Chapter 22: The King’s Invitation For Tea

Primrose had planned to roll around in bed all day because she had overslept and only woke up when the sky had already turned orange.

But, of course, her plans were ruined the moment a maid informed her that Edmund had invited her for tea in the greenhouse behind the palace.

Just great.

She had been seconds away from kicking Leah out of her bedroom when, instead, she found herself reluctantly asking for help getting dressed.

Not that she enjoyed it. She still despised that cunning little snake, but hey, if she had to tolerate her presence, at least she could still make good use of her.

Unfortunately, Leah had a bad habit of picking out the worst dresses for her. Either they were painfully unflattering or so hideously garish that Primrose wouldn’t be caught dead wearing them.

Back then, Primrose never cared much about her appearance because what was the point? No matter what she wore, the Lycan King would always avoid her.

But now? Now that Edmund had marked her, and the entire palace knew she had spent the night in his chambers, she had to look flawless at all times.

Well, if she was being honest, she just didn’t want to deal with people’s snide little thoughts if she wore something hideous.

“Why don’t you wear this yellow dress, Your Majesty?” Leah suggested, her voice all honeyed politeness as she held up a gown that looked like it had survived a war. “It’ll look good on you.”

[You can’t outshine me in front of His Majesty, so just wear something ugly!]

Primrose’s eye twitched. The dress was hideous. The color was faded, the style was outdated, and she was pretty sure no one with good fashion taste had worn something like this in decades.

“I think emerald suits my hair better,” she said with an easy smile, carefully keeping her voice pleasant. “Besides, the neckline of that dress is too low, and the air is cold near the night.”

[Tch. Next time, I’ll hide all her good dresses and leave only the ugly ones.]

Oh? Was that her plan?

Primrose made a mental note to personally set fire to every single ugly dress in her wardrobe, so Leah didn’t have a chance to show it to her!

After getting dressed, Primrose finally made her way to the greenhouse, though she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

Why was Edmund suddenly inviting her for tea there of all places?

In her first life, she had spent countless afternoons in the greenhouse, sipping tea while admiring the flowers. They reminded her of home—of Azmeria Kingdom, of the garden she used to play in as a child.

It was one of the few places in the Beast Kingdom that brought her comfort.

But Edmund? That man had never stepped foot inside.

She had invited him before—more than once, actually—but he always rejected her without hesitation. The soldiers had even warned her not to waste her time.

“The King despises flowers,” they had said. “You shouldn’t expect His Majesty to enter the greenhouse.”

And yet, here she was, heading toward the very place he claimed to hate, because he had asked her to be there.

The greenhouse was located in the palace’s back garden, looking almost out of place, like it had been forced to exist there.

It was a contrast to the rest of the palace grounds, which were dominated by towering stone walls, grand statues, and trimmed hedges.

The greenhouse, with its delicate glass panels and climbing vines, felt almost too fragile, too soft, for a kingdom ruled by beasts.

It was like a swan trapped among crocodiles. A little fluffy rabbit surrounded by a pack of wolves.

Yes, the greenhouse’s location was that odd.

And yet, despite its awkward placement, Primrose had always found it beautiful.

“Your Majesty.” The soldier standing guard outside the greenhouse bowed respectfully. “I hope the walk wasn’t too tiring for you.”

[Our poor queen had to make such a long journey to the greenhouse after spending the entire night in the King’s chamber.]

[His Majesty is so heartless! How could he let our fragile Queen walk all this way after such an exhausting night?!]

Primrose’s eye twitched slightly. At this point, it felt like the entire palace was gossiping about what happened last night.

All because she spent the night in his bedroom. Did that even make sense?! She had also nearly been killed yesterday, but somehow, everyone was more interested in her sex life than her survival!

“It wasn’t far at all,” she said softly, lifting her fan to partially cover her face. “Has His Majesty been waiting long?”

The soldier shook his head. “Only about an hour, Your Majesty. It’s really not that long.”

Not that long?!

Any other man would’ve stormed off if their wife made them wait that long!

What the hell was wrong with him?!

“Then, I’ll go in,” Primrose said casually.

The soldier immediately stepped forward, holding the glass door open for her. But just as Leah tried to follow, he firmly blocked her path.

“His Majesty has ordered that only the Queen may enter. Everyone else must wait outside.”

Leah stiffened, her fox-like ears twitching in irritation.

[What?!] Her thoughts practically screamed in outrage. [How dare this lowly soldier make me wait outside?!]

[His Majesty would obviously prefer to see me over that useless Queen!]

Still, she masked her frustration with a gentle smile. “I hope you can be more understanding. I always assist Her Majesty with everything. If I’m not by her side, she might struggle when she need something.”

The soldier remained firm. “His Majesty was very clear. No outsiders are allowed inside. Please follow orders, or I’ll be forced to remove you.”

Leah’s eye twitched. “I—”

“Lady Leah.”

Primrose suddenly cut in. She stepped closer, leaning in just enough for Leah to hear her whisper. “Please, let me have some dignity. I’d rather not have His Majesty compare me to you out loud.”

Leah’s face burned red.

[Of course.] She scoffed in her mind. [She’d be humiliated if His Majesty couldn’t take his eyes off me instead of her.]

“Very well, Your Majesty.” Leah forced a demure smile as she stepped back. “I’ll wait here.”

As soon as Primrose turned away, she rolled her eyes.

For someone so desperate for the King’s attention, Leah sure had an ego the size of a damn mountain.

Primrose didn’t waste another second. She stepped into the greenhouse as the glass doors shut behind her with a soft click.

The moment she entered, the floral scent wrapped around her. Sunlight came through the glass ceiling, casting golden patterns across the stone floor.

The greenhouse was just as she remembered. It was filled with lush greenery, delicate vines curling around white marble pillars, and vibrant blooms filling the greenhouse with bursts of color.

But, none of it could distract her eyes from the man seated at the center of the greenhouse.

The Lycan King sat at an elegantly set tea table, his broad frame looking completely out of place in such a delicate flowery garden.

He was dressed in his usual dark attire, the high collar of his coat emphasizing his sharp, chiseled features.

The moment Primrose stepped inside, Edmund’s icy-blue eyes locked onto her, and within seconds, his thoughts flooded her mind like a bolt of lighting.

[MY WIFE! MY WIFE IS HERE!]

[She looks beautiful as always. Did she braid her hair today? That makes her look even sweeter than usual.]

“Your Majesty.” Primrose curtsied gracefully. “I apologize for making you wait so long.”

[Long? I only waited an hour.] Edmund sounded genuinely confused. [Besides, it’s my fault for inviting her so suddenly.]

[Is she upset because I called her out of nowhere?]

“Sit,” Edmund said, his voice cold and impassive.

Behind her fan, Primrose clicked her tongue. Seriously? After everything that happened last night, he was still speaking to her like this?

She had been sure their little battle had at least melted him a little.

Clearly, her husband needed another lesson today.

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