Chapter 327: The Queen Who Doesn’t Care About Rumor
"Oh, I ... I had never really seen you before you came here," Edmund admitted, his voice carrying a trace of guilt.
They had only crossed paths once in Primrose’s homeland, and back then, she had still been just a little girl, so he hadn’t formed a strong impression of her.
More than that, Edmund had never truly known what kind of person Primrose was while she lived in her own kingdom.
He couldn’t help but feel guilty because, in their first life, he hadn’t tried hard enough to bring her back to the Azmeria Kingdom. He had been too afraid she would hear all the terrible rumors about herself that the spies had spread among the public.
"So ... in our first life, were there many bad rumors about me too?" Primrose asked softly, almost like she was seeking reassurance from her husband. "Can I know what they were?"
"I think you’d feel uncomfortable if you heard them," Edmund said with hesitation. "The rumors ... they were awful."
Although he didn’t want to say it out loud, he accidentally thought about it in his mind.
[Some said my wife had ruined her face, so I didn’t want to touch her.]
[Some said she had slept with countless beasts behind my back.]
[Some—]
"Husband, I’m afraid those same rumors were also whispered in our palace back then." Primrose let out a small, awkward laugh. "Honestly, it wasn’t anything new to me."
Edmund froze at her words. "So ... you heard them too." His voice lowered as he continued, "Back then, I tried to find and punish the people who spread those lies about you. But even after I dealt with them, the rumors never stopped."
"I’m sorry, wife." Edmund lowered his head, and Primrose could clearly see the guilt etched on his face as he recalled their first life. "I failed you."
Primrose sighed gently and cupped his cheek. "Oh, husband, rumors are always like that. Once they spread from mouth to mouth, they can never be erased completely."
Yes, Edmund could imprison or even exile those who spread the lies, but that didn’t mean the rumors would vanish. Even if the Lycan King himself never heard them, the whispers would still sneak around, passed quietly between soldiers or maids.
"The only way to fight rumors," Primrose said calmly, "is by showing them with our own actions that we’re nothing like what they claim, and if people are too blind to see the truth ... then let them be."
People only believed what they wanted to believe. No matter how hard she tried to change their minds, if they refused to see the truth, nothing would work.
"As I said before, the only opinion that matters to me is yours," she whispered. "The rest? I don’t care."
She didn’t bother with what others believed anymore. To her, Edmund was the only one who truly mattered.
Who cared if someone claimed she liked to sleep with soldiers? As long as Edmund didn’t believe it, that was more than enough.
Besides, in this life, many soldiers had interacted with Primrose directly. All of them could see that their queen had never behaved in such a shameless way before them.
"I also don’t care about other people’s opinions," Edmund said firmly. "That’s why, my wife, if you ever hear ugly rumors about me ... I hope you won’t believe them either."
"I won’t." Primrose smiled softly, her eyes full of trust. "I won’t believe any rumors about you, husband."
Compared to anyone else, Primrose knew Edmund better than anyone. So why would she ever believe such vile lies about him?
"So, husband ... would you come with me to the Azmeria Kingdom if ... the King invited us?" Primrose asked carefully, her voice full of hesitation, as if she was afraid she might disturb Edmund’s busy schedule.
"Of course, wife." Edmund reached out and gently stroked her hair. "I’d be glad to visit your homeland with you."
The palace was always busy before winter. They had to set up blockades, stock food and warm clothes, and check every house in Noctvaris to make sure the walls were strong enough to endure the harsh season.
However, once winter fully set in, especially in the middle of it, there wasn’t much to do. The harsh weather made it nearly impossible for intruders to sneak into the palace, while the trained soldiers knew the terrain inside out.
That was why, any intruder foolish enough to try would only be walking straight into their own death.
Because of that, Edmund was certain he could spare some time to travel to the Azmeria Kingdom.
"But, wife, the journey to Azmeria might be difficult in the middle of winter," Edmund reminded her gently. "I’ll find the safest route, but the weather may not be kind to you on such a long trip."
Primrose already knew that. Still, this invitation was her chance to see her father again, and to spend more time in her homeland, since the Emperor knew she wished to attend the King of Azmeria’s birthday celebration.
More than that, it was a golden chance to reunite with her old friends again.
In her past life, the King of Azmeria had also sent her an invitation, but she had torn it up, too afraid to even ask Edmund for permission. She had thought he would never let her leave the palace.
What a foolish thought.
How could she have once believed her husband was frightening? Looking at him now, he seemed more like an adorable puppy.
"Don’t worry, I’ll ask Marielle to prepare plenty of thick winter coats for me." Primrose lowered her head, her cheeks faintly red as she spoke shyly. "Besides ... you’ll be with me. So if I get cold, you’ll keep me warm, won’t you, husband?"
Edmund swallowed hard, his mind instantly imagining the two of them huddled close together inside the narrow carriage.
Holding her in such a warm, narrow space? That would be a dream come true!
"I ... I’ll make sure the carriage is warm enough for you, wife," he said quickly, then whispered silently to himself. [But maybe not too spacious ...]