office all day."

Yeah, no one liked paperwork, not even Primrose. That was why she felt secretly relieved that she wouldn’t have to handle any documents during their trip to Illvaris.

"Rosie, take care," said Lorelle as she hugged her tightly. "Remember our promise. Keep thinking positively, and don’t forget to bring me souvenirs."

Primrose nodded in response and smiled brightly. "I will."

As the sun began to rise, Edmund gently urged his wife to get into the carriage. The carriage had been completely modified to ensure her comfort throughout the journey.

The interior was spacious, and the seats could be joined together to form a bed, so they wouldn’t need to set up tents or camp outside anymore. The walls were also lined with insulation to keep the warmth inside.

The more she looked at the carriage, the more touched she felt because her husband had truly thought of everything for her.

Just as the carriage was about to depart, Primrose suddenly heard someone shouting from outside. "Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

She quickly opened the window and saw Salem running beside her carriage, carrying several bags while holding onto the reins of a horse behind him. "Can I join your trip too? I’m getting bored being trapped inside the palace!"

[Besides, I can’t even visit my Raven during winter because her place is too cold,] Salem spoke through his mind. [I heard the winters in the Vellmoria Empire aren’t as harsh, so maybe I won’t be freezing all the time there.]

Primrose blinked in surprise at the sight of him. His hair was messy, his coat barely buttoned, and one of the bags he carried looked like it could burst open at any second.

Still, she sighed softly, thinking that perhaps she could introduce Salem to her friends. They would probably get along well because he loved gossip just as much as they did.

"Alright," Primrose said at last. "But you’re not allowed to do anything strange while we’re there."

Salem waved his hand casually. "Oh, Your Majesty, you say that as if you don’t know me." He grinned and added, "I just want to take a little vacation, that’s all."

After that, Primrose closed the window, and they began their journey toward the Vellmoria Empire, her homeland.