The Mind-Reading Mate: Why Is the Lycan King So Obsessed With Me?!-Chapter 122: The Regret of The Past

He didn’t even know who his mate would be, and yet, Edmund had done everything he could to ensure her well-being.

"I never expected you would be the one," he said quietly. "When the Moon Goddess gave me your name, I planned to take things slow. That’s why I sent a letter to your father. But then ..."

He gritted his teeth, clearly recalling something unpleasant. "... the Emperor got involved."

Because of the Emperor, their relationship had started in the worst way.

Even worse, Primrose had refused to speak to her father before she was sent to Noctvaris, thinking he hadn’t done enough to stop the forced marriage.

The more she thought about it, the more Primrose realized how messy her first life truly was.

So many misunderstandings piled on top of each other. All of them were tangled and twisted, until it was almost impossible to tell what had really gone wrong.

But the root of it all was the Emperor of Vellmoria.

If he had just stayed out of it, maybe Primrose wouldn’t have had such a negative image of Edmund in her heart.

"The first letter I sent to the Duke of Illvaris wasn’t even a formal marriage proposal," Edmund explained.

"I only told him that the Moon Goddess had chosen you as my mate and I asked for his permission to meet you, to let you decide what would happen next."

If the Emperor hadn’t interfered, Primrose might’ve actually experienced something as simple and sweet as a first date before marriage.

Yes, Edmund was stiff and awkward, but if she hadn’t been conditioned to see him as the source of her misery, maybe she wouldn’t have misjudged him so badly.

"Then why didn’t you ever tell me?" Primrose asked softly. "When I came here, all I believed was that you were the one who forced me into this marriage."

Edmund took a step closer, still keeping a respectful distance. "Because it didn’t matter," he said. "Even if I had explained everything ... it was still my fault."

[It was my fault. If I had gone to the Duke of Illvaris myself instead of just sending a letter, maybe the Emperor wouldn’t have learned what I truly wanted.]

[If only I had stood up to the Emperor and faced the consequences, my wife wouldn’t have had to feel like she was forced into this marriage.]

[Honestly, I’m surprised this marriage turned out better than I ever imagined. But ... that’s all because of her. My wife is the one who led me, who taught me how to become a good husband.]

Primrose had been the one guiding him, yes, but it wouldn’t have meant anything if Edmund hadn’t tried to be a good husband from the start.

"It matters!" Primrose finally stepped closer, completely ignoring the punishment she had given him earlier. "How was I supposed to know there was a misunderstanding if you never explained it to me?"

Edmund looked like he wanted to back away, but Primrose gently held his hands. "No, wait. It was my fault too. I avoided you. I ran away every time you tried to talk to me."

"No! You didn’t do anything wrong!" Edmund quickly lifted his hands to cup her cheeks, his voice softening as he continued. "You were afraid of me because ... I’m a monster."

"I wasn’t afraid because you’re a monster!" Primrose said firmly, looking him straight in the eyes. "I was afraid because I didn’t know who you were. That’s all. I was overwhelmed. I had just arrived in a place I’d never even seen before."

She took a step closer, rising onto her tiptoes so their faces were only inches apart. "If I truly thought you were a monster, do you think I’d dare to stand this close to you?"

Edmund swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple moving as her face drew even nearer.

"You haven’t seen me in my beast form," he said in a low voice.

[What if she screams in fear when she sees what I really am? Even her father was shocked and hesitant to approach me.]

Primrose frowned slightly. "Then show me your beast form one day," she said gently. "I promise I won’t be afraid."

Really, why was Edmund always imagining the worst outcome?

He had never even shown his beast form to her, how could he be so sure she’d be scared?

"You ... you don’t have to force yourself," Edmund mumbled, stepping back two paces.

But he still let her hold his hands, afraid she might stumble if he pulled away too suddenly.

"People say I look terrifying ... and dangerous."

Every time Edmund stepped back, Primrose stepped forward.

They kept moving like that until his back hit the wall and there was nowhere left to run.

Honestly, why was he trying so hard to escape?

Wasn’t he the one who had looked completely crushed earlier when she told him he couldn’t touch her for a week?

"I don’t care," Primrose said gently, but with confidence. "Even if you look dangerous, I know you’re not. Not to me."

Because deep down, she trusted him.

No matter how sharp his claws or how terrifying his form, Primrose believed that Edmund would never raise a hand against her, not even by accident.

Even if he had fangs or looked like something straight out of a nightmare, she wouldn’t be afraid.

"But ... what if I hurt you? Even by accident?" Edmund asked softly.

Hurt her? By accident?

Like if he lost control and bit her while in his beast form?

Yes, something like that could kill her instantly and he knew it.

Still, Primrose only stepped closer. "I believe you won’t," she whispered. "I believe my husband will do everything he can to protect me ... even from himself."

And he had already proven that.

He had resisted touching her, even after marking her, just because he was afraid of hurting her.

If anything, he had earned her full trust.

[Why is my wife getting closer?! Didn’t she say she’d increase the distance if I got too near?!] freewebnoveℓ.com

Ah ... so that’s why he looked so tense and frozen every time she stepped forward.

He thought he was breaking the rule, when in fact, she was the one closing the distance.

After how sweet and obedient he’d been ... how could she not give him a little reward?