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

Chapter 537: Pandora’s Box

His voice grew colder afterward. "And I want to know who the people were that hurt you in the past."

[So I can make them pay for the sins they committed against you back then.] His eyes darkened slightly as those thoughts crossed his mind. [They made you suffer, and it would be extremely irritating if they also reincarnated and ended up living good lives.]

Primrose swallowed hard because she didn’t even fully know all the terrible things the Cardinal had done to her in the past, and maybe there were even other people involved too.

Part of her wanted to know the truth, but another part of her was terrified to uncover it.

After all, there were some things that were better left sealed inside Pandora’s box, because once opened, they could bring nothing but pain and disaster.

"Maybe someday we’ll get our answer," Primrose said softly. "But for now, we should focus on solving the problems in front of us, and Edmund..."

Her voice grew quieter near the end. She lowered her head even more before finally saying, "Some of the things the mysterious voice said were true."

Edmund’s arms tightened around her slightly. "What part?" he asked carefully, though his expression showed that he already had a guess.

"I..." Primrose took a deep breath before finally forcing herself to continue. "I chose to die because I wanted to make you feel... guilty."

Her voice cracked near the end. "Back then, I knew... I knew the maid had slipped something strange into my soup, but I... I..."

She suddenly stopped talking because she couldn’t continue it. Her hand instinctively grabbed Edmund’s tightly because deep down, she was afraid he would push her away after hearing the truth.

But instead of pushing her away, Edmund only tightened his hold around her even more and rested his chin on her shoulder.

"I understand," Edmund replied softly. "I’m not happy with your choice, but I understand, my wife."

His voice sounded calm, but the guilt inside him grew heavier. [You did that because I was a terrible husband.]

[It wasn’t your fault. It was mine.]

Primrose wanted to say something back, but no words came out because both of them already knew that their poor communication had allowed misunderstandings to pile up higher and higher until they eventually destroyed their relationship.

"I’m so sorry," she whispered at last.

Edmund answered in a low voice that sounded almost like a whisper. "Don’t be."

After that, silence fell between them.

The conversation had become too heavy, and Primrose didn’t want to cry in front of so many people, so in the end, neither of them spoke again.

They simply held each other’s hands quietly throughout the rest of the journey until they finally arrived at the Duke of Illvaris’ manor.

"I’m glad we didn’t run into anything strange on the way," Solene said with a relieved sigh.

She helped Primrose climb down from the horse before carefully fixing her appearance.

She quickly walked over to help Primrose climb down from the horse before gently fixing her slightly messy clothes. "Is your body alright, Your Majesty?" Solene asked worriedly. "That long ride must’ve made your waist hurt."

Primrose gave her a small smile. "It hurts a little, but I’m fine."

The moment Edmund heard that, his hand moved toward her waist almost on reflex, but halfway there, he suddenly stopped himself and slowly pulled his hand back.

[Maybe not now.] He thought.

Unfortunately, Solene accidentally noticed the awkward movement. Her eyes immediately narrowed slightly as she glanced between the two of them.

[Did they fight during the journey?]

[It really looks like it...]

She was extremely curious, but at the same time, she didn’t dare ask.

Fortunately, before the atmosphere could become even more awkward, the manor doors suddenly burst open.

"Rosie!" Lazarus rushed outside with Salem following behind him. He looked completely panicked as he hurried toward his daughter.

"You’re alright, aren’t you?" he asked quickly. "That bastard king didn’t do anything to you, right?"

At this point, Lazarus no longer even tried to hide his hatred whenever he talked about Averon. Honestly, Primrose was pretty sure her father had wanted to call Averon a bastard for a very long time already.

"I’m fine, Father," Primrose replied calmly.

Then her gaze slowly shifted toward the rescued women standing nearby.

"I’m sorry," she said softly. "But it looks like I’m about to make the manor much more crowded."

Lazarus immediately frowned. "Don’t say something like that!" he scolded her right away. "This manor has been too quiet ever since you moved away. I’m actually happy seeing this place lively again."

Then he proudly added, "Besides, we have more than enough rooms for everyone!"

[My Rosie looks so exhausted. This journey and all these problems must be stressing her out so much,] Lazarus thought sadly.

[Like I’ve always thought, she should’ve just inherited my business instead of getting dragged into all this annoying political nonsense!]

[And that damn Averon... I hope he dies painfully.]

Primrose had already expected her father to curse Averon in his mind, but honestly... she didn’t expect his thoughts to sound this murderous.

"Why don’t you go rest first?" Lazarus said gently. "It’s alright. I’ll take care of everyone here and arrange the rooms for them."

"Yes, Your Majesty, you look a little pale," Salem added quietly.

Primrose glanced at Salem for a few seconds. For some reason, seeing him act so calm felt strange to her.

Maybe remembering his painful past through the rescued children had drained him emotionally too.

"There are thirty-two women in total," Primrose explained to her father while also telling him about the group arrangements. "For now, please place four people in each room. It’ll be easier for us to watch over them that way and ask her to keep the ribbons on their wrists."

After all, it was still too dangerous for them to go around alone, and they were probably also too anxious to stay alone in such a huge place.

"Alright, alright, I remember everything," Lazarus reassured her quickly.

Then he gently pushed Primrose toward the manor entrance like a worried father sending his daughter to bed. "Now go get some rest."

After that, he turned toward Edmund and frowned slightly. "You too, son. You don’t look well either."