The Mind-Reading Mate: Why Is the Lycan King So Obsessed With Me?!-Chapter 41: Gift For The Queen (1)

It had been a week since Edmund left the palace, and Primrose still had no idea when he would return.

Salem had been living in the palace ever since he worked as her poison tester. Every day, without fail, he would sigh in disappointment whenever her food turned out to be poison-free.

Honestly, it was concerning.

It felt like he was eagerly waiting for someone to poison her. Or worse, she had this awful feeling that he might just slip something into her plate himself just for the chance to taste it.

"Your Majesty, you seem restless." Solene set a cup of tea in front of her, watching her with quiet concern. "Has Sir Vesper been giving you trouble?"

"Oh, no. Not at all." Primrose waved a hand dismissively and placed her book on the table. "It’s just... I haven’t been sleeping well lately."

Salem had been a complete headache at the start, but at least he hadn’t caused any real trouble after that. Most of the time, he stayed locked in his room, except when it was time for her to eat.

Like this tea, for example.

Salem had taken a small sip to test it, then, once disappointed that it wasn’t poisoned, he had immediately disappeared back into his room.

It was efficient.

And best of all, he didn’t linger around bothering her with his presence.

She wasn’t too strict about it either, especially since Silas hadn’t arrived at the palace yet.

He had sent her a letter, claiming he needed to see a patient before coming.

Primrose didn’t believe that for a second.

He was probably just stalling, buying time to perfect his undetectable poison.

"And why is that, Your Majesty?" Solene asked, settling into the chair across from her.

Primrose shrugged. "No particular reason. I’m just not a deep sleeper."

That wasn’t exactly a lie, but it wasn’t the full truth either.

She always had trouble sleeping when she spent the entire day doing nothing. Her body wouldn’t feel tired at all, and she would just lie awake, staring at the ceiling, waiting for sleep that never came.

It was about time she did something useful, like attending noble gatherings to expand her connections.

More importantly, Primrose needed to win their favor so she could live peacefully in this kingdom.

The problem? No one had sent her an invitation.

Not even one.

Maybe it was because Edmund hadn’t thrown a proper wedding celebration. They didn’t have a grand banquet, no extravagant ball, just a simple ceremony in front of a priest.

Then, instead of spending their wedding night together, they had gone their separate ways.

Pathetic. freeweɓnøvel.com

Well, if the nobles wouldn’t invite her into their circles, then she would bring them to her.

She didn’t need anything as extravagant as a grand ball, but a tea gathering with the noblewomen of Noctvaris would do the trick.

"Solene," Primrose called, setting down her cup. "Can you find someone who can craft beautiful letter envelopes?"

Solene thought for a moment before nodding. "Yes, Your Majesty. Are you planning an event?"

Primrose lifted her teacup again. Before taking a sip, she replied, "I’d like to host a small tea gathering and invite a few guests."

Of course, there was no such thing as a simple event when it came to nobles.

She might call it a simple tea gathering, but it still required exquisite refreshments and the finest tea, not to flaunt her wealth, but to remind everyone that the Queen of Noctvaris was not someone to be ignored.

In her last life, Primrose had never hosted a tea gathering because she thought no one would come.

But this time, she was certain her invitations would bring the noblewomen flocking to the palace. After all, Edmund had marked her from day one.

And if there was one thing beasts loved, it was gossip.

"Your Majesty! You’ve returned?!" Primrose lifted her gaze as one of the guards outside spoke, his voice filled with surprise.

Just from his words and tone, she already knew that Edmund had returned to the palace.

What she didn’t expect was to see him looking like an absolute mess.

His face was smeared with dust, his robe was torn in places, and dried blood clung to the fabric.

What the hell happened to him?!

Did he go hunting ... or had he been the one hunted?!

Edmund didn’t acknowledge the soldier’s greeting. He simply walked forward, pushing open the greenhouse door. "Wife, I’m back."

[My wife doesn’t look happy to see me.]

Of course, she wasn’t!

Who in their right mind would be happy seeing their husband return looking like he had just crawled out of a battlefield?!

"You may go," Primrose said to Solene.

Without a word, Solene bowed and swiftly exited the greenhouse because she had no intention of getting involved in the King and Queen’s private matters.

Meanwhile, Edmund stood stiffly at the door, not moving any closer.

He just ... watched her from a distance.

[I’m filthy. If I go near my wife, she might be disgusted.]

[I should have cleaned myself up first.]

[But ... I was too excited to give her my gift.]

Primrose’s brows twitched.

Gift?

What kind of gift had he brought that left him looking like this?!

"Your Majesty, what happened to you?" Primrose rose from her chair, hurrying toward him. "Where have you been all this time?"

She reached out instinctively, wanting to touch his arm, only for Edmund to immediately step back.

[I don’t want to get her hands dirty.]

Primrose’s lips twitched.

This foolish Lycan King was about to create another pointless misunderstanding.

Oh, no.

Not this time.

Before he could slip away, she grabbed his arm firmly, fingers tightening just enough to make it clear that he wasn’t getting away from her.

Edmund froze. He didn’t dare pull back, probably afraid she’d stumble or fall if he moved too suddenly.

"Why are you avoiding me?!" Her patience was getting thinner and she wasn’t in the mood for his usual awkward, guilty excuses.

She just wanted to know why her foolish husband had come home looking like he had rolled through a battlefield, covered in dirt, with dried bloodstains clinging to his clothes.

Edmund hesitated. "I’m dirty," he muttered. "And I smell bad."

Primrose didn’t even blink.

"That’s not an answer," she shot back. "Where exactly did you go? Did you intentionally leave me in the palace for a whole week because you didn’t want to see your wife?"