The Mind-Reading Mate: Why Is the Lycan King So Obsessed With Me?!

"I know you're busy, but .…" Primrose pressed her lips into a thin line, hesitating. After a moment she shook her head. "Just forget it," she murmured. "It sounds silly."

Edmund had been running back and forth between his duties and her for weeks. He had done everything he could to make sure she was safe and cared for. How could she still feel upset with him, knowing how hard he tried?

"It's not silly at all." Edmund tilted her chin gently, turning her face toward him. His blue eyes softened as he brushed a loose strand of hair from her cheek. "I miss you too," he whispered. "I miss you so much it hurts."

Inwardly, his thoughts were darker, more desperate. [I wish I could stay in bed with my wife forever, but these damn duties keep trying to tear us apart.]

Primrose's eyes softened as she looked at him. "So you also feel upset, like me?" she asked softly.

"Of course, I do," Edmund admitted without hesitation. "But we just need to hold on until winter." He tried to reassure her, speaking gently. "I know things will be difficult and stressful for a while, but I promise it will get better once the kingdom is covered in snow. Then we can spend two whole weeks alone in our room, just you and me."

Primrose tilted her head. "Oh, you mean the Winter Retreat?"

For the past several days, she had overheard whispers in the palace about people looking forward to spending two weeks in their bedrooms. Some, especially those with partners, had even promised to spend every moment of that time together.

Edmund gave a small nod. "Yes."

The Winter Retreat was an old tradition in Noctvaris. Every year, when the heavy snowstorms swept through and locked the kingdom in white silence, people were encouraged to stay indoors for two weeks.

Families would gather together, lovers would shut themselves away in their rooms, and everyone used the time to rest, recover, and hold close to the ones they cherished most.

But in their past life, things had been painfully different. Primrose and Edmund had barely spoken, and the Lycan King had never set foot in her chambers again, except on their wedding night, and the night he marked her. Hence, they had never shared the Winter Retreat as husband and wife.

She had been … alone.

The maids and guards also spent the Winter Retreat in their own rooms. Aside from bringing her meals and checking her health, no one stayed by her side.

Two endless weeks of silence had pressed down on her, and she had spent them crying, blaming fate for stealing her from the home she once knew.

Edmund had also been alone in his chamber, but he had lived through the Winter Retreat in solitude for years, so perhaps he had grown used to it.

But now, as she sat in Edmund's arms, the memories of that lonely past felt like a fading nightmare. This life was different. This time, she wasn't just a forgotten queen locked away in her chamber.

Edmund tilted her chin so she would meet his gaze. "I won't let you be alone this year," he said softly, as if reading her thoughts. "This Winter Retreat … I'll be with you every moment, whether it's day and night."

Primrose didn't answer right away, instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in the curve of his neck. She murmured, "Promised?"

He nodded and patted her back. "I promise."

After hearing his words, she said nothing more, and her breathing slowly evening out until it became calm and steady. When Edmund glanced at her, he realized his wife had already slipped back into sleep.

She hadn't managed a proper nap all day, so it was no surprise that the moment his magic flowed into her, her body gave in and surrendered to rest.

"Good night," Edmund whispered, lowering his head until it rested gently against hers. "Sleep well, my wife."

• •

The next day, Edmund didn't head to the border. Instead, he spent his time at the training grounds, putting the soldiers through drills. He had also decided to hold the royal guard's test for Callen tomorrow, so he insisted on training the young man himself since Leofric was busy with other matters.

Meanwhile, in her office, Primrose looked up when a soldier stepped inside. "Your Majesty, your guest has arrived," he said respectfully. "Would you like Lady Naveer to come here, or—"

"No," Primrose cut in gently as she pushed back her chair. "I'll go to her." Before she left, she glanced at Sevrin. "I'm sorry, Sir Dorne. I'll continue my work later."

Sevrin gave her a small nod. "I'll handle it for you, Your Majesty."

Ever since word spread that she was pregnant, everyone in the palace had become almost ridiculously gentle with her. Even the toughest soldiers seemed to treat her like she might shatter at the slightest touch.

Some were so protective that if one of their comrades spoke too loudly in her presence, they would smack him on the head for it.

It was honestly so sweet, and it made Primrose feel deeply loved in this place. Most of the beasts had even learned how to smile properly, so that when they eventually met humans, they wouldn't frighten children into running away at the sight of them.

Her husband, however … might still need more practice. Edmund could smile so gently when he was with her, but with anyone else, his expression stayed cold and unreadable.

Primrose didn't really mind. In fact, a part of her liked that his softer side was something only she got to see. Still, since they had already agreed to visit the Azmeria Kingdom soon, she knew he needed to work on his smile for his own sake.

Speaking of Azmeria, the invitation for the king's birthday had finally arrived. But Primrose knew it wasn't truly from the king, it was her dear friend, the Queen of Azmeria, who had sent it to her.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Primrose's lips curved into a polite smile as Lady Naveer—the daughter of the Count of Noirhaven—stepped down gracefully from her carriage. But deep inside, she couldn't hide her surprise, because the whispers she had heard about this woman were … exactly right.

People often said Lady Naveer was eccentric, bold enough to wear things no other woman in the kingdom would dare. At first, Primrose had brushed off the gossip, assuming the stories were just exaggerated, like most court rumors usually were.

But now, seeing Lady Naveer with her own eyes, Primrose realized the rumors hadn't been exaggerated at all. If anything, they had been completely accurate.

When people saw Salem's unusual clothing, they only thought of him as a whimsical clown. Strange, perhaps, but not something to take too seriously.

Naveer, however, was different. The moment she appeared, her presence demanded attention. Her eccentricity wasn't just odd, it was striking, the kind of thing no one could simply ignore, especially in the eyes of men.

Her gown was far too daring for women of this era.

The neckline dipped lower than custom allowed, the sleeves slipped off her shoulders like loose ribbons, and the hem of her gown stopped boldly at her knees.

In a world where most women wouldn't dare show even their ankles, such a short cut was nothing less than scandalous.

However, if Primrose was being honest with herself, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of interest. The gown looked … comfortable.

The shorter hem meant it wouldn't drag along the floor, and the risk of tripping over layers of fabric was almost none. For a brief moment, Primrose wondered what it might feel like to walk so freely, without heavy skirts weighing her down.

Unfortunately, Primrose wasn't bold enough to ever try such a daring style herself.

"Lady Naveer." Primrose brightened her smile once she was standing in front of her. She looked up at her, feeling a little jealous, because Naveer was also taller than her. "Thank you for granting my request."

[How could I possibly refuse her?] Naveer thought bitterly. [She didn't just invite me, but she used the king's decree to summon me!]

Her lips curved faintly, but the thought in her heart was sharp. [If my father hadn't made such a scene about it, I wouldn't even be here.]

Her gaze swept over the palace walls, and she continued sourly in her mind, [What nonsense. I hate coming to this place. Everyone does nothing but whisper and gossip about me the moment I arrive. What a pack of small-minded people.]

Naveer's words carried no friendliness, but at least there was no malice behind them. That alone was enough for Primrose to feel she could face her without worry.

"Do you need anything from me, Your Majesty?" Naveer asked at last. Her tone was cool, almost sharp, and the smile on her lips was nothing more than polite formality. "I have many tasks waiting for me today, and I will likely be leaving the kingdom again tonight."